Individual Matchups

[083190]

Forget the nonsense from The Billings Gazette earlier this year and TRY to put bias aside. What are some of the key matchups this weekend in the Cat/Griz game? Who and why? How will it affect the game?

[Hell's Bells]

Forget the nonsense from The Billings Gazette earlier this year and TRY to put bias aside. What are some of the key matchups this weekend in the Cat/Griz game? Who and why? How will it affect the game?

Baily vs Phenochenie *sp??*

advantage...Baily by a long shot..........

[083190]

Phenecie will matchup with Christoff. Bailey wii match up with the UM D-coordinator. Matchups-head to head.

[Hell's Bells]

Phenecie will matchup with Christoff. Bailey wii match up with the UM D-coordinator. Matchups-head to head.

aahh..


is there any way we can play fanticy league coaching on this one? ill take Christoff with my first pick if that was the case....








oops bad pun...sorry

[083190]

Bobcat receivers are more athletic than grizzly corners. If Rolovich gets time Jefferson and Wheaton will have a big day. Maybe not as bis as Gatewood had 2 years ago, but big enough. If the Bobcats can run enough to be effective, the passing game will be open. UM will blitz like crazy, so the guard play will be huge. Cal Poly ( a supposedly great running team) only averages 164 yds per game rushing (that would be 7th if they were in the Gateway Conference) so the UM rush defense may be susceptible-like last year.

[Htowngriz]

I know stats don't mean jack come game day, but these are pretty interesting

UM Scoring Offense......30.4.....2nd in the Big Sky
MSU Scoring Defense...22.2...3rd in the Big Sky

MSU Scoring Offense....20.6.....5th
UM Scoring Defense......19.0.....2nd

UM Total Offense..........364.6....2nd
MSU Total Defense........300.9....3rd

MSU Total Offense........336.5....3rd
UM Total Defense..........300.9....1rst

UM Pass Offense...........225.8.....3rd
MSU Pass Defense........195.0......5th

MSU Pass Offense.........233.5......2nd
UM Pass Defense...........169.5.....1rst

UM Rushing Offense.....138.8.....1rst
MSU Rushing Defense...105.9.....2nd

MSU Rushing Offense....103.0....8th
UM Rushing Defense.......102.5...1rst

[kmax]

MSU Total Defense........300.9....3rd

UM Total Defense..........300.9....1rst

Did you guys win some sort of tiebreaker to get 1st in the league with the same stats?

[Htowngriz]

Sorry, it should read 272 for UM

[GOKATS]

Bobcat receivers are more athletic than grizzly corners. If Rolovich gets time Jefferson and Wheaton will have a big day. Maybe not as bis as Gatewood had 2 years ago, but big enough. If the Bobcats can run enough to be effective, the passing game will be open. UM will blitz like crazy, so the guard play will be huge. Cal Poly ( a supposedly great running team) only averages 164 yds per game rushing (that would be 7th if they were in the Gateway Conference) so the UM rush defense may be susceptible-like last year.

I'd add Lewis to the receiver corps- fastest guy on the team.

'Cats need to establish a running game, but Groves, Mason and Taito are all healthy and the 'Cats 'O' line will open up some holes- over pursuit by the griz 'D' will help. Effective running game opens up the pass game with some possible big plays. Rolovich needs to make the reads and throw the ball. If the 'Cats get up early they could control the game easily, especially if the ground game is working & the long pass play is always an option. Last year the 'Cats running game just wore down the griz 'D'.

On the flip side, the griz have a proven 'D', but showed several areas of weakness in the UNC game. Initially the griz stopped what was nothing but a NC running game, but when NC went to the air they moved the ball quite effectively. When NC went back to the run they had some success- NC plumb ran out of steam on both sides of the ball, so the griz picked up what looked like a rout. Swogger has been sporadic, but has been on the mark with Chambers, Bagley, et al if not pressured. 'Cats will pressure Swogger because the Cats 'D' have the edge over the griz 'O' line. I'll take the Cats 'D' backfield & some potential picks. The same pressure will disrupt the griz running game (I'm guessing the griz are going to rely more on the running game than the passing game this Sat.)

Special teams I probably have to give the griz the nod, but it could go either way. Field position will probably determine the outcome of the game more than anything else (barring turnovers). Harris is scary anytime he has a chance to make a runback, but the Cats kicking limits the runback possiblility as much as possible. On the flip side, the Cats with Jefferson, Lewis, et al are capable of going the distance. Since both teams 'D' is going to be tough to score against in the "red zone", FG's might be crucial to the outcome- I give my nod to Hastings.

[083190]

How about the tackles of MSU vs. the DE's of UM. Last year the Cats dominated that area.

[1BadBobcat]

I think Monte is a better looking mascot, but overall is way too cuddly. Champ is lean and mean. Champ breaks Monte's nose, dislocates his throwing shoulder, and gives him a concussion (and that's not including the ass-whoopin' Champ would give Monte in the octogon!).

[083190]

How could anyone want to hurt sugar bear. Can't get enough o' them sugar smacks!

[DaGriz]

Bobcat receivers are more athletic than grizzly corners. If Rolovich gets time Jefferson and Wheaton will have a big day. Maybe not as bis as Gatewood had 2 years ago, but big enough. If the Bobcats can run enough to be effective, the passing game will be open. UM will blitz like crazy, so the guard play will be huge. Cal Poly ( a supposedly great running team) only averages 164 yds per game rushing (that would be 7th if they were in the Gateway Conference) so the UM rush defense may be susceptible-like last year.

I'd add Lewis to the receiver corps- fastest guy on the team.

'Cats need to establish a running game, but Groves, Mason and Taito are all healthy and the 'Cats 'O' line will open up some holes- over pursuit by the griz 'D' will help. Effective running game opens up the pass game with some possible big plays. Rolovich needs to make the reads and throw the ball. If the 'Cats get up early they could control the game easily, especially if the ground game is working & the long pass play is always an option. Last year the 'Cats running game just wore down the griz 'D'.

On the flip side, the griz have a proven 'D', but showed several areas of weakness in the UNC game. Initially the griz stopped what was nothing but a NC running game, but when NC went to the air they moved the ball quite effectively. When NC went back to the run they had some success- NC plumb ran out of steam on both sides of the ball, so the griz picked up what looked like a rout. Swogger has been sporadic, but has been on the mark with Chambers, Bagley, et al if not pressured. 'Cats will pressure Swogger because the Cats 'D' have the edge over the griz 'O' line. I'll take the Cats 'D' backfield & some potential picks. The same pressure will disrupt the griz running game (I'm guessing the griz are going to rely more on the running game than the passing game this Sat.)

Special teams I probably have to give the griz the nod, but it could go either way. Field position will probably determine the outcome of the game more than anything else (barring turnovers). Harris is scary anytime he has a chance to make a runback, but the Cats kicking limits the runback possiblility as much as possible. On the flip side, the Cats with Jefferson, Lewis, et al are capable of going the distance. Since both teams 'D' is going to be tough to score against in the "red zone", FG's might be crucial to the outcome- I give my nod to Hastings.

Pretty good analysis. If your D can get to Swogger you could win the game on the defensive side of the ball alone. I think your passing game will need to be crisp if you want to develop the run. Poly didn't have much of a pass threat so we could key on the run. If Rolovich is effective early then your running game will probably be effective. Special teams leading to field position could be huge this game. One team can't afford to give the other team a short field all day.

[STREETCAT]

Pretty good analysis. If your D can get to Swogger you could win the game on the defensive side of the ball alone. I think your passing game will need to be crisp if you want to develop the run. Poly didn't have much of a pass threat so we could key on the run. If Rolovich is effective early then your running game will probably be effective. Special teams leading to field position could be huge this game. One team can't afford to give the other team a short field all day

I Would look for msu to bring the heat like they did to PSU.

[Born2BaGriz]

Bobcat receivers are more athletic than grizzly corners. If Rolovich gets time Jefferson and Wheaton will have a big day. Maybe not as bis as Gatewood had 2 years ago, but big enough. If the Bobcats can run enough to be effective, the passing game will be open. UM will blitz like crazy, so the guard play will be huge. Cal Poly ( a supposedly great running team) only averages 164 yds per game rushing (that would be 7th if they were in the Gateway Conference) so the UM rush defense may be susceptible-like last year.

I'd add Lewis to the receiver corps- fastest guy on the team.

'Cats need to establish a running game, but Groves, Mason and Taito are all healthy and the 'Cats 'O' line will open up some holes- over pursuit by the griz 'D' will help. Effective running game opens up the pass game with some possible big plays. Rolovich needs to make the reads and throw the ball. If the 'Cats get up early they could control the game easily, especially if the ground game is working & the long pass play is always an option. Last year the 'Cats running game just wore down the griz 'D'.

On the flip side, the griz have a proven 'D', but showed several areas of weakness in the UNC game. Initially the griz stopped what was nothing but a NC running game, but when NC went to the air they moved the ball quite effectively. When NC went back to the run they had some success- NC plumb ran out of steam on both sides of the ball, so the griz picked up what looked like a rout. Swogger has been sporadic, but has been on the mark with Chambers, Bagley, et al if not pressured. 'Cats will pressure Swogger because the Cats 'D' have the edge over the griz 'O' line. I'll take the Cats 'D' backfield & some potential picks. The same pressure will disrupt the griz running game (I'm guessing the griz are going to rely more on the running game than the passing game this Sat.)

Special teams I probably have to give the griz the nod, but it could go either way. Field position will probably determine the outcome of the game more than anything else (barring turnovers). Harris is scary anytime he has a chance to make a runback, but the Cats kicking limits the runback possiblility as much as possible. On the flip side, the Cats with Jefferson, Lewis, et al are capable of going the distance. Since both teams 'D' is going to be tough to score against in the "red zone", FG's might be crucial to the outcome- I give my nod to Hastings.

Ok, while well thought out I can't help but notice the overwhelming tone is that the Cats are better in every aspect of the game. I'm not a huge stat guy because most often I think they are used by people trying to justify why they are the better team despite on the field results.

While I can concede there are several areas of concern in the match up department and can see through my maroon colored glasses long enough to realize that the Griz are not better in every aspect of the game. Where I believe you go wrong is by taking one game as an example, despite shutting down much more explosive teams, and highlighting that as a weakness. Also, you mention the Redzone. Which team is dead last in the conference in red zone defense and has allowed teams to score on all but one time when in the red zone? And who is second in the conference in the same stat? That is right, the Cats have allowed teams to score 16 or 17 times when in the red zone whle the Griz are 10 for 14. I won't go into a if the Griz have given up more big plays, but my point is that if you bring up the red zone defense, then you should be able to back it up.

I think the key to the game is very simple. If Swogger is unable to get time, is sacked often then the Cats win the game. Our Oline is young and has been suspect over the season. They have improved vastly, but still are a point of weakness. Sacks given up are distorted because I think Swogger tends to hold the ball too long before either throwing it away or just taking off. If the Cats can supply consistent heat, we will have a difficult time winning the game.

I think Jefferson does have much better big play ability then Eric Allen or Chambers, but his big games have tended to come on astroturf and indoors, but he is a viable threat at any given point. I do believe the Griz defense as a unit is better then the Cats defense. And I doubt the Cats will rush for over 100 yards on us. I don't see this being a blow out, but rather is coming down to a field goal.

While fun to conjure up ideas on what will work or won't, bottom line is that in a short time it will be played out on the field and all this will be moot.

[Eastcoastgriz]

On the flip side, the griz have a proven 'D', but showed several areas of weakness in the UNC game. Initially the griz stopped what was nothing but a NC running game, but when NC went to the air they moved the ball quite effectively. When NC went back to the run they had some success- NC plumb ran out of steam on both sides of the ball, so the griz picked up what looked like a rout. Swogger has been sporadic, but has been on the mark with Chambers, Bagley, et al if not pressured. 'Cats will pressure Swogger because the Cats 'D' have the edge over the griz 'O' line. I'll take the Cats 'D' backfield & some potential picks. The same pressure will disrupt the griz running game (I'm guessing the griz are going to rely more on the running game than the passing game this Sat.)

The game was a route. You can hardly consider the success NC had late in the game as a weakness of the GRIZ,. The game was effectively over and we had all our 6th string players in.

I better comparison would be what happened late in the Cal Poly game. The defense remained tuff.

[HelenaCat95]

On the flip side, the griz have a proven 'D', but showed several areas of weakness in the UNC game. Initially the griz stopped what was nothing but a NC running game, but when NC went to the air they moved the ball quite effectively. When NC went back to the run they had some success- NC plumb ran out of steam on both sides of the ball, so the griz picked up what looked like a rout. Swogger has been sporadic, but has been on the mark with Chambers, Bagley, et al if not pressured. 'Cats will pressure Swogger because the Cats 'D' have the edge over the griz 'O' line. I'll take the Cats 'D' backfield & some potential picks. The same pressure will disrupt the griz running game (I'm guessing the griz are going to rely more on the running game than the passing game this Sat.)

The game was a route. You can hardly consider the success NC had late in the game as a weakness of the GRIZ,. The game was effectively over and we had all our 6th string players in.

I better comparison would be what happened late in the Cal Poly game. The defense remained tuff.

ECG,
A "route" is what a receiver runs, or another term for certain types of roadways.
A "rout" is a spanking. Or what the Griz did to UNC last week.

Not sure what your point was in bolding the first sentence, but I just thought I'd point it out.

[Eastcoastgriz]

On the flip side, the griz have a proven 'D', but showed several areas of weakness in the UNC game. Initially the griz stopped what was nothing but a NC running game, but when NC went to the air they moved the ball quite effectively. When NC went back to the run they had some success- NC plumb ran out of steam on both sides of the ball, so the griz picked up what looked like a rout. Swogger has been sporadic, but has been on the mark with Chambers, Bagley, et al if not pressured. 'Cats will pressure Swogger because the Cats 'D' have the edge over the griz 'O' line. I'll take the Cats 'D' backfield & some potential picks. The same pressure will disrupt the griz running game (I'm guessing the griz are going to rely more on the running game than the passing game this Sat.)

The game was a route. You can hardly consider the success NC had late in the game as a weakness of the GRIZ,. The game was effectively over and we had all our 6th string players in.

I better comparison would be what happened late in the Cal Poly game. The defense remained tuff.

ECG,
A "route" is what a receiver runs, or another term for certain types of roadways.
A "rout" is a spanking. Or what the Griz did to UNC last week.

Not sure what your point was in bolding the first sentence, but I just thought I'd point it out.

Excuse me, rout.

My point to bolding the first sentence was in inference that it was not a rout.

[Weltercat]

Forget the nonsense from The Billings Gazette earlier this year and TRY to put bias aside. What are some of the key matchups this weekend in the Cat/Griz game? Who and why? How will it affect the game?

Baily vs Phenochenie *sp??*

advantage...Baily by a long shot..........

I hope you are right but I sure as hell wouldn't say by a long shot.

[HelenaCat95]

On the flip side, the griz have a proven 'D', but showed several areas of weakness in the UNC game. Initially the griz stopped what was nothing but a NC running game, but when NC went to the air they moved the ball quite effectively. When NC went back to the run they had some success- NC plumb ran out of steam on both sides of the ball, so the griz picked up what looked like a rout. Swogger has been sporadic, but has been on the mark with Chambers, Bagley, et al if not pressured. 'Cats will pressure Swogger because the Cats 'D' have the edge over the griz 'O' line. I'll take the Cats 'D' backfield & some potential picks. The same pressure will disrupt the griz running game (I'm guessing the griz are going to rely more on the running game than the passing game this Sat.)

The game was a route. You can hardly consider the success NC had late in the game as a weakness of the GRIZ,. The game was effectively over and we had all our 6th string players in.

I better comparison would be what happened late in the Cal Poly game. The defense remained tuff.

ECG,
A "route" is what a receiver runs, or another term for certain types of roadways.
A "rout" is a spanking. Or what the Griz did to UNC last week.

Not sure what your point was in bolding the first sentence, but I just thought I'd point it out.

Excuse me, rout.

My point to bolding the first sentence was in inference that it was not a rout.

Cool.
I got it now.

I think you are correct....it was a rout.