The Bobcat Nation

Next week the competition gets significantly better. We always have a chance with Lulay under center but we need to play much better than today. We have beat some good teams (NDSU and SFA) but it amazes me that a team with no running game, poor run defense, no pass rush and a lot of 15 yard penalties can keep winning. I guess the good news is that if we can improve some of those things we will be that much tougher. My guess is that PSU will be favored next week especially after their performance tonight.

Luckily (for the Cats). PSU has a great run defense (Cats don't run the ball), and an average to poor pass defense (Cats pass the ball).

Cats won't stop PSU's running game, but luckily, PSU can't seem to complete a forward pass.

PSU lost to Boise State 21-14. It looked like they led a significant amount of that game.

I like our offense on their artificial turf, but I have serous concerns with our defense's ability to get the offense the ball.

This game is very winnable, but right now I would pick the Viks over us. If Mac, Low, or Kolone are back this weekend, that will definately brighten up my hopes.

If we get over 80 yards of penalties, we lose.
If we lose the turnover batte, we lose.
If we can't run the ball (that includes Lulay), we lose.
If we can't contain (no way we stop) Rubin, we lose.

I seriously hope this victory at Weber got us over the "hump" of winning on the road we seemed to have for several games dating back to last year. I think our team showed some true grit there late in the game and played like we should have been playing all game. I think we will ride the victory, but I don't believe over-confidence will be an issue at PSU, because frankly there isn't anything to be over-confident about at this point.

This was an ugly, ugly game. We should have reason to believe next game won't be ugly, but I'm definately not confident with our road squad just yet. We definately have all the tools and personnel to beat PSU, but can we get it together upstairs?

Bleedinbluengold wrote:Luckily (for the Cats). PSU has a great run defense (Cats don't run the ball), and an average to poor pass defense (Cats pass the ball).

Cats won't stop PSU's running game, but luckily, PSU can't seem to complete a forward pass.

Boise St. really had a lot of problems passing against PSU, it wasn't until they went strickley to the running game that they pulled ahead.

This will be a tough game on the road. They have a great RB and Oline. Once again we need to stop the run. If we succeed in stopping the run and operate our offense effeciently (no to's or drops) I think we should be in good shape.

Also, PSU's D is very fast and athletic. I did notice that BSU seemed to burn them with screen passes. I would look for the cats to come out passing the ball, with a few screens and draws mixed in to take advantage of their fast and sometimes overpersuing defense.

On a postive note: We should have the entire town of Aumsville, Oregon there to support us.

While I always cheer for the Cats opponents I see MSU winning this coming weekend.

PSU crumbles when facing a challenge, or when facing a possibility to move into the upper 1/2 of the Big Sky. While MSU with Lulay at the helm usually wins games they shouldn't (and sometimes tend to lose games they should win). I'll bet MSU wins by 14+

Stack 8 in the box, play man D with the DB's, and make Sawyer Smith beat us through the air. I like our chances if we hold Rubin to under 200 yards.

The bobcats could have saved a lot of $$ by leaving every player but the redhead back in Bozo. He's a one man show and deserves kudos. If I were a bobcat fan I would be feeling proud of Mr. Lulay.

As for next week against PSU: I can't think of a single player since DD that was so closely tied to the success or failure of a team. It isn't going to take a genius to figure out that if Lulay goes, so goes the bobcats. The fair skinned redhead was as overexposed as a Kodak blooper yesterday and it was a miracle that he wasn't beheaded at least once. Lulay and the bobcats are one cheapshot away from having their season ended. I can't think of another team who lost their QB, leading rusher and punter all in one game but it could very well happen to the bobcats if Kramer continues to use Lulay like they did yesterday. the Griz are already on their second QB. Do the bobcats even have a second qB?, running back?, punter?

On the other hand, IMHO if Lulay stays healthy so does the bobcats shot at winning the BSC. Yea, the redhead is pretty good.

elkmcc wrote:The bobcats could have saved a lot of $$ by leaving every player but the redhead back in Bozo. He's a one man show and deserves kudos. If I were a bobcat fan I would be feeling proud of Mr. Lulay.

As for next week against PSU: I can't think of a single player since DD that was so closely tied to the success or failure of a team. It isn't going to take a genius to figure out that if Lulay goes, so goes the bobcats. The fair skinned redhead was as overexposed as a Kodak blooper yesterday and it was a miracle that he wasn't beheaded at least once. Lulay and the bobcats are one cheapshot away from having their season ended. I can't think of another team who lost their QB, leading rusher and punter all in one game but it could very well happen to the bobcats if Kramer continues to use Lulay like they did yesterday. the Griz are already on their second QB. Do the bobcats even have a second qB?, running back?, punter?

On the other hand, IMHO if Lulay stays healthy so does the bobcats shot at winning the BSC. Yea, the redhead is pretty good.

Lets hope your wishes for Lulay's demise never come true. Your right though.....it is probably the only way the Griz beat the Cats this year.

The bobcats could have saved a lot of $$ by leaving every player but the redhead back in Bozo. He's a one man show and deserves kudos. If I were a bobcat fan I would be feeling proud of Mr. Lulay.

Let me finish your sentence................"Mr. Lulay scares the s**t out of us."

Catz Rock wrote: Let me finish your sentence................"Mr. Lulay scares the s**t out of us."

I wouldn't say that. Lulay is a great player and is having another great year but the Griz seemed to handle him quite well last year! Can't wait until this years match up!

VictorG wrote:

Catz Rock wrote: Let me finish your sentence................"Mr. Lulay scares the s**t out of us."

I wouldn't say that. Lulay is a great player and is having another great year but the Griz seemed to handle him quite well last year! Can't wait until this years match up!

You're right, he only passed for 386 yards against UM last year. You guys really bottled him up.

Why is it that many bobcat fans can't take a compliment when one is given to their players/program? Oh, just for the record. I am not predicting a bobcat BSC title. I am predicting that if Lulay continues to have to be the whole show for the bobcats that he won't survive the regular season.

elkmcc wrote:Why is it that many bobcat fans can't take a compliment when one is given to their players/program? Oh, just for the record. I am not predicting a bobcat BSC title. I am predicting that if Lulay continues to have to be the whole show for the bobcats that he won't survive the regular season.

He was the whole show for one of our six games, and wouldn't had to have been (that sounds awkward, I know), had our recievers (namely gatewood) caught some passes. I am not worried, as long as the rest of our team does their job.

elkmcc wrote:Why is it that many bobcat fans can't take a compliment when one is given to their players/program? Oh, just for the record. I am not predicting a bobcat BSC title. I am predicting that if Lulay continues to have to be the whole show for the bobcats that he won't survive the regular season.

Like he didn't survive in 2004? and in 2003? and in 2002?

Why is it suddenly MORE likely that Lulay will get hurt? The overall talent around him is actually BETTER this year than it has been in the previous 3 seasons, so I'm hopeful things will start to "click" soon.

Wasn't it about this time last year that things really started rolling for our O? We've not seen 50% of what this offense is capable of; just 100% of what the best athlete in the Big Sky CAN do...

elkmcc wrote: Do the bobcats even have a second qB?, running back?, punter?

Gosh, I didn't think of that! Would somebody please tell our coaches that they should think about getting backups for all our positions? Thanx in advance.

Back to the original question of this thread:

YES, we CAN beat PSU; the real question obviously is WILL WE?

Based on performances/results in recent weeks, I'm withholding my pick until I hear more about our health situation (although I AM leaning toward a Cat win ).

A year ago about this time, our offense hit high gear & I am hopeful that they are about to do so again.

I have no doubt that Rick is going to use yesterday's performance to motivate him to DESTROY PSU's secondary.

Overall, I thought the O-line DID give Travis time to throw the ball but Weber did a pretty good job of coverage, which led to Crazy Lu-leg's big day on the ground.

I don't think PSU's D is any better than any we've faced to date; they've yet to show a real dominating performance and I don't think they will do so against our O. I'm expecting Travis to throw for 300+ yards and probably run for a bunch again as well; I think he's pretty much a lock for another 400+ total yards performance.

Defensively? I doubt we'll keep Rubin below 150 BUT PSU is unlikely to have success in the air, based on our pass D vs their 135.5 yards/game in the air. IMO, it boils down to "BIG" runs; don't let Rubin rip off many/any 20+ yarders and I think you "control" their rushing attack enough to keep their points to 24 or less. I DO think our rush D has been pretty good at keeping teams from scoring despite the yards we've given up on the ground.

It's not imperative that we score first to win, but can you imagine if we found a way to get up a couple of scores going to the 2nd half? If PSU HAS to throw to win, they don't appear capable of it.

After looking at PSU's game stats/results, I'm a bit more confident about our ability to have a good performance against them than I was last night. WHEN our offense truly hits its stride, we WILL be tough to beat; will this be the week it happens? More to surely come....

wbtfg wrote:

VictorG wrote:

Catz Rock wrote: Let me finish your sentence................"Mr. Lulay scares the s**t out of us."

I wouldn't say that. Lulay is a great player and is having another great year but the Griz seemed to handle him quite well last year! Can't wait until this years match up!

You're right, he only passed for 386 yards against UM last year. You guys really bottled him up.

And how did that work out for you?