Furman at Montana

[FurmAlum]

I watched the first half of the Montana-Delaware game but haven't watched any other Montana game. Jackal, what is your analysis of those large OL line splits and/or what to do about it? I don't have enough football knowledge to have an opinion on that.

My opinion on the short week as I think might favor us. They don't know much about us and that is fine. Maybe they'll believe all the pundits and take us lightly. The first thing we're gonna do is hit them in the mouth, then game on!

We will not be intimidated by their stadium, loud fans, etc. We didn't fare too badly against an SEC team in their stadium. The cold weather concerns me somewhat as we don't have much experience playing in those conditions, but our style of play can work in tough conditions.

I agree, we will match up well talent wise and physical wise and I think we might surprise some peeps Friday night.

[apaladin]

On AnyGivenSaturday currently peeps are voting Montana 88% chance to win. I’m sure the only peeps saying that FU will win are FU peeps so you are correct.

[purplehorse123]

I remember FU beating Marshall in 1988 in the second round of the playoffs in Huntington and the place was packed & wild. Sometimes I think you thrive playing with such a large vocal crowd. I am sure we will give it our best shot.

[FU Hoopla]

[FUBeAR]

…though I believe the last SoCon team to come to Washington-Grizzly Stadium walked out a winner - Jackal

*last current SoCon Team

Appy lost there in ‘09 playoffs
Woffy won there in ‘07 playoffs

Also, though, a SC Team (CCU) was the last SC Team to play there and won in 2013.

If there has been a SoCon or SC Team play there since these, FUBeAR missed it … always a possibility.

[The Jackal]

I watched the first half of the Montana-Delaware game but haven't watched any other Montana game. Jackal, what is your analysis of those large OL line splits and/or what to do about it? I don't have enough football knowledge to have an opinion on that.

My opinion on the short week as I think might favor us. They don't know much about us and that is fine. Maybe they'll believe all the pundits and take us lightly. The first thing we're gonna do is hit them in the mouth, then game on!

We will not be intimidated by their stadium, loud fans, etc. We didn't fare too badly against an SEC team in their stadium. The cold weather concerns me somewhat as we don't have much experience playing in those conditions, but our style of play can work in tough conditions.

I agree, we will match up well talent wise and physical wise and I think we might surprise some peeps Friday night.

This is just me spitballin'.

The rules require that seven men be lined up on the line of scrimmage. It doesn't really ever say how close they have to be. Teams make decisions on their spacing based on their offensive styles, system, etc.

The advantages to having wider splits is to spread the defense out. You can potentially open some running lanes by, say, forcing the defensive linemen to play further from each other.

There are disadvantages. You make it a longer run for your backs to get to the edge, for instance. It also can potentially take away some ability to double team.

Nothing I've seen from Montana is goofy in this regard, though. They are probably wider than normal as their QB is one of their better runners and are trying to give him some room to run the ball up the middle.

Furman's got a big, active, physical defense. I'm sure we'll see a lot of counters to what Montana wants to do offensively.

[Roundball]

Montana football fan forum. https://egriz.com/grizboard/viewtopic.php?t=92455

[Purple rain]

Our Dins have had a phenom year. It sure feels like there is still something out there for this group. I know they will be excited to play Friday night and leave it all on the field.
One of my favorite things about this group is how much they love playing with each other and just playing football. The Culture on this football team is something special. I can't wait to see this quarter final game in Montana. GO DINS!

[FUBeAR]

FUBeAR did this for AGS - it works better on that platform...but FWIW....below is a fairly detailed roster analysis of MT vs FU size-wise...

Furman | Montana | Difference (FU - UM)
HT WT HT WT HT WT
Overall Roster 73 219 | 74 223 | -1 -4
Overall O&D Starters 74 238 | 74 235 | 0 3
Overall O&D 2-Deep 74 232 | 74 232 | 0 0 - Interesting - both Teams' 2-Deeps EXACTLY the same HT/WT
Overall Roster - Offense 74 223 | 75 233 | -1 -10
Offense Starters 75 251| 75 249 | 0 2
Offense 2-Deep 74 243 | 75 246 | -1 -3
OL Starters 76 301 | 76 300 | 0 1
OL 2-Deep 76 298 | 77 295 | -1 3
Overall Roster - Defense 73 217 | 74 215 | -1 2
Defense Starters 73 225 | 73 221 | 0 4
Defense 2-Deep 73 222 | 73 219 | 0 3
D-Front (DL + LB) Starters 75 259 | 75 244 | 0 15
D-Front (DL + LB) 2-Deep 74 256 | 74 238 | 0 18
DL Starters 76 271 | 74 257 | 2 14
DL 2-Deep 74 266 | 75 248 | -1 18
-4 66 Total Diff
-0.27 4.4 Avg Diff
Sources: Online Rosters AND Most Recent Games' Published Depth Charts


Bottom Line Analysis...

Both Teams are about the same size.

Furman goes a bit heavier on the DL, but it appears that Montana is primarily 3-3-5 and Furman runs a hybrid mix of 4-2-5 and 3-3-5, so that may explain the difference there - the only place in this analysis that indicated a significant difference.

Basically, this analysis is a waste of time, but if it keeps FUBeAR from having to read endless posts about how huge and dominating Montana is / Big Sky Teams are...then it was well worth the time it took to do it.

Also - if you have a request for something you'd like to compare roster-wise between these 2 Teams, FUBeAR should be able to spin up most requests pretty quickly...HFBU.

[FUpaladin08]

Montana football fan forum. https://egriz.com/grizboard/viewtopic.php?t=92455

I can sum up their thoughts: “we’re the best, SC teams can’t hang in the cold, any issues UM had were before the QB switch.”

[AstroDin]

The ticket purchase link is now live.
Got my ticket. I'm guessing the first 13 rows for the most part are saved for Furman Family.
BTW - the opposing fans are in the corner of the endzone - SUCKS!
Oh well, Go Dins!

To the important stuff… did a test run this morning in my new mid-weight thermal tights, it was 42 and I was toasty.

[palafan]

Any word on a charter flight or watch party?

[palafan]

Who the heck schedules a 9 pm game on Friday night? Seriously. From a scheduling and seeding standpoint, I feel like Montana always gets an unfair advantage. Yep, we blew our chances in the Wofford game, so we only have ourselves to blame. With that said, go up to Missoula and kick some "A".

7pm mountain time, so 9pm eastern standard time.

[Bootie]

Any word on a charter flight or watch party?

I was told by Alex and Erin on Saturday that a charter flight would be looked into but would not likely happen due to cost.

Sure hope some watch parties are hosted somewhere in town at multiple venues.

[The Jackal]

FUBeAR did this for AGS - it works better on that platform...but FWIW....below is a fairly detailed roster analysis of MT vs FU size-wise...

Furman | Montana | Difference (FU - UM)
HT WT HT WT HT WT
Overall Roster 73 219 | 74 223 | -1 -4
Overall O&D Starters 74 238 | 74 235 | 0 3
Overall O&D 2-Deep 74 232 | 74 232 | 0 0 - Interesting - both Teams' 2-Deeps EXACTLY the same HT/WT
Overall Roster - Offense 74 223 | 75 233 | -1 -10
Offense Starters 75 251| 75 249 | 0 2
Offense 2-Deep 74 243 | 75 246 | -1 -3
OL Starters 76 301 | 76 300 | 0 1
OL 2-Deep 76 298 | 77 295 | -1 3
Overall Roster - Defense 73 217 | 74 215 | -1 2
Defense Starters 73 225 | 73 221 | 0 4
Defense 2-Deep 73 222 | 73 219 | 0 3
D-Front (DL + LB) Starters 75 259 | 75 244 | 0 15
D-Front (DL + LB) 2-Deep 74 256 | 74 238 | 0 18
DL Starters 76 271 | 74 257 | 2 14
DL 2-Deep 74 266 | 75 248 | -1 18
-4 66 Total Diff
-0.27 4.4 Avg Diff
Sources: Online Rosters AND Most Recent Games' Published Depth Charts


Bottom Line Analysis...

Both Teams are about the same size.

Furman goes a bit heavier on the DL, but it appears that Montana is primarily 3-3-5 and Furman runs a hybrid mix of 4-2-5 and 3-3-5, so that may explain the difference there - the only place in this analysis that indicated a significant difference.

Basically, this analysis is a waste of time, but if it keeps FUBeAR from having to read endless posts about how huge and dominating Montana is / Big Sky Teams are...then it was well worth the time it took to do it.

Also - if you have a request for something you'd like to compare roster-wise between these 2 Teams, FUBeAR should be able to spin up most requests pretty quickly...HFBU.

I've watched a few Big Sky teams play and have never come away thinking that we'd be outclassed or outmuscled.