BOZEMAN – No. 2 Montana State won’t need any external motivation for Saturday’s 123rd Brawl of the Wild, but the stakes outside of the rivalry could be historic for the team.

The Bobcats have the ability to finish the regular season 12-0 for the first time ever, win the Big Sky Conference title outright and likely clinch a top two seed for the FCS playoffs, which is a home advantage is guaranteed until the semi-finals.

But all that has to be earned on Saturday.

“I know this team is looking for more, you know, we would love nothing more than to win the conference title,” Montana State coach Brent Vigen said. “The basis for all this is obviously crucial for us this week, and then the rivalry. This game counts as one, but it means more.”

Last year the Bobcats lost 37-7 in Missoula, and this year they hope to avenge that. According to defenseman Brody Grebe, it has been the motivation for the team for almost a year.

“Man, I think about this game, especially after last year and what happened every day,” he said. “I walk by that podium there (at the Bobcat Athletic Complex) and look at it and know there should be a trophy there.”

Beyond the stakes and rivalry, it will also be Senior Day as the team will honor 24 of their players who are in their final season of eligibility with the Bobcats and have made history so far this year.

“Everyone is playing for each other, I feel like this is a super tight class,” Montana State safety Rylan Ortt said. “You know, I think as seniors we took pride in trying to make this one of the best seasons ever, going 1-0 every week, working hard and coming together to try to lead this team and do everything we can.”

“We went through everything together, considering the seasons, the ups and downs, the playoffs,” Montana State quarterback Tommy Mellott reflected. “You know, just going in and expecting to win every week is tough for a program, but that’s the expectation here and that’s what we love. It’s a privilege to have.”

With the college football landscape constantly changing, this rivalry has remained intact and continues to thrive, something that Montana State cherishes.

“It’s something I don’t take for granted,” Vigen said of the intense passion that still surrounds this rivalry. “In this day and age when so many of these intrastate, intraconference rivalries are disappearing, I can see that this rivalry within our roster, within our team, is as alive as ever.”

Saturday’s game between No. 9 Montana and No. 2 Montana State kicks off at noon at Bobcat Stadium in Bozeman and will be broadcast on CBS affiliates throughout Montana – KBZK in Bozeman, KPAX in Missoula and the Flathead Valley, KTVQ in Billings, KXLF in Butte, KRTV in Great Falls and KXLH in Helena.