Montana Grizzlies Playoff Scenarios After Idaho Loss

The Montana Grizzlies dropped to 5-3 (3-2) last weekend after their 42-35 loss to the Idaho Vandals. It marks the second loss in a row and has Griz fans frustrated.

What's next? What are the playoff hopes for the Montana Grizzlies? Are they a lock still? What are the scenarios for the Griz?

There's a lot to cover, and the Voice of the Griz Riley Corcoran broke it all down on The Daily Drive with Ace Sauerwein on Monday.

FYI, we are obviously pulling for the Griz. We work for Montana and want Montana to win, but at the same time we won't ignore the issues facing the Griz Football program. Fans are too smart to look through us trying to cover up any blemishes.

What the Idaho Loss Means for Montana's Playoff Hopes

"We all know what it takes to win in the FCS Playoffs," said Corcoran. "It's getting multiple home games, so this loss is devastating in that [aspect]."

"But the dream of being a top 4 seed, that the road goes through Washington-Grizzly Stadium, a chance to win a Big Sky title - all that goes out the window."

Montana Griz Football's Final Four Regular-Season Games

Montana has four games remaining in the regular season.

@ Eastern Washington (Oct. 31)
vs. Portland State (Nov. 7)
vs. Idaho State (Nov. 14)
@ Montana State (Nov. 21)

The Griz Football Playoff Scenarios, Explained

If Montana can run the table and win all four games, Corcoran believes Montana can still earn a top-8 seed.

But the flip side of that is if Montana loses one of the next three games, it gets really dicey.

"If they lose, Ace, one of these next three games where they are going to be double-digit favorites in all three of them... They will be headed to Bozeman playing for their playoff lives. And that was something we'd never thought we would say three weeks ago."

It boils down to this, in our opinion:

Win all 4 games: Top 8 seed

Go 3-1 with a loss vs. Montana State: Somewhere in the 9-16 range

Go 3-1 with a loss vs. someone other than Montana State: Somewhere in the 9-16 range (probably?)

Lose one of the next three games: Must win in Bozeman

The season isn't done yet, folks. The sky is red, but it has not completely fallen yet. Hopefully the staff and the guys can solidify things for a late-season stretch.