UNM early thoughts

[94VegasCat]

I liked the thought process of Ty McCullough last week in his interview. This coming FBS matchup looks quite favorable in most Bobcats eyes. One thing that has caught my attention with several of our former FBS foes is the fact that they’ve had first year head coaches. With one or two exceptions, (Ore St and Wash St?) we’ve faced teams fresh off a coaching change.

I try hard to keep my blue lenses at a safe distance but I’ve felt that this FBS looks really darn good for the Cats. My only true concern is that Bronco Mendenhall is a pretty darn good coach. I think he’ll get more wins than his predecessors but it’ll take some time. I think he’ll have his team ready to play MSU as if they were the greatest team on earth and we’ll get their best shot.

Sure we have new coordinators but I think most of us feel like those were changed for the good. Both were internal promotions. We’ve got 23 seniors that know how to prepare, know how to win, and are hungry to show out.

[RICO CAT]

They have a pretty tough schedule after so I’m sure they will hit the ground running. And yes, their coach is a good one.

[MSU01]

UNM was picked 11th out of 12 in the Mountain West preseason poll (sorry Jeff, you're #12) and has a roster full of transfer portal guys. Their entire starting offensive line is transfers according to the depth chart I found online. MSU has a great shot to pick up a win here but I'll only be disappointed if they get blown out. I think the Bobcats will take a few games to get up to speed largely given the two new coordinators but once they do...watch out.

[TomCat88]

Mendenhall is definitely a good coach. He got BYU and Virginia turned around in just a couple years. He didn’t have instant success. BYU went from 5-6 to 6-6 in his first year. Virginia went from 4-8 to 2-10.

Also, I think a lot of people are concerned that the weather in Albuquerque is super hot like the rest of the SW United States. However, temps are in the high 80s (still pretty hot but MSU will be practicing in that) on average in late August, early September. August 31 average high is 85.5.

[94VegasCat]

We’ve hung in there with all the FBS teams minus Ore St. I know that we’re capable.

Quantity of guys will be more of a factor than heat.

Jeffy will win more than Bronco.

[hokeyfine]

UNM has been a terrible program. Don't give them any reason to believe right from the start. Smack them in the mouth and keep their confidence in check.

[MTmadeCat]

After the end to last season, I think some early success this season is going to be huge, especially with a tough final stretch to end this year. New Mexico was not good last year, but as stated it will be a challenge to prepare for a team of new coaches/transfers while playing on the road. The senior leadership is gonna define that game for us, I believe. I would love to see us at 2-0 going in to Gold Rush—gameday opening of the new lots/scoreboard/sound system will have the stadium rocking!!

[Camo_Cat]

Thought I would go over to their message board to see what their fanbase was saying about the game, but I can't seem to find anything. Evidently, they used to have a board called the Lobo Lair, but rumor has it that the board went to a pay-to-post format as sort of an NIL fundraiser???

[catatac]

UNM was picked 11th out of 12 in the Mountain West preseason poll (sorry Jeff, you're #12) and has a roster full of transfer portal guys. Their entire starting offensive line is transfers according to the depth chart I found online. MSU has a great shot to pick up a win here but I'll only be disappointed if they get blown out. I think the Bobcats will take a few games to get up to speed largely given the two new coordinators but once they do...watch out.

Uh ya, if the Cats get blown out by this team... we are in some serious trouble. Current betting line is Cats by 7.5, just FYI.

[Loboman 59]

Thought I would go over to their message board to see what their fanbase was saying about the game, but I can't seem to find anything. Evidently, they used to have a board called the Lobo Lair, but rumor has it that the board went to a pay-to-post format as sort of an NIL fundraiser???

Good evening Camo_Cat… and hello BobcatNation, you are correct that Lobo Lair went “pay to post” which upset quite a few fans on that site, especially when we were told that even buying season tickets, wasn’t good enough! So I created a new site here. https://foreverlobos.com/thread/1658/ge ... tana-state

We are a small but growing site for Lobos fans to talk about all things Lobos. We are very much wanting to interact with MSU fans, and will be very welcoming to any of your fans that will be attending the game! And any information about food or things to do around town, we’ll be glad to advise you on. Please feel free to register, then come on in and chat about the game in RT as well! My administrator ( The BigBadWolf), will be thrilled to see more Montana State fans drop in for a visit. He’ll even want to make avatars for you guys ( his loves doing that). Also, we would love to hear what you guys think about your team!

As Lobos fans, we have no idea what to expect from Coach Mendenhall and his new staff, and having over 60 transfer portal players on the team, means we have a whole new team basically, but Bronco has some nice tools to work with in a quality QB, and a stable of quality Running backs. We are hopeful that he can finally turn our program around. We all expect a very hard fought game against a quality nationally respect program such as yours. But, we look forward to the challenge! We look forward to welcoming you all to FOREVERLOBOS!

[catatac]

Holy wow..... 60 transfers? That seems crazy to me. You have a great coach and I have no doubt he will turn the culture around and turn you into a winning program. Not sure how long it will take or if you'll be competetive in your league right out of the game but you'll know soon enough!

I know you have a damn good QB and when you have that... you always have a chance to win. Most Bobcat fans are pretty confident that this squad will be one of the best teams in the country at the FCS level. 23 Seniors leading this team, and they've won a lot of games together. Vegas odds have the Cats as 7.5 point favorites in this one, but that's a total crapshoot considering you have a completely different team. Personally I'm hoping you guys have an excellent team this year but also that it takes you a couple games to figure things out. lol. Go Cats!

[AFCAT]

"Pay to Post?"

kmax right now.

[Loboman 59]

"Pay to Post?"

kmax right now.

Yes. They tied it in to NIL. A minimum $20 RECURRING monthly payment, but it’s mainly basketball centric, as NM is a basketball loving state.

[RockyBearCat]

60 transfers is unbelievable. As said above, I hope NM ends up a great team and goes undefeated after the Cats game.

[Camo_Cat]

Thought I would go over to their message board to see what their fanbase was saying about the game, but I can't seem to find anything. Evidently, they used to have a board called the Lobo Lair, but rumor has it that the board went to a pay-to-post format as sort of an NIL fundraiser???

Good evening Camo_Cat… and hello BobcatNation, you are correct that Lobo Lair went “pay to post” which upset quite a few fans on that site, especially when we were told that even buying season tickets, wasn’t good enough! So I created a new site here. https://foreverlobos.com/thread/1658/ge ... tana-state

We are a small but growing site for Lobos fans to talk about all things Lobos. We are very much wanting to interact with MSU fans, and will be very welcoming to any of your fans that will be attending the game! And any information about food or things to do around town, we’ll be glad to advise you on. Please feel free to register, then come on in and chat about the game in RT as well! My administrator ( The BigBadWolf), will be thrilled to see more Montana State fans drop in for a visit. He’ll even want to make avatars for you guys ( his loves doing that). Also, we would love to hear what you guys think about your team!

As Lobos fans, we have no idea what to expect from Coach Mendenhall and his new staff, and having over 60 transfer portal players on the team, means we have a whole new team basically, but Bronco has some nice tools to work with in a quality QB, and a stable of quality Running backs. We are hopeful that he can finally turn our program around. We all expect a very hard fought game against a quality nationally respect program such as yours. But, we look forward to the challenge! We look forward to welcoming you all to FOREVERLOBOS!

Thanks for the heads up @Loboman 59! I think you will find that many Bobcats are pretty confident in the talent level of our team this year, and with good reason. Most feel that the matchup with UNM gives us one of our best opportunities to get a W against an FBS opponent. Myself, I am cautiously optimistic. The Cats will be one of the premier teams again in FCS this season, and I would imagine with UNM's history, new staff, and many transfers, it may take a few weeks, or even seasons, for your team to gel. So it looks favorable for MSU. But it is FBS vs. FCS, and there is a reason that teams compete on the two different levels. FBS schools recruit better athletes, have more scholarships, and bigger fanbases. I wouldn't be surprised or shocked at all if UNM comes away with the victory, but our boys in Blue & Gold will give the Lobos a great game!

[cats2506]

Thought I would go over to their message board to see what their fanbase was saying about the game, but I can't seem to find anything. Evidently, they used to have a board called the Lobo Lair, but rumor has it that the board went to a pay-to-post format as sort of an NIL fundraiser???

Good evening Camo_Cat… and hello BobcatNation, you are correct that Lobo Lair went “pay to post” which upset quite a few fans on that site, especially when we were told that even buying season tickets, wasn’t good enough! So I created a new site here. https://foreverlobos.com/thread/1658/ge ... tana-state

We are a small but growing site for Lobos fans to talk about all things Lobos. We are very much wanting to interact with MSU fans, and will be very welcoming to any of your fans that will be attending the game! And any information about food or things to do around town, we’ll be glad to advise you on. Please feel free to register, then come on in and chat about the game in RT as well! My administrator ( The BigBadWolf), will be thrilled to see more Montana State fans drop in for a visit. He’ll even want to make avatars for you guys ( his loves doing that). Also, we would love to hear what you guys think about your team!

As Lobos fans, we have no idea what to expect from Coach Mendenhall and his new staff, and having over 60 transfer portal players on the team, means we have a whole new team basically, but Bronco has some nice tools to work with in a quality QB, and a stable of quality Running backs. We are hopeful that he can finally turn our program around. We all expect a very hard fought game against a quality nationally respect program such as yours. But, we look forward to the challenge! We look forward to welcoming you all to FOREVERLOBOS!

Thanks for the link, I joined and look forward to some football talk

[GoCats18]

I’m definitely placing a bet on the Cats to win. Just trying to figure out how much and what’s going to pay the most…

[catatac]

I’m definitely placing a bet on the Cats to win. Just trying to figure out how much and what’s going to pay the most…

Seems like picking the Cats to cover the spread would be a tough call considering it's FCS vs FBS... but what do I know.

[Prodigal Cat]

I’m definitely placing a bet on the Cats to win. Just trying to figure out how much and what’s going to pay the most…

Seems like picking the Cats to cover the spread would be a tough call considering it's FCS vs FBS... but what do I know.

The difference between the top of FCS and G5 is getting less and less. A Big Sky team has taken the boots to MWC team in the last couple seasons and there are more BSC wins or close losses than blowouts. Last year Idaho over Nevada 33-6 , Sac St whipped Colorado St 41-10 and Weber beat USU 35-7 in '22. And before you say it was a matchup of BSC best vs MWC worst Idaho St lost 28-36 to SDSU and Eastern took Fresno to double OT last year. I'm quite confident that this years Bobcats would give every MWC team a game and they should beat most of them.

I think the Dakotas and Montana's would be among the best teams in the MWC or Sun Belt and might be favored to win conferences like the MAC or C-USA.

As far as betting goes. I can't find a game total but i'd be interested to see that and the individual team totals. I think our offense will be healthy and hard for UNM to stop. On the other side you have a brand new coaching staff with 60 transfers. It will be hard for the Cats Defense to do any sort of game planning.

[The MICKSTER]

I’m definitely placing a bet on the Cats to win. Just trying to figure out how much and what’s going to pay the most…

Seems like picking the Cats to cover the spread would be a tough call considering it's FCS vs FBS... but what do I know.

The difference between the top of FCS and G5 is getting less and less. A Big Sky team has taken the boots to MWC team in the last couple seasons and there are more BSC wins or close losses than blowouts. Last year Idaho over Nevada 33-6 , Sac St whipped Colorado St 41-10 and Weber beat USU 35-7 in '22. And before you say it was a matchup of BSC best vs MWC worst Idaho St lost 28-36 to SDSU and Eastern took Fresno to double OT last year. I'm quite confident that this years Bobcats would give every MWC team a game and they should beat most of them.

I think the Dakotas and Montana's would be among the best teams in the MWC or Sun Belt and might be favored to win conferences like the MAC or C-USA.

As far as betting goes. I can't find a game total but i'd be interested to see that and the individual team totals. I think our offense will be healthy and hard for UNM to stop. On the other side you have a brand new coaching staff with 60 transfers. It will be hard for the Cats Defense to do any sort of game planning.

This is a CONUNDRUM.......on the one hand we have 23 seniors and a returning head coach along with an OC & DC that have been in the system which should lend itself for the Cats to be pretty close to 'hitting on all cylinders' right out of the gate. However, on the other hand, UNM can get a hold of some of our last years film, they will have a very good idea of what we'll be running on each side of the ball, but, we won't have a clue as to what their schemes will be.

Which leads me to believe that if it's close or we're ahead at halftime, I like our chances because after seeing their schemes for a half we should be able to make better halftime adjustments than they can.....let's hope . GO CATS!!!