The infamous Griz/Cat rivalry extends well beyond the stadium and bleeds into the streets. Here at UPTOP, we decided to investigate the ancient rivalry at its soul.  

Yes, I’m talking about tailgating.

To determine which school out competes the other — in terms of what really matters — we decided to compare the two in five crucial categories.

Cold weather tolerance

The Washington Grizzly Stadium is situated at the mouth of Hellgate Canyon, with cold, bristling winds that do its name justice. Fans must survive fingers too numb to text and sweat that leaves your pores already freezing. The solution: throw your game day jersey over those three sweatshirts you have on and cheer passionately enough to warm up.

 

A Bozeman winter ranks as one of the top reasons not to move to the picturesque mountain town. Weeks before the official start of winter, temperatures can drop to below zero and stay there weeks at a time. Fans expect drinks to freeze in their hands and toes to suffer from mild frostbite… on a warm day. But that doesn’t stop them crazy cats from lining the stadium anyways.

 

The winner: Let’s be honest, both teams lose.  

Style

How can you show off Bobcat pride on a 10-degree day? Shirtless and dripping in bodypaint, obviously. That is unless it’s the Gold Rush game. For the first home game of every season, Bobcat fans fill the stadium in a sea of gold, flaunting their pride in an epic display of camaraderie and style.

 

The Griz have their own shirtless collegiates ready to sacrifice their silky skin to cheer on their fellow griz. But bare-chests don’t mean unfashionable fans, as true grizzlies know how to accessorize — with griz hats, shorts, socks, boxers and beer koozies.  

 

The winner: Florida State. Their shirtless pride won’t land them in the hospital.

 Culinary Creativity:

Montana: home of beer and burgers. But who does it better?

 

The Griz boast the famous Mo Club with their legendary ⅓ lb burger, best paired with the Montana Griz Lager from Big Sky Brewing. Original tailgate cuisine includes smoky bacon and fried egg toast, chicken chili, football-sized shrimp and spicy sausage (runner up: cheap beer and breakfast food at the traditional Kegs and Eggs party).

While the Bobcats don’t have their own branded beer, the on-campus sports bar Spectators and classic, rowdy joint, The Cannery leaves fans satisfied with juicy burgers and cheap drinks. In the parking lot itself, famous tailgaters rotate through themes every week, while others stay classy by smoking any meat they can get their hands on (griz meat??).

The winner: Obviously the team with their own beer

Roudiness Index:

While the Grizzlies are known to party from dawn to dusk on game days — jeers and cheers echoing across the entire length of the city — their rivals burn an effigy of Monty. Literally light a teddy bear on fire.

 

The winner: Teddy bear murderers?

Post-Game:

Win or lose, Bobcats keep the party raging long after the game ends, meeting up at one of the 20-some bars downtown. Grizzlies too flood the streets after game day — parking themselves at Mo’s or the Press Box in mourning or celebration. All true football fans keep the party going well into the weekend.

The winner: Montana Bars and Breweries: In victory or defeat, the drinks must be served.

End result: Traumatized teddy bears and shirtless warriors. Who do you think is the winner of the Brawl of the Wild: tailgating edition?