Cats: Easiest Bracket Path Ever?

[FredTedGreen]

Bobcats beat the reigning National Champions and then the Runner-ups from "last year". So if you ask me, I'd tell you Montana State just earned a trip to Frisco by beating the #1 and #2 teams in the FCS. Go Cats!!

 

[LaJollaGriz]

The blame game gets rather tiring to explain our loss in the playoffs as well as the Cats success in the playoffs. Some can not ever give the Bobcats credit without finding some excuse for their success. Now we hear how Sam Houston was not really worthy of being the #1 seed. Question- if SHU had defeated the Bobcats, would they then have been worthy of the #1 seed? Number One teams lose....... just ask Georgia.

If we had to rely on getting a favorable seed in order to advance to the championship game, then we were never deserving in the first place. Excuse making is in vogue for everything now, and it certainly has not eluded Grizzly fans.

The Bobcats soundly defeated both the #1 SHU team, as well as the SDSU team who defeated North Dakota State. I think they deserve every accolade they can receive, without the qualification that the only reason for their success was a favorable bracket.

Two of the primary reasons for their big wins were because of Anderson and Mellot. And it should not be missed by any of us that we possibly could have signed both of these kids out of high school, but for whatever reason did not. How we could miss on a Montana kid who will be playing on Sundays next year is beyond comprehension. I'll leave that discussion to the experts. I'm sure AZGriz and Kemajic will provide the answers.

I have the answers. ALL the answers. I slept at a Holiday Inn last week.

But I won't share with the likes of you. :noob: :noob: :noob: :noob:

Your sphincter tightens when you get exposed. Try some Preparation H. Still waiting for you to provide your expert analysis of how we missed on Anderson and Mellot. Especially Mellot, since you are such a QB expert. Methinks you have secret man-crush on Ichabod Crane

 

[CDAGRIZ]

I have the answers. ALL the answers. I slept at a Holiday Inn last week.

But I won't share with the likes of you. :noob: :noob: :noob: :noob:

Your sphincter tightens when you get exposed. Try some Preparation H. Still waiting for you to provide your expert analysis of how we missed on Anderson and Mellot.

How did DeVry do this season?

 

[AZGrizFan]

I have the answers. ALL the answers. I slept at a Holiday Inn last week.

But I won't share with the likes of you. :noob: :noob: :noob: :noob:

Your sphincter tightens when you get exposed. Try some Preparation H. Still waiting for you to provide your expert analysis of how we missed on Anderson and Mellot. Especially Mellot, since you are such a QB expert. Methinks you have secret man-crush on Ichabod Crane

:lol: :lol: :lol:

Oh yeah. No doubt.

Exactly how was I "exposed", again? :roll: :roll: :roll:

 

[SACCAT66]

Is there a story behind the "Awful Boob Jobs" part?

Sure is. Circa 2003. Butte chick was still rocking the wet-look hair from the 90s. She was no Lisa Loeb, but a pretty solid 8 (Butte 11). Well, some Silver-Bow sorcerer got ahold of her rack and Steve Buscemi-eyed it. Sad stuff.

Went to the State Tavern meetings years ago in Butte, One of the swag bag items that they gave you was $10 drink ticket, and free cover charge to Sagebrush Sam's... Think I saw her dancing there.

 

[grizband]

For comparison, when Montana made the 2004 national title game, they also had a fairly easy path. Only the top 4 teams were seeded in the 16 team tournament, but both of the seeds on Montana's side of the bracket were upset in the first round.This gave Montana home games against a weak Northwestern State team, then a New Hampshire team who upset #4 Georgia Southern, and had to travel across the country, then a Sam Houston state team, who beat the Griz earlier in the year at home, who traveled to a semifinal game in Missoula.

 

[argh!]

yes. not their fault, and they've taken advantage of it, and still had to play well, as wins still weren't guaranteed. the problem is not the cats, it is the 'regionalization' and weirdness of the selection committee, which screwed ewu , jmu, and montana.

 

[CDAGRIZ]

For comparison, when Montana made the 2004 national title game, they also had a fairly easy path. Only the top 4 teams were seeded in the 16 team tournament, but both of the seeds on Montana's side of the bracket were upset in the first round.This gave Montana home games against a weak Northwestern State team, then a New Hampshire team who upset #4 Georgia Southern, and had to travel across the country, then a Sam Houston state team, who beat the Griz earlier in the year at home, who traveled to a semifinal game in Missoula.

Yeah, but we made it look cool.

 

[grizfan95]

For the record, if the Cats win the championship (by obviously beating NDSU) I in no way will put an asterisk next to it. You beat NDSU in the postseason, you deserve it.

I was just simply putting out there some facts regarding the path it took to get there.

1) I never said it was the Cats' fault.

2) They managed everything within their control. Kudos.

3) Regardless, it still is the second easiest path ever for a team seeded 5 or lower.

4) If the Griz were given the same path (thus not plaing JMU where Cam and Akem got hurt), I believe wholeheartedly we would be in Frisco right now as well. However, that parallel universe is not ours.

 

[grizband]

For comparison, when Montana made the 2004 national title game, they also had a fairly easy path. Only the top 4 teams were seeded in the 16 team tournament, but both of the seeds on Montana's side of the bracket were upset in the first round.This gave Montana home games against a weak Northwestern State team, then a New Hampshire team who upset #4 Georgia Southern, and had to travel across the country, then a Sam Houston state team, who beat the Griz earlier in the year at home, who traveled to a semifinal game in Missoula.

Yeah, but we made it look cool.

I mean we really did. It was my senior year of college, and I recall being very nervous to face Georgia Southern in the second round; then New Hampshire pulled off the improbable. Not only did they upset the Eagles, but it was never close. That was also the first year of lights at Washington-Grizzly I believe, and one of the best playoff atmospheres I recall.

 

[Bear Spray]

Lots of well thought posts here supporting the Cats, thanks. One thing to add for the bracket neighsayers - maybe the Cats should have been ranked higher than they were. Had they beat the Griz predictions were a # 1 or 2 seed. SDSU is the only team that beat NDSU. JMU coulda/woulda/shoulda beat them in Fargo. Cats have a real shot at this. That D is good and can keep them in the game. Couple turnovers, couple 50/50’s go their way and all that’s left for doubters is that Griz smack down. Haters have doubted the Cats all season -no win was good enough. And here we are at the finish line. Go Cats!!

 

[bigsky33]

yes. not their fault, and they've taken advantage of it, and still had to play well, as wins still weren't guaranteed. the problem is not the cats, it is the 'regionalization' and weirdness of the selection committee, which screwed ewu , jmu, and montana.

If you were on the other side you would still be having to beat NDSU who you lost too. The reality is the Griz offense was not that good.

 

[grizfan95]

yes. not their fault, and they've taken advantage of it, and still had to play well, as wins still weren't guaranteed. the problem is not the cats, it is the 'regionalization' and weirdness of the selection committee, which screwed ewu , jmu, and montana.

If you were on the other side you would still be having to beat NDSU who you lost too. The reality is the Griz offense was not that good.

The Griz offense with Brown and without Akem, yes. The Griz didn't lose a game all year where Cam finished the game. Take Mellott out and your offense is way worse as well.

Mellott carried the ball 34 times against SDSU. If had done that for an entire season he would be in a body bag by early November. The greatest asset is the Cats have only had to ride the hell out of him for 3 games so far, so he's healthy.

 

[AZDoc]

I don't think there's any argument it was the easier half of the bracket.

They still have to win the games. And they went into the playoffs with a brand new starter at QB, and played mostly without their all-world RB. I gotta give credit where credit is due. If the Griz had lucked out and gotten that side of the bracket and still made the NC, we'd be talking about what an amazing accomplishment it was....

I also agree. Ridiculous that the brackets were as bad as they were, but theoretically they beat the #1 seed. Spring season aside, that conference is historically not as strong as others. But the truth is they still had to play the games. And they played very well, especially against Sam Houston. SDSU was a much better team and thus a better game. I watched the NDSU and JMU game and crazy how an offensive line can make a difference. NDSU is a better team and will win, but I think MSU will be in it for a half. NDSU is not what they have been overall, but their coaching makes them very good year after year.

 

[The.Real.2506]

I don't think there's any argument it was the easier half of the bracket.

They still have to win the games. And they went into the playoffs with a brand new starter at QB, and played mostly without their all-world RB. I gotta give credit where credit is due. If the Griz had lucked out and gotten that side of the bracket and still made the NC, we'd be talking about what an amazing accomplishment it was....

That is the way seeded brackets work though, the side with the #1 is always easiest. the first round are placed by regionalization so its kind of random with respect to rankings. SDSU being on that side strengthened it some but the top half was still an easier path. I was just happy that the Cats didn't have a path that went through Fargo.

 

[CDAGRIZ]

Yeah, but we made it look cool.

I mean we really did. It was my senior year of college, and I recall being very nervous to face Georgia Southern in the second round; then New Hampshire pulled off the improbable. Not only did they upset the Eagles, but it was never close. That was also the first year of lights at Washington-Grizzly I believe, and one of the best playoff atmospheres I recall.

Hey, that was also my senior year. ESPN trucked in the lights for the NH game after we beat the hell out of NW State. After the SHSU beatdown, we ended up getting chicken-wired in The Noog. Shot in the dark: did you know that trombone solo guy in the band?

 

[CDAGRIZ]

Sure is. Circa 2003. Butte chick was still rocking the wet-look hair from the 90s. She was no Lisa Loeb, but a pretty solid 8 (Butte 11). Well, some Silver-Bow sorcerer got ahold of her rack and Steve Buscemi-eyed it. Sad stuff.

Went to the State Tavern meetings years ago in Butte, One of the swag bag items that they gave you was $10 drink ticket, and free cover charge to Sagebrush Sam's... Think I saw her dancing there.

I think that was her. Brunette, a bit of a lazy eye, a few weird moles, smelled of menthols and Aquanet? The true Tokyo Rose of Toughtown, and Money Macias could split those uprights from 60.
(. ) ( *)

 

[SACCAT66]

Went to the State Tavern meetings years ago in Butte, One of the swag bag items that they gave you was $10 drink ticket, and free cover charge to Sagebrush Sam's... Think I saw her dancing there.

I think that was her. Brunette, a bit of a lazy eye, a few weird moles, smelled of menthols and Aquanet? The true Tokyo Rose of Toughtown, and Money Macias could split those uprights from 60.
(. ) ( *)

When I was 21, A group of us got kicked out of Freds in Missoula because one of my friends said the stretch marks on one of the girls "Looked like a road map of Montana"... This was after Maggotfest with a bunch of the ex-griz players my wife was friends with. One of them that was with us was twice the size of any bouncer there...

 

[CDAGRIZ]

I think that was her. Brunette, a bit of a lazy eye, a few weird moles, smelled of menthols and Aquanet? The true Tokyo Rose of Toughtown, and Money Macias could split those uprights from 60.
(. ) ( *)

When I was 21, A group of us got kicked out of Freds in Missoula because one of my friends said the stretch marks on one of the girls "Looked like a road map of Montana"... This was after Maggotfest with a bunch of the ex-griz players my wife was friends with. One of them that was with us was twice the size of any bouncer there...

:lol: Anyone who has been kicked out of Fred's (RIP) is definitely more Montanan than me. I yield my time to you, kind sir.

 

[SACCAT66]

When I was 21, A group of us got kicked out of Freds in Missoula because one of my friends said the stretch marks on one of the girls "Looked like a road map of Montana"... This was after Maggotfest with a bunch of the ex-griz players my wife was friends with. One of them that was with us was twice the size of any bouncer there...

:lol: Anyone who has been kicked out of Fred's (RIP) is definitely more Montanan than me. I yield my time to you, kind sir.

One of my friends has a contest of "How many towns have you had a beer in" I was WAY ahead about 5 years ago with 171 (I quit drinking, so now they are catching up)... We have a "Canadian Rules" Shuffle Board table, that we purchased from the Dirty Shame Saloon in the Yak, in my main office in Bozeman (Took a flat bed trailer, 3 of us, and about 2 30 packs to get it out the door up there). 5th generation Montanan (I believe, could be more). The family farm is still outside of Chester, and was homesteaded in 1888... And I will STILL never be as Montanan as ANYONE from Butte... EVER!!