I think the Griz are in the playoffs

[BWahlberg]

I'm really trying to cling to something here guys...

Seems the last few come down to these teams:

Montana (7-4), 69 sagarin, no good wins, no bad losses

North Dakota (7-4) 122 sagarin, beat Youngstown, lost by 17 to 5 win SIU, no other bad losses

Youngstown State (7-4) 149 sagarin, no good wins, lost to UND, lost to 5 win Missouri State

Fordham (9-2) 157 sagarin, no good wins, lost by 1 to Holy Cross in OT & lost to Ohio (no bad losses)

UC Davis (6-5) 89 sagarin, beat Idaho by 18, no bad losses (Cal, SDSU, Weber, MSU, Sac)

Delaware (7-3) 150 sagarin, beat Navy & URI, only played 10 games, no bad losses (Rich, W&M, Elon)

Rhode Island (7-4) 162 sagarin, beat Elon, no bad losses (Pitt, Delaware, UNH, W&M)

---------

This whole thing is wacky as hell and now seems like a total toss up. The deeper I go into it I really worry that teams with good wins outbalance a few bad losses. Montana has no single game to point to to help their case and that's a big issue. Their strength of schedule and power ranking is far better, but every other team on this sale except Fordham has a signature win. UND & YSU have a bad loss. Fordham has a weak schedule. Davis has 5 losses. UD didn't play 11 games.

Guys... I don't know.

 

[AZGrizFan]

When do we find out?

I don’t give a rip if we “deserve” it or not- those boys need all the practice they can get. I’d love nothing more than to squeak in & make a run to the quarters or better

I’d love it for nothing more than to see if Britt, from the opening gun, can be the guy I think he can be. Can’t fucking hurt, and there’s zero reason to play Johnson at this point. If they’re gonna practice, find out exactly what you’ve got in the guy. No time like the present if we get in.

 

[hm.grwn.grizfan]

I'm really trying to cling to something here guys...

Seems the last few come down to these teams:

Montana (7-4), 69 sagarin, no good wins, no bad losses

North Dakota (7-4) 122 sagarin, beat Youngstown, lost by 17 to 5 win SIU, no other bad losses

Youngstown State (7-4) 149 sagarin, no good wins, lost to UND, lost to 5 win Missouri State

Fordham (9-2) 157 sagarin, no good wins, lost by 1 to Holy Cross in OT & lost to Ohio (no bad losses)

UC Davis (6-5) 89 sagarin, beat Idaho by 18, no bad losses (Cal, SDSU, Weber, MSU, Sac)

Delaware (7-3) 150 sagarin, beat Navy & URI, only played 10 games, no bad losses (Rich, W&M, Elon)

Rhode Island (7-4) 162 sagarin, beat Elon, no bad losses (Pitt, Delaware, UNH, W&M)

---------

This whole thing is wacky as hell and now seems like a total toss up. The deeper I go into it I really worry that teams with good wins outbalance a few bad losses. Montana has no single game to point to to help their case and that's a big issue. Their strength of schedule and power ranking is far better, but every other team on this sale except Fordham has a signature win. UND & YSU have a bad loss. Fordham has a weak schedule. Davis has 5 losses. UD didn't play 11 games.

Guys... I don't know.

I know you want them in, but the team didn’t earn it, and while I won’t wish for the team to be left out, I will admit that I think it much more likely that the staff gets shaken up and some things might have a chance move in a positive direction. I don’t want Bobby gone, but I would like to see him make some changes to demonstrate that he’s got the balls to do it and that he’s not so stubborn that he would ignore a need for change. Maybe the 3-3-5 goes, the offense gets a new coordinator, the recruiting changes…????…..but if UM gets in maybe no changes happen and the status quo remains? I don’t know. I’m questioning everything now. Hard to figure out why tommy mellot was able to so thoroughly dismantle what we all thought was a good defense. He described our defense as being continuously out of position, which is why they were able to exploit us. That to me is an indictment of the scheme.

 

[mthoopsfan]

Lacking qb in two close losses to top 5 teams on road.

 

[nzone]

Britt should take all remaining snaps. Chances of a deep run are slight so give Britt meaningful snaps. Let’s develop a qb.

 

[Bozo JrCollegeofAG]

Every key moment this season- when the game was on the line -the ball bounced the wrong way or we made some weird inexplicable mistake. Luck is not on our side. So of course we will be #25 in the field of 24, . Very first on the list of all the teams that didn’t make it.

 

[BWahlberg]

I'm really trying to cling to something here guys...

Seems the last few come down to these teams:

Montana (7-4), 69 sagarin, no good wins, no bad losses

North Dakota (7-4) 122 sagarin, beat Youngstown, lost by 17 to 5 win SIU, no other bad losses

Youngstown State (7-4) 149 sagarin, no good wins, lost to UND, lost to 5 win Missouri State

Fordham (9-2) 157 sagarin, no good wins, lost by 1 to Holy Cross in OT & lost to Ohio (no bad losses)

UC Davis (6-5) 89 sagarin, beat Idaho by 18, no bad losses (Cal, SDSU, Weber, MSU, Sac)

Delaware (7-3) 150 sagarin, beat Navy & URI, only played 10 games, no bad losses (Rich, W&M, Elon)

Rhode Island (7-4) 162 sagarin, beat Elon, no bad losses (Pitt, Delaware, UNH, W&M)

---------

This whole thing is wacky as hell and now seems like a total toss up. The deeper I go into it I really worry that teams with good wins outbalance a few bad losses. Montana has no single game to point to to help their case and that's a big issue. Their strength of schedule and power ranking is far better, but every other team on this sale except Fordham has a signature win. UND & YSU have a bad loss. Fordham has a weak schedule. Davis has 5 losses. UD didn't play 11 games.

Guys... I don't know.

I know you want them in, but the team didn’t earn it, and while I won’t wish for the team to be left out, I will admit that I think it much more likely that the staff gets shaken up and some things might have a chance move in a positive direction. I don’t want Bobby gone, but I would like to see him make some changes to demonstrate that he’s got the balls to do it and that he’s not so stubborn that he would ignore a need for change. Maybe the 3-3-5 goes, the offense gets a new coordinator, the recruiting changes…????…..but if UM gets in maybe no changes happen and the status quo remains? I don’t know. I’m questioning everything now. Hard to figure out why tommy mellot was able to so thoroughly dismantle what we all thought was a good defense. He described our defense as being continuously out of position, which is why they were able to exploit us. That to me is an indictment of the scheme.

Here's my challenge - I want changes too.

I also don't have the ability to tell these players who have dedicated themselves to this season starting with winter conditioning in January that they don't deserve to play more football. Maybe that makes me "soft" on this team but I just can't discount their effort.

 

[BWahlberg]

Every key moment this season- when the game was on the line -the ball bounced the wrong way or we made some weird inexplicable mistake. Luck is not on our side. So of course we will be #25 in the field of 24, . Very first on the list of all the teams that didn’t make it.

Could see that 100% and there's no one to blame but the shortcomings of this team on the field.

 

[hm.grwn.grizfan]

I know you want them in, but the team didn’t earn it, and while I won’t wish for the team to be left out, I will admit that I think it much more likely that the staff gets shaken up and some things might have a chance move in a positive direction. I don’t want Bobby gone, but I would like to see him make some changes to demonstrate that he’s got the balls to do it and that he’s not so stubborn that he would ignore a need for change. Maybe the 3-3-5 goes, the offense gets a new coordinator, the recruiting changes…????…..but if UM gets in maybe no changes happen and the status quo remains? I don’t know. I’m questioning everything now. Hard to figure out why tommy mellot was able to so thoroughly dismantle what we all thought was a good defense. He described our defense as being continuously out of position, which is why they were able to exploit us. That to me is an indictment of the scheme.

Here's my challenge - I want changes too.

I also don't have the ability to tell these players who have dedicated themselves to this season starting with winter conditioning in January that they don't deserve to play more football. Maybe that makes me "soft" on this team but I just can't discount their effort.

Fair enough. We will find out in the morning!

 

[hubcap]

Even that trick play as you call it, is a jump pass and it was in film as well. They really don’t even run a true counter, just an option look. And if we have two guys punching the A gap and getting penetration, it’s easy to get guys off of their blocking routes and pulls if you get penetration. If only we had two quality DT’s to put in at the same time. Oh wait. Ok if only we had big linebackers to push up field and take on blocks. Oh wait. Ok if only we had safeties that can run the alley and force outside runs to move laterally. Oh wait. It was like our defensive staff was caught deer in the headlights. It looks exactly like 2019 did. We’re telling our good defensive athletes to stand up, hold the line and keep our head on a swivel to identify the play. By the time we recognize, everyone is blocked up. Instead of being aggressive. Yeah we did miss a lot of tackles but hard to make a tackle on a runner with a full head of steam when you’re standing flat footed waiting. Our defense is used to attacking. Our mentality should have been no different than against EWU last year. Pin your damn ears back and go get the qb with 6-7 guys at a time.

Mellot said they knew the Griz didn’t play very gap sound and that’s not very common in football, so they knew they could run the ball well.

This is a gimmick defense. Lots of smoke and mirrors. Because the talent level is superior than most teams, and the scheme so different than what most teams prep for over a season, it can be highly effective. Highly effective until you meet a team with equal or superior talent. There’s a reason teams are going away from the 3-3-5. Hardly any major school runs that as their base. It’s a gimmick! As long as they keep that defense, they won’t be going on any deep playoff runs.

Exactly what Tim Hauck said and why him and Bobby couldn’t work together. Bobby thinks this is the answer to all offenses. He’s sorely mistaken. Look how good having 5 in the secondary worked today. Plain stupid!

 

[PDXGrizzly]

I'm really trying to cling to something here guys...

Seems the last few come down to these teams:

Montana (7-4), 69 sagarin, no good wins, no bad losses

North Dakota (7-4) 122 sagarin, beat Youngstown, lost by 17 to 5 win SIU, no other bad losses

Youngstown State (7-4) 149 sagarin, no good wins, lost to UND, lost to 5 win Missouri State

Fordham (9-2) 157 sagarin, no good wins, lost by 1 to Holy Cross in OT & lost to Ohio (no bad losses)

UC Davis (6-5) 89 sagarin, beat Idaho by 18, no bad losses (Cal, SDSU, Weber, MSU, Sac)

Delaware (7-3) 150 sagarin, beat Navy & URI, only played 10 games, no bad losses (Rich, W&M, Elon)

Rhode Island (7-4) 162 sagarin, beat Elon, no bad losses (Pitt, Delaware, UNH, W&M)

---------

This whole thing is wacky as hell and now seems like a total toss up. The deeper I go into it I really worry that teams with good wins outbalance a few bad losses. Montana has no single game to point to to help their case and that's a big issue. Their strength of schedule and power ranking is far better, but every other team on this sale except Fordham has a signature win. UND & YSU have a bad loss. Fordham has a weak schedule. Davis has 5 losses. UD didn't play 11 games.

Guys... I don't know.

The bottom of the field is such a cluster… I have zero confidence in getting in. I feel for the players, especially the seniors. My last ever football game, I was on the receiving end of a blow-out. It sucks. It hurts. It stays with you.

The tragedy of this game is that embarrassing losses like this can take years to recover from. The echoes of this are gonna be felt for a while. This has the potential to majorly affect next season. It wasn’t just that they were better. Their system is better. The buy-in is better. The execution is better. Top to bottom the Griz were outclassed. It’s one thing to lose to the Cats. But this badly and in this way? It shakes the player’s confidence in everything the coaches do and say.

If changes aren’t made, there is a very real possibility that an exodus happens and the Griz struggle to hit .500 next season. This isn’t doom and gloom for the sake of it. Without a fundamental shift in how the Griz approach the game, we are gonna be in for a rough few years.

 

[first11]

As a griz fan in all sports for 5 decades and counting I’ve had the opportunity to witness much sports dominance. Recalling the growth and success of past lady and mens bball and the resurgence of football beginning with Don Read in late 80’s. I get the feeling we’re not likely to experience the dominance we all got used to.

Today a humbling reminder of the reality that competition has caught up with us. We’ll have better days ahead but our consistent past dominance is severely challenged. The landscape of college sports is in a transition that makes our expectations difficult to match.

Maybe we will limp into playoffs….I hope so

 

[kurtismichael]

2-4 the second half of the season. Hard to see the Griz get in. Hope I’m wrong.

 

[cmtgrizzly]

If we get in then we deserve to be in. If we don’t get in then we don’t deserve to be in. The committee will determine that. I personally feel we are more in the “don’t deserve to be in” range but what do I know. I want us to be in for the players sake and a chance to redeem themselves by winning some playoff games and seeing what Britt can do if he starts a game. At the same time if we don’t get in I will understand and really won’t be heartbroken. Just doesn’t feel like a playoff run type of year.

Overall I think people need to come to the realization we aren’t on the verge of returning to our dominant past. We aren’t just a great QB away from that. When we were consistently great we had a whole program that fed itself due to winning. When you win you get better recruiting and you can “reload” and plug new great players in as other great players leave an effective scheme and program. Players on the team and incoming players had confidence they were going to win every game (even though they didn’t win them all). That confidence in the program is extremely important and is no longer there. I think we all know when and how it left. We just don’t have that identity anymore and it will take multiple variables to align for us to get it back. Fortunately, it may be more likely to occur due to our successful past but that equity has been whittled away some by the less than stellar results over the past 10 years. It can happen but right now, like it or not, the Cats are closer to it than we are.

 

[Plainsman]

Even that trick play as you call it, is a jump pass and it was in film as well. They really don’t even run a true counter, just an option look. And if we have two guys punching the A gap and getting penetration, it’s easy to get guys off of their blocking routes and pulls if you get penetration. If only we had two quality DT’s to put in at the same time. Oh wait. Ok if only we had big linebackers to push up field and take on blocks. Oh wait. Ok if only we had safeties that can run the alley and force outside runs to move laterally. Oh wait. It was like our defensive staff was caught deer in the headlights. It looks exactly like 2019 did. We’re telling our good defensive athletes to stand up, hold the line and keep our head on a swivel to identify the play. By the time we recognize, everyone is blocked up. Instead of being aggressive. Yeah we did miss a lot of tackles but hard to make a tackle on a runner with a full head of steam when you’re standing flat footed waiting. Our defense is used to attacking. Our mentality should have been no different than against EWU last year. Pin your damn ears back and go get the qb with 6-7 guys at a time.

Mellot said they knew the Griz didn’t play very gap sound and that’s not very common in football, so they knew they could run the ball well.

This is a gimmick defense. Lots of smoke and mirrors. Because the talent level is superior than most teams, and the scheme so different than what most teams prep for over a season, it can be highly effective. Highly effective until you meet a team with equal or superior talent. There’s a reason teams are going away from the 3-3-5. Hardly any major school runs that as their base. It’s a gimmick! As long as they keep that defense, they won’t be going on any deep playoff runs.

Thanks to both you posters for providing some real insight into what happened with and to our defense. I simply refused to believe that, with the talent we have on the defensive side of the ball, the kids level of play was the major factor in the Cat's total run game dominance. It appears a good portion of the fault lies with poor coaching preparation-who knew :roll: Wouldn't hurt to hear Hauck take some serious responsibility for that failure. :roll:

 

[rocklobster]

Davis doesn’t have seven division 1 wins. I thought that was a requirement. Am I wrong on this?

 

[uofmman1122]

Davis doesn’t have seven division 1 wins. I thought that was a requirement. Am I wrong on this?

It's more like a guideline than a hard and fast rule. UNI has gotten in before without meeting that requirement.

Something to think about: among common opponents, UC Davis is 3-3 while we are 2-4. Their loss to SDSU is also better than any win we have.

 

[rocklobster]

Davis doesn’t have seven division 1 wins. I thought that was a requirement. Am I wrong on this?

It's more like a guideline than a hard and fast rule. UNI has gotten in before without meeting that requirement.

Something to think about: among common opponents, UC Davis is 3-3 while we are 2-4. Their loss to SDSU is also better than any win we have.

Yep, I can see that. Thanks. From what everyone is saying, it looks bleak. I guess we’ll see.

 

[argh!]

I know you want them in, but the team didn’t earn it, and while I won’t wish for the team to be left out, I will admit that I think it much more likely that the staff gets shaken up and some things might have a chance move in a positive direction. I don’t want Bobby gone, but I would like to see him make some changes to demonstrate that he’s got the balls to do it and that he’s not so stubborn that he would ignore a need for change. Maybe the 3-3-5 goes, the offense gets a new coordinator, the recruiting changes…????…..but if UM gets in maybe no changes happen and the status quo remains? I don’t know. I’m questioning everything now. Hard to figure out why tommy mellot was able to so thoroughly dismantle what we all thought was a good defense. He described our defense as being continuously out of position, which is why they were able to exploit us. That to me is an indictment of the scheme.

Here's my challenge - I want changes too.

I also don't have the ability to tell these players who have dedicated themselves to this season starting with winter conditioning in January that they don't deserve to play more football. Maybe that makes me "soft" on this team but I just can't discount their effort.

but you can discount the effort of all the players on other teams who did the same thing. i personally don't agree with that mindset, but to each their own.

 

[HookedonGriz]

As much as we feel maybe the Griz don’t deserve it, if a 7-4 YSU team gets in over us it’s a travesty. They have no good wins, they have a bad loss to Missouri St, and they barely scraped by an 0-11 team and a 2-9 team. They are lower in SOS and Sagarin and everything else. That would be a huge bias to the MVFC to put them in as that Conf is down this year. They only deserve 3….sdsu, Ndsu, and UND.