The Bobcat Nation

Coach Lou Holtz in comments about the Louisville and Rutgers game throws the advantage to the VISITING team due to focus. He believes Louisville wins because that they are not having to deal with all the home distractions going in to the big game.

If logic holds this is the key to our Bobcat team success away from home. When we have been the visiting team we have come out focused and played to a higher level. Cat/Griz is an away game and gives us the advantage in the "focus" area.

Given the Bobcats performance so far this season, they appear to be a perfect case study for Holtz's theory.

Bay Area Cat wrote:Given the Bobcats performance so far this season, they appear to be a perfect case study for Holtz's theory.

So, historically, why do teams win more home games than road games?

Eastcoastgriz wrote:

Bay Area Cat wrote:Given the Bobcats performance so far this season, they appear to be a perfect case study for Holtz's theory.

So, historically, why do teams win more home games than road games?

Overall they do. In cases like this and the Rutgers/Louisville game, however, the theory holds respect.

I think the cat players are going to really be pumped by the atmosphere at Wash-Griz. Sure, they've played at Colorado, but the difference between the MSU/UC game and the cat/Griz game as far as how loud and pumped the fans will be, should be night and day.

It will be the best atmosphere the cat players have experienced all year, in a smaller than UC stadium, but still a great venue, with a good surface, two sets of crazy fans, more noise than a 747, and hopefully perfect football weather.

This big time atmosphere, for a big time game, will have the cat players at the top of their game, and will have most of them wishing they could experience that type of atmosphere every week they are having a home game. So they will make the most of it.

And it won't be all Griz fans creating the great atmosphere this game. The cat fans will give the Griz players a little away game type noise, and hopefully energize them a bit more, not that either team needs atmosphere to pump them up, but it will happen, because that type of excitement is infectious. I like that their will be some noise when the Griz are on O, maybe it will move them to have a break out game.

All I know is that this is shaping up to be possibly one of the most exciting cat/Griz games in a while. Hopefully there is some offense as well as defense. I'd like to see a game where both teams (if it has to be close) are in 30's. I'm hoping to see a mistake free, clean, game that rolls along. I hate it when penalties keep stopping the flow, I hate seeing the Griz O struggle, and have a million 3rd down and longs, or 3rd and medium.

I don't want to see dropped balls or other silly mistakes. I'd rather see great passes and catches, and the defenses making great plays to stop things. When teams start beating themselves (unless it is the cats ) it isn't as exciting as it is if both sides are just playing super ball, making athletic amazing plays, etc.

isht, I'm lost now, don't even remember what the heck this post was supposed to say. I guess the excitement of the game is just starting to seep in.

Well, back to some UNC thoughts. But the cat/Griz game will be in the back of my mind, even during the UNC game.

Lets get it on MONTANANs

Great post JahGriz... I concur... should be a GREAT venue and game for the State of Montana.... and I hope it is a close, intense, spectacular game!!!!! Go Cats!

JahGriz wrote:I think the cat players are going to really be pumped by the atmosphere at Wash-Griz. Sure, they've played at Colorado, but the difference between the MSU/UC game and the cat/Griz game as far as how loud and pumped the fans will be, should be night and day.

Your kidding right the CU crowd was roudy as hell!! The first game of the season. It was a close game all day in front of 45,513 (from the CU Web)I know W/G stadium cant touch that number!!!! Check you facts be fore you make a fool of your self

I think our guys know how to deal with this kind of environment. I think the noise and the environment will only pump our players up more. I also think their is a really good chance that we are going to see a knock down drag out contest untill the final seconds.

Other than that great post!

I was at CU and I've been at WA/Griz during Cat/Griz... Wa/Griz is louder because they are more passionate about the game. Not by a large margin, but when CU got down it got real quiet. Griz, if down, won't be quiet.

CelticCat wrote: Griz, if down, won't be quiet.

I agree and disagree. If we get up on them, I guarantee you they will be a lot more quiet on offense. Their crowd seems to always POUT when things aren't going their way. Not sure if they end up drinking all their wine before eating all their crackers and get DRY MOUTH, but their energy goes WAYYYYY DOWN when they are down and looking bad (except for the BOooooos of course).

On the other hand, I think it will GET LOUDER when we are on defense as hopefully the BOOOO BIRDS will be out in force!

Are you kidding Celtic Cat, last week on TV it was so quiet when they were behind you could definitely hear the boo's, If we get up on them it will be quiet unlesss they start putting a drive or something. They do definitely yell when their D is out on the field.

STREETCAT wrote:

JahGriz wrote:I think the cat players are going to really be pumped by the atmosphere at Wash-Griz. Sure, they've played at Colorado, but the difference between the MSU/UC game and the cat/Griz game as far as how loud and pumped the fans will be, should be night and day.

Your kidding right the CU crowd was roudy as hell!! The first game of the season. It was a close game all day in front of 45,513 (from the CU Web)I know W/G stadium cant touch that number!!!! Check you facts be fore you make a fool of your self

I think our guys know how to deal with this kind of environment. I think the noise and the environment will only pump our players up more. I also think their is a really good chance that we are going to see a knock down drag out contest untill the final seconds.

Other than that great post!

What? CU crowd was loud some...but you need to check your facts streetdude. Have you ever been to a game at Wash-Griz...a playoff or cat/Griz game? Ask your fellow cat fans and fans who've been to other big time games, Wash-Griz gets loud, and many impartial spectators have commented on how amazingly loud it gets.
When you check YOUR "facts", we'll see who the fool is.

And if you noticed, I said the cat players would benefit from the crowd/atmosphere. I think they will feed on it, as I said in other words.

There's no sweeter sound than a silent WA/Griz Stadium 10-7

Maddie82 wrote:There's no sweeter sound than a silent WA/Griz Stadium 10-7

There is nothing more painful than a silent Wa/Griz. And the 10-7 game, the cats weren't the only ones to silent the crowd. The Griz O and Edwards did their part in silencing the crowd. What a pathetic offensive performance that was... ugh!

CelticCat wrote:I was at CU and I've been at WA/Griz during Cat/Griz... Wa/Griz is louder because they are more passionate about the game. Not by a large margin, but when CU got down it got real quiet. Griz, if down, won't be quiet.

If griz are down it will be fulll of boos and people will leave like the poly game last year.

Why do you think it was such a pathetic offensive performance by the Grizzlies that day? Do you think it had anything to do with the outstanding defensive performance put forth by the Cats . . . ?

Edwards won as many championships as Dickenson. Where is the love? The only noise after halftime of the 10-7 game was that of feet against steps as the UM fans beat it out of the stadium. The Press Box was very quiet as well.

JahGriz wrote:

STREETCAT wrote:

JahGriz wrote:I think the cat players are going to really be pumped by the atmosphere at Wash-Griz. Sure, they've played at Colorado, but the difference between the MSU/UC game and the cat/Griz game as far as how loud and pumped the fans will be, should be night and day.

Your kidding right the CU crowd was roudy as hell!! The first game of the season. It was a close game all day in front of 45,513 (from the CU Web)I know W/G stadium cant touch that number!!!! Check you facts be fore you make a fool of your self

I think our guys know how to deal with this kind of environment. I think the noise and the environment will only pump our players up more. I also think their is a really good chance that we are going to see a knock down drag out contest untill the final seconds.

Other than that great post!

What? CU crowd was loud some...but you need to check your facts streetdude. Have you ever been to a game at Wash-Griz...a playoff or cat/Griz game? Ask your fellow cat fans and fans who've been to other big time games, Wash-Griz gets loud, and many impartial spectators have commented on how amazingly loud it gets.
When you check YOUR "facts", we'll see who the fool is.

And if you noticed, I said the cat players would benefit from the crowd/atmosphere. I think they will feed on it, as I said in other words.

JizGriz
I grew up in zoo and was a griz fan for a long time before i decided not to become an art major and stay in missoula. (No smack Seriously thought of it) I am familure with the stadium, the noise, the drunkness, and the entire environment that goes with it. I will agree with you that it gets loud I was simply stating that our players have delt with it and will be fine! Keep in mind that a few of these player have played D-1 ball and know what its all about!

street, you have completely misread my post, I never said the players would not deal with the environment poorly. I believe I said they would benefit from it.

As far as the O performance in 2002, I admit that cat D was very good, but the Griz O also did not exactly play their best game. I understand the touchiness of cat fans toward Griz fan posts, but I'm not a cat hater at all, I'm pretty close to being impartial, I also went to MSU, and have known coaches and a lot of players there. But, still, I am a Griz fan, so I admit I'm not completely impartial, even if I tried to be.

As far as Edwards, I like him, he was a competitor and excellent leader. A classy, stand up guy. He did win the same amount of championships as DD, but was not even close to the player Dicky was. I don't care how good of a D the cats had in 2002, completing only one pass in one half of play is not good. It wasn't Edward's fault alone, but he was the field general.

longhorn_22 wrote:

Eastcoastgriz wrote:

Bay Area Cat wrote:Given the Bobcats performance so far this season, they appear to be a perfect case study for Holtz's theory.

So, historically, why do teams win more home games than road games?

Overall they do. In cases like this and the Rutgers/Louisville game, however, the theory holds respect.

Rutgers won tonight! Guess the the theory doesnt hold respect.

Eastcoastgriz wrote:

longhorn_22 wrote:

Eastcoastgriz wrote:

Bay Area Cat wrote:Given the Bobcats performance so far this season, they appear to be a perfect case study for Holtz's theory.

So, historically, why do teams win more home games than road games?

Overall they do. In cases like this and the Rutgers/Louisville game, however, the theory holds respect.

Rutgers won tonight! Guess the the theory doesnt hold respect.

I thought that might make it onto this thread. Indeed they did. Clearly Louisville is NOT the Cats.
I do think the point still stands that in BIG games there is a potential for the visiting team to fly in under the radar and keep their focus going into the game. That being said, once the game starts you still have to play the game.