Stats in games against 3 top teams

[Grizfan7]

First, UM. Davis, Idaho and SS. I will do MSU later. Averages (unless otherwise noted). First UM; then opponent.

Average score of the 3 wins: 29 - 17.
Total offense: 435. 366. (UM's seasons averages with these stats were 390 to 312)
Rush: 215. 94.
Passing: 220 271
Passes: 41 - 72 (total, not average) (57%). 72-123 (58.5%)
Davis had 2 interceptions in 1 game; don't think UM had interception by a QB
Fumbles (total, not average): 3. 2
Penalties: 7, 2, 7 4, 7, 5
TOP: 31. 29 (first 2 games fairly even, and then SS was 36-24)
Sacks: 0, 6, 1. 2, 2, 2
3d down conversions: 7.7 - 15.7. 5.7 - 15

If I got this right, and just glancing at the stats: UM completely shut down the run (SS got 149); UM did well against the pass (only 58.5%), but opponents passed a lot (41 average per game). Also, turnovers didn't decide the games, except Davis threw 2 picks. Penalties were fairly even. TOP was even (except in SS game). UM's offense was balanced. UM's D was very good. 3d down conversions were better for UM, not huge difference but significantly better. From recollection, UM's special teams were better in all 3 games.

[Grizfan7]

First, MSU. SDSU, SS and Idaho. Averages unless otherwise noted.

Average score - 26 - 24.5
TO - 355. 370. TO was fairly even for both teams in all games.
Rush - 222. 155. SS MSU rush was 328; against Ida, 128
Passing - 133. 182
Passes - Cats 10 - 18; Opponent - 20 - 31
Cats threw 1 pick in each of SDSU and SS, and SS threw 2 picks
Fumble - SDSU had a fumble, and Cats had fumble against SS
Penalties - 18/19, but Cats had 12 against SDSU, and SS had 9. - way too many penalties against SDSU but cleaned up after that
Plays- Cats had more against SDSU, less than SS, and 47-73 against Idaho
TOP - Cats had 11 and 6 more in first 2 games, were 18-42 against Idaho
Sacks: 3, 1, 4 and 0, 0 1.

Not sure what this shows. MSU scored less on average even with 42 against SS. Opponents scored more than Cat D average. Cat rush yards were down on average, even with 328 against SS. Opponents passed more than Cats and got more yardage. Way too many penalties by Cats against SDSU but cleaned up after that. Huge TOP and play count advantage for Idaho.

[cats2506]

SDSU >>>>>> Davis

[Grizfan7]

SDSU >>>>>> Davis

Way better. UM beat Idaho; Cats didn't. UM beat SS 34-7. Cats beat SS 42-30. You walked right into that one. Game is in Missoula.

[BelligerentBobcat]

Idaho is a bit of an outlier offensively. First half was dreadful, and there was a TD right before halftime that was dropped. But, that happens. 2nd half the offense righted the ship. Going off of memory, but want to say the first half offense averaged 4 yards per play, 2nd half they averaged 9 yards per play. Defense didn’t make stops, Idaho held the ball. Idaho got off to a good start, otherwise that offensive strategy wouldn’t have worked. UM will have to get off to a good start if they want to try that.

SDSU is just a better team than anybody UM has played, by a fair margin. FWIW, nobody has ran for more than 160 yards on SDSU except for MSU (211). Only two teams have gained more yards than MSU against SDSU, and that was only by ~20 some yards. They’re just a very good defensive that clearly are going to bring an average down, especially in a 3 game sample.

[Grizfan7]

Looking at the main football board, I have to chuckle at the Cat-Griz comparison thread. Lots of season stats comparisons, even though UM has improved considerably the season. And, no comparison of the Idaho and SS games. Those are much more important comparisons. None of this shows who will win the game, but those 2 games are much better comparisons. Yup, the no. 1 team in the nation is a better team than any FCS team any FCS team has played this season.

[Grizfan7]

SDSU >>>>>> Davis

2506, have you seen/heard what Haslam said recently about the importance of close/quality losses? If not, you should look/listen. What he said validates what "PR" said last season, and what you have quoted in your avatar.

[Grizfan7]

Interceptions. Mellott 0. Chambers 2. McDowell 1. Chambers throws a pick 2.3% of the time. McDowell .7% of time. So, about 3 times more often for Chambers.

[TomCat88]

MSU’s four worst games (SDSU, PSU, SAC, Idaho) vs UM’s best four ( Utah Tech, UNCO, SAC, PSU):

Yards per carry: MSU 7.1; UM 5.1.
Yards allowed per carry: UM 3.9; MSU 4.7

Pass efficiency O: MSU 139.8; UM 138.9
Pass efficiency D: UM 81.9; MSU 125.6

Yards per play: UM 6.3; MSU 6.2
Yards allowed per play: UM 4.4; 5.4

[Grizfan7]

I will glance at this later. Again, I believe the most relevant games and starts are the 2 good common opponents. Look at the scores and stats from those 2 games. And also believe that UM stats from early in the season are largely irrelevant, because McDowell only started 1 of the first 4 games, and UM has gotten much better as the season has progressed. UM is almost a different team than it was in the first 4 or so games. I don't know if UM can continue this pace and continue to improve, as opposed to have a drop back or set back. The crowd is going to be a huge factor too.

And UM's best 3 games are Davis, Idaho, and SS, in my view, not the ones you chose. PSU was a very good game, but PSU is not as good as those other 3. It's interesting that you call those 4 games the worst games for the Cats. I would say that it was more that the Cats got outplayed in some of those games, and those halves. Those are the games the Cats should have played well. I don't hold SDSU against the Cats in any respect. But that game was a log time ago.

[TomCat88]

I will glance at this later. Again, I believe the most relevant games and starts are the 2 good common opponents. Look at the scores and stats from those 2 games. And also believe that UM stats from early in the season are largely irrelevant, because McDowell only started 1 of the first 4 games, and UM has gotten much better as the season has progressed. UM is almost a different team than it was in the first 4 or so games. I don't know if UM can continue this pace and continue to improve, as opposed to have a drop back or set back. The crowd is going to be a huge factor too.

And UM's best 3 games are Davis, Idaho, and SS, in my view, not the ones you chose. PSU was a very good game, but PSU is not as good as those other 3. It's interesting that you call those 4 games the worst games for the Cats. I would say that it was more that the Cats got outplayed in some of those games, and those halves. Those are the games the Cats should have played well. I don't hold SDSU against the Cats in any respect. But that game was a log time ago.

Statistically best games is what went with. Just seeing if I could stack in a way that would give UM better stats. Mission Accomplished. Lol.

[TomCat88]

MSU’s four worst games (SDSU, PSU, SAC, Idaho) vs UM’s best four ( Utah Tech, UNCO, SAC, PSU):

Yards per carry: MSU 7.1; UM 5.1.
Yards allowed per carry: UM 3.9; MSU 4.7

Pass efficiency O: MSU 139.8; UM 138.9
Pass efficiency D: UM 81.9; MSU 125.6

Yards per play: UM 6.3; MSU 6.2
Yards allowed per play: UM 4.4; 5.4

One blowout per team. Two really close. Two with relatively close but favor UM. Slight edge UM.

[TomCat88]

MSU’s four worst games (SDSU, PSU, SAC, Idaho) vs UM’s best four ( Utah Tech, UNCO, SAC, PSU):

Yards per carry: MSU 7.1; UM 5.1.
Yards allowed per carry: UM 3.9; MSU 4.7

Pass efficiency O: MSU 139.8; UM 138.9
Pass efficiency D: UM 81.9; MSU 125.6

Yards per play: UM 6.3; MSU 6.2
Yards allowed per play: UM 4.4; 5.4

This is mostly an example of how stats don’t mean much.

[Cataholic]

SDSU >>>>>> Davis

Way better. UM beat Idaho; Cats didn't. UM beat SS 34-7. Cats beat SS 42-30. You walked right into that one. Game is in Missoula.

You forgot to mention NAU. You walked right into that one.

[cats2506]

SDSU >>>>>> Davis

2506, have you seen/heard what Haslam said recently about the importance of close/quality losses? If not, you should look/listen. What he said validates what "PR" said last season, and what you have quoted in your avatar.

Really? you are going to refer to yourself in the third person?.

[cats2506]

Looking at the main football board, I have to chuckle at the Cat-Griz comparison thread. Lots of season stats comparisons, even though UM has improved considerably the season. And, no comparison of the Idaho and SS games. Those are much more important comparisons. None of this shows who will win the game, but those 2 games are much better comparisons. Yup, the no. 1 team in the nation is a better team than any FCS team any FCS team has played this season.

You dont like those comparisons but your own comparison equates SDSU #1 with unranked Davis and you played them when they did bot have arguable the best running back in the BSC.

If you wanted a fair comparison you should have picked 3 common opponents or better yet all common opponents Utah Tech, NAU, Idaho, Sac and PSU. a comparison using those five games for each team.

I really don't care though, because I think that transitive stats are a poor way to predict a games outcome even though it is really the only objective method we have.

[TomCat88]

MSU’s loss to Idaho was a fluke. So was UM’s to NAU. Um only beating Idaho by 3 is deceptive. You also need to keep in mind that a lot of games are over early and the stats after that are skewed and don’t represent how good a team is or isn’t.

[The Butcher]

MSU’s loss to Idaho was a fluke. So was UM’s to NAU. Um only beating Idaho by 3 is deceptive. You also need to keep in mind that a lot of games are over early and the stats after that are skewed and don’t represent how good a team is or isn’t.

How many games did UM pull their starters by the end of the 3rd quarter, and how many did the Cats. The Cats pulled starters in a lot of games pretty early (before the start of the 4th quarter). That obviously has a significance on stats, which isn't really analyzed.

[Grizfan7]

SDSU >>>>>> Davis

Way better. UM beat Idaho; Cats didn't. UM beat SS 34-7. Cats beat SS 42-30. You walked right into that one. Game is in Missoula.

You forgot to mention NAU. You walked right into that one.

NAU was not one of the top 3 teams UM played, and that's what the stats were about. NAU not relevant in my chosen stat analysis.

[coloradocat]

SDSU >>>>>> Davis

Way better. UM beat Idaho; Cats didn't. UM beat SS 34-7. Cats beat SS 42-30. You walked right into that one. Game is in Missoula.

You forgot to mention NAU. You walked right into that one.

NAU was not one of the top 3 teams UM played, and that's what the stats were about. NAU not relevant in my chosen stat analysis.

Things that make my team look bad aren't relevant.