Dan:

Our Game of the Week series takes us to Bozeman, Mont., for the 121st meeting of the Montana Grizzlies and the Montana State Bobcats, aka the Cat-Griz Game, aka The Brawl of the Wild. As has been the case in recent years, this game has stakes higher than just pride: playoff positions are on the line, and the Bobcats are honored to host ESPN’s “College GameDay” show. 

The teams have met almost every season since 1897 – you know it’s a classic college football rivalry when it has missed being played because of two different global pandemics. Montana dominated the first half century of the rivalry: the Grizzlies ran with peers like USC, Oregon, and other members of the Pac-12, while Montana State was often independent or in smaller, now-defunct conferences. The Grizzlies used this period to rack up a 43-15-5 edge over the Bobcats. But the programs gained equal footing in 1963 when both joined the Big Sky Conference as charter members. Their records have been largely equal since, with a 32-26 edge to Montana. 

Like many great rivalries, it has been dominated by long runs: the Bobcats owned the 60s and 70s, but the Grizzlies took control in 1986 and didn’t lose again until 2002. Montana State had won the last four until Montana broke the small skid in Missoula last season, with a 29-10 performance that knocked the Bobcats down in the FCS seedings and clinched a spot for the Grizzlies.

Montana will need to repeat that feat as visitors this season, as a 7-3 record has it squarely on the bubble for the FCS playoffs. The Grizzlies are headed in the right direction with two blowout wins in their last two contests, snapping a three-game October losing streak to conference foes. Their sturdy defense will have to stand up to a white-hot Montana State team, which has compiled a 9-1 record thanks to the dynamic option offense led by the two-quarterback rotation of Tommy Mellott and Sean Chambers. 

To add to the intrigue, the game will receive national spotlight thanks to the presence of ESPN’s “College GameDay.” Montana and the Big Sky campaigned valiantly to host in Missoula last season but were spurned by the mouse in favor of Ohio State-Michigan. But Bobcats faithful were delighted when Kirk Herbstreit, Desmond Howard, and the boys chose Bozeman this week, much to the dismay of the rebuffed Grizzlies partisans. 

This game will be must-watch TV for college football fans. The atmosphere will be electric, the “GameDay” scene will be memorable, and the playoff stakes couldn’t be higher. The on-field matchup is exciting, too, and here to break down the players and the X’s and O’s is our good friend Andrewster.

Andrewster:

This is one of the greatest rivalries in the sport. It may not get the coverage like the Iron Bowl or “The Game,” but there is one thing for sure — these two colleges HATE each other. I’ve seen this first hand in Missoula (which is a beautiful city if you are ever in the area). Grizz fans and ‘Cats go at it like metaphorical dogs and cats. But whether the game is in the mountains of Missoula or the snowy land of Bozeman, these two teams always have battles.

Even though these two teams call the Big Sky Conference their home, this game is going to be won on the ground. While both teams can pass when they want to (with a slight advantage to Montana in this facet), whoever finds more success on the ground will be crowned victorious. Montana State brings four rushers of over 450 yards on the season to the table, while Montana only has one in Nick Ostmo. The sophomore from Portland may only have 116 carries so far, but his efficiency has been very impressive, averaging six yards per carry. Montana needs to use Ostmo’s ability on the ground to open up the play-action game with quarterback Lucas Johnson. The Bobcats were in a war with below-average Northern Arizona two weeks ago. The biggest reason: the Lumberjacks used the run to set up a big pass play on multiple occasions. That is the key to beating Montana State. 

We already know how good Montana State’s run game has been this year, but it might get even better this weekend. It is rumored that Isaiah Ifanse is ready to return from his injury for this game. He was projected to be one of the best running backs in the entire FCS this year, and now he is going to be a massive thorn in the side of the Montana defense. The Grizzlies won’t have any tape on him from this year and will have no clue how the ‘Cats are going to utilize him in their current offense. If he can make his presence felt, I would suggest Grizz fans ignore the second half. 

Now, we move on to defense. The goal for both of these defenses should be simple — limit explosive plays and force turnovers. I understand this is very cliché, but it holds true. Montana won this matchup last year because it began the game with an explosive 74-yard touchdown pass. It wasn’t even like Montana was just an unstoppable force on offense; that was its only offensive touchdown of the GAME! The Grizzlies’ other touchdown was a 56-yard scoop-and-score. The name of the game is to force more mistakes than you make.

Score Predictions:

Dan: While I love watching Tommy Mellott play, I think the Bobcats’ defense and the distractions betray them. I’ll take the visitors, Montana, in a squeaker. Montana 31, Montana State 28.

Andrewster: I think Montana State is more talented up front. I think Montana is a bit better on the backside of the defense. Montana will find more success through the air, but who needs the air when you can POUND THE ROCK? This rushing offense from the Bobcats is upset at last year’s awful result, and they are hungry for revenge. A lot of people view the immense amount of coverage on this game as a distraction. I view it as juice. More reason for you to pummel your in-state rival to a pulp and kill their chances at making the FCS playoffs. Montana State 38, Montana 21.