Realistic expectations for this year

[ClowderUp]

I'm going with: Semifinals or bust. And I expect home games up to the semis. Past that, it's up to the committee to make a favorable decision based on unclear data. Lots of posters had the Cats down at the #3 spot last year (not me), and they got the #1. If the Cats manage a home game for the semis either through favorable seeding or some luck with an upset (like 2021), then it's Nashville time.

[Prodigal Cat]

I see absolute worst case scenario 8-4

Ceiling is 11-1. I'm 100% assuming Oregon is a loss no matter what

I agree I can't get myself to hold out any hope that the Cats could upset Oregon... or even make it a close game for that matter. Not sure why I feel that way, As we saw the Griz march into Husky Stadium and take down the FBS power Huskies a few years ago. Oregon lost a ton of players off last year's team. I wonder if the Bison program and all their fans would be predicting a blowout loss at Oregon? Probably not. Again, I am predicting a beat down of the Cats but just saying.

Does not help that last year the Vandals, somehow, made it a close game. Ducks won’t be looking last this game, this time around.

Yeah they won’t take the Cats lightly. I’m sure the coaching staff will show them how close Idaho came to beating them and then show how the Cats destroyed the Vandals twice last season. It’s an easy sell to say if they don’t show up MSU will beat you. It was the message Jonathan Smith fed his Beavers the year they played us.

[catatac]

I see absolute worst case scenario 8-4

Ceiling is 11-1. I'm 100% assuming Oregon is a loss no matter what

I agree I can't get myself to hold out any hope that the Cats could upset Oregon... or even make it a close game for that matter. Not sure why I feel that way, As we saw the Griz march into Husky Stadium and take down the FBS power Huskies a few years ago. Oregon lost a ton of players off last year's team. I wonder if the Bison program and all their fans would be predicting a blowout loss at Oregon? Probably not. Again, I am predicting a beat down of the Cats but just saying.

FBS power? UW was vastly overrated and finished 4-8 that season.

I was thinking they were good the prior season, and had a down year the year the Griz played them, which I guess could happen with the Ducks. At any rate, I think the Griz were probably 40 point dogs in that game, as the Cats will be in Autzen.

[BelligerentBobcat]

I see absolute worst case scenario 8-4

Ceiling is 11-1. I'm 100% assuming Oregon is a loss no matter what

I agree I can't get myself to hold out any hope that the Cats could upset Oregon... or even make it a close game for that matter. Not sure why I feel that way, As we saw the Griz march into Husky Stadium and take down the FBS power Huskies a few years ago. Oregon lost a ton of players off last year's team. I wonder if the Bison program and all their fans would be predicting a blowout loss at Oregon? Probably not. Again, I am predicting a beat down of the Cats but just saying.

FBS power? UW was vastly overrated and finished 4-8 that season.

I was thinking they were good the prior season, and had a down year the year the Griz played them, which I guess could happen with the Ducks. At any rate, I think the Griz were probably 40 point dogs in that game, as the Cats will be in Autzen.

Jimmy Lake was a really bad HC. Dan Lanning is a good HC. It makes a difference.

[84CatGrad]

It’ll be like last year and most years at that. Winner of the brawl will get home field through out loser has to go through Fargo.

If MSU loses to SDSU and then SDSU ends up 11-1 with a loss to NDSU, then even if they win out and go 10-2 MSU is looking at the #3 seed and a road semifinal. That SDSU game at Gold Rush is absolutely crucial, I think it will prove to have a significant impact on playoff seeding come November.

We need to get to the point where we can play a semi in Brookings or Fargo and come out with a W. Why not this year, if necessary?

[JudithBasinCat]

It’ll be like last year and most years at that. Winner of the brawl will get home field through out loser has to go through Fargo.

If MSU loses to SDSU and then SDSU ends up 11-1 with a loss to NDSU, then even if they win out and go 10-2 MSU is looking at the #3 seed and a road semifinal. That SDSU game at Gold Rush is absolutely crucial, I think it will prove to have a significant impact on playoff seeding come November.

We need to get to the point where we can play a semi in Brookings or Fargo and come out with a W. Why not this year, if necessary?

Or be at the point where we don’t have to. Make them come to Bozeman every year.

[94VegasCat]

There’s a really solid chance that NDSU goes undefeated. Their schedule minus a few conference games is a cakewalk.