The Bobcat Nation

Posted: **Wed Aug 25, 2004 1:04 pm**

To an extent, I'd agree with that. I think the Cats will be better than predicted, but on paper UM is definitely the team to beat.
In fact, honestly speaking, I think you have the talent to take it all the way. The key will be how UM gells as a team, and coaching ability. If UM doesn't make a deep run in the playoffs, in my opinion, they have not had a successful season.

On a side note, I will probably not be able to attend your's and BAC's nuptials in Mass. Is there someplace that you are registered that I can buy you a gift?

Posted: **Wed Aug 25, 2004 1:11 pm**

bearBAC wrote: Bad News: Outside of Montana, the Big Sky lacks teams that have the potential to compete for the national title. Northern Arizona, Eastern Washington and Montana State are all fringe playoff contenders but not serious threats for a playoff run.
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Disagree with this. IMO, there are 4 teams in the BSC that could do some serious damage in the playoffs.

bearBAC wrote:In the End: Montana will put an end to the trend of tri-champions because they are clearly the class of the league.

Agree with this!

Posted: **Wed Aug 25, 2004 1:15 pm**

HelenaCat95 wrote:To an extent, I'd agree with that. I think the Cats will be better than predicted, but on paper UM is definitely the team to beat. In fact, honestly speaking, I think you have the talent to take it all the way. The key will be how UM gells as a team, and coaching ability. If UM doesn't make a deep run in the playoffs, in my opinion, they have not had a successful season.

Couldn't agree more with this. I think the Cats will be tough and I will be disappointed if the Griz don't go deep into the playoff's. Wouldn't mind seeing a second Cat/Griz game this year.

HelenaCat95 wrote: On a side note, I will probably not be able to attend your's and BAC's nuptials in Mass. Is there someplace that you are registered that I can buy you a gift?

You actually made me chock on my chicken strips!! I could've died you know.

Posted: **Wed Aug 25, 2004 1:56 pm**

bearBAC wrote:http://www.sportsnetwork.com/default.as ... 453020.htm

Big Sky

Good News: As usual, the Big Sky (along with the Gateway) will have fewer bad teams than any other league. Montana has the potential for a deep playoff run, and a handful of other teams appear capable of at least posting a winning season.

Bad News: Outside of Montana, the Big Sky lacks teams that have the potential to compete for the national title. Northern Arizona, Eastern Washington and Montana State are all fringe playoff contenders but not serious threats for a playoff run. Idaho State and Weber State are down some from 2003.

Top Games Against I-AA Teams: 9/4: Maine at Montana; 9/11: Northern Arizona at Stephen F. Austin; 9/18: Idaho State at Northern Colorado; 9/18: Cal Poly at Montana State; 11/20:Northern Iowa at Northern Arizona.

In the End: Montana will put an end to the trend of tri-champions because they are clearly the class of the league. No one will be downright awful, but two through six is not as strong as usual in the Big Sky. Expect a group of two or three teams to place a few games over .500 and land on the playoff bubble late in the season.

I totally disagree with the bad news part for Big Sky. Eastern Washington/UM/MSU all could be playoff bound and could do damage if certain ??? are filled in. Its WAYYY too early to tell how MSU is going to do but they should be solid if any. I really like EWU this year as Meyers is the real deal at QB and they have some players. Also, WEBER may also do some damage this year I think was well (just have a feeling). I think the Big Sky will surprise people this year. Just look at the QB's we have this year overall in the conference and that speaks VOLUMES.

Posted: **Wed Aug 25, 2004 2:06 pm**

Why does everyone think Montana is the best team in the BSC hands down and among the top 5 teams in the country? I don't get it. Seriously, what do they have? Pure rep. They have 2 of the best RB's around, sure Ochs may be good but we haven't really seen it yet. Oh, and they have a really nice stadium. The ol, where it all starts, the db's, the lb's, the receivers, have got to be questions for them. It just seems that their rep preceeds them. This is not meant to disrespect a very good program but rather just a simple question. At this point in the season I'd take our chances over them. We have a chance (as does EWU,Sac,and NAU) to be very good this year.

Posted: **Wed Aug 25, 2004 2:22 pm**

PDXKat wrote:Why does everyone think Montana is the best team in the BSC hands down and among the top 5 teams in the country? I don't get it. Seriously, what do they have? Pure rep. They have 2 of the best RB's around, sure Ochs may be good but we haven't really seen it yet. Oh, and they have a really nice stadium. The ol, where it all starts, the db's, the lb's, the receivers, have got to be questions for them. It just seems that their rep preceeds them. This is not meant to disrespect a very good program but rather just a simple question. At this point in the season I'd take our chances over them. We have a chance (as does EWU,Sac,and NAU) to be very good this year.

I don't want to go into detail about why they look so good this year. However, IMHO, the Griz have more talent on this year's team than I've ever seen before. I'm sure people would disagree with that, but what do I care what other people think.

Posted: **Wed Aug 25, 2004 2:35 pm**

CARDIAC_CATS wrote:I totally disagree with the bad news part for Big Sky. Eastern Washington/UM/MSU all could be playoff bound and could do damage if certain ??? are filled in.

I think NAU could get in even with a mediocore conference performance, simply through doing well in a very difficult non-con schedule. 2 non-conference opponents (SFA and N. Iowa) have a legitimate shot at winning their conferences, and NAU could knock off Arizona. The EWU/MSU game will probably put the winner into the playoffs, and end the losers hopes. MSU might even get a home playoff game out of it.

Posted: **Wed Aug 25, 2004 2:54 pm**

NAU = Overrated. Yes they have a solid, no, spectacular QB. But they lost 4 of 5 starters on the OL, they lost their top 4 receivers, and their defense is so-so. Why do people think NAU is going to be so good this year?

I have them #4 in the Big Sky behind the Treasure State teams and EWU.

EWU isnt getting near enough credit IMO, and I hope people continue to overlook MSU.

I definitely think the Griz have holes or concerns to address, but I also think they are the class of the Big Sky.

Posted: **Wed Aug 25, 2004 3:13 pm**

Cat Pride wrote:I definitely think the Griz have holes or concerns to address, but I also think they are the class of the Big Sky.

Now there's a man with integrity and class.

Posted: **Wed Aug 25, 2004 4:07 pm**

Cat Pride wrote:
I definitely think the Griz have holes or concerns to address, but I also think they are the class of the Big Sky.

A better and more accurate description would be... "but I also think they have been the class of the Big Sky. " Give them credit where credit is due. But this year is up for grabs. I think we're the class of the Big Sky.
Go Cats!

Posted: **Wed Aug 25, 2004 4:16 pm**

That gap between the Griz and the rest of the league has definitely been closed.

I still think of the Griz as "the team to beat" in the conference, but for the last 3 years, the conference has been up for grabs. I also think UM can be beat by anyone in the conference on any given day. That is not saying UM has slipped, its saying everyone else has raised their game.

For the first time in I dont know how many years, I am confident with MSU heading into Missoula in November.

Posted: **Wed Aug 25, 2004 4:34 pm**

Cat Pride wrote:That gap between the Griz and the rest of the league has definitely been closed.

I still think of the Griz as "the team to beat" in the conference, but for the last 3 years, the conference has been up for grabs. I also think UM can be beat by anyone in the conference on any given day. That is not saying UM has slipped, its saying everyone else has raised their game.

For the first time in I dont know how many years, I am confident with MSU heading into Missoula in November.

You're the kind of person that I could sit next to at a Cat/Griz game. You're honest, even if it hurts to tell the truth. And, I agree, it's not so much the Griz slipping, it's everyone else catching up. Some people (on both sides) don't give credit when credit is due. kuddo's to you.

Posted: **Wed Aug 25, 2004 4:47 pm**

Thank you CTOWM

Posted: **Wed Aug 25, 2004 5:49 pm**

Just wondering if the friz are the class of the Big Sky like the US Men's BB Team is the class of Olympic hoops?

Posted: **Wed Aug 25, 2004 6:27 pm**

I believe the Big Sky conference is very competitive and the league champion will have at least 2 conference losses. I do not see any team running away with the conferece. There are just to many good teams and this will hurt the Big Sky conference in the playoffs. We will be lucky to get two teams in the playoffs even though 4 teams are good enough. I also can not see a Big Sky team being highly ranked at the end of season because of the tough schedule. This will not give any Big Sky team home field advantage which is so important to make a run for national champion. We know how tough the Big Sky Conference is, but unfotunatley, the eastern sports writters do not.

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