Cats vs. South Dakota Predictions
Posted: Sun Dec 15, 2024 6:30 pm
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
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