Big Sky Football Players of the Week

[84CatGrad]

Don't consider myself much of a conspiracy theorist, BUT, so far the Big Sky Conference football players of the week (typically one each for offense, defense, special teams although sometimes there are co players of the week) are distributed as follows:

Effing frizzzzz: 10
Davis, Idaho St: 5
Sac: 4
UNC: 3
'Cats, Weber, CP, NAU, EWU: 2
Idaho: 1

Hmmmmmmmmmmmm...............

[grizzh8r]

Don't consider myself much of a conspiracy theorist, BUT, so far the Big Sky Conference football players of the week (typically one each for offense, defense, special teams although sometimes there are co players of the week) are distributed as follows:

Effing frizzzzz: 10
Davis, Idaho St: 5
Sac: 4
UNC: 3
'Cats, Weber, CP, NAU, EWU: 2
Idaho: 1

Hmmmmmmmmmmmm...............

I don't take this as a slight in the least. UM has a couple really good players - with the rest unremarkable - a soft schedule that allowed them to rack up offensive stats and POW honors. MSU on the other hand is a deep team with talent spread evenly across all areas that quietly dominate other teams. Totally unsurprising.

[FlyCastingCat]

Don't consider myself much of a conspiracy theorist, BUT, so far the Big Sky Conference football players of the week (typically one each for offense, defense, special teams although sometimes there are co players of the week) are distributed as follows:

Effing frizzzzz: 10
Davis, Idaho St: 5
Sac: 4
UNC: 3
'Cats, Weber, CP, NAU, EWU: 2
Idaho: 1

Hmmmmmmmmmmmm...............

I don't take this as a slight in the least. UM has a couple really good players - with the rest unremarkable - a soft schedule that allowed them to rack up offensive stats and POW honors. MSU on the other hand is a deep team with talent spread evenly across all areas that quietly dominate other teams. Totally unsurprising.

100%

[84CatGrad]

Lamson week-by-week:

31-23-0 198
18-28-0 123
23-26-1 293 3 TD’s
12-17-1 121
13-20-0 270 3 TD’s
13-19-0 213 2 TD’s
17-21-0 184 4 TD’s
19-30-0 176 1 TD

Not a single Player of the Week?

[TomCat88]

Lamson week-by-week:

31-23-0 198
18-28-0 123
23-26-1 293 3 TD’s
12-17-1 121
13-20-0 270 3 TD’s
13-19-0 213 2 TD’s
17-21-0 184 4 TD’s
19-30-0 176 1 TD

Not a single Player of the Week?

If MSU wins the BSC he’s a lock for offensive MVP.

[tetoncat]

Lamson week-by-week:

31-23-0 198
18-28-0 123
23-26-1 293 3 TD’s
12-17-1 121
13-20-0 270 3 TD’s
13-19-0 213 2 TD’s
17-21-0 184 4 TD’s
19-30-0 176 1 TD

Not a single Player of the Week?

Never over 300 yards and there are some QBs in the league with huger numbers. Jones and Davis had chances last couple games, but sometimes a great performance is outshined. Other poster said it well that Cats will a lot of talent and balance so stats are spread around on both sides of ball.

[84CatGrad]

Geez. Trying to bash the pandas and getting crickets..........

[TomCat88]

The defensive players aren’t on the field enough to rack up big stats. Davis and Jones split carries. Lamson spreads the ball around. Some of the best players are linemen

[09griz]

Don't consider myself much of a conspiracy theorist, BUT, so far the Big Sky Conference football players of the week (typically one each for offense, defense, special teams although sometimes there are co players of the week) are distributed as follows:

Effing frizzzzz: 10
Davis, Idaho St: 5
Sac: 4
UNC: 3
'Cats, Weber, CP, NAU, EWU: 2
Idaho: 1

Hmmmmmmmmmmmm...............

I don't take this as a slight in the least. UM has a couple really good players - with the rest unremarkable - a soft schedule that allowed them to rack up offensive stats and POW honors. MSU on the other hand is a deep team with talent spread evenly across all areas that quietly dominate other teams. Totally unsurprising.

You do realize your SOS is heavily propped up by playing Oregon, right? That’s a guaranteed loss for any FCS team and it artificially inflates the resume metrics. If you swap that game out for a typical FCS or D2 opponent like Montana did with Central Washington, the SOS gap becomes pretty normal.

The Cats have better lines right now, and the Griz have better skill guys and explosive playmakers. That’s not a knock either way, it’s just how the two rosters are built. And that’s why Montana has more Big Sky Player of the Week honors; those awards go to guys who make explosive, game-changing plays, not depth pieces.
It’s not some conference conspiracy like the OP hinted at.

To expand on that it's clearly NDSU vs the field this year and NDSU has never been beaten in the trenches by a Big Sky team. They send NFL linemen into the league every year. Trying to beat them at their own strength hasn’t worked for over a decade.

Meanwhile, Montana’s formula is built to go over and around those lines with elite athletes, perimeter speed, and special teams, which is the only blueprint I think gives anyone a shot.

I wouldn't say the Griz are automatically better than the Cats or will win head-to-head. I’m just saying I have zero interest in trying to beat the Bison playing Bison football. If anyone in the Big Sky is going to make a dent in them this year, it’s going to be the team with the playmakers, not the team hoping to out-grind NFL-caliber trenches.

[lutecat]

Don't consider myself much of a conspiracy theorist, BUT, so far the Big Sky Conference football players of the week (typically one each for offense, defense, special teams although sometimes there are co players of the week) are distributed as follows:

Effing frizzzzz: 10
Davis, Idaho St: 5
Sac: 4
UNC: 3
'Cats, Weber, CP, NAU, EWU: 2
Idaho: 1

Hmmmmmmmmmmmm...............

I don't take this as a slight in the least. UM has a couple really good players - with the rest unremarkable - a soft schedule that allowed them to rack up offensive stats and POW honors. MSU on the other hand is a deep team with talent spread evenly across all areas that quietly dominate other teams. Totally unsurprising.

You do realize your SOS is heavily propped up by playing Oregon, right? That’s a guaranteed loss for any FCS team and it artificially inflates the resume metrics. If you swap that game out for a typical FCS or D2 opponent like Montana did with Central Washington, the SOS gap becomes pretty normal.

The Cats have better lines right now, and the Griz have better skill guys and explosive playmakers. That’s not a knock either way, it’s just how the two rosters are built. And that’s why Montana has more Big Sky Player of the Week honors; those awards go to guys who make explosive, game-changing plays, not depth pieces.
It’s not some conference conspiracy like the OP hinted at.

To expand on that it's clearly NDSU vs the field this year and NDSU has never been beaten in the trenches by a Big Sky team. They send NFL linemen into the league every year. Trying to beat them at their own strength hasn’t worked for over a decade.

Meanwhile, Montana’s formula is built to go over and around those lines with elite athletes, perimeter speed, and special teams, which is the only blueprint I think gives anyone a shot.

I wouldn't say the Griz are automatically better than the Cats or will win head-to-head. I’m just saying I have zero interest in trying to beat the Bison playing Bison football. If anyone in the Big Sky is going to make a dent in them this year, it’s going to be the team with the playmakers, not the team hoping to out-grind NFL-caliber trenches.

Wrongo. That hasn't worked for anyone thus far. Plus the griz show alot of chinks in the armor. They havent been able to stop a good offense. Good for them for giving ah Yat more leash this year. But who are all these great skill position guys outside of 1 rb and 1 wr? And people have been able to bottle up that 1 good rb.

[09griz]

Don't consider myself much of a conspiracy theorist, BUT, so far the Big Sky Conference football players of the week (typically one each for offense, defense, special teams although sometimes there are co players of the week) are distributed as follows:

Effing frizzzzz: 10
Davis, Idaho St: 5
Sac: 4
UNC: 3
'Cats, Weber, CP, NAU, EWU: 2
Idaho: 1

Hmmmmmmmmmmmm...............

I don't take this as a slight in the least. UM has a couple really good players - with the rest unremarkable - a soft schedule that allowed them to rack up offensive stats and POW honors. MSU on the other hand is a deep team with talent spread evenly across all areas that quietly dominate other teams. Totally unsurprising.

You do realize your SOS is heavily propped up by playing Oregon, right? That’s a guaranteed loss for any FCS team and it artificially inflates the resume metrics. If you swap that game out for a typical FCS or D2 opponent like Montana did with Central Washington, the SOS gap becomes pretty normal.

The Cats have better lines right now, and the Griz have better skill guys and explosive playmakers. That’s not a knock either way, it’s just how the two rosters are built. And that’s why Montana has more Big Sky Player of the Week honors; those awards go to guys who make explosive, game-changing plays, not depth pieces.
It’s not some conference conspiracy like the OP hinted at.

To expand on that it's clearly NDSU vs the field this year and NDSU has never been beaten in the trenches by a Big Sky team. They send NFL linemen into the league every year. Trying to beat them at their own strength hasn’t worked for over a decade.

Meanwhile, Montana’s formula is built to go over and around those lines with elite athletes, perimeter speed, and special teams, which is the only blueprint I think gives anyone a shot.

I wouldn't say the Griz are automatically better than the Cats or will win head-to-head. I’m just saying I have zero interest in trying to beat the Bison playing Bison football. If anyone in the Big Sky is going to make a dent in them this year, it’s going to be the team with the playmakers, not the team hoping to out-grind NFL-caliber trenches.

Wrongo. That hasn't worked for anyone thus far. Plus the griz show alot of chinks in the armor. They havent been able to stop a good offense. Good for them for giving ah Yat more leash this year. But who are all these great skill position guys outside of 1 rb and 1 wr? And people have been able to bottle up that 1 good rb.

You’re arguing my exact point here. Nobody in the Big Sky has beaten NDSU in the trenches. If line-centric football was the answer, it would’ve happened by now. It hasn’t.

As for “chinks in the armor,” every contender has them, including MSU. The difference is Montana wins through explosive plays, special teams, and perimeter pressure. Big Sky Player of the Week totals reflect that. You don’t rack up 10 awards with just “one RB and one WR.”

And if bottling up one RB was actually the key, the Griz wouldn’t be undefeated with a win over a top 10 UND.

Montana’s approach isn’t perfect, but trying to out-NDSU NDSU hasn’t worked in 13 years. So if there’s a shot, it’s not through the trenches, it’s through playmakers.

[TomCat88]

Don't consider myself much of a conspiracy theorist, BUT, so far the Big Sky Conference football players of the week (typically one each for offense, defense, special teams although sometimes there are co players of the week) are distributed as follows:

Effing frizzzzz: 10
Davis, Idaho St: 5
Sac: 4
UNC: 3
'Cats, Weber, CP, NAU, EWU: 2
Idaho: 1

Hmmmmmmmmmmmm...............

I don't take this as a slight in the least. UM has a couple really good players - with the rest unremarkable - a soft schedule that allowed them to rack up offensive stats and POW honors. MSU on the other hand is a deep team with talent spread evenly across all areas that quietly dominate other teams. Totally unsurprising.

You do realize your SOS is heavily propped up by playing Oregon, right? That’s a guaranteed loss for any FCS team and it artificially inflates the resume metrics. If you swap that game out for a typical FCS or D2 opponent like Montana did with Central Washington, the SOS gap becomes pretty normal.

The Cats have better lines right now, and the Griz have better skill guys and explosive playmakers. That’s not a knock either way, it’s just how the two rosters are built. And that’s why Montana has more Big Sky Player of the Week honors; those awards go to guys who make explosive, game-changing plays, not depth pieces.
It’s not some conference conspiracy like the OP hinted at.

To expand on that it's clearly NDSU vs the field this year and NDSU has never been beaten in the trenches by a Big Sky team. They send NFL linemen into the league every year. Trying to beat them at their own strength hasn’t worked for over a decade.

Meanwhile, Montana’s formula is built to go over and around those lines with elite athletes, perimeter speed, and special teams, which is the only blueprint I think gives anyone a shot.

I wouldn't say the Griz are automatically better than the Cats or will win head-to-head. I’m just saying I have zero interest in trying to beat the Bison playing Bison football. If anyone in the Big Sky is going to make a dent in them this year, it’s going to be the team with the playmakers, not the team hoping to out-grind NFL-caliber trenches.

Wrongo. That hasn't worked for anyone thus far. Plus the griz show alot of chinks in the armor. They havent been able to stop a good offense. Good for them for giving ah Yat more leash this year. But who are all these great skill position guys outside of 1 rb and 1 wr? And people have been able to bottle up that 1 good rb.

You’re arguing my exact point here. Nobody in the Big Sky has beaten NDSU in the trenches. If line-centric football was the answer, it would’ve happened by now. It hasn’t.

As for “chinks in the armor,” every contender has them, including MSU. The difference is Montana wins through explosive plays, special teams, and perimeter pressure. Big Sky Player of the Week totals reflect that. You don’t rack up 10 awards with just “one RB and one WR.”

And if bottling up one RB was actually the key, the Griz wouldn’t be undefeated with a win over a top 10 UND.

Montana’s approach isn’t perfect, but trying to out-NDSU NDSU hasn’t worked in 13 years. So if there’s a shot, it’s not through the trenches, it’s through playmakers.

Is Gillman hurt?

MSU beat ndsu in the trenches in 2023. Trenches vs 2023 champ SDSU was even, vs 2024 champ ndsu even, slight edge vs SDSU this season. No wins tho but every game was very close.

Aside from the Bergen game Grizzlies haven’t come close to beating either team in the last ?? years. Until MSU committed to becoming stronger in the trenches it was also getting blown out by both aside from 2021 vs SDSU.

I don’t know of any teams that have consistently faired well vs either team by relying on explosive players. Recently no one other than sdsu and ndsu has faired well vs MSU in the last five years. The Griz do have two wins in five years but I wouldn’t call that consistently well.

Football teams, in general, need to be very good in the trenches to be serious contenders on a regular basis.

[tetoncat]

Don't consider myself much of a conspiracy theorist, BUT, so far the Big Sky Conference football players of the week (typically one each for offense, defense, special teams although sometimes there are co players of the week) are distributed as follows:

Effing frizzzzz: 10
Davis, Idaho St: 5
Sac: 4
UNC: 3
'Cats, Weber, CP, NAU, EWU: 2
Idaho: 1

Hmmmmmmmmmmmm...............

I don't take this as a slight in the least. UM has a couple really good players - with the rest unremarkable - a soft schedule that allowed them to rack up offensive stats and POW honors. MSU on the other hand is a deep team with talent spread evenly across all areas that quietly dominate other teams. Totally unsurprising.

You do realize your SOS is heavily propped up by playing Oregon, right? That’s a guaranteed loss for any FCS team and it artificially inflates the resume metrics. If you swap that game out for a typical FCS or D2 opponent like Montana did with Central Washington, the SOS gap becomes pretty normal.

The Cats have better lines right now, and the Griz have better skill guys and explosive playmakers. That’s not a knock either way, it’s just how the two rosters are built. And that’s why Montana has more Big Sky Player of the Week honors; those awards go to guys who make explosive, game-changing plays, not depth pieces.
It’s not some conference conspiracy like the OP hinted at.

To expand on that it's clearly NDSU vs the field this year and NDSU has never been beaten in the trenches by a Big Sky team. They send NFL linemen into the league every year. Trying to beat them at their own strength hasn’t worked for over a decade.

Meanwhile, Montana’s formula is built to go over and around those lines with elite athletes, perimeter speed, and special teams, which is the only blueprint I think gives anyone a shot.

I wouldn't say the Griz are automatically better than the Cats or will win head-to-head. I’m just saying I have zero interest in trying to beat the Bison playing Bison football. If anyone in the Big Sky is going to make a dent in them this year, it’s going to be the team with the playmakers, not the team hoping to out-grind NFL-caliber trenches.

Wrongo. That hasn't worked for anyone thus far. Plus the griz show alot of chinks in the armor. They havent been able to stop a good offense. Good for them for giving ah Yat more leash this year. But who are all these great skill position guys outside of 1 rb and 1 wr? And people have been able to bottle up that 1 good rb.

You’re arguing my exact point here. Nobody in the Big Sky has beaten NDSU in the trenches. If line-centric football was the answer, it would’ve happened by now. It hasn’t.

As for “chinks in the armor,” every contender has them, including MSU. The difference is Montana wins through explosive plays, special teams, and perimeter pressure. Big Sky Player of the Week totals reflect that. You don’t rack up 10 awards with just “one RB and one WR.”

And if bottling up one RB was actually the key, the Griz wouldn’t be undefeated with a win over a top 10 UND.

Montana’s approach isn’t perfect, but trying to out-NDSU NDSU hasn’t worked in 13 years. So if there’s a shot, it’s not through the trenches, it’s through playmakers.

UIW, Sac, EWU to name a few have had playmaker. DSUs have rolled teams with QBs that had great numbers. Don't score offensively until the 4th vs either of them and the Griz will be blown out.
If UND hadn't played scared, trusted their D, and kicked a coue filed goals they win that game. UND is better now, Gri, are better now, MSU is better now, SDSU is not.

[91catAlum]

Don't consider myself much of a conspiracy theorist, BUT, so far the Big Sky Conference football players of the week (typically one each for offense, defense, special teams although sometimes there are co players of the week) are distributed as follows:

Effing frizzzzz: 10
Davis, Idaho St: 5
Sac: 4
UNC: 3
'Cats, Weber, CP, NAU, EWU: 2
Idaho: 1

Hmmmmmmmmmmmm...............

I don't take this as a slight in the least. UM has a couple really good players - with the rest unremarkable - a soft schedule that allowed them to rack up offensive stats and POW honors. MSU on the other hand is a deep team with talent spread evenly across all areas that quietly dominate other teams. Totally unsurprising.

You do realize your SOS is heavily propped up by playing Oregon, right? That’s a guaranteed loss for any FCS team and it artificially inflates the resume metrics. If you swap that game out for a typical FCS or D2 opponent like Montana did with Central Washington, the SOS gap becomes pretty normal.

The Cats have better lines right now, and the Griz have better skill guys and explosive playmakers. That’s not a knock either way, it’s just how the two rosters are built. And that’s why Montana has more Big Sky Player of the Week honors; those awards go to guys who make explosive, game-changing plays, not depth pieces.
It’s not some conference conspiracy like the OP hinted at.

To expand on that it's clearly NDSU vs the field this year and NDSU has never been beaten in the trenches by a Big Sky team. They send NFL linemen into the league every year. Trying to beat them at their own strength hasn’t worked for over a decade.

Meanwhile, Montana’s formula is built to go over and around those lines with elite athletes, perimeter speed, and special teams, which is the only blueprint I think gives anyone a shot.

I wouldn't say the Griz are automatically better than the Cats or will win head-to-head. I’m just saying I have zero interest in trying to beat the Bison playing Bison football. If anyone in the Big Sky is going to make a dent in them this year, it’s going to be the team with the playmakers, not the team hoping to out-grind NFL-caliber trenches.

Wrongo. That hasn't worked for anyone thus far. Plus the griz show alot of chinks in the armor. They havent been able to stop a good offense. Good for them for giving ah Yat more leash this year. But who are all these great skill position guys outside of 1 rb and 1 wr? And people have been able to bottle up that 1 good rb.

You’re arguing my exact point here. Nobody in the Big Sky has beaten NDSU in the trenches. If line-centric football was the answer, it would’ve happened by now. It hasn’t.

As for “chinks in the armor,” every contender has them, including MSU. The difference is Montana wins through explosive plays, special teams, and perimeter pressure. Big Sky Player of the Week totals reflect that. You don’t rack up 10 awards with just “one RB and one WR.”

And if bottling up one RB was actually the key, the Griz wouldn’t be undefeated with a win over a top 10 UND.

Montana’s approach isn’t perfect, but trying to out-NDSU NDSU hasn’t worked in 13 years. So if there’s a shot, it’s not through the trenches, it’s through playmakers.

Is Gillman hurt?

MSU beat ndsu in the trenches in 2023. Trenches vs 2023 champ SDSU was even, vs 2024 champ ndsu even, slight edge vs SDSU this season. No wins tho but every game was very close.

Aside from the Bergen game Grizzlies haven’t come close to beating either team in the last ?? years. Until MSU committed to becoming stronger in the trenches it was also getting blown out by both aside from 2021 vs SDSU.

I don’t know of any teams that have consistently faired well vs either team by relying on explosive players. Recently no one other than sdsu and ndsu has faired well vs MSU in the last five years. The Griz do have two wins in five years but I wouldn’t call that consistently well.

Football teams, in general, need to be very good in the trenches to be serious contenders on a regular basis.

The griz have 2 wins in NINE years.

[TomCat88]

Don't consider myself much of a conspiracy theorist, BUT, so far the Big Sky Conference football players of the week (typically one each for offense, defense, special teams although sometimes there are co players of the week) are distributed as follows:

Effing frizzzzz: 10
Davis, Idaho St: 5
Sac: 4
UNC: 3
'Cats, Weber, CP, NAU, EWU: 2
Idaho: 1

Hmmmmmmmmmmmm...............

I don't take this as a slight in the least. UM has a couple really good players - with the rest unremarkable - a soft schedule that allowed them to rack up offensive stats and POW honors. MSU on the other hand is a deep team with talent spread evenly across all areas that quietly dominate other teams. Totally unsurprising.

You do realize your SOS is heavily propped up by playing Oregon, right? That’s a guaranteed loss for any FCS team and it artificially inflates the resume metrics. If you swap that game out for a typical FCS or D2 opponent like Montana did with Central Washington, the SOS gap becomes pretty normal.

The Cats have better lines right now, and the Griz have better skill guys and explosive playmakers. That’s not a knock either way, it’s just how the two rosters are built. And that’s why Montana has more Big Sky Player of the Week honors; those awards go to guys who make explosive, game-changing plays, not depth pieces.
It’s not some conference conspiracy like the OP hinted at.

To expand on that it's clearly NDSU vs the field this year and NDSU has never been beaten in the trenches by a Big Sky team. They send NFL linemen into the league every year. Trying to beat them at their own strength hasn’t worked for over a decade.

Meanwhile, Montana’s formula is built to go over and around those lines with elite athletes, perimeter speed, and special teams, which is the only blueprint I think gives anyone a shot.

I wouldn't say the Griz are automatically better than the Cats or will win head-to-head. I’m just saying I have zero interest in trying to beat the Bison playing Bison football. If anyone in the Big Sky is going to make a dent in them this year, it’s going to be the team with the playmakers, not the team hoping to out-grind NFL-caliber trenches.

Wrongo. That hasn't worked for anyone thus far. Plus the griz show alot of chinks in the armor. They havent been able to stop a good offense. Good for them for giving ah Yat more leash this year. But who are all these great skill position guys outside of 1 rb and 1 wr? And people have been able to bottle up that 1 good rb.

You’re arguing my exact point here. Nobody in the Big Sky has beaten NDSU in the trenches. If line-centric football was the answer, it would’ve happened by now. It hasn’t.

As for “chinks in the armor,” every contender has them, including MSU. The difference is Montana wins through explosive plays, special teams, and perimeter pressure. Big Sky Player of the Week totals reflect that. You don’t rack up 10 awards with just “one RB and one WR.”

And if bottling up one RB was actually the key, the Griz wouldn’t be undefeated with a win over a top 10 UND.

Montana’s approach isn’t perfect, but trying to out-NDSU NDSU hasn’t worked in 13 years. So if there’s a shot, it’s not through the trenches, it’s through playmakers.

Is Gillman hurt?

MSU beat ndsu in the trenches in 2023. Trenches vs 2023 champ SDSU was even, vs 2024 champ ndsu even, slight edge vs SDSU this season. No wins tho but every game was very close.

Aside from the Bergen game Grizzlies haven’t come close to beating either team in the last ?? years. Until MSU committed to becoming stronger in the trenches it was also getting blown out by both aside from 2021 vs SDSU.

I don’t know of any teams that have consistently faired well vs either team by relying on explosive players. Recently no one other than sdsu and ndsu has faired well vs MSU in the last five years. The Griz do have two wins in five years but I wouldn’t call that consistently well.

Football teams, in general, need to be very good in the trenches to be serious contenders on a regular basis.

The griz have 2 wins in NINE years.

I referenced five years in previous sentence and that’s when MSU started making serious progress nationally.

[catbooster]

Don't consider myself much of a conspiracy theorist, BUT, so far the Big Sky Conference football players of the week (typically one each for offense, defense, special teams although sometimes there are co players of the week) are distributed as follows:

Effing frizzzzz: 10
Davis, Idaho St: 5
Sac: 4
UNC: 3
'Cats, Weber, CP, NAU, EWU: 2
Idaho: 1

Hmmmmmmmmmmmm...............

I don't take this as a slight in the least. UM has a couple really good players - with the rest unremarkable - a soft schedule that allowed them to rack up offensive stats and POW honors. MSU on the other hand is a deep team with talent spread evenly across all areas that quietly dominate other teams. Totally unsurprising.

You do realize your SOS is heavily propped up by playing Oregon, right? That’s a guaranteed loss for any FCS team and it artificially inflates the resume metrics. If you swap that game out for a typical FCS or D2 opponent like Montana did with Central Washington, the SOS gap becomes pretty normal.

The Cats have better lines right now, and the Griz have better skill guys and explosive playmakers. That’s not a knock either way, it’s just how the two rosters are built. And that’s why Montana has more Big Sky Player of the Week honors; those awards go to guys who make explosive, game-changing plays, not depth pieces.
It’s not some conference conspiracy like the OP hinted at.

To expand on that it's clearly NDSU vs the field this year and NDSU has never been beaten in the trenches by a Big Sky team. They send NFL linemen into the league every year. Trying to beat them at their own strength hasn’t worked for over a decade.

Meanwhile, Montana’s formula is built to go over and around those lines with elite athletes, perimeter speed, and special teams, which is the only blueprint I think gives anyone a shot.

I wouldn't say the Griz are automatically better than the Cats or will win head-to-head. I’m just saying I have zero interest in trying to beat the Bison playing Bison football. If anyone in the Big Sky is going to make a dent in them this year, it’s going to be the team with the playmakers, not the team hoping to out-grind NFL-caliber trenches.

Wrongo. That hasn't worked for anyone thus far. Plus the griz show alot of chinks in the armor. They havent been able to stop a good offense. Good for them for giving ah Yat more leash this year. But who are all these great skill position guys outside of 1 rb and 1 wr? And people have been able to bottle up that 1 good rb.

You’re arguing my exact point here. Nobody in the Big Sky has beaten NDSU in the trenches. If line-centric football was the answer, it would’ve happened by now. It hasn’t.

As for “chinks in the armor,” every contender has them, including MSU. The difference is Montana wins through explosive plays, special teams, and perimeter pressure. Big Sky Player of the Week totals reflect that. You don’t rack up 10 awards with just “one RB and one WR.”

And if bottling up one RB was actually the key, the Griz wouldn’t be undefeated with a win over a top 10 UND.

Montana’s approach isn’t perfect, but trying to out-NDSU NDSU hasn’t worked in 13 years. So if there’s a shot, it’s not through the trenches, it’s through playmakers.

Who has beaten NDSU for the championship? SDSU and JMU. They weren't considered average on the OL and defense but explosive offensively as I recall. There have been explosive offense teams over the years of NDSU's domination. They haven't been able to beat them either. The limited success of NDSU's opponents has been teams who try to "out-NDSU" NDSU, IMO.

[lutecat]

Don't consider myself much of a conspiracy theorist, BUT, so far the Big Sky Conference football players of the week (typically one each for offense, defense, special teams although sometimes there are co players of the week) are distributed as follows:

Effing frizzzzz: 10
Davis, Idaho St: 5
Sac: 4
UNC: 3
'Cats, Weber, CP, NAU, EWU: 2
Idaho: 1

Hmmmmmmmmmmmm...............

I don't take this as a slight in the least. UM has a couple really good players - with the rest unremarkable - a soft schedule that allowed them to rack up offensive stats and POW honors. MSU on the other hand is a deep team with talent spread evenly across all areas that quietly dominate other teams. Totally unsurprising.

You do realize your SOS is heavily propped up by playing Oregon, right? That’s a guaranteed loss for any FCS team and it artificially inflates the resume metrics. If you swap that game out for a typical FCS or D2 opponent like Montana did with Central Washington, the SOS gap becomes pretty normal.

The Cats have better lines right now, and the Griz have better skill guys and explosive playmakers. That’s not a knock either way, it’s just how the two rosters are built. And that’s why Montana has more Big Sky Player of the Week honors; those awards go to guys who make explosive, game-changing plays, not depth pieces.
It’s not some conference conspiracy like the OP hinted at.

To expand on that it's clearly NDSU vs the field this year and NDSU has never been beaten in the trenches by a Big Sky team. They send NFL linemen into the league every year. Trying to beat them at their own strength hasn’t worked for over a decade.

Meanwhile, Montana’s formula is built to go over and around those lines with elite athletes, perimeter speed, and special teams, which is the only blueprint I think gives anyone a shot.

I wouldn't say the Griz are automatically better than the Cats or will win head-to-head. I’m just saying I have zero interest in trying to beat the Bison playing Bison football. If anyone in the Big Sky is going to make a dent in them this year, it’s going to be the team with the playmakers, not the team hoping to out-grind NFL-caliber trenches.

Wrongo. That hasn't worked for anyone thus far. Plus the griz show alot of chinks in the armor. They havent been able to stop a good offense. Good for them for giving ah Yat more leash this year. But who are all these great skill position guys outside of 1 rb and 1 wr? And people have been able to bottle up that 1 good rb.

You’re arguing my exact point here. Nobody in the Big Sky has beaten NDSU in the trenches. If line-centric football was the answer, it would’ve happened by now. It hasn’t.

As for “chinks in the armor,” every contender has them, including MSU. The difference is Montana wins through explosive plays, special teams, and perimeter pressure. Big Sky Player of the Week totals reflect that. You don’t rack up 10 awards with just “one RB and one WR.”

And if bottling up one RB was actually the key, the Griz wouldn’t be undefeated with a win over a top 10 UND.

Montana’s approach isn’t perfect, but trying to out-NDSU NDSU hasn’t worked in 13 years. So if there’s a shot, it’s not through the trenches, it’s through playmakers.

You havent watched many playoffs games of teams with great playmakers against NDSU have you?

[Prodigal Cat]

Don't consider myself much of a conspiracy theorist, BUT, so far the Big Sky Conference football players of the week (typically one each for offense, defense, special teams although sometimes there are co players of the week) are distributed as follows:

Effing frizzzzz: 10
Davis, Idaho St: 5
Sac: 4
UNC: 3
'Cats, Weber, CP, NAU, EWU: 2
Idaho: 1

Hmmmmmmmmmmmm...............

I don't take this as a slight in the least. UM has a couple really good players - with the rest unremarkable - a soft schedule that allowed them to rack up offensive stats and POW honors. MSU on the other hand is a deep team with talent spread evenly across all areas that quietly dominate other teams. Totally unsurprising.

You do realize your SOS is heavily propped up by playing Oregon, right? That’s a guaranteed loss for any FCS team and it artificially inflates the resume metrics. If you swap that game out for a typical FCS or D2 opponent like Montana did with Central Washington, the SOS gap becomes pretty normal.

The Cats have better lines right now, and the Griz have better skill guys and explosive playmakers. That’s not a knock either way, it’s just how the two rosters are built. And that’s why Montana has more Big Sky Player of the Week honors; those awards go to guys who make explosive, game-changing plays, not depth pieces.
It’s not some conference conspiracy like the OP hinted at.

To expand on that it's clearly NDSU vs the field this year and NDSU has never been beaten in the trenches by a Big Sky team. They send NFL linemen into the league every year. Trying to beat them at their own strength hasn’t worked for over a decade.

Meanwhile, Montana’s formula is built to go over and around those lines with elite athletes, perimeter speed, and special teams, which is the only blueprint I think gives anyone a shot.

I wouldn't say the Griz are automatically better than the Cats or will win head-to-head. I’m just saying I have zero interest in trying to beat the Bison playing Bison football. If anyone in the Big Sky is going to make a dent in them this year, it’s going to be the team with the playmakers, not the team hoping to out-grind NFL-caliber trenches.

Wrongo. That hasn't worked for anyone thus far. Plus the griz show alot of chinks in the armor. They havent been able to stop a good offense. Good for them for giving ah Yat more leash this year. But who are all these great skill position guys outside of 1 rb and 1 wr? And people have been able to bottle up that 1 good rb.

You’re arguing my exact point here. Nobody in the Big Sky has beaten NDSU in the trenches. If line-centric football was the answer, it would’ve happened by now. It hasn’t.

As for “chinks in the armor,” every contender has them, including MSU. The difference is Montana wins through explosive plays, special teams, and perimeter pressure. Big Sky Player of the Week totals reflect that. You don’t rack up 10 awards with just “one RB and one WR.”

And if bottling up one RB was actually the key, the Griz wouldn’t be undefeated with a win over a top 10 UND.

Montana’s approach isn’t perfect, but trying to out-NDSU NDSU hasn’t worked in 13 years. So if there’s a shot, it’s not through the trenches, it’s through playmakers.

You havent watched many playoffs games of teams with great playmakers against NDSU have you?

I remember vividly all those Nattys won by Eastern Washington when they had Kendrick Bourne and Cooper Kupp at WR and a stable of great running backs.

[SparkCat]

Don't consider myself much of a conspiracy theorist, BUT, so far the Big Sky Conference football players of the week (typically one each for offense, defense, special teams although sometimes there are co players of the week) are distributed as follows:

Effing frizzzzz: 10
Davis, Idaho St: 5
Sac: 4
UNC: 3
'Cats, Weber, CP, NAU, EWU: 2
Idaho: 1

Hmmmmmmmmmmmm...............

I don't take this as a slight in the least. UM has a couple really good players - with the rest unremarkable - a soft schedule that allowed them to rack up offensive stats and POW honors. MSU on the other hand is a deep team with talent spread evenly across all areas that quietly dominate other teams. Totally unsurprising.

You do realize your SOS is heavily propped up by playing Oregon, right? That’s a guaranteed loss for any FCS team and it artificially inflates the resume metrics. If you swap that game out for a typical FCS or D2 opponent like Montana did with Central Washington, the SOS gap becomes pretty normal.

The Cats have better lines right now, and the Griz have better skill guys and explosive playmakers. That’s not a knock either way, it’s just how the two rosters are built. And that’s why Montana has more Big Sky Player of the Week honors; those awards go to guys who make explosive, game-changing plays, not depth pieces.
It’s not some conference conspiracy like the OP hinted at.

To expand on that it's clearly NDSU vs the field this year and NDSU has never been beaten in the trenches by a Big Sky team. They send NFL linemen into the league every year. Trying to beat them at their own strength hasn’t worked for over a decade.

Meanwhile, Montana’s formula is built to go over and around those lines with elite athletes, perimeter speed, and special teams, which is the only blueprint I think gives anyone a shot.

I wouldn't say the Griz are automatically better than the Cats or will win head-to-head. I’m just saying I have zero interest in trying to beat the Bison playing Bison football. If anyone in the Big Sky is going to make a dent in them this year, it’s going to be the team with the playmakers, not the team hoping to out-grind NFL-caliber trenches.

Wrongo. That hasn't worked for anyone thus far. Plus the griz show alot of chinks in the armor. They havent been able to stop a good offense. Good for them for giving ah Yat more leash this year. But who are all these great skill position guys outside of 1 rb and 1 wr? And people have been able to bottle up that 1 good rb.

You’re arguing my exact point here. Nobody in the Big Sky has beaten NDSU in the trenches. If line-centric football was the answer, it would’ve happened by now. It hasn’t.

As for “chinks in the armor,” every contender has them, including MSU. The difference is Montana wins through explosive plays, special teams, and perimeter pressure. Big Sky Player of the Week totals reflect that. You don’t rack up 10 awards with just “one RB and one WR.”

And if bottling up one RB was actually the key, the Griz wouldn’t be undefeated with a win over a top 10 UND.

Montana’s approach isn’t perfect, but trying to out-NDSU NDSU hasn’t worked in 13 years. So if there’s a shot, it’s not through the trenches, it’s through playmakers.

You havent watched many playoffs games of teams with great playmakers against NDSU have you?

I remember vividly all those Nattys won by Eastern Washington when they had Kendrick Bourne and Cooper Kupp at WR and a stable of great running backs.

It’s like they think Gillman and Wortham are greater than an actual team effort to win. Half the time Ah-Yat is running for his life against the FCS power houses, ISU, Idaho, Cal Poly, and Sacred Heart throwing 50/50 moon balls, which surprisingly the Griz come down with against such elite talent. This strategy will surely work against NDSU.

[allcat]

Damn, the victim mentality gets old. Oh someone hates us, meanwhile they don't care. Oh their guy got picked for something. I know it's surprising but nothing, I repeat nothing is ever fair. Yes that guy is better looking and has more money, at least you have a reason to feel slightled.