2012 Prediction

[OptimusPrime]

Who said UNC is a big game. Games against app state, EWU, and MSU can be big regular season games. See my comment above about how ridiculous I think it is to be disappointed in looking back at a 9-2 season. "National Title or the season is a failure" is something I have never said and have never believed. Please don't lump me in with those fans.

I won't. I just think it's silly to say we can't win the big one. We've won a lot of big games recently but just haven't put it all together in the playoffs. At this point in life, just being able to watch games is a treat in it's self, and I'm just happy to be able to do so.

 

[OptimusPrime]

Opti, it's good you're grounded in reality with DM. He has had one good quarter of football against the Griz and the Griz had two untimely turnovers handing the bobcats a win. I have never spoken with DM and probably will not. That being said, to a person my friends that have met him have nothing but good things to say about him.
Now let's not turn this thread into a discussion of DM but keep it on topic for the 2012 Prediction for the Griz.

Noted.

 

[garizzalies]

... when MSU wins a bunch of regular season games recently, won a playoff game, and then loses, we suddenly can't win the big one yet UM is still God for doing the same. The double standard is tremendous ...

There is no double standard you dumb pussy. There are two seperate standards. Our standard is high, yours is low. You are not at our level as evidenced by the streak, the overall record, the 2011 brawl and the MSU vs. SHSU and UM vs. SHSU games. When your team got down big, they quit. When our team got down big, they kept fighting until the end and almost pulled it off.

WaGriz is right, you've "won" exactly 2 "big" games under Ash: 2010 UM and 2011 NH. Both were pure luck. After watching Ash's NH-post-game, i would be embarrassed to be a cat fan. He essentially said that when he was waiting for them to kick the PAT he was praying they'd miss it. The only reason a coach would say that is because he knew there was no other way they'd win.

 

[ilovethecats]

:lol:

 

[Brock Landers]

So, back to the topic on hand...

 

[TheTruth]

National Champions!!

 

[AZGrizFan]

With the loss in talent from graduation and the problems at hand I will be very happy with a playoff trip this yeat. As always I hope for the championship, but with such a young team it is a lot to ask. Only thought on it is that I hope they surprise me and go all the way.

This team is set up to win it all in 2013. :thumb: :thumb: :thumb:

 

[VictorG]

With the loss in talent from graduation and the problems at hand I will be very happy with a playoff trip this yeat. As always I hope for the championship, but with such a young team it is a lot to ask. Only thought on it is that I hope they surprise me and go all the way.

This team is set up to win it all in 2013. :thumb: :thumb: :thumb:

Movie contract is signed and everything!!! :thumb: :thumb: :thumb:

 

[reinell30]

Yes, you can call me a spoiled brat. So what! I do not like to lose! That 7-4 season two years ago was a feeling I do not want to feel for quite some time if ever! If you were happy, thats your own parogative. THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH WINNING EVERY GAME OR EXPECTING TO WIN EVERY GAME...no team I have ever been associated with plays to lose. I will be happy with a 9-2 record, but not thrilled. Spoiled....ok, so be it!
I WANT THE GRIZ TO PLAY IN FRISCO AND BELIEVE THEY CAN GET THERE!!! Power of positive thinking instead of negative vibes....

 

[BDizzle]

I'm thinking 9-2. Tough road game vs Appy to start and then one more hiccup during conference play.

 

[grizdax]

Sad to see Jim O'Day and coach Pflu get shown the door. But if there is any positive here, it's that Mick Delaney is getting a chance to show what he is made of. He has an impressive record as a lifelong coach, and what better environment to take the head job in, than Missoula.

He's created some pretty impressive players in his time coaching, especially while at CSU. I believe that the ship will stay upright under his leadership.

I predict a 9 win season and a trip to the playoffs.

GO GRIZ!

 

[mcg]

New first year interim head coach, new O and D Coordinators, must replace 9 starters on defense including two all-Americans, replace both tackles on offense, replace virtually the entire D line, controversy surrounding the program and specifically the QB.............I say you guys are crazy to expect this team to be as good as last year. un realistic expectations.

That said, I think this team goes 8-3 in the regular season with a blowout win vs the Cats in Missoula, adding to the list of big games that Denarius McGhee and Rob Ash simply can't win. Playoffs all depends on our matchups. This team has talent and potential and will play with an edge so I see us getting in the playoffs again despite all the losses on both sides and in the coaches booth.

McGhee is 1 of 2 vs UM. Does he need to be 3 for 2? 9 for 2? Considering the past, .500 ain't shabby.
Every time I read "MSU can't win the big one," I laugh, even out loud sometimes. UM is the poster child for not winning the big game. I believe Hauck was nicknamed "Big Game Bob" for his inability to win the big one. UM wins a bunch of regular season games, one or two playoff games, and then bows out. This apparently is the greatest feat of all time since most posters act like they are God's of the FCS because they win regular season games at a great clip, but can't put it together at the end. But when MSU wins a bunch of regular season games recently, won a playoff game, and then loses, we suddenly can't win the big one yet UM is still God for doing the same. The double standard is tremendous, but keep tooting that horn because the revisionist's history is always the best history. I eagerly await my lashings for talking back...
I have no idea how UM will fair, it's so up in the air at this moment and I don't know about MSU either as well. I expect good things for both.

So I gotta ask, when was the last time the Kitties won 2 playoff games?

And I agree with your last sentence.

 

[OptimusPrime]

So I gotta ask, when was the last time the Kitties won 2 playoff games? And I agree with your last sentence.

I'm not sure the last time the Montana State University Fightin' Bobcats won 2 playoff games, I'll stab at '84 since I am not that motivated to look further. Probably awhile.
I've been asked to keep it on topic and I will! At this moment I see UM finishing 7-4 or 8-3 and MSU finishing 9-2. UM scares me with the loss of personnel and the lynch mob rotesst: that took down the coach. MSU scares me with the lack of depth at OL. Since it's spring ball and there is a ton of time till the first game, a lot can change in that time. Who knows, both can be good or both could suck and the great CAL POLY could run away with our hearts and Treasure State Conference, oops, I mean Big Sky Conference. I don't take much stock in spring ball.

 

[WaGriz4life]

With the loss in talent from graduation and the problems at hand I will be very happy with a playoff trip this yeat. As always I hope for the championship, but with such a young team it is a lot to ask. Only thought on it is that I hope they surprise me and go all the way.

This team is set up to win it all in 2013. :thumb: :thumb: :thumb:

Scary good in 2013

 

[cclarkblues]

2. UM scares me with the loss of personnel and the lynch mob that took down the coach.

Stop making crap up. There was a witch hunt involved as well.

 

[GRIZFAN20]

Unlike some people, I do not see the coaching change having a giant impact on this years team. The players will (hopefully) remain the same, all other coaches are staying on board. With the same system in place, the real question will be replacing the players lost from last year.

With that said, I fully expect another playoff trip in 2012. Im thinking a solid 9-2, 8-3 season and a win or two in the playoffs. We will have to wait to see how this team plays once the real games start before we can start thinking National Championship

 

[tampa_griz]

... when MSU wins a bunch of regular season games recently, won a playoff game, and then loses, we suddenly can't win the big one yet UM is still God for doing the same. The double standard is tremendous ...

There is no double standard you dumb pussy. There are two seperate standards. Our standard is high, yours is low. You are not at our level as evidenced by the streak, the overall record, the 2011 brawl and the MSU vs. SHSU and UM vs. SHSU games. When your team got down big, they quit. When our team got down big, they kept fighting until the end and almost pulled it off.

WaGriz is right, you've "won" exactly 2 "big" games under Ash: 2010 UM and 2011 NH. Both were pure luck. After watching Ash's NH-post-game, i would be embarrassed to be a cat fan. He essentially said that when he was waiting for them to kick the PAT he was praying they'd miss it. The only reason a coach would say that is because he knew there was no other way they'd win.

Easy there tiger. OP, iltc, and wbtfg are some Cat posters that bring some good discussion to the boards. Let's not discourage them. :twocents:

 

[griz4life]

Worries about recruiting a 2013 freshmen class without knowing who the 2013 coach will be? Yes. Worried about the team having to adapt to new offensive and defensive schemes in 2013? Hell yes. I can of only one first year head coach in the last 20 years who won a national title.
Worried about 2012? No. The change this year is potententialy less than the next two.

 

[Hammer]

I can of only one first year head coach in the last 20 years who won a national title

Just out of curiosity, who?

 

[BWahlberg]

Too early to make a prediction, I see positives of the 2012 team vs the 2011 team and negatives.

Positives:

- The Oline from 11 to 12 could be much like the Oline from 08 to 09, a loss of talented seniors but the bringing up of a new and good group as well. This OL is run-blocking really well already, and it's just spring ball.

- Every aspect of the running game returns and should only be better. Assuming JJ is at the helm this entire group, added in with this OL... will only be running the ball better. The "Oregon" offense will not only be finding it's footing but running at full speed with mutliple players (even QBs) that can run it.

- The Griz have the best LB corps in the Big Sky, and if they go to a 3-4 that just puts even more of this talented group on the field at once.

- Matt Hermanson splitting time was a beast last year, with the compliment of a much improved Bo Tully and the backup of Lebsock and Rominger this safety group is re-loading and will be just as good, and quicker.

- The interior D-line is primed to re-load, Ginn, Takai, Bienemann, Crittenden, Tuliapupu... all ready. It's different faces and I've not seen the next game-changer at DT like Waldo has been, but this group is damn good.

- We don't see it this spring but a healthy Greg Hardy and Jacob Haas as matchup nightmares. I'm looking forward for the more casual fans to see what Haas can do, he's a very quick TE. And of course we all know what Greg brings to the table as the 1st-team all conf TE.

- The coaching staff amidst the firings and turnover has remained intact (for now, and hopefully for the whole season) There will not be a loss of consistency from the staff, this won't be a 2010-esque shake up to the offense and team chemistry

- This team has great leadership on both sides of the ball. Last years team didn't seem to have many single leaders because it was just stacked full of confident seniors. This year the team has had a handful of vocal and motivational guys step up - and the younger guys are feeding off of it.

- Ty Gregorak's defense is just as agressive as Mike Breske's but it's got quite a few wrinkles. Teams expecting "the same" will be caught on their heels.

Of course then there's the negatives:

- First and foremost has to be the firing of Pflu, say what you want about if it was deserved or not, having the leader of the team/the captain of the ship gone will have negative effects with this group. The guy that actually taught the "Oregon offense" is gone.

- Cornerbacks and DEs right now lack a lot of gametime experience, that's huge. Your pass rush and your coverage off the line of scrimmage and down the sidelines. That spells trouble in pass defense. Josh Harris and Sean Murray are the only real experienced guys of the whole bunch but this team needs more guys if they want to even come close to the type of pass defense this team was last year.

- While the players are emerging and this concern is fading the total replacement of playmaker WRs is another issue. Haynes, Saylor, Carver, and Warren are the early guys making waves, Maguire, Roberts, and Henderson are also playing well. There's also the known quantity of Sam Gratton who'll be back in the fall. This group needs a stronger identity

- Tackle depth is really thin, much like WR it's coming along but if the team loses a tackle the edge protection could get sketchy in a hurry

- Did anyone notice that as the season went on, special teams really cleaned up? Well now we're hitting re-set on it. If the return game doesn't reverse the field like it did in the 2nd half, if it's not automatic we can get at least 3 from within the 35, and if the punting game average dips - that'll all present major negative issues for the team.