Rematch! Griz big underdogs as they travel to Fargo
After a nerve wracking win over South Dakota State the Montana Grizzlies survive and advance to take on the North Dakota State in Fargo, North Dakota on Saturday. The Montana Mint Superfans discuss what’s to come in the rematch between these two FCS powerhouses.
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On to the Superfans…
Clarence O’Toole (Griz Fan): Let me wipe the sweat from my brow. The second half of that South Dakota State felt riding a bull for 8.01 seconds, or when you haul in one too many grocery bags at once. That gallon of milk looped around your pinky starts quivering about 10 steps from the door, and you just don’t know if you can hold on. But by God, I’ll snap a pinky finger before I take two trips! After leading 24- at halftime, the Griz held on just long enough to clock the ball with a 24-17 final score. Phew!
But enough about last week… we got a REMAAAAAAAATCH!!! I think this rematch needs a title. Ali and Frazier III had the Thrilla in Manila. Anyone have ideas? Fracas in Fargo?
Z-Train (Griz Fan): The Dick Nailin’ in the Dome.
Bear Tycoon (Griz Fan): Here are the teams the Griz have beat on the road: UC-Davis, Idaho State, Montana State. *Cough* Montana State. Not a formidable bunch. Let’s not discount the advantage of Washington-Grizzly. Do we think Griz fans will travel well?
Clarence O’Toole (Griz Fan): I haven’t heard of any Griz fans going to Fargo this weekend…*gulp*! But I don’t think playing on the road will hurt the Griz. In fact, playing in the heated Fargo Dome might be beneficial. A fast surface with optimal conditions? Yes please! This is exactly what the fly-sweeping speed offenses love. As crazy as it sounds, playing at WaGriz in the cold might benefit NDSU’s pro-style, ground-and-pound game.
Bear Tycoon (Griz Fan): Here is the other thing that worries me. I took a peak at the NCAA team page where they post a team’s national rankings in 25 categories. The Bison rank in the bottom half of the FCS in only three categories: Punt returns (Rank – 71st out of 123. Thoughts – who care), 4th Down conversion (92nd, their 59 percent success rate is probably above average for teams that went for it on 4th routinely), and Red Zone Defense (11th, Hello! This seems like an actual weakness that matches up well with a Griz weakness. I’ve seen them turn it over on down inside the 10 yard line too many times this year). What these rankings demonstrate is that NDSU is a complete program. Their offense is ranked 20th, their defense is ranked 12th.
Clarence O’Toole (Griz Fan): NDSU has a history of shutting down high powered offensive attacks. When they played Western Illinois, who beat Dayton 24-7 in round one last week, they allowed just 1 yard rushing in the first half! By the end of the game W. Illinois racked up a humiliating 33 yards.
Back in August I don’t think NDSU could have imagined what was coming at them. Big Game Gus slung the ball around the field, completing 30-55 while racking up 434 yards. Montana Parlay thinks UM v. NDSU 1.0 happened so long ago (August 29th) that it shouldn’t matter and it was essentially a different season. But I still think the game matters. Each team has the others’ scent. They’ve seen us, and they now have a library of film to inspect and adjust from.
Z-Train (Griz Fan): I think the real issue is the Griz are (almost) as healthy now as they were in August. They Griz are missing Counts , and the Missoulian reported Kendrick Van Ackeren broke his arm in last week against the Jacks. Paper said KVA continued to play with broken arm. That deserves respect. While this is clearly a huge loss at LB, Gamboa didn’t play in the first game so I think this KVA loss is one that can perhaps be covered by Lebsock more ably than another injury at, say, D Line, O line, or corner could have been. This is the best they’ve been health-wise all season. They are essentially very healthy.
Clarence O’Toole (Griz Fan): So we’re healthy. Cool. But does that make us better?
Bear Tycoon (Griz Fan): Yes. I think so. I also think the 13.5-point line is way too high. The Griz are going to have to play their best game of the year to win this, but 13.5 is high.
Z-Train (Griz Fan): That line is bullshit. How have Griz regressed a half point? No way. I could see NDSU -10. I think the Griz are almost certainly better. The Griz now have three games under their belt post-injury in this new system with their #1 QB, Brady Gus Chiggins. I think that’s pretty good. One or two still seems like you are working kinks out, but three against high-caliber (or high pressure) teams is enough to work basic timing problems out, I would think.
No one has talked about NDSU injuries, most important being starting QB Wentz and his broken wrist. I was really impressed with that guy–his runs and ability to extend plays game the Griz fits. if he’s not back, i think we have an important edge at QB.
This article makes it sound like we will certainly be seeing the true frosh replacement, Easton Stick. The true frosh for SDSU (in WaGriz, I know) needed about 3 quarters to get up to speed against the Griz D. This stick sounds like a stud (57 of 95 passes, 826 yards and 11 touchdowns with two INTs, 4 rushing TDs and over 6 yds per carry), but he wasn’t the starter for a reason. I am imagining that NDSU will run the QB more than they would have. I think that will help Griz, but we all remember what PSU’s QB did in that monsoon. against a healthy D line in the dome, however, i like our chances against a run first, conservative pro-style offensive team.
Clarence O’Toole (Griz Fan): Easton Stick! What a great name for a quarterback. No offense to Blaine Gabbert, but a QB needs a cool name. It’s at least 5% of a great QB. Cool name and all, Stick is still a little green. I’m sure he’ll maturate into a serious player in the years to come, but right now I think losing Wentz is the hamartia to NDSU in the post season. Since Stick has taken over NDSU has played some tight games including a 6-point victory over the 3-win Southern Illinois Salukis, and a 3-point robbery over Youngstown State Penguin’s that left their head coach, Bo Pelini – a man with a history of blowing his top – absolutely apoplectic.
At this point the Griz feel like a team of destiny. It takes a certain amount of confidence, or maybe arrogance, to play the way Stitt plays. That mentality has spread throughout the team and made them the most cocksure group of guys on the block. No one expected the Griz to beat NDSU in August. But they did. No one expected Chaz or The Dude to win games when stepping into the QB role. But they won. No one expected the Griz to make the playoffs. But they’re here. Now the Griz are once again being counted out, and I think it’s a mistake.
Does it make sense to go chalk? Sure, it’s not an irrational decision. Since 2010 NDSU is 45-4 at home. But this Bison team has met its foil. The Griz are significantly better today than in August and we have SWAGGER.
Bear Tycoon (Griz Fan): I like O’Toole’s points about the Griz having confidence. It’s not everything, but it is a factor in sports. Unfortunately, you have to think NDSU is coming in just as confident. Their last game was two weeks ago: they won by 55 points. They are playing at home in one of the few FCS venues where the home crowd matters. They also got a bye so will be well rested. Those points seem to strongly favor NDSU. But as a Peyton Manning taught us in the playoffs over the past 15 years, sometimes time off isn’t a good thing. Griz fans have to hope that is the case and that the Griz can get out to a quick lead against a Thanksgiving-stuffed, lackadaisical Bison team.
Clarence O’Toole (Griz Fan): Earlier in the season we did a poll on if Griz fans and Bobcat fans cheer for the other team when there’s nothing at stake for them. Will any Bobcats be cheering for the Griz this weekend? Will they even watch?
Hot Take Nate (Bobcat Fan): Sequels typically suck… Ghostbusters II, Speed 2: Cruise Control, Dirty Dancing: Havana Nights… but I’ll watch for sure. I watched some of the game last week too. I like bison. I like the name and the power. They’re really fast. I also like getting super pissed at people when they call bison “buffalo” because buffalo only exist in Europe. Their meat is good too. Very lean. So I’ll be pulling for the Bison.
Z-Train (Griz Fan): That was a cold take.
Bear Tycoon (Griz Fan): Such a dummy.
Cover photo courtesy of Tim Evanson via Wikimedia.
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