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Saturday Oct 22nd

Montana State @ Northern Colorado- No 2007 here, Cats roll

Montana @ Northern Arizona- NAU can win this game, but I dont see that happening.

Southern Utah @ Weber State- Old Rivals finally meet after 5 years. Wildcats win and start a new chapter in a new age of hate. Goodbye Holy War, Hello Civil War.

Willamette @ Portland State- The Vikings roll, unfortunately It wont count towards the playoffs.

Eastern Washington @ Sacramento State- Big game for both teams, playoffs on the line, Eastern is finally playing well, but Sac is good at home.

Idaho State @ BYU- All BYU here folks

Montana State @ Northern Colorado - Montana State rolls

Montana 21 @ Northern Arizona 28 - NAU in a close one. This pick may raise some eyebrows, but NAU is balanced offensively and plays tough at home. If NAU can get an early lead and force Montana into a shoot-out type game, they will win.

Southern Utah 13 @ Weber State 27 - SUU could make it close, but I expect WSU to win this game at home.

Willamette 3 @ Portland State 34 - Even with the loss of McCaffrey, this won't be close.

Eastern Washington 31 @ Sacramento State 28 - The playoffs started 3 weeks ago for Eastern, and Mitchell is on fire right now. Eags keep Sac off-balance with a modest running game and win a tight one in Sacramento to keep their playoff hopes alive.

Idaho State 7 @ BYU 48 -

MSU
UM
WSU
PSU
CSUS
BYU

Two thoughts on the Griz game

1) Sambrano, I'm assuming, will miss the game. So that will probably mean Nguyen will be returning punts... the entire fate of the game could be decided there
2) Moore being hurt could be an example of addition by subtraction. Canada (and Nguyen) are running much better right now

EWURanger wrote:Montana State @ Northern Colorado - Montana State rolls

Montana 21 @ Northern Arizona 28 - NAU in a close one. This pick may raise some eyebrows, but NAU is balanced offensively and plays tough at home. If NAU can get an early lead and force Montana into a shoot-out type game, they will win.

Southern Utah 13 @ Weber State 27 - SUU could make it close, but I expect WSU to win this game at home.

Willamette 3 @ Portland State 34 - Even with the loss of McCaffrey, this won't be close.

Eastern Washington 31 @ Sacramento State 28 - The playoffs started 3 weeks ago for Eastern, and Mitchell is on fire right now. Eags keep Sac off-balance with a modest running game and win a tight one in Sacramento to keep their playoff hopes alive.

Idaho State 7 @ BYU 48 -

I know we didn't exactly light it up against ISU, but only scoring 20 points against that defense, at home, doesn't really lead me to believe their attack is all that potent.

There are some great matchups this week.

NAU/UM

EWU/CSUS

WSU/SUU

all 3 look to be good games.

Silenoz wrote:Two thoughts on the Griz game

1) Sambrano, I'm assuming, will miss the game. So that will probably mean Nguyen will be returning punts... the entire fate of the game could be decided there
2) Moore being hurt could be an example of addition by subtraction. Canada (and Nguyen) are running much better right now

I wouldnt be suprised at all to see Tru back there returning a few also..

Grizalltheway wrote:

EWURanger wrote:Montana State @ Northern Colorado - Montana State rolls

Montana 21 @ Northern Arizona 28 - NAU in a close one. This pick may raise some eyebrows, but NAU is balanced offensively and plays tough at home. If NAU can get an early lead and force Montana into a shoot-out type game, they will win.

Southern Utah 13 @ Weber State 27 - SUU could make it close, but I expect WSU to win this game at home.

Willamette 3 @ Portland State 34 - Even with the loss of McCaffrey, this won't be close.

Eastern Washington 31 @ Sacramento State 28 - The playoffs started 3 weeks ago for Eastern, and Mitchell is on fire right now. Eags keep Sac off-balance with a modest running game and win a tight one in Sacramento to keep their playoff hopes alive.

Idaho State 7 @ BYU 48 -

I know we didn't exactly light it up against ISU, but only scoring 20 points against that defense, at home, doesn't really lead me to believe their attack is all that potent.

That is true, but what I would point out is that they didn't pass a lot in that game - after they went up 17-3 in the first half they just ran the ball. Their RB Bauman had 219 yards rushing and their other RB had 83. Their QB only threw the ball for 146 yards. They also held what was at the time, the number one passing offense in the country to 3 points. As bad as ISU is, holding them to 3 points is a good defensive effort.

Montana should be able to run on them (MSU did), although they do have a decent front 4. I think it was MSU's passing game that kept them off-balance and opened up the running game.

That game could realistically go either way, just like EWU/SAC, but IMO Montana needs to find some sort of consistency in their passing game. No offense to JJ, but he does not have a great arm, and losing Sambrano for a game or two doesn't help either in that regard, since he's been making most of the plays in the passing game if I am not mistaken.

Montana State @ Northern Colorado

Montana @ Northern Arizona

Southern Utah @ Weber State - SUU will lose its 4th straight game. After they beat Sac and UNLV this is a surprise. WSU is at home, they wont lose. to think if suu lost to davis this yr they would end the yr with 0 conference wins. shocking more than a surprise.

Eastern Washington 34 @ Sacramento State 35 - this is a game i do not know who to pick. sac and ewu are both good teams. there are 2 teams i wouldnt want to play at this point in the season in the big sky and they are EWU and MSU. i pick sac since they are at home but they will need a great game to win this game. like ewu ranger said, EWU's playoffs started 3 weeks ago. EWU has more on the line than Sac this week. based on the bolded i really should pick EWU.

Idaho State @ BYU - byu wins 38-21

EWURanger wrote:

Grizalltheway wrote:
I know we didn't exactly light it up against ISU, but only scoring 20 points against that defense, at home, doesn't really lead me to believe their attack is all that potent.

That is true, but what I would point out is that they didn't pass a lot in that game - after they went up 17-3 in the first half they just ran the ball. Their RB Bauman had 219 yards rushing and their other RB had 83. Their QB only threw the ball for 146 yards. They also held what was at the time, the number one passing offense in the country to 3 points. As bad as ISU is, holding them to 3 points is a good defensive effort.

Montana should be able to run on them (MSU did), although they do have a decent front 4. I think it was MSU's passing game that kept them off-balance and opened up the running game.

That game could realistically go either way, just like EWU/SAC, but IMO Montana needs to find some sort of consistency in their passing game. No offense to JJ, but he does not have a great arm, and losing Sambrano for a game or two doesn't help either in that regard, since he's been making most of the plays in the passing game if I am not mistaken.

Our OC had them chasing their tails, he really called a good game and NAU had no idea what we were going to do next.
I don't know what to think right now, if MSU doesn't make a few mistakes that game could have been 60-0, I cant figure out though if MSU is that good or NAU was that bad but think its more likely that things just went our way and NAU is better than that game showed.

cats2506 wrote:

EWURanger wrote:
That is true, but what I would point out is that they didn't pass a lot in that game - after they went up 17-3 in the first half they just ran the ball. Their RB Bauman had 219 yards rushing and their other RB had 83. Their QB only threw the ball for 146 yards. They also held what was at the time, the number one passing offense in the country to 3 points. As bad as ISU is, holding them to 3 points is a good defensive effort.

Montana should be able to run on them (MSU did), although they do have a decent front 4. I think it was MSU's passing game that kept them off-balance and opened up the running game.

That game could realistically go either way, just like EWU/SAC, but IMO Montana needs to find some sort of consistency in their passing game. No offense to JJ, but he does not have a great arm, and losing Sambrano for a game or two doesn't help either in that regard, since he's been making most of the plays in the passing game if I am not mistaken.

Our OC had them chasing their tails, he really called a good game and NAU had no idea what we were going to do next.
I don't know what to think right now, if MSU doesn't make a few mistakes that game could have been 60-0, I cant figure out though if MSU is that good or NAU was that bad but think its more likely that things just went our way and NAU is better than that game showed.

It's sad that we've been beat down for so long that when it finally look like we have a remarkable team, we are always laying in wait for the next beat down. I had the pleasure to go to MSU during the Lulay years, back when our football team showed spark and drive. This team this year is by far the most talented team to ever come out of MSU, and one of the finest to ever play in the big sky, recruiting was very good to us last year and only losing a few seniors after this year,( only 2 on D) we look to be dominate in the big sky for at least the next few years. The talent in here, I only hope the heart is too.

CatMan wrote:


It's sad that we've been beat down for so long that when it finally look like we have a remarkable team, we are always laying in wait for the next beat down. I had the pleasure to go to MSU during the Lulay years, back when our football team showed spark and drive. This team this year is by far the most talented team to ever come out of MSU, and one of the finest to ever play in the big sky, recruiting was very good to us last year and only losing a few seniors after this year,( only 2 on D) we look to be dominate in the big sky for at least the next few years. The talent in here, I only hope the heart is too.

Be an ass. At least i know my team will at least make into the playoffs, and have fun watching the cats beat the griz down for the next 3 years at least.

CatMan wrote:Be an ass. At least i know my team will at least make into the playoffs, and have fun watching the cats beat the griz down for the next 3 years at least.

You sound like you are 12 years old

CatMan wrote:Be an ass. At least i know my team will at least make into the playoffs, and have fun watching the cats beat the griz down for the next 3 years at least.

You do realize that MSU has won national championships, right? Why is this team, which lost a home playoff game last year, better than those teams? Honest question.

CatMan wrote:This team this year is by far the most talented team to ever come out of MSU, and one of the finest to ever play in the big sky

Uh...

Well if MSU does have a run of domination we can at least look forward to the Egriz-ification of Bobcat fans

This team is way more Talented than 84, if they keep the momentum going they will make a deep run into the playoffs. Our defense makes us a way better team than last year but still has shown fatigue late. our O has found ways to be explosive at any time during the game. Ash likes to build leads and sits on them, he's done this on almost every single game, except UU and EWU. the rest of teams we've played they could have easily put up 50-60pts.

Honest Question, do think this Montana State team should be taken lightly by anyone in FCS?

Montana State over Northern Colorado

Montana over Northern Arizona

Southern Utah University over Northern Utah University in a close one--heck the south won the first few battles in the real civil war.

Portland State over Willamete. Bearcats don't put up 49 points this time (like they have in their last two games).

Eastern Washington over Sacramento State. Close game, could go either way.

BYU follows up its road victory over Oregon State with a home victory over Idaho State. Cougar fans will declare that their quest for the national championship is back on track.

CatMan wrote:This team is way more Talented than 84, if they keep the momentum going they will make a deep run into the playoffs. Our defense makes us a way better team than last year but still has shown fatigue late. our O has found ways to be explosive at any time during the game. Ash likes to build leads and sits on them, he's done this on almost every single game, except UU and EWU. the rest of teams we've played they could have easily put up 50-60pts.

Honest Question, do think this Montana State team should be taken lightly by anyone in FCS?

No, I think they are a very good team. But, as you found out last year, anything can happen in the playoffs.

Grizalltheway wrote:

CatMan wrote:This team is way more Talented than 84, if they keep the momentum going they will make a deep run into the playoffs. Our defense makes us a way better team than last year but still has shown fatigue late. our O has found ways to be explosive at any time during the game. Ash likes to build leads and sits on them, he's done this on almost every single game, except UU and EWU. the rest of teams we've played they could have easily put up 50-60pts.

Honest Question, do think this Montana State team should be taken lightly by anyone in FCS?

No, I think they are a very good team. But, as you found out last year, anything can happen in the playoffs.

+1

As far as the NAU-Montana game is concerned, it is no mystery that UM has our number. I think it is something like 13 wins in a row for the Griz. It will be Homecoming here in Flagstaff, so there should be a decent crowd. If the game turns out anything like it did 2 years ago then it should be one hell of a game! Let's face the facts though. NAU is 2-4 with wins against Fort Lewis College (give me a break!) and Idaho State (only putting up 20 points at home? Yikes!). We lost a game to EWU 2 weeks ago that we very easily could have won, though. The difference maker in this game will be special teams. 2 years ago the Jacks lost simply because of the fact that Montana was starting with incredible field position (own 40-50 yard line). If we can limit those big returns and find a way to get the crowd into the game then maybe we can pull out a squeaker........I just don't see that happening with our players this season.

I like NAU to beat UM this Sat. The griz play poorly on the road and NAU is not as bad as hey showed last week.

Northcoast wrote:I like NAU to beat UM this Sat. The griz play poorly on the road and NAU is not as bad as hey showed last week.

I would love to believe you man, but we ARE that bad! We gave up 13 points to D2 Fort Lewis College at home. We only scored 20 against ISU. No disrespect to those programs, but that is bad. Yeah, UM plays much better in Missoula, but Flagstaff is their home away from home. They have 3 full sections of fans in our dome and, with the exception of 2 years ago, they pound us here in Flagstaff. I am still hopeful, though.

JacksFan2011 wrote:

Northcoast wrote:I like NAU to beat UM this Sat. The griz play poorly on the road and NAU is not as bad as hey showed last week.

I would love to believe you man, but we ARE that bad! We gave up 13 points to D2 Fort Lewis College at home. We only scored 20 against ISU. No disrespect to those programs, but that is bad. Yeah, UM plays much better in Missoula, but Flagstaff is their home away from home. They have 3 full sections of fans in our dome and, with the exception of 2 years ago, they pound us here in Flagstaff. I am still hopeful, though.

I'll be there with my party of 30. O-Griz is bringing a large group, as is AZDoc....we'll have 1500-2000 fans in the dome and it'll sound like a Wa/Griz home game...

AZGrizFan wrote:

JacksFan2011 wrote:
I would love to believe you man, but we ARE that bad! We gave up 13 points to D2 Fort Lewis College at home. We only scored 20 against ISU. No disrespect to those programs, but that is bad. Yeah, UM plays much better in Missoula, but Flagstaff is their home away from home. They have 3 full sections of fans in our dome and, with the exception of 2 years ago, they pound us here in Flagstaff. I am still hopeful, though.

I'll be there with my party of 30. O-Griz is bringing a large group, as is AZDoc....we'll have 1500-2000 fans in the dome and it'll sound like a Wa/Griz home game...

I doubt that it will sound like a Wa/Griz home game. It would take a hell of a lot more than 2000 of you to even come close to resembling your home crowd. I will say this about UM. They have the best fans in the Big Sky! Their fans travel well wherever they go. Good on you, Griz fans. Good on you.