George Ferguson: The Cats are great, but I won't be cheering for them, and that's OK

For the last two weeks, I’ve been asked a very consistent question. And for the last two weeks, my answer has remained the same. And so I’ll answer it again here, and even offer a short, concise, explanation.

No, I’m not “cheering for” the Bobcats Saturday. And honestly, I don’t think they care. Also, honestly, it’s OK.

Now having said that, I certainly won’t be “cheering for” North Dakota State, either. Like, if I’m a Minnesota Vikings fan, and I’m watching a game between the Cowboys and Patriots, I’m not “cheering for” either team. Why? Because I’m a Vikings fan.

Same goes for Saturday’s FCS Championship game. I’m not a fan of either team, just like so many of you are not fans of the Montana Grizzlies, either.

Now, let me back up one second, before I explain further, though again, I really don’t think anyone cares who I cheer for to be honest.

The facts are, however, the Montana State Bobcats are a great football team, and as someone who has covered them all season long, and completely objectively I might add, I couldn’t be more impressed with what the Cats have done. They’re awesome, they have one of the best run defenses I’ve ever seen, they have a great running game themselves, and of course, they have one of the greatest college football players the state of Montana has seen in a long, long time in one Troy Andersen. So again, objectively speaking, how could I not be impressed with the Cats, especially now that they’re playing for a national championship.

And just so we’re clear that not “cheering for” them isn’t sour grapes, I’ll do you one better than just complimenting or being impressed by the Bobcats — I’ll say that, no matter what the score was on Nov. 20 in Missoula, the Cats were, and are the better team. It’s plainly obvious to even this diehard Griz alum. They are the better team in the state this season, and certainly, making it to Frisco validates that statement.

And still, I have no reason to “cheer for” them. But not for the reasons you might think. It’s not out of pettiness, jealousy or spite, believe it or not. It isn’t out of hate either. I’ve honestly never gotten that part of this rivalry. I don’t hate the Bobcats. How can I hate someone I don’t know? So it isn’t about that either. Hate in sports is stupid and childish. But, if I was being that way, I could cite the fact the only time I’ve ever heard any of my diehard Bobcat friends say they cheered for the Griz was when Marc Mariani played for them. Great, good for you guys, but Marc doesn’t play for the Bobcats last I checked.

Speaking of Marc, though, remember when the Griz made it to the national championship game in 2009? Well, the week of that game, a business owner in Bozeman took out a full-page ad in a newspaper wishing Villanova good luck and imploring them to beat the Griz. I laughed at the time, but thinking back on it now, when I get asked about “cheering for” the Cats this week, I can’t forget that ad.

Still, that has nothing to do with why I’m not “cheering for” MSU Saturday. Instead, it’s simple. I’m not a Bobcat fan. I actually have no feelings toward them one way or another. Isn’t that what fans do? They cheer for their team, not someone else's team, and my team is the Griz, and their season was over a long time ago. So when their season is over, from a fan standpoint, so is mine.

Of course, I’ve heard about 100 times, “You’re from Montana, you have to cheer for the Montana boys.”

No, I actually don’t.

First off, why would I only cheer for Montana kids? Both the Griz and Cats rosters are made up of kids from tons of different places, and they are all important. Where would MSU be right now without Isaiah Ifanse, Daniel Hardy, Ty Okada, and the big linemen Taylor Tui and Lewis Kidd? I can tell you where they wouldn’t be. They wouldn’t be in Frisco playing for a national title. So while even I think Troy Andersen is amazing, and Tommy football is a pretty cool story, the “Montana boys” theory doesn’t hold water with me. In fact, I saw a quote just yesterday from Brent Vigen, who is also not from Montana, saying they’re “All Montanans Now.” And that’s how I’ve always looked at it. As much as I love seeing Montana kids do amazing things with the Griz, they would have never been the Griz without the out-of-state guys either. They certainly wouldn’t have two banners without ’em and if the Cats win Saturday, it won’t be only because of the 38 Montana guys on the roster. It will be because of all of the players, and their coaches.

So “cheering for” the Cats Saturday because Montana kids are playing or because I live in Montana is kind of a silly argument. I know damn well Mets fans didn’t cheer for the Yankees when they were knocking out World Series titles left and right. If that’s OK, then it should be OK for Griz fans to not cheer for the Cats Saturday, too.

But back to the original point. The simple fact is, I’m not “cheering for” the Cats Saturday because I’m not an MSU fan. I’m an alum of the rival school, and also of MSU-Northern. Those teams I “cheer for.” Do I think it’s a great story? Again, am I impressed with Cats? Very much so. Will I watch, cover and report on the game and make sure the coverage is in Monday’s Havre Daily News? You bet. Will I give them tons of credit, like I already have, win or lose? Absolutely. I will certainly do my job.

But that’s what Saturday’s game is to me now, part of my job. Nothing more, nothing less. That’s just how it is, and that’s OK.

Having said that, I will say, good luck Bobcats and good luck Bobcat fans. Enjoy this moment. There’s nothing like it. And to all my friends headed to Texas, have a blast, savor it. As someone who has been to a few of these, when you’re a diehard fan, there’s really nothing else like it.

Like most of the state, I’ll be watching Saturday morning, but unlike most of the state, I just won’t be “cheering for” them, or the Bison.