first four games

[Brock Landers]

I also predicted us to go 9-3, but I could see a 10-2 or 11-1 record if a lot of things go our way. EWU will be weaker this year (cue EWU trolls), NAU will be weaker, and MSU will be weaker. ASU will be a wild-card, with no playoffs to play for and a new coaching staff, but talent busting from the seams.

 

[big kahuna]

And predictions for the Cats' first four? 2-2 seems like a distinct possibility with two tough road games to Texas and a linebacker core that will have to grow up very fast.

 

[AllWeatherFan]

Let's take 'em one game at a time.

Game 1: Appalachian State at Montana

It's hard to assess how this game will come out because of the impact of the young players on both teams. There will be lots of new faces on the field. This is especially true for App State. They have many young players who were recruited to be successful at the next level.

But honestly, it's gonna be tough for Appalachian State to come into Missoula and win this game. There will be a sell-out crowd hungry for something to cheer about, and Montana has a quarterback who can deliver. JJ will be throwing to some young, fast and talented receivers. He'll be handing the ball off to a healthy Jordan Canada and a real game-changer in Travon Van. Not to mention Joey Counts and John Nguyen. And Montana's defense will play like they have something to prove.

Can App State do it? Sure. But the reconstituted Griz team and playoff atmosphere on August 31 will be a huge test for App State.

 

[poorgriz]

I also predicted us to go 9-3, but I could see a 10-2 or 11-1 record if a lot of things go our way. EWU will be weaker this year (cue EWU trolls), NAU will be weaker, and MSU will be weaker. ASU will be a wild-card, with no playoffs to play for and a new coaching staff, but talent busting from the seams.

Not a chance in hell MSU will be weaker in 2013, unless we have some serious injury problems at 4 or 5 positions... knock on wood.

 

[Blgs Griz Fan]

A possible key to the cats season is just how many cat body bags there are after the SMU game. if the qb goes down it dooms the season. Have the backups even played a game yet?

 

[grizaremoregooder]

I also predicted us to go 9-3, but I could see a 10-2 or 11-1 record if a lot of things go our way. EWU will be weaker this year (cue EWU trolls), NAU will be weaker, and MSU will be weaker. ASU will be a wild-card, with no playoffs to play for and a new coaching staff, but talent busting from the seams.

Not a chance in hell MSU will be weaker in 2013, unless we have some serious injury problems at 4 or 5 positions... knock on wood.

How many starters did they lose on defense? Better be prepared to score a lot of points to win games this season.

 

[EverettGriz]

I also predicted us to go 9-3, but I could see a 10-2 or 11-1 record if a lot of things go our way. EWU will be weaker this year (cue EWU trolls), NAU will be weaker, and MSU will be weaker. ASU will be a wild-card, with no playoffs to play for and a new coaching staff, but talent busting from the seams.

Not a chance in hell MSU will be weaker in 2013, unless we have some serious injury problems at 4 or 5 positions... knock on wood.

Boy, I disagree. I think the cats will be an excellent team. But there seems to be plenty of reasons why they may not be as good this year as last.

 

[OptimusPrime]

A possible key to the cats season is just how many cat body bags there are after the SMU game. if the qb goes down it dooms the season. Have the backups even played a game yet?

I heard from a very reliable source that DM was seen by a doctor in West Yellowstone and that he was given a Grade 1 sprain on his shoulder. Now, this doctor is an Air Force grad, so, you never know.
Also, small hands. :mrgreen:

 

[nzone]

Also, small hands.

Just ask the center :shock: :lol:

 

[Brock Landers]

I also predicted us to go 9-3, but I could see a 10-2 or 11-1 record if a lot of things go our way. EWU will be weaker this year (cue EWU trolls), NAU will be weaker, and MSU will be weaker. ASU will be a wild-card, with no playoffs to play for and a new coaching staff, but talent busting from the seams.

Not a chance in hell MSU will be weaker in 2013, unless we have some serious injury problems at 4 or 5 positions... knock on wood.

:lol:

And Griz fans are the arrogant ones? Give the Cats a (little) taste of success and they instantly become what they mock :thumb:

 

[Brock Landers]

Stolen from CS:

http://home.comcast.net/~keepersfootball/fcsspringstats.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

 

[poorgriz]

I also predicted us to go 9-3, but I could see a 10-2 or 11-1 record if a lot of things go our way. EWU will be weaker this year (cue EWU trolls), NAU will be weaker, and MSU will be weaker. ASU will be a wild-card, with no playoffs to play for and a new coaching staff, but talent busting from the seams.

Not a chance in hell MSU will be weaker in 2013, unless we have some serious injury problems at 4 or 5 positions... knock on wood.

Boy, I disagree. I think the cats will be an excellent team. But there seems to be plenty of reasons why they may not be as good this year as last.

Like what reasons? Ash has improved the team\record every single season he's been our coach, and I don't see anything that leads me to believe this trend will reverse? We return the majority of our offense, and the O line by itself would tell the average observer that our O will be better. Basically the same young O line we had last year in our 11-2 season, but this year they're an average of 24 pounds heavier across the board, averaging 297?? Does anyone think our O line play will not be improved? Regarding the skill positions... in addition to our proven playmakers... watch for names like Johnson, Brekke, Roderick, and Davis to explode onto the Big Sky scene. The biggest challenge for the coaching staff right now is figuring out how to get all these guys on the field and get them the ball. On defense... I think we might be better this year than last, and we're usually at or near the top in most statistical categories. I remember when the griz would graduate half their starting D, some on to the NFL and I'd always think that meant you'd have a down year on D. Didn't used to happen that way because you truly reloaded, and you were a football factory for awhile. The Cats finally have a program with true quality depth, and these guys that have been waiting for their chance to shine will have people asking... Zach who? Jody who? Caleb who?

 

[Brock Landers]

Sounds like you're going to be scary good :lol:

Ah the irony is killing me. More and more it's becoming apparent that Griz arrogance isn't what had you guys pissed off for so long... it's that you wanted that arrogance for yourselves :thumb:

EWU fans are convinced for the same reasons that their offense will have no dropoff. We shall see.

 

[EverettGriz]

Like what reasons

Well, the cats lost Jody Owens. I don't see anyone replacing his production. They lost Schribies. They've lost two starting LBs to injury. The offense was middle of the road last year, and doesn't appear as though it will be dramatically improved, and the O-line is still a question mark.

 

[uofmman1122]

Sounds like you're going to be scary good :lol:

Ah the irony is killing me. More and more it's becoming apparent that Griz arrogance isn't what had you guys pissed off for so long... it's that you wanted that arrogance for yourselves :thumb:

EWU fans are convinced for the same reasons that their offense will have no dropoff. We shall see.

:lol: :lol:

So true.

The transformation is complete! :lol:

 

[asu1978]

I have the same outlook for the Mountaineers as I did in 2007,going ALL THE WAY.WE can't go for the FCS championship,so we have to win NOW! Georgia will be our bowl game.ALWAYS ATTACK! MONTANA our first game in 2013, MICHIGAN our first game in 2014.

 

[Htowngriz]

Like what reasons

Well, the cats lost Jody Owens. I don't see anyone replacing his production. They lost Schribies. They've lost two starting LBs to injury. The offense was middle of the road last year, and doesn't appear as though it will be dramatically improved, and the O-line is still a question mark.

Which is why it amazes me that they manage to pull off a #2 preseason ranking. I know they're meaningless, but still. Talk about overrated.

 

[marceagfan5]

Sounds like you're going to be scary good :lol:

Ah the irony is killing me. More and more it's becoming apparent that Griz arrogance isn't what had you guys pissed off for so long... it's that you wanted that arrogance for yourselves :thumb:

EWU fans are convinced for the same reasons that their offense will have no dropoff. We shall see.

EWU will definitely have a drop off at the receiver position, no doubt, there is some great young talent, but unproven at this point. The D will be really good and one of the best secondary's in FCS.

The "O" will depend on how well Adams developed over the year. He put on some muscle and kept his speed, its his team now so we will see. He showed flashes of brilliance last year and should take a big step up this year now that he has the reigns and an offseason as QB1 in the books...

Best of luck to the Griz this year, looking forward to the trip to Missoula in October...

 

[bigtyme]

Poor griz can't wrap around the fact that Montana is going to be a very good team. His wishful thinking will bring on a deep depression on himself.

Nope... feel free to check any of my predictions. I've said all along that you'll be a good team, with the potential to be very good (9-3 tops) if things bounce your way. I've predicted all along that you'll be an 8-4 team, squeak into playoffs with an away first round game. The only other likely possibilities being 7-5 or 9-3. I think you're going to have eight very tough games that could go down to the wire.

Nothing I disagree with, except the away game part. Not happening, regardless of our record. Hosts are determined by bid (in the first round at least), and the only teams that I could see possibly outbidding us are NDSU (who is getting a bye, period), and App State before they were made ineligible.

Some of the UM bidding prowess has been thwarted recently with a change in ownership at a supportive establishment. May not pose the same coin as in years past. Hopefully I am wrong and the change remains positive for these bidding opportunities.

 

[EverettGriz]

I don't think the community businesses play a role in the bidding for playoff games anymore. The ticket revenue UM drives is more than significant enough to get a first (or second) round game.