Bobcats vs SFA - So not the Official Game Day Thread

[BigSkyCowboy]

Still awake here in Tahoe, thinking about the game tomorrow, and stunned that no one has created a game day thread yet. Like always, us fans and the players both should remember to take it one game at a time. Cats need to take care of business today and come away with the W. Next week and any potential matchup (no matter how big) needs to not be in mind during the game. Hope the team stays focused to kick some SFA tail!

Wish I was there, safe travel to those who will be!

[FLBobcatFan]

RTDB!! GO CATS GO!!

[SFASawmill]

Good luck Bobcats! Should be a hell of a game regardless of the outcome! Axe’Em Jacks!

[MrGoodKat]

Contrary to some of the coverage, this is a really bad matchup for SFA.

The Lumberjacks' offense is led by their passing attack and Vidlak isn't mobile. This plays directly into MSU's hands, as their pass defense is their strength. The Cats' rush is going to make for a really long night for them. I could see things avalanching on SFA.

Here is how the best QB's that MSU has played have done vs. the Cats and then compared to their rest of their schedule:

K. Ah Yat, UM

-Season Avg: 277 yds/gm, 69% completion, 9.1 YPA. 2.3 TD/gm
-Vs. MSU: 186 yds, 83% completion, 5.8 YPA, 1 TD

C. Pinnick, UCD

-Season Avg: 286 yds/gm, 72% completion, 10.0 YPA, 2.9 TD/gm
-@ MSU: 234 yds, 61%, 6.5 YPA, 2 TD

D. Reno, YALE

-Season Avg: 209 yds/gm, 66% completion, 8.1 YPA, 1.8 TD/gm
-@ MSU: 198 yds, 57%, 5.7 YPA, 1 TD

T. Pennington, NAU

-Season Avg: 260 yds/gm, 66% completion, 8.6 YPA, 1.7 TD/gm
-Vs. MSU: 210 yds, 60%, 4.5 YPA, 0 TD

In light of all that, I would estimate Vidlak does something like this: 17/30, 57%, 168 yds, 5.6 YPA, 1 TD, 2 INT, 4 Sacks

I also tend to think that the SFA rushing defense numbers are fake. ACU just came into Nacodoches and put up 31/211/4 on the ground (6.8 YPC). I don't think MSU will have much trouble running the ball.

52-13 MSU

[MSUBRONCO]

I like we got the big game but I get Saturdays off not Friday nights so in that aspect sucks can't watch

[luckyirishguy25]

Go Cats Go!

[84CatGrad]

I like we got the big game but I get Saturdays off not Friday nights so in that aspect sucks can't watch

Find a screen somewhere, anywhere.

[PapaG]

Glad I didn’t buy a ticket because that isn’t a drive I would want to make from and back to Billings tonight.

Tough scheduling and kudos to anyone who gets there tonight from anywhere outside of Bozeman. Hopefully the locals and students who do get there make up the difference for us who just can’t make the drive after work and get there in time.

[cats2506]

Plan to leave at 12:00 from Lewistown. We Wont Miss IT

[SFASawmill]

Contrary to some of the coverage, this is a really bad matchup for SFA.

The Lumberjacks' offense is led by their passing attack and Vidlak isn't mobile. This plays directly into MSU's hands, as their pass defense is their strength. The Cats' rush is going to make for a really long night for them. I could see things avalanching on SFA.

Here is how the best QB's that MSU has played have done vs. the Cats and then compared to their rest of their schedule:

K. Ah Yat, UM

-Season Avg: 277 yds/gm, 69% completion, 9.1 YPA. 2.3 TD/gm
-Vs. MSU: 186 yds, 83% completion, 5.8 YPA, 1 TD

C. Pinnick, UCD

-Season Avg: 286 yds/gm, 72% completion, 10.0 YPA, 2.9 TD/gm
-@ MSU: 234 yds, 61%, 6.5 YPA, 2 TD

D. Reno, YALE

-Season Avg: 209 yds/gm, 66% completion, 8.1 YPA, 1.8 TD/gm
-@ MSU: 198 yds, 57%, 5.7 YPA, 1 TD

T. Pennington, NAU

-Season Avg: 260 yds/gm, 66% completion, 8.6 YPA, 1.7 TD/gm
-Vs. MSU: 210 yds, 60%, 4.5 YPA, 0 TD

In light of all that, I would estimate Vidlak does something like this: 17/30, 57%, 168 yds, 5.6 YPA, 1 TD, 2 INT, 4 Sacks

I also tend to think that the SFA rushing defense numbers are fake. ACU just came into Nacodoches and put up 31/211/4 on the ground (6.8 YPC). I don't think MSU will have much trouble running the ball.

52-13 MSU

To say SFA is led by their passing attack isn’t very accurate. SFA runs the ball really, really well and rotates a couple of different guys back there who bring different running styles in. There have certainly been games where we relied heavily on our passing attack, but for the most part our offense is very balanced. We’ve had a fair amount of 3rd down conversions come from runs on 3rd and long instead of passes. It’s just really hard to determine what SFA is going to do offensively regardless of the situation.

ACU certainly did find a way to break some big runs on SFA but SFA runs a very high risk, high reward style of defense. Lots of constant pressure and usually sending extra guys on a blitz which results in a lot of QB pressure and tackles in the backfield. Unfortunately if someone misses it does allow for some big plays. But there’s a reason the University of Houston struggled heavily against us offensively when we were playing our worst football of the year. They did break off big plays because they’re a good big 12 team but they had a lot of 3 and outs, and if it wasn’t for how good their defense is and how bad our offense looked the first 2 weeks, it would’ve been a lot closer than 27-0.

[RockyBearCat]

I like we got the big game but I get Saturdays off not Friday nights so in that aspect sucks can't watch

Norovirus has been going around. I am sure you have seen the meme....."Want the day off? Just sh$& your pants!"

[RockyBearCat]

Plan to leave at 12:00 from Lewistown. We Wont Miss IT

Leaving Laurel at 12:30. Go Cats

!

[RootinfortheCats]

Glad I didn’t buy a ticket because that isn’t a drive I would want to make from and back to Billings tonight.

Tough scheduling and kudos to anyone who gets there tonight from anywhere outside of Bozeman. Hopefully the locals and students who do get there make up the difference for us who just can’t make the drive after work and get there in time.

We will be there from the ‘Root …

Go Cats Go!!!!

[wbtfg]

[Bulldog fan]

Yale fan (from Texas) and will be cheering hard for the Bobcats. Was treated so well last week and loved the environment. Hope you get a good crowd and kick their ass!

[luckyirishguy25]

Yale fan (from Texas) and will be cheering hard for the Bobcats. Was treated so well last week and loved the environment. Hope you get a good crowd and kick their ass!

Thanks Bulldog fan! glad you made it to Bozeman and loved it! We pride ourselves in the gameday atmosphere that has been cultivated over many years! Hopefully SFA fans have the same experience as you did!

[Clinton T]

I like we got the big game but I get Saturdays off not Friday nights so in that aspect sucks can't watch

Find a screen somewhere, anywhere.

Call in sick. If not for this reason, then when???!!!

[Clinton T]

Looks like 15mph winds gusting up to 22mph at kickoff.

[RyeCat]

SFA played 5 road games and ended up 3-2. The 3 road wins were against UIW, Houston Christian and Eastern Texas A&M. I’d say they are road tested and ready to rumble in front of 18k in Bobcat Stadium.

[MrGoodKat]

Contrary to some of the coverage, this is a really bad matchup for SFA.

The Lumberjacks' offense is led by their passing attack and Vidlak isn't mobile. This plays directly into MSU's hands, as their pass defense is their strength. The Cats' rush is going to make for a really long night for them. I could see things avalanching on SFA.

Here is how the best QB's that MSU has played have done vs. the Cats and then compared to their rest of their schedule:

K. Ah Yat, UM

-Season Avg: 277 yds/gm, 69% completion, 9.1 YPA. 2.3 TD/gm
-Vs. MSU: 186 yds, 83% completion, 5.8 YPA, 1 TD

C. Pinnick, UCD

-Season Avg: 286 yds/gm, 72% completion, 10.0 YPA, 2.9 TD/gm
-@ MSU: 234 yds, 61%, 6.5 YPA, 2 TD

D. Reno, YALE

-Season Avg: 209 yds/gm, 66% completion, 8.1 YPA, 1.8 TD/gm
-@ MSU: 198 yds, 57%, 5.7 YPA, 1 TD

T. Pennington, NAU

-Season Avg: 260 yds/gm, 66% completion, 8.6 YPA, 1.7 TD/gm
-Vs. MSU: 210 yds, 60%, 4.5 YPA, 0 TD

In light of all that, I would estimate Vidlak does something like this: 17/30, 57%, 168 yds, 5.6 YPA, 1 TD, 2 INT, 4 Sacks

I also tend to think that the SFA rushing defense numbers are fake. ACU just came into Nacodoches and put up 31/211/4 on the ground (6.8 YPC). I don't think MSU will have much trouble running the ball.

52-13 MSU

To say SFA is led by their passing attack isn’t very accurate. SFA runs the ball really, really well and rotates a couple of different guys back there who bring different running styles in. There have certainly been games where we relied heavily on our passing attack, but for the most part our offense is very balanced. We’ve had a fair amount of 3rd down conversions come from runs on 3rd and long instead of passes. It’s just really hard to determine what SFA is going to do offensively regardless of the situation.

ACU certainly did find a way to break some big runs on SFA but SFA runs a very high risk, high reward style of defense. Lots of constant pressure and usually sending extra guys on a blitz which results in a lot of QB pressure and tackles in the backfield. Unfortunately if someone misses it does allow for some big plays. But there’s a reason the University of Houston struggled heavily against us offensively when we were playing our worst football of the year. They did break off big plays because they’re a good big 12 team but they had a lot of 3 and outs, and if it wasn’t for how good their defense is and how bad our offense looked the first 2 weeks, it would’ve been a lot closer than 27-0.

They run for about 160 yds/game and 4.3 yds/carry. Those numbers are pedestrian and, coming out of the Southland, they're actually flat out bad.

MSU runs for 234/game ad 5.8 YPC at the highest level of FCS football. I don't think SFA's run defense is going to be able to hold up.

I'm not trying to chest thump or be arrogant. I'm just being realistic and explaining how I see it. Tonight will tell all.