After NDSU absolutely trounced SDSU last week, all the national media and most our fans (including myself) said it’s NDSU and everyone else is playing for 2nd place. That was BEFORE we all realized just how bad SDSU is right now. After losing to Indy St at home, they are literally a shell of themselves. I actually think NDSU should have beat them even worse so maybe there is a chink in the NDSU armor somewhere.
-
Hi Guest, want to participate in the discussions, keep track of read/unread posts access private forums and more? Create your free account and increase the benefits of your eGriz.com experience today!
Perspective
- Thread starter HookedonGriz
- Start date
Here’s a hot take. The team playing the best ball in the FCS isn’t in the Dakota's. They’re in the state of Montana. They’re unfortunately located in Bozeman. Their defense is absolutely taking them to the title this year. Defense wins championships. I’ve seen enough. Theirs is a championship caliber defense. They’ve given up just 44 points in conference play. For reference, Griz have given up 129.
Copper Griz
Well-known member
I think the Cats defensive line is absolutely dominating teams. Their secondary is weak and can be exploited. Let’s not forget who they have played though. Also, look at their schedule and it is very favorable for home games - outside of NAU. I will give them one thing for sure. They appear to be improving weekly. I cannot say the same for the Griz. I was left scratching my head several times today. Also, the Griz did not get to the QB enough today. That won’t cut it against Blowsman.
The griz could absolutely win it all this year IF they play offensively for four quarters the way they did in the first quarter today. All gas and no breaks on offense. That’s the only way we win a title or even make it there this year. The defense isn’t going to be doing much to slow down the better teams unless they show some miraculous improvement in the next two weeks.
Last edited:
Defense will carry them far. But I haven’t seen enough from their O and special teams to say it will win when they need it most.
Copper Griz
Well-known member
The offense could absolutely do as you claim. I think the Griz coaches took their foot off the gas and will in the next two games when they get up. There are tricks in the bag they haven’t even shown yet. It’s just frustrating to see the defense struggle.
HelenaHandBasket
Well-known member
I would expect nothing less from you.
TheNorthRemembers
Well-known member
The cats are beating the shit out of teams for sure but they don't have any really good wins on the resume. The best win they have is 5-4 NAU. They lost to SDSU who is clearly not who we thought they were.
They're a top 4 team no doubt but just penciling them into the Natty because they looked good against NoCo is silly. They have not played an offense like the Montana Grizzlies all season. If they shut us down in 3 weeks then I'll eat crow and hand them their flowers but until not before then.
All I know is it’s NDSU, Montana, and Montana State in whatever order you want. There’s a massive drop-off to everyone else.
It’s not that they’ve looked good in their wins, it’s that they’ve looked dominant. They’re consistent. They don’t take entire quarters off offensively. They play a steady brand of defense that is no nonsense, smothering, and effective. Our schedule isn’t exactly murderers row, and we’re giving up points in bunches. You’re correct that they’ve not played an offense like ours, but I’d counter that we’ve not played a defense like theirs. Their DBs and DL are better BY FAR, than any we’ve faced this season. They’ve given up a third of the points that the Griz defense has against similar in conference foes. I’m looking at this as a clear eyed Griz fan. We’ve got a better offense for sure, but defense wins championships, and they’ve got a damn good defense.
Last edited:
The only guy that ever got this defense to perform at an elite level consistently is now in Miami. If only we could have kept Bradford. I think he was 5x more of a loss than gubner. That’s not a slight to gub, but a tip of the hat to Bradford. We had gubner before Bradford took the reins as DC and were never as effective. Bradfords playcalling and defensive acumen is what made that 2023 defense and no one will convince me otherwise. I dream of the day we finally scrap this gimmick defense
Did you not watch their game last week vs CP? Their O looked like shit a lot. Super disjointed at times. I have a lot of Cats buddies and many of them were pretty disgusted with their offense last weekIt’s not that they’ve looked good in their wins, it’s that they’ve looked dominant. They’re consistent. They don’t take entire quarters off offensively. They play a steady brand of defense that is no nonsense, smothering, and effective. Our schedule isn’t exactly murderers row, and we’re giving up points in bunches. You’re correct that they’ve not played an offense like ours, but I’d counter that we’ve not played a defense like theirs. Their DBs and DL are better BY FAR, than any we’ve faced this season. They’ve given up a third of the points that the Griz defense has against similar in conference does. I’m looking at this as a clear alerted Griz fan. We’ve got a better offense for sure, but defense wins championships, and they’ve got a damn good defense.
I only watched pieces of that one. Watched much more of today’s game.
You stated they are super consistent and don’t have lapses on offense….any unbiased Cats fans would even disagree with that outlook. As many times as our defense has looked like dog shit…their offense can do the same.
Maybe their offense will shit the bed in Missoula. But from what I’ve watched of them they seem pretty dominant on offense. Lamson can sling it, which is this Griz defenses kryptonite. Maybe we get loud back and that’s the difference in the game
They’ll be very tough to beat but they have some issues just like we do. I’m glad we have them in Missoula. I think that may be the difference. Gonna be a battle.
Counter Assault
Well-known member
Yeah, I can see that you think SDSU is not a legit comp. But, if you are paying real close attention. We were starting the year with a new QB, new OC and entirely fucked up o-line with injured starting center. Offense has been improving a lot later in the season and o-line is healthy and playing their assigned positions.
Facts are MSU is allowing 11 points per game in FCS, and a double OT 30 pts is skewing up that numerator.
If you want a common opponent. We throttled lSU…. 34-14 by halftime and they scored 0.0 points H2. A team the Griz TRAILED for 2+ quarters until the final two mins.
Make no mistake, I think the Griz are a good team this year. But the Cats improving and mostly dominating. FFS, Cats are averaging 500+ yrds and 45 pts per game last three games - not exactly slouchy offense.
mthoopsfan
Well-known member
You worry too much. The Griz are improving and playing well. Ya, not for every quarter. The Griz OL is going to handle the Cat DL.
Counter Assault
Well-known member
You always get overconfident. Just like last year. But I know you really don’t play the game so it doesn’t matter as much what you think.
mtgrizrule
Well-known member
At his age, no he doesn't play the game.
He did though.
