QB — The "Swogg" has been in a fogg in the Grizzlies' last three home games. He's completed just 43 percent of his passes and has more INTs (3) than TDs (2). Contrast McNeese's Derrick Fourroux, who has 4 TDs and 1 INT in the team's last three road wins. That's a frosh compared to a I-A drop-down.
OL — Part of the Swogg fogg has to do with the 15 sacks he's endured in that same span of home games. The Cowboys' line has allowed just 13 sacks all year, compared to 41 by UM's line. Protection makes all the difference.
WR/TE — The UM ball-hawkers are considerably bigger, statistically better and they're acclimated for catching balls in the C-O-L-D. Carlese Franklin leads the Cowboys with 6 TD grabs, but he's a backup. All three of UM's starters have 4 TDs.
DEFENSE:
DL — The Griz D-line allows a paltry 98 yards on the ground per game. Three of UM's ends (Mike Murphy, Kroy Biermann and Dustin Dlouhy) made All-Big Sky. McNeese State's Bryan Smith was named the Southland's Defensive Player of the Year, but he's just one man.
LB — The 'Boys' backers have six tackles for loss between the two of them. The Griz's middle trio have 11 tackles behind the line of scrimmage.
CB/Safety — Both of teams' secondaries are in the nation's top 35 in pass coverage. The Griz unit seperated itself with some hard-hitting versus the Bobcats last week. Next up? Another MSU squad.
SPECIAL TEAMS:
K/P/Returns — The wave of good returns by both teams shouldn't freeze up this weekend despite temperatures dipping into the 30s. McNeese returner Steven Whitehead was named his league's MVP, while Tuff Harris should have been a first-team returner.
INTANGIBLES:
Montana can even its series record against "Mac-Neese" with a win Saturday. UM is 2-3 vs. MSU, including a 1-2 mark in the playoffs. In front of an impressive Thanksgiving hangover crowd, the Griz stuff the Cowboys' run game like a Butterball at mom's house and move into the quarterfinals.
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