playoffs

[clawman1]

Anybody going to the game in Msla. If you see a guy in all Eagles gear that will be me.
Go Eagles!

 

[kalm]

Lucky! Really wanted to but couldnt make it happen. Way to represent Claw. :nod:

 

[LDopaPDX]

Don't start any fights. Or win them if you do.

 

[LDopaPDX]

Gotta respect Montana... love or hate 'em, they understand how to win and build for success.


I remember going to the old Dornblazer in the early 80s... it was worse than Woodward, thier program sucked, and attendace was crap. They invested in facilities, built a winner, and scheduled themselves for success. And with the winning, they just kept up the cycle of doing it over and over again.

I hope Eastern someday works that blueprint, because it is clearly a winner. Eastern made a relatively small investment (comparatively) in their facilities, won a national championship, but don't seem to know where to go from here. The schedules are recipes for disaster with no end in sight. I hear rumors of stadium improvements, but it's still just rumors.

 

[clawman1]

I just watched a total domination of another playoff team. Even the N. Iowa coaches appeared to be intimidated. Very questionable play calling. Their QB was rattled and off his regular game. The d line gave up after second Griz td.
If the Griz continue to play this way they win a trip to Frisco.
The game is an "event" as much as a football game. Facilities are important but there needs to be more entertainment to get the casul fan to come to more games. People from Eastern need to come to games here to learn how to create a fun game day experience. From the PA announcer to the entertainment at every break it is choreographed to be an entertaining event as much as a football game. This is an area Eastern is really lacking.

 

[LDopaPDX]

I thought Eastern did a much better job theming the games and setting up an good environment this season. It has always sorely lacked, but there were times this season it was done really well. I think Eastern is coming along nicely, and could be a major player as a program in a very short time, but they need to capitalize on the recent success and PLAY AT HOME and not schedule themselves out of the playoffs.

 

[93bird]

The Cats got absolutely dominated by the Bear Kats today and are out. I don't see the Griz getting past SHSU either.

 

[clawman1]

I thought Eastern did a much better job theming the games and setting up an good environment this season. It has always sorely lacked, but there were times this season it was done really well. I think Eastern is coming along nicely, and could be a major player as a program in a very short time, but they need to capitalize on the recent success and PLAY AT HOME and not schedule themselves out of the playoffs.

Agreed it was somewhat better this year. A video board wold make a huge difference but for now a decent sound system and a PA guy that has an energy level that would translate to the crowd. Some interactive cheers getting sections of the crowd going back and forth, DE...FENCE is a really simple one. It seems to me like leadership doesn't know what they do not know.

 

[LDopaPDX]

The Cats got absolutely dominated by the Bear Kats today and are out. I don't see the Griz getting past SHSU either.

I don't know what to expect when Montana meets Sam Houston State. I watched a good bit of the SHSU- Stony Brook game and thought it looked like two mid-pack Big sky teams playing- not a #1 seed by any stretch. But then they blew out Montana State... making it look easy.

IMO, Montana State just folded again this year down the stretch. They were annihilated in 2 of their last 3, and only beat New Hampshire on a weird ending. They could've lost all 3. It's hard to tell if Sam Houston State was that good or Montana State was just a shell of their former self waiting to get clobbered.

Montana looked dominating on Saturday against a UNI team I thought was as good as any in the regular season. I know they go on the road, but I'm going to pick Montana to win this one. The Griz seem to be playing better with every game. I know they have a history of losing the big one, but that ignores the fact they tend to get themselves into a lot of championship games.

 

[FrontFive4Life]

As long as NDSU doesn't get to the NC, I'll be a happy guy.

 

[EWURanger]

I actually would like to see Montana and Georgia Southern in the finals. I would like to think that the Griz will beat SHSU on the road, but it's hard to get around how bad their record is on the road in the playoffs. After what SHSU did to MSU, I think UM is in for a really tough game.

And yeah, I am hoping GSU blows NDSU out, but I think that's going to be a close one.

 

[JoinTheEAA]

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Sam Houston and North Dakota State are at home. Hopeful the Griz punish the Bison in Frisco on Jan. 7.

 

[marceagfan5]

I think the NDSU/Georgia Southern will be a great game, but I think NDSU wins, home field advantage is always big and I think it makes the difference in this game. Both of these teams were expected to be title contenders this year and neither disappointed, I see NDSU in a close one 24-20.

At the beginning of this year I never would have expected the Griz to be where they are, but they have a great defense and their offense has really come around to end the season. They are a lot like Eastern last year, had a couple struggles early, but hit their stride towards the end of the season and into the playoffs. I don't know much about Sam Houston, but I watched their game on Saturday and they have a lot of speed and athletes. They looked good and MSU looked bad. It will be interesting to see the griz D take on Sam Houstons O. I hope the Griz win, but I see Sam Houston taking this 30-24, but I really could, and for the conference's sake, hope the griz take this one.

Interesting to see the top 4 seeds are the remaining 4 left. I wish when it came to scheduling we could see how important playing at home really is. You play at home, you win more games, you win more games, you are seeded in the playoffs, seeded teams in the playoffs play home playoff games...See Eastern's playoff run last year and every seeded teams games this year.

 

[kalm]

I think the NDSU/Georgia Southern will be a great game, but I think NDSU wins, home field advantage is always big and I think it makes the difference in this game. Both of these teams were expected to be title contenders this year and neither disappointed, I see NDSU in a close one 24-20.

At the beginning of this year I never would have expected the Griz to be where they are, but they have a great defense and their offense has really come around to end the season. They are a lot like Eastern last year, had a couple struggles early, but hit their stride towards the end of the season and into the playoffs. I don't know much about Sam Houston, but I watched their game on Saturday and they have a lot of speed and athletes. They looked good and MSU looked bad. It will be interesting to see the griz D take on Sam Houstons O. I hope the Griz win, but I see Sam Houston taking this 30-24, but I really could, and for the conference's sake, hope the griz take this one.

Interesting to see the top 4 seeds are the remaining 4 left. I wish when it came to scheduling we could see how important playing at home really is. You play at home, you win more games, you win more games, you are seeded in the playoffs, seeded teams in the playoffs play home playoff games...See Eastern's playoff run last year and every seeded teams games this year.

Ugh. Three of them average 18,000 + in attendance enabling them to do all sorts of things like make really good profits off of home games and make it worth while for other teams to travel to you. Speaking of travel, the 4th school is located in the middle of the Southland and SWAC conferences and within shouting distance of about 15 fcs schools. I don't think the problem is with us not seeing how important home games are.