Hungry for Cat-Griz? Chew on these numbers
"Numbers are for losers."
A noted sports authority once made that remark, but the author of the statement is so famous that his name escapes me. No matter. The quote has been repeated so many times that many fans (and a few sportswriters) actually believe it.
The message is clear even if the source isn't — winners rarely need statistical data to validate their victories, while losers frequently cite favorable numbers to describe their tough luck.
Let's get one thing straight, right up front. This week isn't for losers, not in this great state. Even "runners-up" like Conrad Burns and Monica Lindeen have plenty to appreciate this week.
In case you haven't heard, it's Bobcat-Grizzly week in the Treasure State, and football fans from Alberton to Zortman are wearing the distinct glow of winners.
The Montana Grizzlies are 7-0 in Big Sky Conference, 9-1 overall, and are ranked No. 2 among NCAA Division I-AA teams.
The Montana State Bobcats are 6-1 in the Big Sky, 7-3 overall, and probably will be ranked about 16th when the national poll comes out today.
These winners don't need no stinkin' numbers to prove their proficiency. In 16 of their combined 20 games this fall, they've had bigger numbers on their side of the scoreboard than their opponents. What further proof do we require?
None.
Still, these Cats and Griz have posted some really interesting numbers this season — too compelling to let pass without a comment or two. So let's put some dizzy digits together and see where they take us ...
— On Sept. 2, Montana lost its opener against I-A Iowa by 34 points. The same day, Montana State won its opener against I-A Colorado by nine points.
— On Sept. 16, a good team from the Great West Football Conference beat the Bobcats by 45 points in Bozeman. Six weeks later, a better team from the Great West lost by one point to the Grizzlies in Missoula.
— On Sept. 30, a talented Portland State offense scored 20 points in a six-point loss to Montana. The next week, the same Vikings couldn't score at all against the Bobcats.
— On Oct. 21, Montana State put up 42 points at Idaho State. The next week, Montana needed a late interception return for a touchdown to reach 23 against the same Bengals.
— Two weeks ago, MSU struggled to score 13 points at home against Northern Colorado. Last Saturday, the Grizzlies scored 53 on the road against UNC in the first three quarters.
Heard enough?
Ah, but there's more.
— Montana State's best results have been achieved before its biggest crowds. The Bobcats beat Colorado in front of 45,513 fans in Boulder, triple the size of any other audience they have seen. MSU beat Portland State 14-0 before the second-best crowd, 14,117 in Bozeman.
— Some of Montana's best results have been achieved in front of the smallest crowds. The Grizzlies scored seven touchdowns and two field goals before a throng of 4,632 in Greeley, Colo. UM put up 33 points in Ogden, Utah before a crowd of 5,424.
Saturday's crowd in Missoula will be the same for both teams, although the estimated 2,000 Bobcat fans will be outnumbered by about 12-to-1.
No matter. Numbers are for losers, right?
Interesting numbers to consider as we head into the Brawl. I thought that the numbers illustrating how the Cats perform in front of the bigger crowds was interesting. The griz are claiming we won't handle their crowd. Maybe it is the griz that can't/won't handle the crowd.
Article on the Cat-Griz numbers game...
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