Oh no, a positive post!

[mthoopsfan]

You aren’t judging him objectively or fairly. Only 4 FCS teams have better averages for post-season poll rankings. While not where everyone wants to be, he hasn’t failed at all. Except not beating Cats enough. 10 win seasons are not failures. Nor are no. 6 rankings.

Life isn’t fair hoops. I am only judging Bobby by what he set forth as his expectation upon his return and his yearly goal for this team. I would say I’m being much more objective than you. As I pointed out he has had successes and failures that people want to overlook. His second tenure hasn’t been mediocre as some would want us to think, just as it hasn’t been as wildly successful as
others want us to believe.

10 win seasons are successful. Two of them in his 4 seasons so far after the Stitt era is refreshing. 8 win seasons with three game losing streaks, and a blowout to your only rival when you’re ranked in the top 2 pre season and after week five is a failure.

A win against an FBS ranked team on the road is a huge success. However, consistently losing big games on the road is a failure, especially with several blowouts in that time. Winning playoff games every year is a success. Not advancing further into the playoffs when the goal is to be dominant is not.

There were several close calls that could have changed those facts, such as 2018 at home against the cats, 2019
Weber in the quarters, 2021 Sac State at home, 2021 EWU on the road, 2022 Idaho at home and 2022 Sac State on the road. As they say close only counts in horse shoes and hand grenades.

We’ve been unable to be consistently ranked high enough going into the playoffs to earn multiple home playoff games which was a key to playoff success in the early 2000’s.

We have minimized off the field issues, elevated our success in the classroom and off the field which should be seen as a huge success. Kids are graduating and becoming men. 1/4 of Bobby’s goals for this team.

On the other hand we have not won a single Big Sky title or even a quarterfinal playoff game in that time to even get close to a goal of winning a national title. We are 1-3 against the cats. Those are 3/4 of Bobby’s goals every year for this team.

As I said, you aren’t being objective. Who has ever even hinted that he has been “wildly successful”? Answer: not one person.

Where did Hauck define or state or set his expectations upon his return? Other than RTD. The goals of the team have been goals for the team for decades. UM has achieved them twice, ever.

Nobody has said the Griz have gotten to where anyone wanted to get. But how can you ignore or dismiss where the team got in years 2, 3 and 4?

The trend has been positive, with a small blip last year. Explainable in my view. The conference is very strong in the top half. The strongest ever.

The Griz have had to try to replace a number of top players this season and the QB situation lacks experience and a strong upperclassman. This season was always going to be a challenge to improve and gain enough experience in the first 5 games to be able to win the tougher games. The O/line and D need to lead the way.

I am still positive and hopeful. One game at a time. I am still fully supportive of Hauck, the assistants and the team.
Maybe they will get there; maybe they won’t. But I will support and cheer for them every step of the way. I will not unduly criticize snd cut and run on them as some posters are doing. This is one of the things I like about sport.

I have no use for people who just want to complain and criticize about a team at this level. I wonder how many achieved much or anything in sport or life. While I disagree with some of what you have said, and believe some of it is wrong, your post is fine and I’m not intending to direct my prior 2 sentences at you. Good and constructive discussion.

Go Griz!

 

[bigkid]

Good original post. One bad game won’t define this team…

Go Griz!!

 

[AZGrizFan]

Life isn’t fair hoops. I am only judging Bobby by what he set forth as his expectation upon his return and his yearly goal for this team. I would say I’m being much more objective than you. As I pointed out he has had successes and failures that people want to overlook. His second tenure hasn’t been mediocre as some would want us to think, just as it hasn’t been as wildly successful as
others want us to believe.

10 win seasons are successful. Two of them in his 4 seasons so far after the Stitt era is refreshing. 8 win seasons with three game losing streaks, and a blowout to your only rival when you’re ranked in the top 2 pre season and after week five is a failure.

A win against an FBS ranked team on the road is a huge success. However, consistently losing big games on the road is a failure, especially with several blowouts in that time. Winning playoff games every year is a success. Not advancing further into the playoffs when the goal is to be dominant is not.

There were several close calls that could have changed those facts, such as 2018 at home against the cats, 2019
Weber in the quarters, 2021 Sac State at home, 2021 EWU on the road, 2022 Idaho at home and 2022 Sac State on the road. As they say close only counts in horse shoes and hand grenades.

We’ve been unable to be consistently ranked high enough going into the playoffs to earn multiple home playoff games which was a key to playoff success in the early 2000’s.

We have minimized off the field issues, elevated our success in the classroom and off the field which should be seen as a huge success. Kids are graduating and becoming men. 1/4 of Bobby’s goals for this team.

On the other hand we have not won a single Big Sky title or even a quarterfinal playoff game in that time to even get close to a goal of winning a national title. We are 1-3 against the cats. Those are 3/4 of Bobby’s goals every year for this team.

As I said, you aren’t being objective. Who has ever even hinted that he has been “wildly successful”? Answer: not one person.

Where did Hauck define or state or set his expectations upon his return? Other than RTD. The goals of the team have been goals for the team for decades. UM has achieved them twice, ever.

Nobody has said the Griz have gotten to where anyone wanted to get. But how can you ignore or dismiss where the team got in years 2, 3 and 4?

The trend has been positive, with a small blip last year. Explainable in my view. The conference is very strong in the top half. The strongest ever.

The Griz have had to try to replace a number of top players this season and the QB situation lacks experience and a strong upperclassman. This season was always going to be a challenge to improve and gain enough experience in the first 5 games to be able to win the tougher games. The O/line and D need to lead the way.

I am still positive and hopeful. One game at a time. I am still fully supportive of Hauck, the assistants and the team.
Maybe they will get there; maybe they won’t. But I will support and cheer for them every step of the way. I will not unduly criticize snd cut and run on them as some posters are doing. This is one of the things I like about sport.

I have no use for people who just want to complain and criticize about a team at this level. I wonder how many achieved much or anything in sport or life. While I disagree with some of what you have said, and believe some of it is wrong, your post is fine and I’m not intending to direct my prior 2 sentences at you. Good and constructive discussion.

Go Griz!

If the Griz go 5-6 or 6-5 this year, will you continue to support Bobby "every step of the way"? Is he meeting your expectations as to what he was going to be able to accomplish in years 5 and 6 of his tenure?

And if NAU was any indication of "the O-line leading the way", we're well and truly fucked. 5 returning O-linemen and they played like they've never set foot on the field together.
D-Line? I'm gonna give them a pass. Bobby has done such a poor job of recruiting D-linemen, he seems fascinated with undersized guys with big hearts who get manhandled by bigger, stronger O-linemen. Zero sacks in the NAU game. Losing games you shouldn't lose is what happens when the scheme you're dependent on fails. And I anticipate it failing a LOT against any team with a pulse--and not through lack of effort from the defense...

 

[hilinegrizfan]

Lots of wringing of hands and gnashing of teeth this week - and in many cases rightfully so. I'm with a lot of you on frustrations so far, I'm not happy with the NAU loss, and yes I'm worried as hell about the rest of this season. However, we're talking 1 bad loss and this team has the opportunity to rebound from it and build off that.

I don't know which way this season is going to go, will it be another 2008 type of season where the Griz get their minds right from a humbling loss and collectively get better and better? Or will it be like 2010 / 2012 / 2022 where improvements just don't come and the team stays stuck in the mud? We'll see real soon enough. I'm not brave enough to throw a total prediction out there.

However, here's what I feel:

- Sometimes a reality check is the best thing a team can get. The team AND staff skated by a weak OOC with marginal results and no real growth and then got chin-checked by a team they should've beat. This could be the moment and event everyone needed to get their sh*t together and both improve on execution and play calling/design.

- Tough people last, tough times don't. With the guys who graduated last year I can't help but wonder if there was a bit of a leadership void in some areas on this team. Long-time mainstays who appeared to be leaders on the team are gone, and the new class of leadership just wasn't stepping up where it was needed. This NAU loss could be that crucible moment where needed leaders on this team step up and recognize that so far they / their unit / their team hasn't done enough yet, and that isn't going to cut it. This team is made up of kids that have been here for years and I don't think any of them are soft minded or quitters - and if by chance some are, then hopefully Saturday washed them out or straightened them up.

- It's a long damn season, we have 1 loss, it's not the end of the world. Yes Montana is behind schedule now, however if these guys can build from this and get better - they can go on a run. UC Davis suddenly doesn't look like world beaters, Sac here at night in colder weather will challenge them, ISU and UNC *should* be games the Griz control, PSU's offense is hot right now but who knows where they'll be in November. Get right, handle business in all of those games and that's 8 total wins.

- We all have talked plenty about 2008 when Weber smacked Montana and then we went on a run after that. It happened in 2011 as well - Montana goes to Sac and plays a horrific game full of errors and mistakes and gets smacked, 42-28. 9 straight wins later and they're in the semi finals of the playoffs. 2013, embarrassed at NAU, 7-1 after that only losing to EWU and beating the kitties again. 2004, rolled at Sam Houston, save a close loss @ PSU 5 weeks later the Griz roll all the way to the natty. Sometimes it just takes a frustrating loss to right the ship. My hope, is that's the case. I don't expect perfection on Saturday, but I do expect improvement.

----
I don't have a crystal ball so I can't tell you guys what happens this season, my belief is that they turn this around starting Saturday. I know where I'll be Saturday as well and every home game this season too, at my tailgate party and then in the stands cheering on the Griz. Yeah I'll vent if it's needed, and I'm not going to brow beat anyone else who feels differently, I just know my stance and how I plan to support these guys.

There's one thing this fan refuses to do - give up on the Griz.

I sincerely appreciate the effort, but I think that most people agree its not just 1 game, its been every game. They just plain old don't look good.

 

[mthoopsfan]

Lots of wringing of hands and gnashing of teeth this week - and in many cases rightfully so. I'm with a lot of you on frustrations so far, I'm not happy with the NAU loss, and yes I'm worried as hell about the rest of this season. However, we're talking 1 bad loss and this team has the opportunity to rebound from it and build off that.

I don't know which way this season is going to go, will it be another 2008 type of season where the Griz get their minds right from a humbling loss and collectively get better and better? Or will it be like 2010 / 2012 / 2022 where improvements just don't come and the team stays stuck in the mud? We'll see real soon enough. I'm not brave enough to throw a total prediction out there.

However, here's what I feel:

- Sometimes a reality check is the best thing a team can get. The team AND staff skated by a weak OOC with marginal results and no real growth and then got chin-checked by a team they should've beat. This could be the moment and event everyone needed to get their sh*t together and both improve on execution and play calling/design.

- Tough people last, tough times don't. With the guys who graduated last year I can't help but wonder if there was a bit of a leadership void in some areas on this team. Long-time mainstays who appeared to be leaders on the team are gone, and the new class of leadership just wasn't stepping up where it was needed. This NAU loss could be that crucible moment where needed leaders on this team step up and recognize that so far they / their unit / their team hasn't done enough yet, and that isn't going to cut it. This team is made up of kids that have been here for years and I don't think any of them are soft minded or quitters - and if by chance some are, then hopefully Saturday washed them out or straightened them up.

- It's a long damn season, we have 1 loss, it's not the end of the world. Yes Montana is behind schedule now, however if these guys can build from this and get better - they can go on a run. UC Davis suddenly doesn't look like world beaters, Sac here at night in colder weather will challenge them, ISU and UNC *should* be games the Griz control, PSU's offense is hot right now but who knows where they'll be in November. Get right, handle business in all of those games and that's 8 total wins.

- We all have talked plenty about 2008 when Weber smacked Montana and then we went on a run after that. It happened in 2011 as well - Montana goes to Sac and plays a horrific game full of errors and mistakes and gets smacked, 42-28. 9 straight wins later and they're in the semi finals of the playoffs. 2013, embarrassed at NAU, 7-1 after that only losing to EWU and beating the kitties again. 2004, rolled at Sam Houston, save a close loss @ PSU 5 weeks later the Griz roll all the way to the natty. Sometimes it just takes a frustrating loss to right the ship. My hope, is that's the case. I don't expect perfection on Saturday, but I do expect improvement.

----
I don't have a crystal ball so I can't tell you guys what happens this season, my belief is that they turn this around starting Saturday. I know where I'll be Saturday as well and every home game this season too, at my tailgate party and then in the stands cheering on the Griz. Yeah I'll vent if it's needed, and I'm not going to brow beat anyone else who feels differently, I just know my stance and how I plan to support these guys.

There's one thing this fan refuses to do - give up on the Griz.

I sincerely appreciate the effort, but I think that most people agree its not just 1 game, its been every game. They just plain old don't look good.

It hasn't been every game. Ferris was a good win over a good team. UM crushed Utah Tech. Griz had the 36-0 at the half. Cats were 35-10 at half. Could you try to stick with the actual facts? Yes, the Griz haven't looked great so far this season.

 

[hilinegrizfan]

I sincerely appreciate the effort, but I think that most people agree its not just 1 game, its been every game. They just plain old don't look good.

It hasn't been every game. Ferris was a good win over a good team. UM crushed Utah Tech. Griz had the 36-0 at the half. Cats were 35-10 at half. Could you try to stick with the actual facts? Yes, the Griz haven't looked great so far this season.

I would argue that the offense did not look good at Utah tech.

 

[mthoopsfan]

It hasn't been every game. Ferris was a good win over a good team. UM crushed Utah Tech. Griz had the 36-0 at the half. Cats were 35-10 at half. Could you try to stick with the actual facts? Yes, the Griz haven't looked great so far this season.

I would argue that the offense did not look good at Utah tech.

Okay, but 36 points and 261 yards of O in first half, plus 26 first downs in the game, seems pretty good to me.

 

[poorgriz]

Almost every other post from PR mentions the Cats. I friggin love it.

 

[Mousegriz]

Hoops said..."Where did Hauck define or state ir set his expectations upon his return? Other than RTD."

Did he define RTD? I'd hoped it meant more than 14th or 15th post season rankings.....followed by mid season 18th.....

 

[mthoopsfan]

Almost every other post from PR mentions the Cats. I friggin love it.

Almost every friggin dumb post is from a Cat, so I have to respond to those dumb posts. I had to come back early from the rugby World Cup to straighten out egriz, and that's why I'm doing.

 

[poorgriz]

Almost every other post from PR mentions the Cats. I friggin love it.

Almost every friggin dumb post is from a Cat, so I have to respond to those dumb posts. I had to come back early from the rugby World Cup to straighten out egriz, and that's why I'm doing.

Well I hope you didn't rush back just to post gems like trying to tell us the griz OL is better and deeper than the Cats, the griz BR room is better and deeper than the Cats, and the griz QB room is better and deeper than the Cats? lol

 

[Wolf777]

As I said, you aren’t being objective. Who has ever even hinted that he has been “wildly successful”? Answer: not one person.

Where did Hauck define or state or set his expectations upon his return? Other than RTD. The goals of the team have been goals for the team for decades. UM has achieved them twice, ever.

Nobody has said the Griz have gotten to where anyone wanted to get. But how can you ignore or dismiss where the team got in years 2, 3 and 4?

The trend has been positive, with a small blip last year. Explainable in my view. The conference is very strong in the top half. The strongest ever.

The Griz have had to try to replace a number of top players this season and the QB situation lacks experience and a strong upperclassman. This season was always going to be a challenge to improve and gain enough experience in the first 5 games to be able to win the tougher games. The O/line and D need to lead the way.

I am still positive and hopeful. One game at a time. I am still fully supportive of Hauck, the assistants and the team.
Maybe they will get there; maybe they won’t. But I will support and cheer for them every step of the way. I will not unduly criticize snd cut and run on them as some posters are doing. This is one of the things I like about sport.

I have no use for people who just want to complain and criticize about a team at this level. I wonder how many achieved much or anything in sport or life. While I disagree with some of what you have said, and believe some of it is wrong, your post is fine and I’m not intending to direct my prior 2 sentences at you. Good and constructive discussion.

Go Griz!

I think you need to re-familiarize yourself with the term “objective” you keep throwing around.

Hauck stated upon rehire the only difference in the conference is we weren’t on top. Well we still aren’t on top and haven’t been during his tenure. There is plenty to hope and cheer for and we are all allowed to support this team in our own way. I don’t know why you feel pointing out issues makes you a bad fan. I think the staff has to do it every week and if they can’t figure out problems and correct them it’s on them. When we see the same mistakes over and over, who’s to blame. I would say blind optimism is more damaging long term. What caused the fall of Rome?

Hauck did have to completely rebuild this team from the ground up and for that he should get credit, but it remains to be seen if last year was a blip as you say or the start of a down trend. Last week didn’t look like year 5/6 of where a programs should be. I hope it’s a one-off.

 

[mthoopsfan]

Almost every friggin dumb post is from a Cat, so I have to respond to those dumb posts. I had to come back early from the rugby World Cup to straighten out egriz, and that's why I'm doing.

Well I hope you didn't rush back just to post gems like trying to tell us the griz OL is better and deeper than the Cats, the griz BR room is better and deeper than the Cats, and the griz QB room is better and deeper than the Cats? lol

Nor did I ever say some of those things. What’s the Griz BR? Bathroom? Board Room?

 

[Missoula223]

Life isn’t fair hoops. I am only judging Bobby by what he set forth as his expectation upon his return and his yearly goal for this team. I would say I’m being much more objective than you. As I pointed out he has had successes and failures that people want to overlook. His second tenure hasn’t been mediocre as some would want us to think, just as it hasn’t been as wildly successful as
others want us to believe.

10 win seasons are successful. Two of them in his 4 seasons so far after the Stitt era is refreshing. 8 win seasons with three game losing streaks, and a blowout to your only rival when you’re ranked in the top 2 pre season and after week five is a failure.

A win against an FBS ranked team on the road is a huge success. However, consistently losing big games on the road is a failure, especially with several blowouts in that time. Winning playoff games every year is a success. Not advancing further into the playoffs when the goal is to be dominant is not.

There were several close calls that could have changed those facts, such as 2018 at home against the cats, 2019
Weber in the quarters, 2021 Sac State at home, 2021 EWU on the road, 2022 Idaho at home and 2022 Sac State on the road. As they say close only counts in horse shoes and hand grenades.

We’ve been unable to be consistently ranked high enough going into the playoffs to earn multiple home playoff games which was a key to playoff success in the early 2000’s.

We have minimized off the field issues, elevated our success in the classroom and off the field which should be seen as a huge success. Kids are graduating and becoming men. 1/4 of Bobby’s goals for this team.

On the other hand we have not won a single Big Sky title or even a quarterfinal playoff game in that time to even get close to a goal of winning a national title. We are 1-3 against the cats. Those are 3/4 of Bobby’s goals every year for this team.

As I said, you aren’t being objective. Who has ever even hinted that he has been “wildly successful”? Answer: not one person.

Where did Hauck define or state or set his expectations upon his return? Other than RTD. The goals of the team have been goals for the team for decades. UM has achieved them twice, ever.

Nobody has said the Griz have gotten to where anyone wanted to get. But how can you ignore or dismiss where the team got in years 2, 3 and 4?

The trend has been positive, with a small blip last year. Explainable in my view. The conference is very strong in the top half. The strongest ever.

The Griz have had to try to replace a number of top players this season and the QB situation lacks experience and a strong upperclassman. This season was always going to be a challenge to improve and gain enough experience in the first 5 games to be able to win the tougher games. The O/line and D need to lead the way.

I am still positive and hopeful. One game at a time. I am still fully supportive of Hauck, the assistants and the team.
Maybe they will get there; maybe they won’t. But I will support and cheer for them every step of the way. I will not unduly criticize snd cut and run on them as some posters are doing. This is one of the things I like about sport.

I have no use for people who just want to complain and criticize about a team at this level. I wonder how many achieved much or anything in sport or life. While I disagree with some of what you have said, and believe some of it is wrong, your post is fine and I’m not intending to direct my prior 2 sentences at you. Good and constructive discussion.

Go Griz!

Define “Return to Dominance.”

 

[mthoopsfan]

As I said, you aren’t being objective. Who has ever even hinted that he has been “wildly successful”? Answer: not one person.

Where did Hauck define or state or set his expectations upon his return? Other than RTD. The goals of the team have been goals for the team for decades. UM has achieved them twice, ever.

Nobody has said the Griz have gotten to where anyone wanted to get. But how can you ignore or dismiss where the team got in years 2, 3 and 4?

The trend has been positive, with a small blip last year. Explainable in my view. The conference is very strong in the top half. The strongest ever.

The Griz have had to try to replace a number of top players this season and the QB situation lacks experience and a strong upperclassman. This season was always going to be a challenge to improve and gain enough experience in the first 5 games to be able to win the tougher games. The O/line and D need to lead the way.

I am still positive and hopeful. One game at a time. I am still fully supportive of Hauck, the assistants and the team.
Maybe they will get there; maybe they won’t. But I will support and cheer for them every step of the way. I will not unduly criticize snd cut and run on them as some posters are doing. This is one of the things I like about sport.

I have no use for people who just want to complain and criticize about a team at this level. I wonder how many achieved much or anything in sport or life. While I disagree with some of what you have said, and believe some of it is wrong, your post is fine and I’m not intending to direct my prior 2 sentences at you. Good and constructive discussion.

Go Griz!

I think you need to re-familiarize yourself with the term “objective” you keep throwing around.

Hauck stated upon rehire the only difference in the conference is we weren’t on top. Well we still aren’t on top and haven’t been during his tenure. There is plenty to hope and cheer for and we are all allowed to support this team in our own way. I don’t know why you feel pointing out issues makes you a bad fan. I think the staff has to do it every week and if they can’t figure out problems and correct them it’s on them. When we see the same mistakes over and over, who’s to blame. I would say blind optimism is more damaging long term. What caused the fall of Rome?

Hauck did have to completely rebuild this team from the ground up and for that he should get credit, but it remains to be seen if last year was a blip as you say or the start of a down trend. Last week didn’t look like year 5/6 of where a programs should be. I hope it’s a one-off.

I pointed out where you weren’t objective. You don’t think Bobby was providing some humor with the Griz on top comment? I did and do. I didn’t say pointing out things made someone a bad fan, but hammering coaches and players unfairly and quitting on the team is being a bad fan.

You really think blind optimism of a fan is bad for a program? That’s pretty funny. Unduly criticizing in a public forum is much much worse.

 

[Missoula223]

As I said, you aren’t being objective. Who has ever even hinted that he has been “wildly successful”? Answer: not one person.

Where did Hauck define or state or set his expectations upon his return? Other than RTD. The goals of the team have been goals for the team for decades. UM has achieved them twice, ever.

Nobody has said the Griz have gotten to where anyone wanted to get. But how can you ignore or dismiss where the team got in years 2, 3 and 4?

The trend has been positive, with a small blip last year. Explainable in my view. The conference is very strong in the top half. The strongest ever.

The Griz have had to try to replace a number of top players this season and the QB situation lacks experience and a strong upperclassman. This season was always going to be a challenge to improve and gain enough experience in the first 5 games to be able to win the tougher games. The O/line and D need to lead the way.

I am still positive and hopeful. One game at a time. I am still fully supportive of Hauck, the assistants and the team.
Maybe they will get there; maybe they won’t. But I will support and cheer for them every step of the way. I will not unduly criticize snd cut and run on them as some posters are doing. This is one of the things I like about sport.

I have no use for people who just want to complain and criticize about a team at this level. I wonder how many achieved much or anything in sport or life. While I disagree with some of what you have said, and believe some of it is wrong, your post is fine and I’m not intending to direct my prior 2 sentences at you. Good and constructive discussion.

Go Griz!

I think you need to re-familiarize yourself with the term “objective” you keep throwing around.

Hauck stated upon rehire the only difference in the conference is we weren’t on top. Well we still aren’t on top and haven’t been during his tenure. There is plenty to hope and cheer for and we are all allowed to support this team in our own way. I don’t know why you feel pointing out issues makes you a bad fan. I think the staff has to do it every week and if they can’t figure out problems and correct them it’s on them. When we see the same mistakes over and over, who’s to blame. I would say blind optimism is more damaging long term. What caused the fall of Rome?

Hauck did have to completely rebuild this team from the ground up and for that he should get credit, but it remains to be seen if last year was a blip as you say or the start of a down trend. Last week didn’t look like year 5/6 of where a programs should be. I hope it’s a one-off.

Huge fan of your last 2 posts. I say that hoping we win out, the staff remains intact, and all of the discussion that is going on right now changes.

 

[Oldschoolhornet]

I can hardly wait for hoops to try take credit when the Griz win this Saturday. I can see it now...he'll be telling everyone it was because he came back early from Paris and got everything straightened out.

 

[AZGrizFan]

I can hardly wait for hoops to try take credit when the Griz win this Saturday. I can see it now...he'll be telling everyone it was because he came back early from Paris and got everything straightened out.

Even if we win this weekend we have AWAY games at UCD (L) and Idaho (L) the following two weeks. We'll be (AT BEST) 4-3 after the Idaho game. 5-3 (with only 4 counters) after UNC. then it's Sac, PSU and MSU. We going 2-1 through those three?

Aint' happening without some miraculous turnaround that we seem to be waiting for every single year.

 

[Lord Vigo]

Lots of wringing of hands and gnashing of teeth this week - and in many cases rightfully so. I'm with a lot of you on frustrations so far, I'm not happy with the NAU loss, and yes I'm worried as hell about the rest of this season. However, we're talking 1 bad loss and this team has the opportunity to rebound from it and build off that.

I don't know which way this season is going to go, will it be another 2008 type of season where the Griz get their minds right from a humbling loss and collectively get better and better? Or will it be like 2010 / 2012 / 2022 where improvements just don't come and the team stays stuck in the mud? We'll see real soon enough. I'm not brave enough to throw a total prediction out there.

However, here's what I feel:

- Sometimes a reality check is the best thing a team can get. The team AND staff skated by a weak OOC with marginal results and no real growth and then got chin-checked by a team they should've beat. This could be the moment and event everyone needed to get their sh*t together and both improve on execution and play calling/design.

- Tough people last, tough times don't. With the guys who graduated last year I can't help but wonder if there was a bit of a leadership void in some areas on this team. Long-time mainstays who appeared to be leaders on the team are gone, and the new class of leadership just wasn't stepping up where it was needed. This NAU loss could be that crucible moment where needed leaders on this team step up and recognize that so far they / their unit / their team hasn't done enough yet, and that isn't going to cut it. This team is made up of kids that have been here for years and I don't think any of them are soft minded or quitters - and if by chance some are, then hopefully Saturday washed them out or straightened them up.

- It's a long damn season, we have 1 loss, it's not the end of the world. Yes Montana is behind schedule now, however if these guys can build from this and get better - they can go on a run. UC Davis suddenly doesn't look like world beaters, Sac here at night in colder weather will challenge them, ISU and UNC *should* be games the Griz control, PSU's offense is hot right now but who knows where they'll be in November. Get right, handle business in all of those games and that's 8 total wins.

- We all have talked plenty about 2008 when Weber smacked Montana and then we went on a run after that. It happened in 2011 as well - Montana goes to Sac and plays a horrific game full of errors and mistakes and gets smacked, 42-28. 9 straight wins later and they're in the semi finals of the playoffs. 2013, embarrassed at NAU, 7-1 after that only losing to EWU and beating the kitties again. 2004, rolled at Sam Houston, save a close loss @ PSU 5 weeks later the Griz roll all the way to the natty. Sometimes it just takes a frustrating loss to right the ship. My hope, is that's the case. I don't expect perfection on Saturday, but I do expect improvement.

----
I don't have a crystal ball so I can't tell you guys what happens this season, my belief is that they turn this around starting Saturday. I know where I'll be Saturday as well and every home game this season too, at my tailgate party and then in the stands cheering on the Griz. Yeah I'll vent if it's needed, and I'm not going to brow beat anyone else who feels differently, I just know my stance and how I plan to support these guys.

There's one thing this fan refuses to do - give up on the Griz.

I think you're right about all of this.

Reality checks can be a positive; new leadership and moving pieces in general can take time to gel; it is just one loss; teams have come back from stubbing their toe plenty of times.

However, all of this hinges on whether or not UM actually has the players to recover. If the problems are primarily schematics, effort, cohesion, etc., those things are correctable and you can bounce back and go on a run.

My opinion, having watched a lot of the Griz so far this season, is that their root problem is actually personnel. I don't think they have enough big, skilled humans on either side of the line of scrimmage.

Just because that's my perception doesn't make it a reality. It's possible that there's enough talent there and it just needs to show out. That's what will make the teeth of their schedule so interesting to watch unfold.

 

[BWahlberg]

Lots of wringing of hands and gnashing of teeth this week - and in many cases rightfully so. I'm with a lot of you on frustrations so far, I'm not happy with the NAU loss, and yes I'm worried as hell about the rest of this season. However, we're talking 1 bad loss and this team has the opportunity to rebound from it and build off that.

I don't know which way this season is going to go, will it be another 2008 type of season where the Griz get their minds right from a humbling loss and collectively get better and better? Or will it be like 2010 / 2012 / 2022 where improvements just don't come and the team stays stuck in the mud? We'll see real soon enough. I'm not brave enough to throw a total prediction out there.

However, here's what I feel:

- Sometimes a reality check is the best thing a team can get. The team AND staff skated by a weak OOC with marginal results and no real growth and then got chin-checked by a team they should've beat. This could be the moment and event everyone needed to get their sh*t together and both improve on execution and play calling/design.

- Tough people last, tough times don't. With the guys who graduated last year I can't help but wonder if there was a bit of a leadership void in some areas on this team. Long-time mainstays who appeared to be leaders on the team are gone, and the new class of leadership just wasn't stepping up where it was needed. This NAU loss could be that crucible moment where needed leaders on this team step up and recognize that so far they / their unit / their team hasn't done enough yet, and that isn't going to cut it. This team is made up of kids that have been here for years and I don't think any of them are soft minded or quitters - and if by chance some are, then hopefully Saturday washed them out or straightened them up.

- It's a long damn season, we have 1 loss, it's not the end of the world. Yes Montana is behind schedule now, however if these guys can build from this and get better - they can go on a run. UC Davis suddenly doesn't look like world beaters, Sac here at night in colder weather will challenge them, ISU and UNC *should* be games the Griz control, PSU's offense is hot right now but who knows where they'll be in November. Get right, handle business in all of those games and that's 8 total wins.

- We all have talked plenty about 2008 when Weber smacked Montana and then we went on a run after that. It happened in 2011 as well - Montana goes to Sac and plays a horrific game full of errors and mistakes and gets smacked, 42-28. 9 straight wins later and they're in the semi finals of the playoffs. 2013, embarrassed at NAU, 7-1 after that only losing to EWU and beating the kitties again. 2004, rolled at Sam Houston, save a close loss @ PSU 5 weeks later the Griz roll all the way to the natty. Sometimes it just takes a frustrating loss to right the ship. My hope, is that's the case. I don't expect perfection on Saturday, but I do expect improvement.

----
I don't have a crystal ball so I can't tell you guys what happens this season, my belief is that they turn this around starting Saturday. I know where I'll be Saturday as well and every home game this season too, at my tailgate party and then in the stands cheering on the Griz. Yeah I'll vent if it's needed, and I'm not going to brow beat anyone else who feels differently, I just know my stance and how I plan to support these guys.

There's one thing this fan refuses to do - give up on the Griz.

I think you're right about all of this.

Reality checks can be a positive; new leadership and moving pieces in general can take time to gel; it is just one loss; teams have come back from stubbing their toe plenty of times.

However, all of this hinges on whether or not UM actually has the players to recover. If the problems are primarily schematics, effort, cohesion, etc., those things are correctable and you can bounce back and go on a run.

My opinion, having watched a lot of the Griz so far this season, is that their root problem is actually personnel. I don't think they have enough big, skilled humans on either side of the line of scrimmage.

Just because that's my perception doesn't make it a reality. It's possible that there's enough talent there and it just needs to show out. That's what will make the teeth of their schedule so interesting to watch unfold.

The good news, I suppose, is we're going to find out real soon here!