So here is what the Griz are looking at

[bgbigdog]

I believe they need to win out and be 8-3 to get to the playoffs. 7-4 Might get them in, but I doubt it.

so.
NAU at Home
UNC at Home
Kittens in the Box.

7-4 they are definitely out, winning out 8-3 they are a very iffy bubble team with no wins over quality opponents. Yesterdays lost very likely sealed the deal on any playoff hopes. IMO

8-3 would mean they beat an undefeated in conference play Fisty, & that’s not a win over a quality opponent? I’m not saying they make the playoffs then, but there’s a chance of it if they can win out.

 

[Gaeilge1]

The bottom line is that this team has beaten the teams it was supposed to and lost to the teams that they needed to beat in order for this to be a successful season. I really doubt the Griz make the playoffs even at 8-3. That will realistically mean that they have only one quality win on their record! There will simply be too many teams in the mix for playoff spots with 8-3 or 7-4 records with much better resume's than ours.

I said at the beginning of the year I would be in favor of retaining Coach Stiff and his staff if they showed significant improvement regardless of the record. Unfortunately, while there has been improvement, at this stage it has not been significant enough to consider retaining Stitt to this point. If he wins out I would not be against a one year extension. If he goes 7-4 I would recommend not renewing. If he goes 6-5 there should be no doubt that he should be shown the door.

 

[RayWill]

I believe they need to win out and be 8-3 to get to the playoffs. 7-4 Might get them in, but I doubt it.

so.
NAU at Home
UNC at Home
Kittens in the Box.

7-4 they are definitely out, winning out 8-3 they are a very iffy bubble team with no wins over quality opponents. Yesterdays lost very likely sealed the deal on any playoff hopes. IMO

8-3 would mean they beat an undefeated in conference play Fisty, & that’s not a win over a quality opponent? I’m not saying they make the playoffs then, but there’s a chance of it if they can win out.

I think NAU is the most under rated team in the FCS right now. The voters do not seem to think so , the lack of respect they have garnered will not appear as a quality win if and that is a big if MT wins next week. There is a good chance NAU will still be unranked tomorrow and the Griz if they do win would have 0 wins against top 25 ranked opponents. Hard to make a case at that point for MT to be in the playoffs.

 

[Griz til I die]

I believe they need to win out and be 8-3 to get to the playoffs. 7-4 Might get them in, but I doubt it.

so.
NAU at Home
UNC at Home
Kittens in the Box.

7-4 they are definitely out, winning out 8-3 they are a very iffy bubble team with no wins over quality opponents. Yesterdays lost very likely sealed the deal on any playoff hopes. IMO

8-3 would mean they beat an undefeated in conference play Fisty, & that’s not a win over a quality opponent? I’m not saying they make the playoffs then, but there’s a chance of it if they can win out.

I think NAU is the most under rated team in the FCS right now. The voters do not seem to think so , the lack of respect they have garnered will not appear as a quality win if and that is a big if MT wins next week. There is a good chance NAU will still be unranked tomorrow and the Griz if they do win would have 0 wins against top 25 ranked opponents. Hard to make a case at that point for MT to be in the playoffs.

If we would’ve beat Weber yesterday, they would’ve been unranked come the end of the season cause they play Eastern next week on top of it. They still might be unranked come the end of the season. How does this make their situation any better? Depending on how much they lose to Eastern by, I think the committee might have to take a serious look at who gets the last spot. I think they’ll be inclined to pick the Griz too for the $$

 

[mondayamqb]

O'Day used to be on the selection committee.

 

[Griz til I die]

O'Day used to be on the selection committee.

For March Madness he was. Did he do it for football too?

 

[RayWill]

7-4 they are definitely out, winning out 8-3 they are a very iffy bubble team with no wins over quality opponents. Yesterdays lost very likely sealed the deal on any playoff hopes. IMO

8-3 would mean they beat an undefeated in conference play Fisty, & that’s not a win over a quality opponent? I’m not saying they make the playoffs then, but there’s a chance of it if they can win out.

I think NAU is the most under rated team in the FCS right now. The voters do not seem to think so , the lack of respect they have garnered will not appear as a quality win if and that is a big if MT wins next week. There is a good chance NAU will still be unranked tomorrow and the Griz if they do win would have 0 wins against top 25 ranked opponents. Hard to make a case at that point for MT to be in the playoffs.

If we would’ve beat Weber yesterday, they would’ve been unranked come the end of the season cause they play Eastern next week on top of it. They still might be unranked come the end of the season. How does this make their situation any better? Depending on how much they lose to Eastern by, I think the committee might have to take a serious look at who gets the last spot. I think they’ll be inclined to pick the Griz too for the $$

I am basing on the fact that it seems likely two maybe three teams from the Sky are going to be in. MT is looking most likely at 4th place in conference at best. A 7-4 or 6-5 MVFC team is likely to get that spot over MT

 

[PlayerRep]

O'Day used to be on the selection committee.

For March Madness he was. Did he do it for football too?

Yes, O'Day was on the committee for 4 years, I believe. May have been the chair a time or two. Not aware that he was on anything for March Madness.

 

[PlayerRep]

8-3 would mean they beat an undefeated in conference play Fisty, & that’s not a win over a quality opponent? I’m not saying they make the playoffs then, but there’s a chance of it if they can win out.

I think NAU is the most under rated team in the FCS right now. The voters do not seem to think so , the lack of respect they have garnered will not appear as a quality win if and that is a big if MT wins next week. There is a good chance NAU will still be unranked tomorrow and the Griz if they do win would have 0 wins against top 25 ranked opponents. Hard to make a case at that point for MT to be in the playoffs.

If we would’ve beat Weber yesterday, they would’ve been unranked come the end of the season cause they play Eastern next week on top of it. They still might be unranked come the end of the season. How does this make their situation any better? Depending on how much they lose to Eastern by, I think the committee might have to take a serious look at who gets the last spot. I think they’ll be inclined to pick the Griz too for the $$

I am basing on the fact that it seems likely two maybe three teams from the Sky are going to be in. MT is looking most likely at 4th place in conference at best. A 7-4 or 6-5 MVFC team is likely to get that spot over MT

My view is maybe or maybe not at 7-4. Don't think the committee even looks at conference rank, especially in a conference where all teams don't play each other.

 

[BadlandsGrizFan]

does 8-3 really get us into the playoffs???

That would give us likely the 5th...maybe 4th seed in the BigSky

I've always been in the line of thinking that an 8-3 Griz team is always in because the NCAA wants our money....but this year I honestly dont know....

Our strength of schedule is bad....it would be highway robbery for the committee to put in the 5th seed in the BigSky unless the rest of the country just really goes to shit over the last 3 weeks.

One thing they would have going for them is that the committee loves hot teams...and winning 3 in a row would look good. I have serious doubts if they can do that or not however.

 

[BWahlberg]

does 8-3 really get us into the playoffs???

That would give us likely the 5th...maybe 4th seed in the BigSky

I've always been in the line of thinking that an 8-3 Griz team is always in because the NCAA wants our money....but this year I honestly dont know....

Our strength of schedule is bad....it would be highway robbery for the committee to put in the 5th seed in the BigSky unless the rest of the country just really goes to shit over the last 3 weeks.

One thing they would have going for them is that the committee loves hot teams...and winning 3 in a row would look good. I have serious doubts if they can do that or not however.

If the Griz are 8-3 it would include:

- a 3 game winning streak
- they'd be somewhere probably in the 17th - 25th ranking
- a single "good" win against ranked NAU
- a good road win to end the regular season
- All them dollars for the playoffs
- It could be argued that (if) Weber and EWU get in that the Griz played EWU very well and had a comeback effort fall short against Weber.

I think they're in but they have to win out.

Obviously it would really help if two of the other Big Sky teams in the mix, NAU, EWU, SUU, and Weber dropped 2 of their last 3.

 

[BadlandsGrizFan]

does 8-3 really get us into the playoffs???

That would give us likely the 5th...maybe 4th seed in the BigSky

I've always been in the line of thinking that an 8-3 Griz team is always in because the NCAA wants our money....but this year I honestly dont know....

Our strength of schedule is bad....it would be highway robbery for the committee to put in the 5th seed in the BigSky unless the rest of the country just really goes to shit over the last 3 weeks.

One thing they would have going for them is that the committee loves hot teams...and winning 3 in a row would look good. I have serious doubts if they can do that or not however.

If the Griz are 8-3 it would include:

- a 3 game winning streak
- they'd be somewhere probably in the 17th - 25th ranking
- a single "good" win against ranked NAU
- a good road win to end the regular season
- All them dollars for the playoffs
- It could be argued that (if) Weber and EWU get in that the Griz played EWU very well and had a comeback effort fall short against Weber.

I think they're in but they have to win out.

Obviously it would really help if two of the other Big Sky teams in the mix, NAU, EWU, SUU, and Weber dropped 2 of their last 3.

Ya kinda what I'm thinking as well. Past Griz teams I'd be optomistic about their chances...current team, I'm doubtful.

Seems that we are now going off the Good Loss approach like our little brothers to the east....

 

[BWahlberg]

does 8-3 really get us into the playoffs???

That would give us likely the 5th...maybe 4th seed in the BigSky

I've always been in the line of thinking that an 8-3 Griz team is always in because the NCAA wants our money....but this year I honestly dont know....

Our strength of schedule is bad....it would be highway robbery for the committee to put in the 5th seed in the BigSky unless the rest of the country just really goes to shit over the last 3 weeks.

One thing they would have going for them is that the committee loves hot teams...and winning 3 in a row would look good. I have serious doubts if they can do that or not however.

If the Griz are 8-3 it would include:

- a 3 game winning streak
- they'd be somewhere probably in the 17th - 25th ranking
- a single "good" win against ranked NAU
- a good road win to end the regular season
- All them dollars for the playoffs
- It could be argued that (if) Weber and EWU get in that the Griz played EWU very well and had a comeback effort fall short against Weber.

I think they're in but they have to win out.

Obviously it would really help if two of the other Big Sky teams in the mix, NAU, EWU, SUU, and Weber dropped 2 of their last 3.

Ya kinda what I'm thinking as well. Past Griz teams I'd be optomistic about their chances...current team, I'm doubtful.

Seems that we are now going off the Good Loss approach like our little brothers to the east....

Unfortunately you're right.

 

[PlayerRep]

"Since the playoff field expanded from 20 to 24 teams in 2013, the Big Sky Conference has had at least three teams make the field. In 2013 and 2016, the league had four teams make the playoffs. "

"No Big Sky teams with three losses have been left out since 2013's expansion. "

http://missoulian.com/sports/college/big-sky-conference/university-of-montana/early-look-at-montana-s-playoff-probabilities/article_b3995285-2cb3-5bba-a5e3-051016f0c085.html

 

[reinell30]

"Since the playoff field expanded from 20 to 24 teams in 2013, the Big Sky Conference has had at least three teams make the field. In 2013 and 2016, the league had four teams make the playoffs. "

"No Big Sky teams with three losses have been left out since 2013's expansion. "

http://missoulian.com/sports/college/big-sky-conference/university-of-montana/early-look-at-montana-s-playoff-probabilities/article_b3995285-2cb3-5bba-a5e3-051016f0c085.html

When we finish at 8-3, we will be in the playoffs! We will host a first round game. NCAA cannot refuse or ignore our money! I wouldn't want to be NAU coming into Griz stadium this coming weekend, it is going to be painful!

 

[Grizzoola]

Griz football was torpedoed by O'Day's firing. Pflu's firing was bad enough, but O'Day was the guy that kept this program humming. Any chance of getting O'Day back?

 

[BadlandsGrizFan]

"Since the playoff field expanded from 20 to 24 teams in 2013, the Big Sky Conference has had at least three teams make the field. In 2013 and 2016, the league had four teams make the playoffs. "

"No Big Sky teams with three losses have been left out since 2013's expansion. "

http://missoulian.com/sports/college/big-sky-conference/university-of-montana/early-look-at-montana-s-playoff-probabilities/article_b3995285-2cb3-5bba-a5e3-051016f0c085.html

When we finish at 8-3, we will be in the playoffs! We will host a first round game. NCAA cannot refuse or ignore our money! I wouldn't want to be NAU coming into Griz stadium this coming weekend, it is going to be painful!

I used to say this same thing always.....this year tho I'm just done expecting things that used to happen.

 

[PlayerRep]

Based on last week's top 25, 5 of them have 3 losses, 1 has 4 losses, and 1 has 5 losses.

In the next 15, 9 of the teams have 3 losses or more.

Most teams have 3 more games to play.

One of UM's losses is to UW. No D-II games.

No way 8-3 isn't in the playoffs.

 

[PlayerRep]

From Prof Chaos on AGS, a very good poster:

NDSU and USD in playoffs.

"Work left to do

Western Illinois (5-2, 2-2)
Quality wins: @Coastal Carolina, @NAU, @UNI
Bad losses: None
Remaining games: SDSU, @ISUr, @ISUb, SIU
Despite losing 2 of their last 3 WIU is still in a good spot in regards to their playoff positioning IMO. They likely need to win 2 more to get in and their last two games are very winnable. I think they'd have an interesting 6-5 resume if they slip up and lose 3 of their last 4 given their good OOC wins but I have a hard time seeing how they'd get in with a 3-5 conference record. They could potentially play themselves into a top 4 seed should they win out and I think even at 8-3 they'd have a solid shot at a seed and a bye but there's a lot of variables still to be determined for both scenarios.

South Dakota St (5-2, 2-2)
Quality wins: None
Bad losses: None
Remaining games: @WIU, NDSU, ISUr, @USD
Despite being wildly inconsistent so far the Jacks are still in a good position to make the playoffs. However their remaining schedule is brutal (combined 23-5 record for their reamining opponents) and they're likely going to need to win at least 2 to get into the field given their lack of quality wins so far which is far from a given. They could still play themselves into a seed if they win out but one more loss and they're probably going to be relegated to playing on Thanksgiving weekend.

Illinois St (5-2, 3-1)
Quality wins: USD
Bad losses: @SIU (due to margin moreso than the opponent)
Remaining games: @YSU, WIU, @SDSU, NDSU
The Redbirds essentially saved their season today with a huge home win against USD as they are now looking solid and only needing to win 2 of their last 4 to get in. However, that will not be easy as every team from here on out will be a tough out for them starting with a trip to the Ice Castle to face a YSU team in desperation mode. I think they can play themselves into a seed if they win out but losing one to get to 8-3 seems likely to leave them playing on Thanksgiving weekend given their underwhelming OOC performance.

Northern Iowa (4-3, 3-1)
Quality wins: @SDSU
Bad losses: None
Remaining games: @NDSU, USD, @MSU, ISUb
All of a sudden the Panthers have a revitalized playoff outlook after 2 big conference wins over SDSU and YSU. I think they'll need to win 3 or 4 to get in which means they're going to need to beat either NDSU or USD along with their final two games (which they should be heavily favored in) to get in. They could even play themselves into a playoff bye (and the conference autobid) if they win out. If they drop two, especially if those are to NDSU and USD, I have a hard time seeing them getting in at 6-5 so they'll need to continue their good play over the next two weeks if they hope to play past Thanksgiving.

Southern Illinois (4-3, 2-2)
Quality wins: ISUr
Bad losses: None
Remaining games: @USD, MSU, YSU, @WIU
The Salukis are over .500 heading into late October for the first time in a while and they have some very real playoff hopes but they've got a pretty tough schedule down the stretch and they'll likely need to win 3 of 4 to get in. They could even play themselves into a seed if they win out but, regardless, they're in a better position right now than most everyone outside of Carbondale thought they would be at this point in the season."

 

[cmtgrizzly]

We can win the next 3 I have no doubt. Will we? I dont know and it wont be easy. I just remeber last year and the feeling was, "just win one more win"or "just beat the cats and we are in the playoffs". Well we never did win that one more game. I do think this team is more ready to do what is needed than last year. Strongs distraction is poorly timed but our D actually played well last week. If our guys focus on playing smart fundamental football and clean up the turnovers and bad penalties from last week, I like our chances. Here is Hill's chance to step into the spotlight. I think he can meet the challenge until Jensen returns.