Montana waging epic campaign to attract College Gameday for Week 12

If you’ve heard of the Brawl of the Wild or what Montana folks call the Cat-Griz game, get ready because it could be featured on College Gameday in Week 12.

For those that live outside Montana, you might not have noticed, but the Montana football program, as well as Montana State, the Big Sky Conference and really the entire state has been waging an epic campaign to attract College Gameday to Missoula next Saturday.

That’s the date for the Brawl of the Wild or the annual rivalry game between Montana and Montana State. Locals call it the Cat-Griz game and with both teams ranked in the top 10 of the FCS, as well as the fact that it’s one of college football’s longest-running rivalries, a visit from College Gameday is probably overdue.

But the Griz and the Big Sky have started a concerted campaign to attract them and this song from the conference’s league office definitely got some attention — even Big and Rich noticed, as well as Desmond Howard and David Pollack.

Montana has been pulling out some star power too as actor Michael Keaton sent out this message to the College Gameday crew on Friday.

Not surprisingly, the campaign has even reached Oxford, Mississippi, which is where College Gameday is for Week 11. But even while the crew is previewing A&M vs Ole Miss, Griz fans are front and center.

Howard and Pollack have both said positive things about going to Missoula which would be easier since Michigan State lost last week because Ohio State and the Spartans also play next week.

But College Gameday can go to Columbus anytime as Jeff Welsch, a local journalist points out in another solid case for the pre-game show to make a stop in the Big Sky State.

Bear also hinted at it on the show Saturday.

He also endorsed it earlier this week.

And if you’re doubting the atmosphere at a Montana football game, especially one against Montana State, maybe take a look at what Tony Romo said about Washington-Grizzly Stadium in Missoula and how loud it is.

Former NFL pro bowl quarterback Jeff Garcia also endorsed the idea of College Gameday heading to Missoula for the Brawl of the Wild.

It will be the 120th edition of the game next Saturday and it’s one of the best rivalries in college football that people don’t know about.

Montana State is No. 3 right now in the FCS and Montana is 9th. Will College Gameday make the trip in Week 12?

Right now, reading the tea leaves, it seems like the answer is yes.