Big Sky Standings 2010 Predictions?

[Ursus A. Horribilis]

I understood you cheekiness SE.

I like to take these opportunities when you say something false though to let you know a factoid. Pflu was the assistant HC from 1991-1994 and he has called years worth of plays in that capacity. Now you can split the hairs if you want and say he wasn't the HC but another factoid for you is that on game days Don Read let his assistant HC and the other coaches do their jobs without interference. I had quite a few friends that played during the Read era and to a man they all said that Don Read basically stood back and let his coaches do their assigned jobs.

Pflu is a lot more seasoned at the position than some of you are giving him credit for. That's cool though.

Likewise if you want to split hairs, BLM has taken plenty of snaps and competed in a higher level of competition than he will in the BSC. I've watched him play this spring, and he looked every bit as good as Nichols. Granted there's no hitting QBs in springball so there's no real pressure, but objectively, I don't think there will be much of a dropoff in offensive production at QB with BLM. He's solid. We've also got a good history of coaching up QBs here at EWU, so sufficed to say, I'm not worried.

We can sit here all day clenzing, but what really matters will happen on the field. Two more months baby!

SE, that would be a terrific post if I were the guy that took up that position. I was not. I don't disagree with it and haven't yet. You should point these beautiful soliloquy's at the person that made the charges.

My arm is starting to get tired boys...tighten it up around here.

Go ahead and take a look at what I did if you need some reference. You had one thing that I thought I would clarify for you so I gave you some extra background so you would be better informed. I'm good like that.

[bpcats]

My best early summer guess for the rankings:

1) UM - I think that they will be more unpredictable on offense and a lot more aggressive on defense (with the occasional lapse giving up the big play). Unless they have a bad game I don't see them losing a conference game except maybe against EWU because those games are always close.

2) MSU - Solid team from top to bottom and unless injuries take a toll at the linebacker position this team should contend for the playoffs. Their running game will actually be more explosive than last year with an infusion of talent and they are deep at the WR position for the first time in a decade.

3) EWU - Almost put them #2, however last year the Bobcats outplayed them most of the game but were missing their starting kicker and punter/backup kicker that left 13 point off the board add that to bad call by ref on the TD by Gilbert in the endzone and you have a Bobcat win. I like the Eagles offensive line and I don't see a drop off at their qb position. However they lost a lot of talent at the TE and WR positions. Solid team though.

4 - 6) Weber/NAU/Sac State - Weber returns Higgins but lost a ton to graduation and Higgins has struggled a lot and the will miss Toone. NAU is as talented as they come except they always fade down the stretch. Sac State - They have to break through sometime don't they?

7) Portland State - I think that things start to come together for the Vikings under Burton. There has been a lot of talent infusion into the team they just need to show it.

8) UNC - Big questions at quarterback. Each year they get tougher to play.

9) Idaho State - As shown last year against the Griz they can play anybody tough. However I really think their home field astroturf is their biggest enemy in beating up their own team.

[JALMOND]

Maybe a poor choice of words on my part. Still, history has not been too kind in recent years for the Hornets in the Big Sky, and no one could have objectively predicted the success the Hornets had last year after Hilliard went down. They won the games they should last year and the NAU game was a bonus. The return of Hilliard could mean perhaps the bar is set a little higher in Sacramento this year (and rightly so).

Actually J a few of us were predicting an uptick for them...including yourself.

I went looking for my post where I said they seemed to be putting things together and I thought they would climb into the top 4 last year in the conference. I couldn't find it but I did find the one where Grizza mentioned that I was touting them as a team to watch.

viewtopic.php?f=4&t=6548&start=25" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

My notebook has in big cap letters "NO HILLIARD" and had them starting the year eighth in my power rankings. I'll have to go back and see what I typed on the sites. No matter. Last year is past and I was wrong. This year is now and this year I'm saying they could be a strong team.

[JALMOND]

So your saying that he does have experience calling plays


15 years ago

Glad you understand words Cat, It's refreshing to see. I wish I knew for sure what your point was but since cap'd 15 yrs. ago I'll assume that you are saying that he doesn't know how to do it NOW since it is something he did in the past, and although he has been in the same kind of work for the years since then that he has forgotten how to do it altogether? Is that seriously your point? Oh good lord 2506.

It took Portland State 3 years to realize that Glanville had forgotten how to do it.

[cats2506]

So your saying that he does have experience calling plays


15 years ago

Glad you understand words Cat, It's refreshing to see. I wish I knew for sure what your point was but since cap'd 15 yrs. ago I'll assume that you are saying that he doesn't know how to do it NOW since it is something he did in the past, and although he has been in the same kind of work for the years since then that he has forgotten how to do it altogether? Is that seriously your point? Oh good lord 2506.

http://www.montanagrizzlies.com/pages/c ... ?c=12&m=18" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

I guess what I get out of his resume is that he has been coaching for 30 years and has never held a HC, OC or DC position, the closest he has ever come to any of those was 15 years ago at UM, but otherwise he is just a solid QB/WR position coach. He may do very well as a HC, but if I were a griz fan (just puked a little writing that) I would be concerned and nervous about the upcomming season

[Screamin_Eagle174]

Obviously my tongue-in-cheek response to kemajic went right over your head. That's exactly the point I was making to his comment that the Griz are only going to be that much better offensively and defensively under Pfloofy, without ever having called a single play as HC and under the "new" scheme. Try to keep up buddy.

I understood you cheekiness SE.

I like to take these opportunities when you say something false though to let you know a factoid. Pflu was the assistant HC from 1991-1994 and he has called years worth of plays in that capacity. Now you can split the hairs if you want and say he wasn't the HC but another factoid for you is that on game days Don Read let his assistant HC and the other coaches do their jobs without interference. I had quite a few friends that played during the Read era and to a man they all said that Don Read basically stood back and let his coaches do their assigned jobs.

Pflu is a lot more seasoned at the position than some of you are giving him credit for. That's cool though.

UAH, that would be a terrific post if you were the guy I was addressing in my reply, but you weren't. But regardless of you jumping into my line of fire, my response was directed at kemajic.

If your arm is getting tired, maybe you should stop looking at my childhood photos ya filthy bastard.

[Screamin_Eagle174]

Glad you understand words Cat, It's refreshing to see. I wish I knew for sure what your point was but since cap'd 15 yrs. ago I'll assume that you are saying that he doesn't know how to do it NOW since it is something he did in the past, and although he has been in the same kind of work for the years since then that he has forgotten how to do it altogether? Is that seriously your point? Oh good lord 2506.

It took Portland State 3 years to realize that Glanville had forgotten how to do it.

[Ursus A. Horribilis]

I understood you cheekiness SE.

I like to take these opportunities when you say something false though to let you know a factoid. Pflu was the assistant HC from 1991-1994 and he has called years worth of plays in that capacity. Now you can split the hairs if you want and say he wasn't the HC but another factoid for you is that on game days Don Read let his assistant HC and the other coaches do their jobs without interference. I had quite a few friends that played during the Read era and to a man they all said that Don Read basically stood back and let his coaches do their assigned jobs.

Pflu is a lot more seasoned at the position than some of you are giving him credit for. That's cool though.

UAH, that would be a terrific post if you were the guy I was addressing in my reply, but you weren't. But regardless of you jumping into my line of fire, my response was directed at kemajic.

If your arm is getting tired, maybe you should stop looking at my childhood photos ya filthy bastard.

I was the one you quoted correct? Seems like I may have solved another one of your problems much like that pesky "my ass it too tight Ursus, will you help me?" problem that I fixed for you.

You're welcome.

[Ursus A. Horribilis]

Actually J a few of us were predicting an uptick for them...including yourself.

I went looking for my post where I said they seemed to be putting things together and I thought they would climb into the top 4 last year in the conference. I couldn't find it but I did find the one where Grizza mentioned that I was touting them as a team to watch.

viewtopic.php?f=4&t=6548&start=25" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

My notebook has in big cap letters "NO HILLIARD" and had them starting the year eighth in my power rankings. I'll have to go back and see what I typed on the sites. No matter. Last year is past and I was wrong. This year is now and this year I'm saying they could be a strong team.

What the hell ya talking about? You were pretty dead on with the prediction last year it looked like to me. You said they'd finish 5th right behind NAU and they ended up tied with them. I think that's pretty f'n close.

[Ursus A. Horribilis]

Glad you understand words Cat, It's refreshing to see. I wish I knew for sure what your point was but since cap'd 15 yrs. ago I'll assume that you are saying that he doesn't know how to do it NOW since it is something he did in the past, and although he has been in the same kind of work for the years since then that he has forgotten how to do it altogether? Is that seriously your point? Oh good lord 2506.

http://www.montanagrizzlies.com/pages/c ... ?c=12&m=18" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

I guess what I get out of his resume is that he has been coaching for 30 years and has never held a HC, OC or DC position, the closest he has ever come to any of those was 15 years ago at UM, but otherwise he is just a solid QB/WR position coach. He may do very well as a HC, but if I were a griz fan (just puked a little writing that) I would be concerned and nervous about the upcomming season

Well we aren't concerned and I hope you all feel comfortable at this point...it won't last.

Hauck was never a HC either and when he was coming in you would have said this same thing. Didn't work out so well.

[Ursus A. Horribilis]

It took Portland State 3 years to realize that Glanville had forgotten how to do it.

And it may take them another 3 to figure out that it wasn't Glanville after all.

How do you think Glanville would have done in Missoula?

[Screamin_Eagle174]

UAH, that would be a terrific post if you were the guy I was addressing in my reply, but you weren't. But regardless of you jumping into my line of fire, my response was directed at kemajic.

If your arm is getting tired, maybe you should stop looking at my childhood photos ya filthy bastard.

I was the one you quoted correct? Seems like I may have solved another one of your problems much like that pesky "my ass it too tight Ursus, will you help me?" problem that I fixed for you.

You're welcome.

Yes, because you jumped into the crossfire, expounding on kemajic's claim that he didn't support. Seems like I could help you with one of your problems by suggesting you get some bifocals, because that was

And you wondered why he was in such a good mood the next day.

[Ursus A. Horribilis]

I was the one you quoted correct? Seems like I may have solved another one of your problems much like that pesky "my ass it too tight Ursus, will you help me?" problem that I fixed for you.

You're welcome.

Yes, because you jumped into the crossfire, expounding on kemajic's claim that he didn't support. Seems like I could help you with one of your problems by suggesting you get some bifocals, because that was

And you wondered why he was in such a good mood the next day.

Shit dick, you are out your fucking mind. Kem said the shit that you responded to me with...I didn't. I didn't say it because I don't believe it. I responded to your erroneous statement about Pflu, nothing else.

Stop arguing like a woman.

You are correct on the mistaking you for Grizo part though. I got confused cuz I couldn't remember which one of you took it and which one was in charge of orally cleaning Ursus after the deed. My apologies.

[Screamin_Eagle174]

Yes, because you jumped into the crossfire, expounding on kemajic's claim that he didn't support. Seems like I could help you with one of your problems by suggesting you get some bifocals, because that was

And you wondered why he was in such a good mood the next day.

Shit dick, you are out your fucking mind. Kem said the shit that you responded to me with...I didn't. I didn't say it because I don't believe it. I responded to your erroneous statement about Pflu, nothing else.

Stop arguing like a woman.

You are correct on the mistaking you for Grizo part though. I got confused cuz I couldn't remember which one of you took it and which one was in charge of orally cleaning Ursus after the deed. My apologies.

Apology accepted, Ginger Balls.

[JALMOND]

And it may take them another 3 to figure out that it wasn't Glanville after all.

How do you think Glanville would have done in Missoula?

I think whichever Big Sky team Glanville would have went to, he would not have done much better that at PSU.

I think, though, you have proven an interesting point. When Glanville and Davis came to PSU in 2007, the cupboard was definitely not bare. Walsh left it fairly stacked and the Vikings were coming off what was probably their best season since joining I-AA/FCS (and the best since). With Glanville running the defense and Davis returning to PSU to bring back the offense, great things were predicted for the Vikings in 2007. I was not the only one who touted them as possible conference title contenders. However, I was brought to earth by a few Griz posters on the other site who said that it is tough to continue success in college football when a new coach is brought in. Like Pflugrad at Montana, Davis was a former coach at PSU, having much success running the run and shoot at PSU in the early '80s. Looking back on it now, both Glanville and Davis thought that, with the talent returning from the Walsh era, with a little bit of "tweaking" to their expertise, they would be able to enjoy the success of being the top dog in the Big Sky and ride that wave of enthusiasm all the way to the WAC. What they didn't realize was what is common knowledge on both FCS sites, that there is some damn fine football played at this level and the Big Sky is one of the best conferences.

This is why I can't see Glanville doing much better at any Big Sky school than what he did at PSU, and also it is why I say there are questions at Montana this year due to the coaching change. Montana should still be considered the team to beat in the conference going into this season, much like great expectations were bestowed on PSU when Glanville/Davis arrived on campus back in 2007. We all know how that experiment worked (or didn't) at PSU, how it works at Montana remains to be seen. Hopefully, from the standpoint of a fan of the Big Sky, I hope there is no dropoff and the Griz continue their success. But, as what was brought to my attention as a PSU fan, strange things can happen with coaching changes. For every Bobby Hauck and Joe Glenn, there is an Earle Salmuelson and Jerry Glanville hire out there.

[Ursus A. Horribilis]

And it may take them another 3 to figure out that it wasn't Glanville after all.

How do you think Glanville would have done in Missoula?

I think whichever Big Sky team Glanville would have went to, he would not have done much better that at PSU.

I think, though, you have proven an interesting point. When Glanville and Davis came to PSU in 2007, the cupboard was definitely not bare. Walsh left it fairly stacked and the Vikings were coming off what was probably their best season since joining I-AA/FCS (and the best since). With Glanville running the defense and Davis returning to PSU to bring back the offense, great things were predicted for the Vikings in 2007. I was not the only one who touted them as possible conference title contenders. However, I was brought to earth by a few Griz posters on the other site who said that it is tough to continue success in college football when a new coach is brought in. Like Pflugrad at Montana, Davis was a former coach at PSU, having much success running the run and shoot at PSU in the early '80s. Looking back on it now, both Glanville and Davis thought that, with the talent returning from the Walsh era, with a little bit of "tweaking" to their expertise, they would be able to enjoy the success of being the top dog in the Big Sky and ride that wave of enthusiasm all the way to the WAC. What they didn't realize was what is common knowledge on both FCS sites, that there is some damn fine football played at this level and the Big Sky is one of the best conferences.

This is why I can't see Glanville doing much better at any Big Sky school than what he did at PSU, and also it is why I say there are questions at Montana this year due to the coaching change. Montana should still be considered the team to beat in the conference going into this season, much like great expectations were bestowed on PSU when Glanville/Davis arrived on campus back in 2007. We all know how that experiment worked (or didn't) at PSU, how it works at Montana remains to be seen. Hopefully, from the standpoint of a fan of the Big Sky, I hope there is no dropoff and the Griz continue their success. But, as what was brought to my attention as a PSU fan, strange things can happen with coaching changes. For every Bobby Hauck and Joe Glenn, there is an Earle Salmuelson and Jerry Glanville hire out there.

Hey I ain't saying it couldn't happen. I'm saying that it hasn't since 1986 at Montana. A lot of these same issues were discussed by my Bobcat friends when Dennehy took over, then when Glenn was hired, then especially when Bobby Hauck was hired. The Griz have a great track record of bringing in new coaches in the last 25 years so I'm gonna poo poo the coaching change aregument until I see otherwise.

We'll leave Read off of the list and just go with the coaching changes and the first and second year after the change.

Dennehy...1st yr. went to the NC game. 2nd yr. was a 1st rd. loss @ McNeese in a close game who went on to the NC game.

Joe Glenn...1st yr. National Championship game loss to Ga. Southern, 2nd yr. National Championship

Bobby Hauck...1st yr. 1st round loss to WIU in double O-time getting a 30yd. field goal blocked, 2nd season...National Championship game loss to JMU.

If you are looking at history then I might say the first couple of years of a new coaching staff may be the worst nightmare for many opponents, instead of something to hold up as a reason for weakness.

Of course like I said I could be wrong but it is funny to see that it is seen by other teams in the conference as a reason that Griz fans should be real concerned.

[Screamin_Eagle174]

And it may take them another 3 to figure out that it wasn't Glanville after all.

How do you think Glanville would have done in Missoula?

I think whichever Big Sky team Glanville would have went to, he would not have done much better that at PSU.

I think, though, you have proven an interesting point. When Glanville and Davis came to PSU in 2007, the cupboard was definitely not bare. Walsh left it fairly stacked and the Vikings were coming off what was probably their best season since joining I-AA/FCS (and the best since). With Glanville running the defense and Davis returning to PSU to bring back the offense, great things were predicted for the Vikings in 2007. I was not the only one who touted them as possible conference title contenders. However, I was brought to earth by a few Griz posters on the other site who said that it is tough to continue success in college football when a new coach is brought in. Like Pflugrad at Montana, Davis was a former coach at PSU, having much success running the run and shoot at PSU in the early '80s. Looking back on it now, both Glanville and Davis thought that, with the talent returning from the Walsh era, with a little bit of "tweaking" to their expertise, they would be able to enjoy the success of being the top dog in the Big Sky and ride that wave of enthusiasm all the way to the WAC. What they didn't realize was what is common knowledge on both FCS sites, that there is some damn fine football played at this level and the Big Sky is one of the best conferences.

This is why I can't see Glanville doing much better at any Big Sky school than what he did at PSU, and also it is why I say there are questions at Montana this year due to the coaching change. Montana should still be considered the team to beat in the conference going into this season, much like great expectations were bestowed on PSU when Glanville/Davis arrived on campus back in 2007. We all know how that experiment worked (or didn't) at PSU, how it works at Montana remains to be seen. Hopefully, from the standpoint of a fan of the Big Sky, I hope there is no dropoff and the Griz continue their success. But, as what was brought to my attention as a PSU fan, strange things can happen with coaching changes. For every Bobby Hauck and Joe Glenn, there is an Earle Salmuelson and Jerry Glanville hire out there.

[Ursus A. Horribilis]

[Screamin_Eagle174]

[frinq]

If Glanville and Davis went to Montana and did to them what they did to us - switch the offense to run and shoot all pass, and the defense to Glanville's three man front - it would have been the same result. We had good athletes, as you say Jalmond, and Montana sure as hell has good ones, but throwing them into that set up guarantees confusion and failure. I can only hope that Burton's "pistol" brings us back to normal again. At at least he's back to the four man front.

[frinq]

And by the way, I haven't seen here anyone saying much about hat offensive and defense sets Pflugrad is planning to run. Anyone know?

[bpcats]

And by the way, I haven't seen here anyone saying much about hat offensive and defense sets Pflugrad is planning to run. Anyone know?

Griz fans can tell you a lot more about because they have seen the practices but from what I gather:

On offense - Under Hauck he liked to punish teams with the run game and grind teams down. His offensive lines were NFL size players. Their passing game I would say lacked imagination but was extremely effective because of the talent that they had at qb and wr positions. Before there were quotes on Egriz about Bobby changing pass plays to run plays. That won't happen under Pflugrad. I think the offense will have more spread formation principles with an added emphasis on passing. My guess is that they will be as explosive on offense as EWU and Weber have demonstrated in the past, but will be more effective since they are loaded with talent.


On Defense - they get their DC back that coached them in 95 championship game. His defense is based on creating pressure pressure pressure. Lots of blitzing and forcing the action. During Spring ball, the UM offense struggled to complete passes/move the ball because the blitzes were coming from everywhere. The only drawback to this type of scheme is that sometimes they give up the big play. The MSU Bobcats used somewhat a similar approach during Kramer years and it was fun to watch teams struggle for the whole game. However the occasional big play was given up.

Teams facing the Griz better have great offensive lines or you will have a nightmare. Eastern Washington and MSU probably have the best/most experienced offensive lines returning in the Big Sky. UM has had to bring in 3 new players along their line so there will be questions about them for a little while.

[EWURanger]

And by the way, I haven't seen here anyone saying much about hat offensive and defense sets Pflugrad is planning to run. Anyone know?

Griz fans can tell you a lot more about because they have seen the practices but from what I gather:

On offense - Under Hauck he liked to punish teams with the run game and grind teams down. His offensive lines were NFL size players. Their passing game I would say lacked imagination but was extremely effective because of the talent that they had at qb and wr positions. Before there were quotes on Egriz about Bobby changing pass plays to run plays. That won't happen under Pflugrad. I think the offense will have more spread formation principles with an added emphasis on passing. My guess is that they will be as explosive on offense as EWU and Weber have demonstrated in the past, but will be more effective since they are loaded with talent.


On Defense - they get their DC back that coached them in 95 championship game. His defense is based on creating pressure pressure pressure. Lots of blitzing and forcing the action. During Spring ball, the UM offense struggled to complete passes/move the ball because the blitzes were coming from everywhere. The only drawback to this type of scheme is that sometimes they give up the big play. The MSU Bobcats used somewhat a similar approach during Kramer years and it was fun to watch teams struggle for the whole game. However the occasional big play was given up.

Teams facing the Griz better have great offensive lines or you will have a nightmare. Eastern Washington and MSU probably have the best/most experienced offensive lines returning in the Big Sky. UM has had to bring in 3 new players along their line so there will be questions about them for a little while.

Concur.

[Ursus A. Horribilis]

And by the way, I haven't seen here anyone saying much about hat offensive and defense sets Pflugrad is planning to run. Anyone know?

Griz fans can tell you a lot more about because they have seen the practices but from what I gather:

On offense - Under Hauck he liked to punish teams with the run game and grind teams down. His offensive lines were NFL size players. Their passing game I would say lacked imagination but was extremely effective because of the talent that they had at qb and wr positions. Before there were quotes on Egriz about Bobby changing pass plays to run plays. That won't happen under Pflugrad. I think the offense will have more spread formation principles with an added emphasis on passing. My guess is that they will be as explosive on offense as EWU and Weber have demonstrated in the past, but will be more effective since they are loaded with talent.


On Defense - they get their DC back that coached them in 95 championship game. His defense is based on creating pressure pressure pressure. Lots of blitzing and forcing the action. During Spring ball, the UM offense struggled to complete passes/move the ball because the blitzes were coming from everywhere. The only drawback to this type of scheme is that sometimes they give up the big play. The MSU Bobcats used somewhat a similar approach during Kramer years and it was fun to watch teams struggle for the whole game. However the occasional big play was given up.

Teams facing the Griz better have great offensive lines or you will have a nightmare. Eastern Washington and MSU probably have the best/most experienced offensive lines returning in the Big Sky. UM has had to bring in 3 new players along their line so there will be questions about them for a little while.

Good lay out bp, the only small point is that it is the defensive coordinator from the 2001 team which was probably the best defenses we've had. He was Joe Glenn's DC.

[kemajic]

http://www.montanagrizzlies.com/pages/c ... ?c=12&m=18" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

I guess what I get out of his resume is that he has been coaching for 30 years and has never held a HC, OC or DC position, the closest he has ever come to any of those was 15 years ago at UM, but otherwise he is just a solid QB/WR position coach. He may do very well as a HC, but if I were a griz fan (just puked a little writing that) I would be concerned and nervous about the upcomming season

Well we aren't concerned and I hope you all feel comfortable at this point...it won't last.

Hauck was never a HC either and when he was coming in you would have said this same thing. Didn't work out so well.

It was five coaches ago that the Griz last won fewer than 8 games. They are not large bumps in the road for this program. Aside from Read, who was previously HC at Oregon, Pflu has by far the best resume.