George Ferguson Column: Cats, Griz on a collision course, but unknowns remain

It's here. November has arrived, and I'm not excited for turkey. Instead, November, in Montana, is the only month that will see the biggest football game, hell, the biggest sporting event, to be played in the Treasure State.

Yes, the arrival of November means the annual Brawl of the Wild, the bitter rivalry between Montana State and Montana, is just around the corner. In fact, it's a mere 21 days away.

And just where are we as we steam towards that epic showdown in Bozeman? The answer is, not where we were a year ago when the Grizzlies and Bobcats met in one of the biggest games in rivalry history, a game in which the Grizzlies dominated in Missoula on a run to the FCS national championship game.

Instead, there are just so many unknowns as the 123rd meeting between the Griz and Bobcats near.

For instance. What do we really know about the Grizzlies? We don't even know who their starting quarterback truly is. We don't know which side of the ball will be the better side. For the first half of the season, it was Montana's offense offsetting a struggling defense. But, heading into their road game at Cal Poly this Saturday, it's been a resurgent defense keeping the Griz afloat.

And make no mistake, Montana is trying. To stay afloat. Horrific losses at North Dakota and home to Weber State have put the Griz in must-win mode for the remainder of the season. And that includes the next three weeks. However, if Montana can get to Bozeman unscathed, then, it will set up another huge showdown between the Cats and Griz.

Two things we do know about the Bobcats is, one, they will probably get to the Brawl unscathed, and two, there's no question who their quarterback is.

Montana State has rolled through its schedule this season, averaging over 45 points per game, and riding what has turned out to be an awesome defense. However, the Cats' schedule hasn't been, let me, say, difficult, by any means. In fact, the Cats have the worst SOS in all of the Big Sky Conference. Still, that doesn't matter. The Bobcats have taken care of business, are undefeated heading into this Saturday's game at Eastern Washington, are ranked No. 2 in the FCS and are on the verge of a conference championship and a No. 1 seed in the playoffs.

All of that is also due to the Cats knowing exactly who their quarterback is. Tommy Mellott is simply one of the best QB's in all of FCS and is probably the co-favorite to win the Walter Payton Award next to North Dakota State's Cam Miller. Mellott, despite averaging just over three quarters a game, is putting up monster numbers and is the engine that is driving the MSU bus not only towards the annual Cat-Griz game, but perhaps, a national championship.

And still, there's a lot that can happen between now and November 22. The Cats and Griz both have to play UC Davis, a program that is also among the elite in the FCS. Injuries and weather will also be a factor down the stretch, so, while teams usually are what they are at this point in the season, Montana and Montana State still have a lot to prove.

One thing is for certain though, the calendar has turned to November and we can officially begin the countdown to Bozeman 2024 and thew annual Brawl of the Wild.

Oh, and one more thing is for sure. No matter who the Griz and Cats turn out to be, that day in Bozeman will be the same as it always is, it will be the biggest sporting event in Montana this year.

No matter what, that will never change