UNI @ Montana...

[Silenoz]

Took a quick jaunt over to Panthernation, to find out the Griztards are already embarrassing themselves over there. Awesome! If you're going to create accounts solely for the purpose of smack talking other fanbases, at the very least be good at it.

[GrizFanStuckInUtah]

Took a quick jaunt over to Panthernation, to find out the Griztards are already embarrassing themselves over there. Awesome! If you're going to create accounts solely for the purpose of smack talking other fanbases, at very least be good at it.

I told PatherRob when this bracket was announced that it would be entertaining to see this matchup happen, doesn't look like I was too far off.

UCA was a good team and had good fans but there wasn't much to entertain me last week on the net. This week looks to be much better.

[DJH]

UNI in the last two years, has often played like crap in these outdoor games. We really rely heavily on our speed to beat teams, and we are not as effective when we are not on the fast track that we have in the controlled climate in the dome.

At the same time, UNI has really found a lot of different ways to win games this year, and we have won quite a few ugly games. Will be a very tough game to win on the road, but I would not be surprised to see UNI find a way to win the game. I could see it being a game with a lot of crazy weird plays.

UNI defense has been able to get turnovers galore this year, especially interceptions. I think the key to UNI winning this game on the road will be if they can turn Montana over a few times or not. Maybe even getting a defensive score.

[D1B]

UNI in the last two years, has often played like crap in these outdoor games. We really rely heavily on our speed to beat teams, and we are not as effective when we are not on the fast track that we have in the controlled climate in the dome.

At the same time, UNI has really found a lot of different ways to win games this year, and we have won quite a few ugly games. Will be a very tough game to win on the road, but I would not be surprised to see UNI find a way to win the game. I could see it being a game with a lot of crazy weird plays.

UNI defense has been able to get turnovers galore this year, especially interceptions. I think the key to UNI winning this game on the road will be if they can turn Montana over a few times or not. Maybe even getting a defensive score.

No shit Einstien.

[Bronco]

UNI in the last two years, has often played like crap in these outdoor games. We really rely heavily on our speed to beat teams, and we are not as effective when we are not on the fast track that we have in the controlled climate in the dome.

At the same time, UNI has really found a lot of different ways to win games this year, and we have won quite a few ugly games. Will be a very tough game to win on the road, but I would not be surprised to see UNI find a way to win the game. I could see it being a game with a lot of crazy weird plays.

UNI defense has been able to get turnovers galore this year, especially interceptions. I think the key to UNI winning this game on the road will be if they can turn Montana over a few times or not. Maybe even getting a defensive score.

No shit Einstien.

That was also Central Arkansas's specialty...the turnover

[GrizFanStuckInUtah]

I must say that so far, egriz and panthernation have not been as entertaining as I first hoped it would be. There are still 3 days until game day so all hope is not lost........

[BearIt]

They will play better outside. Dome don't mean **** anymore.

And neither do your dumb jinxes.

Speaking of which what was the jinx this year? I didn't pay attention if there was a thread or not. If there was I didn't bother opening it.

[Mvemjsunpx]

And neither do your dumb jinxes.

Speaking of which what was the jinx this year? I didn't pay attention if there was a thread or not. If there was I didn't bother opening it.

Portland State.

The year of the low-hanging fruit…

[putter]

UNI in the last two years, has often played like crap in these outdoor games. We really rely heavily on our speed to beat teams, and we are not as effective when we are not on the fast track that we have in the controlled climate in the dome.

At the same time, UNI has really found a lot of different ways to win games this year, and we have won quite a few ugly games. Will be a very tough game to win on the road, but I would not be surprised to see UNI find a way to win the game. I could see it being a game with a lot of crazy weird plays.

UNI defense has been able to get turnovers galore this year, especially interceptions. I think the key to UNI winning this game on the road will be if they can turn Montana over a few times or not. Maybe even getting a defensive score.

The way JJ has been playing the last few games UNI may get those interceptions. 3 picks against UCA and 2 of them should never have been thrown.

[Silenoz]

It was only two, and that broke a long interception-less streak...

[Willie]

It was only two, and that broke a long interception-less streak...

Yeah it was something like 130 straight passes w/o one.

[Mvemjsunpx]

It was only two, and that broke a long interception-less streak...

Yes. He threw another, but it was negated by an offsides penalty.

[kemajic]

It's like people from outside of Cedar Falls think UNI never leaves the dome.....ever.

True, they've been to Missoula before. It doesn't seem to matter where they play the Griz.

9/26/81 Missoula; UM 42; UNI 21
10/3/87 Cedar Falls; UM 33; UNI 16
11/26/94 Missoula; UM 23; UNI 20
12/15/01 Missoula; UM 38; UNI 0

[Mvemjsunpx]

Montana is on a roll & I don't think UNI's run defense is strong enough to stop a Montana ground game that has dominated of late. The Griz defense has also crushed opponents since the beginning of October & they showed they can deal with a QB that likes to run around when they faced Denarius McGhee. The Panthers are a team that doesn't beat themselves & relies on their opponents beating themselves instead, but it looks like the Griz will have to beat themselves for UNI to have a good chance of winning.

Here's my assessment of the matchups & my pick for the game:

• • • Quarterbacks -- Northern Iowa
      
      Running Backs - Montana
      
      Receivers/TEs - Montana
      
      Offensive Line - Montana
      
      
      Defensive Line - Montana
      
      Linebackers --- Northern Iowa
      
      Secondary ---- Montana
      
      
      Kicking ------ (push)
      
      Punting ------ (push)
      
      Return Teams - (push)
      
      Kickoffs ------ Northern Iowa
      
      
      
      
      
      • • Northern Iowa 17-27 Montana

[D1B]

It's like people from outside of Cedar Falls think UNI never leaves the dome.....ever.

True, they've been to Missoula before. It doesn't seem to matter where they play the Griz.

9/26/81 Missoula; UM 42; UNI 21
10/3/87 Cedar Falls; UM 33; UNI 16
11/26/94 Missoula; UM 23; UNI 20
12/15/01 Missoula; UM 38; UNI 0

I don't think UNI is going to win, but this shit is ancient history and hardly applicable.

WG is a tough place to play, but so is New Hampshire (snowstorm), Texas State and Chatty (v App State). All games UNI won or should have won.

UNI is a much better program now.

[Grizalltheway]

True, they've been to Missoula before. It doesn't seem to matter where they play the Griz.

9/26/81 Missoula; UM 42; UNI 21
10/3/87 Cedar Falls; UM 33; UNI 16
11/26/94 Missoula; UM 23; UNI 20
12/15/01 Missoula; UM 38; UNI 0

I don't think UNI is going to win, but this shit is ancient history and hardly applicable.

WG is a tough place to play, but so is New Hampshire (snowstorm), Texas State and Chatty (v App State). All games UNI won or should have won.

UNI is a much better program now.

The Griz won't win because of the crowd or weather, they'll win because they're a better team.

Also, New Hampshire?
Texas State?

[kemajic]

Montana is on a roll & I don't think UNI's run defense is strong enough to stop a Montana ground game that has dominated of late. The Griz defense has also crushed opponents since the beginning of October & they showed they can deal with a QB that likes to run around when they faced Denarius McGhee. The Panthers are a team that doesn't beat themselves & relies on their opponents beating themselves instead, but it looks like the Griz will have to beat themselves for UNI to have a good chance of winning.

Here's my assessment of the matchups & my pick for the game:

• • • Quarterbacks -- Northern Iowa
      
      Running Backs - Montana
      
      Receivers/TEs - Montana
      
      Offensive Line - Montana
      
      
      Defensive Line - Montana
      
      Linebackers --- Northern Iowa
      
      Secondary ---- Montana
      
      
      Kicking ------ (push)
      
      Punting ------ (push)
      
      Return Teams - (push)
      
      Kickoffs ------ Northern Iowa
      
      
      
      
      
      • • Northern Iowa 17-27 Montana

I do not buy that UNI's linebackers are better than UM's. You won't see UM give up 457 yards on the gorund to anyone.

[pantherrob82]

Montana is on a roll & I don't think UNI's run defense is strong enough to stop a Montana ground game that has dominated of late. The Griz defense has also crushed opponents since the beginning of October & they showed they can deal with a QB that likes to run around when they faced Denarius McGhee. The Panthers are a team that doesn't beat themselves & relies on their opponents beating themselves instead, but it looks like the Griz will have to beat themselves for UNI to have a good chance of winning.

Here's my assessment of the matchups & my pick for the game:

• • • Quarterbacks -- Northern Iowa
      
      Running Backs - Montana
      
      Receivers/TEs - Montana
      
      Offensive Line - Montana
      
      
      Defensive Line - Montana
      
      Linebackers --- Northern Iowa
      
      Secondary ---- Montana
      
      
      Kicking ------ (push)
      
      Punting ------ (push)
      
      Return Teams - (push)
      
      Kickoffs ------ Northern Iowa
      
      
      
      
      
      • • Northern Iowa 17-27 Montana

I do not buy that UNI's linebackers are better than UM's. You won't see UM give up 457 yards on the gorund to anyone.

They gave up 331 to Wofford in 07 in a loss. Triple option had a lot to do with it.

I think most of these are a push.

No way can you say Montanas RBs,WRs, OL or DL are better than UNIs. I would call all of those a push.

[Silenoz]

Different coaching staff, different scheme

27-17 Griz

I think we win this game at home in December 8 times out of 10. And I know this doesn't really have anything to do with anything, but I don't think we've ever lost a quarter-final game at home.

[grizcountry420]

Montana LB's > UNI LB's

[clenz]

Montana LB's > UNI LB's

UNI just had their middle linbacker named FCS Defensive Player of the Year.....FWIW.

[GrizFanStuckInUtah]

Montana LB's > UNI LB's

UNI just had their middle linbacker named FCS Defensive Player of the Year.....FWIW.

We will know Friday night. I can only speculate, wasn't my quote, but maybe he was refering to the whole unit not one guy? Either way, sounds like some solid units playing and should be interesting to see who wins the battle.

[clenz]

UNI just had their middle linbacker named FCS Defensive Player of the Year.....FWIW.

We will know Friday night. I can only speculate, wasn't my quote, but maybe he was refering to the whole unit not one guy? Either way, sounds like some solid units playing and should be interesting to see who wins the battle.

UNI's LB's

LJ Fort: 167 tackles, 8.5 TFL, 3PBU's, 1 QBH, 6 FF, 1FR (leading tackler in the nation in total and TPG)
Jordan Smith: 123 tackles, 2.5 TFL, 4 INT, 2PBU's, 1 FR (26th in the nation in tackles
James Conley: 98 tackles, 5.5 TFL, 1 INT, 4 PBU, 4 QBH, 3 FF, 1 FR (89th in the nation in total tackles.

Montana
Caleb McSurdy: 117 tackles, 7 TFL, 3.5 Sacks, 1 INT, 2 PBU, 3 QBH, 2 FF, 1 FR

He is the only Montana player in the top 100. Obviously a great defensive talent though (Very similar to Jordan Smith. ), his numbers are very low the last two games though...is there a reason for that? Injury?.


At the very very worst the DL is a push, but UNI wins the LB's head to head

[jcu27]

You'll find out about Montana's linebackers soon enough.

[grizcountry420]

We will know Friday night. I can only speculate, wasn't my quote, but maybe he was refering to the whole unit not one guy? Either way, sounds like some solid units playing and should be interesting to see who wins the battle.

UNI's LB's

LJ Fort: 167 tackles, 8.5 TFL, 3PBU's, 1 QBH, 6 FF, 1FR (leading tackler in the nation in total and TPG)
Jordan Smith: 123 tackles, 2.5 TFL, 4 INT, 2PBU's, 1 FR (26th in the nation in tackles
James Conley: 98 tackles, 5.5 TFL, 1 INT, 4 PBU, 4 QBH, 3 FF, 1 FR (89th in the nation in total tackles.

Montana
Caleb McSurdy: 117 tackles, 7 TFL, 3.5 Sacks, 1 INT, 2 PBU, 3 QBH, 2 FF, 1 FR

He is the only Montana player in the top 100. Obviously a great defensive talent though (Very similar to Jordan Smith. ), his numbers are very low the last two games though...is there a reason for that? Injury?.


At the very very worst the DL is a push, but UNI wins the LB's head to head

Those stats just go to show that the rest of your defense isnt that good and that your D is on the field way too much..