Weekly Prediction Thread: Game 2 at EWU

[St George]

The Cat offensive line comes to life and we spend most of the day ramming it down the yard birds throat. The defense decides to show up and stops eastern when they need to. Due to the majority of the game with runs its not as high scoring.

Cats 38
Yard birds 21

[Walk-on]

What are you people smoking? MSU will run for 350, pass for 250 and score at least 50. For MSU to score under 50 you'd have to be assuming EWU will run it on almost every down.

Despite Ft. Lewis running it on 45 of their 62 plays to drain the clock and limit our possessions we still easily had a 60-point effort within our reach last week. EWU will do just the opposite and we'll have twice as many possessions. EWU's defense and run games are not as good as last year. Forte ran for 190 last year and they won't get that. They won't hold us to 0-3 on fourth downs again either.

I think you're the one that has been smokin' sump'n this morning, maybe? But I like your optimism and enthusiasm. Go Cats.

[Walk-on]

Stats and history are both against us: EWU has played two quality teams on the road and is now back home at their inferno. The Cats are largely untested and historically oft unprepared with slow starts. Furthermore Coach Ash's tenure has yet to upset a higher ranked team(arguably one game) . And with the reins placed on Prukop, and our run game largely being stuffed by a D-2 team, I don't like our chances. Hope I'm wrong and the boys come out on fire and we see more pluck than those teams in the past, but think I'll go hunting Saturday. Shucks, where can I watch in Livingston?
EWU 49
Cats 25

Side Note: Cal Poly vs. Northern Iowa is an interesting match-up.

It the Cats score 25 it is a complete FAIL by the offense. I see some definite weaknesses on the EW D and they also look like they wear down as well when you ground pound it. The OL better come to play this week and with attitude as the points will be up there to score if we do.

I agree, but I'm cynical of this team since they seemed so unprepared in the opener, and are up against a seasoned team playing them there. It's easier to spot the weaknesses of EWU because they have played two games. But they played quality teams. We struggled to run against a D-2 team and even our coaches said the defense was making lots of mistakes. Our history of not being fundamentally sound on defense is concerning. On the bright side, I think that playing away from our stadium could be a helpful reduction in distractions. Playing in a hostile environment with just the travel squad may get them better focused. Hopefully our scout team and coaches get the 2-deep ready. I hope Prukop goes for broke and if he gets his alotted hits, Bleskin mops them up.

[[cat_bracket]]

Stats and history are both against us: EWU has played two quality teams on the road and is now back home at their inferno. The Cats are largely untested and historically oft unprepared with slow starts. Furthermore Coach Ash's tenure has yet to upset a higher ranked team(arguably one game) . And with the reins placed on Prukop, and our run game largely being stuffed by a D-2 team, I don't like our chances. Hope I'm wrong and the boys come out on fire and we see more pluck than those teams in the past, but think I'll go hunting Saturday. Shucks, where can I watch in Livingston?
EWU 49
Cats 25

Side Note: Cal Poly vs. Northern Iowa is an interesting match-up.

It the Cats score 25 it is a complete FAIL by the offense. I see some definite weaknesses on the EW D and they also look like they wear down as well when you ground pound it. The OL better come to play this week and with attitude as the points will be up there to score if we do.

I agree, but I'm cynical of this team since they seemed so unprepared in the opener, and are up against a seasoned team playing them there. It's easier to spot the weaknesses of EWU because they have played two games. But they played quality teams. We struggled to run against a D-2 team and even our coaches said the defense was making lots of mistakes. Our history of not being fundamentally sound on defense is concerning. On the bright side, I think that playing away from our stadium could be a helpful reduction in distractions. Playing in a hostile environment with just the travel squad may get them better focused. Hopefully our scout team and coaches get the 2-deep ready. I hope Prukop goes for broke and if he gets his alotted hits, Bleskin mops them up.

We weren't unprepared. We just didn't execute a couple deep throw early. This was pointed out by Vim, Colter and Prukop himself. He hits half those and we win 59-14 and everyone is singing a different tune.

[LTown Cat]

Furthermore Coach Ash's tenure has yet to upset a higher ranked team(arguably one game).

FYI...MSU is the higher ranked team.

MSU--11
EWU--14

[Walk-on]

Furthermore Coach Ash's tenure has yet to upset a higher ranked team(arguably one game).

FYI...MSU is the higher ranked team.

MSU--11
EWU--14

The future is brighter.

[codecat]

Am thinking our offensive balance makes the difference.

MSU-48
EWU-amended score=38 (original was 42)

[Mr Lisle]

I can't find any reason this Bobcat team isn't better than last years team. I can see one enormous reason why this Eagle team isn't as good as last years team.
MSU 52 Eastern 51.

[technoCat]

51-47 EWU

They just seem to have our number and find ways to put up points.

[norcal cat]

59-48 Cats

[Cataholic]

I am just not concerned about the layoff. We have some strong leaders on this team and they all understand the importance of this game. If anything, I am concerned about being too worked up for "live action" against a quality opponent. The D seems to have some attitude again and I expect them to show it this week. How about another big hit from Bignell or Newell lighting somebody up on special teams. I am predicting a 77 to 3 win by the Cats!

Just kidding. Taking off the blue and good glasses. 45-42 Cats if Kupp plays. Without Kupp, EWU only scores 28.

[TJMoe82]

I can't find any reason this Bobcat team isn't better than last years team. I can see one enormous reason why this Eagle team isn't as good as last years team.
MSU 52 Eastern 51.

Love this logic!

[Catfanatic84]

I'm going with the good guys 42-35. And and another leveling administered by "B-Mac" (Bignell)

[grizzh8r]

In a game like this, I can't help but think the MSU oline and RB corps will be called upon to chew clock and lean on an EWU front 7 that has had trouble stopping the run in their first two games. If the Cats can run for 225+ yards, keeping West, Kupp and the rest of the EWU WR corps off the field while getting a couple stops and/or turnovers, they should end up on top at the end.

I think this team is built to do just that..

MSU 49
EWU 35

[catsrback76]

In a game like this, I can't help but think the MSU oline and RB corps will be called upon to chew clock and lean on an EWU front 7 that has had trouble stopping the run in their first two games. If the Cats can run for 225+ yards, keeping West, Kupp and the rest of the EWU WR corps off the field while getting a couple stops and/or turnovers, they should end up on top at the end.

I think this team is built to do just that..

MSU 49
EWU 35

This game will come down to the running game for both teams and how well the defense of each team defends the run! Mark it down, if we do not stop their run attack cold them we will lose badly, but, the converse is true as well. If they cannot stop our run game, the Cats will load up the board with points and TOP!

SO, my confidence is that we have a much better run game than Eastern, and a comparable defense to theirs...which means we win in Cheney!

[lutecat]

42-28 EWU. Hope not, but.....

[Heidi-jean]

CATS 44
EWU 34

[Bobcatstan]

I'm hoping I'm totally wrong. But the eagles haven't missed a beat without shoots in the passing game. Our dbs need a lot of improvement to shut them down. Kupps replacement splendorio seemed plenty capable. Our run game needs to take charge for us to win. Ewu 48. Msu 42.

[Bobcatstan]

I meant shoota. Not shoots

[tdub]

I meant shoota. Not shoots

You've been hanging out over on egriz, haven't you? Hope your tetanus shots are up to date and you have a prescription of penicillin handy. Don't bring that crap over here, haha.