The Bobcat Nation

just wondering how you guys really like your chances going into the layoffs. im not talkin trash i just curious as to what you guys think your chances are. home field will definitely help you at least against poly. but if you are able to beat them, do you think that you can make a run? personally, i think that your offense is a lost cause. imo if the griz are gonna win some games, there d needs to dominate. anyway, good luck to ya, and i'm looking forward to our matchup next year already. hope most of you had a good experience in bozeman although i've already read that some of you did not. that's ok though 'cause i've had a couple crappy experiences in missoula too. just too many idiots to control all the time. anyway, good game this weekend and best of luck in the post season.

Honestly, I could see it going one of two ways. First, we beat Cal Poly again, because we know how to play them, what they like to do. Then we would play either at Tx State (which I think we would lose), or we play GSU . They have been almost as unpredictable as us this year, so I think we would have a shot. If (big if) we made it to the semis, we would have to face one of the following: UNH, EWU, or UNI. I don't like any of those matchups. You've got the two best QB-WR receiver tandems in I-AA this year, and as everyone knows our pass defense is suspect.

My prediction, we beat Cal Poly, but lose second round (although i'd love to be wrong on this one).

grizband wrote:
My prediction, we beat Cal Poly, but lose second round (although i'd love to be wrong on this one).

Oh after your performance on Saturday I think there's a good shot you'll be wrong...

CATS2000 wrote:Oh after your performance on Saturday I think there's a good shot you'll be wrong...

There's no telling which Griz team will take the field, Saturday. Remember that, with basically the same set of players, we beat them before.

I think it's tough to beat the same team more than once in a year. Obviously playing at home will be huge. I think how deep we go depends on the mathups. I think we have a decent shot at beating Cal Poly, then if we get GSU at home, another running team, we have another decent shot. If we have to travel to Texas St. or eventually end up playing UNH, one of the top passing teams in the country, I don't like our chances.

grizband wrote:Honestly, I could see it going one of two ways. First, we beat Cal Poly again, because we know how to play them, what they like to do. Then we would play either at Tx State (which I think we would lose), or we play GSU . They have been almost as unpredictable as us this year, so I think we would have a shot. If (big if) we made it to the semis, we would have to face one of the following: UNH, EWU, or UNI. I don't like any of those matchups. You've got the two best QB-WR receiver tandems in I-AA this year, and as everyone knows our pass defense is suspect.

My prediction, we beat Cal Poly, but lose second round (although i'd love to be wrong on this one).

I will be rooting for the Mustangs though...

I will be rooting for the Mustangs though...

How many Cat fans will pull for the Griz? The farther we go the better it looks for you, you beat one of the top teams in the country. A Big Sky matchup between UM/EWU would appear to mean the Cats got the hose. Early losses for us and it looks like the Cats were over rated too.

DaGriz wrote:

I will be rooting for the Mustangs though...

How many Cat fans will pull for the Griz? The farther we go the better it looks for you, you beat one of the top teams in the country. A Big Sky matchup between UM/EWU would appear to mean the Cats got the hose. Early losses for us and it looks like the Cats were over rated too.

The Cats didn't get the hose. They played a tough schedule and that is what bit them in the long run. They would be in if they had taken care of business against Portland State. That loss cost them and put them on the bubble which broke on selection Sunday.

DaGriz wrote:

I will be rooting for the Mustangs though...

How many Cat fans will pull for the Griz? The farther we go the better it looks for you, you beat one of the top teams in the country. A Big Sky matchup between UM/EWU would appear to mean the Cats got the hose. Early losses for us and it looks like the Cats were over rated too.

For me, it's a tough call. On one hand, I'd like to support the BSC representatives/Montana kids and team. On the other hand, I don't really want to see more recruiting power placed in your hands.

I'll definitely be listening to the game.

whitetrashgriz wrote:just wondering how you guys really like your chances going into the layoffs.

It depends on the match-ups. In a bizarre way the loss to the Cats might have been a blessing in disguise - the Griz were winning ugly the last 2 weeks prior, and it was clear the offense has issues, but the coaches didn't make adjustments.

The loss to the Cats showed that the Griz can't rely on the defense to win every game. I don't think the O is hopeless, but changes are needed. Talmage was obviously badly hurt during the EWU game, and has not been good since - he is now a liability, because Cole focuses on him as a receiver, and right now he can't/won't (probably can't) make the plays the Griz need. I think Cole is also suffering from having his bell rung at NAU, but if Talmage sits Bagely steps up again, the running backs are used as receivers, and the Griz have a passing O. Hopefully Lex won't have another migraine on game day (how does that happened 2 weeks in a row?).

The first match-up with Cal Poly was a sloppy affair. If Montana has 5 turnovers again this week it's game over. I don't really see that happening, though. It should be a good battle, but I think UM comes out on top this weekend.

2nd Round - If Texas State beats GSU they roll over UM. IF GSU has to come up to Missoula I think the Griz D shuts down the GSU O, and wins a close one.

Semi-Finals - So many options to get to this point it is hard to figure. I think EWU beats NIU this weekend, then beats NH the following week, so if Montana makes it that far they are coming to Missoula for the re-match. Obviously EWU would salivate at that thought. Reading Easterns comments since they beat MSU I don't think EWU players or coaches have much respect for Montana this year, based on our first game. If they overlook the Griz, plus how hard it is to beat the same team twice in 1 season, the Griz might have a chance, but it would be difficult.

Obviously all of this is optimistic, and it starts with beating Cal Poly this week, but I would say I am cautiously optimistic the Griz can get it done.

With the Grizzly offense playing it is, I just don't see anymore wins this year. I hate saying that, but I have to be honest. The Griz offense is horrible.

I'm hoping they come out of their shell and put on a show but I'm not putting any money on it.

I gotta pull for the Griz this week, and as long as they stay in. Mostly because I sleep with one Also can't understand anyone rooting for kids from Cali, Texas, Georgia or wherever, unless they're wearing BLUE. On a personal note. Good luck Lance S. and the rest of the Montana bred Griz, hope your knee holds out.

I'll be rooting for our Fellow Bobcats (tx. st.) throughout the playoffs. And EWU.















And not the Griz.

Cat-theotherwhitemeat wrote:With the Grizzly offense playing it is, I just don't see anymore wins this year. I hate saying that, but I have to be honest. The Griz offense is horrible.

I'm hoping they come out of their shell and put on a show but I'm not putting any money on it.

Good plan, 3 offensive TD's in the LAST 15 quarters is NOT exactly lighting it up.

Grizbeer.

Your comment shows what is wrong with the selection committee. EWU should have the home games. One less loss due to a loss @ cal poly vs. your home win. They win the conference and beat UM and MSU. Clearly they are the better team at this time. Your predictions show that you believe the Griz only chance is to have all of its games at home. Why should the Big Sky conference champ EWU have to travel to UM for a semi-final game. You know the attendance at EWU would be good as UM would travel well. Lets start giving the stronger teams the credit and ability to host or lets go to neutral sites for the last couple rounds.

I think the Cal Poly matchup is interesting. That was our last good offensive performance, so there may be room for optimism. Their new quarterback is also a question mark. If the D and the crowd can rattle him it may be a very good day for the Griz. A young rattled option quarterback can make a ton of costly mistakes in a short period of time. I wonder if he can pass?

Personally, I would like to see a UM/Georgia Southern matchup in the second round. Other than that, I think I'll be rooting for EWU to go all the way. I think the Griz manage to beat Cal Poly and then lose the next week to TSU or GSU.

tetoncat wrote:Grizbeer.

Your comment shows what is wrong with the selection committee. EWU should have the home games. One less loss due to a loss @ cal poly vs. your home win. They win the conference and beat UM and MSU. Clearly they are the better team at this time....

It makes no difference who's better, ranking, etc. Unless your a 1-4 seed, you have to put in a bid that gets you the home game. Obviously, the Griz did this and EWU did not. This is the reason for the home game in Missoula. Not the selection committee.

tetoncat wrote:Grizbeer.

Your comment shows what is wrong with the selection committee. EWU should have the home games. One less loss due to a loss @ cal poly vs. your home win. They win the conference and beat UM and MSU. Clearly they are the better team at this time. Your predictions show that you believe the Griz only chance is to have all of its games at home. Why should the Big Sky conference champ EWU have to travel to UM for a semi-final game. You know the attendance at EWU would be good as UM would travel well. Lets start giving the stronger teams the credit and ability to host or lets go to neutral sites for the last couple rounds.

EWU could have had home field through the playoffs if they had beat ISU, and Weber State (2 teams that Um beat in addition to Cal Poly) - they have no one to blame but themselves. They could also have home field if they hadn't ditched Joe Albi and bid for home field for 20,000 fans, but they would rather play in front of 6 - 8,000 in Cheney. you reap what you sow, and the Griz don't need to apologize for EWU failures to draw enough fan interest to guarantee home games.