How Good Are the 2024 Bobcats?

[onceacat]

Here's my take:

Offensively, we are better. I know the passing game hasn't blown anyone's socks off but Tommy is currently the 7th most efficient QB among QBs who have more than 1 game played (11th overall). And I think he's getting better and better pocket presence as the season progresses. MSU with Tommy will never be a dynamic passing team but I think this will be Tommy's best season throwing the ball. I am a little concerned about running the ball when we run into stout DLs and teams with better LB and S play but I believe in this offense right now.

Defensively, I think the defensive isn't quite as talented as last year's but I think they are playing better team defense, and it's gotten better each week. There is a lot more swarming to the ball than I've seen probably since Troy graduated, and they seem to be trusting each other. Polidore is the missing piece here, a true enforcer. All that being said, not a ton of sacks and no meaningful turnovers forced is concerning.

Special teams wise, I feel comfortable kicking a 40 yard and in FG. Beyond that I think we still go for it.

I think when you put it all together (and IMO the Cats haven't quite done so yet), I think this might be the most complete Bobcat team I've seen in a while. Not necessarily the most talented but there isn't a big weakness that I can see right now.

But if SDSU is the measuring stick I'm not sure we are there this year, talent wise.

I think thats all pretty spot on, especially IRT the pass game.

But on the last comment: The Cats were one questionable replay review away from beating SDSU in Brookings last season. I don't think the Cats are any worse...and I've yet to see anything that suggests SDSU is any better.

If the Cats stay healthy & win a tough game against a REALLY good looking Idaho team at home, they are on a glide path to a #2 seed-if things break right, could be a #1.

With the 1 - 16 seeding taking effect this year, do you think that the 1 seed will get an easier path to Frisco than the 2 seed? In the past, it seemed like 1 vs 2 were just as good because of the hone field advantage.

Mostly no.

But theres a non-zero possibility that theres a significant drop off between the #7 & #8 teams in the seeding...and in the case of an upset, that theres a weaker #16 team.

Its not really a big enough difference to sweat IMO.

[TomCat88]

I think the thing to assess right now isn't how good MSU, or any team, is overall but how much they've improved or digressed in key areas. I think two areas MSU has shown obvious improvement are in the overall passing game and stopping big plays on defense. MSU starting defense has allowed 7 plays of 20 yards or more this year. 53, 37, 26 vs UNM; 23, 25, 31 vs Maine; 24, 36 vs UT. I haven't done a comp to the previous few years yet, but just off memory I think that is a vast improvement.

[coloradocat]

Don't really feel like starting a new topic for this and it kind of fits here:

Which opponent will be the first to hold the Bobcats under 30 points?

[MSU01]

Don't really feel like starting a new topic for this and it kind of fits here:

Which opponent will be the first to hold the Bobcats under 30 points?

Oregon

[RickRund]

Don't really feel like starting a new topic for this and it kind of fits here:

Which opponent will be the first to hold the Bobcats under 30 points?

Oregon

I like your way of thinking...

[91catAlum]

Don't really feel like starting a new topic for this and it kind of fits here:

Which opponent will be the first to hold the Bobcats under 30 points?

Good question. I'd say if Idaho doesn't do it then it won't happen until the playoffs, or next year.

[91catAlum]

I think the thing to assess right now isn't how good MSU, or any team, is overall but how much they've improved or digressed in key areas. I think two areas MSU has shown obvious improvement are in the overall passing game and stopping big plays on defense. MSU starting defense has allowed 7 plays of 20 yards or more this year. 53, 37, 26 vs UNM; 23, 25, 31 vs Maine; 24, 36 vs UT. I haven't done a comp to the previous few years yet, but just off memory I think that is a vast improvement.

I think you meant "regressed". MSU seems to have regressed (but hard to draw any solid conclusions this early) in defensive take-aways, and offensive turnovers. Since turnover ratio is one of the main indicators of win/loss chances, thats not good. Hopefully that turns around soon.
I think you are right in that MSU has improved with some new passing routes and limiting the big play on defense.

[Prodigal Cat]

I think the thing to assess right now isn't how good MSU, or any team, is overall but how much they've improved or digressed in key areas. I think two areas MSU has shown obvious improvement are in the overall passing game and stopping big plays on defense. MSU starting defense has allowed 7 plays of 20 yards or more this year. 53, 37, 26 vs UNM; 23, 25, 31 vs Maine; 24, 36 vs UT. I haven't done a comp to the previous few years yet, but just off memory I think that is a vast improvement.

I think you meant "regressed". MSU seems to have regressed (but hard to draw any solid conclusions this early) in defensive take-aways, and offensive turnovers. Since turnover ratio is one of the main indicators of win/loss chances, thats not good. Hopefully that turns around soon.
I think you are right in that MSU has improved with some new passing routes and limiting the big play on defense.

When your first team defense is consistently getting 3 and outs it's kinda hard for them to generate turnovers. Now maybe the backups should be better at takeaways but over the last 3 games the first string defense has very little 'wear' on the tires.

[TomCat88]

I think the thing to assess right now isn't how good MSU, or any team, is overall but how much they've improved or digressed in key areas. I think two areas MSU has shown obvious improvement are in the overall passing game and stopping big plays on defense. MSU starting defense has allowed 7 plays of 20 yards or more this year. 53, 37, 26 vs UNM; 23, 25, 31 vs Maine; 24, 36 vs UT. I haven't done a comp to the previous few years yet, but just off memory I think that is a vast improvement.

I think you meant "regressed". MSU seems to have regressed (but hard to draw any solid conclusions this early) in defensive take-aways, and offensive turnovers. Since turnover ratio is one of the main indicators of win/loss chances, thats not good. Hopefully that turns around soon.
I think you are right in that MSU has improved with some new passing routes and limiting the big play on defense.

lol I did, thank you.

I think the lower amount of big plays correlates to the improvement in tackling. I also think focusing on making tackles instead of going for the big hit decrease the chances of creating turnovers.

[TomCat88]

I think the thing to assess right now isn't how good MSU, or any team, is overall but how much they've improved or digressed in key areas. I think two areas MSU has shown obvious improvement are in the overall passing game and stopping big plays on defense. MSU starting defense has allowed 7 plays of 20 yards or more this year. 53, 37, 26 vs UNM; 23, 25, 31 vs Maine; 24, 36 vs UT. I haven't done a comp to the previous few years yet, but just off memory I think that is a vast improvement.

Last year it was 8. 2022 it was 15. Similar competition in 2022. Last year the defense got off to a great start.