Thoughts after 2 weeks of the Season

[hm.grwn.grizfan]

Of course Griz fans think they'll dominate that game.. I'd expect nothing less from them. That's what happens when you beat a middle of the road FCS team at home, hold close to APP ST on the road and ten schedule another average team at home the following week. :lol:

Did I say anything about dominate? :? Reading comprehension failure on your part. I fully expect it to be a great game, like it always is. I am pointing out that it's comical that your fans seem to think they will all of a sudden just dominate the Griz, when you never have before :lol: Like I said before, delusional, wishful thinking, when the reality is that it will come down to the wire like it always does. Additionally, do your homework on liberty, and you will find that they are no fluff team. Last season they lost to both James Madison and Lehigh by a combined 6 points. This season they have been plagued by turnovers and injuries in their first two losses (similar to the Eagles their first three games last season). They lost by three to Wake Forest in week one, and actually led in the 4th quarter before throwing a pick 6. Then, they dominated the stats against Norfolk State a week ago, however, committed several key turnovers. As for the Griz/App game,,,that one went down to the last play just like the last time we played them, however, the Griz committed 3 turnovers and App committed none. Whats telling, is that despite committing 3 turnovers against a top ten team, the Griz still had an opportunity to win at the end of the game. You keep telling yourself that youl simply DOMINATE the Griz when you play them. Hopefully your players are thinking the same thing, :lol: , I love that everyone thinks the Griz are down all of a sudden....More fuel... Oh, and for the record, the Eags lost in 2011 to that fluff team USD that the Griz played week one, so do you really have room to talk? Carry on... :roll:

USD had 14 seniors last year, thus they only returned 8 starters this year. VERY green USD team this year. We also played them in their dome and had the defending NC target on our back, the Griz got them in WA-Griz and struggled with them. Not exactly apples to apples.

FWIW, I know a Griz fan who thinks EWU will win handily. Until our passing game is clicking, I don't think that happens. I agree, it should be a close game, but I'd be fairly surprised if we lost.

Fail again....the Griz had 36 first downs to their 9 in that game. Look at the stat sheet! We had record breaking numbers in that game. One broken play and a pick 6 made that game look much, much closer than it was.

 

[marceagfan5]

I only mention USD, because someone decided to comment on our scheduling garbage teams, when in fact Eastern plays many of those same teams. You are right, the Griz are not the same as last year. But like always, they are the prototypical Griz. Huge O-line (avg height & weight 6'4-6'5, 306lbs). Plethora of offensive weapons, including all starting running backs from last season, one of which has 391 all purpose yards in 2 games :shock:. A tough, hard hitting D. Our front 7 is better than average, and actually might be one of our best ever. While our secondary is certainly a suspect position, we just graduated the best cornerback in school history, as well as 3 other dam good seniors. They are young, and will grow better with each game, and with each new challenge. I am under no illusions, and know for certain that this will be a knock-down-drag-out like it always is between two quality FCS programs.

I agree, Griz are solid, always have been, always will be. Eastern is also much improved this year compared to last (mostly due to being healthy and a more experienced O-line and RB's). It will be a great game, it always is, and having all the Griz fans in Cheney makes for a great atmosphere. Lookingforward to a great game, but I still think Eastern wins...

 

[Screamin_Eagle174]

Of course Griz fans think they'll dominate that game.. I'd expect nothing less from them. That's what happens when you beat a middle of the road FCS team at home, hold close to APP ST on the road and ten schedule another average team at home the following week. :lol:

Did I say anything about dominate? :? Reading comprehension failure on your part. I fully expect it to be a great game, like it always is. I am pointing out that it's comical that your fans seem to think they will all of a sudden just dominate the Griz, when you never have before :lol: Like I said before, delusional, wishful thinking, when the reality is that it will come down to the wire like it always does. Additionally, do your homework on liberty, and you will find that they are no fluff team. Last season they lost to both James Madison and Lehigh by a combined 6 points. This season they have been plagued by turnovers and injuries in their first two losses (similar to the Eagles their first three games last season). They lost by three to Wake Forest in week one, and actually led in the 4th quarter before throwing a pick 6. Then, they dominated the stats against Norfolk State a week ago, however, committed several key turnovers. As for the Griz/App game,,,that one went down to the last play just like the last time we played them, however, the Griz committed 3 turnovers and App committed none. Whats telling, is that despite committing 3 turnovers against a top ten team, the Griz still had an opportunity to win at the end of the game. You keep telling yourself that youl simply DOMINATE the Griz when you play them. Hopefully your players are thinking the same thing, :lol: , I love that everyone thinks the Griz are down all of a sudden....More fuel... Oh, and for the record, the Eags lost in 2011 to that fluff team USD that the Griz played week one, so do you really have room to talk? Carry on... :roll:

USD had 14 seniors last year, thus they only returned 8 starters this year. VERY green USD team this year. We also played them in their dome and had the defending NC target on our back, the Griz got them in WA-Griz and struggled with them. Not exactly apples to apples.

FWIW, I know a Griz fan who thinks EWU will win handily. Until our passing game is clicking, I don't think that happens. I agree, it should be a close game, but I'd be fairly surprised if we lost.

Fail again....the Griz had 36 first downs to their 9 in that game. Look at the stat sheet! We had record breaking numbers in that game. One broken play and a pick 6 made that game look much, much closer than it was.

My apologies. For a second there I thought those points counted, and that USD was ahead in the 3rd. Carry on. :|

 

[hm.grwn.grizfan]

Of course Griz fans think they'll dominate that game.. I'd expect nothing less from them. That's what happens when you beat a middle of the road FCS team at home, hold close to APP ST on the road and ten schedule another average team at home the following week. :lol:

Did I say anything about dominate? :? Reading comprehension failure on your part. I fully expect it to be a great game, like it always is. I am pointing out that it's comical that your fans seem to think they will all of a sudden just dominate the Griz, when you never have before :lol: Like I said before, delusional, wishful thinking, when the reality is that it will come down to the wire like it always does. Additionally, do your homework on liberty, and you will find that they are no fluff team. Last season they lost to both James Madison and Lehigh by a combined 6 points. This season they have been plagued by turnovers and injuries in their first two losses (similar to the Eagles their first three games last season). They lost by three to Wake Forest in week one, and actually led in the 4th quarter before throwing a pick 6. Then, they dominated the stats against Norfolk State a week ago, however, committed several key turnovers. As for the Griz/App game,,,that one went down to the last play just like the last time we played them, however, the Griz committed 3 turnovers and App committed none. Whats telling, is that despite committing 3 turnovers against a top ten team, the Griz still had an opportunity to win at the end of the game. You keep telling yourself that youl simply DOMINATE the Griz when you play them. Hopefully your players are thinking the same thing, :lol: , I love that everyone thinks the Griz are down all of a sudden....More fuel... Oh, and for the record, the Eags lost in 2011 to that fluff team USD that the Griz played week one, so do you really have room to talk? Carry on... :roll:

USD had 14 seniors last year, thus they only returned 8 starters this year. VERY green USD team this year. We also played them in their dome and had the defending NC target on our back, the Griz got them in WA-Griz and struggled with them. Not exactly apples to apples.

FWIW, I know a Griz fan who thinks EWU will win handily. Until our passing game is clicking, I don't think that happens. I agree, it should be a close game, but I'd be fairly surprised if we lost.

Fail again....the Griz had 36 first downs to their 9 in that game. Look at the stat sheet! We had record breaking numbers in that game. One broken play and a pick 6 made that game look much, much closer than it was.

My apologies. For a second there I thought those points counted, and that USD was ahead in the 3rd. Carry on. :|

Sure, they were ahead in the third, for all of about two minutes before the Griz did what we have all become accustomed to, and ratcheted their play into an even higher gear when the game could possibly be in question. Two things of notable importance; First, our QB, in his first start threw a pass in the beginning of the third that was right on the money but tipped by his reciever, falling directly into the hands of a defender who then had an easy pick six; Second, a frosh DB, who last year was a receiver but has been converted to add depth, was in for a suspended starter and blew an easy coverage assignment.....My point is that the score was misleading, and that we had 315 yards of rushing in that contest, a record breaking 36 first downs, and ran a total of 100 plays :shock: We are not DOWN this year, as many are suggesting. We are the same-ol Griz, and this will be a barn burner with EWU.

 

[ewueagle2010]

Despite what you seem to think, I'm not expecting EWU to blow out the Griz, but just like any EWU fan, I do expect us to win. EWU has more talent this season on both sides of the ball IMO, and I think the home field will play a bigger role than most UM fans think.

As far as scheduling goes, give me a break!! The Griz have played 1 FBS team since 2006 and a tough road game last week at APP St... Outside of that, your out of conference scheduling has been fluff! Your comments about the USD game are questionable as well.. But believe whatever you want. A win is a win so I'll leave it at that. The Griz will be tough as usual, but history is just distant memories from the past and will play no role in this game.

 

[hm.grwn.grizfan]

Despite what you seem to think, I'm not expecting EWU to blow out the Griz, but just like any EWU fan, I do expect us to win. EWU has more talent this season on both sides of the ball IMO, and I think the home field will play a bigger role than most UM fans think.

As far as scheduling goes, give me a break!! The Griz have played 1 FBS team since 2006 and a tough road game last week at APP St... Outside of that, your out of conference scheduling has been fluff! Your comments about the USD game are questionable as well.. But believe whatever you want. A win is a win so I'll leave it at that. The Griz will be tough as usual, but history is just distant memories from the past and will play no role in this game.

You play two of the worst FBS programs in the country, one of which would be a middle of the pack BSC team in Idaho, and the other is dead last in the Pac-12 every year and you're going to puff up your chest... :lol: Gimme a break. What comments on the USD game are questionable? Il save you the trouble of research and pull the stat sheet. Be back in a moment.

 

[hm.grwn.grizfan]

Ahem, so excuse me for the confusion, 34 first downs for UM vs 9 for USD. Anything else questionable?

http://scores.espn.go.com/ncf/boxscore?gameId=322450149" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Team Stat Comparison SDAK MONT
1st Downs 9 34
3rd down efficiency 3-12 10-18
4th down efficiency 0-0 2-3
Total Yards 233 568
Passing 172 253 Comp-Att 12-19 27-34
Yards per pass 9.1 7.4
Rushing 61 315
Rushing Attempts 26 64
Yards per rush 2.3 4.9
Penalties 8-72 6-60
Turnovers 2 3
Fumbles lost 1 2
Interceptions thrown 1 1
Possession 24:03 35:57

 

[hm.grwn.grizfan]

And heres the App game stat sheet.

http://espn.go.com/ncf/boxscore?gameId=322522026" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;



Team Stat Comparison MONT APP
1st Downs 19 27
3rd down efficiency 8-18 7-18
4th down efficiency 2-2 2-3
Total Yards 483 417
Passing 307 260
Comp-Att 15-29 24-34
Yards per pass 10.6 7.6
Rushing 176 157
Rushing Attempts 45 48
Yards per rush 3.9 3.3
Penalties 7-70 5-42
Turnovers 4 0
Fumbles lost 1 0
Interceptions thrown 3 0
Possession 26:50 33:10

 

[hm.grwn.grizfan]

Bottom line, is that turnovers have killed us thus far, which will happen when you have a RS Frosh at QB. Clean up those mistakes and this team is VERY, VERY good.

 

[hm.grwn.grizfan]

NAU just beat UNLV. By your logic, they're scheduling top notch competition.... :lol: You actually think one of those schools (UNLV, Idaho, or Wa. State) would schedule UM.. There is a reason we never end up playing an FBS school like that. They don't schedule games where they play down a level against a school that they think they might lose to :lol: Shoot, had these schools known that you would win a national title at your level in 2010, and be among the upper FCS programs in the country, Id bet they would never have scheduled you either...

 

[Screamin_Eagle174]

Bottom line, is that turnovers have killed us thus far, which will happen when you have a RS Frosh at QB. Clean up those mistakes and this team is VERY, VERY good.

Of course the Griz looked good against USD; they're on par with Idaho. And App is overrated.

http://sagarin.com/sports/cfsend.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

EWU (87):
17 pt win over Idaho (168) - on the road
4 pt loss to WSU (91)

UM (116):
11 pt win over USD (162) - at home
8 pt loss to ASU (121)

Tell you what though, with the way our D is playing, if McKinney has turnover problems against EWU, it will be a long day.

 

[Screamin_Eagle174]

Also, your D has given up 59 points in two games, ours has given up 27 in our two against better (overall) competition.

 

[ewueagle2010]

You really wanna break down the FBS opponents that EWU has played and compare them to the non conference opponents of the Griz!? Be my guest! EWU has played Texas Tech, Colorado, Cal, and U dub just to name a few, as well as upcoming games against Oregon St, U dub (again), and Oregon. The reason Montana doesn't play quality FBS opponents isn't because they can't schedule them, it's because they get their asses kicked every time th do. Remember the last two? (Iowa and Tennesee) :lol:

 

[ewueagle2010]

Oh and don't forget the game when the Griz went down to Eugene!

 

[hm.grwn.grizfan]

Bottom line, is that turnovers have killed us thus far, which will happen when you have a RS Frosh at QB. Clean up those mistakes and this team is VERY, VERY good.

Of course the Griz looked good against USD; they're on par with Idaho. And App is overrated.

http://sagarin.com/sports/cfsend.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

EWU (87):
17 pt win over Idaho (168) - on the road
4 pt loss to WSU (91)

UM (116):
11 pt win over USD (162) - at home
8 pt loss to ASU (121)

Tell you what though, with the way our D is playing, if McKinney has turnover problems against EWU, it will be a long day.

App is overrated :? You beat a garbage team and hang around with another garbage team, and land a spot in the top 25. If anything, its you who are overrated. Why is Sac State, or NAU not in the top 25 now? Shoot, they played BETTER competition, and beat the likes of UNLV and Colorado!!! :lol:

 

[hm.grwn.grizfan]

You really wanna break down the FBS opponents that EWU has played and compare them to the non conference opponents of the Griz!? Be my guest! EWU has played Texas Tech, Colorado, Cal, and U dub just to name a few, as well as upcoming games against Oregon St, U dub (again), and Oregon. The reason Montana doesn't play quality FBS opponents isn't because they can't schedule them, it's because they get their asses kicked every time th do. Remember the last two? (Iowa and Tennesee) :lol:

Wrong......We don't land the UNLV's, Washington State's and Idaho's of the FBS....Instead, we end up playing Iowa, Oregon, and Tennessee. :roll: Which most of the time result in a loss and won't help our chances of making the playoffs, which is why so many of us in Griz-land were so excited to see an all FCS schedule.

 

[hm.grwn.grizfan]

Also, your D has given up 59 points in two games, ours has given up 27 in our two against better (overall) competition.

Which is to be expected when your young QB turns the ball over, perpetually putting the D in bad situations.

 

[hm.grwn.grizfan]

Oh and don't forget the game when the Griz went down to Eugene!

You're proving my point here. :?

 

[marceagfan5]

Wrong......We don't land the UNLV's, Washington State's and Idaho's of the FBS....Instead, we end up playing Iowa, Oregon, and Tennessee. :roll: Which most of the time result in a loss and won't help our chances of making the playoffs, which is why so many of us in Griz-land were so excited to see an all FCS schedule.

The reason the Griz don't land those types of teams is because you have a high price tag. My guess is the Griz take no less than $400k for an FBS game, or somewhere in that range. They won't take $150K to play Idaho because they will make more for a home game then to travel for an FBS payday. Only top tier FBS programs are going to pay the type of money the Griz need to make it worth while, that is why you only play those programs. Your success has something to do with FBS teams not wanting to schedule you, but it is primarily money based.

The griz are lucky enough to have a program with a lot of money, besides MSU (and I don't know their situation) almost all of the other schools in the big sky don't make a lot of money on football, if any. Thus the games we are forced to play and the trouble with scheduling out west in the FCS.

Best part about all of these arguments....the game will be played in 15 days....we will find out soon enough...

 

[hm.grwn.grizfan]

Wrong......We don't land the UNLV's, Washington State's and Idaho's of the FBS....Instead, we end up playing Iowa, Oregon, and Tennessee. :roll: Which most of the time result in a loss and won't help our chances of making the playoffs, which is why so many of us in Griz-land were so excited to see an all FCS schedule.

The reason the Griz don't land those types of teams is because you have a high price tag. My guess is the Griz take no less than $400k for an FBS game, or somewhere in that range. They won't take $150K to play Idaho because they will make more for a home game then to travel for an FBS payday. Only top tier FBS programs are going to pay the type of money the Griz need to make it worth while, that is why you only play those programs. Your success has something to do with FBS teams not wanting to schedule you, but it is primarily money based.
The griz are lucky enough to have a program with a lot of money, besides MSU (and I don't know their situation) almost all of the other schools in the big sky don't make a lot of money on football, if any. Thus the games we are forced to play and the trouble with scheduling out west in the FCS.

Best part about all of these arguments....the game will be played in 15 days....we will find out soon enough...

Good point.. Forgot to mention the money aspect. We make approximately $350,000 off a home game. So yes, we're very expensive. You are a very inteligent poster and I agree with your last statement. I cannot wait for this game, however, we gotta take care of business in the next couple of weeks for our match-up to remain meaningful.