Pick ‘em.

That’s what the folks setting the point spreads down in Las Vegas would probably say regarding the Cat-Griz game, which kicks off today at 12:37 p.m. in Missoula.

Montana and Montana State aren’t separated by much in terms of where they sit in the conference standings — UM is 7-0, MSU is 6-1 — or where they line up on the gridiron. Offensively and defensively they’re in a dead heat, so you have to look at variables in specific areas within the special teams, or turnover margin and penalties to split this hair.

The Grizzlies have an edge in those sectors and it may very well come down to one of them, but banking on that probably isn’t too advisable. The Bobcats are in a more desperate situation since a loss may end their season, while UM is a lock for the playoffs.

Those fine lines aren’t lost on MSU coach Mike Kramer.

“We have to be really careful with (kickoff returner) Rob Schulte and (punt returner) Tuff Harris,” he said. “Not just those two, but the blockers as well. Early turnovers, any turnovers we can’t have, because those will give any opponent an emotional blast, especially on the road.”

UM coach Bobby Hauck is also keeping an eye on the little things.

“They do some interesting things in the kicking game, and as usual, coach Kramer has them playing very solid in that area.”

Montana kicker/punter Dan Carpenter of Helena is having an extraordinary year. He replaced the injured punter Tyson Johnson after the first game of the season and is tied for third in the league with 42.8 yards per punt average. He also leads the league in scoring and field goal accuracy.

MSU’s Jeff Hastings is also very capable as he’s made all of his extra points and hasn’t missed from inside 40 yards in his career with the Bobcats. MSU has had trouble punting the ball, however, and have used three different punters this season. They are ranked last in the league in that category.

In terms of penalties, something will have to give. The Grizzlies are the most penalized team in the conference, while the Bobcats’ opponents are the least penalized. UM gets hit with an average of 76.2 yards per game, while MSU opponents only get sent back for a scant 42.7.

Defensively the teams boast two of the best in the nation. Montana is ranked slightly higher, but MSU dealt with numerous injuries early in the year and also overhauled its scheme.

“They switched their defense mid-season,” Hauck said. “They are now running Cal Poly’s defense with the eight-main front, so we’ve got to prepare for that.”

“Montana doesn’t take many chances on defense,” Kramer said. “They like to get their hands on the ball and create turnovers.”

Sophomore middle linebacker Bobby Daly of Helena leads MSU on defense. He’s third in the Big Sky in tackles and eighth in tackles for loss. UM’s Kroy Biermann leads the league in sacks averaging nearly one per game.

Offensively, both have had their ups and downs. The Bobcats have had a couple electrifying games from receiver Michael Jefferson, while the Grizzlies have loaded up on points in a couple games, including a 53-point effort last week.

“The Bobcats are a good, well-coached football team, and they’ve had a nice season to date,” Hauck said. “They may be the most balanced team that we’ve played this year, and we will have to defend both the run and the pass equally well.”

“The Grizzlies made some strides last week,” Kramer said. “It’s really fun for us to play against them. They’re a perennial high-caliber team and what they’ve done has been a neat accomplishment for them. To have done that with four different coaches is really amazing.”

Other than MSU’s Jefferson, neither team has anyone near the top of any statistical categories, but both teams have a wide range of weapons. Jefferson has twice gained national player of the week recognition and is complimented at receiver by Donnell Wheaton. MSU is buoyed by the return of Evin Groves, who ran for over 100 yards in his last outing after missing most of the season with a knee injury. He ran for a Cat-Griz freshman record 143 yards last year against UM.

Montana counters with a quarter of quality pass catchers in Ryan Bagley, Eric Allen, Helena’s Mike Ferriter and Craig Chambers. Quarterback Josh Swogger has a strong arm and has shown flashes of brilliance both finding receivers and running. UM has used a running back by committee effort after losing star Lex Hilliard to injury before the season. Reggie Bradshaw, Brady Green and recently Thomas Brooks-Fletcher have all looked sharp this season.

The wild card in the game may be MSU quarterback Jack Rolovich, who came on in place of injured Cory Carpenter and was red-hot for the first few games before cooling off the last couple weeks.

“Jack has to play well,” Kramer said. “He’s still learning every game. The key for him is how he handles change outside of what we prepare him for. He hasn’t made the best adjustments in the last two games. If he plays well, and we all do, early in the game it will give us a lot of confidence.”

For the Grizzlies the game represents and opportunity to win the league title outright for the first time since 2001.

“We are excited about the way things have gone,” Hauck said. “What we really want is to improve again this week and play our best game of the season. We are glad to have our ninth straight Big Sky Conference championship and have our NCAA record playoff appearances in tack.

Montana rides in on the heels of that big win against UNC, but MSU had the week off and Kramer says that should help his crew.

“Five days off from contact makes anyone feel better,” he said. “We’re as healthy as we’ve been all year.”