Sportsnetwork's 1-AA writer's take

Cat Grad · Post by **Cat Grad** » Wed Nov 15, 2006 10:27 am

http://www.sportsnetwork.com/

Many great games this weekend. Hope the ticker is running at the bottom of the screen so I can guess which one's will be in the running while I'm watching the Cats and that other team.

Devlan · Post by **Devlan** » Wed Nov 15, 2006 10:37 am

GAME OF THE WEEK
No. 15 Montana State (7-3, 6-1) at No. 2 Montana (9-1, 7-0), 2:37

The "Brawl of the Wild" already has anything you can ask for in a rivalry. Montana State fans can’t stand Montana fans, while the Grizzly faithful just try to brush the Bobcats off like a little brother, which probably worked just fine until Montana State faithful had something to crow about with three wins in the last four contests. While both teams are in the same state, Montana State faithful don’t generally root for the Grizzlies and vice versa. If you’re in Montana, you’re either a Bobcat fan or a Grizzly fan, and the decision is likely made for you before you are even born. This is I-AA’s version of Red Sox/Yankees or Ohio State/Michigan, and it’s near impossible to be a fan of both teams. The teams are meeting for the 106th time on the gridiron, with the Grizzlies holding a 65-35-5 advantage that included a 16-game win streak from 1986-2001. With all of the background, history and passion, the matchup isn’t just a game day, it’s "Cat-Griz week", or, to appease all the readers, "Griz- Cat week."

The game has enough drama to begin with, but once again it also has huge implications in the Big Sky and national playoff picture, especially for Montana State. Winners of six in a row after a 1-3 start, the Bobcats are in the postseason as the Big Sky automatic representative with a win, and sitting squarely on the 7-4 bubble with a loss. The Bobcat offense has a tough assignment against a very good Montana defense, but has players at the skill positions that are capable of getting the job done. After starting the season as the backup, quarterback Jack Rolovich (1087 yards, 8 TD/7 INT) has held on to the role as the starter by playing effectively overall and mixing in a pair of 300-yard efforts against Sacramento State and Idaho State. He comes off a tough game in a 13-10 win against Northern Colorado, and will need to take care of the ball and get big-play wide receiver Michael Jefferson (822 yards, 8 TD) involved to produce against a Montana defense that has 14 interceptions this season. The Grizzlies are even tougher on the run, with 3.1 yards per carry and 102.5 yards per game allowed, and will likely limit a Montana State running game that has Evin Groves (207 yards) back after missing most of the season. Groves had 120 yards and a touchdown in the win against Northern Colorado two weeks ago, but the Bobcats have not produced on the ground this year and aren’t likely to put up a huge day against the Grizzlies.

Montana State will need to stay in the game with its defense, which is a strong possibility against an up-and-down Montana offense. The Grizzlies average a very respectable 30.4 ppg, though big plays from the defense and special teams have aided that number. They are, however, coming off the best effort of the season with 289 rushing yards and four touchdowns in a 53-21 victory at Northern Colorado. The Grizzlies don’t have a feature back to carry the load, but Reggie Bradshaw, Brady Green and Thomas Brooks-Fletcher can all get carries for a team that puts up 138.8 rushing yards per game but averages just 3.6 yards per carry. With a matchup against a Montana State defense that allows less than three yards per carry, the Grizzlies aren’t likely to win this game on the ground. Quarterback Josh Swogger (1772 yards, 10 TD/7 INT) will be called on to make plays, and he does have a quality group of receivers to help in that venture and the Montana State defense is not quite as tough against the pass. However, Swogger has been inconsistent at times this season, and needs to show he can produce over 60 minutes to win this game. Both teams can get a lot of pressure on the quarterback, so don’t be surprised to see a key sack or two. In a matchup of two very evenly matched teams, I like Montana’s ability to score in different ways and change the field position with a good special teams effort. Tuff Harris averages 16.8 yards per punt return and has already scored twice, and the Grizzlies seem to have more big-play potential in the return game. Montana has to keep Jefferson from having a huge day, but the Grizzlies seem to have a slight overall edge on both sides. The home field helps, since Montana State’s 2002 victory is its only triumph at Washington-Grizzly Stadium. The Grizzlies should be in the playoffs already and might even be a seed with a loss in this battle, but they will take in-state bragging rights, lock up a seed in the top three and put Montana State square on the bubble by knocking off the Bobcats in a close one. Prediction: Montana 24, Montana State 20

Comments? Criticism? Applause? Send your comments to Matt Dougherty

tampa_griz · Post by **tampa_griz** » Wed Nov 15, 2006 10:44 am

That's pretty much my assessment of the two teams. Great defenses with mediocre offenses. Griz with a bit of an edge on special teams.

Keep in mind Dougherty has been god-awful in picking the Cat games this year. Here's to hoping he's right this time!

HelenaCat95 · Post by **HelenaCat95** » Wed Nov 15, 2006 10:58 am

Hooray. So far no curse for me to break this week.

Hell's Bells · Post by **Hell's Bells** » Wed Nov 15, 2006 11:02 am

HelenaCat95 wrote:Hooray. So far no curse for me to break this week.

your liver thanks you

HelenaCat95 · Post by **HelenaCat95** » Wed Nov 15, 2006 11:03 am

Hell's Bells wrote:
HelenaCat95 wrote:Hooray. So far no curse for me to break this week.

your liver thanks you

Yes it does.

But here's a stock tip - time to short Jack Daniels and Jim Beam stock.

Hell's Bells · Post by **Hell's Bells** » Wed Nov 15, 2006 11:27 am

HelenaCat95 wrote:
Hell's Bells wrote:
HelenaCat95 wrote:Hooray. So far no curse for me to break this week.

your liver thanks you
Yes it does.

But here's a stock tip - time to short Jack Daniels and Jim Beam stock.

and camel stock...

SeeHarg · Post by **SeeHarg** » Wed Nov 15, 2006 12:57 pm

Man, one thing I hope he's wrong about is the OVC being a two-bid league. The thought of one of those crappy teams getting an at-large instead of someone like Montana State (assuming they don't get the auto), Maine, or Northern Iowa makes me sick.

RyeCat · Post by **RyeCat** » Wed Nov 15, 2006 1:01 pm

See ---- even HE calls it "Cat/Griz"!

Bleedinbluengold · Post by **Bleedinbluengold** » Wed Nov 15, 2006 2:01 pm

HelenaCat95 wrote:Hooray. So far no curse for me to break this week.

You should just break any curse nevertheless.

KillintheGriz · Post by **KillintheGriz** » Thu Nov 16, 2006 9:54 am

The Cats will have to play an error free game for sure....but isn't that what makes a championship run possible? If we take away their defensive and special team scores, they'll have to work real hard to beat us. We've had two weeks to look at film and disect the Griz. They're not as predictable as last year though. Should be a very good game.

HelenaCat95 · Post by **HelenaCat95** » Thu Nov 16, 2006 10:04 am

Bleedinbluengold wrote:
HelenaCat95 wrote:Hooray. So far no curse for me to break this week.

You should just break any curse nevertheless.

Done and Done.
Lock up your chickens and black cats on Friday night.....it's curse breaking time.

bobcatmaniac · Post by **bobcatmaniac** » Thu Nov 16, 2006 10:26 am

Thank god, you can't stop now...we need your help

HelenaCat95 · Post by **HelenaCat95** » Thu Nov 16, 2006 10:48 am

bobcatmaniac wrote:Thank god, you can't stop now...we need your help

If we make the playoffs, I will need a new liver.

bobcatmaniac · Post by **bobcatmaniac** » Thu Nov 16, 2006 10:51 am

No problem, I will put your name at the top of the transplant list. I always admire someone who will take one for the team!