Cats getting a little media respect

mquast53000 · Post by **mquast53000** » Mon Sep 12, 2005 11:44 am

The most impressive winner among the ranked teams was No. 17 Montana State. Coming off a 15-10 loss to Oklahoma State last week, the Bobcats crushed Stephen F. Austin 42-6 behind 308 yards of total offense from quarterback Travis Lulay. Lulay was 12-of-26 for 202 yards and four touchdowns and rushed seven times for 106 yards.

http://www.i-aa.org/article.asp?articleid=72138

mquast53000 · Post by **mquast53000** » Mon Sep 12, 2005 11:52 am

http://www.sportsnetwork.com/default.as ... a-poll.htm

We are #11 and even 1 first place vote.

NDSU is #12 & Cal Poly is #18. If we win our next two games...

Montana only slipped one place despite taking a beating usually only reserved for redheaded stepchildren.

Post by **SonomaCat** » Mon Sep 12, 2005 11:58 am

I know this is just how polls work, and I won't be pointing out anything that everybody else isn't thinking, but how can NDSU just be a couple pegs higher than Northwestern after the ass-whuppin' they delivered to them on the road this weekend?

Either NDSU is ranked too low, or NW is ranked too high.

Of course, we have a bunch of schools still ranked higher than the teams that just beat them, so the system continues -- rank on reputation, not results.

El_Gato · Post by **El_Gato** » Mon Sep 12, 2005 12:37 pm

Not that I'm looking ahead, but just glancing at the NDSU/Northwestern results makes me a little more comfortable about playing them in 2 weeks than the 35-7 score did.

1) They had 2 returns for TD's, a punt & an interception. You can't take those away from them but you also can't count on stuff like that every week.

2) NDSU's QB only threw 18 times; yes, he completed 12 for 210 yards and 3 TD's but that means they either burned Northwestern deep and/or had a bunch of yards after the catch; I don't see them being able to do either of those things much the way our secondary is playing at this point.

3) 18 passes means NDSU wants to run most of the time; it tells me their passing game consists mainly of the "element of surprise". In other words, they're only going to pass when they THINK you're looking run. I think our D is too smart to get burned much by that mentality.

4) NDSU rushed 39 times for only 111 yards (2.8 average).

5) Total offense: NDSU 321 yards, NSU 300 yards.

5) Northwestern was penalized 11 times for 102 yards.

My point is that the score was a bit deceiving in this game. NDSU's offense had a decent day but Northwestern had 5 turnovers and gave up the 2 returns for scores. Although NDSU waxed the Demons on the scoreboard, they didn't dominate them on the field. No disrespect is intended to NDSU or their fans; that was a huge win for them.

Post by **SonomaCat** » Mon Sep 12, 2005 12:40 pm

Thanks, EG. Your analysis works for me -- I feel quite a bit better now. I hadn't looked at the boxscore, and was just blown away by the score. I'm hoping MSU doesn't make as many mistakes as it appears NW did, and we should be okay.

CARDIAC_CATS · Post by **CARDIAC_CATS** » Mon Sep 12, 2005 1:55 pm

El_Gato wrote:Not that I'm looking ahead, but just glancing at the NDSU/Northwestern results makes me a little more comfortable about playing them in 2 weeks than the 35-7 score did.

1) They had 2 returns for TD's, a punt & an interception. You can't take those away from them but you also can't count on stuff like that every week.

2) NDSU's QB only threw 18 times; yes, he completed 12 for 210 yards and 3 TD's but that means they either burned Northwestern deep and/or had a bunch of yards after the catch; I don't see them being able to do either of those things much the way our secondary is playing at this point.

3) 18 passes means NDSU wants to run most of the time; it tells me their passing game consists mainly of the "element of surprise". In other words, they're only going to pass when they THINK you're looking run. I think our D is too smart to get burned much by that mentality.

4) NDSU rushed 39 times for only 111 yards (2.8 average).

5) Total offense: NDSU 321 yards, NSU 300 yards.

5) Northwestern was penalized 11 times for 102 yards.

My point is that the score was a bit deceiving in this game. NDSU's offense had a decent day but Northwestern had 5 turnovers and gave up the 2 returns for scores. Although NDSU waxed the Demons on the scoreboard, they didn't dominate them on the field. No disrespect is intended to NDSU or their fans; that was a huge win for them.

I totally agree. You can't really compare games week to week. What happens in one week may not happen in the next week etc. If we take care of the ball and play solid defense this will be a very entertaining game for Cats fans I think. I think Northwestern State is ranked TOO HIGH in my opinion. There are always 4-5 Eastern/Southern teams ranked too high in the preseason polls every year and some teams slide in to take their place by early/mid year (See James Madison last year and MSU this year

).

MSUcantouchus · Post by **MSUcantouchus** » Mon Sep 12, 2005 8:01 pm

I read the same thing you read El Gato and came away with the exact same thoughts.

I agree that NWestern was probably a bit over rated, on the other hand they beat a 1-a last week

bisonmike · Post by **bisonmike** » Mon Sep 12, 2005 10:41 pm

looking forward to playing you guys in 2 weeks. I think everyone was surprised by the NSU game but by listening to it NDSU completely domineated it. Yes the yardage was close but there was never a doubt that that ndsu's defense had complete control in the game. Our defensive line really controlled the line of scrimmage which allowed our linebackers to do what ever they wanted. The extra pressure really lead to the 5 turnovers. the one thing I'm worried about is our ability to run the ball. Our line wasn't able to open the holes need to bust out our backs but at the same time they provided excellent protection for our quaterback to get the ball to where it needed to go. Our QB is very smart with the ball having only thrown 1 int in his last 80 something attempts. It should be a great game.