The mighty Montana Grizzlies, alma mater of Yours Truly, are making another run through the I-AA football playoffs. This weekend, they'll be hosting the Sam Houston State Bearkats in the semifinals, with the winner set to head to Chattanooga, TN for the Championship.

My take on this week's game (not that anyone asked for my take, but isn't blogging all about offering unsolicited opinions?):

1) Many folks are talking about the previous meeting between UM and SHSU way back in September, and the fact that SHSU handed the Griz good old-fashioned whuppin' at that time. Point taken, however, let's keep one major factor in mind here: The first game was in the Texas heat and humidity in September, an environment the Griz certainly weren't acclimated to. This game will be the opposite: it's unlikely those Texas boys will be used to the cold temperatures and high altitude of a place like Missoula, their last-minute heroics at Cheney, Washington notwithstanding.

2) A corollary of point (1) above: the Griz are now motivated by revenge. It adds something to the game when you have the chance to avenge an earlier loss. This is the single primary reason why I was hoping the Griz would host SHSU instead of EWU (although it was sad to see Eastern Washingon lose such a heartbreaker). If EWU were coming to Missoula this weekend, they would have revenge on their minds for their squeaker loss to the Griz earlier in the season. With SHSU, we have the revenge factor working for us, rather than against us.

3) Washington-Grizzly Stadium: Yes, many folks have talked about how intimidating WG is for opposing teams, and opposing teams invariably say it won't be a factor. Yet it usually is--especially for teams who haven't played there before. Washington-Griz will be packed with 20,000+ fans (something few I-AA stadiums can manage consistently) and--here's the big thing--those fans are CLOSE to the field. That means loud, LOUD fans when SHSU has the ball. No small factor for a team like SHSU that lives, and dies, on the pass. The home advantage is huge for the Griz--good enough to add seven points to the spread, in my opinion.

4) The Griz have peaked at the right time, and that's what the playoffs are all about. This isn't the same squad it was even a month ago: there's a confidence there that elevates the game.

5) I will be there, and the Griz wouldn't dare lose a playoff game I'm attending. Unthinkable. I'll try to take a few photos, and post them here.

That is all. Carry on.