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Helcat72 · Post by **Helcat72** » Fri Oct 21, 2005 5:35 pm

Week Eight: Below Expectations
by Matt Dougherty, Executive Director of I-AA Football

GAME OF THE WEEK

No. 3 Cal Poly (5-1) at No. 9 Montana (4-2), 3:05

For the second week in a row, Washington-Grizzly Stadium hosts the best game of the week. But, because of last week’s loss to Eastern Washington, this non- conference contest might be even more important to the Grizzlies. Montana is 4-2 and 2-1 in the Big Sky Conference, and still has games remaining against Portland State and Montana State. The clash with the Bobcats is in Bozeman, and the Grizzlies finish the season with three games away from home. That will make life tough for a mediocre road team if Montana loses one of the next two at home. After losing to Eastern Washington last week, the Grizzlies could be in for a more difficult game against Cal Poly. The Mustangs own blowout wins against North Dakota State and Montana State, and have an offense to go along with the dominating defense this season. Freshman running back James Noble has 574 yards and five touchdowns, and Anthony Garnett is completing nearly 60 percent of his passes. The Mustangs have only allowed three sacks all season. The defense continues to roll with 29 sacks and just 14 ppg allowed. With the Mustangs playing so well, simply playing the game at home isn’t enough for Montana. The Grizzlies need to play a strong game to knock off the Mustangs. To do it, they’ll have to get the running game going more than it did in the loss to Eastern Washington. Lex Hilliard had only 52 yards in that game as a suspect Eastern Washington defense held the Grizzlies to 20 points. Freshman quarterback Cole Bergquist was 25-of-40 with a touchdown against Eastern Washington, and he’ll have to be at least that efficient against the Mustangs. Cal Poly is playing as well as anyone in the country, and the Mustangs haven’t shown any reason to think they’ll lose to another I-AA team anytime soon. And that’s part of the reason I’ll take Montana. The home field obviously helps, but, in this year of parity, it’s hard to imagine one team beating good opponents on a weekly basis. The Grizzlies need this game much more, and the defense figures to play better than it did a week ago. Montana isn’t likely to lose two in a row at home, especially when it needs the "W" so much. Montana plays an inspired game and holds off Cal Poly by a field goal.
Prediction: Montana, 23 Cal Poly 20

GOKATS · Post by **GOKATS** » Fri Oct 21, 2005 6:03 pm

My prediction- Dougherty is once again wrong in his prediction.

My thoughts are that the griz have been over ranked all season and this will prove it.

Could be wrong though-wouldn't be the first time.

BozoneCat · Post by **BozoneCat** » Fri Oct 21, 2005 7:44 pm

Seriously... when does Dougherty EVER pick against the griz? He's a tool.

cornbreadfred · Post by **cornbreadfred** » Fri Oct 21, 2005 11:05 pm

The griz haven't looked that strong this year, and have been overrated, although I also think there is a lot more parity in div I-AA then has been in a long time, just look at how often the top ten gets recirculated, but I agree, I think the griz win this game

bozbobcat · Post by **bozbobcat** » Sat Oct 22, 2005 11:20 am

His prediction may not be too far off. Cal Poly could win this one by 2 touchdowns, but the Grizzlies have this way of pulling it out sometimes when no one expects it. This one could go either way.

PortlandCat · Post by **PortlandCat** » Sat Oct 22, 2005 11:42 am

One would not have made a whole lot of money betting against or not picking the griz over the last fifteen years. That said, I will take CP in this one.

GrizinWashington · Post by **GrizinWashington** » Sat Oct 22, 2005 6:41 pm

GOKATS wrote:My prediction- Dougherty is once again wrong in his prediction.

My thoughts are that the griz have been over ranked all season and this will prove it.

Could be wrong though-wouldn't be the first time.

Well, chalk up another in the "wrong" column. Another big win for the Griz.

MaZooLaGriz · Post by **MaZooLaGriz** » Mon Oct 24, 2005 7:12 am

bozbobcat wrote:the Grizzlies have this way of pulling it out sometimes when no one expects it.

Right on. Phew!

Born2BaGriz · Post by **Born2BaGriz** » Mon Oct 24, 2005 12:39 pm

GOKATS wrote:My prediction- Dougherty is once again wrong in his prediction.

My thoughts are that the griz have been over ranked all season and this will prove it.

Could be wrong though-wouldn't be the first time.

Just hope you predict a Cat win in the Griz game too!

GOKATS · Post by **GOKATS** » Mon Oct 24, 2005 1:39 pm

Born2BaGriz wrote:
GOKATS wrote:My prediction- Dougherty is once again wrong in his prediction.

My thoughts are that the griz have been over ranked all season and this will prove it.

Could be wrong though-wouldn't be the first time.
Just hope you predict a Cat win in the Griz game too!

You can rest assured that I'm predicting the 'Cats over the Griz. Have to atone for my screw-up last weekend.