Cats vs. South Dakota Predictions

[BleedingBLue]

One game away from a return to trip to Frisco. No surprise we're matching up against a MVFC team in the semis. Maybe not the one we thought we'd see earlier in the year, but certainly a similar team who likes to play the same type of way.

After 14 games and 14 wins, the biggest thing I've seen from this Cats team is the amazing ability to gameplan for every opponent. The defensive gameplan has been different for every game. There have been adjustments, different calls and different personnel rotations for each opponent. The offensive gameplanning has been the same way. There hasn't been a stubbornness with the offense just because we run the ball so well, which is a big change from years past. The UTM game is a perfect example. We established the run early, but Tommy had his best game ever as a passer. The gameplans have been so damn good all year and I expect that to continue Saturday.

I think we'll see a defensive gameplan similar to UC - Davis and Cat/Griz. Pressure early to get Bauman off schedule, and a commitment to stopping the run. Theis and Pierre Jr. are solid RBs, and the USD OL is probably the best we've seen this year. They are big and physical, with a lot of power running inside. The DTs and LBs need to be ready. We'll probably see more Bryce Grebe with an emphasis on stopping the run. I'd guess USD will hit a few big pass plays, probably early, then we'll adjust.

On offense, the USD D will have to pick their poison. I'd guess they will approach the game similar to nearly everyone else. Stacked boxes forcing Tommy to beat them. They haven't looked super fast from what I've seen, so we may see more outside zone and sweeps than we did against Idaho, who had lots of defensive speed. I'd except Tommy to be heavily involved in the run game again, and his arm and legs will be the difference.

It really feels like our offense is clicking on all cylinders and is going to continue being tough to stop. The D has just been super consistent and so solid all year. Let's play into January!

Cats - 38
Wile E.s - 22

[LTown Cat]

Cats 34
Mangy Puppies 20

[damnyoutuesday]

Cats 38
USD 20

[GoldstoneCat]

I think it's our lowest scoring game of the season. They have some big guys up front to play ball control, so I expect them to be better on conversion downs than idaho and stay on the field at times. I think their PK game is not super strong or good from distance so holding them to attempts will be key. This team beat NDSU (albeit on kind of a fluky comeback) and pushed sdsu to overtime, so I don't think we're going to roll them. I think it ends 31-20 after a hard physical battle.

[Mtcatfan]

40-28 Cats.

[VimSince03]

We win by 24.

[MTmadeCat]

37-24, then to Frisco!

[GoCats18]

Montana State——43
Coyote Uglies—-24

[RockyBearCat]

41-23 Cats

[MSU01]

31-17 was a good score three years ago, I'll go with that again this time around.

[BelligerentBobcat]

We win by 24.

You and Vigo are predicting 3 score victories. Makes me feel better.

[89Cat]

The fact that Davis rolled up 430 yards and had 27 first downs to South Dakota’s 16 is encouraging to me as a Bobcat fan. We might give up 21 points or maybe even 24 but I trust Daly and crew to not give up too many big plays. They’ll make South Dakota work their way down the field. Offensively, with Tommy getting the green light to run more now that we’re close to the end, I don’t see the Coyotes stopping us. I see 41-24.

[91catAlum]

I really think we need Scottre back healthy this week. SD is a tough physical team and we need more bodies to take some hits off Adam Jones.

With Scottre.
Cats 34-24

Without.
Cats 27-24

[MSU Toddler]

Your Montana State Fighting Bobcats: 31
USD: 24

[84CatGrad]

SD is a very very good team. I'll take the 'Cats in a squeaker, 31-28.

[Bobcat Sig]

Opening lines have Cats at -6.5. Granted, we about doubled the spead last week, so what do I know.

I'm feeling a 10-ish point victory.

[RUACAT]

The Coyotes will need to utilize every ACME gimmick available, but still won't be able to catch the pesky Bobcats.

Montana State Fightin' Bobcats - 35
Wile E Coyotes - 21

[JoeCatsJoe]

We win by 24.

You and Vigo are predicting 3 score victories. Makes me feel better.

Was thinking the same thing lol. If some of the more knowledgeable posters on here feel confident, that makes me feel more confident myself. I think they have the capability to make it tough on us tho

[St George]

Bobcats scramble the Yokes 33-17.

[CelticCat]

I think it's our lowest scoring game of the season. They have some big guys up front to play ball control, so I expect them to be better on conversion downs than idaho and stay on the field at times. I think their PK game is not super strong or good from distance so holding them to attempts will be key. This team beat NDSU (albeit on kind of a fluky comeback) and pushed sdsu to overtime, so I don't think we're going to roll them. I think it ends 31-20 after a hard physical battle.

On the flip side, USD is actually pretty bad on 3rd down defense, they are 68th nationally. If we get 4+ yards on 1st down we should be able to keeps drives going all day long.