Battle For the Brown Stain

[CelticCat]

My biggest take-away from the Battle of the Stain is that Idaho's O-Line is even worse than predicted. There is no way Vandals can keep up with Bobcats. With a line that porous a good Big Sky team ought to be able to whip Idaho by 20+. Hence the 2 point UM victory makes sense.

They did lose an olineman for season last week in practice.

They are down 2 starting OL now. One has been out for a while, but it's going to be a problem for Idaho moving forward. McCoy can work wonders with a bad OL but that run game is going to have a hard time getting on track against upper echelon defenses.

[CelticCat]

Wow griz fans are really being lippy on social media today. I get it, it's a big win. But some of them are acting like they deserved to be ranked in the top 10 all season and they want apologies from anybody who didn't have them there before last night. Gimme a freaking break.
Brint W. is one of the worst of them. Normally a fairly level headed fan but not today.

Honestly, where did they expect to be ranked with 2 close wins at home over Idaho State and a D2 team, and a double digit loss to unranked nau??? Were voters supposed to rank them just cuz they're the griz?? Get over yourselves man. I'm sure you'll be in the top 10 this week so Relax.

Between how Griz fans are acting on social media and Bobby Hauck running onto the field before the game is over jumping up and down like a little school boy, you'd think the Griz would heed the same advice they've been sure to give Cat fans for over a decade now - act like you've been there before.

I think maybe it's been so long since "they've been there before" maybe they just forgot how to act?

[CelticCat]

That loss is on Jason Eck. Not kicking the FG on 4th down in the 3rd was a stupid decision.

Also didn't like the offside call on the onside kick. You can't make that call in that situation unless it's so obvious even Helen Keller could see it.

That offsides call was terrible, and Griz fans are sure quick to point out how his head was clearly over the line. My guys there is player that offsides on 75% of kickoffs. I know college is different than high school but when I was a high school ref they said only to call that if the guy is so blatantly offsides that even grandma up in the top row could see it. You just don't call it at that point, that's like calling a 3 second violation on the offense during a final possession in a one possession basketball game, you just don't call that.

[91catAlum]

Wow griz fans are really being lippy on social media today. I get it, it's a big win. But some of them are acting like they deserved to be ranked in the top 10 all season and they want apologies from anybody who didn't have them there before last night. Gimme a freaking break.
Brint W. is one of the worst of them. Normally a fairly level headed fan but not today.

Honestly, where did they expect to be ranked with 2 close wins at home over Idaho State and a D2 team, and a double digit loss to unranked nau??? Were voters supposed to rank them just cuz they're the griz?? Get over yourselves man. I'm sure you'll be in the top 10 this week so Relax.

Between how Griz fans are acting on social media and Bobby Hauck running onto the field before the game is over jumping up and down like a little school boy, you'd think the Griz would heed the same advice they've been sure to give Cat fans for over a decade now - act like you've been there before.

I think maybe it's been so long since "they've been there before" maybe they just forgot how to act?

Absolutely. The griz fans are the kings of the "act like you been there before" mantra, and their own coach is storming the field cuz they beat Idaho!

[BleedingBLue]

That loss is on Jason Eck. Not kicking the FG on 4th down in the 3rd was a stupid decision.

Also didn't like the offside call on the onside kick. You can't make that call in that situation unless it's so obvious even Helen Keller could see it.

That offsides call was terrible, and Griz fans are sure quick to point out how his head was clearly over the line. My guys there is player that offsides on 75% of kickoffs. I know college is different than high school but when I was a high school ref they said only to call that if the guy is so blatantly offsides that even grandma up in the top row could see it. You just don't call it at that point, that's like calling a 3 second violation on the offense during a final possession in a one possession basketball game, you just don't call that.

Well said. I counted 4 kickoffs the Cats could have had offsides called on them against CP on Saturday (because I'm weird and look for that on every kick). It's rarely called even though it could be nearly every time. BS call in that situation, makes you wonder about things...

[The Butcher]

Wow griz fans are really being lippy on social media today. I get it, it's a big win. But some of them are acting like they deserved to be ranked in the top 10 all season and they want apologies from anybody who didn't have them there before last night. Gimme a freaking break.
Brint W. is one of the worst of them. Normally a fairly level headed fan but not today.

Honestly, where did they expect to be ranked with 2 close wins at home over Idaho State and a D2 team, and a double digit loss to unranked nau??? Were voters supposed to rank them just cuz they're the griz?? Get over yourselves man. I'm sure you'll be in the top 10 this week so Relax.

Between how Griz fans are acting on social media and Bobby Hauck running onto the field before the game is over jumping up and down like a little school boy, you'd think the Griz would heed the same advice they've been sure to give Cat fans for over a decade now - act like you've been there before.

I think maybe it's been so long since "they've been there before" maybe they just forgot how to act?

Absolutely. The griz fans are the kings of the "act like you been there before" mantra, and their own coach is storming the field cuz they beat Idaho!

Idaho is everyone's Super Bowl you know...

[The Butcher]

The griz fans on social media are hilarious, serious chest thumping. You would think they had won the National Championship. Not sure how they will do over the final 4 games, but if they lose all of them...

[BelligerentBobcat]

The best part of this is that UM is starting to believe they have a chance against us.

[Rich K]

I heard all week that the game was a sellout. But the box score indicates otherwise: https://www.espn.com/college-football/g ... /401540246

16,000 capacity 14,218 attendance .

[91catAlum]

The best part of this is that UM is starting to believe they have a chance against us.

Well, I would say that they do have a chance against us. MSU would certainly be favored in the game at this point, but anytime you go into missoula for the rivalry game, the griz have a chance.

[BelligerentBobcat]

The best part of this is that UM is starting to believe they have a chance against us.

Well, I would say that they do have a chance against us. MSU would certainly be favored in the game at this point, but anytime you go into missoula for the rivalry game, the griz have a chance.

Okay fine. They’ve got a percentage of a chance. But seriously, I don’t think this team is going to lose to UM. They’re too good, too motivated, and UM stinks.

[91catAlum]

The best part of this is that UM is starting to believe they have a chance against us.

Well, I would say that they do have a chance against us. MSU would certainly be favored in the game at this point, but anytime you go into missoula for the rivalry game, the griz have a chance.

UM stinks.

Amen.

[Grizfan7]

The best part of this is that UM is starting to believe they have a chance against us.

Well, I would say that they do have a chance against us. MSU would certainly be favored in the game at this point, but anytime you go into missoula for the rivalry game, the griz have a chance.

Okay fine. They’ve got a percentage of a chance. But seriously, I don’t think this team is going to lose to UM. They’re too good, too motivated, and UM stinks.

UM doesn't "stink". Have beaten 2 ranked teams in a row on the road, including no. 3 ranked Idaho. If the Griz can beat the no. 3 ranked team on the road, why couldn't they beat the no. 2 ranked team in Missoula? UM is no. 9 in the Stats poll and no. 6 in the Coaches Poll. No assurance the Griz won't get beaten before they play the Cats, but they also could keep winning.

[TomCat88]

The best part of this is that UM is starting to believe they have a chance against us.

Well, I would say that they do have a chance against us. MSU would certainly be favored in the game at this point, but anytime you go into missoula for the rivalry game, the griz have a chance.

Okay fine. They’ve got a percentage of a chance. But seriously, I don’t think this team is going to lose to UM. They’re too good, too motivated, and UM stinks.

UM doesn't "stink". Have beaten 2 ranked teams in a row on the road, including no. 3 ranked Idaho. If the Griz can beat the no. 3 ranked team on the road, why couldn't they beat the no. 2 ranked team in Missoula? UM is no. 9 in the Stats poll and no. 6 in the Coaches Poll. No assurance the Griz won't get beaten before they play the Cats, but they also could keep winning.

They definitely could keep winning. There doesn't appear to be a team in the BSC that is a solid No. 2 right now. Idaho wasn't looking good going into the UM game and it bore out that way. Narrow wins over EWU and SAC, then not putting one on Poly all kind of fed into their loss to UM. They're fairly even teams. I have a hard time separating 2 thru 7 in the BSC right now. Idaho, UM, and PSU may be the 2-4 teams. NAU is on a rollercoaster ride. SAC is ranked No. 3 in one wacky poll, but I wonder if they're as good as UM or PSU. Davis beat Weber by a point, but I'm not sure that makes Davis a good team, especially without Larison.

[Grizfan7]

88, why do you believe MSU is so good and so far ahead? I agree they are good, but I assume their best game is a close loss to SDSU. What other wins showed how good the Cats are? I haven't seen the games or looked closely at stats, so I don't know. I'm just asking. I saw some of the CP game. While the Cats bowled over CP, CP didn't look very good. The Cat running backs didn't do much in the first half. Looking at a bit over half of the CP game, and the overall stats, it looks like the Cat passing game is better this year.

[TomCat88]

88, why do you believe MSU is so good and so far ahead? I agree they are good, but I assume their best game is a close loss to SDSU. What other wins showed how good the Cats are? I haven't seen the games or looked closely at stats, so I don't know. I'm just asking. I saw some of the CP game. While the Cats bowled over CP, CP didn't look very good. The Cat running backs didn't do much in the first half. Looking at a bit over half of the CP game, and the overall stats, it looks like the Cat passing game is better this year.

They physically dominate everyone. The stats bear that out if the eye test doesn’t. They’re the no. 1 rated team in just about every major, meaningful stat in the BSC. Second in the few they don’t lead. They’re getting better every week despite already being very good. There isn’t another team in the BSC that has played consistently well this year. MSU averages more per run than all but three teams average per pass. MSU has the #2 rated pass game. No. 1 in total offense and defense. No. 1 is pass efficiency defense, no. 2 vs run ypc, No. 1 in sacks. Just added huge deep threat in McCullouch. Dominate teams with or without top players in game (Mellott, McCullouch, Woodard, Black, JT Reed, Sain, Taco Dowler). Coaching adjustments in-game and at half are almost always good. Opposing teams play well for stretches but no BSC team has put together anything close to a full game against MSU. With all the players that have or are coming back the window of opportunity is closing. But the main thing is the physical dominance across the board. That physicality goes beyond the starting units. With mostly backup OL and RBs, MSU has run for 392 yards on 39 carries in the fourth quarters of the last four games. MSU is without 2 starters on the OL from last year and is averaging 7.9 per carry. Barring injury, MSU could have the first and second best offensive lines in the BSC. Sain, Reed, Kettels, Fleischmann and Sampson. Nilson, Perkins and Jefferson are all good as well. The 7.9 average is without the season opening starting RB Sumner, Mellott for 3.5 games, Humphrey for 2.75 games.

Can they be beat, yes, can all that go away in a flash, possibly, but at this point it looks unlikely. Maybe a team will find and expose a big weakness MSU has, it’s possible.

Outside the BSC, SDSU and the Bobcats played to virtual standstill. SDSU is doing almost exactly what MSU is doing. I have no reason to believe that game was an anomaly. Whenever I see a SDSU outcome I assume that’s about what the Bobcats would’ve done and likewise.

Things have changed since the beginning of the season. MSU was, in my opinion, looking to become a 3-4 rated defense in the BSC and the passing game was looking to be more effective. Both of those things have far exceeded expectations. I was expecting a 9-2/8-3 season considering the tough road schedule, but not only has MSU exceeded my expectations, but several other teams aren’t looking as good as I was expecting.

[BelligerentBobcat]

The best part of this is that UM is starting to believe they have a chance against us.

Well, I would say that they do have a chance against us. MSU would certainly be favored in the game at this point, but anytime you go into missoula for the rivalry game, the griz have a chance.

Okay fine. They’ve got a percentage of a chance. But seriously, I don’t think this team is going to lose to UM. They’re too good, too motivated, and UM stinks.

UM doesn't "stink". Have beaten 2 ranked teams in a row on the road, including no. 3 ranked Idaho. If the Griz can beat the no. 3 ranked team on the road, why couldn't they beat the no. 2 ranked team in Missoula? UM is no. 9 in the Stats poll and no. 6 in the Coaches Poll. No assurance the Griz won't get beaten before they play the Cats, but they also could keep winning.

I don’t care what the rankings say, I care what my eyes see. The first half against Idaho yall actually played above average, otherwise, meh. The rest of the BSC just isn’t that good this year. The Griz were better last year, but a fair margin.

[cats2506]

88, why do you believe MSU is so good and so far ahead? I agree they are good, but I assume their best game is a close loss to SDSU. What other wins showed how good the Cats are? I haven't seen the games or looked closely at stats, so I don't know. I'm just asking. I saw some of the CP game. While the Cats bowled over CP, CP didn't look very good. The Cat running backs didn't do much in the first half. Looking at a bit over half of the CP game, and the overall stats, it looks like the Cat passing game is better this year.

They physically dominate everyone. The stats bear that out if the eye test doesn’t. They’re the no. 1 rated team in just about every major, meaningful stat in the BSC. Second in the few they don’t lead. They’re getting better every week despite already being very good. There isn’t another team in the BSC that has played consistently well this year. MSU averages more per run than all but three teams average per pass. MSU has the #2 rated pass game. No. 1 in total offense and defense. No. 1 is pass efficiency defense, no. 2 vs run ypc, No. 1 in sacks. Just added huge deep threat in McCullouch. Dominate teams with or without top players in game (Mellott, McCullouch, Woodard, Black, JT Reed, Sain, Taco Dowler). Coaching adjustments in-game and at half are almost always good. Opposing teams play well for stretches but no BSC team has put together anything close to a full game against MSU. With all the players that have or are coming back the window of opportunity is closing. But the main thing is the physical dominance across the board. That physicality goes beyond the starting units. With mostly backup OL and RBs, MSU has run for 392 yards on 39 carries in the fourth quarters of the last four games. MSU is without 2 starters on the OL from last year and is averaging 7.9 per carry. Barring injury, MSU could have the first and second best offensive lines in the BSC. Sain, Reed, Kettels, Fleischmann and Sampson. Nilson, Perkins and Jefferson are all good as well. The 7.9 average is without the season opening starting RB Sumner, Mellott for 3.5 games, Humphrey for 2.75 games.

Can they be beat, yes, can all that go away in a flash, possibly, but at this point it looks unlikely. Maybe a team will find and expose a big weakness MSU has, it’s possible.

Outside the BSC, SDSU and the Bobcats played to virtual standstill. SDSU is doing almost exactly what MSU is doing. I have no reason to believe that game was an anomaly. Whenever I see a SDSU outcome I assume that’s about what the Bobcats would’ve done and likewise.

Things have changed since the beginning of the season. MSU was, in my opinion, looking to become a 3-4 rated defense in the BSC and the passing game was looking to be more effective. Both of those things have far exceeded expectations. I was expecting a 9-2/8-3 season considering the tough road schedule, but not only has MSU exceeded my expectations, but several other teams aren’t looking as good as I was expecting.

Good explanation tomcat, 7 says he hasn't watch any of the games, he really should if he is truly a fan of a BSC team. I don't think I have ever seen in the Big Sky depth like the Cats have right now. They really do like like the NDSU teams in the mid 2010's in that respect, we are younger than NDSU was at the time but the depth is just off the charts.

I consider the last two games to have been somewhat sloppy. Its difficult to get up for teams that look to be a level lower, but even playing sloppy the Cats were totally dominate in all aspects of those games and the result was never in doubt.

If 7 would watch our games and not see it then he just doesn't know much about football.

[CelticCat]

Idaho learned the hard way it's hard to be #1, it's hard to be the favorite. Last year they learned the hard way it's not easy to win in the playoffs. They are a program in the early stages of a rise. Kudos to the Griz for the win, that was a big win and the Griz really needed it.

Now Idaho has two weeks to stew about it and scout the Cats.

[Grizfan7]

Thanks, 88. Did the Cats "physically dominate" SDSU? I watched most of that game and, while the Cats were playing them fairly even, I don't recall the Cats physically dominating SDSU. I also wonder which other teams MSU has played are good physically; I don't know. Yes, the Cats stats are mostly outstanding at this point. Last season, the Griz stats were very good at about this point too. Then, the tougher part of the season came, the QB went down, and most of UM's stats went south. I didn't realize the Cats had had so many injuries. How many of those guys are still out or not coming back? Your depth must be good, as you say. I don't put much stock in big numbers in 4th quarters, when the game is over or all but over. But good for the backups.

Looking at the SDSU stats, MSU rushed for a 4.4 average; SDSU was 5.4, with fewer attempts. Cats didn't do much passing. Cats had more plays, but averaged only 4.7 per plays to SDSU's 6.7. 3d down conversions were 4-12 to SDSU's 5-9. MSU scored only 1 TD. Obviously, SDSU is very good and the Cats hung in there. But nothing in the stats shows the Cats "physically dominated" SDSU, nor do I recall that.

UM is 6th in the nation in rushing D, at 84. MSU is 23d. Cats are 1st in nation in rushing at 325.