They may not be in the playoffs, but the Grizzlies should be

happy they stayed put

It was a freezing cold. Fans huddled around me had taken more than a few trips out to the parking lot for a little liquid warmth. The two Big Sky teams out on the field were playing in a game that had serious postseason implications. Before the first quarter even kicked off, there was a buzz in the air.

It wasn't the Griz-Cat game. It was the EWU-Idaho State game.

Now, granted, Idaho State couldn't beat the cast of Glee in a game of football at this juncture, but Eastern Washington was playing for at least a share of the Big Sky Championship and an undefeated regular season record on that beautiful red turf.

Despite bitter temperatures and an opponent that was less appealing than a drunk David Hasselhoff, the crowd was certainly invested in the game and the Eagles didn't disappoint with a 34-7 victory over the hapless Bengals. Since getting a budget stimulus from Tennessee Titans lineman and Eag alum Michael Roos, it appears to me that the athletic department is pulling all the show stoppers they can for football games now. Even compared to just a few years ago, Eastern Washington games feel more and more like a big event.

(That could also have something to do with it being the only winning Div. I football team in the state of Washington as well).

Why? Because it was (posthumously) the No. 1 team in the country, there was a championship on the line and that turf was just so... cool.

Having made numerous trips to the FCS postseason in the past seven years, they're definitely a program on the rise. And you know what? It still doesn't hold a candle to Washington-Grizzly Stadium on gameday.

The University of Montana does football right, and even though fans are probably about ready to egg Coach Pflugrad's house right now after losing to the Bobcats, you can't argue with the success of a program when 7-4 is considered a horrible season.

Wrap this around your noggin: for the first time in 18 years, the Griz won't get a shot at the national championship in the postseason.

Had they gone up to the WAC and the FBS, they'd probably never get a shot. The university wisely chose to stay in the Big Sky Conference. They wisely chose to keep competing for a national championship year in and year out.

It's the best move, as Montana fans can go and sit (or stand and hurl remarks at the opposing quarterback's bearded girlfriend) in Washington-Grizzly Stadium and watch meaningful football.

You wouldn't have that buzz at the EWU game, or the boisterous crowd at Washington Grizzly Stadium if this was the Sun Belt or the WAC.

You'd have a Tuesday night game on ESPN that was barely watched and a microscopic crowd with little interest.

This Big Sky season has been remarkable. Every week, I've re-ceived flurries of texts and phone calls from friends: "Did you see if Weber State won? How did Portland State do against Montana? What did Montana State do in the second half against NAU? Has Monte put a ‘kick me' sign on Pflugrad yet?"

It's certainly more exciting than packing in the season after your team loses one game and your postseason will be relegated to the "Sham-wow Bowl" in Gary, Indiana. Sac State, Weber State and Northern Arizona all had postseason aspirations at some point during the season as well.That's six teams, SIX, that still had a glimmer of hope for a shot at the national championship at least midway through the season.

There's not a single conference in the FBS that can say that.And even though you might be stinging from the loss to the Bobcats, it might actually be a good thing for a little bit more parody in the conference. The Big Sky is becoming a relative super power in the FCS by adding teams and excellent performances from existing ones.

Montana stands to get more exposure and provide much more fan enjoyment when they're in a conference with their in-state rival, they have a full slate of tough games and every now and then they play on a different colored patch of turf.

While other Big Sky teams are making some progress against the Grizzlies, it can't necessarily be a bad thing.

Wouldn't it be much better for the university if they're playing on the road against crowds that are more than half-full? It's much better being a big fish in a small pond than a small fish out of consideration for a BCS bowl game.

Montana may have lost on Saturday, but if you look at the big picture, the Big Sky Conference and the Grizzlies have have picked up a win for the future.