Sat Dec 21 20:40:00 UTC 2024: ## Forget the Rivalry: Why Montanans Should Cheer on the MSU Bobcats This Weekend

**MISSOULA, MT –** While the heated rivalry between the University of Montana Grizzlies and Montana State Bobcats is legendary, one writer argues that now is the time to put aside allegiances and rally behind the Bobcats as they advance in the FCS Playoffs. With the Grizzlies’ season concluded, the author contends that supporting MSU is simply supporting Montana football.

This weekend, the Bobcats face South Dakota in the FCS Semifinals, and the author presents several reasons why even the most ardent Griz fan should find themselves cheering on their in-state rivals:

* **Montana Pride:** Ultimately, it’s a Montana team competing on a national stage. Supporting MSU means supporting the state’s football legacy.
* **Homegrown Talent:** Several key Bobcat players, including star running back Adam Jones and standout defensive players JJ Dolan and Ryan Ortt, hail from Missoula, representing the state’s athletic prowess.
* **High Stakes:** The FCS Playoffs are a thrilling spectacle of high-pressure football, with everything riding on each game. The winner advances; the loser goes home.
* **The Love of the Game:** Football is deeply ingrained in Montana culture, and the author emphasizes the shared passion for the sport transcends individual team loyalties.

The author clarifies this support is only applicable now that the Grizzlies’ season is over. During the regular season, rivalry remains fierce. However, with MSU representing Montana on the national stage, the focus shifts to state pride. So, while the inbox may be flooding with hate mail, at least one Montanan suggests burying the hatchet – at least temporarily – and rooting for the Bobcats’ continued success.

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