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Brick Sports Pub 007 · Post by **Brick Sports Pub 007** » Thu Nov 16, 2006 4:11 pm

I-AA West: Rivalries Highlight Conference Races in Final Week

Kent Schmidt, I-AA.org Columnist

Well, the end is now for I-AA but the scheduling given from both the Big Sky and Great West Conferences had their ducks in a row when the schedules were announced before the season. Both conference titles are still up in the air but the two races will be decided by head-to-head match-ups this week with two rivalry games to decide the two conference champions.

The other I-AA West conference, the Southland Conference, has also just two teams possible of getting that league’s crown but will have to do it with two separate games.

The final week of the I-AA history will certainly have some final fireworks, especially in the I-AA West.

What are the games this weekend that both are rivalry games and games that will help decide conference championships?

In the Big Sky Conference, all eyes will be on the “Brawl of the Wild” game in Missoula between Montana and Montana State. The winner of this game will be the automatic qualifier to the Division I playoffs. Montana State likely needs the win to get in, as a loss would result in the Bobcats gaining just seven wins with four losses. Montana on the other hand is likely already in the postseason but a loss would likely drop the Grizzlies from one of the top four seeds for the football tournament.

The two Montana schools will be meeting for the 106th time this Saturday in Missoula with Montana winning 65 times and Montana State winning 35 times with five ties. In the last few years, however, the Bobcats have had the better of the Grizzlies in winning three of the last four meetings including a 16-6 win for MSU last year in Bozeman.

The Grizzlies, however, did win the last meeting in Missoula two years ago when Montana made it all the way to the national title game. Montana won 38-22.

Montana enters the game undefeated against I-AA competition and the Grizzlies only loss was at I-A Iowa to begin the season. Montana State has a I-A victory on its resume in a defeat of Colorado but the Bobcats also have an embarrassing loss on their second game at home to Chadron State of Nebraska, Division II school, who by the way is undefeated going into the DII playoffs.

I-AA West Games of the Week

With two head-to-head games that will result in determining conference champions, I thought it would be worthy of two games of the week; Montana State @ Montana and South Dakota State @ North Dakota State.

#15 Montana State (7-3, 6-1) @ #2 Montana (9-1, 7-0)

Both schools have had been winning lately. Montana has won nine straight games, while Montana State has won six in a row so something has to give Saturday in this game. The winner will be the Big Sky’s automatic bid winner.

Montana is ranked #2 in the country and with a win, would likely gain a Top 2 seed to have home field advantage throughout the playoffs. Montana State needs a win to assure itself of a playoff spot. A loss would give the Bobcats four losses and would likely be on the outside of the playoff hunt.

Montana State is coming off a bye week leading into this game, where as Montana played at Northern Colorado to a blowout win. The question often is whether a week off is helpful for this game or if playing a weaker opponent is better. I tend to think that having a bye week before a rivalry game is the better option.

Last week, I made the prediction of Montana State winning this game and I will not stray. I like the way the Bobcats are playing right now even though they tend to play to the level of their competition.

Montana has not won very convincingly over the past five games aside from last week’s blowout at Northern Colorado. Montana State, likewise, has not won convincingly either in any of their wins.

The statistics and home field seem to favor Montana but there is just a part of me that thinks that Montana State will pull off the win in Missoula. I will take the Bobcats by three in a rather low scoring game.

VictorG · Post by **VictorG** » Thu Nov 16, 2006 4:15 pm

That was written by Mr C from AGS............I need not say anymore!

Thunder Cat · Post by **Thunder Cat** » Thu Nov 16, 2006 4:26 pm

Ohhhhhhh!!!! Don't kiss enough Grizzly Ass for you?

What's you Vector Victor?????

Grizlaw · Post by **Grizlaw** » Thu Nov 16, 2006 4:27 pm

VictorG wrote:That was written by Mr C from AGS............I need not say anymore!

Actually, it was written by Mr. Schmidt. I went to their website looking for Coulson's prediction, but he appears not to have written one.

HelenaCat95 · Post by **HelenaCat95** » Thu Nov 16, 2006 4:45 pm

Uh Oh.....time to break another curse.

VictorG · Post by **VictorG** » Thu Nov 16, 2006 5:21 pm

Thunder Cat wrote:Ohhhhhhh!!!! Don't kiss enough Grizzly Ass for you?

What's you Vector Victor?????

Vector Victor...I'm not getting that?

VictorG · Post by **VictorG** » Thu Nov 16, 2006 5:23 pm

Grizlaw wrote:
VictorG wrote:That was written by Mr C from AGS............I need not say anymore!
Actually, it was written by Mr. Schmidt. I went to their website looking for Coulson's prediction, but he appears not to have written one.

Then I have let myself be mislead by being lazy and passed on misinformation to others! I will discipline myself now!

GrizinWashington · Post by **GrizinWashington** » Thu Nov 16, 2006 6:31 pm

VictorG wrote:
Thunder Cat wrote:Ohhhhhhh!!!! Don't kiss enough Grizzly Ass for you?

What's you Vector Victor?????
Vector Victor...I'm not getting that?

It's from the movie Airplane.

catsrback76 · Post by **catsrback76** » Thu Nov 16, 2006 6:34 pm

The guy makes sense to me.

Platinumcat · Post by **Platinumcat** » Thu Nov 16, 2006 6:47 pm

The "w" was already a lock with Dougherty picking the 'Cats to lose. He's done so in every game they were the underdog this year and every game the team has proven him wrong.

Sorry Griz fans, too much karma going against you on this one.

083190 · Post by **083190** » Thu Nov 16, 2006 6:58 pm

Roger, ...Roger!

Weltercat · Post by **Weltercat** » Thu Nov 16, 2006 8:12 pm

I don't place much credibility in what those writers at the 1-AA website say. Usually it's just a bunch of "how great the fizzlies are" crap. I am surprised to hear them predicting a cat win.

1BadBobcat · Post by **1BadBobcat** » Fri Nov 17, 2006 12:04 am

HelenaCat95 wrote:Uh Oh.....time to break another curse.

I think all us good folk here on Bobcat Nation need to start a fund to help out with any of your future medical needs

Hell's Bells · Post by **Hell's Bells** » Fri Nov 17, 2006 12:06 am

1BadBobcat wrote:
HelenaCat95 wrote:Uh Oh.....time to break another curse.

I think all us good folk here on Bobcat Nation need to start a fund to help out with any of your future medical needs

how about a booze and cigs fund

Cat in NC · Post by **Cat in NC** » Fri Nov 17, 2006 5:43 am

Hell's Bells wrote:
1BadBobcat wrote:
HelenaCat95 wrote:Uh Oh.....time to break another curse.

I think all us good folk here on Bobcat Nation need to start a fund to help out with any of your future medical needs
how about a booze and cigs fund

I'd like to volunteer part of my liver.

Wait, I think I left my liver in the R Bar about 10 years ago. Never mind...

Count me in for the liquor and smokes collection.

HelenaCat95 · Post by **HelenaCat95** » Fri Nov 17, 2006 10:02 am

Hell's Bells wrote:
1BadBobcat wrote:
HelenaCat95 wrote:Uh Oh.....time to break another curse.

I think all us good folk here on Bobcat Nation need to start a fund to help out with any of your future medical needs
how about a booze and cigs fund

Thank you all for your medical assistance. Just sprinkle my ashes at mid-field on a beautiful sunny Fall afternoon.

As Kramer says, November is Big-Man month...and I am a large guy.

The only reason I am not dead, is because for me curse-breaking is not just some 5-month fall endeavor. It is a year-round activity.
As soon as the season is over, I will take two weeks off, and eat nothing but salads and drink nothing but milk. Then it's back into the training room....errrr, tavern, in order to get ready for next season. For me, curse-breaking is won and lost in the off-season.