Let's talk about the game: SDSU at Montana

[HumbleGriz]

Re: Let's talk about the game: SDSU at Montana

Altitude will have ZERO effect on this game, same as the weather IMHO. Both of these factors I think we can agree are the same for both teams. I mountain bike in Utah at 8k-11k, it does start to bother you then. But Missoula is not very high, won't be a problem at all.

Agree. Elements - whatever they might be on Saturday - shouldn't favor either team over the other. Is anyone else ready to get this game underway already???

[JackrabbitGuy]

Re: Let's talk about the game: SDSU at Montana

Agree. Elements - whatever they might be on Saturday - shouldn't favor either team over the other. Is anyone else ready to get this game underway already???

I am. Let's strap on the shoulder pads and get after it. This is what our university has been working for for 6 years since leaving Division II behind - the opportunity to play it out on the field against the best that the FCS has to offer.

[KUlawJack]

Re: Let's talk about the game: SDSU at Montana

I am. Let's strap on the shoulder pads and get after it. This is what our university has been working for for 6 years since leaving Division II behind - the opportunity to play it out on the field against the best that the FCS has to offer.

I agree. I am excited for the game Saturday. If we want to be the best, the first order of business is to compete with teams like Montana and win games like this one. It would be huge for our program.

[LakeGriz]

Re: Let's talk about the game: SDSU at Montana

Enough numbers to numb...

You're tough against the run and you've played the #s 4, 8, 13 and 19 running teams -- giving up just 7 tds. We've given up just 6 tds, but faced about 50 fewer carries.

We don't look very good on pass D, where you're #1. We've faced passing offenses ranked T4, T4, 6, 12 and 20. You've given up just 5 TDs passing and we've given up 17, against about 80-some more passes against us. Each team has 16 INTs. So we've given up one more TD per game than you.

On passing offense, however, we've scored 26 times to your 14 -- about one a game.

A key maybe: We average about 10 yards more a punt return than you. Mariani puts his mark on both passing TDs and punt returns.

Oh, the penalties. Our kicker got called for a personal fouil on the opening kickoff last week, and we had guys join him with abouit 4 more early in the first quarter. If we keep our heads, it will be helpful.

Control of the scrimmage line will be huge ... and keeping Battan off our quarterbacks' laps.

[GrizMonster]

Re: Let's talk about the game: SDSU at Montana

Enough numbers to numb...

You're tough against the run and you've played the #s 4, 8, 13 and 19 running teams -- giving up just 7 tds. We've given up just 6 tds, but faced about 50 fewer carries.

We don't look very good on pass D, where you're #1. We've faced passing offenses ranked T4, T4, 6, 12 and 20. You've given up just 5 TDs passing and we've given up 17, against about 80-some more passes against us. Each team has 16 INTs. So we've given up one more TD per game than you.

On passing offense, however, we've scored 26 times to your 14 -- about one a game.

A key maybe: We average about 10 yards more a punt return than you. Mariani puts his mark on both passing TDs and punt returns.

Oh, the penalties. Our kicker got called for a personal fouil on the opening kickoff last week, and we had guys join him with abouit 4 more early in the first quarter. If we keep our heads, it will be helpful.

Control of the scrimmage line will be huge ... and keeping Battan off our quarterbacks' laps.

Our passing D stats are actually quite deceiving, and we are much better than just the straight up "yards allowed" indicate For Example:

Scoring Defense 1st in the Big Sky:
SCORING DEFENSE G TD FG XPT 2XP DXP Saf Points Avg/G

1. Montana 11 23 11 22 0 0 2 197 17.9

Pass Effficiency Defense 1st in the Big Sky:

PASS DEFENSE EFFIC. G Comp Att Int Pct. Yards TD Effic.

1. Montana 11 275 458 16 60.0 2795 17 116.6

Rush Defense 2nd in the Big Sky 87.1 ypg.

2. Montana 11 320 958 3.0 6 87.1

As well, we lead the conference in total defense, Interceptions, and points allowed at 17.6 ppg.

Here is a comparison of probably the most similar team to us that the Jacks played (for simplicity I am just doing ypg, but you can go here to see all the stats for all teams. We also tend to work with a really short field thanks to Marc Mariani.

Rushing Offense:

4. Southern Ill. 224.27

25. Montana 173.55


Passing Offense:

15. Montana 258.18

63. Southern Ill. 190.00

Total Offense

9. Montana 431.73

15. Southern Ill. 414.27

Scoring Offense: (this is probably the most similar)

5. Southern Ill. 35.55

8. Montana 34.55

Southern Illinois
*I know I am going to get some flak for this, but I am not bragging, or gloating. Just comparing the most similar team I could find on your schedule.

It looks like our rushing defense is a little better than you guys, aside from that, you dominate the stats defensively. Interestingly, we are both tied for 13th with 16 ints.

[Danger41]

Re: Let's talk about the game: SDSU at Montana

Oh please. That's not even high altitude baking level.

From what I understand, altitude sickness is not a problem below 6,000 feet or so.

FWIW, 3200 feet is about the same eleveation as Rapid City.

[Bison Fan in NW MN]

Re: Let's talk about the game: SDSU at Montana

Good luck Jacks.......Go out to Missoula and kick some a**!!


GO MV Conference

[darkerstill]

Re: Let's talk about the game: SDSU at Montana

Special Teams and the elevation in Missoula are going to be two big factors in the outcome of this game.

Can the Jacks contain Moriani?
And after a season of playing at 1,600 feet, how will the Jacks lungs feel at 3,200?

Jackrabbits can live and flourish at elevations up to at least 12,500ft!

[propar80]

Re: Let's talk about the game: SDSU at Montana

Saturday's forecast:

Missoula MT: 33 degrees and chance of snow

Brookings SD: 46 degrees and sunny

I hope the NCAA didn't hose us out of a home game ONLY on the basis of "potential" weather.

Go Jacks!!

[GrizFanStuckInUtah]

Re: Let's talk about the game: SDSU at Montana

Saturday's forecast:

Missoula MT: 33 degrees and chance of snow

Brookings SD: 46 degrees and sunny

I hope the NCAA didn't hose us out of a home game ONLY on the basis of "potential" weather.

Go Jacks!!

The field conditions at Wa-Griz will be just fine. New sprin-turf(I am pretty sure) this year so the playing surface will be just fine.




****Please note: this is not a shot at your field, just sayin.****

[jackmd]

Re: Let's talk about the game: SDSU at Montana

The field conditions at Wa-Griz will be just fine. New sprin-turf(I am pretty sure) this year so the playing surface will be just fine.




****Please note: this is not a shot at your field, just sayin.****

Feel free to take shots at our field, it is open to criticism in its current state. Weather won't be a factor for either team and as utah says, the playing surface will be fine. What a great weekend, turkey for Thanksgiving, football and pheasants on Thursday, Friday and Saturday.

[1stRowFANatic]

Re: Let's talk about the game: SDSU at Montana

I don't think weather was that much of a consideration, but I guess facilities had something to do with it. That is something all SDSU fans are well aware of.

I know I could find this on the Montana web site but is easier asking here. Can one of you Griz fans give us a brief run down on your coaches, i.e. how many assts, what areas does each cover, how long there, etc. ? Thanks in advance.

[sfjacksfan99]

Re: Let's talk about the game: SDSU at Montana

A poster on the egriz site did a great job of a quick and dirty, yet quite accurate breakdown of all of the Jacks games. A good point was the points scored early versus the points scored lately. Granted Ga. Southern was not what we expected, Indiana St. is...Indiana St. and Ill. St. we caught early which was good.

I think back to those games and what the difference was in opponents and then what is different about the Jacks offense. The opponent's defenses early were not great by any means versus the latter part of the schedule, including Western Ill. One thing I can think of on the Jacks offense is #1. Of course Crawford started all of those games. #2. I remember the receivers catching dang near everything that came their way early continuing drives down the field.

I am a big TOB proponent, but I think the drops have a lot to do with the changing of the guard at QB, not once, but twice since the Crawford injury. I really hope now that TOB has nearly 3 consecutive games (again) under his belt, the receivers are back to being completely ready for what's coming their way from TOB. Drops, especially on 3rd down, are huge momentum killers and that cannot happen now that it's do or die time. As good as the Jacks defense is, the less the Grizz offense is on the field, the better.

From what appears to be a lack of pressure the Griz bring with their sack numbers, especially in the pass happy BSC, I would hope to see TOB have time to survey the field and make the correct read and have an accurate throw to his man. It's then up to his man to come up with the ball.

[jackmd]

Re: Let's talk about the game: SDSU at Montana

I am a big TOB proponent, but I think the drops have a lot to do with the changing of the guard at QB, not once, but twice since the Crawford injury. I really hope now that TOB has nearly 3 consecutive games (again) under his belt, the receivers are back to being completely ready for what's coming their way from TOB. Drops, especially on 3rd down, are huge momentum killers and that cannot happen now that it's do or die time. As good as the Jacks defense is, the less the Grizz offense is on the field, the better.

From what appears to be a lack of pressure the Griz bring with their sack numbers, especially in the pass happy BSC, I would hope to see TOB have time to survey the field and make the correct read and have an accurate throw to his man. It's then up to his man to come up with the ball.

Some of those drops are on less than perfectly thrown balls, that said, TOB throws a pretty nice ball. The bigger issue for TOB is decision making before the snap, through his progressions, and several times lately synergy with receivers on proper routes. All things you would expect from a 1st year QB.

Solution, successfully run the ball, keep the pass game in the middle of the field, take calculated shots down field. Problem, that is too predictable against a defense equal to almost any task. So, I think TOB has his chance to shine Saturday. If Montana's offense is as good as their fans say it is they'll likely put points on the board. That means we need more that just a QB who won't lose the game for us. Minett should get his chances and when he is successful I think TOB and our solid core of receivers can gain some big yards and put some points on the board.

[sfjacksfan99]

Re: Let's talk about the game: SDSU at Montana

Some of those drops are on less than perfectly thrown balls, that said, TOB throws a pretty nice ball. The bigger issue for TOB is decision making before the snap, through his progressions, and several times lately synergy with receivers on proper routes. All things you would expect from a 1st year QB.

Solution, successfully run the ball, keep the pass game in the middle of the field, take calculated shots down field. Problem, that is too predictable against a defense equal to almost any task. So, I think TOB has his chance to shine Saturday. If Montana's offense is as good as their fans say it is they'll likely put points on the board. That means we need more that just a QB who won't lose the game for us. Minett should get his chances and when he is successful I think TOB and our solid core of receivers can gain some big yards and put some points on the board.

If the TOB that played against Northern Iowa comes to play Saturday, especially as that game went on, Jacks win. Poised, smart and clutch. The guys up front had a lot to do with his comfort level in the pocket as the Co-Defensive POY in the MVFC did not even sniff TOB that day.