UM/Iowa Spin

crazycat · Post by **crazycat** » Thu Sep 07, 2006 1:08 pm

I haven’t noticed anyone talking about this, but a lot of UM fans keep mentioning how they were “in the game” against Iowa. Their logic being that they were only down 17-7 in the third quarter.

I’d have to say that’s just spin and a bit of a stretch for the term ‘in the game’ unless you just mean you played in the same game. You can go ahead and say they played pretty well considering how good Iowa is, but they were never in the game.

UM was down 17-0 at halftime against an Iowa team that kept everything very vanilla and they continued to play this way all game. UM’s so-called threat came after Iowa fumbled the ball away on its first drive of the second half. Credit UM for forcing and recovering the ball and credit them for converting a couple third downs on their drive from midfield to the end zone, but don’t credit them for being in the game.

Had they stopped Iowa on its next possession and then just got a couple first downs and gotten near midfield or somewhere close to scoring position, I’d let that stand as being in the game, but that didn’t even come close to happening. Iowa promptly went on long touchdown drives using nothing fancy from its offense on its next two possessions to make it 31-7.

LTown Cat · Post by **LTown Cat** » Thu Sep 07, 2006 1:16 pm

You just spelled out word for word what I have been saying to Griz fans up here who say they were "in the game" all week long. I'm sick of arguing about it. Some people just don't get it.

BR GRIZ · Post by **BR GRIZ** » Thu Sep 07, 2006 1:21 pm

I attended the game, and sat in the middle of all Iowa fans. Everyone around me thought we were in the game, and were nervous about it. But then again, what do they know

crazycat · Post by **crazycat** » Thu Sep 07, 2006 1:28 pm

I'd been nervous, too. In that I'd be worried that if UM got the ball back and started driving they could get back "in the game". But since Iowa just went down and scored twice in a row, I'd been laughing at myself for letting the thought seep into my mind.

I'm not saying the Griz played poorly, so please don't take it that way. It's just that they weren't really in the game. It's one thing to say Colorado sucks and that's why MSU won, but to say UM was in it against Iowa is more than I can stomach. You're Colorado might just suck, but UM was never in it vs. Iowa.

And if I were an Iowa fan sitting next to a Griz fan, I'd said the same thing being the polite host.

LTown Cat · Post by **LTown Cat** » Thu Sep 07, 2006 1:29 pm

I just don't think UM ever threatened. Set aside the one drive and UM's offense did next to nothing. Yes, the "D" did well for 2-1/2 quarters, but keeping it close doesn't mean you ever threatened to win, which is what I would consider being "in the game". When we were down to Cal-Poly 14-7 last year, it never felt like we were "in the game".

Post by **SonomaCat** » Thu Sep 07, 2006 1:40 pm

BR GRIZ wrote:I attended the game, and sat in the middle of all Iowa fans. Everyone around me thought we were in the game, and were nervous about it. But then again, what do they know

They were nervous only because they bet the over.

BR GRIZ · Post by **BR GRIZ** » Thu Sep 07, 2006 2:01 pm

I've never said Colorado sucks.

Iowa fans expected to be up big on us early and they were not. When the Griz scored to make it 17-7 half way through the 3rd, total yards were something like 150 to 70 in Iowa's favor, and first downs were about even. Iowa had not scored since making a field goal after a Griz turnover in the 2nd, and had not moved the ball their last couple of possessions. It took the Griz until the 2nd to make a first down, but they were no longer going 3 and out, but instead had begun moving the ball. At the game, it felt as if the tide might turn, and this was not Iowa fans being polite. They were pissed.

I give Iowa all the credit in the world, they marched right back down the field and scored and dominated the Griz at the end of the 3rd and all of the 4th. But that does not take away from the fact that in the middle of the third the Griz were still in the game.

JahGriz · Post by **JahGriz** » Thu Sep 07, 2006 3:08 pm

I don't think the Griz were really "in the game" so to speak, but they played very tough, though not extremely well. Penalties and missed opportunities hurt big time. The Griz had a lot of penalties, two of which were BS. But that is how it goes, some go your way some go the other way. But 117 yards in penalties is not going to help. And one of the penalties gave Iowa the ball back and put the Griz D right back on the field after a they stopped Iowa. In addition the Griz dropped two interception, both in Iowa territory. This game could easily have been closer without stretching the imagination.

Also, any comparisons between Iowa and Colorado stop at them both being IA. Iowa would decimate Colorado. And that isn't to take anything away from what the cats did. I've said, regardless of Colorado's talent, new QB and new coach, they are still a Big 12 team, and that means their reach is far and pockets deep. The cat win was huge anyway you look at it.

Back to Griz/Iowa. The Griz not only held Albert Young to under 100 yards, but kept Tates throwing percentage down. Considering how well Iowa runs the ball, that is pretty incredible for a little I-AA team. Play action off of a great running team usually has a QB's passing percentage real high. Sorry but Colorado's QB is no Drew Tate, their RB no Albert Young, and their OL and DL not even in the same ballpark as Iowa's. And TE is awesome. Who did Colorado have that was worthy of honors like the three of these guys. Is Colorado's DL one of, if not the best in the Big 12, as many consider Iowas to be in the Big 10?

Sure it wasn't 17 - 7 for long, but that was half way (or so) thru the 3rd Qtr. I guarantee no one other than some serious sugar coaters thought this would be the case.

So all I'm saying is maybe, just maybe the Griz did do pretty well considering the competition. They were far from perfect and did infact "hang" with Iowa. Was it more impressive than what MSU or PSU or even NAU did. Probably not, but is it spin to give some props to the Griz, No.

LTown Cat · Post by **LTown Cat** » Thu Sep 07, 2006 3:31 pm

JahGriz wrote:I don't think the Griz were really "in the game" so to speak, but they played very tough, though not extremely well. Penalties and missed opportunities hurt big time. The Griz had a lot of penalties, two of which were BS. But that is how it goes, some go your way some go the other way. But 117 yards in penalties is not going to help. And one of the penalties gave Iowa the ball back and put the Griz D right back on the field after a they stopped Iowa. In addition the Griz dropped two interception, both in Iowa territory. This game could easily have been closer without stretching the imagination.

Also, any comparisons between Iowa and Colorado stop at them both being IA. Iowa would decimate Colorado. And that isn't to take anything away from what the cats did. I've said, regardless of Colorado's talent, new QB and new coach, they are still a Big 12 team, and that means their reach is far and pockets deep. The cat win was huge anyway you look at it.

Back to Griz/Iowa. The Griz not only held Albert Young to under 100 yards, but kept Tates throwing percentage down. Considering how well Iowa runs the ball, that is pretty incredible for a little I-AA team. Play action off of a great running team usually has a QB's passing percentage real high. Sorry but Colorado's QB is no Drew Tate, their RB no Albert Young, and their OL and DL not even in the same ballpark as Iowa's. And TE is awesome. Who did Colorado have that was worthy of honors like the three of these guys. Is Colorado's DL one of, if not the best in the Big 12, as many consider Iowas to be in the Big 10?

Sure it wasn't 17 - 7 for long, but that was half way (or so) thru the 3rd Qtr. I guarantee no one other than some serious sugar coaters thought this would be the case.

So all I'm saying is maybe, just maybe the Griz did do pretty well considering the competition. They were far from perfect and did infact "hang" with Iowa. Was it more impressive than what MSU or PSU or even NAU did. Probably not, but is it spin to give some props to the Griz, No.

I concur.

CARDIAC_CATS · Post by **CARDIAC_CATS** » Thu Sep 07, 2006 4:12 pm

I pretty much thought it was a bland game. Iowa was just feeling the Griz out in the first half and trying not to make mistakes as they adjusted to the speed/ferocity of the first game (first game jitters). Once they got their bearings straight they just coasted the rest of the way. That is what it looked like to me. At no time ever did I think the Griz were ever in that game though. You could totally see that they were inept on offense against them. Pretty boring game all in all.

CelticCat · Post by **CelticCat** » Thu Sep 07, 2006 4:24 pm

To put this whole "debate" (laugh) to rest, just visit AGS. Find how many threads talk about the Griz loss, and how many talk about the Cats win.

Thanks for playing.

MSU Toddler · Post by **MSU Toddler** » Thu Sep 07, 2006 4:57 pm

don't they play four quarters in a football game? playing a team tough for 2.5 quarter is impressive, but it means everything to gauge the whole game (i.e. who is more conditioned, running game wore the defense out, the coaches made adjustments, mistakes were overcome, etc., etc., etc.). i was impressed that the griz played them tight for the time they did, but that's it. i don't see how you can compare the Cats win to the griz lose --- from either side with any sound logic. to me it is actually meaningless to try and potentially dangerous to the Cats. i'd rather let them think they are still the show and beat them again in november.

the thing that bothers me is the few envious griz fans upset that the Cats got a little credit for that win. i've seen children pout less then some of them. www.getoveritandmoveon.com

this reminds of something vince lombardi said "we didn't lose the game, we just ran out of time"? it is something like this, but completely different.

grizzh8r · Post by **grizzh8r** » Thu Sep 07, 2006 4:58 pm

JahGriz wrote:Who did Colorado have that was worthy of honors like the three of these guys. Is Colorado's DL one of, if not the best in the Big 12, as many consider Iowas to be in the Big 10?

Yes, in fact they are. They return a front 7 that was second in the Big 12 in run defense, and only allowed 58 yards to a pretty good running back (You Griz fans should know who this is

). Boye-Doe and Hypolite will play on Sundays.

It was their secondary that was their undoing. They were dead last in the Big 12 last year, and showed little improvement against the Cats.

BR GRIZ · Post by **BR GRIZ** » Thu Sep 07, 2006 5:21 pm

LTown Cat wrote:
JahGriz wrote:I don't think the Griz were really "in the game" so to speak, but they played very tough, though not extremely well. Penalties and missed opportunities hurt big time. The Griz had a lot of penalties, two of which were BS. But that is how it goes, some go your way some go the other way. But 117 yards in penalties is not going to help. And one of the penalties gave Iowa the ball back and put the Griz D right back on the field after a they stopped Iowa. In addition the Griz dropped two interception, both in Iowa territory. This game could easily have been closer without stretching the imagination.

Also, any comparisons between Iowa and Colorado stop at them both being IA. Iowa would decimate Colorado. And that isn't to take anything away from what the cats did. I've said, regardless of Colorado's talent, new QB and new coach, they are still a Big 12 team, and that means their reach is far and pockets deep. The cat win was huge anyway you look at it.

Back to Griz/Iowa. The Griz not only held Albert Young to under 100 yards, but kept Tates throwing percentage down. Considering how well Iowa runs the ball, that is pretty incredible for a little I-AA team. Play action off of a great running team usually has a QB's passing percentage real high. Sorry but Colorado's QB is no Drew Tate, their RB no Albert Young, and their OL and DL not even in the same ballpark as Iowa's. And TE is awesome. Who did Colorado have that was worthy of honors like the three of these guys. Is Colorado's DL one of, if not the best in the Big 12, as many consider Iowas to be in the Big 10?

Sure it wasn't 17 - 7 for long, but that was half way (or so) thru the 3rd Qtr. I guarantee no one other than some serious sugar coaters thought this would be the case.

So all I'm saying is maybe, just maybe the Griz did do pretty well considering the competition. They were far from perfect and did infact "hang" with Iowa. Was it more impressive than what MSU or PSU or even NAU did. Probably not, but is it spin to give some props to the Griz, No.
I concur.

I concur as well. Perhaps I just don't understand the phrase "in the game," because "hanging with Iowa" also describes my thoughts that the game was not over until late 3rd or early 4th quarter. Despite the score of 41-7, I can also tell you that the Iowa fans were not happy after the game. A phrase that I heard several times after the game was "there is no chance we can beat Ohio State if we play them like we played today." This is same put down, albeit in a different form, is what bothers Cat fans when some idiot says the Cats merely beat a bad Colorado team.

Personally, I think the Griz and the Cats both played well, with the Cats being more impressive because they won. With that said, I disagree with those Griz fans who discount the Cats' win because it was over a "bad" Colorado team, but I also disagree with those Cat fans who apparently consider a victory over Colorado to be hollow unless they can also show the Griz played bad. I'd be thrilled if it came down to the best two teams in the Big Sky meeting in November for all the marbles.

crazycat · Post by **crazycat** » Thu Sep 07, 2006 7:41 pm

I didn't start this thread to get into a comparison between MSU and UM. It's just that a lot of folks seemed to think UM was hanging with/in the game vs. Iowa. That isn't to say the Griz didn't do well. They did.

I think a lot of MSU fans are miffed at the fact that folks are saying Colorado sucks. No one knows if that's true or not at this point in the season. Colorado may bounce back and have a good season. That's the beauty of sports, it's full of surprises. I don't think any team that makes it to a bowl sucks. To me sucks is 4-8 or worse.

The fact that some UM fans decided to say Colorado sucks as their excuse for MSU winning is in poor taste. I didn't hear anyone say Iowa had a bad day and that's why they only won by 34. It's simply that MSU winning has given a few people a complex and it has embarrassed a lot of Colorado and I-A fans, so hence the Buffalos must suck.

Swilly3224 · Post by **Swilly3224** » Thu Sep 07, 2006 9:17 pm

Bay Area Cat wrote:
BR GRIZ wrote:I attended the game, and sat in the middle of all Iowa fans. Everyone around me thought we were in the game, and were nervous about it. But then again, what do they know
They were nervous only because they bet the over.

For a man that lives on what is smack and what isnt, take that comment to the smack board! I was right in my assumption that this board is corrupt....

Anyways....

Griz played well enough to where it got their fans going. Week 1 is over with, now south dakota state comes to the Zoo for an ass whoopin

LETS BULLEY!

Post by **SonomaCat** » Thu Sep 07, 2006 11:36 pm

Swilly3224 wrote:
Bay Area Cat wrote:
BR GRIZ wrote:I attended the game, and sat in the middle of all Iowa fans. Everyone around me thought we were in the game, and were nervous about it. But then again, what do they know
They were nervous only because they bet the over.
For a man that lives on what is smack and what isnt, take that comment to the smack board! I was right in my assumption that this board is corrupt....

I'm just happy you figured out the reference. You aren't old enough to gamble legally in the U.S., are you?

El_Gato · Post by **El_Gato** » Fri Sep 08, 2006 10:07 am

I will say that obviously the Griz were "hanging in" midway through the 3rd quarter but I also want to caution griz fans about one thing: I doubt Iowa used more than 30-40% of their playbook in that game. I'm sure they're smart enough to know this was a gimme game and they didn't want to give their Big 10 opponents much to study for upcoming games...

CelticCat · Post by **CelticCat** » Fri Sep 08, 2006 11:25 am

Thaddeus Washington, LB for CU, is a pre-season All-American and All-Big 12.

CU has a talented DL and LB corp, but as said earlier, their secondary needs some help big time, although nobody could've thrown better balls than Carpenter did.