Big Sky Predictions 10-2

[JALMOND]

As the calendar switches to October, there is a chill in the air and the games start to get tough as the race is on to garner that conference title and the automatic bid into the playoffs. A good slate of games this weekend as the race will start to clear (possibly) and things get decided (maybe). Last week's outcomes put me at 32-11 so far this year. Sacramento State has drawn the short straw this weekend and is sitting this one out, but everyone else plays.

UI at UCD---The Vandals had an extra week to prepare for this tussle against the Aggies, who came home with a strong conference road win but without their starting quarterback. The Aggies still should be able to get this one...UCD 24, UI 10.

ISU at NAU---The Bengals felt like they gave one away last week at home, and now have to play on the road against the Lumberjacks, who can't seem to get an FCS win. The Lumberjacks, surprising, do have a win, something the Bengals don't have...NAU 24, ISU 21.

UM at EWU---How about a national broadcast for this one, and both are willing to put on a show. The Grizzlies are a well-rounded team with a good defense to go with a good offense. The Eagles offense has been unstoppable, but there is that defense...UM 45, EWU 36.

UNC at MSU---Lose one, win one. Lose one, win one. That is how the Bears have started the year. On the other hand the Bobcats have looked impressive this year, even with their FBS loss. This is the week that the Bears should lose...MSU 42, UNC 14.

PSU at SUU---The last trip to Whoville as a conference matchup for the Vikings who seem to pass better than they run, or that may be skewed a bit. The Thunderbirds may be suspect on defense, or their numbers may also be skewed by who they have played so far...PSU 40, SUU 35.

WSU at CP---A season where they thought they would be at the top, the Wildcats now start October with just one win to show so far. They go on the road to a feisty Mustangs squad who is also dying for a conference win. May be tougher than expected...WSU 21, CP 17.

[kalm]

I feel better about our chances after seeing that Cal Poly’s D was able to keep the Griz O relatively in check.

[Grizzlies1982]

I feel better about our chances after seeing that Cal Poly’s D was able to keep the Griz O relatively in check.

That was deception.

Wait till you see the new Grizzly triple option Saturday night! Your eagles won't know what to do.

[kalm]

I feel better about our chances after seeing that Cal Poly’s D was able to keep the Griz O relatively in check.

That was deception.

Wait till you see the new Grizzly triple option Saturday night! Your eagles won't know what to do.

Dammit!

[SuperHornet]

@ UC Davis d. Idaho 31-6---Can't trust Idalol with ANYTHING...particularly a playoff team, even one with a lost quarterback.

@ NAU d. ID State 35-24---NAU's annual mid-season swoon does NOT start quite yet.

@ EWU d. Montana 56-43---The Eagles may not have much of a defense, but they have enough offense to pull this one out.

@ MT State d. UNC 42-3---UNC got lucky last week, and will revert to form this week.

PSU d. @ SUU 24-13---I'm not sure if PDX is on its way back yet, but I can't trust SUU.

WSU d. @ CP 35-10---BBQ is tired of underperforming and takes its frustrations out on a weak Cal Poly squad.

Sac State BYE

Other Games of Note to SH

@ FBS #16 Coastal Carolina d. NE Louisiana 35-14

@ Navy d. C. Florida 21-13

Liberty d. @ UAB 45-23

Maryland d. FBS #5 Iowa 31-27

[Mvemjsunpx]

Montana 27-31 EWU — Fun Fact! Nobody on the Griz roster has played on the red turf

Weber 31-6 Cal Poly — A needed reprieve for the Wildcats

Idalol 10-38 Davis — Davis has a really good shot at running the table

Portland St. 31-35 Suutah — The Mediocrity Bowl…

Idalol St. 21-34 NAU — Go with the home dome, I guess? Eh, who cares, neither of these teams are going anywhere

NoCo 7-31 Montana St. — The Bears scored 45 against HBU, but only 34 total against their other 3 opponents

[AZGrizFan]

I feel better about our chances after seeing that Cal Poly’s D was able to keep the Griz O relatively in check.

When special teams score 22 points, your offense doesn’t need to do much….first string only played 3 quarters, and really didn’t need to excel after the 2nd half KO was returned for a TD to make it 24-0.

[kalm]

I feel better about our chances after seeing that Cal Poly’s D was able to keep the Griz O relatively in check.

When special teams score 22 points, your offense doesn’t need to do much….first string only played 3 quarters, and really didn’t need to excel after the 2nd half KO was returned for a TD to make it 24-0.

So you picked up 16 first downs and punted 7 times because you could. In the 2nd half you punted 4 times and turned it over on downs once.

No questioning the D and special teams but other than WIU, your offense hasn’t exactly been a juggernaut.

[SuperHornet]

Venus is sandbagging?!? Wow....

[AZGrizFan]

When special teams score 22 points, your offense doesn’t need to do much….first string only played 3 quarters, and really didn’t need to excel after the 2nd half KO was returned for a TD to make it 24-0.

So you picked up 16 first downs and punted 7 times because you could. In the 2nd half you punted 4 times and turned it over on downs once.

No questioning the D and special teams but other than WIU, your offense hasn’t exactly been a juggernaut.

our offense is not a juggernaut. It doesn't have to be, and certainly didn't have to be against CP. When you're up 24-0, BH's goal (always has been, if you remember his first stint in Missoula) has been to shorten the game and burn clock. If EWU thinks they're going to come out and score 45, they got another thing coming. And there is literally nothing EWU has done to date that would make one think they're going to limit Montana's scoring chances.

[SDHornet]

dungpilers over UI
NAU over ISU
EWU over UM
MSU over UNC
PSU over SUU
WSU over CP

Couple of toss up games at the bottom of the conference. I think EWU rolls montucky on the maxipad.

[Mvemjsunpx]

our offense is not a juggernaut. It doesn't have to be, and certainly didn't have to be against CP. When you're up 24-0, BH's goal (always has been, if you remember his first stint in Missoula) has been to shorten the game and burn clock.

Except the Griz have been running a no-huddle offense during the whole Hauck 2.0 era. It's not a particularly quick no-huddle, which makes me question why they run it at all, but they aren't usually running the play clock down to 1 either.

[AZGrizFan]

our offense is not a juggernaut. It doesn't have to be, and certainly didn't have to be against CP. When you're up 24-0, BH's goal (always has been, if you remember his first stint in Missoula) has been to shorten the game and burn clock.

Except the Griz have been running a no-huddle offense during the whole Hauck 2.0 era. It's not a particularly quick no-huddle, which makes me question why they run it at all, but they aren't usually running the play clock down to 1 either.

No…but lots of running plays that keep the clock running.

[uofmman1122]

Maybe I'm a pessimist, but Cal Poly showed to me that we have some problems, and they just didn't have the horses to take advantage of said problems.

EWU probably will, though (at least on offense), which is why I could see this becoming a Sac State 2019-esque game for us. I have a feeling we'll need to come from behind to win this one. It also worries me how overconfident some of our fans (especially on eGriz) seem to be about this game.

Hope I'm wrong, and we bury them early, though!

[SDHornet]

Maybe I'm a pessimist, but Cal Poly showed to me that we have some problems, and they just didn't have the horses to take advantage of said problems.

EWU probably will, though (at least on offense), which is why I could see this becoming a Sac State 2019-esque game for us. I have a feeling we'll need to come from behind to win this one. It also worries me how overconfident some of our fans (especially on eGriz) seem to be about this game.

Hope I'm wrong, and we bury them early, though!

I noticed that too, which is why I went with EWU. Granted, I only watched a 20 minute highlight of the game, but CP was able to move the ball and they just discovered the forward pass this past spring. UM's front 7 is probably the best in the BSC, but if they can't get to the QB there could be some issues. Of course if UM forces FGs in the redzone then that certainly helps.

Should be a good game.

[uofmman1122]

Maybe I'm a pessimist, but Cal Poly showed to me that we have some problems, and they just didn't have the horses to take advantage of said problems.

EWU probably will, though (at least on offense), which is why I could see this becoming a Sac State 2019-esque game for us. I have a feeling we'll need to come from behind to win this one. It also worries me how overconfident some of our fans (especially on eGriz) seem to be about this game.

Hope I'm wrong, and we bury them early, though!

I noticed that too, which is why I went with EWU. Granted, I only watched a 20 minute highlight of the game, but CP was able to move the ball and they just discovered the forward pass this past spring. UM's front 7 is probably the best in the BSC, but if they can't get to the QB there could be some issues. Of course if UM forces FGs in the redzone then that certainly helps.

Should be a good game.

I think if we can hold them below 30 points or so, we've got a good chance, but their WRs are gonna turn catches in space into points.

I'm also just so snakebit over the last decade that I always expect one game on the road where we come out flat and get boat-raced in the first half.

That said, we also didn't have our best cover safety at all in that Cal Poly game, and his replacement made a few mistakes.

[kalm]

Maybe I'm a pessimist, but Cal Poly showed to me that we have some problems, and they just didn't have the horses to take advantage of said problems.

EWU probably will, though (at least on offense), which is why I could see this becoming a Sac State 2019-esque game for us. I have a feeling we'll need to come from behind to win this one. It also worries me how overconfident some of our fans (especially on eGriz) seem to be about this game.

Hope I'm wrong, and we bury them early, though!

I noticed that too, which is why I went with EWU. Granted, I only watched a 20 minute highlight of the game, but CP was able to move the ball and they just discovered the forward pass this past spring. UM's front 7 is probably the best in the BSC, but if they can't get to the QB there could be some issues. Of course if UM forces FGs in the redzone then that certainly helps.

Should be a good game.

Pressure Barriere up the middle and contain. Red zone D.

The keys to a Griz win.

[AZGrizFan]

Maybe I'm a pessimist, but Cal Poly showed to me that we have some problems, and they just didn't have the horses to take advantage of said problems.

EWU probably will, though (at least on offense), which is why I could see this becoming a Sac State 2019-esque game for us. I have a feeling we'll need to come from behind to win this one. It also worries me how overconfident some of our fans (especially on eGriz) seem to be about this game.

Hope I'm wrong, and we bury them early, though!

I noticed that too, which is why I went with EWU. Granted, I only watched a 20 minute highlight of the game, but CP was able to move the ball and they just discovered the forward pass this past spring. UM's front 7 is probably the best in the BSC, but if they can't get to the QB there could be some issues. Of course if UM forces FGs in the redzone then that certainly helps.

Should be a good game.

Is there something that makes you believe they can’t get to the QB? Against that same CP team, the Griz had 4 sacks and 14 TFL’s. Now, I don’t expect to duplicate those numbers (mostly because I believe the Griz D will have a different game plan), but EWU is not infallible. But you are correct…..with this defensive setup, if the Griz can’t get pressure on ANY QB, they struggle. Then again, we’ve never had CB’s and safeties (as a group) like this group…..so, I guess we’ll know in about 14 hours.

[AZGrizFan]

Maybe I'm a pessimist, but Cal Poly showed to me that we have some problems, and they just didn't have the horses to take advantage of said problems.

EWU probably will, though (at least on offense), which is why I could see this becoming a Sac State 2019-esque game for us. I have a feeling we'll need to come from behind to win this one. It also worries me how overconfident some of our fans (especially on eGriz) seem to be about this game.

Hope I'm wrong, and we bury them early, though!

Listen…I worry about EVERY game against EWU. Given our recent history, I’m mildly surprised ANYTIME we beat them. So I wouldn’t say I’m “overconfident”…..but I do think our D isn’t getting enough credit….maybe after tonight.

[kalm]

I noticed that too, which is why I went with EWU. Granted, I only watched a 20 minute highlight of the game, but CP was able to move the ball and they just discovered the forward pass this past spring. UM's front 7 is probably the best in the BSC, but if they can't get to the QB there could be some issues. Of course if UM forces FGs in the redzone then that certainly helps.

Should be a good game.

Is there something that makes you believe they can’t get to the QB? Against that same CP team, the Griz had 4 sacks and 14 TFL’s. Now, I don’t expect to duplicate those numbers (mostly because I believe the Griz D will have a different game plan), but EWU is not infallible. But you are correct…..with this defensive setup, if the Griz can’t get pressure on ANY QB, they struggle. Then again, we’ve never had CB’s and safeties (as a group) like this group…..so, I guess we’ll know in about 14 hours.

Poly’s line is a work in progress. EWU’s is not. Griz like to blitz but if Barriere breaks containment he’s super dangerous.

[AZGrizFan]

Is there something that makes you believe they can’t get to the QB? Against that same CP team, the Griz had 4 sacks and 14 TFL’s. Now, I don’t expect to duplicate those numbers (mostly because I believe the Griz D will have a different game plan), but EWU is not infallible. But you are correct…..with this defensive setup, if the Griz can’t get pressure on ANY QB, they struggle. Then again, we’ve never had CB’s and safeties (as a group) like this group…..so, I guess we’ll know in about 14 hours.

Poly’s line is a work in progress. EWU’s is not. Griz like to blitz but if Barriere breaks containment he’s super dangerous.

No doubt. We had a plan that worked pretty well in ‘19….let’s hope we have one again this year.

[JALMOND]

As the calendar switches to October, there is a chill in the air and the games start to get tough as the race is on to garner that conference title and the automatic bid into the playoffs. A good slate of games this weekend as the race will start to clear (possibly) and things get decided (maybe). Last week's outcomes put me at 32-11 so far this year. Sacramento State has drawn the short straw this weekend and is sitting this one out, but everyone else plays.

UI at UCD---The Vandals had an extra week to prepare for this tussle against the Aggies, who came home with a strong conference road win but without their starting quarterback. The Aggies still should be able to get this one...UCD 24, UI 10.

ISU at NAU---The Bengals felt like they gave one away last week at home, and now have to play on the road against the Lumberjacks, who can't seem to get an FCS win. The Lumberjacks, surprising, do have a win, something the Bengals don't have...NAU 24, ISU 21.

UM at EWU---How about a national broadcast for this one, and both are willing to put on a show. The Grizzlies are a well-rounded team with a good defense to go with a good offense. The Eagles offense has been unstoppable, but there is that defense...UM 45, EWU 36.

UNC at MSU---Lose one, win one. Lose one, win one. That is how the Bears have started the year. On the other hand the Bobcats have looked impressive this year, even with their FBS loss. This is the week that the Bears should lose...MSU 42, UNC 14.

PSU at SUU---The last trip to Whoville as a conference matchup for the Vikings who seem to pass better than they run, or that may be skewed a bit. The Thunderbirds may be suspect on defense, or their numbers may also be skewed by who they have played so far...PSU 40, SUU 35.

WSU at CP---A season where they thought they would be at the top, the Wildcats now start October with just one win to show so far. They go on the road to a feisty Mustangs squad who is also dying for a conference win. May be tougher than expected...WSU 21, CP 17.

5-1, missed the Griz/EWU game. 37-12 overall.

[Mvemjsunpx]

5-1, missed the Griz/EWU game. 37-12 overall.

Your homer pick payed off, while my anti-homer pick payed off.

[kalm]

Poly’s line is a work in progress. EWU’s is not. Griz like to blitz but if Barriere breaks containment he’s super dangerous.

No doubt. We had a plan that worked pretty well in ‘19….let’s hope we have one again this year.

Relentless blitzing and pressure up the middle was effective. Despite the sacks, our oline and pass pro backs bought just enough time. That’s a terrific D. I don’t see many offenses doing much against you from here on out. It will be interesting to see how Idaho with their LB’s, MSU, Weber, and Davis do on defense against us.

[SDHornet]

No doubt. We had a plan that worked pretty well in ‘19….let’s hope we have one again this year.

Relentless blitzing and pressure up the middle was effective. Despite the sacks, our oline and pass pro backs bought just enough time. That’s a terrific D. I don’t see many offenses doing much against you from here on out. It will be interesting to see how Idaho with their LB’s, MSU, Weber, and Davis do on defense against us.

Damn good game. Was closer than it should have been. EWU missed on a couple home run balls (that should have been caught) early that would have buried the griz early. Also a handful of drops in for EWU that should have kept drives alive. Credit to Flowers for keeping the griz in the game with his kickoff return, EWU completely dominated that 4th quarter.