Cats vs. Idaho Predictions

[BleedingBLue]

UNC done and dispatched. 6-0 going into the Idaho game as many thought we could/should be.

Idaho has played a tough schedule thus far, and held up pretty well all things considered. Lost their starting QB in a money, played on the road a bunch already. They are definitely battle tested. Might they be a bit worn out? Probably not, but you never know.

When the Cats are on offense it will be strength vs. strength. Idaho is 9th in the country in rush D, and I expect they will load the box and force Tommy to beat them. They've got some studs on the D line, and I expect the running game to be a bit of a slog. It will be important to get at least 3-4 yards on most carries in order to stay in manageable 3rd downs. Tommy will have to make some passes for the Cats to win. Idaho is definitely gettable in the passing game.

When Idaho is on offense I expect it to look a lot like last year. Get the ball out quick, with a couple deep shots mixed in, and run the ball. They'll do their best to control TOP again. If Layne isn't back at QB, we're in a lot better shape as both Wagner and Josifek can be inaccurate. Covering Dwyer will be a huge task for the secondary.

I expect a hard fought game on both sides, with our improved D and a few well timed passes getting us the win.

Cats - 33
Germanic Raiders - 23

[Long Time Cat]

Good write up. Cats are good at home. Idaho is banged up.
Cats 38
Vans 20

[Monymony]

I think if Davis is back we will run it better. He is a better back when you need a tough 3-4 yards. I think Idaho isn’t phenomenal after a close loss at UCD (who I don’t think is super good) and NAU who is good but not great. I hope to see Vigen and the OC expose the packed box via play-action and explosive TE passes. We need to be able to run the ball and control the LOS or else the offense will struggle. Defensively we need to get pressure and shut down the run. The will have some success in the pass as they do a great job at that but we need to limit the explosive plays. After seeing at ISU and their stud WR did last week I feel very confident in our pass D but this will be a huge test. I have confidence because Bobcat Stadium is about to be thumping and thats going to give us a significant edge. Huge game and huge opportunity

[kwcat]

37-24 let me see who’s healthy I might change it as the week goes on

[GoCats18]

Montana State—-35
Mashed Potatoes—-24

[TomCat88]

Gotta wait for today’s presser first.

Looks like Idaho really struggled in the second half offensively vs NAU. They got a FG on first drive but didn’t score after that and only had two first downs and 56 yards on 18 plays the rest of the game. NAU has looked good on defense this year.

This will be the best defense MSU has seen all year. Idaho is very good against the run and they take away the long pass. Arguably the best run defense in the BSC.

They’ve been a burr in MSU’s saddle for years:
2016: Idaho 20-17
2018: MSU 24-23 Idaho missed XP with three minutes left
2021: MSU 20-13 Mellott scored with two minutes to go
2023: Idaho 24-21 MSU missed FG in final seconds.
Home team has won each game.

[MSU01]

Against NAU, Idaho had 45 rush attempts but only 13 pass attempts. I think they'll follow their playbook from last year against MSU and run a lot to try and control the clock and limit the number of possessions MSU gets on offense. Whichever team wins the turnover battle will probably win this one, but I'll always give the edge to MSU playing at home with how successful they've been there under Vigen.

Bobcats 24
Idaho 17

[SparkCat]

Really depends on who their QB is. Will Layne be back for them? I highly doubt it, however, this would be the minimum week he theoretically could be healthy from surgery. Are we going to be able to get the tough 1-3 yards when they matter? Would actually like to see Rohan take some fullback carry’s up the middle, as I don’t think Davis will be back. They will definitely try and rinse and repeat what they did last year, and they took some serious 4th down risks last year, defense will need to play tough up front, pressure the quarterback and our backs must make tackles on first contact.

I’ll go with 38 - 27.

[Cats92]

This will be the first game this season that the cats #1 offensive weapon is let loose in the run game.

[Mtcatfan]

Cats win 30-20. Tommy runs a bit more than usual to help open things up.

[Prodigal Cat]

Due the results from last year and the quality of the opponent the Cats defense will keep the edge its had at the start of the games through the whole game. Offense opens up the playbook a bit more than its had to for a month.

Bobcats 35 - duh!mers 13

[91catAlum]

I'm concerned with the lack of production with our pass rush. We're half way through the season (the easiest part of the season) and Grebe has what, 1 sack?? With Seabass transferred out and Schmitt injured, we don't have anybody in the middle who commands a double team so teams are apparently able to neutralize Grebe now. Even unc showed life in the passing game eventually; same with Idaho state.

Now comes a much better team even with their injuries. They have shown the ability to slow down good running games. If they are able to keep Mellott in the pocket on passing downs, they could give the Cats trouble. They are well coached and just like last year, they'll come in with a solid game plan to keep this close. I'll stick with the Cats but this game does scare me.

MSU 27
Spuds 24

[coloradocat]

I'm concerned with the lack of production with our pass rush. We're half way through the season (the easiest part of the season) and Grebe has what, 1 sack?? With Seabass transferred out and Schmitt injured, we don't have anybody in the middle who commands a double team so teams are apparently able to neutralize Grebe now. Even unc showed life in the passing game eventually; same with Idaho state.

Now comes a much better team even with their injuries. They have shown the ability to slow down good running games. If they are able to keep Mellott in the pocket on passing downs, they could give the Cats trouble. They are well coached and just like last year, they'll come in with a solid game plan to keep this close. I'll stick with the Cats but this game does scare me.

MSU 27
Spuds 24

Yes, Bryce Grebe only has one sack. His older brother has 5 though.

[SparkCat]

I'm concerned with the lack of production with our pass rush. We're half way through the season (the easiest part of the season) and Grebe has what, 1 sack?? With Seabass transferred out and Schmitt injured, we don't have anybody in the middle who commands a double team so teams are apparently able to neutralize Grebe now. Even unc showed life in the passing game eventually; same with Idaho state.

Now comes a much better team even with their injuries. They have shown the ability to slow down good running games. If they are able to keep Mellott in the pocket on passing downs, they could give the Cats trouble. They are well coached and just like last year, they'll come in with a solid game plan to keep this close. I'll stick with the Cats but this game does scare me.

MSU 27
Spuds 24

Yes, Bryce Grebe only has one sack. His older brother has 5 though.

Hasn’t there been multiple threads, posts and physical evidence that we have had great backfield pressure this year? I guess sacks are the only measurement for success of our front.

[BgCATfan]

34-24 Cats.
What's the over/under on Eck going for it on 4th down ? I say 3 times.

[SparkCat]

34-24 Cats.
What's the over/under on Eck going for it on 4th down ? I say 3 times.

Over / under of Eck having the meat sweats before the start of the game?

[smith427]

Does anyone know if Idaho has a BobcatNation equivalent?

[SparkCat]

Does anyone know if Idaho has a BobcatNation equivalent?

https://247sports.com/college/idaho/boa ... ll-103901/

You can read about our soft untested schedule. Yes they have had more quality games but let’s not act like Wyoming are world beaters of the FBS. What I’ve seen from Wyoming id say they are par to New Mexico.

[MSU Toddler]

Your Montana State Fighting Bobcats: 31
Joe's: 21

[MountainCat]

This is the game that (in my opinion) gives us a measuring stick for the rest of the season. Idaho has stumbled occasionally but overall has been both dangerous and effective, especially considering how beat up they’ve been.

I don’t believe they’ll be effective running on the Cats, even without Schmidt in the middle. They will get some yards here and there. I also think they may be effective with short, quick throws over the middle as well as on the boundary. Can the Cats secondary keep them in check? I think they’ll end up having some success on some (potentially desperate) deep balls, they are going to score some points. As for our offense, I think it’s going to be the same plan for both teams: grind it out and get the yards where you can. Both offenses will score, I’m betting it’s a clock-control grinder game to see who the last man standing is, I think the Cats win at home but not by blowout. I’m seeing 28-35 Cats. If the Cat Defense holds Idaho lower on points or we score more it will give me warm fuzzies about where things are headed for the remainder of the season.