The Bobcat Nation

ZifCat52 wrote:

The current projections for the final standings look like this:

Montana: 10-1 Overall, 8-0 Conference
Montana State: 7-4 Overall, 6-2 Conference
Portland State: 7-4 Overall, 6-2 Conference
Eastern Washington: 5-6 Overall, 5-3 Conference
Northern Arizona: 5-6 Overall, 4-4 Conference
Sacramento State: 4-7 Overall, 4-4 Conference
Idaho State: 3-8 Overall, 2-6 Conference
Weber State: 2-9 Overall, 1-7 Conference
Northern Colorado: 1-10 Overall, 0-8 Conference

Montana State (4-3, 3-1) @ Idaho State (2-4, 1-2), 1:35 Mountain Time

This game looked as if it would be one for the Big Sky title and it has lost a little luster with Idaho State not playing up to the preseason expectations but this game is very important to Montana State’s Big Sky and I-AA playoff chances.

Of course, Idaho State could still win the Big Sky title if everything falls their way. The Bengals would win the conference title with victories in their final five games, and one other Montana loss. ISU would be the playoff representative in that scenario if both Northern Arizona and Portland State each lose one more time as well. But first, the Bengals have to take on a Montana State team that has won three straight and ranked in the Top 25 for the first time since their three game losing streak.

The series between the two schools has been very close of late, with 12 of the 18 previous games being decided by eight points or less, and the last four have come down to the final 30 seconds. Montana State has won the last two meetings, including a 30-28 victory in Bozeman lat year.

So far, the Bobcats are undefeated on the road this season with a 3-0 mark away from Bozeman.

In spite of playing without its starting quarterback (Cory Carpenter) and starting running back (Evin Groves), MSU gained 414 yards and 22 first downs last week in their win over Sacramento State, 21-18.

Idaho State is coming off a blowout loss at Portland State, 34-13. Highly touted senior, Michigan transfer quarterback Matt Gutierrez threw for just 144 yards and was intercepted three times in the loss for the Bengals.

Coach Mike Kramer of MSU will gun for his 50th career Big Sky Conference victory on Saturday against Idaho State. Kramer has a career league record of 49-43.

I think Coach Kramer and the Bobcats seem like they are starting to get on a role like in years past after weak starts and I think will come out victorious in Pocatello. However, the game will likely be close. I will take Montana State by a touchdown.