Cats vs. North Dakota State Round 2 Predictions

[bcatfan1]

Between the big loss to the gris and then seeing NDSU as our 1st playoff game, I have to admit that I had a pretty negative feeling about this one! But... I still this Bobcat team is a lot better on the lines than the teams that were blown out by NDSU each time. And the Bison are not at the elite level they were. Combine all that with the fact the game is in Bozeman, and I think the Cats come out rolling.

Bobcats 42
Bye Son 31

[ThoughtUKnew14]

Hate to say it, but we lose this one. I predict they keep our run game in check and lack of consistent passing game (fade ball wont get it done) will bite us in the ass once again.

42 to 20

[rivercat]

Hate to say it, but we lose this one. I predict they keep our run game in check and lack of consistent passing game (fade ball wont get it done) will bite us in the ass once again.

42 to 20

How do they keep our running game in check? Their D has not done that very well against much lesser running teams?

[Clinton T]

We tackle well, we win the game. Unfortunately, I don't see us breaking our current trend of piss poor tackling.

fats 38 - Cats 24

[catsrback76]

A WIN…to ADVANCE!

[GoGriz1023]

Wow. For Cat fans, some of you are sure depressing. As is obvious by my user name, I'm a Griz fan and I say the Cats come out as one, seriously pissed off football team. The Cats are beyond tough to beat at home and now? Well, my guess is, they have something to prove. And that's a VERY scary situation for the Bison if you ask me...Cats D wakes up, offense actually discovers a passing game (in addition to their run game) and beat a good NDSU team. Not predicting a final but as stated - the Cats are pissed - and a pissed off, good football team, AT HOME, is scary....Cats win

[ilovethecats]

Wow. For Cat fans, some of you are sure depressing. As is obvious by my user name, I'm a Griz fan and I say the Cats come out as one, seriously pissed off football team. The Cats are beyond tough to beat at home and now? Well, my guess is, they have something to prove. And that's a VERY scary situation for the Bison if you ask me...Cats D wakes up, offense actually discovers a passing game (in addition to their run game) and beat a good NDSU team. Not predicting a final but as stated - the Cats are pissed - and a pissed off, good football team, AT HOME, is scary....Cats win

I’m with you. It’s funny to see. We might have more griz and bison fans predicting a Cat win than Cat fans!

NDSU is a very tough opponent. I wouldn’t want it any other way. We got our ass beat by a good griz team in Missoula. It happens. It doesn’t negate everything we’ve done all season.

We have the longest home win streak in the country for a reason. It’s tough to come in here and win. Cats play like they’re capable, with that Griz loss in their minds, I think we’re a tough out in the playoffs.

[catatac]

Ya, I am surprised at the number of Cats fans predicting a loss here. I was as disappointed as the next guy after the griz stomped us, but it was one game. It doesn't mean we suck now. We went into Brookings and went toe toe to with the best team in the country, by far..... and now we're going to lose to NDSU AT HOME? I mean sure, it's possible, but I don't see it happening. As others have said, it's damn tough to come into Bozeman and beat the Cats. I'm predicting a game similar to when SDSU came to town and we beat them. We're pretty healthy right now... with Snell being the most important player we're currently missing.

[Bocephus]

What was that saying Choate used to always say? You’re not as bad as your worst game and not as good as your best game. Someone help me out here.

[mtkaren]

I’m hopeful but not overly optimistic. Depends on how this coaching staff does, do we play the Bobcat game or settle back with little to no Chambers like we did vs Idaho and the Jizz.

If we score on the first drive, I’ll have a more positive attitude. We can’t let NDSU take the lead at any point.

[Go Scats Go]

If NDS gets ahead early, its hard to beat them because they just run the clock out.

The same could be said for the cats.

Final score 24-20... hard to say who wins

[BelligerentBobcat]

If NDS gets ahead early, its hard to beat them because they just run the clock out.

The same could be said for the cats.

Final score 24-20... hard to say who wins

I don’t think there’s any way the winning team scores that little.

[GoGriz1023]

Ya, I am surprised at the number of Cats fans predicting a loss here. I was as disappointed as the next guy after the griz stomped us, but it was one game. It doesn't mean we suck now. We went into Brookings and went toe toe to with the best team in the country, by far..... and now we're going to lose to NDSU AT HOME? I mean sure, it's possible, but I don't see it happening. As others have said, it's damn tough to come into Bozeman and beat the Cats. I'm predicting a game similar to when SDSU came to town and we beat them. We're pretty healthy right now... with Snell being the most important player we're currently missing.

It was indeed ONE game! Hell, look at the Griz! After NAU, I was as big of a 'start over next year' fan as the next guy. Point is, the Cats had a bad game. I still think the 'bad' game came at a good point actually. They NEEDED that Griz game to kick them in the ass. They NEEDED that game to show them anyone can beat them on any given Saturday. Now, we're down to win or go home - and anyone can beat you. I think the Cats know this better then ANYONE right now INCLUDING the Griz. It got shoved in the Cats face two weeks ago - and I STILL say this seriously pisses them off. I do NOT want to play the Cats again and I STILL say the Cats win this weekend. I'd like to believe the Bison don't know what they've gotten into - a seriously pissed off Cat team that needs to prove their nastiness - and they have that nastiness factor, ESPECIALLY at home. And yes, I'll still be the same ol Griz fan that if we meet again. I'll still be the same old immature diehard Griz fan that wants to see the Griz kick the Cats ass!

[BornBobcat2000]

Our defense worries me, the only positive is that we’ve been pretty solid against the straight run game, it seems to be more out in space that we miss tackles. Regardless, we’ll have to tackle better to win. I think our offense will come out with our hair on fire and put up some points early, then our running game will take over. Cats 34- NDSU 24

[The Butcher]

Ya, I am surprised at the number of Cats fans predicting a loss here. I was as disappointed as the next guy after the griz stomped us, but it was one game. It doesn't mean we suck now. We went into Brookings and went toe toe to with the best team in the country, by far..... and now we're going to lose to NDSU AT HOME? I mean sure, it's possible, but I don't see it happening. As others have said, it's damn tough to come into Bozeman and beat the Cats. I'm predicting a game similar to when SDSU came to town and we beat them. We're pretty healthy right now... with Snell being the most important player we're currently missing.

I never predict games with the exception of a tongue in cheek score I'll throw out there once and awhile.
That said; I think if it weren't for both the Idaho and griz games being so poorly executed Cat fans wouldn't be so concerned. Losing both of those games the way the Cats did was pretty disheartening. If there was only one let down game people would probably feel a lot different, but two very ugly games at the end of the season can understandably cause real concern.

[91catAlum]

This is going to be a tough game that could honestly go either way, just depends on whether the Cats are able to regroup after a bad loss in missoula, or just don't have any swagger now.
MSU hasn't lost a home game since October 2019, so I'll predict they find a way to get it done this week.

MSU 37
ndsu 34

[CodyCat]

Ya, I am surprised at the number of Cats fans predicting a loss here. I was as disappointed as the next guy after the griz stomped us, but it was one game. It doesn't mean we suck now. We went into Brookings and went toe toe to with the best team in the country, by far..... and now we're going to lose to NDSU AT HOME? I mean sure, it's possible, but I don't see it happening. As others have said, it's damn tough to come into Bozeman and beat the Cats. I'm predicting a game similar to when SDSU came to town and we beat them. We're pretty healthy right now... with Snell being the most important player we're currently missing.

I never predict games with the exception of a tongue in cheek score I'll throw out there once and awhile.
That said; I think if it weren't for both the Idaho and griz games being so poorly executed Cat fans wouldn't be so concerned. Losing both of those games the way the Cats did was pretty disheartening. If there was only one let down game people would probably feel a lot different, but two very ugly games at the end of the season can understandably cause real concern.

I agree with this post. I also don’t think the team has gotten any better. I don’t think the Cats are as good now as they were against SDSU.

[91catAlum]

SportsBetMT starting line has MSU favored by 2.5 with O/U 57.5
Fanduel (larger than just Montana) has the same line.

Which is interesting, because national sites have ndsu as much bigger favorites to win the natty. These are from Draft Kings, updated this week (these are the top 5 best odds). Huge gap after um.
Sdsu -165
ndsu +475
um +550
MSU +1500
Idaho +2000

[Augustus]

I agree with this post. I also don’t think the team has gotten any better. I don’t think the Cats are as good now as they were against SDSU.

Agreed.

Our pass game is zero threat. It doesn't exist in any appreciable form.

WIth regard to the run game, we used to say, "They know it's coming and they still can't stop it." Well, a couple of good teams figured out how to stop it and you can bet that anyone we play going forward will be watching those tapes.

Defense? Deflated, injury prone, and incapable of effective tackling.

Coordinators? Nothing really needs to be said here as we all know the issues.

Vigen? He's done some great things to be sure, and while his bullheadedness/loyalty can be a virtue, it has hurt this team. Keeping Housewright and Garza despite their personal and professional failures, keeping Hall kicking (missing) FGs despite his clear inability to make them, etc.... It's tough to changed horses midstream, but sometimes you must. He needs to learn that. He also strikes me as a very stoic man. Not necessarily a bad thing, but because of it, I feel as though he doesn't really have the emotion to fire these kids up. We have a talented bunch of kids with plenty of ability and no emotion. It's Vigen's job to find all of those factors and form them into one. He's not doing it right now.

Just my thoughts from what I see. I'm a lifelong Cat fan and will die so. That doesn't mean that I can't see what's right in front of me. I'll still cheer them on, but I think our season ends on Saturday. The ONLY thing we have going for us this weekend is playing at home. I don't expect it to be enough for a team like NDSU.

Good teams...Championship teams get better as the season goes on. We've gotten worse. That doesn't bode well.

[TomCat88]

I agree with this post. I also don’t think the team has gotten any better. I don’t think the Cats are as good now as they were against SDSU.

Agreed.

Our pass game is zero threat. It doesn't exist in any appreciable form.

WIth regard to the run game, we used to say, "They know it's coming and they still can't stop it." Well, a couple of good teams figured out how to stop it and you can bet that anyone we play going forward will be watching those tapes.

Defense? Deflated, injury prone, and incapable of effective tackling.

Coordinators? Nothing really needs to be said here as we all know the issues.

Vigen? He's done some great things to be sure, and while his bullheadedness/loyalty can be a virtue, it has hurt this team. Keeping Housewright and Garza despite their personal and professional failures, keeping Hall kicking (missing) FGs despite his clear inability to make them, etc.... It's tough to changed horses midstream, but sometimes you must. He needs to learn that. He also strikes me as a very stoic man. Not necessarily a bad thing, but because of it, I feel as though he doesn't really have the emotion to fire these kids up. We have a talented bunch of kids with plenty of ability and no emotion. It's Vigen's job to find all of those factors and form them into one. He's not doing it right now.

Just my thoughts from what I see. I'm a lifelong Cat fan and will die so. That doesn't mean that I can't see what's right in front of me. I'll still cheer them on, but I think our season ends on Saturday. The ONLY thing we have going for us this weekend is playing at home. I don't expect it to be enough for a team like NDSU.

Good teams...Championship teams get better as the season goes on. We've gotten worse. That doesn't bode well.

One of the things that the team had as a goal this year was how it handled in-game adversity. They didn’t do that vs UM early in the game, but I think they have all year. It’s a mature, veteran team capable of shrugging things off. I think it will serve them all well in their careers and lives in general.