2026 Griz Regular Season Predictions

[uofmman1122]

Does 9-3 with losses to those teams warrant an extension for BK in your mind?

If he can turn it into a playoff run, I would potentially be okay with an extension, but 9-3 or worse and losing out in the quarters or earlier is a pretty tough pill to swallow with a generational QB, the best RB we've ever had, a stable of real talent at WR, (supposedly) an improved OL, and a revamped defense that's more sound and less aggressive.

The recruiting wins are huge, and I don't want to overshadow the gains we've made there, but even so, if we can't make it to the semis with what we have this season and the carryover of coaches on offense, that's not a very good sign going forward, IMO.

 

[calebwcolwell]

I’m

Even 8-4 would give me pause with our current offense. I’m guessing we score 40 ppg. The defense just has to figure out how to give up 20 or less.

i agree. The offense alone will win a lot of games this year. If the defense can get off the field on 3rd and longs we should be good this year

 

[ResilientGriz]

The OL, DL, and corners will determine our record. If we upgrade at these positions, we will be undefeated into the last game of the regular season. If not, 8-4.

8-4 retains Coach BK but it's tenous.

12-0 gets the team a big boost, homefield advantage to the NC, and Coach BK a three year extension.

16-0 gets the team a key to the state of Montana and Griz Nation and Coach BK a five year extension and a statute on the Griz Walk.

 

[Skookum-Jim]

I think they should have just signed him to a three year deal already. He's obviously a quality leader and has a ton of experience with many successful programs. I am frankly shocked how well he has recruited the state of Montana. Especially head to head with the cats fresh of their NC and IMHO that is the backbone of a winning program. He's obviously got a lot of talent on the team especially on the offense. But that doesn't necessarily make winning a given. If there are some growing pains and the team goes 8-4 or worse with a couple weird losses it would be a shame to lose an exceptional guy like BK. My gut feeling says the griz go 10-2 or better but I would not be calling for his head if it wound up 7-5. Frankly I think the griz lucked out with this guy.

 

[oldngrizzly]

The OL, DL, and corners will determine our record.

Are you like in 8th grade? That is such a revelation only someone with that much insight could make this statement.

 

[GriznMN]

The bigger question on everyone's minds - will Brint wager to jump in the Clark Fork again this year?

 

[MissoulaMarinerFan]

At what point does his record say he shouldn’t get an extension? 7-5? 6-6?

I think 9-3 is pretty damned good for someone being a HC for the first time. 8-4 is also fine, but I'd be worried if they didn't win the first playoff game.

IMO, 7-5 or 6-6 wouldn't cut it, but UM doesn't care what I think

 

[SinCityGriz2005]

My predictions for 2026, and I am NEVER this postive. The Griz will finish this season 11-1, with the Big Sky conference Championship in hand and the #1 seed.

August 29 vs. S. Utah - Win: Griz 1-0
September 5 vs. Drake - Win: Griz 2-0
September 12 vs. Utah Tech - Win Griz 3-0
September 19 vs. Oregon State - Loss: Griz 3-1
September 26 vs. UC Davis - Win: Griz 4-1
October 3 vs. N. Colorado - Win: Griz 5-1
October 10 vs. NAU - Win: Griz 6-1
October 17 vs. Idaho - Win: Griz 7-1
October 24 Bye.
October 31 @ Eastern Washington - Win: Griz 8-1
November 7 vs. Portland State - Win: Griz 9-1
November 14 vs. Idaho State - Win: Griz 10-1
November 21 @ Montana State - Win: Griz 11-1 (I never predict this game, but I am this year).

 

[Wolf777]

And the loser will still come out of that game with the 2 seed in the playoffs.

Depends on who bounces back in the valley.

 

[uofmman1122]

I think 9-3 is pretty damned good for someone being a HC for the first time. 8-4 is also fine, but I'd be worried if they didn't win the first playoff game.

IMO, 7-5 or 6-6 wouldn't cut it, but UM doesn't care what I think

I don't necessarily disagree with this, but my counter would be that there was nothing forcing us to go with someone who has zero head coaching experience in the first place, so if it doesn't go well this year, that is entirely the fault of the people who made that fairly avoidable decision.

I get it, there were extenuating circumstances, but I personally reject this notion that we need to cut him some slack. He was hired to keep things rolling and expand on the success.

 

[retiredpopo]

And the loser will still come out of that game with the 2 seed in the playoffs.

If it is a close game yes but if a blowout probably not. Hopefully Griz blow them out

 

[Da Boyz Mom]

Are you like in 8th grade? That is such a revelation only someone with that much insight could make this statement.

Dude, Go outside and touch grass. You are venturing out of your normal territory of general irascibility and fatuousness and careening headlong into absolute insufferability.

 

[ResilientGriz]

Are you like in 8th grade? That is such a revelation only someone with that much insight could make this statement.

I'm in 9th grade or, as you know it, the grade you never matriculated to.

 

[ResilientGriz]

Dude, Go outside and touch grass. You are venturing out of your normal territory of general irascibility and fatuousness and careening headlong into absolute insufferability.

Be careful, those are more than two syllable words. You will send the neighbors into a frenzy chasing their own tails trying to figure out the meaning of them.

 

[FA_Q_M]

A first time head coach and new defensive scheme makes me think there's gonna be some growing pains and or a learning curve. What's more? After the first 2-3 games, UM's schedule is no cake walk. OSU is still an FBS team, Davis is tough and well coached, ISU is ascending, and Idaho will be fired up for their "rival." A trackmeet in Cheney not a stretch of the imagination and Flagstaff is never an easy place to play. AND, on top of all of that, a trip to Bozeman...

I'll go with 8-4 and an 8/9 seed for the playoffs

 

[SoldierGriz]

My predictions for 2026, and I am NEVER this postive. The Griz will finish this season 11-1, with the Big Sky conference Championship in hand and the #1 seed.

August 29 vs. S. Utah - Win: Griz 1-0
September 5 vs. Drake - Win: Griz 2-0
September 12 vs. Utah Tech - Win Griz 3-0
September 19 vs. Oregon State - Loss: Griz 3-1
September 26 vs. UC Davis - Win: Griz 4-1
October 3 vs. N. Colorado - Win: Griz 5-1
October 10 vs. NAU - Win: Griz 6-1
October 17 vs. Idaho - Win: Griz 7-1
October 24 Bye.
October 31 @ Eastern Washington - Win: Griz 8-1
November 7 vs. Portland State - Win: Griz 9-1
November 14 vs. Idaho State - Win: Griz 10-1
November 21 @ Montana State - Win: Griz 11-1 (I never predict this game, but I am this year).

Hell yeah!

 

[SoldierGriz]

A first time head coach and new defensive scheme make me think there's gonna be some growing pains and or a learning curve. What's more? After the first 2-3 games, UM's schedule is no cake walk. OSU is still an FBS team, Davis is tough and well coached, ISU is ascending, and Idaho will be fired up for their "rival." A trackmeet in Cheney not a stretch of the imagination and Flagstaff is never an easy place to play. AND, on top of all of that, a trip to Bozeman...

I'll go with 8-4 and an 8/9 seed for the playoffs

Hell no!

 

[HelenaHandBasket]

A first time head coach and new defensive scheme make me think there's gonna be some growing pains and or a learning curve. What's more? After the first 2-3 games, UM's schedule is no cake walk. OSU is still an FBS team, Davis is tough and well coached, ISU is ascending, and Idaho will be fired up for their "rival." A trackmeet in Cheney not a stretch of the imagination and Flagstaff is never an easy place to play. AND, on top of all of that, a trip to Bozeman...

I'll go with 8-4 and an 8/9 seed for the playoffs

8-4 does not equate 8/9 seed.

 

[FA_Q_M]

8-4 does not equate 8/9 seed.

No? Lower or higher?

 

[uofmman1122]

No? Lower or higher?

Closer to 16 than 8, for sure.