Title Game - #2 Montana vs. #1 South Dakota St. (Sun., 1/7)

[Mvemjsunpx]

(Noon MST on ABC)


Spread - Jackrabbits by 12.5
Sagarin - Jackrabbits by 12
Massey - Jackrabbits by 14

[Bobcat]

If Montana plays an absolutely perfect game and has no turn over maybe they can keep this game within 3 TDs, if not it will get out of hand real fast.

SDSU beat Albany 59-0 and the Griz needed 2 OTs to beat a really bad injured NDSU team. NDSU got worked by SDSU this game wont be that close.

[SuperHornet]

If Montana plays an absolutely perfect game and has no turn over maybe they can keep this game within 3 TDs, if not it will get out of hand real fast.

SDSU beat Albany 59-0 and the Griz needed 2 OTs to beat a really bad injured NDSU team. NDSU got worked by SDSU this game wont be that close.

That's laughable. Montana is good. Do they win? Maybe. But I think a 2TD spread in favor of SD State is a stretch....

[BDKJMU]

FWIW, last 3 times in the NC game, all under Hauck, Montana lost.
2004 JMU 31, Montana 21
2008 Richmond 24, Montana 7
2009 Villanova 23, Montana 21

[Mvemjsunpx]

FWIW, last 3 times in the NC game, all under Hauck, Montana lost.
2004 JMU 31, Montana 21
2008 Richmond 24, Montana 7
2009 Villanova 23, Montana 21

Yep. Montana already has the record for most title-game losses (5), and—if the Griz lose this one—Hauck would have as many losses by himself as the #2 team in that category (Marshall).

[Gil Dobie]

If Montana plays an absolutely perfect game and has no turn over maybe they can keep this game within 3 TDs, if not it will get out of hand real fast.

SDSU beat Albany 59-0 and the Griz needed 2 OTs to beat a really bad injured NDSU team. NDSU got worked by SDSU this game wont be that close.

That's laughable. Montana is good. Do they win? Maybe. But I think a 2TD spread in favor of SD State is a stretch....

NDSU improved over the season, and was a better team against Montana than against SDSU. That being said, the Griz will need help from SDSU mistakes to win this game.

[Caribbean Hen]

That's laughable. Montana is good. Do they win? Maybe. But I think a 2TD spread in favor of SD State is a stretch....

NDSU improved over the season, and was a better team against Montana than against SDSU. That being said, the Griz will need help from SDSU mistakes to win this game.

If I was to bet, I’d take South Dakota State to cover…. Ya gotta know who you’re dealing with here

[Mvemjsunpx]

South Dakota State is currently ranked #18 in the Sagarins among all DI teams. Has an FCS team ever ranked that high before?




(The Griz are currently #66)

[kalm]

South Dakota State is currently ranked #18 in the Sagarins among all DI teams. Has an FCS team ever ranked that high before?




(The Griz are currently #66)

Seems high compared to JMU’s and a couple of NDSU runs.

How heavy does Sagarin rate margin of victory?

[Mvemjsunpx]

South Dakota State is currently ranked #18 in the Sagarins among all DI teams. Has an FCS team ever ranked that high before?




(The Griz are currently #66)

Seems high compared to JMU’s and a couple of NDSU runs.

How heavy does Sagarin rate margin of victory?

I don't know about their MOV calculation, but those other teams you mentioned had some massive margins too (like 2016 JMU's 65-7 quarterfinal win over SHSU).

That ranking is probably a little high, but I do think this SDSU squad—if they win the title—will rank as one of the top-5 I-AA/FCS teams of all time. They're basically an 8-win Power-5 team, IMO.

[Gil Dobie]

South Dakota State is currently ranked #18 in the Sagarins among all DI teams. Has an FCS team ever ranked that high before?




(The Griz are currently #66)

Seems high compared to JMU’s and a couple of NDSU runs.

How heavy does Sagarin rate margin of victory?

NDSU was 17 in 2013, and 19 in 2018. Both NDSU and JMU were typically in the 30s other years.

[kalm]

Seems high compared to JMU’s and a couple of NDSU runs.

How heavy does Sagarin rate margin of victory?

I don't know about their MOV calculation, but those other teams you mentioned had some massive margins too (like 2016 JMU's 65-7 quarterfinal win over SHSU).

That ranking is probably a little high, but I do think this SDSU squad—if they win the title—will rank as one of the top-5 I-AA/FCS teams of all time. They're basically an 8-win Power-5 team, IMO.

Agreed.

[dal4018]

Needless to say both teams are going to try to establish the run and who is going to control the line of scrimmage and have a few passes thrown.Hope the DBs are ready to tackle next Sunday.

[CrunchGriz]

Seems high compared to JMU’s and a couple of NDSU runs.

How heavy does Sagarin rate margin of victory?

NDSU was 17 in 2013, and 19 in 2018. Both NDSU and JMU were typically in the 30s other years.

Well, the Sagarins are always interesting, and we love seeing our teams up toward the top of them, but they're hardly infallible. For example, they still have MSU higher than the Griz even though the Griz waxed the Bobcats by 30 this year. Not sure the algorithm is all that accurate or should be take too seriously, to be honest. It's way too heavily weighted to strength of schedule, from what I can tell.

[Mvemjsunpx]

NDSU was 17 in 2013, and 19 in 2018. Both NDSU and JMU were typically in the 30s other years.

Well, the Sagarins are always interesting, and we love seeing our teams up toward the top of them, but they're hardly infallible. For example, they still have MSU higher than the Griz even though the Griz waxed the Bobcats by 30 this year. Not sure the algorithm is all that accurate or should be take too seriously, to be honest. It's way too heavily weighted to strength of schedule, from what I can tell.

Even though they claim otherwise (I think), the Sagarins just don't seem to totally eliminate the influence of previous seasons. I'm guessing the Bobcats are higher than the Griz simply because they were the better team last year.

[CrunchGriz]

NDSU was 17 in 2013, and 19 in 2018. Both NDSU and JMU were typically in the 30s other years.

Well, the Sagarins are always interesting, and we love seeing our teams up toward the top of them, but they're hardly infallible. For example, they still have MSU higher than the Griz even though the Griz waxed the Bobcats by 30 this year. Not sure the algorithm is all that accurate or should be taken too seriously, to be honest. It's way too heavily weighted to strength of schedule, from what I can tell.

[Caribbean Hen]

Massey
# 21 South Dakota State
# 61 Montana

31-17 is the prediction on final score

[kalm]

Massey
# 21 South Dakota State
# 61 Montana

31-17 is the prediction on final score

I like Massey more than Sagarin and this prediction seems very reasonable.

[Vidav]

Massey
# 21 South Dakota State
# 61 Montana

31-17 is the prediction on final score

I like Massey more than Sagarin and this prediction seems very reasonable.

Griz by 20

[kalm]

I like Massey more than Sagarin and this prediction seems very reasonable.

Griz by 20

Bet with your mind not your heart.

[dal4018]

South Dakota St no shock is in the top 10 for rushing yards and Montana DBs better be ready to tackle Isiah Davis who is no.10 in rushing yards and Montana allows 102.8 rushing yards per game.

[Bobcat]

It won't be close a bad game by SDSU will net them a minimum of 3 TD win

[SeattleGriz]

[AshevilleApp]

What time did the tailgate start?

[dal4018]

Some clown on Facebook said that 26 ppl are going to watch the game in person.