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Already a Playoff Team, Does That Help

H

HookedonGriz

Well-known member
DONOR
Was thinking of the fact that the last 2/3 seasons the Griz were fighting for their playoff lives in the Cat-Griz game. I have to think this added some extra pressure.

This year, they are already a playoff team. In fact, a win gets them a high seed. A loss still gives them a 50/50 shot at a low seed. Does this take away a lot of pressure and let the Griz just go out and play loose. I think a loose Griz team will play very well.

Interesting stat.....Griz are 3-1 on the road and Cats are 4-1 on the road in last in this game in last decade.
 
I'd bet it helps, more focus on execution and less fear of what happens on plays/series with errors.
 
My reaction is that it probably doesn't matter. What I sometimes worry about is one team, a good but not great one, coming into the last game needing a win to make the playoffs, and the other doesn't need a win for playoffs. I think that extra motivation can get the one team a bit more motivated.

Preparation by the coaches for the rivalry game is very important. I know Hauck can do that. Assume Choate too, at least to some extent. Don't know if TG being gone changes anything. Do think his presence and his involvement in the D helped the Cats considerably in the rivalry games the past 3 years.
 
PlayerRep said:
My reaction is that it probably doesn't matter. What I sometimes worry about is one team, a good but not great one, coming into the last game needing a win to make the playoffs, and the other doesn't need a win for playoffs. I think that extra motivation can get the one team a bit more motivated.

Preparation by the coaches for the rivalry game is very important. I know Hauck can do that. Assume Choate too, at least to some extent. Don't know if TG being gone changes anything. Do think his presence and his involvement in the D helped the Cats considerably in the rivalry games the past 3 years.
Click to expand...

I agree that TG helped the cat defense. I bet he also fired up the entire team for this game. Not that they should need any more motivation, but I know ex-Griz players that say he was great at getting guys pumped for games. The Griz lacked extra visual "juice" for the games when Stitt was coach; I don't see that problem with Hauck.
 
I'm sure that takes a little off but the stakes are still sky high...

-#2 or #3 seed on the line
-Bigsky Title on the line
-Stopping Cats current streak

Cats are playing on house money
 
pussycatkillerz said:
I'm sure that takes a little off but the stakes are still sky high...

-#2 or #3 seed on the line
-Bigsky Title on the line
-Stopping Cats current streak

Cats are playing on house money
Click to expand...

Yeah, cats have hardly anything to lose, meanwhile Griz have everything to lose.
 
VictorG said:
Aren't the Griz at least co-Big Sky Champs if they win? That would be a LOT of motivation IMO.
Click to expand...
Been discussed on many threads: Is a Big Sky title really a BIG motivator? With so many teams and the crazy unbalanced schedules, the Sky has had dual or triple champions a LOT in the past few years. Yes, a banner is nice to hang up, but I'd say the title is no longer that big a deal. The play-offs, with a high seed and one or more home games, is the goal that really matters.

That being said, the in-state rivalry (and personal-level bragging rights) should be a strong motivation ... with the playoff positioning and championship as cherries on the banana split.
 
IdaGriz01 said:
VictorG said:
Aren't the Griz at least co-Big Sky Champs if they win? That would be a LOT of motivation IMO.
Click to expand...
Been discussed on many threads: Is a Big Sky title really a BIG motivator? With so many teams and the crazy unbalanced schedules, the Sky has had dual or triple champions a LOT in the past few years. Yes, a banner is nice to hang up, but I'd say the title is no longer that big a deal. The play-offs, with a high seed and one or more home games, is the goal that really matters.

That being said, the in-state rivalry (and personal-level bragging rights) should be a strong motivation ... with the playoff positioning and championship as cherries on the banana split.
Click to expand...

If I remember right there were many years in Haucks first run that they were co-champions. IMO it is still a big deal especially since it's been so long since we've had the title! But lets wait and see what Hauck has to say about it after the win Saturday. I'm sure the weight they put on it will be evident in what he has to say.
 
Griz will be juiced for this game. Literally every goal they set out to achieve at the beginning of the season hangs in the balance. This is a RTD defining moment. Beat state, win a big sky championship, win a national championship. Those goals are all up for grabs saturday.
 
hm.grwn.grizfan said:
Griz will be juiced for this game. Literally every goal they set out to achieve at the beginning of the season hangs in the balance. This is a RTD defining moment. Beat state, win a big sky championship, win a national championship. Those goals are all up for grabs saturday.
Click to expand...

The Mousers are merely a stepping stone.
 
signedbewildered said:
hm.grwn.grizfan said:
Griz will be juiced for this game. Literally every goal they set out to achieve at the beginning of the season hangs in the balance. This is a RTD defining moment. Beat state, win a big sky championship, win a national championship. Those goals are all up for grabs saturday.
Click to expand...
The Mousers are merely a stepping stone.
Click to expand...
The proper attitude, IMO. :thumb:
 
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