Dougherty on MSU/ISU
Posted: Thu Oct 19, 2006 11:23 am
Matt switched gears and picked the 'Cats last week and we won. He picked us again this week.
Montana State (4-3, 3-1) at Idaho State (2-4, 1-2), 3:35
If Montana State loses this game, the Big Sky title will almost certainly go to their rivals from Missoula. The Bobcats are the only remaining Big Sky team with one conference loss, and it’s hard to imagine the Grizzlies falling twice with the way they are playing now and their remaining schedule. So it’s up to Montana State to keep the Big Sky race alive, and they’ll have to do it against a team that looks better on paper than its 2-4 record shows. Idaho State was a good sleeper for the Big Sky race, but turnovers on offense and an ineffective defense have put them on the outskirts of the chase already. Quarterback Matt Gutierrez (1,427 yards, 11 TD), running back Josh Barnett (810 yards, 5 TD, 6.8 yards per carry) and wide receiver Akilah Lacey (551 yards, 6 TD, 25 yards per reception) all have sparkling numbers, but Gutierrez also has 11 interceptions and the Bengals have turned it over 15 times overall. That could be bad news against Montana State, because the Bobcat defense has spearhead the team’s three-game win streak and made them the only real legitimate threat to keep Montana from winning the Big Sky title outright. After hitting a rough patch during a three-game losing streak and even in a win at Northern Arizona, the Bobcats have rebounded to allow just 249 total yards and 12 first downs combined in the last two games. The opponents, Portland State and Sacramento State, don’t possess Idaho State’s firepower, but the Bobcats can still wreak havoc and probably force at least a turnover or two in this one. The Montana State offense tends to commit its share of miscues as well with 16 turnovers this year, but it still encounters a favorable matchup here. The Bengals have allowed 1,609 passing yards and 11 touchdowns through the air this season, and give up 381 yards per contest overall. Jack Rolovich just threw for more than 300 yards against Sacramento State last week, and the Bobcats have the offensive weapons to beat the Bengal defense and keep the Big Sky race going until the final weekend in Missoula. Prediction: Montana State 28, Idaho State 21
Montana State (4-3, 3-1) at Idaho State (2-4, 1-2), 3:35
If Montana State loses this game, the Big Sky title will almost certainly go to their rivals from Missoula. The Bobcats are the only remaining Big Sky team with one conference loss, and it’s hard to imagine the Grizzlies falling twice with the way they are playing now and their remaining schedule. So it’s up to Montana State to keep the Big Sky race alive, and they’ll have to do it against a team that looks better on paper than its 2-4 record shows. Idaho State was a good sleeper for the Big Sky race, but turnovers on offense and an ineffective defense have put them on the outskirts of the chase already. Quarterback Matt Gutierrez (1,427 yards, 11 TD), running back Josh Barnett (810 yards, 5 TD, 6.8 yards per carry) and wide receiver Akilah Lacey (551 yards, 6 TD, 25 yards per reception) all have sparkling numbers, but Gutierrez also has 11 interceptions and the Bengals have turned it over 15 times overall. That could be bad news against Montana State, because the Bobcat defense has spearhead the team’s three-game win streak and made them the only real legitimate threat to keep Montana from winning the Big Sky title outright. After hitting a rough patch during a three-game losing streak and even in a win at Northern Arizona, the Bobcats have rebounded to allow just 249 total yards and 12 first downs combined in the last two games. The opponents, Portland State and Sacramento State, don’t possess Idaho State’s firepower, but the Bobcats can still wreak havoc and probably force at least a turnover or two in this one. The Montana State offense tends to commit its share of miscues as well with 16 turnovers this year, but it still encounters a favorable matchup here. The Bengals have allowed 1,609 passing yards and 11 touchdowns through the air this season, and give up 381 yards per contest overall. Jack Rolovich just threw for more than 300 yards against Sacramento State last week, and the Bobcats have the offensive weapons to beat the Bengal defense and keep the Big Sky race going until the final weekend in Missoula. Prediction: Montana State 28, Idaho State 21
