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The University of Montana Grizzlies (9-4, 6-2 BSC) at No. 4 Eastern Washington Eagles (10-2, 7-1 BSC)

Saturday, Dec. 6, 2014 • 1:35 p.m. Pacific
Roos Field (8,600) • Cheney, Wash.

Despite playing all but one of its 22 previous FCS Playoff games as a member of the Big Sky, this is the first time the Eagles have played a fellow member of the league. In 1985, when the Eagles were an independent member of FCS (then I-AA) and made their first playoff appearance, Eastern beat Idaho 42-38.

"We know how good Montana is, their tradition and how well-coached they are," said Eastern head coach Beau Baldwin when the pairings were announced. "We were in a battle again against them earlier this year. We're just excited for the fact we received a bye and a home game."

Eastern's 56-34 victory over Portland State on Nov. 21 in Portland, Ore., clinched the automatic playoff berth given to the Big Sky Conference. The Eagles were the outright Big Sky Conference champions for the second-straight season, won their third-straight league title and picked up their eighth Big Sky crown overall.

The Eagles, who are now 10-2 overall and finished the league season 7-1, are in the playoffs for the 11th time, including their eighth time in the last 11 seasons since 2004. Only top-seeded New Hampshire and Montana – making its record 22nd appearance in the FCS Playoffs -- can also stake claim to that accomplishment.

dal4018 wrote:I wish that this game was on ESPN2!!!!

kalm wrote:

dal4018 wrote:I wish that this game was on ESPN2!!!!

You can watch it on ESPN 3!!!!!!

Grizalltheway wrote:

kalm wrote:
You can watch it on ESPN 3!!!!!!

Grizalltheway wrote:

kalm wrote:
You can watch it on ESPN 3!!!!!!

Looks like that's what I'll end up doing. Nice ticket site you've got there.

kalm wrote:

Grizalltheway wrote:
Looks like that's what I'll end up doing. Nice ticket site you've got there.

They went on sale 40 minutes ago....quitter.

Grizalltheway wrote:

kalm wrote:
They went on sale 40 minutes ago....quitter.

And it hasn't been working for 40 minutes...

kalm wrote:

Grizalltheway wrote:
And it hasn't been working for 40 minutes...

Demand.

Grizalltheway wrote:

kalm wrote:
Demand.

Supply.

kalm wrote:

Grizalltheway wrote:
Supply.

I know a certain Griz fan who was able to get 20 tickets...

• • • Quarterbacks -- EWU
      
      Running Backs - (push)
      
      Receivers/TEs - EWU
      
      Offensive Line - (push)
      
      
      Defensive Line - Montana
      
      Linebackers --- Montana
      
      Secondary ---- EWU
      
      
      Kicking ------ EWU
      
      Punting ------ EWU
      
      Return Teams - EWU
      
      Kickoffs ------ Montana
      
      
      
      
      
      • Montana 34-31 EWU

Mvemjsunpx wrote:Ah… here we go, the Battle of the Big Sky. Will Eastern Washington's cocky showmanship reign supreme again, or will Montana vanquish the demons of the Blood Turf, return the land to grass, and take home the Archduke of Baldwin as a trophy? EWU has the better resumé, but Montana is peaking at the right time & I think they'll play better than they did 4 weeks earlier. It likely comes down to whether the Griz can run the ball better than in the first meeting.

Note: I called RBs a "push" because Quincy Forte is questionable.


Here's my assessment of the matchups & my pick for the game:

• • • Quarterbacks -- EWU
      
      Running Backs - (push)
      
      Receivers/TEs - EWU
      
      Offensive Line - (push)
      
      
      Defensive Line - Montana
      
      Linebackers --- Montana
      
      Secondary ---- EWU
      
      
      Kicking ------ EWU
      
      Punting ------ EWU
      
      Return Teams - EWU
      
      Kickoffs ------ Montana
      
      
      
      
      
      • Montana 34-31 EWU

SuperHornet wrote:Another oddball pick from Venus. Declares EWU better in the majority of the categories he grades, then goes with the homer pick.

SeattleGriz wrote:Maybe those categories carry more weight than the others.

SuperHornet wrote:Another oddball pick from Venus. Declares EWU better in the majority of the categories he grades, then goes with the homer pick.

Mvemjsunpx wrote:

SuperHornet wrote:Another oddball pick from Venus. Declares EWU better in the majority of the categories he grades, then goes with the homer pick.

You're assuming every advantage is by the same amount. The special teams & secondary advantages for EWU were slight, while the front-7 advantage for Montana is quite large.

The position comparisons aren't the only factors I use to pick the game, either.

EWURanger wrote:

Mvemjsunpx wrote:
You're assuming every advantage is by the same amount. The special teams & secondary advantages for EWU were slight, while the front-7 advantage for Montana is quite large.

The position comparisons aren't the only factors I use to pick the game, either.

All that being said, you've never picked against Montana is this series. I get that, but don't pretend that it's because of objectivity.

EWURanger wrote:

Mvemjsunpx wrote:
You're assuming every advantage is by the same amount. The special teams & secondary advantages for EWU were slight, while the front-7 advantage for Montana is quite large.

The position comparisons aren't the only factors I use to pick the game, either.

All that being said, you've never picked against Montana is this series. I get that, but don't pretend that it's because of objectivity.

Grizzlies1982 wrote:

EWURanger wrote:
All that being said, you've never picked against Montana is this series. I get that, but don't pretend that it's because of objectivity.

It is a classic case of Good vs. Evil.
Now why would you expect him to choose Evil?????