Too Early 2014 Predictions

[NativeGriz]

My early 2014 prediction is that I will whine about coaching after 4, maybe 5 games.

 

[biga75]

Another too early prediction from me: I will drink way too much due to the tough schedule and end up pissing my wife off.

 

[SloStang]

@ Wyoming- T (New coach, Best chance to beat Wyoming would be this season)
vs Central Washington - W
vs South Dakota - W
@ North Dakota State - T (New coach, lost majority of starters)
vs Northern Colorado - W
vs North Dakota - W
vs UC Davis - W
@ Cal Poly - W (probably will be another nail-biter)
vs Sacramento State - W
@ Eastern Washington - T (Always a close game no matter the record)
@ Southern Utah - W
vs Montana State - W (We win at home this year)

Love "too early predictions" b/c it gets me thinking about the upcoming season. With the unknowns at O-line, LB, and in the secondary I'd handicap the games as so:

Probable wins (give an 80% probability): CWU, USD, UNC, UND, UCD, Sac
Toss-up games (give a 50% probability): CPSLO, SUU, MSU
Probable losses (give a 20% probability): EWU, Wyo, NDSU

I kind of teetered back and forth between putting Wyo as a toss-up due to their upheaval with coaches and at some key positions, however Bohl is solid, I figure they'll be ready. Also on the fence with Sac as a probable win vs a toss-up, not sure how we'll handle Safron this year.

Going by the total random probabilities I grabbed that suggests a 7-5 record... not good.

It would appear the home slate is a much easier path for the Griz while the road schedule of @Wyo, @NDSU, @EWU, @CPSLO, and @SUU will really make or break this team. That's 3 FCS playoff teams from last year, 1 team with a winning record, and an FBS team. Brutal. I like it though, if the Griz can post a winning record on the road and take care of business at home they'll be ready for the playoffs

Brint:

I think you make some great points especially about the LBs. With the loss of three starters, two with NFL chances, who knows what will happen. If the young Griz LB talent can't gel quickly, it could be a struggle. Plus, Tripp single handedly won the the Poly game and the SD game IMO. One could dispute that claim but, at the very least, Tripp was very instrumental in those two wins. In terms of scoring points, the Griz offense will be solid again. I'll say 8-4.

I would say that Brock Croyle had just as much if not more of an impact on the Cal Poly game. The hit he put on Cal Poly QB Dano Graves impacted not only the rest of the UM/CP game, but the rest of Cal Poly's season. Graves limped through the second half of that game and the second half of the season and was never the same.

 

[Proud Griz Man]

I would say that Brock Coyle had just as much if not more of an impact on the Cal Poly game. The hit he put on Cal Poly QB Dano Graves impacted not only the rest of the UM/CP game, but the rest of Cal Poly's season. Graves limped through the second half of that game and the second half of the season and was never the same.

in response to: . . . Plus, Tripp single handedly won the the Poly game and the SD game IMO. One could dispute that claim but, at the very least, Tripp was very instrumental in those two wins. In terms of scoring points, the Griz offense will be solid again. I'll say 8-4.

[/quote]

Accurate SloStang. I don't know how Dano Graves body did not break in that collision.

 

[AZGrizFan]

@ Wyoming- T (New coach, Best chance to beat Wyoming would be this season)
vs Central Washington - W
vs South Dakota - W
@ North Dakota State - T (New coach, lost majority of starters)
vs Northern Colorado - W
vs North Dakota - W
vs UC Davis - W
@ Cal Poly - W (probably will be another nail-biter)
vs Sacramento State - W
@ Eastern Washington - T (Always a close game no matter the record)
@ Southern Utah - W
vs Montana State - W (We win at home this year)

Love "too early predictions" b/c it gets me thinking about the upcoming season. With the unknowns at O-line, LB, and in the secondary I'd handicap the games as so:

Probable wins (give an 80% probability): CWU, USD, UNC, UND, UCD, Sac
Toss-up games (give a 50% probability): CPSLO, SUU, MSU
Probable losses (give a 20% probability): EWU, Wyo, NDSU

I kind of teetered back and forth between putting Wyo as a toss-up due to their upheaval with coaches and at some key positions, however Bohl is solid, I figure they'll be ready. Also on the fence with Sac as a probable win vs a toss-up, not sure how we'll handle Safron this year.

Going by the total random probabilities I grabbed that suggests a 7-5 record... not good.

It would appear the home slate is a much easier path for the Griz while the road schedule of @Wyo, @NDSU, @EWU, @CPSLO, and @SUU will really make or break this team. That's 3 FCS playoff teams from last year, 1 team with a winning record, and an FBS team. Brutal. I like it though, if the Griz can post a winning record on the road and take care of business at home they'll be ready for the playoffs

Brint:

I think you make some great points especially about the LBs. With the loss of three starters, two with NFL chances, who knows what will happen. If the young Griz LB talent can't gel quickly, it could be a struggle. Plus, Tripp single handedly won the the Poly game and the SD game IMO. One could dispute that claim but, at the very least, Tripp was very instrumental in those two wins. In terms of scoring points, the Griz offense will be solid again. I'll say 8-4.

I would say that Brock Croyle had just as much if not more of an impact on the Cal Poly game. The hit he put on Cal Poly QB Dano Graves impacted not only the rest of the UM/CP game, but the rest of Cal Poly's season. Graves limped through the second half of that game and the second half of the season and was never the same.

That hit and JP's hit on the Sac St QB were the two most wicked hits of the season. Not sure how EITHER QB got up and continued playing from those...

 

[NLGrizFan]

Im going with 8-4 maybe 9-3. SUU coaching staff has fallen apart and i believe Adams won't pull another one off plus their O line is all but gone. CP will be tough as usual. But the 2 games that weigh heavy on my mind are Wyoming and NDSU. I think the Griz have a shot at both considering their situations. Gonna be a great season!!!

 

[GrizFBDad]

I think 2014 has the makings of a great season. You have a senior QB that will be poised to make his mark. You have a great group of skill players that know how to make big plays in clutch moments. You have a coaching staff in place that has worked together for a couple of seasons. You have a team that has really good chemistry and is working very hard to continue the pride and tradition that is Griz football. Most importantly, all the negative stuff from 2012 is further in the rear view mirror. I think a 9-3 record or better is very possible for this team especially if they can go into Wyoming and start the season off with an upset.

 

[AZGrizFan]

I think 2014 has the makings of a great season. You have a senior QB that will be poised to make his mark. You have a great group of skill players that know how to make big plays in clutch moments. You have a coaching staff in place that has worked together for a couple of seasons. You have a team that has really good chemistry and is working very hard to continue the pride and tradition that is Griz football. Most importantly, all the negative stuff from 2012 is further in the rear view mirror. I think a 9-3 record or better is very possible for this team especially if they can go into Wyoming and start the season off with an upset.

Well, if they do THAT, it's ON like Donkey Kong.

 

[Grizzly Oredigger]

Yeah 9-3 seems safe (actually would be great)...8-4 more realistic. I, however, am pulling for 16-0

 

[SaskGriz]

Yeah 9-3 seems safe (actually would be great)...8-4 more realistic. I, however, am pulling for 16-0

:clap: :clap: :clap:

Love it

 

[poorgriz]

Do you guys really see this years MSU game as a "toss up"?
If that game is a toss up, then I promise you the Griz have much bigger issues.

I sure don't - little brother will be sent back east after another dominating Griz win and a new streak will be born. Bank on it. :thumb:

Truth. I suspect msu will embarrass the state of Montana with their offensive ineptitude. They were a junk show last year with the three best skill players in program history. It's gonna get ugly in the bozone this year. Cue up the clown music.

Lol. Sorry to ruin your little story here, but the CATS will back to Championship form in 2014. Guarantee we'll be better in 2014 than 2013. :thumb:

 

[get'em_griz]

Do you guys really see this years MSU game as a "toss up"?
If that game is a toss up, then I promise you the Griz have much bigger issues.

I sure don't - little brother will be sent back east after another dominating Griz win and a new streak will be born. Bank on it. :thumb:

Truth. I suspect msu will embarrass the state of Montana with their offensive ineptitude. They were a junk show last year with the three best skill players in program history. It's gonna get ugly in the bozone this year. Cue up the clown music.

Lol. Sorry to ruin your little story here, but the CATS will back to Championship form in 2014. Guarantee we'll be better in 2014 than 2013. :thumb:

:lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:

 

[Hammer]

Do you guys really see this years MSU game as a "toss up"?
If that game is a toss up, then I promise you the Griz have much bigger issues.

I sure don't - little brother will be sent back east after another dominating Griz win and a new streak will be born. Bank on it. :thumb:

Truth. I suspect msu will embarrass the state of Montana with their offensive ineptitude. They were a junk show last year with the three best skill players in program history. It's gonna get ugly in the bozone this year. Cue up the clown music.

Lol. Sorry to ruin your little story here, but the CATS will back to Championship form in 2014. Guarantee we'll be better in 2014 than 2013. :thumb:

WTF would the cats know about championship form??? :lol: Getting railed at home in the playoffs is the closest the cats have been to a championship in a long long time!!!

 

[argh!]

4 -8. greenie will blame engstrom. he will probably be partially correct.

 

[rimrockgriz]

Do you guys really see this years MSU game as a "toss up"?
If that game is a toss up, then I promise you the Griz have much bigger issues.

I sure don't - little brother will be sent back east after another dominating Griz win and a new streak will be born. Bank on it. :thumb:

Truth. I suspect msu will embarrass the state of Montana with their offensive ineptitude. They were a junk show last year with the three best skill players in program history. It's gonna get ugly in the bozone this year. Cue up the clown music.

Lol. Sorry to ruin your little story here, but the CATS will back to Championship form in 2014. Guarantee we'll be better in 2014 than 2013. :thumb:

Guarantee??? What are you backing that with ? .500 on the horizon looks more probable. You won't be able to stretch the field this year....start with that problem scat boy... :egriz:

 

[poorgriz]

I sure don't - little brother will be sent back east after another dominating Griz win and a new streak will be born. Bank on it. :thumb:

Truth. I suspect msu will embarrass the state of Montana with their offensive ineptitude. They were a junk show last year with the three best skill players in program history. It's gonna get ugly in the bozone this year. Cue up the clown music.

Lol. Sorry to ruin your little story here, but the CATS will back to Championship form in 2014. Guarantee we'll be better in 2014 than 2013. :thumb:

Guarantee??? What are you backing that with ? .500 on the horizon looks more probable. You won't be able to stretch the field this year....start with that problem scat boy... :egriz:

Yes, we'll be better... guaranteed. Bookmarking this thread.

 

[getgrizzy]

Truth. I suspect msu will embarrass the state of Montana with their offensive ineptitude. They were a junk show last year with the three best skill players in program history. It's gonna get ugly in the bozone this year. Cue up the clown music.

Lol. Sorry to ruin your little story here, but the CATS will back to Championship form in 2014. Guarantee we'll be better in 2014 than 2013. :thumb:

Guarantee??? What are you backing that with ? .500 on the horizon looks more probable. You won't be able to stretch the field this year....start with that problem scat boy... :egriz:

Yes, we'll be better... guaranteed. Bookmarking this thread.

you're really going out on a limb. better than 7-5, maybe, but not as good talent wise.

 

[PlayerRep]

Truth. I suspect msu will embarrass the state of Montana with their offensive ineptitude. They were a junk show last year with the three best skill players in program history. It's gonna get ugly in the bozone this year. Cue up the clown music.

Lol. Sorry to ruin your little story here, but the CATS will back to Championship form in 2014. Guarantee we'll be better in 2014 than 2013. :thumb:

Guarantee??? What are you backing that with ? .500 on the horizon looks more probable. You won't be able to stretch the field this year....start with that problem scat boy... :egriz:

Yes, we'll be better... guaranteed. Bookmarking this thread.

Doubt it. No star qb, no all-conference rb, not much at receiver, too many of weak o-line returning, not much on defense. I'm all for optimism, but you're living in a dream world. I pointed out the Cat's gross over-optimism early in the season last year--as did others--and we were completely right.

 

[Catsrback76]

Lol. Sorry to ruin your little story here, but the CATS will back to Championship form in 2014. Guarantee we'll be better in 2014 than 2013. :thumb:

Guarantee??? What are you backing that with ? .500 on the horizon looks more probable. You won't be able to stretch the field this year....start with that problem scat boy... :egriz:

Yes, we'll be better... guaranteed. Bookmarking this thread.

Doubt it. No star qb, no all-conference rb, not much at receiver, too many of weak o-line returning, not much on defense. I'm all for optimism, but you're living in a dream world. I pointed out the Cat's gross over-optimism early in the season last year--as did others--and we were completely right.

Well, for an attorney you forgot to check the facts from last years team. DMac was set to be on course for a great year until SMU, afterwards, even throwing in Dakota, he was never himself and played C-B level football due to lingering issues of health. Regarding Kirk, he too was hampered with injuries that he is still healing from. So, to say that this years team can't outproduce last years is naive.

Will they? That's the fun of it. Who knows...but to down play this years teams chances because of last years performance is goofy at best. We could in fact see better QB play this year over last with the emergence of one of our guys. I think Roderick will emerge as the guy with a stable of good, young and healthy backs behind him not the least of which is Shawn Johnson who I think you remember from last year. I agree the WR's are a big ??? and I think the success of the team will hinge on their emergence.

About the defense, well don't you be worrying about them, they're comin!

 

[getgrizzy]

Guarantee??? What are you backing that with ? .500 on the horizon looks more probable. You won't be able to stretch the field this year....start with that problem scat boy... :egriz:

Yes, we'll be better... guaranteed. Bookmarking this thread.

Doubt it. No star qb, no all-conference rb, not much at receiver, too many of weak o-line returning, not much on defense. I'm all for optimism, but you're living in a dream world. I pointed out the Cat's gross over-optimism early in the season last year--as did others--and we were completely right.

Well, for an attorney you forgot to check the facts from last years team. DMac was set to be on course for a great year until SMU, afterwards, even throwing in Dakota, he was never himself and played C-B level football due to lingering issues of health. Regarding Kirk, he too was hampered with injuries that he is still healing from. So, to say that this years team can't outproduce last years is naive.

Will they? That's the fun of it. Who knows...but to down play this years teams chances because of last years performance is goofy at best. We could in fact see better QB play this year over last with the emergence of one of our guys. I think Roderick will emerge as the guy with a stable of good, young and healthy backs behind him not the least of which is Shawn Johnson who I think you remember from last year. I agree the WR's are a big ??? and I think the success of the team will hinge on their emergence.

About the defense, well don't you be worrying about them, they're comin!

that's true, but to say your talent is better going into 2014 compared to going into 2013 isn't true.