It's finally time for the Brawl

With nothing big on the line, the annual showdown between the Montana Grizzlies and Montana State Bobcats would still be the biggest event to take place in the Treasure State year after year. But that's never the case anyway.

No, when the Bobcats and Grizzlies meet in the annual Brawl of the Wild, the stakes are always high. And the 114th edition of the Cat-Griz game, which takes place Saturday in Missoula, is no different. The No. 12 Bobcats (8-3, 6-1) and No. 13 Grizzlies (7-4, 5-2) meet inside Washington-Grizzly Stadium at 3:09 p.m. Saturday afternoon. And they meet with plenty to play for.

MSU, which is most likely locked into an FCS playoff berth, can claim a share of the Big Sky Conference championship if the Cats beat the Griz for a third straight time in Missoula. And if Eastern Washington slips up at Portland State tonight, a win in the Brawl would give MSU an outright Big Sky championship, and a possible Top 8 seed in the upcoming playoffs.

But the stakes are equally as high for the host Grizzlies, who lead the all-time series against MSU 70-37-5. Montana is essentially playing a playoff game a week before the playoffs begin. And that's because UM has no margin for error. With four losses, UM needs to beat MSU to be considered for a playoff berth. A loss on their home field Saturday, and the Griz will miss the playoffs for the third time in the last five seasons. Not long ago, Montana had a stretch of 19 consecutive FCS playoff berths.

"We've got to take care of our own business and see what happens," said Griz head coach Mick Delaney said. "This game has a lot of meaning to it no matter what, but there's a playoff berth on the line for us. We're fighting for our playoff lives, so this game has a little more of an edge to it."

So once again, the Big Sky title, the FCS playoffs, and of course bragging rights for the next 365 days means this Cat-Griz game will be as an intense and exciting as it always it. Factor in some lousy weather predicted for Saturday, and the fact that Delaney announced his retirement effective at the end of the season, and the game has all the makings of another instant classic in a rivalry filled with classic and dramatic games.

"This week is not about me at all," Delaney said. "That is why we did this. It's about the 2014 Griz football team, which has been getting better and better as we go along. We're just really excited to be part of this game."

Of course, the game also has a lot of meaning for not just the fans and the state, but the players who play in the rivalry, especially those born in Montana. Both teams have some sort of uniform tribute to the Treasure State planned for Saturday's game. But, with so much on the line, including a little revenge for the Bobcats, who lost to the Griz 28-14 last year in Bozeman, the emotions and pride will eventually turn to the game being all about football.

"With the Cat-Griz thing, the trophy, with them coming on our field and beating us, I think there's always a little bit of revenge," MSU tight end Tia Salanoa said. "But you have to treat it the same way. You can't get too hyped. This is Cat-Griz. This is Montana, our best rivalry, but when we start playing at 3 p.m. in Missoula, it's just going to be another game."

Cat-Griz is never just another game, but once the clock starts rolling, the players and coaches certainly treat it like it is. And in this game, it's all about the MSU offense against the Griz defense. And it's also about who might play, and who won't play.

Both team's starting quarterbacks, UM's Jordan Johnson, who's 2-0 in starts against MSU, and has thrown for 2,092 yards and 17 touchdowns, is nursing an injured ankle. Senior Shay Smithwick-Hann is Johnson's backup, and he started the 2012 Cat-Griz, won by the Bobcats in Missoula. On the other side, sensational MSU sophomore Dakota Prukop, who has 2,279 yards and has run for 932 more, while totaling 30 TDs is sidelined with a knee injury. Junior Jake Bleskin, who threw for 350 yards in MSU's critical win last week against Idaho State, is expected to start, but both Prukop and Johnson are not likely to miss Saturday's Brawl.

No matter who's on the field though, the game features two completely different styles, and who plays better with their style will likely win Saturday's massive showdown.

The MSU offense is one of the most prolific in the FCS. The Cats average 41 points and 504 yards of offense in coordinator Tim Cramsey's run-first, fast-paced offense. MSU rushes for 257 yards per game, and has its full stable of running backs, led by senior speedster Shawn Johnson, and backed up by bruisers Anthony Knight and Chad Newell. Add to that Salanoa, and a bevy of speedy wideouts, and perhaps the biggest and best offensive line in the Big Sky, and the MSU offense will certainly test even the best defenses.

And that's exactly what the Grizzlies have. UM is tops in the Big Sky, allowing just 21 points per game, and only 15 points per game at home. UM is first in the league in total defense, second against the run and third against the pass. Led by senior Buck Buchanen Award nominee Zack Wagenmann and his 12.5 sacks, as well as nose guard Tonga Takia, three fast linebackers and four-year starting safety Matt Hermanson, Montana's defense is as good as it gets. But the Griz will need to be even better against MSU's high-octane attack.

"It's an offense that will test your eyes and discipline," Wagenmann said. "We really have to nail down our keys early in the week and prepare really well for this team. They can put up a lot of points, and we're going to have our hands full.

"I think that's going to be an intriguing thing to watch," MSU head coach Rob Ash said. "Montana's defensive front is very impressive and their results for the season bear out the fact that they are very dominating up front. We've been good on the offensive line. Our guys have played well. It's kind of strength against strength, and I think it will be one of the keys to the game."

On the other side, Montana's offense has been less than special this season, and MSU's defense has been much maligned. The Griz' offense averages just 28 points per game, and UM is only sixth in the Big Sky in rushing, as the Griz have struggled to adapt to a young offensive line that will feature five new starters compared to last year's Cat-Griz game. Meanwhile, the MSU defense was one of the best in the Big Sky the last three years, but even with star linebacker Alex Singleton and shutdown corner Deonte Flowers leading the way, along with defensive end Odin Coe coming on strong as of late, the Cats have struggled to stop teams all year. MSU allows 32 points per game and is 12th out of 13 teams in total defense.

Still, UM's offense is laden with talent, led by Johnson, running backs Jordan Canada and Travon Van, and go-to wideout Jamal Jones. Canada is closing in on a third straight 1,000-yard season, while Van leads the Griz with 17 total touchdowns. And Jones has nearly 1,000 yards receiving and six scores. Montana no doubt misses All-American WR Ellis Henderson and a big, physical offensive line, but there's just no reason why the Griz can't be a high-powered offense, too, and that's exactly what they hope to be Saturday.

"We need to execute better," Johnson said. "Not just at the beginning of the game but throughout the entire game. We've been so up and down, at times been great and at times been pretty poor. If we can just be consistent, we'll be really good.

"They (Cats) have a ton of athletic guys," he added eluding to MSU's defense. "(Alex) Singleton is a really good linebacker. (Deonte) Flowers is one of the best corners in the (Big Sky) conference. It will be a test for us. We will have some young guys who haven't played in this game who will be a little too fired up at first, but once we get settled down we'll be just fine.

"I'm very impressed with Montana," Ash noted. "They are a very tough, rugged football team. They played a tough non-conference with Wyoming and North Dakota State. They've been good. They are very physical on defense, the No. 1 defense in the conference. They've held people to low point totals. Jordy and that offense are very, very impressive. They have great speed. The running backs can take an inside zone and make it a 60-yard home run. The wide receivers now with Van playing outside, they have really good down the field threats as well."

Indeed. Both teams are impressive, and that's usually the case when UM and MSU hook up. But what's unusual is that no home team has won in the rivalry since Montana captured the 2008 Brawl in Missoula. That's a strange trend, and it's one the Grizzlies are hoping to buck Saturday. And of course, they know they need to because on their senior day, if they don't win, they are done for the year.

On the other hand, the Cats are looking to continue their streak of taming a normally hostile Washington-Grizzly Stadium. A record crowd of near 27,000 is expected for Saturday's game, and the Cats come into the tilt with confidence, but not too much confidence.

"It's nice to have had some success there before, but the past doesn't help us any, doesn't give us any points or anything in this game," said Ash, who is 2-5 against the Griz, but 2-1 in Missoula. "It's a completely different cast of characters pretty much and a different scenario going in. But it helps we've won there before."

"I've been there twice now," added senior linebacker Cole Moore. "It's an incredible environment. Everyone looks forward to going up there and playing the game. I don't think there is a comparable experience at the FCS level. We are all tremendously excited to go up there and put forth our best effort."

The Cats should be excited, because a Big Sky title, which would be their fourth in the last five seasons is within reach, and what better place to clinch it than on their bitter rivals' home field. Of course, Montana has other ideas, and the Griz are equally focused on walking out of Wash-Griz Saturday night with a playoff berth and the Divide Trophy.

"It's such a fantastic opportunity for the young men from Montana, and the young men who are going to school here at Montana, as well as at (Montana) State," Delaney said. "What a great thing for college football. The 114th time these two teams have met, a playoff berth on the line, the last game of the season, it doesn't get any better than that."

"It's awesome," Johnson added. "I didn't really understand it when I first got here. But being a part of that 2010 game, my first one, that was awesome. It's just amazing to be a part of this game, and to represent the University of Montana and the city of Missoula in this game."

Saturday's 114th edition of the Brawl of the Wild will kick off at 3:09 p.m. inside Washington-Grizzly Stadium. The game will be televised nationally on Root Sports Northwest.

Brawl of the Wild

No. 12 Montana State Bobcats (8-3, 6-1) at No. 13 Montana Grizzlies (7-4, 5-2)

Saturday 3:09 p.m.

Washington-Grizzly Stadium

Television: Root Sports NW

Twitter: Twitter/Havredaily