What can we learn...

rollo_tumasi · Post by **rollo_tumasi** » Mon Dec 20, 2004 1:03 pm

What can we learn from the NC game on Friday night...
1. To win at that level, we must be more well rounded, with a serious lean towards a running offense.
2. Ball control offense that eats up time. The Griz looked like us on Friday night..pass..pass...pass, and it worked for them but they used no clock.
3. A defense that is fast but is also big enough to stop the run...to lose by the run is way worse than to lose by the pass(beaten up + demoralized)
4. Playing all your games at home can be overrated. Sure you make a lot of money and win most to all of those games, but it doesn't do you any good when the games really start to matter.

Hopefully our coaches watched and learned.

jagur1 · Post by **jagur1** » Mon Dec 20, 2004 1:15 pm

The 3 home playoff games didn't matter? I thought it was a great 4 week run. Lots of ways to win a chipper the key is getting the other team to play your type of game. That didn't happen Friday night, still had a lot of fun and I'm proud of the run the kids made.

HelenaCat · Post by **HelenaCat** » Mon Dec 20, 2004 1:51 pm

Rollo: You summed it up very well! I had similar thoughts as I watched that game. One thought kept coming to me as I watched JMU's offensive line just kick the griz defense up and down the field-what would have happened if that was the Cats? As bad as the griz defense looked, we would have been just killed by that offense! We need to get some more size, at least in the middle. I did think if the griz would have been able to get up a few TDs early, it may have been different. JMU could handle the griz D-line when running, but I saw Murphy etc run right around their huge tackles early when JMU tried to pass.

I also think it hurt the griz playing most of their schedule at home. They ended up 2-3 on the road, and were lucky to not have been 1-4. WA-friz stadium is a huge advantage-at least 2 touchdowns in my opinion-and the griz got pretty comfortable there. Playing on the road after 6 weeks at home had to have some negative impact.

Robcat · Post by **Robcat** » Mon Dec 20, 2004 1:59 pm

I agree, the Griz had a great run, however some away games late in the season may have helped.

Yes the run game is a critical factor, look at us against the Griz this year, we did not have a run game. Defense, the imprtance cannot be under estimated, even the James Madison Coach said it was his defense that won that game for him.

What can the Bobcats learn from last weekend? Play a tough schedule and believe me we have one. Conitinue with the passing game, yes and we have a great one. Shore up the running game, a must. Strengthen the defense, guarntee you Kramer is on that like stink on s***. Get a home playoff game, good for morale, but as we saw this last weekend it does not make you a champion.

CARDIAC_CATS · Post by **CARDIAC_CATS** » Mon Dec 20, 2004 2:04 pm

Yep, totally agree. Plus .. playing 6 straight weeks on 'pristine' spin turf doesn't help fine tune you for the REAL stuff. If you call that REAL grass that was there

. I have no doubt it screwed up the Griz more on timing/footing/blocking than people think.

Learning to play on the road is also a big difference as well. Like it or not, playing at home is a LOT different than playing on the road in a playoff environment. My Chargers are going to find that out this year I have a feeling as well. I think they win their home game and then its off to New England/Pittsburgh ..... a lot different environment than cozy Jack Murphy Stadium.

WYCAT · Post by **WYCAT** » Mon Dec 20, 2004 2:08 pm

Denying the effects of playing 10 home games (including the last 6) and then finally having to go on the road is simply that - denial. The griz are so used to being at home and all the benefits that come with it I think they forgot it takes just a little more to be as effective on the road. Their other 3 playoff games were jokes - early success with big leads that just snowballed on all three opponents. I still say Eastern Washington had a better team than the griz this season and play that game in Cheny 9 more times and I bet Eastern comes out on top 7 out of 10. You are very correct that the griz could (and I will even say should) have been 1-4 on the road this year with the 1 being against Weber State.

jagur1 · Post by **jagur1** » Mon Dec 20, 2004 2:13 pm

http://www.i-aa.org/article.asp?articleid=32664

A list of past champions and the field they won them on. How many road games won by the Champions not many. Heck GSU and Marshall spent a couple of playoffs at home. Talking about Griz playoff games at home nothing but Griz Envy. Going on the road in 02 didn't seem to help the cats do any better at UNI. Face it 1-AA playoffs are a lot similar to the NFL you want home games to get to the championship.

Cat Grad · Post by **Cat Grad** » Mon Dec 20, 2004 2:15 pm

Without the advantage of sitting breaking down film, every after action summation in here is accurate to a certain extent. My question would be: how can we get pressure on the qb and stop the run without the physical secondary the A-10 has? Not much difference in physical skills between a DE and linebacker in the A-10, but ours are markedly different. With such a pass oriented conference, it'll be hard to adjust without a few more Coopers coming (unless we get Lowe and our other "slender" kids in the weightroom and the kitchen).

CARDIAC_CATS · Post by **CARDIAC_CATS** » Mon Dec 20, 2004 2:17 pm

jagur1 wrote:http://www.i-aa.org/article.asp?articleid=32664

A list of past champions and the field they won them on. How many road games won by the Champions not many. Heck GSU and Marshall spent a couple of playoffs at home. Talking about Griz playoff games at home nothing but Griz Envy. Going on the road in 02 didn't seem to help the cats do any better at UNI. Face it 1-AA playoffs are a lot similar to the NFL you want home games to get to the championship.

Yes, you need home games to get to the Championship (which makes JMU run even more cinderalla), but the difference between the NFL and 1-AA is the team that earns that home field advantage actually EARNS it

No $$$$$ involved

grizbeer · Post by **grizbeer** » Mon Dec 20, 2004 2:24 pm

I don't think another early season road game would have made any difference, and the BSC determined where the last 3 regular season game would be held. i don't think anyone could seriously argue that playing a play-off game on the road is better than at home.

I really don't think playing on the road had anything to do with the loss - JMU was just a better team and executed their game plan better. Anyway, in 2005 the Griz will have at least 1 game on the road the week before the playoffs.

CARDIAC_CATS · Post by **CARDIAC_CATS** » Mon Dec 20, 2004 2:25 pm

Cat Grad wrote:Without the advantage of sitting breaking down film, every after action summation in here is accurate to a certain extent. My question would be: how can we get pressure on the qb and stop the run without the physical secondary the A-10 has? Not much difference in physical skills between a DE and linebacker in the A-10, but ours are markedly different. With such a pass oriented conference, it'll be hard to adjust without a few more Coopers coming (unless we get Lowe and our other "slender" kids in the weightroom and the kitchen).

Yep, totally agree. I think the Big Sky teams are more geared/recruited as 'fast' defenses to defend the great QB's we have in this league. The Big Sky teams definately have to hit on all cylinders (or host East teams in the cold like the griz) to have a chance against the top teams from the East. You look at teams like Georgia Southern/Delaware/Western Kentucky/JMU from last few years and all of them could run the ball well. Even put the 2001 Griz team with Yo in there as well. They could pound you on the ground. So I guess its a pick your poison in the Big Sky. You have to recruit for speed in order to match up with the speed offenses in the Big Sky, but you also need some bulk/muscle when you get into playoffs to be able to stop their power running game???

And in fact, thats the biggest needs the Bobcats have this offseason in my mind. DL and stud RB/running game.

CARDIAC_CATS · Post by **CARDIAC_CATS** » Mon Dec 20, 2004 2:26 pm

grizbeer wrote:I don't think another early season road game would have made any difference, and the BSC determined where the last 3 regular season game would be held. i don't think anyone could seriously argue that playing a play-off game on the road is better than at home.

I really don't think playing on the road had anything to do with the loss - JMU was just a better team and executed their game plan better. Anyway, in 2005 the Griz will have at least 1 game on the road the week before the playoffs.

Is the Cat/Griz game being moved this year then? That is usually the last game of the year? I like that somewhat, but I also would like it to be the 2nd to last game so that they don't pound on each other and beat each other up before the playoffs.

grizbeer · Post by **grizbeer** » Mon Dec 20, 2004 2:39 pm

CARDIAC_CATS wrote:
grizbeer wrote:I don't think another early season road game would have made any difference, and the BSC determined where the last 3 regular season game would be held. i don't think anyone could seriously argue that playing a play-off game on the road is better than at home.

I really don't think playing on the road had anything to do with the loss - JMU was just a better team and executed their game plan better. Anyway, in 2005 the Griz will have at least 1 game on the road the week before the playoffs.
Is the Cat/Griz game being moved this year then? That is usually the last game of the year? I like that somewhat, but I also would like it to be the 2nd to last game so that they don't pound on each other and beat each other up before the playoffs.

I'm not sure what you mean - the week before the playoffs will be the last week of the regular season, in Bozeman.

CARDIAC_CATS · Post by **CARDIAC_CATS** » Mon Dec 20, 2004 2:41 pm

grizbeer wrote:
CARDIAC_CATS wrote:
grizbeer wrote:I don't think another early season road game would have made any difference, and the BSC determined where the last 3 regular season game would be held. i don't think anyone could seriously argue that playing a play-off game on the road is better than at home.

I really don't think playing on the road had anything to do with the loss - JMU was just a better team and executed their game plan better. Anyway, in 2005 the Griz will have at least 1 game on the road the week before the playoffs.
Is the Cat/Griz game being moved this year then? That is usually the last game of the year? I like that somewhat, but I also would like it to be the 2nd to last game so that they don't pound on each other and beat each other up before the playoffs.
I'm not sure what you mean - the week before the playoffs will be the last week of the regular season, in Bozeman.

Nevermind

I had it on my mind we were playing in Missoula this next year heheh. My bad.

velochat · Post by **velochat** » Mon Dec 20, 2004 2:42 pm

friz who? this is on the wrong board.

El_Gato · Post by **El_Gato** » Mon Dec 20, 2004 2:55 pm

I, for one, do NOT blame the Griz for doing whatever it takes to host playoff games. OBVIOUSLY you want those games at home. You Griz are so damn sensitive that you MISS THE POINT; the point is that those 6 consecutive home games DID have some negative component when it came time for the NC. (BTW, "chipper" is stupid; I hope that lame attempt at some "cute" way of talking about championships dies a quick death)

Was there anything the Griz could do about it this season? Nope. But I DO believe the AD's have major input when putting schedules together & perhaps the Griz should try to avoid a 3 game home-stand to close the regular season in light of this years results.

Question: Does anyone know the details about how the NCAA goes about picking the neutral site for the Championship? Did Chatanooga actually PAY the NCAA $$ for the right? If so, can ANY city enter the bidding process the next time it's available?

My point, in case you haven't grasped it yet, is why don't the Griz make a bid on the game? I'm sure the NCAA would prefer a warmer weather site than Missoula, but I'm pretty sure conditions last Friday night were similar in Missoula & Nooga; but I'm also pretty sure the FIELD conditions in Missoula were VASTLY superior! (and then we wouldn't have to endure the morons blaming the loss on the GRASS!!)

Helcat72 · Post by **Helcat72** » Mon Dec 20, 2004 3:11 pm

El_Gato wrote:I, for one, do NOT blame the Griz for doing whatever it takes to host playoff games. OBVIOUSLY you want those games at home. You Griz are so damn sensitive that you MISS THE POINT; the point is that those 6 consecutive home games DID have some negative component when it came time for the NC. (BTW, "chipper" is stupid; I hope that lame attempt at some "cute" way of talking about championships dies a quick death)

Was there anything the Griz could do about it this season? Nope. But I DO believe the AD's have major input when putting schedules together & perhaps the Griz should try to avoid a 3 game home-stand to close the regular season in light of this years results.

Question: Does anyone know the details about how the NCAA goes about picking the neutral site for the Championship? Did Chatanooga actually PAY the NCAA $$ for the right? If so, can ANY city enter the bidding process the next time it's available?

My point, in case you haven't grasped it yet, is why don't the Griz make a bid on the game? I'm sure the NCAA would prefer a warmer weather site than Missoula, but I'm pretty sure conditions last Friday night were similar in Missoula & Nooga; but I'm also pretty sure the FIELD conditions in Missoula were VASTLY superior! (and then we wouldn't have to endure the morons blaming the loss on the GRASS!!)

I don't mean to make excuses for the friz, but I think the outcome Friday may have been different on good turf mostly because the JMU line outweighed them substantially and without good footing the friz D line couldn't hold even if they got their pad level down. As a result they wore down faster than normal. If they had better footing they may have been able to plant for tackles and plug up holes and they would have been able to use their speed to their advantage better. Just a theory.

I'm kind of glad we don't have to listen to the championship litany all year though!

El_Gato · Post by **El_Gato** » Mon Dec 20, 2004 3:22 pm

I've always been a proponent of the theory that adverse weather and/or field conditions always favor the BETTER team; I still believe that after watching last Friday night.

Truly great teams find a way to overcome obstacles, whatever they are. The Dukes did, the Griz didn't; end of story.

BelgradeBobcat · Post by **BelgradeBobcat** » Mon Dec 20, 2004 3:29 pm

What the MSU football team should learn: Win at home, spit on the road-host a playoff game (or 2, or 3). We beat Cal Poly early in the season, and hold on against EWU late, then we're in the playoffs.

Things Kramer needs to overcome next season: Beat Cal Poly (EWU beat CP and that likely put them in), win all homegames (makes for a much wider margin of error), don't lose to somebody you're heavily favored against (Kramer's teams have managed to do this every season he's been here so far-last season it was Sac State).

rollo_tumasi · Post by **rollo_tumasi** » Mon Dec 20, 2004 3:36 pm

The Griz could have played the same power game as JMU, but it was ineffective at first and then they totally went away from it. If you got horses use them. One of the most amazing things about JMU is that they did all their damage with the second and third string running backs. Talk about some depth, and we just wish we had one.