The Bobcat Nation

TheBottomLine wrote: X-Factor: Travis Lulay, QB, Montana State. There's no two ways about it, Lulay is the star of this Montana State team, and he is a bigtime playmaker with his arm. He's 8th all time on the Big Sky total offense list, 1st in total Montana State passing yards, and 3rd on the touchdown list. Coming into play Saturday Lulay averages 55 yards a game rushing, 203.5 yards a game passing, and 40.7 yards per punt. Cal Poly has seen him and vice versa the past two seasons; now the challenge is who wins the final battle? Can Cal Poly get to Lulay? Or will Lulay be given the time he needs to slice up this potent defense.



The Roundtable says:

Chris Solari: (0-2) Here are two teams that gave a pair of I-A big shots all they could handle. The Mustangs showed they can handle the Big Sky last week, drubbing Sacramento State a week after going toe-to-toe with former I-AA power Troy. The Bobcats, after nearly pulling off the upset of Oklahoma State, throttled Stephen F. Austin in their return to the I-AA ranks. Cal Poly is tough at home, with Anthony Garnett finally grabbing hold of the quarterback spot. But Travis Lulay can be a miracle-worker, as seen in last year's narrow win over South Dakota State. He'll hook up with Tramaine Murray often as the Bobcats improve to 2-1. MSU 28, Cal Poly 17

Jeff Kolpack: (0-2) A close loss at Oklahoma State and a blowout win over Stephen F. Austin - who's to say Montana State isn't playing as well as anybody in the country? The Bobcats are under-rated in the polls. Montana State 17, Cal Poly 13.

Mike Mirer: (1-1) The Cal Poly defense has a different look with Jordan Beck in the middle of it, but two weeks into the season seems no less dominant. It's a unit that finds a way to put its stamp on every game it plays, usually in the decisive moments. Last week it was a couple of third-quarter interceptions to break open a 10-7 game. This week? Well, Montana State's running game has put the ball on the ground eight times in two games. Bobcats coach Mike Kramer said that week that team struggles against the option, which means the Mustangs might be able to move the ball consistently. In fact, I think they will. Cal Poly 28, Montana State 21

The Bottom Line: This game has all the making of a classic battle, with maybe the best I-AA quarterback, and defensive player on the same field. Montana State offense has ridiculous talent, and the weapons to score from anywhere on the field. But can they slow the Cal Poly offense? This year, I think they can more so than in years past. The Mustang option has given the Bobcats trouble in the past, but this defense has an improved feel to it, especially when you take a look at the results against Oklahoma State.

If they can limit Garnett on the ground they have to feel good. Put the ball in Lulay's hand and let him go to work. However, fans want to look at the first two weeks of results and expect MSU to take it to Cal Poly, even in San Luis Obispo. But here is what some people unfamiliar with Cal Poly just don't understand. This Cal Poly defense is sickening good. Coach Rich Ellerson doesn't rebuild he reloads. I've seen this defense make great quarterbacks look average. They do a number of different things to opposing offenses, and always bring new looks to each game. You can never quite tell where the pressure is coming, and a quarterback has to be at peak performance to truly dominate this group. I love Lulay's talent and the offensive weapons around him, but there's a reason Montana State hasn't won any of their previous six outings. It's called the Flex defense. Cal Poly 24 Montana State 21.