The Bobcat Nation

I was reading a thread over at egriz that ended up covering early predictions for 2006 BSC playoff contenders. Not surprisingly, the Griz were anointed as favorites and the Cats were dismissed, as 2005 was our "big chance". The comments prompted me to look at little closer at the two teams:

Offense
Griz - Lose 5 starters, including 3 OL and TE.

Cats - Lose 6 starters, including QB and 3 WR.

Comments: Definitely some questions marks at MSU. On the bright side, however, 3 OL and starting TE return. The Griz lose a lot up front, but have most skill position players back. Considering how their offense has played this year, I don't know if that's a positive or a negative.

Defense
Griz - Lose 4 starters, including 2 DL

Cats - Lose 4 starters, including 2 DB

Comments: Both units should be very solid. MSU's strength should be up front.

BSC Schedule
Griz - Road games at PSU, Weber, EWU, UNC. Home games versus MSU, ISU, Sac St., NAU

Cats - Road games at ISU, NAU, Sac. St., UM. Home games versus PSU, Weber, EWU, UNC.

Comments: On paper, the Cats should have the more favorable schedule, but then again, who knows what could happen in the conference.


Bottom Line
I might be missing something, but I don't see a big difference between the teams. MSU will have a re-tooled offense, but is that worse than bringing back a very bad offense? I like the fact that both the OL and DL should be strong for the Bobcats.

Kind of ironic that MSU should enter 2006 with a solid D and running game and questions at QB and WR. Where have we seen this situation before?

On paper I would think the Cats would be stronger than the griz next year. However, I never discount the griz. I thought they would be terrible this year but they were 8-3. That system produces a lot of wins even when the talent level is not there. As I have stated before: they should bottle whatever it is and sell it!

I think UM's offense will be a little better next year (pretty sure they'll be bring in another transfer QB), but MSU's defense will be remarkably better. UM's defense will be good again and MSU's offense will have a drop off with Lulay and Bolton gone. Overall they'll be pretty even. I think EWU has a big drop off coming next year. I wonder how well WSU will do. PSU?

The drop off with Lulay will be interesting, because he wasn't such a great passing QB, but he more than made up for it with his brain and legs. QBs can be effective in many ways. The Griz don't really lose much on defense because they have so many players subbing in and out.

I know Weber has Pizarro back, whats that rest of there returning players look like.

On paper I would think the Cats would be stronger than the griz next year. However, I never discount the griz. I thought they would be terrible this year but they were 8-3. That system produces a lot of wins even when the talent level is not there. As I have stated before: they should bottle whatever it is and sell it!

Only reason he had such a succesfull season was because we play all our hard games at home....rememeber?

I think the advantage the Griz have is returning players at skill positions, mainly at QB. Travis was/is a great player, and he was accountable for probably more than 80% of the offense's production. Losing him, IMO, is a huge blow to the cats offense. Goves appears to be the RB the cats have been looking for, but they'll also need someone to throw the ball a little too.

That is why our coaches planned ahead for this and have two redshirt juniors coming into next year, who have been in the system learning under Travis's tutelage for the last three years. Carpenter, I believe, will hardly be any drop-off from Travis from a pure "throwing the ball" standpoint, time will tell if he can lead the team the same way.

Re/Max Griz wrote:I think the advantage the Griz have is returning players at skill positions, mainly at QB. Travis was/is a great player, and he was accountable for probably more than 80% of the offense's production. Losing him, IMO, is a huge blow to the cats offense. Goves appears to be the RB the cats have been looking for, but they'll also need someone to throw the ball a little too.

You are right about WR! That will be the number one area of concern.