Polls

[Joe Bobcat]

I don't expect to see the cats move ahead of NDSU in the stats poll this week but we should close the gap some. In last weeks poll #2 NDSU had 1339 points and #3 MSU had 1273 points. That's a difference of 66 points. My WAG for what that difference will be this week is: 36. Would you take the over or under?
Honestly I think we will grab a few of those points from both SDSU and NDSU.

[Prodigal Cat]

One thing we have to remember is when the Cats got screwed a bit it was because they wanted SDSU and NDSU on opposite sides of the bracket. They would never admit that but Cats were undefeated in FCS and the Bison had a FCS loss at home. SDSU was the clear #1 and Sac St was undefeated with an FBS win so they got the #2. IF the Cats had gotten the #3 that means the Bison would be #4 and headed to Brookings for the semifinal. Committee wanted the possibility of the Marker in Frisco so they bumped the Cats to the #4.
This year there doesn't look like a Sac St to screw things up. If SDSU and MSU hold serve they most certainly will give the Cats the #2. Even if the Marker game is close Cats will most likely have 4 ranked wins (Weber, Sac, Idaho, EWU(EWU not currently ranked but will be after this week I think)), 3 of which were on the road and most likely top 10 teams. Who knows, EWU keeps winning they will shoot up the polls and could be highly ranked when they come to Bozeman. I don't think um will be ranked by mid November unless something drastic changes. NDSU on the other hand has ranked matchups vs EWU @UND, @SDSU and SIU. In this scenario they lose to SDSU its the only top 10 team they play.
Of course NDSU could win in Brookings and then this whole thing is mute. I hope not. Big Jacks fans we are now.

[kennethnoisewater]

I think another variable could be how teams are winning games. If the Cats have a couple more road blowouts against ranked teams like yesterday, it's going to get hard to ignore. If they struggle at home against somebody bad, it hurts. But wins at Idaho and Sac would go a long way and at this point the DSU's don't have anybody on their schedule besides each other to consider high quality wins.

The skeptical side of me says that won't matter--that the committee will want the DSU's in 1 and 2 if they can even slightly justify it, but maybe I'll be wrong.

[BgCATfan]

The pollsters don't have the cajones to jump MSU into 2nd over NDSU, even though it should clearly happen. We'll have to wait until Nov. 4, when they square up against SDSU.

That's actually a good point. So hypothetically if the Cats can manage to win out, and SDSU beats NDSU but NDSU wins all their other games, does everyone think the Cats would be a lock as the #2 seed..... or is it possible the committee would still give it to NDSU to set up the SDSU NDSU rematch in Frisco? That would tick me off.

They did it last year.

[msuhunter]

I think we all need to brace for the fact that unless one of the Dakota schools has two losses, a three seed is the best we can get. Unfortunate but likely true

[damnyoutuesday]

I think we all need to brace for the fact that unless one of the Dakota schools has two losses, a three seed is the best we can get. Unfortunate but likely true

I'd say we can get #2 depending on if SDSU just destroys NDSU. Any other scenario leads to us at #3

[mslacatfan]

If we win out, that would include 4 very difficult road wins.

I think the #2 spot is very much in play. Also, there is a lot of season left to play, anything can happen with sdsu and ndsu.

[MSU01]

Polls are always biased and who knows what the playoff committee will do this year, but two things MSU can have in its favor that they didn't have last year are multiple quality road wins and no 8-0 co-champions in the Big Sky. Idaho, MSU, and (maybe?) EWU are the only remaining 1-0 teams who could potentially run the table and they all play each other later in the season. PSU has an extremely soft schedule after the MSU game but I can't see them winning in Bozeman this week.

[84CatGrad]

One game at a time. Let's take out Portland State on Saturday.

[justafan]

One game at a time. Let's take out Portland State on Saturday.

yes and psu has shown they can play up to the competition that is in front of them.

[Catprint]

Polls are always biased and who knows what the playoff committee will do this year, but two things MSU can have in its favor that they didn't have last year are multiple quality road wins and no 8-0 co-champions in the Big Sky. Idaho, MSU, and (maybe?) EWU are the only remaining 1-0 teams who could potentially run the table and they all play each other later in the season. PSU has an extremely soft schedule after the MSU game but I can't see them winning in Bozeman this week.

It is semi-soft but they do play Eastern, Davis and Gris in succession. Hard to think they can win even 2 of 3. No one really knows who is PSU? The North American game is irrelevant (UIW put up 63 on them); the question is whether Cal Poly is really that bad or PSU has some horses and could challenge a few teams in the conference. I don't think Cats can look past them.

I do believe Eastern is a WAY better team than anyone saw coming. Eastern has Weber and Idaho at home (Idaho next week) So Eastern @ Bobcat Stadium in November is not going to be pushover.

[Catprint]

I think we all need to brace for the fact that unless one of the Dakota schools has two losses, a three seed is the best we can get. Unfortunate but likely true

This.

There is huge DSU bias on the committee IMHO and at this point NDSU looks really good. The odds of an SDSU blowout are slim. We can hope NDSU has a bad game along the way other than against SDSU and The Cats do not. We still have a really rough road ahead.

[MSUBRONCO]

for what it's worth hers the coach's poll
1 South Dakota St. (26) 3-0 650 1
2 North Dakota State 3-0 624 2
3 Montana State 3-1 593 3
4 William & Mary 4-0 558 5
5 Holy Cross 3-1 528 6
6 Idaho 3-1 505 10
7 Furman 3-1 477 7
8 UIW 3-1 456 9
9 Sacramento State 3-1 453 4
10 Southern Illinois 3-0 409 13
11 North Dakota 2-1 373 14
12 Delaware 3-1 364 16
13 North Carolina Central 3-1 282 19
14 Weber State 2-2 254 8
15 Fordham 3-1 241 22
16 Montana 3-1 237 11
17 New Hampshire 2-2 223 12
18 Florida A&M 3-1 177 23
19 Youngstown State 2-1 149 24
20 UC Davis 2-2 123 15
21 Western Carolina 3-1 119 NR
22 Chattanooga 3-1 110 NR
23 Villanova 3-1 109 NR
24 Harvard 2-0 81 25
25 Eastern Washington 2-2 70 NR

[tetoncat]

for what it's worth hers the coach's poll
1 South Dakota St. (26) 3-0 650 1
2 North Dakota State 3-0 624 2
3 Montana State 3-1 593 3
4 William & Mary 4-0 558 5
5 Holy Cross 3-1 528 6
6 Idaho 3-1 505 10
7 Furman 3-1 477 7
8 UIW 3-1 456 9
9 Sacramento State 3-1 453 4
10 Southern Illinois 3-0 409 13
11 North Dakota 2-1 373 14
12 Delaware 3-1 364 16
13 North Carolina Central 3-1 282 19
14 Weber State 2-2 254 8
15 Fordham 3-1 241 22
16 Montana 3-1 237 11
17 New Hampshire 2-2 223 12
18 Florida A&M 3-1 177 23
19 Youngstown State 2-1 149 24
20 UC Davis 2-2 123 15
21 Western Carolina 3-1 119 NR
22 Chattanooga 3-1 110 NR
23 Villanova 3-1 109 NR
24 Harvard 2-0 81 25
25 Eastern Washington 2-2 70 NR

Do they even look at games? UC Davis loses at home and ranked higher than EWU. Griz no offense for 2 weeks, lose to 0-3 team higher than both of them?

[MSUBRONCO]

for what it's worth hers the coach's poll
1 South Dakota St. (26) 3-0 650 1
2 North Dakota State 3-0 624 2
3 Montana State 3-1 593 3
4 William & Mary 4-0 558 5
5 Holy Cross 3-1 528 6
6 Idaho 3-1 505 10
7 Furman 3-1 477 7
8 UIW 3-1 456 9
9 Sacramento State 3-1 453 4
10 Southern Illinois 3-0 409 13
11 North Dakota 2-1 373 14
12 Delaware 3-1 364 16
13 North Carolina Central 3-1 282 19
14 Weber State 2-2 254 8
15 Fordham 3-1 241 22
16 Montana 3-1 237 11
17 New Hampshire 2-2 223 12
18 Florida A&M 3-1 177 23
19 Youngstown State 2-1 149 24
20 UC Davis 2-2 123 15
21 Western Carolina 3-1 119 NR
22 Chattanooga 3-1 110 NR
23 Villanova 3-1 109 NR
24 Harvard 2-0 81 25
25 Eastern Washington 2-2 70 NR

Do they even look at games? UC Davis loses at home and ranked higher than EWU. Griz no offense for 2 weeks, lose to 0-3 team higher than both of them?

the coachs one is always dumb

[Long Time Cat]

for what it's worth hers the coach's poll
1 South Dakota St. (26) 3-0 650 1
2 North Dakota State 3-0 624 2
3 Montana State 3-1 593 3
4 William & Mary 4-0 558 5
5 Holy Cross 3-1 528 6
6 Idaho 3-1 505 10
7 Furman 3-1 477 7
8 UIW 3-1 456 9
9 Sacramento State 3-1 453 4
10 Southern Illinois 3-0 409 13
11 North Dakota 2-1 373 14
12 Delaware 3-1 364 16
13 North Carolina Central 3-1 282 19
14 Weber State 2-2 254 8
15 Fordham 3-1 241 22
16 Montana 3-1 237 11
17 New Hampshire 2-2 223 12
18 Florida A&M 3-1 177 23
19 Youngstown State 2-1 149 24
20 UC Davis 2-2 123 15
21 Western Carolina 3-1 119 NR
22 Chattanooga 3-1 110 NR
23 Villanova 3-1 109 NR
24 Harvard 2-0 81 25
25 Eastern Washington 2-2 70 NR

Do they even look at games? UC Davis loses at home and ranked higher than EWU. Griz no offense for 2 weeks, lose to 0-3 team higher than both of them?

the coachs one is always dumb

Serious question. What's the smartest poll? Why?

[tetoncat]

I am guessing Head coach doesn't even vote. More likely an analyst.

[MSUBRONCO]

for what it's worth hers the coach's poll
1 South Dakota St. (26) 3-0 650 1
2 North Dakota State 3-0 624 2
3 Montana State 3-1 593 3
4 William & Mary 4-0 558 5
5 Holy Cross 3-1 528 6
6 Idaho 3-1 505 10
7 Furman 3-1 477 7
8 UIW 3-1 456 9
9 Sacramento State 3-1 453 4
10 Southern Illinois 3-0 409 13
11 North Dakota 2-1 373 14
12 Delaware 3-1 364 16
13 North Carolina Central 3-1 282 19
14 Weber State 2-2 254 8
15 Fordham 3-1 241 22
16 Montana 3-1 237 11
17 New Hampshire 2-2 223 12
18 Florida A&M 3-1 177 23
19 Youngstown State 2-1 149 24
20 UC Davis 2-2 123 15
21 Western Carolina 3-1 119 NR
22 Chattanooga 3-1 110 NR
23 Villanova 3-1 109 NR
24 Harvard 2-0 81 25
25 Eastern Washington 2-2 70 NR

Do they even look at games? UC Davis loses at home and ranked higher than EWU. Griz no offense for 2 weeks, lose to 0-3 team higher than both of them?

the coachs one is always dumb

Serious question. What's the smartest poll? Why?

I got no hard data to back it up but the stats one just always seem to reflect better

[wapiti]

This weeks AGS poll:
https://www.anygivensaturday.com/showth ... s-2023-Wk4

Rank Team: Total Points First Place Votes
1 South Dakota State Jackrabbits 1275 51
2 Montana State Bobcats 1189
3 North Dakota State Bison 1187
4 Idaho Vandals 1096
5 Holy Cross Crusaders 1054
6 Furman Paladins 1009
7 Sac State Hornets 928
8 William & Mary Tribe 909
9 Southern Illinois Salukis 876
10 Incarnate Word Cardinals 854
11 Delaware Fightin' Blue Hens 691
12 Western Carolina Catamounts 659
13 North Dakota Fighting Hawks 658
14 New Hampshire Wildcats 564
15 Villanova Wildcats 439
16 Tennessee-Martin Skyhawks 431
17 North Carolina Central Eagles 375
18 Weber State Wildcats 373
19 Youngstown State Penguins 316
20 Eastern Washington Eagles 289
21 Fordham Rams 186
22 UC Davis Aggies 182
23 Chattanooga Mocs 149
24 Albany Great Danes 138
25 Montana Grizzlies 135
ORV:
26 Florida A&M Rattlers 122
27 Central Arkansas Bears 82
28 Mercer Bears 71
29 Eastern Illinois Panthers 65
30 Rhode Island Rams 58
31 Southeast Missouri State Redhawks 45
32 Illinois State Redbirds 44
33 Austin Peay Governors 29
34 Eastern Kentucky Colonels 28
35 Northern Iowa Panthers 19
36 Samford Bulldogs 10
37 Harvard Crimson 9
38T South Dakota Coyotes 8
38T Tarleton Texans 8
40 Richmond Spiders 7

Most Significant Win: Idaho Vandals
Most Significant Loss: Montana Grizzlies

[Cataholic]

for what it's worth hers the coach's poll
1 South Dakota St. (26) 3-0 650 1
2 North Dakota State 3-0 624 2
3 Montana State 3-1 593 3
4 William & Mary 4-0 558 5
5 Holy Cross 3-1 528 6
6 Idaho 3-1 505 10
7 Furman 3-1 477 7
8 UIW 3-1 456 9
9 Sacramento State 3-1 453 4
10 Southern Illinois 3-0 409 13
11 North Dakota 2-1 373 14
12 Delaware 3-1 364 16
13 North Carolina Central 3-1 282 19
14 Weber State 2-2 254 8
15 Fordham 3-1 241 22
16 Montana 3-1 237 11
17 New Hampshire 2-2 223 12
18 Florida A&M 3-1 177 23
19 Youngstown State 2-1 149 24
20 UC Davis 2-2 123 15
21 Western Carolina 3-1 119 NR
22 Chattanooga 3-1 110 NR
23 Villanova 3-1 109 NR
24 Harvard 2-0 81 25
25 Eastern Washington 2-2 70 NR

Do they even look at games? UC Davis loses at home and ranked higher than EWU. Griz no offense for 2 weeks, lose to 0-3 team higher than both of them?

the coachs one is always dumb

Serious question. What's the smartest poll? Why?

Sam Herder probably pays more attention than anyone. His ballot is always well reasoned and he provides explanations in many cases. Unfortunately, he is one ballot in a poll.

https://herosports.com/fcs-top-25-sam-h ... 2023-bzbz/

He also has the Griz dropping out of the Top 25 this week.