Success on the road

[onceacat]

I'm pessimist because I think the Cats at 12-0 with an FBS win should be #1 over an 11-1 DSU with an FBS loss, but think it won't turn out that way.

Seems some posters think they are optimistic because they believe in that scenario the Cats will be #2.

I would call that "Reasonable people can disagree".

In the Stats poll, NDSU has 40 first place votes & the Cats have 16.

That seems about right IMO, given that the Cats are something like 0-4 against NDSU in the last 6 or so years (most of those being blowouts), including one close loss in Bozeman and a pretty embarrassing showing in Frisco.

I've said it numerous times before: Until a non MVFC team proves differently in Frisco, a one loss season in the MVFC is going to get a team ranked higher than an undefeated in the BSC. And a one loss BSC team will get ranked higher than an undefeated team in any other conference.

The voters (and the playoff committee) have been really consistent on this for the better part of a decade, including 2022.

If the BSC wants to get respected like the MVFC, some Big Sky teams need to put up meaningful wins against the MVFC.

[onceacat]

I can assure you I’m not a gris fan.
Covid Season SHSU
SE Lousiana- 43-38
Nicholls- 71-17
Lamar- 62-7
NW St- 24-16
McNeese- 27-13
UIW- 42-14
Monmouth- 21-15
NDSU- 24-20
JMU- 38-35
SDSU- 23-21

21 Season
NAU 42-16
SEMO 52-14
Central Arkansas 45-35
SFA 21-20
Lamar 41-7
Jax St 42-7
Tarleton 45-27
Utah Tech 59-10
Eastern Ky- 42-28
ACU 35-9
UIW 49-42
MSU 19-42

Solid stretch but there are around 6 games against mediocre teams that were close, but they had some good wins against top FCS teams in the playoffs. This team was good but nothing compared to number one seeds in the past. NDSU for the time before that and SDSU after that have been significantly better than SHSU.

I think you proved everyones points. Show me another #1 seed that was undefeated for two years and had wins over NDSU during that time frame. You're reasoning is because they had a couple close games? Just a bit sick of hearing that narrative. These are all DI games with DI athletes and they are not easy to win.

Just gotta point out: Wins over BOTH DSUs and JMU.

Yeah, they came into the '21 season ranked #1 and did nothing to make any reasonable person doubt that ranking.

[cats2506]

I can assure you I’m not a gris fan.
Covid Season SHSU
SE Lousiana- 43-38
Nicholls- 71-17
Lamar- 62-7
NW St- 24-16
McNeese- 27-13
UIW- 42-14
Monmouth- 21-15
NDSU- 24-20
JMU- 38-35
SDSU- 23-21

21 Season
NAU 42-16
SEMO 52-14
Central Arkansas 45-35
SFA 21-20
Lamar 41-7
Jax St 42-7
Tarleton 45-27
Utah Tech 59-10
Eastern Ky- 42-28
ACU 35-9
UIW 49-42
MSU 19-42

Solid stretch but there are around 6 games against mediocre teams that were close, but they had some good wins against top FCS teams in the playoffs. This team was good but nothing compared to number one seeds in the past. NDSU for the time before that and SDSU after that have been significantly better than SHSU.

I think you proved everyones points. Show me another #1 seed that was undefeated for two years and had wins over NDSU during that time frame. You're reasoning is because they had a couple close games? Just a bit sick of hearing that narrative. These are all DI games with DI athletes and they are not easy to win.

Undefeated during the covid season is different. Yes they beat NDSU, SDSU, and JMU… but NDSU lost to Southern Illinois that year, SDSU lost to UND, and the JMU win was solid but I think JMU only played 3 regular season games. I really don’t think Sam Houston was anywhere comparable to NDSU or SDSU during their peaks. Yes it was a good playoff win but not anything spectacular.

Ok I think I got it, they weren't any good and everyone else in the FCS sucked too.
Just this year everyone said we would find out how good the bobcats were when they played Idaho. Now the narrative just switched and Idaho sucks too. After the UCD game they will suck too.

You gotta admit, the ASUN-WAC (UAC) was not good in '21 it was their first year playing as a conference and it was a mix with just a couple of decent teams, other than SFA they didn't have much competition.

I can remember looking at their #1 ranking all season thinking that they had a weak schedule. UIW should have beaten them in the second round.

[iaafan]

So if SHSU would’ve been the three seed and not the 1 seed, would it have been a better road win? Good god people. Winning playoff games on the road is a Herculean task. I think if NDSU doesn’t pull the win in Bozeman out of their arse, we win two road games. We beat ourselves, do we get credit for a road win against ourselves?

[MSU01]

I love how this thread started out talking about the road performance of this year's team and has now veered off to the highly relevant question of how good Sam Houston really was in 2021.

[ike11ike]

I love how this thread started out talking about the road performance of this year's team and has now veered off to the highly relevant question of how good Sam Houston really was in 2021.

Truly a thing to behold

[catatac]

It's fascinating...

[Monymony]

I can assure you I’m not a gris fan.
Covid Season SHSU
SE Lousiana- 43-38
Nicholls- 71-17
Lamar- 62-7
NW St- 24-16
McNeese- 27-13
UIW- 42-14
Monmouth- 21-15
NDSU- 24-20
JMU- 38-35
SDSU- 23-21

21 Season
NAU 42-16
SEMO 52-14
Central Arkansas 45-35
SFA 21-20
Lamar 41-7
Jax St 42-7
Tarleton 45-27
Utah Tech 59-10
Eastern Ky- 42-28
ACU 35-9
UIW 49-42
MSU 19-42

Solid stretch but there are around 6 games against mediocre teams that were close, but they had some good wins against top FCS teams in the playoffs. This team was good but nothing compared to number one seeds in the past. NDSU for the time before that and SDSU after that have been significantly better than SHSU.

I think you proved everyones points. Show me another #1 seed that was undefeated for two years and had wins over NDSU during that time frame. You're reasoning is because they had a couple close games? Just a bit sick of hearing that narrative. These are all DI games with DI athletes and they are not easy to win.

Just gotta point out: Wins over BOTH DSUs and JMU.

Yeah, they came into the '21 season ranked #1 and did nothing to make any reasonable person doubt that ranking.

I mean it might’ve been crazy to give another team the #1 seed but we can all recognize that NDSU and SDSU were sooo much better than SHSU

[iaafan]

I can assure you I’m not a gris fan.
Covid Season SHSU
SE Lousiana- 43-38
Nicholls- 71-17
Lamar- 62-7
NW St- 24-16
McNeese- 27-13
UIW- 42-14
Monmouth- 21-15
NDSU- 24-20
JMU- 38-35
SDSU- 23-21

21 Season
NAU 42-16
SEMO 52-14
Central Arkansas 45-35
SFA 21-20
Lamar 41-7
Jax St 42-7
Tarleton 45-27
Utah Tech 59-10
Eastern Ky- 42-28
ACU 35-9
UIW 49-42
MSU 19-42

Solid stretch but there are around 6 games against mediocre teams that were close, but they had some good wins against top FCS teams in the playoffs. This team was good but nothing compared to number one seeds in the past. NDSU for the time before that and SDSU after that have been significantly better than SHSU.

I think you proved everyones points. Show me another #1 seed that was undefeated for two years and had wins over NDSU during that time frame. You're reasoning is because they had a couple close games? Just a bit sick of hearing that narrative. These are all DI games with DI athletes and they are not easy to win.

Just gotta point out: Wins over BOTH DSUs and JMU.

Yeah, they came into the '21 season ranked #1 and did nothing to make any reasonable person doubt that ranking.

I mean it might’ve been crazy to give another team the #1 seed but we can all recognize that NDSU and SDSU were sooo much better than SHSU

And MSU was 14 points better than SDSU. 23 points, 21 if they just kick extra points, than SHSU. So it looks like just 7 points difference between those two based solely on your logic. And MSU got a garbage time long TD run so actually they’re dead even, right. No, of course not, because you’re definitely going to uproot your goalposts.

[tetoncat]

I'm pessimist because I think the Cats at 12-0 with an FBS win should be #1 over an 11-1 DSU with an FBS loss, but think it won't turn out that way.

Seems some posters think they are optimistic because they believe in that scenario the Cats will be #2.

I would call that "Reasonable people can disagree".

In the Stats poll, NDSU has 40 first place votes & the Cats have 16.

That seems about right IMO, given that the Cats are something like 0-4 against NDSU in the last 6 or so years (most of those being blowouts), including one close loss in Bozeman and a pretty embarrassing showing in Frisco.

I've said it numerous times before: Until a non MVFC team proves differently in Frisco, a one loss season in the MVFC is going to get a team ranked higher than an undefeated in the BSC. And a one loss BSC team will get ranked higher than an undefeated team in any other conference.

The voters (and the playoff committee) have been really consistent on this for the better part of a decade, including 2022.

If the BSC wants to get respected like the MVFC, some Big Sky teams need to put up meaningful wins against the MVFC.

Start of your statement is what is wrong with polls and seeding. It does not matter what happend last year or the last 10. Who is the best team this year. NDSU set a standard primarily done by winning home playoff games. Last year they didn't make it, 2 away playoff games did them in. But until someone unseats them and SDSU from top of that Conference they will stay home. Big Sky has been more even but when Cats or Griz have had homefield throughout they have made Frisco. I firmly believe the experience their teams have had getting to Frisco has become a huge advantage.

[coloradocat]

I'm not up for arguing over historical road performance. But since SHSU was brought up, let's see how they're doing these days...

[onceacat]

I'm pessimist because I think the Cats at 12-0 with an FBS win should be #1 over an 11-1 DSU with an FBS loss, but think it won't turn out that way.

Seems some posters think they are optimistic because they believe in that scenario the Cats will be #2.

I would call that "Reasonable people can disagree".

In the Stats poll, NDSU has 40 first place votes & the Cats have 16.

That seems about right IMO, given that the Cats are something like 0-4 against NDSU in the last 6 or so years (most of those being blowouts), including one close loss in Bozeman and a pretty embarrassing showing in Frisco.

I've said it numerous times before: Until a non MVFC team proves differently in Frisco, a one loss season in the MVFC is going to get a team ranked higher than an undefeated in the BSC. And a one loss BSC team will get ranked higher than an undefeated team in any other conference.

The voters (and the playoff committee) have been really consistent on this for the better part of a decade, including 2022.

If the BSC wants to get respected like the MVFC, some Big Sky teams need to put up meaningful wins against the MVFC.

Start of your statement is what is wrong with polls and seeding. It does not matter what happend last year or the last 10. Who is the best team this year. NDSU set a standard primarily done by winning home playoff games. Last year they didn't make it, 2 away playoff games did them in. But until someone unseats them and SDSU from top of that Conference they will stay home. Big Sky has been more even but when Cats or Griz have had homefield throughout they have made Frisco. I firmly believe the experience their teams have had getting to Frisco has become a huge advantage.

Not even close. The best and most consistent indicator of how good a team will be this year is how good they were LAST year. And it's pretty absurd to even make such a preposterous claim.

Last years Top 8 seeds in the playoffs are a combined 39-10 (or so) against other FCS teams (I didn't exactly count all the FBS wins)

5 of those teams are pretty much a lock to be seeded this year (UM is on the bubble) and #7 was a semifinalist last year (NDSU).

So, yeah, two out of 9 teams that were good last year won't be this year. You'll find that this is universal in all sports, regardless of level from high school to the pros.

Teams that were good last year are almost certain to be good this year...and if one of those teams goes undefeated through the entire season, one can draw some pretty clear conclusions.

Maybe, just maybe, the Cats did something special to go into Huntsville with a true freshman QB that had never started a game and beat the defending national champions who were on a 20 or so game winning streak.

Just maybe...

[tetoncat]

I'm pessimist because I think the Cats at 12-0 with an FBS win should be #1 over an 11-1 DSU with an FBS loss, but think it won't turn out that way.

Seems some posters think they are optimistic because they believe in that scenario the Cats will be #2.

I would call that "Reasonable people can disagree".

In the Stats poll, NDSU has 40 first place votes & the Cats have 16.

That seems about right IMO, given that the Cats are something like 0-4 against NDSU in the last 6 or so years (most of those being blowouts), including one close loss in Bozeman and a pretty embarrassing showing in Frisco.

I've said it numerous times before: Until a non MVFC team proves differently in Frisco, a one loss season in the MVFC is going to get a team ranked higher than an undefeated in the BSC. And a one loss BSC team will get ranked higher than an undefeated team in any other conference.

The voters (and the playoff committee) have been really consistent on this for the better part of a decade, including 2022.

If the BSC wants to get respected like the MVFC, some Big Sky teams need to put up meaningful wins against the MVFC.

Start of your statement is what is wrong with polls and seeding. It does not matter what happend last year or the last 10. Who is the best team this year. NDSU set a standard primarily done by winning home playoff games. Last year they didn't make it, 2 away playoff games did them in. But until someone unseats them and SDSU from top of that Conference they will stay home. Big Sky has been more even but when Cats or Griz have had homefield throughout they have made Frisco. I firmly believe the experience their teams have had getting to Frisco has become a huge advantage.

Not even close. The best and most consistent indicator of how good a team will be this year is how good they were LAST year. And it's pretty absurd to even make such a preposterous claim.

Last years Top 8 seeds in the playoffs are a combined 39-10 (or so) against other FCS teams (I didn't exactly count all the FBS wins)

5 of those teams are pretty much a lock to be seeded this year (UM is on the bubble) and #7 was a semifinalist last year (NDSU).

So, yeah, two out of 9 teams that were good last year won't be this year. You'll find that this is universal in all sports, regardless of level from high school to the pros.

Teams that were good last year are almost certain to be good this year...and if one of those teams goes undefeated through the entire season, one can draw some pretty clear conclusions.

Maybe, just maybe, the Cats did something special to go into Huntsville with a true freshman QB that had never started a game and beat the defending national champions who were on a 20 or so game winning streak.

Just maybe...

So your turning my comments about NDSU and SDSU not deserving 1 and 2 seeds based on last year into me saying Cats were not special on their run to Frisco not sure where you got that from the comments

[Monymony]

Ok I didn’t mean to turn this all into an argument so I wanna get it out of the gutter. Do you guys think we have struggled on the road in the past and if so have we done better this year? I am currently crunching data to really see if there is a trend but with different away/home schedules it’s not perfect.

[iaafan]

Ok I didn’t mean to turn this all into an argument so I wanna get it out of the gutter. Do you guys think we have struggled on the road in the past and if so have we done better this year? I am currently crunching data to really see if there is a trend but with different away/home schedules it’s not perfect.

We're playing better on the road than at home this year. We’ve gained 44 more yards on the road and allowed 124 less yards.

Held UNM to their lowest home offensive production and worst defensive game of the season on the road.
Held Chachere to his worst game of the season one week after he was national pow w/o five starters.
Held Utah Tech to zero first downs until fourth quarter on the road.
Held teams to less points on the road than at home.
Had best day total yards allowed on the road.
Had best day passing yards allowed on the road.
Had biggest day in total yards gained on the road.
Had best drive of the year on the road.
Had biggest play of the year on the road.
Had biggest rushing game on the road.
Had biggest passing day on the road.

Good luck finding another season that we’ve done anything comparable.

[ike11ike]

And that's a wrap

[grizzh8r]

Ok I didn’t mean to turn this all into an argument so I wanna get it out of the gutter. Do you guys think we have struggled on the road in the past and if so have we done better this year? I am currently crunching data to really see if there is a trend but with different away/home schedules it’s not perfect.

We're playing better on the road than at home this year. We’ve gained 44 more yards on the road and allowed 124 less yards.

Held UNM to their lowest home offensive production and worst defensive game of the season on the road.
Held Chachere to his worst game of the season one week after he was national pow w/o five starters.
Held Utah Tech to zero first downs until fourth quarter on the road.
Held teams to less points on the road than at home.
Had best day total yards allowed on the road.
Had best day passing yards allowed on the road.
Had biggest day in total yards gained on the road.
Had best drive of the year on the road.
Had biggest play of the year on the road.
Had biggest rushing game on the road.
Had biggest passing day on the road.

Good luck finding another season that we’ve done anything comparable.

[onceacat]

Ok I didn’t mean to turn this all into an argument so I wanna get it out of the gutter. Do you guys think we have struggled on the road in the past and if so have we done better this year? I am currently crunching data to really see if there is a trend but with different away/home schedules it’s not perfect.

We're playing better on the road than at home this year. We’ve gained 44 more yards on the road and allowed 124 less yards.

Held UNM to their lowest home offensive production and worst defensive game of the season on the road.
Held Chachere to his worst game of the season one week after he was national pow w/o five starters.
Held Utah Tech to zero first downs until fourth quarter on the road.
Held teams to less points on the road than at home.
Had best day total yards allowed on the road.
Had best day passing yards allowed on the road.
Had biggest day in total yards gained on the road.
Had best drive of the year on the road.
Had biggest play of the year on the road.
Had biggest rushing game on the road.
Had biggest passing day on the road.

Good luck finding another season that we’ve done anything comparable.

Only one I can think of was about 20 years ago when the Cats were so bad at home that Kramer started having them stay in Livingston on Friday night & bussing to the game on Saturday.

[Monymony]

Ok I didn’t mean to turn this all into an argument so I wanna get it out of the gutter. Do you guys think we have struggled on the road in the past and if so have we done better this year? I am currently crunching data to really see if there is a trend but with different away/home schedules it’s not perfect.

We're playing better on the road than at home this year. We’ve gained 44 more yards on the road and allowed 124 less yards.

Held UNM to their lowest home offensive production and worst defensive game of the season on the road.
Held Chachere to his worst game of the season one week after he was national pow w/o five starters.
Held Utah Tech to zero first downs until fourth quarter on the road.
Held teams to less points on the road than at home.
Had best day total yards allowed on the road.
Had best day passing yards allowed on the road.
Had biggest day in total yards gained on the road.
Had best drive of the year on the road.
Had biggest play of the year on the road.
Had biggest rushing game on the road.
Had biggest passing day on the road.

Good luck finding another season that we’ve done anything comparable.

Not sure if this was trying to prove me wrong but what you said was exactly what I’m saying. We are playing VERY well on the road which is going to allow us to get to the championship level.