Starting 22

[saintcat40]

I think our linebackers need to step up this year if our defense is going to improve. We just didn’t make enough plays there last year. Put it this way… if you put aside your bias… would you rather have the Grizzly linebackers from last year (not sure what they have this year) or ours? Their linebackers were difference makers on the field. Askelson made some great plays for us last year, but he is gone. In my opinion, we really need to improve at the linebacker spot to take the next step on D.

[Cataholic]

I think our linebackers need to step up this year if our defense is going to improve. We just didn’t make enough plays there last year. Put it this way… if you put aside your bias… would you rather have the Grizzly linebackers from last year (not sure what they have this year) or ours? Their linebackers were difference makers on the field. Askelson made some great plays for us last year, but he is gone. In my opinion, we really need to improve at the linebacker spot to take the next step on D.

The Gris LB’s last year had 3 seniors with significant experience in Hill, Janacaro and Flink. They made a deep run with that experience. Our guys have another year of experience and strength training. We are going to fine at LB.

[Helcat72]

Personally, I think Polidore is the best (most impactful, at least) player on the defense. Seems like he has a nose for the game to go along with his physical makeup.

The best defensive game I saw MSU play in ages was at So. Dakota State. That carried the Weber State game, but things began to slowly unravel after that likely due to a combination of teams figuring MSU out and injuries. I think the start of 2023 is reason for optimism for MSU in 2024. If they can sustain that for a season, then they'll be in good shape. Last year I thought the depth was good but I'm not so sure if I was correct about that because the pass defense really dropped off late in the year vs some lackluster passing offenses. Could've just been a confidence thing or a scheme thing, I really have no idea but there was a clear drop off.

The 2019 defense was very good overall, but the pass defense wasn't great.

Polidore is a Kamakazee...he really comes downhill with bad intentions!

[Justwinbaby]

I think our linebackers need to step up this year if our defense is going to improve. We just didn’t make enough plays there last year. Put it this way… if you put aside your bias… would you rather have the Grizzly linebackers from last year (not sure what they have this year) or ours? Their linebackers were difference makers on the field. Askelson made some great plays for us last year, but he is gone. In my opinion, we really need to improve at the linebacker spot to take the next step on D.

There are more defensive position group issues than just LB.

Most on here are vastly over-rating that side of the ball. The truth is the defense has been the team's single biggest issue...and that will not change this season. The offense will have to over perform to cover it up...and perhaps they will.

[Montanabob]

I think our linebackers need to step up this year if our defense is going to improve. We just didn’t make enough plays there last year. Put it this way… if you put aside your bias… would you rather have the Grizzly linebackers from last year (not sure what they have this year) or ours? Their linebackers were difference makers on the field. Askelson made some great plays for us last year, but he is gone. In my opinion, we really need to improve at the linebacker spot to take the next step on D.

There are more defensive position group issues than just LB.

Most on here are vastly over-rating that side of the ball. The truth is the defense has been the team's single biggest issue...and that will not change this season. The offense will have to over perform to cover it up...and perhaps they will.

i think our coaching changes this year are vastly underrated.

[kwcat]

I was wondering if we could compile the starting 22 and maybe include some of the twos. I think this team has phenomenal experience and with the right coaching, should have the ability to be remembered. Solid wrs, incredible rbs, experienced qb, strong ol, but I must say defense has some question marks for me.

I'll take a stab at it!

QB:
Tommy
Jordan Reed

RB:
Julius Davis
Humphrey / White

H-Back:
Rohan Jones

X:
Junior Alexander
Javonte King

Slot:
Taco Dowler
Jacob Trimble
?Jabez Woods?

Z:
Ty McCulloch
Aidan Garrigan

TE:
Ryan Lonergan
Hunter Provience

LT:
Connor Moore
Cedric Jefferson

LG:
JT Reed
Burke Mastel

C:
Justus Perkins
Zac Nyland

RG:
Cole Sain
Samora Ezekiel

RT:
Marcus Wehr
Titan Fleschmann
?Dylan Rollins?
----------------------------------
DE:
Brody Grebe
Hunter Parsons

DT:
Paul Brott / Zack Black
Alec Eckert

NT:
Blake Schmidt
Paul Brott / Zack Black

DE:
Kenneth Eiden
Zac Crews

LB:
McCade O'Reilly
Neil Daily

LB:
Danny U
Bryce Grebe / Cole Bullock / Ryan Bowles

N:
Caden Dowler
Miles Jackson

CB:
Jon Johnson
Takhari Carr / Kory Boyd / Jhase McMillian / Carson Williams

CB:
Simeon Woodard
Andrew Powdrell

FS:
Dru Polidore
Blake Stillwelll

SS:
Rylan Ortt
Tyson Pottenger

------------------
K:
Casey Kautzman / Brendan Hall

P:
Brendan Hall


-----------
Deep and experienced team - it should be a fun season.

Yeah this is the one.

I’ll be super surprised if we don’t see Sharbono a lot DT

[Monymony]

Does this have potential to be the best recent offense? Seems like we got a strong qb, great rbs, good wrs, and great o-line. Te’s should be decent and depends on where Jones plays but wow this team is experienced and loaded.

[CodyCat]

I think our linebackers need to step up this year if our defense is going to improve. We just didn’t make enough plays there last year. Put it this way… if you put aside your bias… would you rather have the Grizzly linebackers from last year (not sure what they have this year) or ours? Their linebackers were difference makers on the field. Askelson made some great plays for us last year, but he is gone. In my opinion, we really need to improve at the linebacker spot to take the next step on D.

There are more defensive position group issues than just LB.

Most on here are vastly over-rating that side of the ball. The truth is the defense has been the team's single biggest issue...and that will not change this season. The offense will have to over perform to cover it up...and perhaps they will.

Are you referring to the Cats or the gris?

[RickRund]

I think our linebackers need to step up this year if our defense is going to improve. We just didn’t make enough plays there last year. Put it this way… if you put aside your bias… would you rather have the Grizzly linebackers from last year (not sure what they have this year) or ours? Their linebackers were difference makers on the field. Askelson made some great plays for us last year, but he is gone. In my opinion, we really need to improve at the linebacker spot to take the next step on D.

There are more defensive position group issues than just LB.

Most on here are vastly over-rating that side of the ball. The truth is the defense has been the team's single biggest issue...and that will not change this season. The offense will have to over perform to cover it up...and perhaps they will.

Are you referring to the Cats or the gris?

I had thought we would have a good season but after reading justwinbabys take I have given up all hope...

[coloradocat]

I think our linebackers need to step up this year if our defense is going to improve. We just didn’t make enough plays there last year. Put it this way… if you put aside your bias… would you rather have the Grizzly linebackers from last year (not sure what they have this year) or ours? Their linebackers were difference makers on the field. Askelson made some great plays for us last year, but he is gone. In my opinion, we really need to improve at the linebacker spot to take the next step on D.

There are more defensive position group issues than just LB.

Most on here are vastly over-rating that side of the ball. The truth is the defense has been the team's single biggest issue...and that will not change this season. The offense will have to over perform to cover it up...and perhaps they will.

i think our coaching changes this year are vastly underrated.

I think our coaching changes this year are vastly overrated by BN. People didn't like the old coordinators mostly for personality/off the field reasons and always want former players to be elevated or return to the program. I have confidence in Daly and Walker but I don't think anything will change dramatically because we got changed who's calling the plays.

[CodyCat]

I think our linebackers need to step up this year if our defense is going to improve. We just didn’t make enough plays there last year. Put it this way… if you put aside your bias… would you rather have the Grizzly linebackers from last year (not sure what they have this year) or ours? Their linebackers were difference makers on the field. Askelson made some great plays for us last year, but he is gone. In my opinion, we really need to improve at the linebacker spot to take the next step on D.

There are more defensive position group issues than just LB.

Most on here are vastly over-rating that side of the ball. The truth is the defense has been the team's single biggest issue...and that will not change this season. The offense will have to over perform to cover it up...and perhaps they will.

i think our coaching changes this year are vastly underrated.

I think our coaching changes this year are vastly overrated by BN. People didn't like the old coordinators mostly for personality/off the field reasons and always want former players to be elevated or return to the program. I have confidence in Daly and Walker but I don't think anything will change dramatically because we got changed who's calling the plays.

I can understand your take here. Daly is certainly been given more credit than he possibly deserves. But, coordinators matter. Look at the changes from Freddie Banks to Willie Mac. Yes, there was a huge loss in talent as well. But, fundamentals have not been nearly as good since Banks left.

[Montanabob]

I think our linebackers need to step up this year if our defense is going to improve. We just didn’t make enough plays there last year. Put it this way… if you put aside your bias… would you rather have the Grizzly linebackers from last year (not sure what they have this year) or ours? Their linebackers were difference makers on the field. Askelson made some great plays for us last year, but he is gone. In my opinion, we really need to improve at the linebacker spot to take the next step on D.

There are more defensive position group issues than just LB.

Most on here are vastly over-rating that side of the ball. The truth is the defense has been the team's single biggest issue...and that will not change this season. The offense will have to over perform to cover it up...and perhaps they will.

i think our coaching changes this year are vastly underrated.

I think our coaching changes this year are vastly overrated by BN. People didn't like the old coordinators mostly for personality/off the field reasons and always want former players to be elevated or return to the program. I have confidence in Daly and Walker but I don't think anything will change dramatically because we got changed who's calling the plays.

my comments we not related to off field issues. it was on field issues and decisions

[BornBobcat2000]

I think our linebackers need to step up this year if our defense is going to improve. We just didn’t make enough plays there last year. Put it this way… if you put aside your bias… would you rather have the Grizzly linebackers from last year (not sure what they have this year) or ours? Their linebackers were difference makers on the field. Askelson made some great plays for us last year, but he is gone. In my opinion, we really need to improve at the linebacker spot to take the next step on D.

Agreed, I think our LB’s are the key to how our defense goes this year, especially if we continue to run the 4-2-5 scheme. Danny U will be solid with another year of experience, but our second starter and any depth after that is a huge concern to me. Do we know if Daly will continue to run the 4-2-5?

[saintcat40]

I remember Vigen saying that he was committed to that 4-2-5 scheme.

[Colter_Nuanez]

I remember Vigen saying that he was committed to that 4-2-5 scheme.

It's the North Dakota State defense. It's the same scheme NDSU has been running since Gus Bradley was the DC there in the mid-2000s. Bradley (DC for the Colts), along with Scottie Hazelton (most recently the DC at Kansas State and Michigan State) and Freddie Banks (Colorado State) all come from this same coaching tree/scheme. Willie Mack Garza was also a part of this same tree.

[catatac]

I think our linebackers need to step up this year if our defense is going to improve. We just didn’t make enough plays there last year. Put it this way… if you put aside your bias… would you rather have the Grizzly linebackers from last year (not sure what they have this year) or ours? Their linebackers were difference makers on the field. Askelson made some great plays for us last year, but he is gone. In my opinion, we really need to improve at the linebacker spot to take the next step on D.

Agreed, I think our LB’s are the key to how our defense goes this year, especially if we continue to run the 4-2-5 scheme. Danny U will be solid with another year of experience, but our second starter and any depth after that is a huge concern to me. Do we know if Daly will continue to run the 4-2-5?

McCade O is a huge concern for you? If he does not perform at a high level... I am confident there are players below that can. There is quite a bit of talent here, and good game experience.

Neil Daily
Cole Bullock
Ryan Bowles
Bryce Grebe
Cole Taylor
Ryan Krahe
Zac Waible.

[rfischer94]

I was wondering if we could compile the starting 22 and maybe include some of the twos. I think this team has phenomenal experience and with the right coaching, should have the ability to be remembered. Solid wrs, incredible rbs, experienced qb, strong ol, but I must say defense has some question marks for me.

What are your question marks for the defense?

I think the d-line should be solid but linebackers are fairly weak. Danny U, McCade, and Bullock are probably the top 3 but I’m not sure about behind them, I think I just miss Troy. I think the Bobcats defense needs to be very good if we want to win a National Championship.

If you or anyone is going to compare any MSU defenses to that of 2021, you will probably be let down. That was an elite defense that I may never see again in my lifetime.

It'll be interesting to see what the scheme is this year. My guess is Daly will change some things, but I honestly don't have a clue if that's the case. It just seems like MSU could've done better on defense than it has over the past three years. That includes '21 with Troy, Hardy, etc. Some teams throughout football (NFL, FBS, FCS, etc.) seem to be getting the most out their defensive players/scheme, while MSU does not.

The 2019 defense was better than the 2021 defense and the best defense of any Big Sky school we've ever covered. There was a 5-game stretch to close the season where that defense gave up three non-garbage time touchdowns and opponents averaged 9 non-garbage time first downs a game....When the Griz scored 14 in the 48-14 ass-whooping in Bozeman, that was actually the best offensive performance of the stretch run of the regular season by a Bobcat opponent

Bryce Sterk, Amandre Williams, Chase Benson, Jason Scrempos, Marcus Ferriter up front...Josh Hill, Nolan Askelson, sometimes Troy, an emerging Daniel Hardy, Callahan O'Reilly at LB....Brayden Konkol, Jaqhue Alleyne and JoJo Henderson the best safety trio since the Kane Ioane days....Munchie Filer, Tyrel Thomas, Jalen Cole, Gibson twins at corner...

Montana State has a few elite players on defense currently - namely Brody Grebe and Simeon Woodard — but who else from this Bobcat defense would start on the 2019 defense?

Is it safe to say the 19 defense and 21 (under Vigen) had “Choate aggression”? Seems like the defense now of days isn’t as nasty as I remember the Choate defense being very tough, physical, and angry. Would love to see more pressure and aggression.

[AFCAT]

I didn't think the Gibson twins were much of a factor in 2019, at least not Ty'rese. Damien Washington, Filer, and Thomas definitely were factors in the secondary. Didn't Jalen Cole have a neck injury in 2018 playing the gris and didn't play again after that? I don't remember any games in 2019 that Cole played in.

[saintcat40]

I think our linebackers need to step up this year if our defense is going to improve. We just didn’t make enough plays there last year. Put it this way… if you put aside your bias… would you rather have the Grizzly linebackers from last year (not sure what they have this year) or ours? Their linebackers were difference makers on the field. Askelson made some great plays for us last year, but he is gone. In my opinion, we really need to improve at the linebacker spot to take the next step on D.

Agreed, I think our LB’s are the key to how our defense goes this year, especially if we continue to run the 4-2-5 scheme. Danny U will be solid with another year of experience, but our second starter and any depth after that is a huge concern to me. Do we know if Daly will continue to run the 4-2-5?

McCade O is a huge concern for you? If he does not perform at a high level... I am confident there are players below that can. There is quite a bit of talent here, and good game experience.

Neil Daily
Cole Bullock
Ryan Bowles
Bryce Grebe
Cole Taylor
Ryan Krahe
Zac Waible.

McCade O flashed at times last year, but also got beat a lot. Gregorak mentioned in some of the broadcasts that McCade wasn’t reacting correctly to the blocker (trying to go under instead of over, etc.)

I personally am really cheering hard for Neil Daily as I graduated with his dad back in the day in chemical engineering. Neil was really coming along last year before he got hurt. I agree that there is lots of potential in that room, but we really need some of the potential to show up consistently on the field.

[TomCat88]

I remember Vigen saying that he was committed to that 4-2-5 scheme.

It's the North Dakota State defense. It's the same scheme NDSU has been running since Gus Bradley was the DC there in the mid-2000s. Bradley (DC for the Colts), along with Scottie Hazelton (most recently the DC at Kansas State and Michigan State) and Freddie Banks (Colorado State) all come from this same coaching tree/scheme. Willie Mack Garza was also a part of this same tree.

Garza was the DC at NDSU from 2006-08. NDSU was transitioning to FCS during part of that time. They won the Great West Conference in 2006 and the defense was really good that year. They were 10-1 in 2007 and 3-1 in the Great West, but the defense started to tail off. His last year they moved to the MVFC. They struggled defensively and dropped to 6-5. He was the DC at Utah Tech (Dixie State at the time) in 2008 and you really can't hold anything he did there against him. 2022 at MSU wasn't good defensively with a stretch of five games where it allowed 150 points and only had five games under 20 points allowed. 2023 started out really well, but tapered off and I'm not really sure if it was injuries or scheme/play calling. The pass defense was below average the final four regular season games. In five years as a DC (not counting UT) his defenses performed well for about 1.3 seasons.