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#11 University of Montana Grizzlies (6-3, 4-1 BSC) at #6 Eastern Washington Eagles (8-2, 5-1 BSC)

Saturday, Nov. 8, 2014 • 12:10 p.m. Pacific
Roos Field (8,600) • Cheney, Wash.

This will be the seventh-straight season – and 13th time in the last 19 meetings -- that both teams will enter the game nationally ranked. The Eagles enter the game 8-2 on the season and are fifth in The Sports Network NCAA Football Championship Subdivision Top 25 Poll after an overwhelming 54-3 win against North Dakota on Nov. 1.

Eastern is 5-1 in the Big Sky Conference – currently one of six one-loss teams in the league -- as it defends the league title it won with an 8-0 record last season. Cal Poly is also 5-1, while Montana, Montana State, Northern Arizona and Idaho State are all 4-1. After Saturday, at least two schools will have a second league loss.

The Grizzlies are 6-3 on the season after last week’s 31-13 home victory against Sacramento State. Montana leads FCS with just four turnovers in nine games this season and is 10th in turnover margin (+0.89 per game with 12 takeaways). By comparison, the Eagles are 32nd in turnover margin (+0.4 per game with 18 takeaways and 14 giveaways).

The Grizzly defense features defensive end Zack Wagenmann, who is sixth in FCS with an average of 1.17 sacks per game (10.5 total). Montana has allowed opponents to average just 20.3 points per game (20th in FCS) and is allowing only 357.0 yards per game (41st).

“They have an all-league caliber quarterback, productive running backs and a great system, but the lifeblood of where they are this year is a credit to their defense,” said Eastern head coach Beau Baldwin. “They’ve made red-zone stops and have played some salty defense, and have been able to win some low-scoring battles. Wagenmann is one of the best players in the country and he proves it every week. You look for a weak spot or maybe kind of a hole to take advantage of, but you just don’t see it with them.”

Grizalltheway wrote:My faith in our defense was restored after shutting down Sac State, but you never know which team is going to show up on the road.

kalm wrote:

Grizalltheway wrote:My faith in our defense was restored after shutting down Sac State, but you never know which team is going to show up on the road.

Speaking of D, if you look at conference only stats EWU is #3 in scoring just one point behind Montana, #3 in rushing D (UM #6) and #5 in total D (UM #3).

AZGrizFan wrote:

kalm wrote:
Speaking of D, if you look at conference only stats EWU is #3 in scoring just one point behind Montana, #3 in rushing D (UM #6) and #5 in total D (UM #3).

Wonder how those stats would look if you included "nonconference" conference opponents.

kalm wrote:

AZGrizFan wrote:
Wonder how those stats would look if you included "nonconference" conference opponents.

Yep, we played 3 quality offenses out of conference.

AZGrizFan wrote:

kalm wrote:
Yep, we played 3 quality offenses out of conference.

I'm talking about only MSU's offense and the fact they obliterated your defense.

AZGrizFan wrote:

kalm wrote:
Yep, we played 3 quality offenses out of conference.

I'm talking about only MSU's offense and the fact they obliterated your defense.

kalm wrote:

AZGrizFan wrote:
I'm talking about only MSU's offense and the fact they obliterated your defense.

No shit?

I would've included them, but the Big Sky doesn't post non conference/conference only stats. Regarless, we've at least equal offenses in conference and we're defensively almost equal. Even when you throw in the UW, MSU, and SHSU we're still ranked ahead of you in rushing D.

uofmman1122 wrote:

kalm wrote:
No shit?

I would've included them, but the Big Sky doesn't post non conference/conference only stats. Regarless, we've at least equal offenses in conference and we're defensively almost equal. Even when you throw in the UW, MSU, and SHSU we're still ranked ahead of you in rushing D.

I know I'm biting on this, but you also haven't played Cal Poly, either.

I think the EWU defense is getting better and may have been underrated so far, and the Griz defense overrated earlier this year, but I still think we have a better D overall.

Will it be able to stop you guys? Who knows.

EWURanger wrote:

AZGrizFan wrote:
I'm talking about only MSU's offense and the fact they obliterated your defense.

Yes they did, but we still won. Besides, do you think that certain parts of a team can't improve during the course of the year? We played 7 True Freshman on defense against MSU. Those same guys now have 10 games of experience under their belts. They have improved drastically.

Besides, Montana doesn't have near the offense MSU does this year.

I also think you'll see on Saturday that our running game is pretty good as well.

AZGrizFan wrote:

EWURanger wrote:
Yes they did, but we still won. Besides, do you think that certain parts of a team can't improve during the course of the year? We played 7 True Freshman on defense against MSU. Those same guys now have 10 games of experience under their belts. They have improved drastically.

Besides, Montana doesn't have near the offense MSU does this year.

I also think you'll see on Saturday that our running game is pretty good as well.

So, your defense can improve, but our offense can't/hasn't?

AZGrizFan wrote:

EWURanger wrote:
Yes they did, but we still won. Besides, do you think that certain parts of a team can't improve during the course of the year? We played 7 True Freshman on defense against MSU. Those same guys now have 10 games of experience under their belts. They have improved drastically.

Besides, Montana doesn't have near the offense MSU does this year.

I also think you'll see on Saturday that our running game is pretty good as well.

So, your defense can improve, but our offense can't/hasn't?

kalm wrote:

uofmman1122 wrote:I know I'm biting on this, but you also haven't played Cal Poly, either.

I think the EWU defense is getting better and may have been underrated so far, and the Griz defense overrated earlier this year, but I still think we have a better D overall.

Will it be able to stop you guys? Who knows.

I looked at that. Idaho State and SUU offenses>Poly and Sac.

Like I said, it's about a push.

jackrabbit wrote:EWU wins this one easier then they think over the Griz defense even with the QB problems

Unless....

The EWU offense dresses in drag then The Griz D suddenly becomes aggressive and assualts the EWU offense in which case EWU is Fuc#ed and loses as the Refs look the other way.

jackrabbit wrote:Seriously? We beat you in Missoula then kicked you ass in Flag last year.