Amidst heated rivalry, EWU holds recent edge over MSU

[Colter_Nuanez]

Amidst heated rivalry, EWU holds recent edge over MSU
http://skylinesportsmt.com/amidst-heated-rivalry-ewu-holds-recent-edge-over-msu/

 

[EWU98]

Heated rivalry???? :rofl:
What do we hold like a 30 - 10 series lead.
We are MSU's kryptonite!

 

[scottywashere11]

I agree that the fact that EWU has won 30 out of 40 games against MSU does not bode well for a "rivalry"... But hey, MSU is a great team with a huge fan following that actually wants to be rivals with us. The Griz look down their noses at us and shrug off the notion that we are rivals at all. They do not want to be lopped in with a bunch of directional school Eagles. MSU on the other hand, is in the same boat as we were with the Griz. They are looking at EWU, assuming that their perspective about being rivals is mutual.

I think that if we have two rivals, one being Idaho and one being PSU, it would be fantastic to build on this unofficial rivalry until it has enough steam to replace PSU. Let's start something with MSU. They want a rivalry, let's get it going. The Griz do not know how good they had it with us as a rival. We always gave them one hell of a game. They'll get a similar atmosphere with UI, but there was still a lot of momentum and history lost when we were replaced. We should move on like an ex-girlfriend to the next team that is interested in starting something with us.

 

[EWURanger]

Next year will be the first time in 35 years that we won’t play Montana, and I say F’em.

I respect MSU for keeping the series alive in agreeing to play us during years that we aren’t on each other’s conference schedule. Montana will never do that. They would much rather play Oklahoma Panhandle State at home than agree to a home and home arrangement with Eastern Washington. The reasons for that are numerous, but getting beaten a lot certainly has something to do with it.

MSU, on the other hand, realizes the value in maintaining tradition and rivalries, and their AD should be commended. They also have a pretty darn good football team that will be a big challenge this Saturday.

 

[cats25061]

Coach Choate wants to play top FCS teams and EWU is part of that. You can say whatever you want about the record but I don't think you can deny that over the last 10 years or so MSU have given EWU some tough close games. I think we are still a year away from winning against top FCS teams but this years team has been putting up a good fight and steadily improving.

 

[ewueagle2010]

I enjoy the MSU game every year. I like most their fans and had a great time in Bozeman last season when we went over. I think the overall records are overrated. Griz fans use that same excuse to say EWU isn't their rival. Rivalries about the fans mostly anyway and I think the EWU-MSU game is a rivalry way more than PSU is to EWU.

 

[EWU98]

Coach Choate wants to play top FCS teams and EWU is part of that. You can say whatever you want about the record but I don't think you can deny that over the last 10 years or so MSU have given EWU some tough close games. I think we are still a year away from winning against top FCS teams but this years team has been putting up a good fight and steadily improving.

I would whole totally agree with this.
My issue was with the title of the thread and article.
MSU has been giving us fits and yes they have been close games. I really think this could be a toss up game and it makes me nervous because any in conference game is a tough one.

 

[EWU98]

I enjoy the MSU game every year. I like most their fans and had a great time in Bozeman last season when we went over. I think the overall records are overrated. Griz fans use that same excuse to say EWU isn't their rival. Rivalries about the fans mostly anyway and I think the EWU-MSU game is a rivalry way more than PSU is to EWU.

But again PSU has given us fits as well...the only problem with the PSU "rivalry" is that there needs to be more then two PSU fans in the stands to qualify.

 

[Get'emGriz]

Next year will be the first time in 35 years that we won’t play Montana, and I say F’em.

I respect MSU for keeping the series alive in agreeing to play us during years that we aren’t on each other’s conference schedule. Montana will never do that. They would much rather play Oklahoma Panhandle State at home than agree to a home and home arrangement with Eastern Washington. The reasons for that are numerous, but getting beaten a lot certainly has something to do with it.

MSU, on the other hand, realizes the value in maintaining tradition and rivalries, and their AD should be commended. They also have a pretty darn good football team that will be a big challenge this Saturday.

LOL this wasn't really Montana's choice to drop EWU, and I know that the majority of Griz fans are pissed that we don't have EWU as a rival anymore. Don't let the few on eGriz let you think they are the majority.

As for "keeping the series alive", what the hell was Montana supposed to do? This whole mess was created no thanks to the Big Sky Conference. Idaho said they wanted a guarantee that their protected rival would be Montana. The Big Sky gave it to them. They didn't consider any other alternatives to keep the EWU/Montana rivalry game alive. We were put in a bad situation just as much as EWU was.

You also say, "MSU, on the other hand, realizes the value in maintaining tradition and rivalries, and their AD should be commended." Again, what the hell was Montana's AD supposed to do? Our 2018 nonconference schedule is already filled, and we are not about to drop a home non-conference game to go travel to Cheney to keep the series going. The timing and logistics of this announcement were shit, and the conference should have had this all figured out immediately after Idaho announced they were coming back to the Big Sky, not halfway through the 2017 season.

I am willing to bet that Montana's AD and EWU's AD will do what it takes to make sure this series continues in the years when we are "not scheduled" to play each other in conference.

So EWU fans, take a chill pill, get some perspective, and if you're going to blame someone, throw it at the Big Sky Conference.

 

[360Eag]

I enjoy the MSU game every year. I like most their fans and had a great time in Bozeman last season when we went over. I think the overall records are overrated. Griz fans use that same excuse to say EWU isn't their rival. Rivalries about the fans mostly anyway and I think the EWU-MSU game is a rivalry way more than PSU is to EWU.

I agree that MSU always felt like a rivalry to me. The games are always exciting to watch and it always feels like a big win no matter what the records say. When I showed up to campus in 2005, I only knew of our rivalry with Montana, I just assumed MSU was our other one as well. I just don't consider PSU our rival. Even though we've played them regularly since the late 80s, it just feels cooked up. I don't see a lot of fans on either side clamoring for Dam Cup week.

Plus, our fan base and MSU's fan base always agree on one thing. FTG.

 

[ewueagle2010]

I enjoy the MSU game every year. I like most their fans and had a great time in Bozeman last season when we went over. I think the overall records are overrated. Griz fans use that same excuse to say EWU isn't their rival. Rivalries about the fans mostly anyway and I think the EWU-MSU game is a rivalry way more than PSU is to EWU.

I agree that MSU always felt like a rivalry to me. The games are always exciting to watch and it always feels like a big win no matter what the records say. When I showed up to campus in 2005, I only knew of our rivalry with Montana, I just assumed MSU was our other one as well. I just don't consider PSU our rival. Even though we've played them regularly since the late 80s, it just feels cooked up. I don't see a lot of fans on either side clamoring for Dam Cup week.

Plus, our fan base and MSU's fan base always agree on one thing. FTG.

I hate that stupid thing. It's not even organized correctly. It's a "Cup," which I've never even seen, that is awarded to the University that accrues the most points in all sporting match ups throughout the year. So technically, you can't even claim the Dam Cup after the football win!

 

[cats25061]

Next year will be the first time in 35 years that we won’t play Montana, and I say F’em.

I respect MSU for keeping the series alive in agreeing to play us during years that we aren’t on each other’s conference schedule. Montana will never do that. They would much rather play Oklahoma Panhandle State at home than agree to a home and home arrangement with Eastern Washington. The reasons for that are numerous, but getting beaten a lot certainly has something to do with it.

MSU, on the other hand, realizes the value in maintaining tradition and rivalries, and their AD should be commended. They also have a pretty darn good football team that will be a big challenge this Saturday.

LOL this wasn't really Montana's choice to drop EWU, and I know that the majority of Griz fans are pissed that we don't have EWU as a rival anymore. Don't let the few on eGriz let you think they are the majority.

As for "keeping the series alive", what the hell was Montana supposed to do? This whole mess was created no thanks to the Big Sky Conference. Idaho said they wanted a guarantee that their protected rival would be Montana. The Big Sky gave it to them. They didn't consider any other alternatives to keep the EWU/Montana rivalry game alive. We were put in a bad situation just as much as EWU was.

You also say, "MSU, on the other hand, realizes the value in maintaining tradition and rivalries, and their AD should be commended." Again, what the hell was Montana's AD supposed to do? Our 2018 CUPCAKE schedule is already filled, and we are not about to drop a CUPCAKE to go travel to Cheney to keep the series going. The timing and logistics of this announcement were shit, and the conference should have had this all figured out immediately after Idaho announced they were coming back to the Big Sky, not halfway through the 2017 season.

I am willing to bet that Montana's AD and EWU's AD will do what it takes to make sure this series continues in the years when we are "not scheduled" to play each other in conference.

So EWU fans, take a chill pill, get some perspective, and if you're going to blame someone, throw it at the Big Sky Conference.

FIFY

 

[Hambone]

Next year will be the first time in 35 years that we won’t play Montana, and I say F’em.

I respect MSU for keeping the series alive in agreeing to play us during years that we aren’t on each other’s conference schedule. Montana will never do that. They would much rather play Oklahoma Panhandle State at home than agree to a home and home arrangement with Eastern Washington. The reasons for that are numerous, but getting beaten a lot certainly has something to do with it.

MSU, on the other hand, realizes the value in maintaining tradition and rivalries, and their AD should be commended. They also have a pretty darn good football team that will be a big challenge this Saturday.

LOL this wasn't really Montana's choice to drop EWU, and I know that the majority of Griz fans are pissed that we don't have EWU as a rival anymore. Don't let the few on eGriz let you think they are the majority.

As for "keeping the series alive", what the hell was Montana supposed to do? This whole mess was created no thanks to the Big Sky Conference. Idaho said they wanted a guarantee that their protected rival would be Montana. The Big Sky gave it to them. They didn't consider any other alternatives to keep the EWU/Montana rivalry game alive. We were put in a bad situation just as much as EWU was.

You also say, "MSU, on the other hand, realizes the value in maintaining tradition and rivalries, and their AD should be commended." Again, what the hell was Montana's AD supposed to do? Our 2018 nonconference schedule is already filled, and we are not about to drop a home non-conference game to go travel to Cheney to keep the series going. The timing and logistics of this announcement were shit, and the conference should have had this all figured out immediately after Idaho announced they were coming back to the Big Sky, not halfway through the 2017 season.

I am willing to bet that Montana's AD and EWU's AD will do what it takes to make sure this series continues in the years when we are "not scheduled" to play each other in conference.

So EWU fans, take a chill pill, get some perspective, and if you're going to blame someone, throw it at the Big Sky Conference.

I have heard differently. I'm not sure the "schedule was already complete" argument really holds water. The new "rivalry" games were known to the ADs as far back as when Idaho agreed to rejoin the Big Sky. The agreements that were made way back then have only become common knowledge recently and most of the 2018 schedules were not complete at that point. I don't know what kind of deal was on the table, or if there even was a deal on the table. But it is conceivable that the two schools could have worked out a 2018 game a while back. For whatever reason that didn't happen.

 

[Seattle Eagle]

Heated rivalry???? :rofl:
What do we hold like a 30 - 10 series lead.
We are MSU's kryptonite!

The record doesn't really matter much. MSU has been down a little the past couple of years but this is always a good game. Recall that they were the only team to beat us during our Championship run.

Definitely a great rivalry and one I hope to see for many years. :nod:

 

[EWURanger]

Next year will be the first time in 35 years that we won’t play Montana, and I say F’em.

I respect MSU for keeping the series alive in agreeing to play us during years that we aren’t on each other’s conference schedule. Montana will never do that. They would much rather play Oklahoma Panhandle State at home than agree to a home and home arrangement with Eastern Washington. The reasons for that are numerous, but getting beaten a lot certainly has something to do with it.

MSU, on the other hand, realizes the value in maintaining tradition and rivalries, and their AD should be commended. They also have a pretty darn good football team that will be a big challenge this Saturday.

LOL this wasn't really Montana's choice to drop EWU, and I know that the majority of Griz fans are pissed that we don't have EWU as a rival anymore. Don't let the few on eGriz let you think they are the majority.

As for "keeping the series alive", what the hell was Montana supposed to do? This whole mess was created no thanks to the Big Sky Conference. Idaho said they wanted a guarantee that their protected rival would be Montana. The Big Sky gave it to them. They didn't consider any other alternatives to keep the EWU/Montana rivalry game alive. We were put in a bad situation just as much as EWU was.

You also say, "MSU, on the other hand, realizes the value in maintaining tradition and rivalries, and their AD should be commended." Again, what the hell was Montana's AD supposed to do? Our 2018 nonconference schedule is already filled, and we are not about to drop a home non-conference game to go travel to Cheney to keep the series going. The timing and logistics of this announcement were shit, and the conference should have had this all figured out immediately after Idaho announced they were coming back to the Big Sky, not halfway through the 2017 season.

I am willing to bet that Montana's AD and EWU's AD will do what it takes to make sure this series continues in the years when we are "not scheduled" to play each other in conference.

So EWU fans, take a chill pill, get some perspective, and if you're going to blame someone, throw it at the Big Sky Conference.

I have heard differently. I'm not sure the "schedule was already complete" argument really holds water. The new "rivalry" games were known to the ADs as far back as when Idaho agreed to rejoin the Big Sky. The agreements that were made way back then have only become common knowledge recently and most of the 2018 schedules were not complete at that point. I don't know what kind of deal was on the table, or if there even was a deal on the table. But it is conceivable that the two schools could have worked out a 2018 game a while back. For whatever reason that didn't happen.

This, basically. Plenty of blame to go around, but there was more than enough lead time to ensure that the EWU-Montana game still happened in 2018.

 

[FormerEag]

The butt hurt on egrizz about this is nuts. Comparing it to them dumping us and then us claiming we never loved them anyway. Then they talk about what I can only assume what is the personal experience of every egrizzer which is picking up plan c girls from the bar at 2am (I shudder to think of what that looks like in Missoula).

It really doesn't work in their favor to not play us. A close loss to us each year helps their strength of schedule after the cupcakes they schedule for non conference games.

It's kind of sad to see the straw grasping and self deception that is occurring with that fanbase during the grizz's percipitous decline.

 

[JPN17]

Yeah saying EWU has had recent success against MSU is a pretty odd statement seeing as they really haven't not had success against the Bobcats since they started playing consistently.

But yes tons of respect to MSU for being a tough team to play and scheduling a home and home with Eastern when they weren't on the conference schedule. In the last few years one of the most memorable games for me was 2012 in Bozeman. I want to say MSU was ranked #2 and had won two in a row against Eastern and it was a super tough game, but the Eagles escaped with a 27-24 win thanks to a pick 6 and a blocked punt TD return late in the 2nd half. The back and forth 52-51 thriller was another good one in Bozeman. Always a fun time when these 2 teams play.

 

[kalm]

Next year will be the first time in 35 years that we won’t play Montana, and I say F’em.

I respect MSU for keeping the series alive in agreeing to play us during years that we aren’t on each other’s conference schedule. Montana will never do that. They would much rather play Oklahoma Panhandle State at home than agree to a home and home arrangement with Eastern Washington. The reasons for that are numerous, but getting beaten a lot certainly has something to do with it.

MSU, on the other hand, realizes the value in maintaining tradition and rivalries, and their AD should be commended. They also have a pretty darn good football team that will be a big challenge this Saturday.

LOL this wasn't really Montana's choice to drop EWU, and I know that the majority of Griz fans are pissed that we don't have EWU as a rival anymore. Don't let the few on eGriz let you think they are the majority.

As for "keeping the series alive", what the hell was Montana supposed to do? This whole mess was created no thanks to the Big Sky Conference. Idaho said they wanted a guarantee that their protected rival would be Montana. The Big Sky gave it to them. They didn't consider any other alternatives to keep the EWU/Montana rivalry game alive. We were put in a bad situation just as much as EWU was.

You also say, "MSU, on the other hand, realizes the value in maintaining tradition and rivalries, and their AD should be commended." Again, what the hell was Montana's AD supposed to do? Our 2018 CUPCAKE schedule is already filled, and we are not about to drop a CUPCAKE to go travel to Cheney to keep the series going. The timing and logistics of this announcement were shit, and the conference should have had this all figured out immediately after Idaho announced they were coming back to the Big Sky, not halfway through the 2017 season.

I am willing to bet that Montana's AD and EWU's AD will do what it takes to make sure this series continues in the years when we are "not scheduled" to play each other in conference.

So EWU fans, take a chill pill, get some perspective, and if you're going to blame someone, throw it at the Big Sky Conference.

FIFY

The Griz have UNI, WIU, USD, and Oregon on their schedules the next two years.