Just How Big Is The Cat/Griz Rivalry Across Montana?

If you're born and raised in Montana, or move here later in life, one of the most important decisions you will have to make is whether you will be Team Cats or Team Griz. Keep in mind, depending on who you ask and where you live, there is a right and wrong answer.

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The Cat/Griz rivalry goes all the way back to 1897 and is the 11th oldest west of the Mississippi. For many, it's a family affair with multiple generations going to one of the two schools and while the population of that state is less than most, the passion of the two fan bases is bigger than many of the larger rivalries across the country.

Nothing in Montana is bigger than the Brawl of the Wild and whether it's on the football field, the basketball or volleyball courts, or on the track and field, bragging rights are always on the line when the two schools meet.

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I've had the pleasure to live in both Missoula and Bozeman and have seen the rivalry up close. Both cities and fan bases like to claim that they're more passionate and dedicated than the other. Emotions and trash talk certainly run high between the two fan bases, with the most recent incident being the fight over which city would host ESPN "College Game Day". (Bozeman won by the way)

Of course, it didn't help that the Cats beat the Griz by a score of 55-21 and that later the Gameday crew would claim that out of all of their stops last year, their favorite just happened to be in Bozeman. However, the next year, the Cats would be on the losing end when the game returned to Missoula.  The Griz would go on to play in the National Championship game before losing to South Dakota State.

This year, the Cats look like the team to beat. With a perfect record of 6-0 and two big road game wins to start the season, the Bobcats are eyeing a National Championship.  The Griz have had their share of struggles already losing to North Dakota on the road and Weber State at home.

Oh, and just in case you were curious, the game will take place in Bozeman on November 23rd and tickets will be in high demand.

So whether you decide to bleed blue and gold or go with team maroon and silver, if you're living in Montana, you have to pick one or the other. Personally, I say Go Cats!