Big Sky Preview Week 7

Platinumcat · Post by **Platinumcat** » Wed Oct 12, 2005 9:24 am

jag,
This is off topic and I really don't know for sure or is it a concern for me. But, didn't the Griz get beat pretty good a couple of years ago in the first round at home?

Regardless of the answer, the Griz are VERRRRRRRY hard to beat at home. I think for it to be a two possession win will translate into the Griz having a bad day and EW playing extremely well with most of the bounces going their way.

I don't even want to predict on that game because I see sooooo tight.

I almost want to drive over to Missoula to watch the game from a football lover's standpoint. Almost!

catsrback76 · Post by **catsrback76** » Wed Oct 12, 2005 9:24 am

History is what it is. Stands alone. I think the dynamics at Missoula this year are different with Missoula being in many ways as one dimensional as the Cats. Hilliard stopped puts all the pressure on the QB and neither are at a spot, ( inspite of the announcers views : ) ) where they can throw past EWU.
Eastern has the QB that is smart enough to make a point. I think Meyers has the cast to put 2 tds on the Griz.

SeeHarg · Post by **SeeHarg** » Wed Oct 12, 2005 11:06 am

As always, I love Celtic/CWR's previews.

I saw the EWU/PSU game two weeks ago, and think what a lot are saying here is right - stack the box and make the Vikes' utterly awful quarterback beat you. Of course, with the way the Cats D have played in the first halves of games this year, it's possible that Rubin will have run up a big enough lead at halftime regardless of how many guys are on the line that the second half will be a ball control kind of scenario that will be tough to overcome, despite what Herculay comes up with in the second half.

EWU could try a similar strategy in WaGriz this weekend, but it seems a bit of a gamble, what with Montana's ostensibly improved passing game. Add to it the fact that about half of the Eagles' good secondary players are either out with injuries or seriously banged up, including Isaiah Trufant, the closest thing to a shut-down corner in the BSC since Joey Thomas. Focusing too much on the run is a dangerous risk. Meyer and Kimble will most likely get their yards and points, but so will Montana.

CARDIAC_CATS · Post by **CARDIAC_CATS** » Wed Oct 12, 2005 11:15 am

I bet that the Griz hold EWU to about 65% of whaty they usually gain for pionts. So they will end up somewhere in the 22-24 point range in this game I am betting. So the Griz offense needs to score that many (unless the D takes one back for a score ) to win this game. Can they do it? I think against the EWU defense they can for sure so the Griz win this game 30-24.

El_Gato · Post by **El_Gato** » Wed Oct 12, 2005 11:20 am

I think Eastern will actually have a pretty good day against a defense that gave up 373 yards and 19 points (a drop away from 26) to Weber's passing attack.

I'm thinking the Griz are in the low-mid 20's and Eastern gets 28+.

SeeHarg · Post by **SeeHarg** » Wed Oct 12, 2005 11:22 am

Oh, forgot - I don't know how far back you're thinking, barechest, but the only time the Griz have lost in the first round in the last five years was 2003 to Western Illinois that jag mentioned. Lost by three on a blocked field goal in double overtime.

Other than that:
2000 - lost in the chipper to GSU
2001 - nat'l champions
2002 - lost in quarters to McNeese in Lake Charles
2004 - lost in the chipper to JMU

Platinumcat · Post by **Platinumcat** » Wed Oct 12, 2005 11:27 am

Thanks for clarifying

SeeHarg · Post by **SeeHarg** » Wed Oct 12, 2005 11:31 am

Sure thing.

Just looked back a little bit more - the one you were probably thinking of was an absolute shellacking in 1998. Montana went to, ironically, Western Illinois in the first round and got clobbered by 40. What a surprise - a loss on the road in the playoffs!
99 was a road loss by three at Youngstown State.

94VegasCat · Post by **94VegasCat** » Wed Oct 12, 2005 11:43 am

The question was how many total points that the griz have lost by at WaGriz stadium since the griz have been playing there. Not by how many points they have lost by over the years. The griz simply do not get blown out at WaGriz stadium. EWU/um will be a great matchup. just like last year.

MSU/psu will be a great matchup as well. I think that if the CATS can be cerebral and play up to their potential, they will beat psu. If they play like they did at weber, the CATS will lose. psu is a much better team than weber is.

I think that I have a ticket for the ewu/um game. I have two uncles who played for the griz in the late 60's, so hopefully I will get to go with them and later make them watch the CATS work over a solid psu team in Portland.

tetoncat · Post by **tetoncat** » Wed Oct 12, 2005 2:46 pm

If we stack the line of scrimmage and Rubin breaks through he will take it to the house. If we stay with our regular D we have the safeties and corners to help make the tackle even if its 5 yards its not a touchdown. Against Sac State last year every time they got 5 yards downfield the runners were wide open because of our man coverage on the corner.

Platinumcat · Post by **Platinumcat** » Wed Oct 12, 2005 3:54 pm

Let me clarify my point. I feel the safeties should not play back and look for the pics. I feel they should play up further and provide run support.