Home Field Advantage

[OldGriz]

The Cats have NEVER taken a defense like this into Missoula. Defense travels and our Cats will make a statement.

The 2002 defense was the best defense (which included the current Griz D Coordinator) I have ever seen the Cats have. This year's defense is really close to that. The Griz have a tough time sustaining long drives and the Cats don't give up many big plays. As long as the Cats' defense continues this level of play, I don't see the Griz putting up more than 21 points total. My prediction is 38-17 Cats.

The current Griz D Coordinator was the Notre Dame D Coordinator in 2002.

[MrGoodKat]

The Cats have NEVER taken a defense like this into Missoula. Defense travels and our Cats will make a statement.

The 2002 defense was the best defense (which included the current Griz D Coordinator) I have ever seen the Cats have. This year's defense is really close to that. The Griz have a tough time sustaining long drives and the Cats don't give up many big plays. As long as the Cats' defense continues this level of play, I don't see the Griz putting up more than 21 points total. My prediction is 38-17 Cats.

The current Griz D Coordinator was the Notre Dame D Coordinator in 2002.

Who would that be?

[BelligerentBobcat]

The Cats have NEVER taken a defense like this into Missoula. Defense travels and our Cats will make a statement.

The 2002 defense was the best defense (which included the current Griz D Coordinator) I have ever seen the Cats have. This year's defense is really close to that. The Griz have a tough time sustaining long drives and the Cats don't give up many big plays. As long as the Cats' defense continues this level of play, I don't see the Griz putting up more than 21 points total. My prediction is 38-17 Cats.

The current Griz D Coordinator was the Notre Dame D Coordinator in 2002.

Forgot what year it is? Would actually make your posts make more sense.

[RKMCMT]

The Cats have NEVER taken a defense like this into Missoula. Defense travels and our Cats will make a statement.

The 2002 defense was the best defense (which included the current Griz D Coordinator) I have ever seen the Cats have. This year's defense is really close to that. The Griz have a tough time sustaining long drives and the Cats don't give up many big plays. As long as the Cats' defense continues this level of play, I don't see the Griz putting up more than 21 points total. My prediction is 38-17 Cats.

The current Griz D Coordinator was the Notre Dame D Coordinator in 2002.

You guys should've dusted off Tyrone Willingham too.

[OldGriz]

The Cats have NEVER taken a defense like this into Missoula. Defense travels and our Cats will make a statement.

The 2002 defense was the best defense (which included the current Griz D Coordinator) I have ever seen the Cats have. This year's defense is really close to that. The Griz have a tough time sustaining long drives and the Cats don't give up many big plays. As long as the Cats' defense continues this level of play, I don't see the Griz putting up more than 21 points total. My prediction is 38-17 Cats.

The current Griz D Coordinator was the Notre Dame D Coordinator in 2002.

Who would that be?

Kent Baer. He was the DC at Notre Dame 2002-2004 and served as an interim HC for Notre Dame in 2004.

[MrGoodKat]

The Cats have NEVER taken a defense like this into Missoula. Defense travels and our Cats will make a statement.

The 2002 defense was the best defense (which included the current Griz D Coordinator) I have ever seen the Cats have. This year's defense is really close to that. The Griz have a tough time sustaining long drives and the Cats don't give up many big plays. As long as the Cats' defense continues this level of play, I don't see the Griz putting up more than 21 points total. My prediction is 38-17 Cats.

The current Griz D Coordinator was the Notre Dame D Coordinator in 2002.

Who would that be?

Kent Baer. He was the DC at Notre Dame 2002-2004 and served as an interim HC for Notre Dame in 2004.

Baer’s last year as the DC was 2022. He’s a consultant.

The co-DC’s are Roger Cooper (who was being referred to above) and Tim Hauck.

[OldGriz]

The Cats have NEVER taken a defense like this into Missoula. Defense travels and our Cats will make a statement.

The 2002 defense was the best defense (which included the current Griz D Coordinator) I have ever seen the Cats have. This year's defense is really close to that. The Griz have a tough time sustaining long drives and the Cats don't give up many big plays. As long as the Cats' defense continues this level of play, I don't see the Griz putting up more than 21 points total. My prediction is 38-17 Cats.

The current Griz D Coordinator was the Notre Dame D Coordinator in 2002.

Forgot what year it is? Would actually make your posts make more sense.

What are you talking about? I’m simply clarifying that the Griz DC was not at Montana in 2002. He was at Notre Dame.

[Catsrgrood]

The Cats have NEVER taken a defense like this into Missoula. Defense travels and our Cats will make a statement.

The 2002 defense was the best defense (which included the current Griz D Coordinator) I have ever seen the Cats have. This year's defense is really close to that. The Griz have a tough time sustaining long drives and the Cats don't give up many big plays. As long as the Cats' defense continues this level of play, I don't see the Griz putting up more than 21 points total. My prediction is 38-17 Cats.

The current Griz D Coordinator was the Notre Dame D Coordinator in 2002.

Who would that be?

Kent Baer. He was the DC at Notre Dame 2002-2004 and served as an interim HC for Notre Dame in 2004.

Dang, must be good, worked his way all the way up from Notre Dame head coach to DC at Montana.

[BelligerentBobcat]

The Cats have NEVER taken a defense like this into Missoula. Defense travels and our Cats will make a statement.

The 2002 defense was the best defense (which included the current Griz D Coordinator) I have ever seen the Cats have. This year's defense is really close to that. The Griz have a tough time sustaining long drives and the Cats don't give up many big plays. As long as the Cats' defense continues this level of play, I don't see the Griz putting up more than 21 points total. My prediction is 38-17 Cats.

The current Griz D Coordinator was the Notre Dame D Coordinator in 2002.

Forgot what year it is? Would actually make your posts make more sense.

What are you talking about? I’m simply clarifying that the Griz DC was not at Montana in 2002. He was at Notre Dame.

The Griz DC played against UM in 2002. Well, one of them did.

[OldGriz]

The Cats have NEVER taken a defense like this into Missoula. Defense travels and our Cats will make a statement.

The 2002 defense was the best defense (which included the current Griz D Coordinator) I have ever seen the Cats have. This year's defense is really close to that. The Griz have a tough time sustaining long drives and the Cats don't give up many big plays. As long as the Cats' defense continues this level of play, I don't see the Griz putting up more than 21 points total. My prediction is 38-17 Cats.

The current Griz D Coordinator was the Notre Dame D Coordinator in 2002.

Forgot what year it is? Would actually make your posts make more sense.

What are you talking about? I’m simply clarifying that the Griz DC was not at Montana in 2002. He was at Notre Dame.

The Griz DC played against UM in 2002. Well, one of them did.

OK. I get it. Thought you meant Baer. They brought him back (“senior defensive analyst”) to do everything he did before as DC (because co-anything means you don’t have one, e.g., “co-DC’s).

[BelligerentBobcat]

The Cats have NEVER taken a defense like this into Missoula. Defense travels and our Cats will make a statement.

The 2002 defense was the best defense (which included the current Griz D Coordinator) I have ever seen the Cats have. This year's defense is really close to that. The Griz have a tough time sustaining long drives and the Cats don't give up many big plays. As long as the Cats' defense continues this level of play, I don't see the Griz putting up more than 21 points total. My prediction is 38-17 Cats.

The current Griz D Coordinator was the Notre Dame D Coordinator in 2002.

Forgot what year it is? Would actually make your posts make more sense.

What are you talking about? I’m simply clarifying that the Griz DC was not at Montana in 2002. He was at Notre Dame.

The Griz DC played against UM in 2002. Well, one of them did.

OK. I get it. Thought you meant Baer. They brought him back (“senior defensive analyst”) to do everything he did before as DC (because co-anything means you don’t have one, e.g., “co-DC’s).

Suuuuuuuure ya did.

In any case, Baer isn’t the DC. He’s not calling plays. He’s not leading the meetings.

[ilovethecats]

God I hate that Coop is over there. Love that guy.

[catatac]

The Cats have NEVER taken a defense like this into Missoula. Defense travels and our Cats will make a statement.

The 2002 unit would like to have a word. Our 2012 defense also wasn't too shabby.

Those were definitely great defenses but no previous Cat defense has had this solid of depth across the board at all 3 levels of the defense. We have a deep bench. Also, we are probably the healthiest going into this game as a whole.

I think this is a crucial element that hasn't been discussed much.

Totally agree. We have been incredibly lucky, in addition to having the best S&C program and coach in the country. We've had a couple dings here and there, OL early, LB... and this deal with Brott but to my knowledge we've lost ZERO players for the season, and I'm thinking everyone we had going into the first game is available to play in the last? I bet there is no other program in the country that can say that. I know the Griz have lost some players for the season, but overall I have no idea how healthy they are. I think they're thin in the secondary.

[ilovethecats]

The Cats have NEVER taken a defense like this into Missoula. Defense travels and our Cats will make a statement.

The 2002 unit would like to have a word. Our 2012 defense also wasn't too shabby.

Those were definitely great defenses but no previous Cat defense has had this solid of depth across the board at all 3 levels of the defense. We have a deep bench. Also, we are probably the healthiest going into this game as a whole.

I think this is a crucial element that hasn't been discussed much.

Totally agree. We have been incredibly lucky, in addition to having the best S&C program and coach in the country. We've had a couple dings here and there, OL early, LB... and this deal with Brott but to my knowledge we've lost ZERO players for the season, and I'm thinking everyone we had going into the first game is available to play in the last? I bet there is no other program in the country that can say that. I know the Griz have lost some players for the season, but overall I have no idea how healthy they are. I think they're thin in the secondary.

I've heard great stuff in regards to Brott this week. Obviously no doctor but I expect him to be a big factor.

[GoldstoneCat]

The Cats have NEVER taken a defense like this into Missoula. Defense travels and our Cats will make a statement.

The 2002 unit would like to have a word. Our 2012 defense also wasn't too shabby.

Those were definitely great defenses but no previous Cat defense has had this solid of depth across the board at all 3 levels of the defense. We have a deep bench. Also, we are probably the healthiest going into this game as a whole.

I think this is a crucial element that hasn't been discussed much.

Totally agree. We have been incredibly lucky, in addition to having the best S&C program and coach in the country. We've had a couple dings here and there, OL early, LB... and this deal with Brott but to my knowledge we've lost ZERO players for the season, and I'm thinking everyone we had going into the first game is available to play in the last? I bet there is no other program in the country that can say that. I know the Griz have lost some players for the season, but overall I have no idea how healthy they are. I think they're thin in the secondary.

I remember colter and brooks a week ago making note that hauck had gone out of his way in a couple pressers to mention how banged up they are, which he never does. I know they have some secondary guys out but don't know who may be dealing with nagging stuff.

[aucat]

The Cats have NEVER taken a defense like this into Missoula. Defense travels and our Cats will make a statement.

The 2002 defense was the best defense (which included the current Griz D Coordinator) I have ever seen the Cats have. This year's defense is really close to that. The Griz have a tough time sustaining long drives and the Cats don't give up many big plays. As long as the Cats' defense continues this level of play, I don't see the Griz putting up more than 21 points total. My prediction is 38-17 Cats.

I sure hope you're right brother.

[iaafan]

The Cats have NEVER taken a defense like this into Missoula. Defense travels and our Cats will make a statement.

The 2002 unit would like to have a word. Our 2012 defense also wasn't too shabby.

Gotta agree with catapult.
2025 - 16.2 ppg; 4.7 ypp (includes 59 and 7.9 by Oregon)
2012 - 21.6 ppg; 4.9 ypp
2002 - 21.7 ppg (allowed 31 points to Cent. Washington)

[TomCat88]

The Cats have NEVER taken a defense like this into Missoula. Defense travels and our Cats will make a statement.

The 2002 unit would like to have a word. Our 2012 defense also wasn't too shabby.

Gotta agree with catapult.
2025 - 16.2 ppg; 4.7 ypp (includes 59 and 7.9 by Oregon)
2012 - 21.6 ppg; 4.9 ypp
2002 - 21.7 ppg (allowed 31 points to Cent. Washington)

The Cats are 11.9 ppg and 4.38 ypp w/o Oregon game. Nearly 10 points better than either of those teams. Statistically speaking,...2025 is better.

UM's 2025 offense is a lot better than the 2012 offense and better than the 2002 offense.

MSU played Chadron, Drake and SFA in the 2012 non-conference.

[85CatGrad]

The homefield advantage is certainly very real. I have nothing but respect for Wa. Griz and the atmosphere that UM fans create there.

That said, consider this:

2009: Griz win in Bozeman
2010: Cats win in Missoula
2011: Griz win in Bozeman
2012: Cats win in Missoula
2013: Griz win in Bozeman
2014: Griz win in Missoula
2015: Griz win in Bozeman
2016: Cats win in Missoula
2017: Cats win in Bozeman
2018: Cats win in Missoula

There's a ten year stretch in the not-too-distant past in which each home crowd got to watch their teams win one time and lose four times.

I remember heading into the 2019 Brawl wondering if the home team would ever win again. Little did I know that we were beginning a stretch of the rivalry in which we would see nothing but blowouts by the home team.

Trends come and go.

How dare you present facts like this! It doesn't fit the narrative. Shame on you!

[RUACAT]

God I hate that Coop is over there. Love that guy.

We named a dog after him (Cooper). He'd bolt out of the house any time the door was opened and run full speed for about 2 blocks. Would take us 1/2 hour to round him up. High energy