The Rematch

[kwcat]

Loudest crowd all time and perhaps biggest celebration of all time

Need to hit fever pitch and never let up

[ZebraCat]

I don't think it will really affect the team, but I'm concerned that our fan base is a bit overconfident right now. The Gris have been playing very well the last few weeks. Everyone said that they played their best game against us, but they followed that up with two very strong games, the first a very comfortable victory against a South Dakota State team that beat us and frankly outplayed us when we were at home and the second a blowout over a very solid South Dakota team that had blitzed Mercer on the road by 47 points the week prior. Meanwhile we have struggled to some degree in both of our playoff games, beating Yale by just 1 score (and being outgained) and giving up 28 points to Stephen F. Austin.

The Gris look like they are peaking at the right time-- and us, not so much.

I also suspect the Gris will have an unprecedented number of fans for a road team-- this is a much bigger game than even a typical Cat-Gris and I'd imagine that there will be a few thousand of their fans there who will get tickets and make their voices heard come hell or high water. Don't get me wrong, I expect the crowd to be a major factor in our favor but perhaps a bit less than we are used to for a home game.

We held Wortham largely in check in game one and barely beat them. They have a lot of weapons. I think we're the better team, and I'd bet on us pulling this out, but I'm far from ultra-confident in the outcome.

Based on the ticket sales I am seeing I doubt they get over 1000 fans.

Also, to compare the SDSU team that played us versus played them just isn't fair. We were operating a whole new line, QB and team and still just lost in 2OT. They played a team that was down major starters across the board. Yale and SFA > SDSU and USD (just my opinion).

I can certainly tell a more comforting version of the story, especially re: SDSU along the lines you mentioned. But I'm wary that this is just motivated reasoning. Even if you assume we are a couple of TDs better that we were at the beginning of the season, the Gris beat them by more than that.

Again, I think we'll win, but I don't want to look through rose-colored glasses. This is just not nearly as complete a team as the one that steamrolled the Gris last year-- which is not to say that we aren't a very good team-- and right now, we'd certainly be the betting favorites to win it all.

Did we somehow become less complete in the last 4 weeks?

Some fans may be overconfident. Some fans have their reservations because you never know in this game. But we don't matter outside the noise we bring on Saturday. Acting like we are less than we were 4 weeks ago is really goofy though. We punted once, scored 44 points and left some on the board against what was statistically a top 5 FCS defense Saturday. We also held the FCS' 14th best scoring offense under their YPG average on defense, and 7 under their scoring average. They had FOUR scoring drives the whole game.

[catatac]

I don't think it will really affect the team, but I'm concerned that our fan base is a bit overconfident right now. The Gris have been playing very well the last few weeks. Everyone said that they played their best game against us, but they followed that up with two very strong games, the first a very comfortable victory against a South Dakota State team that beat us and frankly outplayed us when we were at home and the second a blowout over a very solid South Dakota team that had blitzed Mercer on the road by 47 points the week prior. Meanwhile we have struggled to some degree in both of our playoff games, beating Yale by just 1 score (and being outgained) and giving up 28 points to Stephen F. Austin.

The Gris look like they are peaking at the right time-- and us, not so much.

I also suspect the Gris will have an unprecedented number of fans for a road team-- this is a much bigger game than even a typical Cat-Gris and I'd imagine that there will be a few thousand of their fans there who will get tickets and make their voices heard come hell or high water. Don't get me wrong, I expect the crowd to be a major factor in our favor but perhaps a bit less than we are used to for a home game.

We held Wortham largely in check in game one and barely beat them. They have a lot of weapons. I think we're the better team, and I'd bet on us pulling this out, but I'm far from ultra-confident in the outcome.

Based on the ticket sales I am seeing I doubt they get over 1000 fans.

Also, to compare the SDSU team that played us versus played them just isn't fair. We were operating a whole new line, QB and team and still just lost in 2OT. They played a team that was down major starters across the board. Yale and SFA > SDSU and USD (just my opinion).

I can certainly tell a more comforting version of the story, especially re: SDSU along the lines you mentioned. But I'm wary that this is just motivated reasoning. Even if you assume we are a couple of TDs better that we were at the beginning of the season, the Gris beat them by more than that.

Again, I think we'll win, but I don't want to look through rose-colored glasses. This is just not nearly as complete a team as the one that steamrolled the Gris last year-- which is not to say that we aren't a very good team-- and right now, we'd certainly be the betting favorites to win it all.

Did we somehow become less complete in the last 4 weeks?

Some fans may be overconfident. Some fans have their reservations because you never know in this game. But we don't matter outside the noise we bring on Saturday. Acting like we are less than we were 4 weeks ago is really goofy though. We punted once, scored 44 points and left some on the board against what was statistically a top 5 FCS defense Saturday. We also held the FCS' 14th best scoring offense under their YPG average on defense, and 7 under their scoring average. They had FOUR scoring drives the whole game.

Ya, this. It was apparent in Missoula that Lamson really embraced the moment, didn't let it get too big for him... and dominated. This will be the biggest game of his life and I bet he plays one of the best games of his life.

[RKMCMT]

I don't think it will really affect the team, but I'm concerned that our fan base is a bit overconfident right now. The Gris have been playing very well the last few weeks. Everyone said that they played their best game against us, but they followed that up with two very strong games, the first a very comfortable victory against a South Dakota State team that beat us and frankly outplayed us when we were at home and the second a blowout over a very solid South Dakota team that had blitzed Mercer on the road by 47 points the week prior. Meanwhile we have struggled to some degree in both of our playoff games, beating Yale by just 1 score (and being outgained) and giving up 28 points to Stephen F. Austin.

The Gris look like they are peaking at the right time-- and us, not so much.

I also suspect the Gris will have an unprecedented number of fans for a road team-- this is a much bigger game than even a typical Cat-Gris and I'd imagine that there will be a few thousand of their fans there who will get tickets and make their voices heard come hell or high water. Don't get me wrong, I expect the crowd to be a major factor in our favor but perhaps a bit less than we are used to for a home game.

We held Wortham largely in check in game one and barely beat them. They have a lot of weapons. I think we're the better team, and I'd bet on us pulling this out, but I'm far from ultra-confident in the outcome.

Based on the ticket sales I am seeing I doubt they get over 1000 fans.

Also, to compare the SDSU team that played us versus played them just isn't fair. We were operating a whole new line, QB and team and still just lost in 2OT. They played a team that was down major starters across the board. Yale and SFA > SDSU and USD (just my opinion).

I can certainly tell a more comforting version of the story, especially re: SDSU along the lines you mentioned. But I'm wary that this is just motivated reasoning. Even if you assume we are a couple of TDs better that we were at the beginning of the season, the Gris beat them by more than that.

Again, I think we'll win, but I don't want to look through rose-colored glasses. This is just not nearly as complete a team as the one that steamrolled the Gris last year-- which is not to say that we aren't a very good team-- and right now, we'd certainly be the betting favorites to win it all.

I think you’re really glossing over the fact that we just beat them three weeks ago, in a game where we outplayed them in all three phases, and at what is allegedly the most difficult stadium to win at. I don’t think that should just be hand-waved away.

Honestly all of Grizdom is doing this and I'm kinda glad for it. Transitive inter-game style points arguments are always a joke in football. Matchups are everything. Our defense is better than theirs. Our offense isn't as flashy but can control a game in a way they can't. We play our game at home and we win.

[cats2506]

I don't think it will really affect the team, but I'm concerned that our fan base is a bit overconfident right now. The Gris have been playing very well the last few weeks. Everyone said that they played their best game against us, but they followed that up with two very strong games, the first a very comfortable victory against a South Dakota State team that beat us and frankly outplayed us when we were at home and the second a blowout over a very solid South Dakota team that had blitzed Mercer on the road by 47 points the week prior. Meanwhile we have struggled to some degree in both of our playoff games, beating Yale by just 1 score (and being outgained) and giving up 28 points to Stephen F. Austin.

The Gris look like they are peaking at the right time-- and us, not so much.

I also suspect the Gris will have an unprecedented number of fans for a road team-- this is a much bigger game than even a typical Cat-Gris and I'd imagine that there will be a few thousand of their fans there who will get tickets and make their voices heard come hell or high water. Don't get me wrong, I expect the crowd to be a major factor in our favor but perhaps a bit less than we are used to for a home game.

We held Wortham largely in check in game one and barely beat them. They have a lot of weapons. I think we're the better team, and I'd bet on us pulling this out, but I'm far from ultra-confident in the outcome.

Based on the ticket sales I am seeing I doubt they get over 1000 fans.

Also, to compare the SDSU team that played us versus played them just isn't fair. We were operating a whole new line, QB and team and still just lost in 2OT. They played a team that was down major starters across the board. Yale and SFA > SDSU and USD (just my opinion).

I can certainly tell a more comforting version of the story, especially re: SDSU along the lines you mentioned. But I'm wary that this is just motivated reasoning. Even if you assume we are a couple of TDs better that we were at the beginning of the season, the Gris beat them by more than that.

Again, I think we'll win, but I don't want to look through rose-colored glasses. This is just not nearly as complete a team as the one that steamrolled the Gris last year-- which is not to say that we aren't a very good team-- and right now, we'd certainly be the betting favorites to win it all.

Did we somehow become less complete in the last 4 weeks?

Some fans may be overconfident. Some fans have their reservations because you never know in this game. But we don't matter outside the noise we bring on Saturday. Acting like we are less than we were 4 weeks ago is really goofy though. We punted once, scored 44 points and left some on the board against what was statistically a top 5 FCS defense Saturday. We also held the FCS' 14th best scoring offense under their YPG average on defense, and 7 under their scoring average. They had FOUR scoring drives the whole game.

Ya, this. It was apparent in Missoula that Lamson really embraced the moment, didn't let it get too big for him... and dominated. This will be the biggest game of his life and I bet he plays one of the best games of his life.

Biggest Game ........ SO FAR

[CaturdayClack]

This is one of the reasons I wish they were on the other side of the bracket. "Biggest Game...SO FAR" Make it for all the marbles. Montana would sell out that 35k seat stadium in Nashville easy. Plus then selfishly with not being a season ticket holder I could get tickets to the dang semifinal. If anyone is looking to get out of their season tickets for next year hit me up, lol. Been trying for awhile.

[BlueAndGoldNation]

I don't think it will really affect the team, but I'm concerned that our fan base is a bit overconfident right now. The Gris have been playing very well the last few weeks. Everyone said that they played their best game against us, but they followed that up with two very strong games, the first a very comfortable victory against a South Dakota State team that beat us and frankly outplayed us when we were at home and the second a blowout over a very solid South Dakota team that had blitzed Mercer on the road by 47 points the week prior. Meanwhile we have struggled to some degree in both of our playoff games, beating Yale by just 1 score (and being outgained) and giving up 28 points to Stephen F. Austin.

The Gris look like they are peaking at the right time-- and us, not so much.

I also suspect the Gris will have an unprecedented number of fans for a road team-- this is a much bigger game than even a typical Cat-Gris and I'd imagine that there will be a few thousand of their fans there who will get tickets and make their voices heard come hell or high water. Don't get me wrong, I expect the crowd to be a major factor in our favor but perhaps a bit less than we are used to for a home game.

We held Wortham largely in check in game one and barely beat them. They have a lot of weapons. I think we're the better team, and I'd bet on us pulling this out, but I'm far from ultra-confident in the outcome.

Alright... I think you are overthinking a bit here...
1. Overconfidence is beeming from across the divide if you wanna take that angle. They think they are unstoppable right now after beating up on two down on their luck 8-4 MVC teams that came from what looks like the MVC's weakest year in two decades... Were they bad teams? No, but they weren't the SDSU and SDU that we have known from the past 5 years... They beat them at home, and both SD teams were grossly under-prepared for the Griz offense. SDSU still had major injury problems... The fact both teams had LBs covering Wortham on slants should tell you something about how prepared they were..

2. SFA scoring 28 on us... Yeah??? They were 11-2, and have an elite top 10 Defense, an All American QB, and all around great athletes... They normally score more than that, and they certainly never give up 44!

3. I think Yale was legit, and a rough matchup for anyone... Their game plan was nearly perfect to set up a boxing match. They were the toughest line on both sides of the ball that we have played since Oregon... If UM played Yale, they would have had some trouble as well! Yale's OLine, run scheme, and coaching was way better than the SDU Oline, who couldn't get any push on the Griz mediocre defensive line. I respect Yale this year way more than alot of the 8-4 MVC teams. Especially after seeing them knock one of those teams off in the most legendary way in the 1st round game, essentially allowing nothing to a high scoring offense in the second half at YSU that was led by the likely Walter Payton Award winner...

4. I don't think there is any way that 3,000 UM fans can even get in. They will have their allotment of 500, but I don't see how 2,500 more can get in after all the tickets are probably sold to hardcore season ticket holders before they can even go on sale to the public. Sure, some of those ticket holders will cash in on the demand, but not 2,500 worth. I'd expect more around 1,500.

Due to the recent results of Cat Griz games in Bozeman, paired with the fact we just beat this SAME team in their house 3 weeks ago, It's ok to be confident for this game. It's not a gimme, but I like that our team has faced more recent advircity than they have in the last two weeks. It keeps us grounded with room to grow. Thier heads are in the clouds! They have already peaked. They feel as if nothing can touch them. If anything, they seem to be overconfident as a collective (including their fans). Now it's time for Hauck to show he can do something that he hasn't been able to do since 2009... Beat MSU in Bozeman...

It's definitely not impossible. THIS is the best the UM team has looked since 2009 to me, even better than their 2023 NC team... I think they can beat us, and have the capability to. I'm definitely stressed out about this game, but statistically, and logically, I really really like our chances! Defense wins championships, especially at home. We have proven to have a better one than they have all year long. Loud is great, but we have 3 of him lol...

[SparkCat]

^ Great post!

[RICO CAT]

We need to stop the big plays !

[coloradocat]

How do ref assignments work in the playoffs? Are we still stuck with FCS refs or is there any chance some FBS refs get assigned since almost all of them won't be working this weekend anyway? At the very least I assume we won't get BSC refs but it would be nice to avoid "JV" refs all together.

[wbtfg]

How do ref assignments work in the playoffs? Are we still stuck with FCS refs or is there any chance some FBS refs get assigned since almost all of them won't be working this weekend anyway? At the very least I assume we won't get BSC refs but it would be nice to avoid "JV" refs all together.

I'd imagine we get a Missouri Valley crew.

[Prodigal Cat]

How do ref assignments work in the playoffs? Are we still stuck with FCS refs or is there any chance some FBS refs get assigned since almost all of them won't be working this weekend anyway? At the very least I assume we won't get BSC refs but it would be nice to avoid "JV" refs all together.

I'd imagine we get a Missouri Valley crew.

I know they can't do it but i would be fine if Holmen's crew did it again. I just hope it isn't some Patriot league crew that's never refed a game in front of more than 3500 people. Sometimes you can actually watch them get the big wet spot in the crotch on the big stage.

I think your right though. MVFC crew.

[MrGoodKat]

In case my post got the TL/DR treatment, consider:

-Griz have not won in Bozeman in over 10 years.

-Last three rivalry games in Bozeman, Cats won by average of 30 points.

-The Cats are 39-2 at home under Vigen (both losses in OT, one against SDSU and one NDSU).

-The Griz, to my knowledge, have one road playoff win in their history (2008 @ JMU).

Anything can happen on Saturday, but the Cats should be very confident and the Griz should be very scared.

[kcatz]

I think the ref crew has to come from a conference competing in the playoffs but not for the teams playing (so anyone still in but not BSC).

The other game will get our best and brightest this weekend.

[Catsrgrood]

In case my post got the TL/DR treatment, consider:

-Griz have not won in Bozeman in over 10 years.

-Last three rivalry games in Bozeman, Cats won by average of 30 points.

-The Cats are 39-2 at home under Vigen (both losses in OT, one against SDSU and one NDSU).

-The Griz, to my knowledge, have one road playoff win in their history (2008 @ JMU).

Anything can happen on Saturday, but the Cats should be very confident and the Griz should be very scared.

While those are all indisputable facts, only 1 of them has any bearing on this game whatsoever, imo. Vigen’s record at home.

What happened in 17,19,22 and 24 has no bearing on what happens this Saturday.
I want to keep that streak alive, no doubt, but this gris team isn’t thinking about not having won there in 11 years, they’re thinking about a close loss 3 weeks ago and fixing a few things and avenging it.

Personally I have confidence, but these are two very close teams. As Vim has mentioned on another thread, the gris will have to play a very good, complete game to beat us. The opposite is obviously true as well. The Cats better be up for their best game of the year to move on.

Can they? Of course.
Will they? I think so.
But just like any cat/gris, the intangibles are hard to quantify and account for.

[MrGoodKat]

In case my post got the TL/DR treatment, consider:

-Griz have not won in Bozeman in over 10 years.

-Last three rivalry games in Bozeman, Cats won by average of 30 points.

-The Cats are 39-2 at home under Vigen (both losses in OT, one against SDSU and one NDSU).

-The Griz, to my knowledge, have one road playoff win in their history (2008 @ JMU).

Anything can happen on Saturday, but the Cats should be very confident and the Griz should be very scared.

While those are all indisputable facts, only 1 of them has any bearing on this game whatsoever, imo. Vigen’s record at home.

What happened in 17,19,22 and 24 has no bearing on what happens this Saturday.
I want to keep that streak alive, no doubt, but this gris team isn’t thinking about not having won there in 11 years, they’re thinking about a close loss 3 weeks ago and fixing a few things and avenging it.

Personally I have confidence, but these are two very close teams. As Vim has mentioned on another thread, the gris will have to play a very good, complete game to beat us. The opposite is obviously true as well. The Cats better be up for their best game of the year to move on.

Can they? Of course.
Will they? I think so.
But just like any cat/gris, the intangibles are hard to quantify and account for.

I disagree. I think some of the other data tends to indicate how hard it is for them to be successful in Bozeman and how hard it is in general to win playoffs games on the road. Those factors bear on this game.

[saintcat40]

I understand that as fans we get nervous. We can cheer like crazy and make it difficult for their offense to execute due to the noise. However, there is nothing else we can do that impacts the game. On the other hand, our players have everything to do with the outcome. I guarantee you that they are embracing this tremendous opportunity! Just like everything in life, the greater the opportunity, the greater the risk; the greater the risk, the greater the opportunity. Winners live for these kinds of moments. You realize the opportunity, embrace it, focus fully on the process, and block out all the noise including the fear of failure. Results are never guaranteed, but what a tremendous opportunity is before this team. To beat the griz twice, knock them out of the playoffs, go to the national championship with the upper hand, and play the game you love with your closest friends in front of your home fans screaming like crazy for you. These are the kinds of moments winners live for. I am confident that our players will have their minds right and lay it all on the line. This is fun!

[JohnGotti]

Cats 41
griz 20

[GoodTimesAllTheTime]

In case my post got the TL/DR treatment, consider:

-Griz have not won in Bozeman in over 10 years.

-Last three rivalry games in Bozeman, Cats won by average of 30 points.

-The Cats are 39-2 at home under Vigen (both losses in OT, one against SDSU and one NDSU).

-The Griz, to my knowledge, have one road playoff win in their history (2008 @ JMU).

Anything can happen on Saturday, but the Cats should be very confident and the Griz should be very scared.

While those are all indisputable facts, only 1 of them has any bearing on this game whatsoever, imo. Vigen’s record at home.

What happened in 17,19,22 and 24 has no bearing on what happens this Saturday.
I want to keep that streak alive, no doubt, but this gris team isn’t thinking about not having won there in 11 years, they’re thinking about a close loss 3 weeks ago and fixing a few things and avenging it.

Personally I have confidence, but these are two very close teams. As Vim has mentioned on another thread, the gris will have to play a very good, complete game to beat us. The opposite is obviously true as well. The Cats better be up for their best game of the year to move on.

Can they? Of course.
Will they? I think so.
But just like any cat/gris, the intangibles are hard to quantify and account for.

Why would Vigen’s record at home matter but not Hauck’s record on the road? Playing in Bozeman is an easier road trip than, say, James Madison, but Hauck has not coached very well in road playoff games in his tenure. I think that matters, whether it’s the determinative factor or not.

[RobertSebastianCat-81]

I don't think it will really affect the team, but I'm concerned that our fan base is a bit overconfident right now. The Gris have been playing very well the last few weeks. Everyone said that they played their best game against us, but they followed that up with two very strong games, the first a very comfortable victory against a South Dakota State team that beat us and frankly outplayed us when we were at home and the second a blowout over a very solid South Dakota team that had blitzed Mercer on the road by 47 points the week prior. Meanwhile we have struggled to some degree in both of our playoff games, beating Yale by just 1 score (and being outgained) and giving up 28 points to Stephen F. Austin.

The Gris look like they are peaking at the right time-- and us, not so much.

I also suspect the Gris will have an unprecedented number of fans for a road team-- this is a much bigger game than even a typical Cat-Gris and I'd imagine that there will be a few thousand of their fans there who will get tickets and make their voices heard come hell or high water. Don't get me wrong, I expect the crowd to be a major factor in our favor but perhaps a bit less than we are used to for a home game.

We held Wortham largely in check in game one and barely beat them. They have a lot of weapons. I think we're the better team, and I'd bet on us pulling this out, but I'm far from ultra-confident in the outcome.

This is a great summary of how I've felt, among other comments on the chat board that seem a bit overconfident. Treating the fact that we won last time and that we'll have home field advantage will guarantee us a victory. We had the home crowd last week, but it wasn't SFA that got 7 false start penalties. Yet there are comments that say the Gris won't be able to handle the noise here. Or that SDSU and USD are lousy teams, minimizing the way the Gris dominated. And I think referring to history over the past many years is simply irrelevant. I do appreciate how many of the positive comments that are more down to earth (like citing things we should perform better than them) do give me hope.