I see NO HOPE in reducing the toxicity

[aucat]

Best possible outcome: South Dakota takes down UM and we get take care of SFA. I'm really concerned about this SFA team. We better bring our A game and A crowd.

[Caturday]

“Anyone can correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe around 1,000-2,000 tickets are allotted for visiting fans, often split into designated sections.”

… one of the admins in the athletic department said the visitor allotment is 500 tickets for the playoff games. There will certainly be more Gris fans than that, but that’s what MSU has to provide

[Cataholic]

What is everyone's opinion on the Griz scoring another touchdown on SDSU right at the end of the game instead of going into the victory formation. We could have absolutely done the same thing to the Griz but instead nealt on the ball. The difference between Hauck and Vegan maybe. The ending could easily have been a 10 point game, we had the ball on the 17 yard line with 1:35 to go. That's why it just cracks me up when Griz fans go but, but, but we only lost by 3 points. On another note I very seldom go look at the cesspool they call Egriz but now after their one big win over SDSU the are claiming they are absolutely playing the finest ball in the nation, bar none. There is nobody in the nation that can touch them. This after losing the conference championship, home field advantage thru the playoffs, state bragging rights, all while playing in the so called Mecca of the universe. I know it's one game at a time, but I really like our chance at another win if we play in Bozo in two weeks. Although it would suck to lose that game can you imagine if the Griz only had 2 losses for the year and they were both to the cats. I don't think they would ever recover from that.

Hauck is a classless tool. Perfect for their fan base.

So funny how they downplayed SDSU as weak all year when discussing MSU’s schedule, but now SDSU was one of the most dominant teams in FCS this year.

Cats will beat Gris by two scores in Bozeman if there is a rematch. It won’t be close.

SDSU is mediocre. I’ve said it all season. Their supposedly great QB threw twice as many interceptions as touchdowns against Montana. Almost 100 of his passing yards came on a flukey 5-yd dump where the receiver gained 90 YAC. I still can’t see how the Cats lost to that team. Nevertheless, the Cats are better than the Griz as proven on Nov. 22. The head-to-head rivalry game settled it. I do believe if the Griz were to end up in Bozeman in the semifinal, the Cats would and should be the strong favorite. I’m kind of stating the obvious but it sounds like you’re not hearing many Griz fans acknowledge this.

That is a refreshing take from a Gris fan. Have you shared that viewpoint at egris? Seems the vast majority of Gris faithful saw the SDSU win as beating a major power.

[Colter_Nuanez]

I love the rivalry of the Brawl of the Wild, and unlike other rivalries where I have seen the toxic behavior from fans and players go off the charts, like Ohio State-Michigan, Florida-Florida State, Miami-Florida State, etc. I have always thought we had a decent amount of mutual respect among Bobcat and Griz fans.

However, the way in which UM fans are absolutely going off right now about Vigen and the Davis incident gives me no hope. UM is taking the position that they are the "pure, wonderful, high end character" among all of FCS, while Montana State has descended into thugery among both the players as well as the coaches.

IF both UM and MSU manage to win this next weekend I'm very concerned about what the atmosphere in Bobcat Stadium will be like. Unlike regular home games, I believe the visiting team in the FCS playoffs gets a fairly sizeable number of tickets.

I am so hopeful that UM loses to South Dakota so we don't end up with what could be a very bad scene. I didn't like what Davis did but thanks to ESPN it has been blown up into much more than it was.

Nah, it will just be a pretty normal Cat Griz, with more on the line. Vast majority of interactions will be civil, fun, good natured ribbing, with a few bad eggs thrown in there, probably a couple fights in the stands, etc. Pretty standard. In fact I've heard stories about how there used to be way more fist fights at Cat Griz back in the 70's and 80's. No idea if that's true or not. I don't think it's going to turn int a riot or anything.

Way more fights in the 70s and 80s. More people went to games, bars, school for the fights not to watch, drink or learn.

Fighting used to be the thing. Every town ranked the fighters. People would get into arguments about who the toughest fighters were and if a tough guy came to a town, then that towns tough guy would find out and it was on.

I remember when one of the toughest guys from Billings came to Helena with a few of his buddies. The toughest guy in Helena and his buddies found them and proceeded to “talk trash” and were summarily beaten to a pulp. No cops, no guns, no knives just good old fist fights. Then they all shook hands and drank beer together all night.

Those were the good old days.

Today, whenever any little thing happens it’s a big soap opera that continues on for days.

This is the single greatest post in the history of message boards.

[Colter_Nuanez]

Best possible outcome: South Dakota takes down UM and we get take care of SFA. I'm really concerned about this SFA team. We better bring our A game and A crowd.

No. Best possible outcome for either Montana State or Montana is to play each other and beat each other on the way to a national championship.

[BelligerentBobcat]

Best possible outcome: South Dakota takes down UM and we get take care of SFA. I'm really concerned about this SFA team. We better bring our A game and A crowd.

No. Best possible outcome for either Montana State or Montana is to play each other and beat each other on the way to a national championship.

You're only saying that because you're not my heart doctor.

[tetoncat]

What is everyone's opinion on the Griz scoring another touchdown on SDSU right at the end of the game instead of going into the victory formation. We could have absolutely done the same thing to the Griz but instead nealt on the ball. The difference between Hauck and Vegan maybe. The ending could easily have been a 10 point game, we had the ball on the 17 yard line with 1:35 to go. That's why it just cracks me up when Griz fans go but, but, but we only lost by 3 points. On another note I very seldom go look at the cesspool they call Egriz but now after their one big win over SDSU the are claiming they are absolutely playing the finest ball in the nation, bar none. There is nobody in the nation that can touch them. This after losing the conference championship, home field advantage thru the playoffs, state bragging rights, all while playing in the so called Mecca of the universe. I know it's one game at a time, but I really like our chance at another win if we play in Bozo in two weeks. Although it would suck to lose that game can you imagine if the Griz only had 2 losses for the year and they were both to the cats. I don't think they would ever recover from that.

Hauck is a classless tool. Perfect for their fan base.

So funny how they downplayed SDSU as weak all year when discussing MSU’s schedule, but now SDSU was one of the most dominant teams in FCS this year.

Cats will beat Gris by two scores in Bozeman if there is a rematch. It won’t be close.

SDSU is mediocre. I’ve said it all season. Their supposedly great QB threw twice as many interceptions as touchdowns against Montana. Almost 100 of his passing yards came on a flukey 5-yd dump where the receiver gained 90 YAC. I still can’t see how the Cats lost to that team. Nevertheless, the Cats are better than the Griz as proven on Nov. 22. The head-to-head rivalry game settled it. I do believe if the Griz were to end up in Bozeman in the semifinal, the Cats would and should be the strong favorite. I’m kind of stating the obvious but it sounds like you’re not hearing many Griz fans acknowledge this.

Then you don't watch much football. MSU 8 seniors on 2 deep, new OC and DC and reshuffle o line prior to Oregon. D played fine but O was still learning who they are. (And still may be looking at last week).
If you discount the 5 yd dump pass then the majority of Worthams big plays are not impressive.

[TomCat88]

Best possible outcome: South Dakota takes down UM and we get take care of SFA. I'm really concerned about this SFA team. We better bring our A game and A crowd.

No. Best possible outcome for either Montana State or Montana is to play each other and beat each other on the way to a national championship.

The teams have combined for five national titles and each one of them has involved winning Cat-Griz on the opponent's field first. The Cats are on that path. The Griz need the Cats to win in order to put themselves back on that path.

[MSU Doc]

Best possible outcome: South Dakota takes down UM and we get take care of SFA. I'm really concerned about this SFA team. We better bring our A game and A crowd.

No. Best possible outcome for either Montana State or Montana is to play each other and beat each other on the way to a national championship.

I'm curious about your perspective. Better for business? While I'm certainly fine with a rematch with the addition of home field advantage, I feel that the "beat the rival" box is already checked this year for MSU. I'm also a little concerned it's going to bring out some of the worst of each fanbase.

[OldGriz]

What is everyone's opinion on the Griz scoring another touchdown on SDSU right at the end of the game instead of going into the victory formation. We could have absolutely done the same thing to the Griz but instead nealt on the ball. The difference between Hauck and Vegan maybe. The ending could easily have been a 10 point game, we had the ball on the 17 yard line with 1:35 to go. That's why it just cracks me up when Griz fans go but, but, but we only lost by 3 points. On another note I very seldom go look at the cesspool they call Egriz but now after their one big win over SDSU the are claiming they are absolutely playing the finest ball in the nation, bar none. There is nobody in the nation that can touch them. This after losing the conference championship, home field advantage thru the playoffs, state bragging rights, all while playing in the so called Mecca of the universe. I know it's one game at a time, but I really like our chance at another win if we play in Bozo in two weeks. Although it would suck to lose that game can you imagine if the Griz only had 2 losses for the year and they were both to the cats. I don't think they would ever recover from that.

Hauck is a classless tool. Perfect for their fan base.

So funny how they downplayed SDSU as weak all year when discussing MSU’s schedule, but now SDSU was one of the most dominant teams in FCS this year.

Cats will beat Gris by two scores in Bozeman if there is a rematch. It won’t be close.

SDSU is mediocre. I’ve said it all season. Their supposedly great QB threw twice as many interceptions as touchdowns against Montana. Almost 100 of his passing yards came on a flukey 5-yd dump where the receiver gained 90 YAC. I still can’t see how the Cats lost to that team. Nevertheless, the Cats are better than the Griz as proven on Nov. 22. The head-to-head rivalry game settled it. I do believe if the Griz were to end up in Bozeman in the semifinal, the Cats would and should be the strong favorite. I’m kind of stating the obvious but it sounds like you’re not hearing many Griz fans acknowledge this.

Then you don't watch much football. MSU 8 seniors on 2 deep, new OC and DC and reshuffle o line prior to Oregon. D played fine but O was still learning who they are. (And still may be looking at last week).
If you discount the 5 yd dump pass then the majority of Worthams big plays are not impressive.

SDSU was mediocre all season, even with Mason at QB. But he was the big difference maker between the team’s greatness and mediocrity, according to you all season long. I understand your rationale for the Cat loss to SDSU. OK, I’ll buy it. The dump pass is a fine play and an opportunity for the receiver to show off some skill. You know the context for noting that play (almost a third of the great #7’s total passing yards came on a 5-yard connection). You said all year SDSU goes 10-2 with Mason at QB. I don’t buy that one.

[nanacat]

Best possible outcome: South Dakota takes down UM and we get take care of SFA. I'm really concerned about this SFA team. We better bring our A game and A crowd.

No. Best possible outcome for either Montana State or Montana is to play each other and beat each other on the way to a national championship.

I'm curious about your perspective. Better for business? While I'm certainly fine with a rematch with the addition of home field advantage, I feel that the "beat the rival" box is already checked this year for MSU. I'm also a little concerned it's going to bring out some of the worst of each fanbase.

The 2 and 3 teams, (now 1 and 2 really), playing each other for semis is certainly the best for anyone in journalism and media. The beat the rival box has been checked for sure, but to be the best you have to beat the best, and right now that describes the two Montana schools. I completely agree that if that happens it will totally bring out the worst in the fanbases, and that's so unfortunate. If the griz were to finally win in Bobcat stadium and keep the Cats out of the National Championship, that would suck so bad, because the whole "little brother" thing would start right back up again, and Bobby would be the king of the world. That just makes me sick to my stomach to think about.

Had the Cats looked better last Saturday that scenario wouldn't be as nerve wracking. After Cat-Griz it was easier to feel that the Cats were and are the better team, especially at home. But with the ugly game in Bozeman, and the dominant performance by the griz vs SDSU, that confidence has waned some.

This week's games will be so interesting. Will the Cats come out with their hair on fire and totally dominate SFA, or will it be a repeat of last week? Will USD put up a good fight and make the griz have to work extra hard, or will the griz roll because they got one player back who evidently made all the difference last week?

[GoldstoneCat]

What is everyone's opinion on the Griz scoring another touchdown on SDSU right at the end of the game instead of going into the victory formation. We could have absolutely done the same thing to the Griz but instead nealt on the ball. The difference between Hauck and Vegan maybe. The ending could easily have been a 10 point game, we had the ball on the 17 yard line with 1:35 to go. That's why it just cracks me up when Griz fans go but, but, but we only lost by 3 points. On another note I very seldom go look at the cesspool they call Egriz but now after their one big win over SDSU the are claiming they are absolutely playing the finest ball in the nation, bar none. There is nobody in the nation that can touch them. This after losing the conference championship, home field advantage thru the playoffs, state bragging rights, all while playing in the so called Mecca of the universe. I know it's one game at a time, but I really like our chance at another win if we play in Bozo in two weeks. Although it would suck to lose that game can you imagine if the Griz only had 2 losses for the year and they were both to the cats. I don't think they would ever recover from that.

Hauck is a classless tool. Perfect for their fan base.

So funny how they downplayed SDSU as weak all year when discussing MSU’s schedule, but now SDSU was one of the most dominant teams in FCS this year.

Cats will beat Gris by two scores in Bozeman if there is a rematch. It won’t be close.

SDSU is mediocre. I’ve said it all season. Their supposedly great QB threw twice as many interceptions as touchdowns against Montana. Almost 100 of his passing yards came on a flukey 5-yd dump where the receiver gained 90 YAC. I still can’t see how the Cats lost to that team. Nevertheless, the Cats are better than the Griz as proven on Nov. 22. The head-to-head rivalry game settled it. I do believe if the Griz were to end up in Bozeman in the semifinal, the Cats would and should be the strong favorite. I’m kind of stating the obvious but it sounds like you’re not hearing many Griz fans acknowledge this.

Then you don't watch much football. MSU 8 seniors on 2 deep, new OC and DC and reshuffle o line prior to Oregon. D played fine but O was still learning who they are. (And still may be looking at last week).
If you discount the 5 yd dump pass then the majority of Worthams big plays are not impressive.

SDSU was mediocre all season, even with Mason at QB. But he was the big difference maker between the team’s greatness and mediocrity, according to you all season long. I understand your rationale for the Cat loss to SDSU. OK, I’ll buy it. The dump pass is a fine play and an opportunity for the receiver to show off some skill. You know the context for noting that play (almost a third of the great #7’s total passing yards came on a 5-yard connection). You said all year SDSU goes 10-2 with Mason at QB. I don’t buy that one.

OldGriz has this one right, I think. Even the fully healthy SDSU team we played on gold rush was not a great team. Maybe a good FCS team but not at our level today. I think we didn't fully appreciate how much the reshuffled offensive line impacted the team early on, specifically having to play Everett Carr, who i think can develop into a good player but just absolutely was not ready at the time, and then essentially having new starters at 4 spots. Mason is good not great. Loughridge is good not great. USD has developed into a better team than SDSU as the season has progressed. Montana has developed into a really good team as the season has progressed. And MSU has as well. We're a completely different, deeper, more complete team than the one that took the field at Gold rush. We would do to SDSU what montana did to them last week, were we to play them today.

[Hilinegriz]

Best possible outcome: South Dakota takes down UM and we get take care of SFA. I'm really concerned about this SFA team. We better bring our A game and A crowd.

No. Best possible outcome for either Montana State or Montana is to play each other and beat each other on the way to a national championship.

I'm curious about your perspective. Better for business? While I'm certainly fine with a rematch with the addition of home field advantage, I feel that the "beat the rival" box is already checked this year for MSU. I'm also a little concerned it's going to bring out some of the worst of each fanbase.

Outside of these fan forums, egriz included, I am not sure that there is really all that much vitriol. I have been to every cat-griz game since 2013, bozo and missoula, and never once have had or seen problems between fans. I have great friends who live in bozeman and I sit in the cats sections with them in all of my griz gear, and visa versa when they come to missoula. Of course there is banter, but never more. In college I sat in the cat student section in my obnoxious maroon overalls and never an issue. Sure, some of the people on these sites have what seems like large sticks up their asses, but in reality it's mostly a very fun rivalry. We are lucky to have the passion we do.

[BelligerentBobcat]

What is everyone's opinion on the Griz scoring another touchdown on SDSU right at the end of the game instead of going into the victory formation. We could have absolutely done the same thing to the Griz but instead nealt on the ball. The difference between Hauck and Vegan maybe. The ending could easily have been a 10 point game, we had the ball on the 17 yard line with 1:35 to go. That's why it just cracks me up when Griz fans go but, but, but we only lost by 3 points. On another note I very seldom go look at the cesspool they call Egriz but now after their one big win over SDSU the are claiming they are absolutely playing the finest ball in the nation, bar none. There is nobody in the nation that can touch them. This after losing the conference championship, home field advantage thru the playoffs, state bragging rights, all while playing in the so called Mecca of the universe. I know it's one game at a time, but I really like our chance at another win if we play in Bozo in two weeks. Although it would suck to lose that game can you imagine if the Griz only had 2 losses for the year and they were both to the cats. I don't think they would ever recover from that.

Hauck is a classless tool. Perfect for their fan base.

So funny how they downplayed SDSU as weak all year when discussing MSU’s schedule, but now SDSU was one of the most dominant teams in FCS this year.

Cats will beat Gris by two scores in Bozeman if there is a rematch. It won’t be close.

SDSU is mediocre. I’ve said it all season. Their supposedly great QB threw twice as many interceptions as touchdowns against Montana. Almost 100 of his passing yards came on a flukey 5-yd dump where the receiver gained 90 YAC. I still can’t see how the Cats lost to that team. Nevertheless, the Cats are better than the Griz as proven on Nov. 22. The head-to-head rivalry game settled it. I do believe if the Griz were to end up in Bozeman in the semifinal, the Cats would and should be the strong favorite. I’m kind of stating the obvious but it sounds like you’re not hearing many Griz fans acknowledge this.

Then you don't watch much football. MSU 8 seniors on 2 deep, new OC and DC and reshuffle o line prior to Oregon. D played fine but O was still learning who they are. (And still may be looking at last week).
If you discount the 5 yd dump pass then the majority of Worthams big plays are not impressive.

SDSU was mediocre all season, even with Mason at QB. But he was the big difference maker between the team’s greatness and mediocrity, according to you all season long. I understand your rationale for the Cat loss to SDSU. OK, I’ll buy it. The dump pass is a fine play and an opportunity for the receiver to show off some skill. You know the context for noting that play (almost a third of the great #7’s total passing yards came on a 5-yard connection). You said all year SDSU goes 10-2 with Mason at QB. I don’t buy that one.

I know you don’t really care, but for the majority of the season SDSU was missing Mason, their best WR, at least a couple starting OL, and their best LB. Most of those players were still out for the Griz game as well. Framing SDSU as just missing their QB is intentional ignorance because you’ve been told this several times. It is both fair and possible to say that SDSU wasn’t as good as originally thought, and they had some key injuries (plural) that greatly impacted that.

[coloradocat]

Articulate bad faith arguments are still bad faith arguments and they'll keep coming as long as they receive a response.

[iaafan]

What is everyone's opinion on the Griz scoring another touchdown on SDSU right at the end of the game instead of going into the victory formation. We could have absolutely done the same thing to the Griz but instead nealt on the ball. The difference between Hauck and Vegan maybe. The ending could easily have been a 10 point game, we had the ball on the 17 yard line with 1:35 to go. That's why it just cracks me up when Griz fans go but, but, but we only lost by 3 points. On another note I very seldom go look at the cesspool they call Egriz but now after their one big win over SDSU the are claiming they are absolutely playing the finest ball in the nation, bar none. There is nobody in the nation that can touch them. This after losing the conference championship, home field advantage thru the playoffs, state bragging rights, all while playing in the so called Mecca of the universe. I know it's one game at a time, but I really like our chance at another win if we play in Bozo in two weeks. Although it would suck to lose that game can you imagine if the Griz only had 2 losses for the year and they were both to the cats. I don't think they would ever recover from that.

Hauck is a classless tool. Perfect for their fan base.

So funny how they downplayed SDSU as weak all year when discussing MSU’s schedule, but now SDSU was one of the most dominant teams in FCS this year.

Cats will beat Gris by two scores in Bozeman if there is a rematch. It won’t be close.

SDSU is mediocre. I’ve said it all season. Their supposedly great QB threw twice as many interceptions as touchdowns against Montana. Almost 100 of his passing yards came on a flukey 5-yd dump where the receiver gained 90 YAC. I still can’t see how the Cats lost to that team. Nevertheless, the Cats are better than the Griz as proven on Nov. 22. The head-to-head rivalry game settled it. I do believe if the Griz were to end up in Bozeman in the semifinal, the Cats would and should be the strong favorite. I’m kind of stating the obvious but it sounds like you’re not hearing many Griz fans acknowledge this.

Then you don't watch much football. MSU 8 seniors on 2 deep, new OC and DC and reshuffle o line prior to Oregon. D played fine but O was still learning who they are. (And still may be looking at last week).
If you discount the 5 yd dump pass then the majority of Worthams big plays are not impressive.

SDSU was mediocre all season, even with Mason at QB. But he was the big difference maker between the team’s greatness and mediocrity, according to you all season long. I understand your rationale for the Cat loss to SDSU. OK, I’ll buy it. The dump pass is a fine play and an opportunity for the receiver to show off some skill. You know the context for noting that play (almost a third of the great #7’s total passing yards came on a 5-yard connection). You said all year SDSU goes 10-2 with Mason at QB. I don’t buy that one.

OldGriz has this one right, I think. Even the fully healthy SDSU team we played on gold rush was not a great team. Maybe a good FCS team but not at our level today. I think we didn't fully appreciate how much the reshuffled offensive line impacted the team early on, specifically having to play Everett Carr, who i think can develop into a good player but just absolutely was not ready at the time, and then essentially having new starters at 4 spots. Mason is good not great. Loughridge is good not great. USD has developed into a better team than SDSU as the season has progressed. Montana has developed into a really good team as the season has progressed. And MSU has as well. We're a completely different, deeper, more complete team than the one that took the field at Gold rush. We would do to SDSU what montana did to them last week, were we to play them today.

Said this in another post but non-conference teams don't do well in WGS. It's a foreign scene to them. BSC teams, especially BSC playoff caliber teams, do much better. Since 2000, MSU, UCD, EWU and WSU are a combined 37-15 (28.8%) since 2000. Playoff games at WGS are 26-4 (13.3%).

Expanding Bobcat Stadium and enclosing the NW end more is essential for MSU.

[ilovethecats]

However, the way in which UM fans are absolutely going off right now about Vigen and the Davis incident gives me no hope. UM is taking the position that they are the "pure, wonderful, high end character" among all of FCS, while Montana State has descended into thugery among both the players as well as the coaches.

IF both UM and MSU manage to win this next weekend I'm very concerned about what the atmosphere in Bobcat Stadium will be like. Unlike regular home games, I believe the visiting team in the FCS playoffs gets a fairly sizeable number of tickets.

Can't worry about what griz are saying about the Julius situation. That's par for the course and you could see it coming a million miles away after the incident. It's easy to see through the ****** though. Imagine if the exact same thing happened between Hauck and Gillman. You think all of their holier than thou fans would be clammoring for Gillman to be suspended or kicked of the team? ZERO. Chance.

So none of that stuff matters. If they win and we win we'll have an epic matchup the following weekend. It will be intense as it always is. It won't be any better or worse than any other time we've played over the years. The only difference will be Mony Mony will sound that much sweeter!

This is a great rivalry. One of the best in the country. To have that you take the good with the bad. People will cross the line sometimes. We obviously don't need that. But it will happen. Don't condone the stuff over the line when you see it and don't pretend it doesn't happen in both places. It does, and the sooner everyone recognizes that the sooner we'll eliminate the over-the-top stuff. I'm fine with all the rest of the toxicity that makes this game as special as it is.

[nutman]

I’m hoping for a Cat/Gris. It’s way more fun and it’s at our place.

[catbooster]

Best possible outcome: South Dakota takes down UM and we get take care of SFA. I'm really concerned about this SFA team. We better bring our A game and A crowd.

No. Best possible outcome for either Montana State or Montana is to play each other and beat each other on the way to a national championship.

I'm curious about your perspective. Better for business? While I'm certainly fine with a rematch with the addition of home field advantage, I feel that the "beat the rival" box is already checked this year for MSU. I'm also a little concerned it's going to bring out some of the worst of each fanbase.

What do you mean by bring out the worst? That they (and we) will say meaner things than usual? Or do you expect fans to bring knives and guns, or riot?
There will probably be a few on each side that are a little louder and more obnoxious (including through the offseason), but I don't think it's going to be something to be afraid of.

Outside of these fan forums, egriz included, I am not sure that there is really all that much vitriol. I have been to every cat-griz game since 2013, bozo and missoula, and never once have had or seen problems between fans. I have great friends who live in bozeman and I sit in the cats sections with them in all of my griz gear, and visa versa when they come to missoula. Of course there is banter, but never more. In college I sat in the cat student section in my obnoxious maroon overalls and never an issue. Sure, some of the people on these sites have what seems like large sticks up their asses, but in reality it's mostly a very fun rivalry. We are lucky to have the passion we do.

Agreed

[ilovethecats]

Best possible outcome: South Dakota takes down UM and we get take care of SFA. I'm really concerned about this SFA team. We better bring our A game and A crowd.

No. Best possible outcome for either Montana State or Montana is to play each other and beat each other on the way to a national championship.

I'm curious about your perspective. Better for business? While I'm certainly fine with a rematch with the addition of home field advantage, I feel that the "beat the rival" box is already checked this year for MSU. I'm also a little concerned it's going to bring out some of the worst of each fanbase.

Outside of these fan forums, egriz included, I am not sure that there is really all that much vitriol. I have been to every cat-griz game since 2013, bozo and missoula, and never once have had or seen problems between fans. I have great friends who live in bozeman and I sit in the cats sections with them in all of my griz gear, and visa versa when they come to missoula. Of course there is banter, but never more. In college I sat in the cat student section in my obnoxious maroon overalls and never an issue. Sure, some of the people on these sites have what seems like large sticks up their asses, but in reality it's mostly a very fun rivalry. We are lucky to have the passion we do.

Agreed. I've had the exact same experience both in Bozeman and Missoula. We'll both have the occasional fan that goes too far but they are the minority.