OOC Grades

[CelticCat]

Wanted to do this on the last episode but we were a little long winded already.

Offense: B+

Offensive Playcalling: C+

Defense: B+

Defensive Playcalling: A-

[4KornerKat]

This is a fairly challenging exercise given the abrupt differences in level of competition. I think you hit these pretty well, although I might put defensive playcalling down to a B+ also, I felt like they made a big step from last year, but still some room to do better.
Offensive playcalling was likely vanilla by design, but I would actually maybe drop that to a C, I felt like against both Utah Tech and Stetson offense struggled to get into a good rhythym, and obviously SDSU was ultra conservative to limit turnovers/maintain posession.

I think B+ is fair for Offense/defense play, did well given competition but certainly room for improvement.

[technoCat]

Honestly I'm at a solid C across the board if we are judging by what I think this team is capable of this year. Pretty much throw out two games as they didn't really show us anything other than we were obviously a superior team talent-wise. SDSU was a roller-coaster from A-F over the course of the game. Offense looked great at times but couldn't punch it in when we needed it. Defense was great but then gave up the big plays to let them take over the game.

[tetoncat]

This is a fairly challenging exercise given the abrupt differences in level of competition. I think you hit these pretty well, although I might put defensive playcalling down to a B+ also, I felt like they made a big step from last year, but still some room to do better.
Offensive playcalling was likely vanilla by design, but I would actually maybe drop that to a C, I felt like against both Utah Tech and Stetson offense struggled to get into a good rhythym, and obviously SDSU was ultra conservative to limit turnovers/maintain posession.

I think B+ is fair for Offense/defense play, did well given competition but certainly room for improvement.

Did we punt with first team offense in against either Utah Tech or Stetson? Are you looking for a faster tempo rhythm, I'm not sure what you mean there

[CelticCat]

This is a fairly challenging exercise given the abrupt differences in level of competition. I think you hit these pretty well, although I might put defensive playcalling down to a B+ also, I felt like they made a big step from last year, but still some room to do better.
Offensive playcalling was likely vanilla by design, but I would actually maybe drop that to a C, I felt like against both Utah Tech and Stetson offense struggled to get into a good rhythym, and obviously SDSU was ultra conservative to limit turnovers/maintain posession.

I think B+ is fair for Offense/defense play, did well given competition but certainly room for improvement.

I'm just loving the safety blitzes we are calling, that seems like a new wrinkle this year, or at least more of it. Halftime adjustments are still something they need to work on though.

I keep thinking the offensive playcalling was/is vanilla by design but I'm starting to wonder if losing Armstrong (also run game coordinator) maybe was a bigger deal than we thought. I feel the OL is doing great but the running game just seems to be missing some of that creativity, but it's also hard to knock it since we are the #1 rushing team in the country right now.

[TomCat88]

What grade would you give the 2021 defense with Andersen, Benson, Hardy, Williams, O’Reilly, Okada, etc?

[luckyirishguy25]

What grade would you give the 2021 defense with Andersen, Benson, Hardy, Williams, O’Reilly, Okada, etc?

A+. That was the best Bobcat defense I've ever seen, aside from the last game when Banks mentally checked out.

[4KornerKat]

What grade would you give the 2021 defense with Andersen, Benson, Hardy, Williams, O’Reilly, Okada, etc?

A+. That was the best Bobcat defense I've ever seen, aside from the last game when Banks mentally checked out.

I'd agree that the 21 defense was incredible. I feel like one of the things they did a lot of that year was pre-snap disguises and adjustments to confuse some of the quarterbacks, especially Barriere at EWU. It may be related to personnel last year that they didn't do as much, but it seems like this years group is trending more towards the 21 scheme with some of the blitzes/shifts.

[TomCat88]

What grade would you give the 2021 defense with Andersen, Benson, Hardy, Williams, O’Reilly, Okada, etc?

A+. That was the best Bobcat defense I've ever seen, aside from the last game when Banks mentally checked out.

I'd agree that the 21 defense was incredible. I feel like one of the things they did a lot of that year was pre-snap disguises and adjustments to confuse some of the quarterbacks, especially Barriere at EWU. It may be related to personnel last year that they didn't do as much, but it seems like this years group is trending more towards the 21 scheme with some of the blitzes/shifts.

I thought the defense vs SDSU two weeks ago was at least as good as the ‘21 defense vs SDSU. Especially when considering that the game was otr and the QBs and this ‘23 SDSU team might be better than the’21.

[4KornerKat]

What grade would you give the 2021 defense with Andersen, Benson, Hardy, Williams, O’Reilly, Okada, etc?

A+. That was the best Bobcat defense I've ever seen, aside from the last game when Banks mentally checked out.

I'd agree that the 21 defense was incredible. I feel like one of the things they did a lot of that year was pre-snap disguises and adjustments to confuse some of the quarterbacks, especially Barriere at EWU. It may be related to personnel last year that they didn't do as much, but it seems like this years group is trending more towards the 21 scheme with some of the blitzes/shifts.

I thought the defense vs SDSU two weeks ago was at least as good as the ‘21 defense vs SDSU. Especially when considering that the game was otr and the QBs and this ‘23 SDSU team might be better than the’21.

I think they played as well as the '21 defense through much of that game, but I have a hard time saying they are at least as good as '21 based on a small sample size with no conference games in the mix. Not saying they can't be, I just need to see more.

[luckyirishguy25]

What grade would you give the 2021 defense with Andersen, Benson, Hardy, Williams, O’Reilly, Okada, etc?

A+. That was the best Bobcat defense I've ever seen, aside from the last game when Banks mentally checked out.

I'd agree that the 21 defense was incredible. I feel like one of the things they did a lot of that year was pre-snap disguises and adjustments to confuse some of the quarterbacks, especially Barriere at EWU. It may be related to personnel last year that they didn't do as much, but it seems like this years group is trending more towards the 21 scheme with some of the blitzes/shifts.

I thought the defense vs SDSU two weeks ago was at least as good as the ‘21 defense vs SDSU. Especially when considering that the game was otr and the QBs and this ‘23 SDSU team might be better than the’21.

I think they played as well as the '21 defense through much of that game, but I have a hard time saying they are at least as good as '21 based on a small sample size with no conference games in the mix. Not saying they can't be, I just need to see more.

I agree this defense is very close to the 21' defense, there were irreplaceable stars on the defense. This defense has its own, but 21 was just absolutely insane, that defense won games on its own. That said this front is absolutely amazing, you can't replace Chase Benson, But Valdez, Grebe, Eiden, Schimdt and Seymour... Those guys are all dudes really good dudes. Nolan Danny and McCade are proving to be very solid backers, they've all come a long way. Injuries on the backend hurts, losing the Dowler twins (who are both amazing) really hurts, but if we can consistently generate a pass rush which I think we can because even SDSU was holding on for dear life, this team has the potential to be the best in the FCS. If the offense can find the magic they had last year, its over, no one will stop us.

PS And please God put the Dakotas in our playoff path so we can stomp them.

[TomCat88]

What grade would you give the 2021 defense with Andersen, Benson, Hardy, Williams, O’Reilly, Okada, etc?

A+. That was the best Bobcat defense I've ever seen, aside from the last game when Banks mentally checked out.

I'd agree that the 21 defense was incredible. I feel like one of the things they did a lot of that year was pre-snap disguises and adjustments to confuse some of the quarterbacks, especially Barriere at EWU. It may be related to personnel last year that they didn't do as much, but it seems like this years group is trending more towards the 21 scheme with some of the blitzes/shifts.

I thought the defense vs SDSU two weeks ago was at least as good as the ‘21 defense vs SDSU. Especially when considering that the game was otr and the QBs and this ‘23 SDSU team might be better than the’21.

I think they played as well as the '21 defense through much of that game, but I have a hard time saying they are at least as good as '21 based on a small sample size with no conference games in the mix. Not saying they can't be, I just need to see more.

That’s the stipulation. Just OOC. You don’t need to consider small sample size. He’s not asking how good will they be at the end of the regular season or after playoffs.

[4KornerKat]

What grade would you give the 2021 defense with Andersen, Benson, Hardy, Williams, O’Reilly, Okada, etc?

A+. That was the best Bobcat defense I've ever seen, aside from the last game when Banks mentally checked out.

I'd agree that the 21 defense was incredible. I feel like one of the things they did a lot of that year was pre-snap disguises and adjustments to confuse some of the quarterbacks, especially Barriere at EWU. It may be related to personnel last year that they didn't do as much, but it seems like this years group is trending more towards the 21 scheme with some of the blitzes/shifts.

I thought the defense vs SDSU two weeks ago was at least as good as the ‘21 defense vs SDSU. Especially when considering that the game was otr and the QBs and this ‘23 SDSU team might be better than the’21.

I think they played as well as the '21 defense through much of that game, but I have a hard time saying they are at least as good as '21 based on a small sample size with no conference games in the mix. Not saying they can't be, I just need to see more.

That’s the stipulation. Just OOC. You don’t need to consider small sample size. He’s not asking how good will they be at the end of the regular season or after playoffs.

Looking back, they had Wyoming, Drake, and San Diego, so comparable competition.

Given that comparison, I definitely lean towards the 21 defense, I felt like they dominated the opposing teams, this year there have been a few let downs with first string crew, before second and third string took over.

I do feel that this year's team has the potential to be better over the course of the season.

[Bocephus]

Tackling seems to be much better this year vs last year.

[84CatGrad]

What grade would you give the 2021 defense with Andersen, Benson, Hardy, Williams, O’Reilly, Okada, etc?

A+. That was the best Bobcat defense I've ever seen, aside from the last game when Banks mentally checked out.

Why is it always the coordinator's fault when the O or D plays badly? Isn't there a chance that the game plan and play calling was spot on and the player's just played poorly, or were overmatched by their opponent?

[BelligerentBobcat]

Lol at thinking Banks was checked out for the last game. We got beat by a better team, plain and simple. We couldn’t handle their line.

[4KornerKat]

Lol at thinking Banks was checked out for the last game. We got beat by a better team, plain and simple. We couldn’t handle their line.

Not arguing that ndsu was the better team, but how much did the struggle to adjust the offensive game plan once Tommy went out contribute to defensive struggles that game? When the offense sustains drives, the defense is put in much more favorable situations as far as field position or opposing teams trying to press to make things happen. Vigen seems to be all about complementary football, which they struggled with that day.

[BelligerentBobcat]

Lol at thinking Banks was checked out for the last game. We got beat by a better team, plain and simple. We couldn’t handle their line.

Not arguing that ndsu was the better team, but how much did the struggle to adjust the offensive game plan once Tommy went out contribute to defensive struggles that game? When the offense sustains drives, the defense is put in much more favorable situations as far as field position or opposing teams trying to press to make things happen. Vigen seems to be all about complementary football, which they struggled with that day.

What does that have to do with the suggestion that Freddie Banks was checked out for that game?

[4KornerKat]

Lol at thinking Banks was checked out for the last game. We got beat by a better team, plain and simple. We couldn’t handle their line.

Not arguing that ndsu was the better team, but how much did the struggle to adjust the offensive game plan once Tommy went out contribute to defensive struggles that game? When the offense sustains drives, the defense is put in much more favorable situations as far as field position or opposing teams trying to press to make things happen. Vigen seems to be all about complementary football, which they struggled with that day.

What does that have to do with the suggestion that Freddie Banks was checked out for that game?

Checked out or not, there was more to the defensive performance that day (or lack of it) than strictly defensive game plan.