Montana @ Sam Houston State

[tampajag]

Of course there will be the couple mandatory post game posts about the refs, etc.... Seen it too many times.

How many times have you seen it when the grizz play on the road in the playoffs?

There haven't been many but they won the last one they played.

[GrizFanStuckInUtah]

How many times have you seen it when the grizz play on the road in the playoffs?

There haven't been many but they won the last one they played.

Guess what their seed was?

[hank scorpio]

All streaks come to an end eventually, but who will be left standing Friday night?

Montana and Sam Houston State, two of the final four teams remaining in the Football Championship Subdivision playoffs, have combined to win 24 consecutive games entering their semifinal showdown in Huntsville, Texas.

The No. 4-seeded Grizzlies (11-2) are coming off a 48-10 quarterfinal victory over Northern Iowa, and have won nine straight. The top-seeded Bearkats (13-0) are fresh off a 49-13 win over Montana State, and are on a 15-game winning streak dating back to the final two games of last season.

But neither team cares too much about how it got to this point. The fact is, they're here.

And a berth in the national championship game is on the line.

"We're looking forward to this tremendous challenge to go against Montana," said Sam Houston State coach Willie Fritz. "We know about all the history and tradition of Montana football.

"They're a very, very talented team."

Sam Houston State's 15-game streak is the longest active streak in either Division I subdivision (Bowl or Championship).

The Bearkats finished 2010 with wins over Central Arkansas and Texas State before winning each of their 13 games so far this season. The 15-game streak is the longest in school history, breaking the previous mark of 12 set way back in 1956.

Montana's winning streak, meanwhile, began after a Big Sky Conference loss at Sacramento State on Sept. 24. Since then, the Grizzlies haven't just been beating teams -- they've been dominant.

Led by the ever-improving play of quarterback Jordan Johnson, UM's offense is averaging 38.7 points per game in its last nine games. Throw in a defense that's held teams to roughly 10 points per game in that span and the Griz are slamming teams by an average of 28 points.

"I look at the last month and the management part is part of the job," said Montana coach Robin Pflugrad. "The players have done an outstanding job of knowing when they have to be there, they show up prepared for practice and they've practiced extremely hard the last five weeks."

If Friday's game is tight at halftime, the third quarter will likely decide it.

Montana and Sam Houston State are decimating teams in the third quarter this season. The Grizzlies have outscored opponents 138-51 in third quarter, while the Bearkats have done it by a 177-24 count, including 35-7 in their two playoff victories.

Obviously, both coaching staffs excel in making halftime adjustments.

If a close game turns into a chess match between Fritz and Pflugrad -- who are both in their second season at their respective school -- look for it to evolve especially in the third quarter.

The Grizzlies' sights are set on slowing a Sam Houston State offense that is as unique as it is innovative. With an array of skills players -- running back Tim Flanders, wide receiver Richard Sincere and quarterback Brian Bell -- the Bearkats utilize a running attack that relies on big plays. And it piled up 428 yards last week against Montana State.

Speed is what has set Sam Houston State apart from everyone else.

"They probably have five players who would be outstanding athletes on a track team," Pflugrad said. "They're very fast."

SHSU has trailed in only five games this season, but has never been behind by more than seven points. That includes a 3-0 deficit to Montana State after Jason Cunningham made a field goal at the 9:04 mark of the first quarter last week.

And though their home-field advantage isn't as significant as what the Grizzlies have in Missoula, it's still worth noting.

The Bearkats are 8-0 at Bowers Stadium this season, and are 96-42-1 there since the facility opened in 1986.

Washington-Grizzly Stadium "is unlike anything else out there. But good teams win on the road," said Montana senior linebacker Alex Shaw. "If we're going to make a run at this national championship, we've got to win on the road. We've got to learn to play on the road and beat a good team on the road."

Added Pflugrad: "Champions win on the road. We've done that this season. The Tennessee and Sac State games were obviously not wins, but I think they were sort of unique road trips.

"I think the trip to Bozeman we matured that particular trip. Not just the game but the entire trip; we had a mission and we went out and did it. I think that was very good for our football team."

NOTES: Friday's game marks the second semifinal game between the Grizzlies and Bearkats. Montana won the previous meeting 34-13 in Missoula in 2004. ... The Griz are making their 11th trip to the semis. UM is 7-3 all-time in semifinal games. ... The Bearkats have yet to lose a Division I playoff game at Bowers Stadium. SHSU beat Northern Arizona in 2001, Western Kentucky in '04 and Stony Brook and Montana State this season.



Read more: http://billingsgazette.com/sports/colle ... z1gWobMs6c" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[Ivytalk]

I like Montana by 24-17.07 (a 6.93 point spread).

[Bear]

Easy there chick...gonna give yourself the vapors.

Whew! You're not just whistling Dixie AZ! Thank goodness that I was able to make my way over to the fainting couch! I know that my emotions have a tendency to get the better of me, but I don't know what to do about it (kind've why I bought the fainting couch; this isn't the first time that I've thanked my stars for its sweet comforts)! It's just that I have such admiration and pride in That National Treasure, That Marvelous Collection of Physical Specimens, That Fearsome Bunch of Maroon-clad Gladiators, THE Montana Grizzlies!!
I've given much thought to the question of how I might go about putting together the Ultimate Warrior, the Fiercest Frankenstein, the Most Marvelous Manifestation of Magnificence!? This UberMan might look something like this:

Brain: Robin Plugrad
Mustache: Sam Elliot
Right Arm: Jordan Johnson
Left Arm: Jimi Hendrix
Hands: Jabin Sambrano
Torso: Trumaine Johnson
Penis: Peter North/Robin Pflugrad (I'm told it's a coin flip by women who've been with both)
Balls: Robin Plugrad
Right Leg: Brody McKnight
Left Leg: Lance Armstrong
Hair: Sam Gratton
Yoda-style Mentor: Don Read

I'm feeling a bit woozy again...I'll be back as soon as I emerge from my swoon!

Was just notified by the CS Admin. staff that I've done it again...POTW!!

[htownbearkat]

SHSU -3.5 @5dimes.com

[htownbearkat]

Sports Network Predicted Outcome: Sam Houston State 31, Montana 27
http://www.sportsnetwork.com/merge/tsnf ... id=4457439" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[AZGrizFan]

Whew! You're not just whistling Dixie AZ! Thank goodness that I was able to make my way over to the fainting couch! I know that my emotions have a tendency to get the better of me, but I don't know what to do about it (kind've why I bought the fainting couch; this isn't the first time that I've thanked my stars for its sweet comforts)! It's just that I have such admiration and pride in That National Treasure, That Marvelous Collection of Physical Specimens, That Fearsome Bunch of Maroon-clad Gladiators, THE Montana Grizzlies!!
I've given much thought to the question of how I might go about putting together the Ultimate Warrior, the Fiercest Frankenstein, the Most Marvelous Manifestation of Magnificence!? This UberMan might look something like this:

Brain: Robin Plugrad
Mustache: Sam Elliot
Right Arm: Jordan Johnson
Left Arm: Jimi Hendrix
Hands: Jabin Sambrano
Torso: Trumaine Johnson
Penis: Peter North/Robin Pflugrad (I'm told it's a coin flip by women who've been with both)
Balls: Robin Plugrad
Right Leg: Brody McKnight
Left Leg: Lance Armstrong
Hair: Sam Gratton
Yoda-style Mentor: Don Read

I'm feeling a bit woozy again...I'll be back as soon as I emerge from my swoon!

Was just notified by the CS Admin. staff that I've done it again...POTW!!

Wow. You've outdone yourself. Four POTW awards in one week!

[fencer24]

Sports Network Predicted Outcome: Sam Houston State 31, Montana 27
http://www.sportsnetwork.com/merge/tsnf ... id=4457439" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Thank God! The Kats now have to deal with the "Curse" of TSN pick.

[Bear]

Wow. You've outdone yourself. Four POTW awards in one week!

Thank you for your congratulations AZ! I'm over the moon, and can't wait to see what tomorrow might bring!!

[Bear]

Was just notified by the CS Admin. staff that I've done it again...POTW!!

Wow. You've outdone yourself. Four POTW awards in one week!

I've also contacted the CS Admin. Staff about the possibility of putting together what is sure to be a voluminous collection of my best work (just because it's not POTW, doesn't mean it's not excellent, after all), indexed by topic, and posted as a "sticky" on the main page. Their enthusiastic response to this idea has me over the moon!

[Bear]

Something else worth discussing...my 152 posts yielded no fewer than 4 POTWs!! Do you realize that this means that for every 38 posts, I'm taking home the most prestigious award EVER developed for Championship Subdivision Enthusiasts? To say that I'm over the moon would be a Fantastic Understatement!

[tampajag]

Something else worth discussing...my 152 posts yielded no fewer than 4 POTWs!! Do you realize that this means that for every 38 posts, I'm taking home the most prestigious award EVER developed for Championship Subdivision Enthusiasts? To say that I'm over the moon would be a Fantastic Understatement!

I get the feeling they might retire the POTW because of you

[Bear]

Something else worth discussing...my 152 posts yielded no fewer than 4 POTWs!! Do you realize that this means that for every 38 posts, I'm taking home the most prestigious award EVER developed for Championship Subdivision Enthusiasts? To say that I'm over the moon would be a Fantastic Understatement!

I get the feeling they might retire the POTW because of you

Well, I could certainly see the higher-ups at CS Admin. HQ deciding to put a cap on the number of times that any one Enthusiast could win the award (perhaps call it The Bear Rule). But I do hope that an outright retirement of the POTW isn't on the table...it's a Tremendous Honor, A perfectly Stunning Trophy, and a real incentive for many of us here to "Aim for the Stars", so to speak!

[AZGrizFan]

I get the feeling they might retire the POTW because of you

Well, I could certainly see the higher-ups at CS Admin. HQ deciding to put a cap on the number of times that any one Enthusiast could win the award (perhaps call it The Bear Rule). But I do hope that an outright retirement of the POTW isn't on the table...it's a Tremendous Honor, A perfectly Stunning Trophy, and a real incentive for many of us here to "Aim for the Stars", so to speak!

Spend the prize money on a bigger trophy case, Bear. You've earned it.

[griz8791]

This guy is on a hell of a roll.

[Mvemjsunpx]

The Bearkats are at home, but—honestly—that's the only notable edge I can give to them. Montana has been so dominant & their coaching staff has game-planned so well since late October that they won't lose as long as the road doesn't affect them too much. The Griz have a front-7 and run-stopping corners that can contain SHSU's outside running threats, and SHSU won't do well if they can't run consistently (just like UNI). I also think power football is the way to beat the Bearkats' high-flying D, and the Griz O-Line has shown a recent ability to dominate on that front despite the use of a spread offense. If the Griz play like they have been, they'll win.

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

• • • Quarterbacks -- (push)
      
      Running Backs - Sam Houston St.
      
      Receivers/TEs - Montana
      
      Offensive Line - Montana
      
      
      Defensive Line - Montana
      
      Linebackers --- Montana
      
      Secondary ---- Sam Houston St.
      
      
      Kicking ------ Montana
      
      Punting ------ (push)
      
      Return Teams - (push)
      
      Kickoffs ------ Sam Houston St.
      
      
      
      
      
      • • Montana 34-24 Sam Houston St.

[McKat2011]

Praying that all Montana's players, coaches, students and fans have a safe trip to Texas! See ya at the game!

[fencer24]

Thanks, classy post.

[Bear]

Well, I could certainly see the higher-ups at CS Admin. HQ deciding to put a cap on the number of times that any one Enthusiast could win the award (perhaps call it The Bear Rule). But I do hope that an outright retirement of the POTW isn't on the table...it's a Tremendous Honor, A perfectly Stunning Trophy, and a real incentive for many of us here to "Aim for the Stars", so to speak!

Spend the prize money on a bigger trophy case, Bear. You've earned it.

I will do just that, Sweet AZ! Even four of those Titanic Trophies has my Beautiful Mahogany Case bulging at the seams! What do you suppose might happen if I continue on this Magical Carpet Ride of a Roll that I'm on, and the CS Admin. HQ keeps right on Inundating my Inbox with this Tremendous Honor? I'll tell you what...I'll need a Shoehorn! Ha!

[htownbearkat]

Worst thread ever!

[Grizaholic17]

Gosh. This has been the worst week in eGriz history. Almost nothing about football it seems.

I can't wait for this game tomorrow. I hope it is a great one. The last two playoff games were blowouts and I really want a game where the Griz have to overcome a deficit. SHSU is the team to do just that! Here's to great play by both teams and a great game.

Go Griz and good luck Bearkats.

[Bear]

This guy is on a hell of a roll.

Thank you for seeing this, and saying as much, Great Falls Griz Gridiron Guy!! Major League hitters talk about the baseball looking like a beachball...Basketball shooters claim that the basket seems the size of a hula hoop! Where am I going with this? Who KNOWS? Not I, Sweet People! I'm in the throes of a Tremendous Swoon! O Fabulous Fainting Couch, fail me not now!!

[JBB]

This game should be a hoot! Good experience for the Montana kids and their fans! What fun!

[Screamin_Eagle174]

@ SIOUX LOVER getting pwned by his own schtick.