BIGGEST BRAWL YET

It's the biggest football game in the state of Montana every single year. And that's never a debate.

It's also always one of the biggest football games in the Football Championship Division most seasons, too.

However, Saturday's 122nd meeting between the Montana Grizzlies and Montana State Bobcats is certainly the biggest game in the FCS this season, one of the biggest rivalry games in college football this year, and depending on how things shake out, arguably the biggest game in Brawl of the Wild history.

And that's because there's just so much on the line, as the No. 3 Grizzlies (9-1, 6-1) host the No. 4 Bobcats (8-2, 6-1) at Noon inside Washington-Grizzly Stadium where more than 27,000 fans are expected.

Of course, the rankings only tell part of the story. Also at stake is the Big Sky championship, which the winner will claim outright. Yes, the Big Sky title will reside in Montana either way for the first time in quite some time. With the title will also likely come the No. 2 seed in the FCS playoffs. While both teams have punched their ticket and likely a Top 8 seed in next week's playoffs, the No. 2 seed would ensure a semifinal home game, should either team arrive there. And that could lead to a national championship game appearance, as both the Cats and Griz enjoy massive home field advantages. 

Then of coursse, there's the rivalry itself. The Cat-Griz game has become a huge affair that now transcends Montana's border. It means so much to so many, and while it's always been that way, the magnitude of Saturday's game shows just how far the rivalry has come.

"Growing up and watching the Brawl, it was always my favorite game of the year," Levi Janacaro, a Missoula native and UM senior linebacker, said. "So, to be able to play in it has just been a blessing and a heck of an opportunity. It's been really cool."

It's a huge opportunity for the Griz, who struggled mightily out of the gate, and lost at Northern Arizona in late September. Since then though, Montana has won six straight and has risen to one of the best teams in all of FCS football.

And the Griz have done it through a combination of ways.

Offensively, Montana got off to a slow start this season, but, once transfer Clifton McDowell took over the quarterback duties, the Grizzly offense started to hum. McDowell is a true dual threat quarterback, who bolsters an already stout running game, led by Nick Ostmo and Eli Gillman. But, the Griz are far from one dimensional. With the electrifying Junior Bergen at WR and returner, as well as star receivers Aaron Fontes and Keylan White, the Griz' offense has become very dynamic, as they average 30 points and 400 yards per outing. Montana also takes care of the football, leading the Big Sky in turnover margin.

As good as Montana's offense is though, statistaclly, it's no match for the Cats, who average a whopping 44 points and nearly 500 yards of offense per outing. The Cats are second in all of the FCS in rushing at 302 yards per game as quarterbacks Tommy Mellott and Sean Chambers, as well as a plethora of running backs have made third-year head coach Brent Vigen's offense almost impossible to slow down.

And yet, slowing down the opponents of offense will likely decide Saturday's outcome in a series that the Griz lead 73-42-5, but, a series the Cats have dominated recently, winning six of the last eight meetings, including a crushing 55-21 win over the Griz last November in Bozeman.

Montana though, hopes a stout defense, led by tackle Alex Gubner, senior linebackers Janacaro and Braxton Hill and safety Trajon Cotton, among others, will have the formula to slow down the MSU juggernaut. 

The Cats though, answer with a great defense of its own. Led by DT Sebastian Valdez, end Brody Grebe, and a trio of great linebackers, the Cats are second only to the Griz in scoring defense, as Montana allows just 15 points per game, and MSU allows a scant 19 per outing. 

So, to say these teams are extremely evenly matches is an undersatatement, and, like any other Cat-Griz game, emotions will be running high and ultimately play a huge factor.

"As a Montana kid, this is all you ever dream of, so I'm excited and I love playing over there," MSU linebacker Nolan Askelson said. "This is all every little kid's dream playing in this game. All eyes are going to be on this game, all eyes are going to be watching us.

"I'm excited every Saturday," Griz head coach Bobby Hauck said. "Competition is what drives everybody involved. Everybody in our organization loves to compete. When you're playing your neighbor, there's probably a little more excitement around that just because you're so familiar with each other."

Saying a little more excitement is putting it mildly. The game, and the rivalry has never been bigger. From the expected crowd, to the expanded TV and streaking coverage, to all that's on the line, Saturday's game could be one for the ages, and everybody knows it.

"Grew up watching the game and it's just a great opportunity to get to play in this game," Hill, an Anaconda native and UM senior linebacker, said. "It'll be electric out there on Saturday and just looking forward to it."

Montana and Montana State meet for the first time ever while both teams are ranked in the Top 5 at the same time. The 122nd Brawl of the Wild kicks off at Noon Saturday in Missoula. The game can be seen on local MTN affiliates or streamed on ESPN+.