Cats vs. North Dakota State Round 2 Predictions

[hokeyfine]

This is a game that's between the ears of the players and coaches. I haven't seen that mental toughness lately. Hope they can pull it out. NDSU by 2 scores.

[TomCat88]

This is a game that's between the ears of the players and coaches. I haven't seen that mental toughness lately. Hope they can pull it out. NDSU by 2 scores.

Other than UM, when?

[TomCat88]

I’m a Vikings fan but I will never be able to celebrate if they win a Super Bowl because I feel like I say too much crappy stuff about them. I cheer for them in hopes that they win it for the ex-players and good fans though.

[hokeyfine]

This is a game that's between the ears of the players and coaches. I haven't seen that mental toughness lately. Hope they can pull it out. NDSU by 2 scores.

Other than UM, when?

I look at it as a "what have you done for me lately" scenario. A close hard fought loss in your last game is a lot easier to overcome than a total domination, for players and coaches. Especially when you have a powerhouse like NDSU coming. Bobcats match up talent wise with any fcs team in the country. Do the players and coaches have the mental toughness? I'll be hoping they do.
Bobcats win this then I think they have to be a clear top two favorite to win it all.

[Irish Duck]

I don't post much, but I've been thinking a lot about this the last few days. My thoughts are this:

1. Coaching/play calling. If we start the game with play calling like we did against Idaho and Missoula we are in big trouble. Passing on 1st down, trick plays, deep fades on 4th down etc.. If we try to out scheme them instead of just punching them in the face we will lose.. and big. Stop trying to be the damn 49ers and be the Bobcats!! If we do what this team does better than any other FCS team and run the damn ball no matter down and distance, the Bison will wear down both physically and mentally and we will win.

2. Didn't see much fight against Missoula. I was right behind our bench and from the start I didn't see much fire. It shocked me. It looked like a team that expected to win and when we got punched in the face (over and over) any fight they had in them was gone. My uncle (Griz fan) said at the beginning of the 2nd quarter, this game is over. Griz are pumped and Cats are flat. No fault of the players.. it happens to every team.

What happens next is what separates a good team from a great team. If they come out with fire and battle on every down, give Julian enough carries to make a difference as well as get Chambers out there with Tommy or by himself, we will stomp them.

It's all on us. Which team will show?

That being said.. I expect the home streak to continue. Cats 38-27.

[Slackjaw]

I don't post much, but I've been thinking a lot about this the last few days. My thoughts are this:

1. Coaching/play calling. If we start the game with play calling like we did against Idaho and Missoula we are in big trouble. Passing on 1st down, trick plays, deep fades on 4th down etc.. If we try to out scheme them instead of just punching them in the face we will lose.. and big. If we do what this team does better than any other FCS team and run the damn ball no matter down and distance, the Bison will wear down both physically and mentally and we will win.

2. Didn't see much fight against Missoula. I was right behind our bench and from the start I didn't see much fire. It shocked me. It looked like a team that expected to win and when we got punched in the face (over and over) any fight they had in them was gone. My uncle (Griz fan) said at the beginning of the 2nd quarter, this game is over. Griz are pumped and Cats are flat. No fault of the players.. it happens to every team.

What happens next is what separates a good team from a great team. If they come out with fire and battle on every down, give Julian enough carries to make a difference as well as get Chambers out there with Tommy or by himself, we will stomp them.

It's all on us. Which team will show?

That being said.. I expect the home streak to continue. Cats 38-27.

Pretty much my thoughts exactly. I'm actually really happy that we are playing NDSU and would rather play them than any other 2nd round matchup that was available. We get to have our answer this weekend. If the team and coaches respond how I hope they do, we are again a National Title contender and I will believe. If they don't respond, at least we don't get false hopes up because we beat some severely overmatched east coast fcs sisters of the poor. I am not predicting this score because I don't have a clue what to expect. I expect our players to respond, but it's truly a coin flip on our coordinators.

Please send pressure, please run the ball, please don't only throw fades on short yardage situations.

[Mtcatfan]

For some reason this game reminds me of when the Gris came to MSU last year. I think we come out strong, surprise them with our ability to run the ball at will and just totally dominate. We control the trenches on both sides of the ball, wear them down by the second half and win 42-21.

[hilinegrizfan]

I know it must be hard to have any inkling of confidence after the complete domination that you suffered 2 weeks ago... but... well there is no but. that is all

[jgrilley406]

I know it must be hard to have any inkling of confidence after the complete domination that you suffered 2 weeks ago... but... well there is no but. that is all

Crazy things happen in rivalry games. I mean UND beat NDSU by 25 and no one outside of UND fans thinks UND is better than NDSU.

[iaafan]

I know it must be hard to have any inkling of confidence after the complete domination that you suffered 2 weeks ago... but... well there is no but. that is all

Crazy things happen in rivalry games. I mean UND beat NDSU by 25 and no one outside of UND fans thinks UND is better than NDSU.

Just let them keep talking.

[FA_Q_M]

As a Bobcat fan, disappointment is part of the gig. I can't remember an MSU team that has possessed more talent than this one. Absolutely LOVE the players.

While I do think Vigen is a good HC/recruiter, I don't have confidence in this coaching staff.

We could, and probably should win this game, but I think we're gonna get outcoached....again

MSU 21
NDSU 42

[GoGriz1023]

As a Bobcat fan, disappointment is part of the gig. I can't remember an MSU team that has possessed more talent than this one. Absolutely LOVE the players.

While I do think Vigen is a good HC/recruiter, I don't have confidence in this coaching staff.

We could, and probably should win this game, but I think we're gonna get outcoached....again

MSU 21
NDSU 42

I disagree although I'm an idiot at this stuff. Still think a pissed off Cat team at home should be seriously scary for NDSU but we shall see...

[FA_Q_M]

As a Bobcat fan, disappointment is part of the gig. I can't remember an MSU team that has possessed more talent than this one. Absolutely LOVE the players.

While I do think Vigen is a good HC/recruiter, I don't have confidence in this coaching staff.

We could, and probably should win this game, but I think we're gonna get outcoached....again

MSU 21
NDSU 42

I disagree although I'm an idiot at this stuff. Still think a pissed off Cat team at home should be seriously scary for NDSU but we shall see...

I hope you're right. I'm glad I didn't put money on Cat/Griz. That was not "The Cats" I watched all year. Gotta give credit where credit is due: the Griz won every aspect of that game.

[kaner77]

After NDSU wins Saturday cats won't make play offs next with this staff

[BelligerentBobcat]

Some of you are the most negative bunch of whiners I’ve ever come across.

[Prodigal Cat]

After NDSU wins Saturday cats won't make play offs next with this staff

What's a bet that you would pay off to back up this insanely moronic statement? Cats will be a top 10 team and on the short list to win the National Championship next year regardless of what happens Saturday and who's coaching. You never post here again?

[nanacat]

Some of you are the most negative bunch of whiners I’ve ever come across.

It's getting a little ridiculous I think. Good grief guys.

[kaner77]

After NDSU wins Saturday cats won't make play offs next with this staff

What's a bet that you would pay off to back up this insanely moronic statement? Cats will be a top 10 team and on the short list to win the National Championship next year regardless of what happens Saturday and who's coaching. You never post here again?

Let's meet face to face and I will lost when I want

[ilovethecats]

Some of you are the most negative bunch of whiners I’ve ever come across.

[Grizfan7]

Some of you are the most negative bunch of whiners I’ve ever come across.

Worse than some egrizzers? You saw how virtually all of them cut and ran on the team eaerlier in the fall. Some said they would not attend any more games. Some said they were dropping their season tickets. Almost all wanted to fire the coach. Almost none of them stuck with the team.