The Bobcat Nation

I keep reading on everyone's posts that we can't expect big things from our program (not this year anyway). We were 0-11 in 2000 so we shouldn't expect an 8-3 record in 2005. I want to know what record is going to be okay for our fans in 2006 before we call for some changes within our program. It is becoming obvious that a 7-4 or 6-5 record will sit well with some people, so let me know what it takes before you are no longer happy.

I think the fans aren't so much looking at the record this year as the perceived underachievement of a team that we felt could not only make the playoffs but make a deep run in them.

7-4 this year will look good in the books a few years from now. But at this moment, it is dissatisfying for me without the playoffs if we don't make it.

Being dissatisfied doesn't translate into me being anti-Kramer at all.

Yes, 7-4 will look OK and it is progress in some ways. Another league title would be good, too. But a loss and 6-5 mark is a whole diff. story, because it doesn't include a win over UM or the playoffs. I say a MSU team has to do one (beat UM) or the other (make playoffs) for it to be an acceptable season, so this Saturday is the last chance. A loss is a step backward. The same goes for UM, except their fans expect at least one home playoff win per year. So losing to MSU and then losing in the first round is a downer there.

From a standpoint of Sept 2, 2005 I'd say anything short of playoff win would have been a disappointing season. I'd take playoff wins over wins against the Griz any day of the week. So to me, 7-4 is completely unacceptable

Saying that, this team can turn a train wreck of a season (6-5, miss playoffs, lose to Griz) into just a mildly disappointing season by beating the Griz on Saturday.

Say if by some grace of God the Cats make the playoffs at 7-4, then its a brand new season.

Of course i picked 8-3, but I am not about to abandon the Coach who brought us 2, hopefully 3, Conference Championships and who broke the streak against the jizz. Rather than bitch, I am going to be positive. Point is, if we win this weekend, Kramer has successfully won 3 out of 4 conference titles. Quit being whiners.

Agree! Kramer has fulfilled his promise of making MSU a winner (4 straight winning seasons), and of bringing enthusiasm back to the football program (5 of 6 games will be sellouts this year). He is a class act by all football coaching standards. I am thankful we have had Coach K these past several years.

Now, that said, Coach K I would hope will step up and take the Bobcats to the next level. AD Fields can help this by getting the debt retired and finish the stadium renovations. MSU is not yet a consistant top 10 program but is a top 20 program and we need to have the vision and sights set towards becoming a constant top 10 program!

Congratulations to the Griz for maintaining the top leverl, the gap is closing for the better though, and it will be great to have two Montana univiersities regarded as top 10 football programs.

CatFamily wrote:Agree! Kramer has fulfilled his promise of making MSU a winner (4 straight winning seasons), and of bringing enthusiasm back to the football program (5 of 6 games will be sellouts this year). He is a class act by all football coaching standards. I am thankful we have had Coach K these past several years.

Now, that said, Coach K I would hope will step up and take the Bobcats to the next level. AD Fields can help this by getting the debt retired and finish the stadium renovations. MSU is not yet a consistant top 10 program but is a top 20 program and we need to have the vision and sights set towards becoming a constant top 10 program!

Congratulations to the Griz for maintaining the top leverl, the gap is closing for the better though, and it will be great to have two Montana univiersities regarded as top 10 football programs.

That is some my friend. Although this season has turned into a disappointment for me, the program has truly progressed into a top 20 program. Question is, can Kramer take us to the next level. Winning Saturday is a huge step towards getting us in that state of mind for next season.

People may be tired of my bitching today, but I am tired of Kramer's lofty praise that this is the best team in conference, and "we lose only if we beat ourselves," etc etc. I want to get past the mediocrity we've seen these last 2 years with some of the best talent which has even played at MSU.

I picked 8-3 because I believe eventually our GOAL has to be that mark or better every year and I truly thought we would achieve that record this season.

Plain & simple, my expectations for Bobcat football is to be in the playoffs 4 of every 5 years. 7-4 is rarely going to get that done, so IMO we MUST shoot for nothing less than 8-3 every season.

This year is a huge disappointment to me, because of the talent that is on the team and the seniors that should have stepped up to make this team a top ten playoff team and a national championship contenter. The only game that they should have lost is against Oklahoma State. Next year I see alot of under classmen gaining experience and learning more of the system, so I really do not see an 8-3 season happening. A 7-4 record is more probable.

I'm still going to stick to my forecast of a national championship run in 2007. We have a host of young talent that will have a good year of experience next year. 2007 the Cats will dominate.

Tough call. I want to say 8-3 (and assume that means making the play-offs), but I voted 7-4 because of the loss of some good seniors - particularly the intangibles of Lulay. I won't be satisfied with 7-4, but I think it will enough for me to remain patient with the process of building our program.

I expect us, even in the losses, to be competetive. I also want sell-outs for the home games and plans for stadium improvements to be in the works - not just rumors (no matter how well sourced), but official announcements, press releases, construction plans in the works, etc.

With or without playoffs is also tough to say. I really expected us to make the playoffs this year. However, I don't think it's realistic to expect playoffs if you accept a 7-4 record.

Bottom line, I think matching this year's record will be the minimum acceptable for next year. After that I want to see 8-3 minimum with the playoffs every year, increased depth, rising attendance, and facility improvements every 3 or 4 years.

Not much to ask for.

Where's the option for 1-10?


In all seriousness, I admire the loyalty here. I'm amazed that anyone would think it was only mildly disappointing for a team that fielded a three-year Payton candidate who was also one of the most prolific quarterbacks in Big Sky history to not make the playoffs, as long as they beat Montana. Way to stand behind the team.

I wish there was as much loyalty in Griz Nation, where people are calling for the coach's head if the team goes 9-2 and breaks playoff appearance records but doesn't pile up enough passing yards in the wins or whatever. Maybe it's because the Griz have attracted so many bandwagoners over the years. I like the Cat Nation stiff upper lip.