Cats @ New Mexico Predictions

[BelligerentBobcat]

https://msubobcats.com/documents/2024/8 ... Mexico.pdf

Always important to look at the Game Notes when released prior to the game. Some notables:

- JT Reed is listed as an OR on the depth chart with Burke Mastel but JT is scratched off the roster meaning he is not playing on Saturday. Burke will get this first start on Saturday.
- Nearly all true freshman are staying home and a few 2nd year guys as well. Four true freshman made the travel squad: DB Jhase McMillan, WR Dane Steel, OL Aiden Kaplan, and WR Maclain Burckley.
- I was interested in the LB depth after Daily and Grebe got #2 listings on the initial depth chart. Bullcock, Krahe, and Taylor also making the trip.
- After the first four DTs, Sharbono and Marsh are also making the trip.
- Known injuries of Polidore and Davis stayed true. It was rumored that Jared White was hurt which was why Jones got the #2 spot on the depth chart but RBs making the trip are Humphrey, Jones, White, Elliot, Coon and Marquis Johnson.

The rest is chalk. Hope the boys shake off the cobwebs and cover!

MSU - 38
Los Lobos - 21

Interesting on Burckley. You think it’s because of ST/kicking ability?

[VimSince03]

https://msubobcats.com/documents/2024/8 ... Mexico.pdf

Always important to look at the Game Notes when released prior to the game. Some notables:

- JT Reed is listed as an OR on the depth chart with Burke Mastel but JT is scratched off the roster meaning he is not playing on Saturday. Burke will get this first start on Saturday.
- Nearly all true freshman are staying home and a few 2nd year guys as well. Four true freshman made the travel squad: DB Jhase McMillan, WR Dane Steel, OL Aiden Kaplan, and WR Maclain Burckley.
- I was interested in the LB depth after Daily and Grebe got #2 listings on the initial depth chart. Bullcock, Krahe, and Taylor also making the trip.
- After the first four DTs, Sharbono and Marsh are also making the trip.
- Known injuries of Polidore and Davis stayed true. It was rumored that Jared White was hurt which was why Jones got the #2 spot on the depth chart but RBs making the trip are Humphrey, Jones, White, Elliot, Coon and Marquis Johnson.

The rest is chalk. Hope the boys shake off the cobwebs and cover!

MSU - 38
Los Lobos - 21

Interesting on Burckley. You think it’s because of ST/kicking ability?

I'm assuming he made special teams. I really don't think they have him in the kicking/punting but he technically could be a deep depth option if Hall/Kautzman get injured.

He was a late bloomer. Had a decent senior season but looked even better in the Shrine Game at receiver.

[BleedingBLue]

I think a 7 to 10 point win would be ideal. I think a tough contest that the Cats win helps them be confident but not overconfident. If the oddsmakers are getting this right that's what they think will happen. My gut tells me we win bigger than that. (Our offense will be dang near unstoppable again this year.) In spite of my optimism I'm going to go with the odds.
Cats 37
Hobos 27

We have REALLY struggled on the road in recent years. Barely beating some really bad teams and losing to some decent teams. I just dont see the Cats rolling UNM on the road.

Beat Weber 40 to ZIP in Ogden and beat Playoff Sac St 42 - 30. And in my opinion beat SDSU (the overturned call was bs, there wasn't enough to overturn the call on the field). In 2022 they lost to a top 20 FBS Oregon St and in a blizzard to the National Champions, that's it. Not exactly what I would say is 'really struggling'.

Man there are some real negative nellys around here lately. Need to wipe the memory of how the last 2 games went.

Not siding with anyone either way, but don't forget NAU in 2022 and Idaho last year. Road games I could see us struggle with this year; Idaho State (it's a dome thing), EWU (they'll be better than last year), and UC Davis (top 10 team in my opinion). Of those, Davis is the only one that would be justified.

Idaho was a good team. Short week. But losing was not symbolic of a systemic issue with road games. Griz, NDSU,SDSU have won some ugly road games and lost a few in most years. In the NC years usually not.

I agree, I don't think it's a systemic issue, just pointing out some other road games where things were tough. Idaho was a good team, just a terrible game on our part and near flawless execution on their part in critical situations. An ugly road win or two is to be expected, even for the best teams. But they need to be wins.

[LoggerCat]

https://msubobcats.com/documents/2024/8 ... Mexico.pdf

Always important to look at the Game Notes when released prior to the game. Some notables:

- JT Reed is listed as an OR on the depth chart with Burke Mastel but JT is scratched off the roster meaning he is not playing on Saturday. Burke will get this first start on Saturday.
- Nearly all true freshman are staying home and a few 2nd year guys as well. Four true freshman made the travel squad: DB Jhase McMillan, WR Dane Steel, OL Aiden Kaplan, and WR Maclain Burckley.
- I was interested in the LB depth after Daily and Grebe got #2 listings on the initial depth chart. Bullcock, Krahe, and Taylor also making the trip.
- After the first four DTs, Sharbono and Marsh are also making the trip.
- Known injuries of Polidore and Davis stayed true. It was rumored that Jared White was hurt which was why Jones got the #2 spot on the depth chart but RBs making the trip are Humphrey, Jones, White, Elliot, Coon and Marquis Johnson.

The rest is chalk. Hope the boys shake off the cobwebs and cover!

MSU - 38
Los Lobos - 21

Pretty big game for Mastel’s first start? How do you think he’ll fair?

[Bobcatsinmso]

Bobcats 33
No bos. 22

[ClowderUp]

Cats 28
Lobos 20

[RICO CAT]

Listening to some of these online week zero betting analyst discussing tomorrow’s games. Some think Coach Veg-en, QB Tommy Me-low (or Mel-ett) and team will not be able to overcome FBS talent, regardless of their record at the FCS level, pointing to a lack of success against those opponents. Some are perplexed at the current betting line. I hope the Cats play with a chip on their shoulder even if they are favored to win by others. Show college football fans who you are !

[ringthebells]

A top FCS team vs a ****** FBS team, this one is going to be a blood bath. If Tommy stays healthy, you guys will decide how many points you want to score. Enjoy the check and the W.

[chainbreaker]

Bobcats hold on for win. D comes through to keep UNM out of end zone in 4th.
Bobcats 28
New Mexico 24

[aucat]

As much as I want the Cats to win I have to be realistic. I don't see how any oddsmaker can make us a 2 TD favorite on the road. If you look at their schedule last year they played some close games against some good teams. This year they have 42 new FBS transfers. ESPN is saying NM has a 68% chance to win. It's a home game for the Lobos.

I think we will give them a close game, but if I was actually betting money on it, I would go with the Lobos 24-20.

[VimSince03]

https://msubobcats.com/documents/2024/8 ... Mexico.pdf

Always important to look at the Game Notes when released prior to the game. Some notables:

- JT Reed is listed as an OR on the depth chart with Burke Mastel but JT is scratched off the roster meaning he is not playing on Saturday. Burke will get this first start on Saturday.
- Nearly all true freshman are staying home and a few 2nd year guys as well. Four true freshman made the travel squad: DB Jhase McMillan, WR Dane Steel, OL Aiden Kaplan, and WR Maclain Burckley.
- I was interested in the LB depth after Daily and Grebe got #2 listings on the initial depth chart. Bullcock, Krahe, and Taylor also making the trip.
- After the first four DTs, Sharbono and Marsh are also making the trip.
- Known injuries of Polidore and Davis stayed true. It was rumored that Jared White was hurt which was why Jones got the #2 spot on the depth chart but RBs making the trip are Humphrey, Jones, White, Elliot, Coon and Marquis Johnson.

The rest is chalk. Hope the boys shake off the cobwebs and cover!

MSU - 38
Los Lobos - 21

Pretty big game for Mastel’s first start? How do you think he’ll fair?

Probably will be a little rattled but settle in...if we can run the ball well. When lineman feel a run game working, confidence just skyrockets.

[VimSince03]

https://msubobcats.com/documents/2024/8 ... Mexico.pdf

Always important to look at the Game Notes when released prior to the game. Some notables:

- JT Reed is listed as an OR on the depth chart with Burke Mastel but JT is scratched off the roster meaning he is not playing on Saturday. Burke will get this first start on Saturday.
- Nearly all true freshman are staying home and a few 2nd year guys as well. Four true freshman made the travel squad: DB Jhase McMillan, WR Dane Steel, OL Aiden Kaplan, and WR Maclain Burckley.
- I was interested in the LB depth after Daily and Grebe got #2 listings on the initial depth chart. Bullcock, Krahe, and Taylor also making the trip.
- After the first four DTs, Sharbono and Marsh are also making the trip.
- Known injuries of Polidore and Davis stayed true. It was rumored that Jared White was hurt which was why Jones got the #2 spot on the depth chart but RBs making the trip are Humphrey, Jones, White, Elliot, Coon and Marquis Johnson.

The rest is chalk. Hope the boys shake off the cobwebs and cover!

MSU - 38
Los Lobos - 21

Pretty big game for Mastel’s first start? How do you think he’ll fair?

Probably will be a little rattled but settle in...if we can run the ball well. When lineman feel a run game working, confidence just skyrockets.

Or not...because it was just announced Cedric Jefferson will start at LT and Conner Moore will slide to LG. Means the best five if JT couldn't go was Cedric, Conner, Cole, Marcus Titan.

Also Casey Kautzman is out so the kicking game will have an even bigger eye on it today.

[BleedingBLue]

https://msubobcats.com/documents/2024/8 ... Mexico.pdf

Always important to look at the Game Notes when released prior to the game. Some notables:

- JT Reed is listed as an OR on the depth chart with Burke Mastel but JT is scratched off the roster meaning he is not playing on Saturday. Burke will get this first start on Saturday.
- Nearly all true freshman are staying home and a few 2nd year guys as well. Four true freshman made the travel squad: DB Jhase McMillan, WR Dane Steel, OL Aiden Kaplan, and WR Maclain Burckley.
- I was interested in the LB depth after Daily and Grebe got #2 listings on the initial depth chart. Bullcock, Krahe, and Taylor also making the trip.
- After the first four DTs, Sharbono and Marsh are also making the trip.
- Known injuries of Polidore and Davis stayed true. It was rumored that Jared White was hurt which was why Jones got the #2 spot on the depth chart but RBs making the trip are Humphrey, Jones, White, Elliot, Coon and Marquis Johnson.

The rest is chalk. Hope the boys shake off the cobwebs and cover!

MSU - 38
Los Lobos - 21

Pretty big game for Mastel’s first start? How do you think he’ll fair?

Probably will be a little rattled but settle in...if we can run the ball well. When lineman feel a run game working, confidence just skyrockets.

Or not...because it was just announced Cedric Jefferson will start at LT and Conner Moore will slide to LG. Means the best five if JT couldn't go was Cedric, Conner, Cole, Marcus Titan.

Also Casey Kautzman is out so the kicking game will have an even bigger eye on it today.

Kautzman is out?? Are you kidding?

[Bobcat 1963]

Cats 40
New Mexico 20

[Long Time Cat]

Florida State was a double digit favorite and lost. I guess that means the upset for today has been used and since the Lobos are the underdog, that’s good for us. Injuries on the o-line have me concerned but a lot of people have talked about how good the cats depth is. If we can run the ball like we have in the past with our makeshift o-line I still think we win this.

[D-Wreck]

Kautzman is out?? Are you kidding?

Coach Vigen said on the radio a little bit ago that he hurt his quad towards the end of fall camp.

[Prodigal Cat]

They have a pretty good track record against FCS teams. Going back to 2003 they’ve only lost three times. Once was UTSA in 2013 and I’m not sure if they were still FCS then.

MSU, on the other hand, seems to find a way to lose when it plays FBS opponents. I’m not sure MSU has had this good of team when it’s played FBS teams the past 20 years and I don’t think they’ve played a FBS team this traditionally weak.

MSU 31, UNM 30

I agree with this statement. But, if things are going to change for MSU football and they are going to take the next step as a program, Saturday is a good place to start.

This game is definitely a sort of bellweather for the season in my opinion. One game does not make a season but if the Cats do not win this game, I am dubious on them accomplishing what most on here believe they can. I might even go so far as to say if they don't win comfortably they aren't there either. Plenty of Big Sky teams have won over a MWC team in the last few years that probably weren't National Championship quality. Eastern in '21, Weber and Sac St in '22, Idaho in '23. Those Big Sky teams were good, but not go all the way good and they all won convincingly except Eastern. I think I'm not alone in thinking this Bobcat team is better than those examples. Time to prove that they are winners.

I think I was proven correct. To win that game while playing that poorly is a huge deal. The Lobos may improve but I would bet they end up with a pretty poor record. A loss there would have been held against them in seeding. It also would have been a team that didn’t WIN. Good teams find ways to win (ala NDSU in the playoffs against the Cats).

There still so much to improve though. Secondary has to get better and the tackling was very inconsistent.

[BleedingBLue]

This is such an important game for the new UNM coaching staff to win. They are going to throw the kitchen sink at MSU to avoid a loss to a lower-tier school (even though we'll be one of the better teams they play this year). The Lobos find a way to get it done at home; then, MSU doesn't lose again this season.
UNM 34
MSU 31

Well done, but the wrong teams

[BleedingBLue]

I said 34-31 on the Lobos fan board and I think I'll stick with it. It's a road game against an FBS team who we don't have any film on. But they have a new coach and a ton of transfers on both sides of the line and their skill position players were all on the teams that got the last coach fired. The Bobcats won't be intimidated and will want to prove themselves. We have more experience and stability and likely more talent.

Nicely done.

[BleedingBLue]

I just can't see how the Cats beat UNM by 14. They are too much of a mystery with 60 new players and a new coaching staff. Bronco is too good of a coach to let that happen IMHO. I think the game is going to be close and probably uncomfortably close. Cats still win 35 - 31.