Battle For the Brown Stain

[Prodigal Cat]

I remember the last time gris fans got on this board touting their rush defense. It was last year, started early November to about noon on November 19. Not sure why it stopped at that exact moment but it did.

[TomCat88]

Thanks, 88. Did the Cats "physically dominate" SDSU? I watched most of that game and, while the Cats were playing them fairly even, I don't recall the Cats physically dominating SDSU. I also wonder which other teams MSU has played are good physically; I don't know. Yes, the Cats stats are mostly outstanding at this point. Last season, the Griz stats were very good at about this point too. Then, the tougher part of the season came, the QB went down, and most of UM's stats went south. I didn't realize the Cats had had so many injuries. How many of those guys are still out or not coming back? Your depth must be good, as you say. I don't put much stock in big numbers in 4th quarters, when the game is over or all but over. But good for the backups.

Looking at the SDSU stats, MSU rushed for a 4.4 average; SDSU was 5.4, with fewer attempts. Cats didn't do much passing. Cats had more plays, but averaged only 4.7 per plays to SDSU's 6.7. 3d down conversions were 4-12 to SDSU's 5-9. MSU scored only 1 TD. Obviously, SDSU is very good and the Cats hung in there. But nothing in the stats shows the Cats "physically dominated" SDSU, nor do I recall that.

UM is 6th in the nation in rushing D, at 84. MSU is 23d. Cats are 1st in nation in rushing at 325.

No they, "played to a virtual standstill." You missed that part of the post. My comments relate to the BSC, except where noted.

Relative to MSU and SDSU no other teams are good, physically, that I've seen. In terms of physicality and athleticism, the Grizzlies aren't in the same ballpark as MSU or SDSU. If UM were in that same realm as those two teams it would've shown up by now. There's not much of a comparison between those two teams and anyone else right now. Maybe some other teams are out there. Maybe UND and USD are in that area.

But MSU and SDSU could lose. That’s the beauty of sports. The FCS hasn’t had a Cinderella season in a long time. It’s been NDSU, JMU and now SDSU.

[DMMDCats]

I remember the last time gris fans got on this board touting their rush defense. It was last year, started early November to about noon on November 19. Not sure why it stopped at that exact moment but it did.

As long as the bobcats do their job, it won't matter what any cat4/got/gris troll says. Not one little bit.

The ego and the ID.

goosfraba and don't feed the trolls.

[cats2506]

I think 7 needs to read what this SAC guy thinks about the Cats
https://bigskyfans.com/hornets/viewtopi ... 304#p36304

[TomCat88]

I think 7 needs to read what this SAC guy thinks about the Cats
https://bigskyfans.com/hornets/viewtopi ... 304#p36304

That’s true, but at least 7 is talking about football and is being polite from what I can see. A little common courtesy is always welcome. I can’t blame him for being excited about his team. Things were looking bleak and a win over a team that a majority of people thought was going to be really good this year on the road is a good reason to get excited. Has him looking into how the Cats might be beatable. Cat fans did the same thing not long ago. He may be stretching it but you always strike when the iron is hot.

[Grizfan7]

I think 7 needs to read what this SAC guy thinks about the Cats
https://bigskyfans.com/hornets/viewtopi ... 304#p36304

That’s true, but at least 7 is talking about football and is being polite from what I can see. A little common courtesy is always welcome. I can’t blame him for being excited about his team. Things were looking bleak and a win over a team that a majority of people thought was going to be really good this year on the road is a good reason to get excited. Has him looking into how the Cats might be beatable. Cat fans did the same thing not long ago. He may be stretching it but you always strike when the iron is hot.

I haven't shown any excitement about the Griz. I have just provided quotes from what I thought was a good article, and said things countering what other posters said. I haven't said anything about how the Cats are beatable either. Again, just countering bad information. I'm just trying to learn more about the Cats' team, and provide information on the Griz team. It's pretty clear that a number of posters don't know much about the Griz at this point in time. 6-1. 2 wins on the road against top 25 teams, including the no. 3 team in the nation, and the Griz "stink"?

[grizzh8r]

I think 7 needs to read what this SAC guy thinks about the Cats
https://bigskyfans.com/hornets/viewtopi ... 304#p36304

That’s true, but at least 7 is talking about football and is being polite from what I can see. A little common courtesy is always welcome. I can’t blame him for being excited about his team. Things were looking bleak and a win over a team that a majority of people thought was going to be really good this year on the road is a good reason to get excited. Has him looking into how the Cats might be beatable. Cat fans did the same thing not long ago. He may be stretching it but you always strike when the iron is hot.

I haven't shown any excitement about the Griz. I have just provided quotes from what I thought was a good article, and said things countering what other posters said. I haven't said anything about how the Cats are beatable either. Again, just countering bad information. I'm just trying to learn more about the Cats' team, and provide information on the Griz team. It's pretty clear that a number of posters don't know much about the Griz at this point in time. 6-1. 2 wins on the road against top 25 teams, including the no. 3 team in the nation, and the Griz "stink"?

Did you watch the NAU game? That version of the gris stunk. Like really bad. A lot of the posts around here regarding their supposed demise were made right about that time, and rightfully so.

My brother asked me last week if I thought the gris would beat Idaho and I said I doubted it, but wouldn't count them out. Just when you think they're down for the count, they spring right back up and start throwing counter punches. Seen it so many times when they've snatched victory from the jaws of defeat. Will be interesting to see how the last 4 games of the season play out for them...

[Grizfan7]

I think 7 needs to read what this SAC guy thinks about the Cats
https://bigskyfans.com/hornets/viewtopi ... 304#p36304

That’s true, but at least 7 is talking about football and is being polite from what I can see. A little common courtesy is always welcome. I can’t blame him for being excited about his team. Things were looking bleak and a win over a team that a majority of people thought was going to be really good this year on the road is a good reason to get excited. Has him looking into how the Cats might be beatable. Cat fans did the same thing not long ago. He may be stretching it but you always strike when the iron is hot.

I haven't shown any excitement about the Griz. I have just provided quotes from what I thought was a good article, and said things countering what other posters said. I haven't said anything about how the Cats are beatable either. Again, just countering bad information. I'm just trying to learn more about the Cats' team, and provide information on the Griz team. It's pretty clear that a number of posters don't know much about the Griz at this point in time. 6-1. 2 wins on the road against top 25 teams, including the no. 3 team in the nation, and the Griz "stink"?

Did you watch the NAU game? That version of the gris stunk. Like really bad. A lot of the posts around here regarding their supposed demise were made right about that time, and rightfully so.

My brother asked me last week if I thought the gris would beat Idaho and I said I doubted it, but wouldn't count them out. Just when you think they're down for the count, they spring right back up and start throwing counter punches. Seen it so many times when they've snatched victory from the jaws of defeat. Will be interesting to see how the last 4 games of the season play out for them...

It's now 3 wins later, with 2 wins in a row over top 25 teams, including the no. 3 team. All with McDowell now starting at QB. Vidlak started and played against NAU. Like you, I believe it's more relevant to look at how the Griz are playing in their more recent games. And if some Cat fans want to believe the Cats will beat UM this year because they crushed UM last year, then they can go for it. I don't believe that game has anything to do with this year's game, except that I believe the Griz coaches and players will have learned and gained motivation from it.

[cats2506]

I have watched all the gris games this year, do you think offense that played in the second half of the UI game can beat PSU, I don't think they can. Your defense put together about 3 quarters in that game but UI made some unforced errors too.

The UCD game was sloppy, but so was Davis so it worked out for you. I actually predicted a gris win in that one, UCD is not a top 25 team

UM is lacking on the OL, very little depth at DL, LB's are average. QB is better with McD but still middle of pack in the BSC, RB are serviceable, nothing great and not much depth, Secondary is average at best. The only 2 players I see on the team that would see the field for the Cats are Bergan and Gubner.

[BelligerentBobcat]

One would think after the last few years UM fans would realize they always rank high in rush defense because every year they’re the last team to play MSU in conference.

[RickRund]

Top 10 wins is one thing but the rankings below that are a bit weaker as you go down the list. By the time you hit #25 it is luke warm.

[The Butcher]

What other wins showed how good the Cats are? I haven't seen the games or looked closely at stats, so I don't know. I'm just asking.

The Cats beating Weber 40-0 is damn impressive. Weber may not be as good as advertised, but hanging a "0" on a Big Sky team is no joke.

Other Weber conference games:
Weber 28 - NCU 21 (griz play Saturday)
NAU 27 - Weber 10 (griz lost by 14)
UC Davis 17 - Weber 16 (griz won by 8 )

Cats conference games:
Cats 40 - Weber 0
PSU 22 - Cats 38
Cal Poly 19 - Cats 59

Cats closest win was 16 points (could easily have been 23 but took a knee around the 10 yard line at the end). griz total win differential is 18 points.

Based on these games (not scientific) I would say the griz are more on the Weber level than the Cats.

[coloradocat]

One would think after the last few years UM fans would realize they always rank high in rush defense because every year they’re the last team to play MSU in conference.

I had never thought about that before but it makes a lot of sense. They sink back down in the conference rankings after playing us. We kill everyone's rush defense stats.

[Cataholic]

Anybody who watched the Idaho - UM game had to question how Idaho was ranked so high. They looked awful. The players looked like they didn’t want to play. The coaching decisions were head scratchers leaving at least 2 FG on the field. Their QB would see Gris blitz but still take 5 seconds to make a decision to pass. Their lines on both sides of the ball were terrible. They look to be a team that we will beat by at least two scores, maybe even three.

[Joe Bobcat]

One would think after the last few years UM fans would realize they always rank high in rush defense because every year they’re the last team to play MSU in conference.

I had never thought about that before but it makes a lot of sense. They sink back down in the conference rankings after playing us. We kill everyone's rush defense stats.

A perfect example of that would be SDSU rush defense this year. Right now their rush defense is 15th with 98.3 yds rushing allowed per game. Cats played them in their second game of the season and they held us to 211 yds rushing. If they had played the Cats last week instead of the 2nd week of their season they would've entered that game with a rush defense of 76 yds/gm, good enough for 3rd in the FCS. So even holding us to our lowest rush yds of the season we sort of wrecked their rush defense stats for the year by 22 yds/gm, dropping them from 3rd to 15th in that stat as of now.

[TomCat88]

What other wins showed how good the Cats are? I haven't seen the games or looked closely at stats, so I don't know. I'm just asking.

The Cats beating Weber 40-0 is damn impressive. Weber may not be as good as advertised, but hanging a "0" on a Big Sky team is no joke.

Other Weber conference games:
Weber 28 - NCU 21 (griz play Saturday)
NAU 27 - Weber 10 (griz lost by 14)
UC Davis 17 - Weber 16 (griz won by 8 )

Cats conference games:
Cats 40 - Weber 0
PSU 22 - Cats 38
Cal Poly 19 - Cats 59

Cats closest win was 16 points (could easily have been 23 but took a knee around the 10 yard line at the end). griz total win differential is 18 points.

Based on these games (not scientific) I would say the griz are more on the Weber level than the Cats.

Also worth mentioning that 40 is the most points allowed by Weber this year. Utah is second at 31 at Rice-Eccles.

[TomCat88]

One would think after the last few years UM fans would realize they always rank high in rush defense because every year they’re the last team to play MSU in conference.

I had never thought about that before but it makes a lot of sense. They sink back down in the conference rankings after playing us. We kill everyone's rush defense stats.

A perfect example of that would be SDSU rush defense this year. Right now their rush defense is 15th with 98.3 yds rushing allowed per game. Cats played them in their second game of the season and they held us to 211 yds rushing. If they had played the Cats last week instead of the 2nd week of their season they would've entered that game with a rush defense of 76 yds/gm, good enough for 3rd in the FCS. So even holding us to our lowest rush yds of the season we sort of wrecked their rush defense stats for the year by 22 yds/gm, dropping them from 3rd to 15th in that stat as of now.

Or Weber. 4.1, but 3.3 without playing MSU, which averaged 7.7 vs them. 4.4 over their average, which includes a game at Utah.

[Grizfan7]

One would think after the last few years UM fans would realize they always rank high in rush defense because every year they’re the last team to play MSU in conference.

Let's look at this statement: "One would think after the last few years UM fans would realize they always rank high in rush defense because every year they’re the last team to play MSU in conference."

Are you saying that, in the 2021 Griz/Cat game, MSU 96 yards rushing, on 41 carries, for an average of 2.3 hurt UM's rushing D stats? Yes, I know you ran all over and around the Griz. But your 2021 stats sure don't support you statement. Maybe you should amend your statement to: "Griz fans should realize that the Cats helped UM's rushing D stats in 2021 and severely hurt the rushing stats in 2022."

[BelligerentBobcat]

One would think after the last few years UM fans would realize they always rank high in rush defense because every year they’re the last team to play MSU in conference.

Let's look at this statement: "One would think after the last few years UM fans would realize they always rank high in rush defense because every year they’re the last team to play MSU in conference."

Are you saying that, in the 2021 Griz/Cat game, MSU 96 yards rushing, on 41 carries, for an average of 2.3 hurt UM's rushing D stats? Yes, I know you ran all over and around the Griz. But your 2021 stats sure don't support you statement. Maybe you should amend your statement to: "Griz fans should realize that the Cats helped UM's rushing D stats in 2021 and severely hurt the rushing stats in 2022."

I wasn’t aware that “few” turned into two. Thanks for teaching me!

[cats2506]

One would think after the last few years UM fans would realize they always rank high in rush defense because every year they’re the last team to play MSU in conference.

Let's look at this statement: "One would think after the last few years UM fans would realize they always rank high in rush defense because every year they’re the last team to play MSU in conference."

Are you saying that, in the 2021 Griz/Cat game, MSU 96 yards rushing, on 41 carries, for an average of 2.3 hurt UM's rushing D stats? Yes, I know you ran all over and around the Griz. But your 2021 stats sure don't support you statement. Maybe you should amend your statement to: "Griz fans should realize that the Cats helped UM's rushing D stats in 2021 and severely hurt the rushing stats in 2022."

What happened in 2019? How about '18, 17 & 16. anybody can cherry pick one game out of the last 6 games in the series