Choate vs Vigen

[BelligerentBobcat]

The idea that Vigen didn’t find the game important is such astounding ignorance that it’s hard to respond to the statement with any seriousness.

Yep.

Anyone who has talked to Vigen knows that he knows ALL to well the importance of this game. He’s never gonna be the rah rah guy that choate was but don’t let that fool you.

Sports are funny that way. Griz smoked us last year. But Vigen smoked them at home the year before. It’s not like he knew the importance and then just forgot last year!

I’d bet some money on the Cats this year. I think we’re better. But it’s the brawl and literally nothing would shock me.

I wonder if those same people think Bobby doesn’t think the game is important since they got whipped badly.

[110010110]

I think Choate was the better coach to rebuild a program that Ash had allowed to decline. But to sustain success, Vigen is the better coach in my opinion.

This x1000. My Cat fandom started in the Kramer years and since then I will argue they have done a great job of hiring the exact coach that the program needed at that exact point and time.

Kramers ability to get teams to embrace the underdog mentality and punch above their weight class at times, including ending the streak was exactly what was needed. Of course with the dark controversy around the program when he departed, a straight laced, "CEO style" coach like Ash was needed. Love him or hate him, can't deny the fact that he brought an air of legitimacy to the program and returned us to relevance on the national stage. While the Ash teams didnt have a shortage of talent, it really seemed like there was massive culture issues when he left. Then in comes Choate who is nothing if not a great culture guy. While I think his Rah-Rah style has a limited shelf life it was undoubtedly the best thing to happen to Bobcat football in a while. The life he breathed into the program is still felt to this day. Now it seems like Vigen understands what it takes to take the next step as true championship contenders. These cat teams are so incredibly deep and just a well oiled machine, its incredible. Starting all-american LB goes down? We have a sophomore ready take their place. Both coordinators depart? We have their replacements already on staff and ready to fill that roll. The ability to just swap out the parts of the well built machine reminds me of how NDSU was so dominate for so long.

[seataccat]

I like both coach Choate and Vigan but they are certainly different styles. I remember when Choate was hired from the huskies he said that he wanted to coach at the FCS level because it was the type of football he liked and could relate best to. He said things early on about how he could see himself as a long time bobcat head coach. I remember being skeptical of that at the time. I realize college football coaching is a business but the blatent BS is sometimes hard to stomach. I think Choate is very similar to coach Kramer in the sense that he is a players coach, great recruiter and understands that college football is an emotional game of momentum swings and tries to take advantage of that.
Coach Vigan and Ash IMHO are a little different in that they try to take the emotional roller coaster out of the equation. Try to keep the players focused on the task at hand in the moment. It's hard to argue with the success of this year so far. But I do worry that the team is going to run into an inspired team riding a momentum wave, wanting to run through brick walls with emotion like a Kramer or Choate inspired team. That definitely happened to a number #1 rated Ash team and it has happened to Vigan in the big games. Not saying one style is better than the other. There is a reason that it is extremely rare to have an undefeated championship season. I think NDSU has done it once but not sure it's been done otherwise in the last 40 years in the FCS.
Just some thoughts, I'm sure all the smart guys here will tell me I'm all wet.

[AFCAT]

I like both coach Choate and Vigan but they are certainly different styles. I remember when Choate was hired from the huskies he said that he wanted to coach at the FCS level because it was the type of football he liked and could relate best to. He said things early on about how he could see himself as a long time bobcat head coach. I remember being skeptical of that at the time. I realize college football coaching is a business but the blatent BS is sometimes hard to stomach. I think Choate is very similar to coach Kramer in the sense that he is a players coach, great recruiter and understands that college football is an emotional game of momentum swings and tries to take advantage of that.
Coach Vigan and Ash IMHO are a little different in that they try to take the emotional roller coaster out of the equation. Try to keep the players focused on the task at hand in the moment. It's hard to argue with the success of this year so far. But I do worry that the team is going to run into an inspired team riding a momentum wave, wanting to run through brick walls with emotion like a Kramer or Choate inspired team. That definitely happened to a number #1 rated Ash team and it has happened to Vigan in the big games. Not saying one style is better than the other. There is a reason that it is extremely rare to have an undefeated championship season. I think NDSU has done it once but not sure it's been done otherwise in the last 40 years in the FCS.
Just some thoughts, I'm sure all the smart guys here will tell me I'm all wet.

SDSU went undefeated just last season. SHSU also went undefeated is 2020, although it was in the Covid season.

[BleedingBLue]

I like both coach Choate and Vigan but they are certainly different styles. I remember when Choate was hired from the huskies he said that he wanted to coach at the FCS level because it was the type of football he liked and could relate best to. He said things early on about how he could see himself as a long time bobcat head coach. I remember being skeptical of that at the time. I realize college football coaching is a business but the blatent BS is sometimes hard to stomach. I think Choate is very similar to coach Kramer in the sense that he is a players coach, great recruiter and understands that college football is an emotional game of momentum swings and tries to take advantage of that.
Coach Vigan and Ash IMHO are a little different in that they try to take the emotional roller coaster out of the equation. Try to keep the players focused on the task at hand in the moment. It's hard to argue with the success of this year so far. But I do worry that the team is going to run into an inspired team riding a momentum wave, wanting to run through brick walls with emotion like a Kramer or Choate inspired team. That definitely happened to a number #1 rated Ash team and it has happened to Vigan in the big games. Not saying one style is better than the other. There is a reason that it is extremely rare to have an undefeated championship season. I think NDSU has done it once but not sure it's been done otherwise in the last 40 years in the FCS.
Just some thoughts, I'm sure all the smart guys here will tell me I'm all wet.

SDSU went undefeated just last season. SHSU also went undefeated is 2020, although it was in the Covid season.

NDSU - 2013, 2018 & 2019
SHSU - 2020
SDSU - 2023
JMU - 2016 (undefeated against the FCS)

Last 12 season, the champion has been undefeated 5 times, and undefeated against the FCS 6 times.

[wbtfg]

They are very different from each other, but both great coaches.

Choate is turned up to 11 all the time, and I don't think he's wired to stay in one place for a sustained amount of time.

If I were to come up with an analogy....Choate would be the high energy house flipping contractor you see on tv. Balls to the wall, 24/7 until the job is complete and then move to the next project.

Vigen is the dude that's super a successful executive who is able to sustain it over a long period of time because he has a process that works and he's not going to burn himself out or those around him.

I'm thankful for both of them for what they've done for the program.

Also, shoutout to Leon Costello for overseeing everything.

[AFCAT]

I like both coach Choate and Vigan but they are certainly different styles. I remember when Choate was hired from the huskies he said that he wanted to coach at the FCS level because it was the type of football he liked and could relate best to. He said things early on about how he could see himself as a long time bobcat head coach. I remember being skeptical of that at the time. I realize college football coaching is a business but the blatent BS is sometimes hard to stomach. I think Choate is very similar to coach Kramer in the sense that he is a players coach, great recruiter and understands that college football is an emotional game of momentum swings and tries to take advantage of that.
Coach Vigan and Ash IMHO are a little different in that they try to take the emotional roller coaster out of the equation. Try to keep the players focused on the task at hand in the moment. It's hard to argue with the success of this year so far. But I do worry that the team is going to run into an inspired team riding a momentum wave, wanting to run through brick walls with emotion like a Kramer or Choate inspired team. That definitely happened to a number #1 rated Ash team and it has happened to Vigan in the big games. Not saying one style is better than the other. There is a reason that it is extremely rare to have an undefeated championship season. I think NDSU has done it once but not sure it's been done otherwise in the last 40 years in the FCS.
Just some thoughts, I'm sure all the smart guys here will tell me I'm all wet.

SDSU went undefeated just last season. SHSU also went undefeated is 2020, although it was in the Covid season.

NDSU - 2013, 2018 & 2019
SHSU - 2020
SDSU - 2023
JMU - 2016 (undefeated against the FCS)

Last 12 season, the champion has been undefeated 5 times, and undefeated against the FCS 6 times.

You could add SDSU in 2022 then if you want to include undefeated against the FCS.

[coloradocat]

Old expectations: Choate > Vigen
New expectations: Vigen > Choate

[tetoncat]

I like both coach Choate and Vigan but they are certainly different styles. I remember when Choate was hired from the huskies he said that he wanted to coach at the FCS level because it was the type of football he liked and could relate best to. He said things early on about how he could see himself as a long time bobcat head coach. I remember being skeptical of that at the time. I realize college football coaching is a business but the blatent BS is sometimes hard to stomach. I think Choate is very similar to coach Kramer in the sense that he is a players coach, great recruiter and understands that college football is an emotional game of momentum swings and tries to take advantage of that.
Coach Vigan and Ash IMHO are a little different in that they try to take the emotional roller coaster out of the equation. Try to keep the players focused on the task at hand in the moment. It's hard to argue with the success of this year so far. But I do worry that the team is going to run into an inspired team riding a momentum wave, wanting to run through brick walls with emotion like a Kramer or Choate inspired team. That definitely happened to a number #1 rated Ash team and it has happened to Vigan in the big games. Not saying one style is better than the other. There is a reason that it is extremely rare to have an undefeated championship season. I think NDSU has done it once but not sure it's been done otherwise in the last 40 years in the FCS.
Just some thoughts, I'm sure all the smart guys here will tell me I'm all wet.

What big games has Vigen lost because the other team was more inspired.

[seataccat]

I like both coach Choate and Vigan but they are certainly different styles. I remember when Choate was hired from the huskies he said that he wanted to coach at the FCS level because it was the type of football he liked and could relate best to. He said things early on about how he could see himself as a long time bobcat head coach. I remember being skeptical of that at the time. I realize college football coaching is a business but the blatent BS is sometimes hard to stomach. I think Choate is very similar to coach Kramer in the sense that he is a players coach, great recruiter and understands that college football is an emotional game of momentum swings and tries to take advantage of that.
Coach Vigan and Ash IMHO are a little different in that they try to take the emotional roller coaster out of the equation. Try to keep the players focused on the task at hand in the moment. It's hard to argue with the success of this year so far. But I do worry that the team is going to run into an inspired team riding a momentum wave, wanting to run through brick walls with emotion like a Kramer or Choate inspired team. That definitely happened to a number #1 rated Ash team and it has happened to Vigan in the big games. Not saying one style is better than the other. There is a reason that it is extremely rare to have an undefeated championship season. I think NDSU has done it once but not sure it's been done otherwise in the last 40 years in the FCS.
Just some thoughts, I'm sure all the smart guys here will tell me I'm all wet.

What big games has Vigen lost because the other team was more inspired.

Hmmm cat griz last year comes to mind.

[Joe Bobcat]

I like both coach Choate and Vigan but they are certainly different styles. I remember when Choate was hired from the huskies he said that he wanted to coach at the FCS level because it was the type of football he liked and could relate best to. He said things early on about how he could see himself as a long time bobcat head coach. I remember being skeptical of that at the time. I realize college football coaching is a business but the blatent BS is sometimes hard to stomach. I think Choate is very similar to coach Kramer in the sense that he is a players coach, great recruiter and understands that college football is an emotional game of momentum swings and tries to take advantage of that.
Coach Vigan and Ash IMHO are a little different in that they try to take the emotional roller coaster out of the equation. Try to keep the players focused on the task at hand in the moment. It's hard to argue with the success of this year so far. But I do worry that the team is going to run into an inspired team riding a momentum wave, wanting to run through brick walls with emotion like a Kramer or Choate inspired team. That definitely happened to a number #1 rated Ash team and it has happened to Vigan in the big games. Not saying one style is better than the other. There is a reason that it is extremely rare to have an undefeated championship season. I think NDSU has done it once but not sure it's been done otherwise in the last 40 years in the FCS.
Just some thoughts, I'm sure all the smart guys here will tell me I'm all wet.

What big games has Vigen lost because the other team was more inspired.

Hmmm cat griz last year comes to mind.

No doubt the Bobcats lost that game, but for those who aren't sold on the idea that the loss was due to the Griz being more inspired than the Cats could you explain how you went about determining each team's level of inspiration and how that was the cause for the way the game went? It would be most effective if you could give multiple objective clear examples and show your work.

[BelligerentBobcat]

I like both coach Choate and Vigan but they are certainly different styles. I remember when Choate was hired from the huskies he said that he wanted to coach at the FCS level because it was the type of football he liked and could relate best to. He said things early on about how he could see himself as a long time bobcat head coach. I remember being skeptical of that at the time. I realize college football coaching is a business but the blatent BS is sometimes hard to stomach. I think Choate is very similar to coach Kramer in the sense that he is a players coach, great recruiter and understands that college football is an emotional game of momentum swings and tries to take advantage of that.
Coach Vigan and Ash IMHO are a little different in that they try to take the emotional roller coaster out of the equation. Try to keep the players focused on the task at hand in the moment. It's hard to argue with the success of this year so far. But I do worry that the team is going to run into an inspired team riding a momentum wave, wanting to run through brick walls with emotion like a Kramer or Choate inspired team. That definitely happened to a number #1 rated Ash team and it has happened to Vigan in the big games. Not saying one style is better than the other. There is a reason that it is extremely rare to have an undefeated championship season. I think NDSU has done it once but not sure it's been done otherwise in the last 40 years in the FCS.
Just some thoughts, I'm sure all the smart guys here will tell me I'm all wet.

What big games has Vigen lost because the other team was more inspired.

Hmmm cat griz last year comes to mind.

So the year before did the Cats win because Vigen inspired them more than Bobby did the Griz?

I’ll be honest. Comparing Vigen to Ash is a large insult to Vigen. He’s every bit as intense as Choate, he just doesn’t have the used car salesman persona that Jeffrey does.

[seataccat]

I like both coach Choate and Vigan but they are certainly different styles. I remember when Choate was hired from the huskies he said that he wanted to coach at the FCS level because it was the type of football he liked and could relate best to. He said things early on about how he could see himself as a long time bobcat head coach. I remember being skeptical of that at the time. I realize college football coaching is a business but the blatent BS is sometimes hard to stomach. I think Choate is very similar to coach Kramer in the sense that he is a players coach, great recruiter and understands that college football is an emotional game of momentum swings and tries to take advantage of that.
Coach Vigan and Ash IMHO are a little different in that they try to take the emotional roller coaster out of the equation. Try to keep the players focused on the task at hand in the moment. It's hard to argue with the success of this year so far. But I do worry that the team is going to run into an inspired team riding a momentum wave, wanting to run through brick walls with emotion like a Kramer or Choate inspired team. That definitely happened to a number #1 rated Ash team and it has happened to Vigan in the big games. Not saying one style is better than the other. There is a reason that it is extremely rare to have an undefeated championship season. I think NDSU has done it once but not sure it's been done otherwise in the last 40 years in the FCS.
Just some thoughts, I'm sure all the smart guys here will tell me I'm all wet.

What big games has Vigen lost because the other team was more inspired.

Hmmm cat griz last year comes to mind.

So the year before did the Cats win because Vigen inspired them more than Bobby did the Griz?

I’ll be honest. Comparing Vigen to Ash is a large insult to Vigen. He’s every bit as intense as Choate, he just doesn’t have the used car salesman persona that Jeffrey does.

The point is that sometimes the inspired team can beat the more prepared team. I didn't think the point was that hard to understand.

[tetoncat]

I like both coach Choate and Vigan but they are certainly different styles. I remember when Choate was hired from the huskies he said that he wanted to coach at the FCS level because it was the type of football he liked and could relate best to. He said things early on about how he could see himself as a long time bobcat head coach. I remember being skeptical of that at the time. I realize college football coaching is a business but the blatent BS is sometimes hard to stomach. I think Choate is very similar to coach Kramer in the sense that he is a players coach, great recruiter and understands that college football is an emotional game of momentum swings and tries to take advantage of that.
Coach Vigan and Ash IMHO are a little different in that they try to take the emotional roller coaster out of the equation. Try to keep the players focused on the task at hand in the moment. It's hard to argue with the success of this year so far. But I do worry that the team is going to run into an inspired team riding a momentum wave, wanting to run through brick walls with emotion like a Kramer or Choate inspired team. That definitely happened to a number #1 rated Ash team and it has happened to Vigan in the big games. Not saying one style is better than the other. There is a reason that it is extremely rare to have an undefeated championship season. I think NDSU has done it once but not sure it's been done otherwise in the last 40 years in the FCS.
Just some thoughts, I'm sure all the smart guys here will tell me I'm all wet.

What big games has Vigen lost because the other team was more inspired.

Hmmm cat griz last year comes to mind.

So the year before did the Cats win because Vigen inspired them more than Bobby did the Griz?

I’ll be honest. Comparing Vigen to Ash is a large insult to Vigen. He’s every bit as intense as Choate, he just doesn’t have the used car salesman persona that Jeffrey does.

The point is that sometimes the inspired team can beat the more prepared team. I didn't think the point was that hard to understand.

The point is you are trying to say all big losses are because Cats were not inspired enough. Griz were better prepared and made big plays to get momentum at home. NDSU was a close game against similar opponents Cats made more mistakes, SDSU made 1 more play than Cats.Idaho was another show by team is first quarter and 1/2 and horrible special teams. Playoff losses have been someewhat injury related and some better teams.
My belief is losing to a much lower quality opponent by playing flat would be an example of losing due to inspiration levels but I can't think of one of those in Vigens tenure.

[seataccat]

I like both coach Choate and Vigan but they are certainly different styles. I remember when Choate was hired from the huskies he said that he wanted to coach at the FCS level because it was the type of football he liked and could relate best to. He said things early on about how he could see himself as a long time bobcat head coach. I remember being skeptical of that at the time. I realize college football coaching is a business but the blatent BS is sometimes hard to stomach. I think Choate is very similar to coach Kramer in the sense that he is a players coach, great recruiter and understands that college football is an emotional game of momentum swings and tries to take advantage of that.
Coach Vigan and Ash IMHO are a little different in that they try to take the emotional roller coaster out of the equation. Try to keep the players focused on the task at hand in the moment. It's hard to argue with the success of this year so far. But I do worry that the team is going to run into an inspired team riding a momentum wave, wanting to run through brick walls with emotion like a Kramer or Choate inspired team. That definitely happened to a number #1 rated Ash team and it has happened to Vigan in the big games. Not saying one style is better than the other. There is a reason that it is extremely rare to have an undefeated championship season. I think NDSU has done it once but not sure it's been done otherwise in the last 40 years in the FCS.
Just some thoughts, I'm sure all the smart guys here will tell me I'm all wet.

What big games has Vigen lost because the other team was more inspired.

Hmmm cat griz last year comes to mind.

So the year before did the Cats win because Vigen inspired them more than Bobby did the Griz?

I’ll be honest. Comparing Vigen to Ash is a large insult to Vigen. He’s every bit as intense as Choate, he just doesn’t have the used car salesman persona that Jeffrey does.

The point is that sometimes the inspired team can beat the more prepared team. I didn't think the point was that hard to understand.

The point is you are trying to say all big losses are because Cats were not inspired enough. Griz were better prepared and made big plays to get momentum at home. NDSU was a close game against similar opponents Cats made more mistakes, SDSU made 1 more play than Cats.Idaho was another show by team is first quarter and 1/2 and horrible special teams. Playoff losses have been someewhat injury related and some better teams.
My belief is losing to a much lower quality opponent by playing flat would be an example of losing due to inspiration levels but I can't think of one of those in Vigens tenure.

Ok dude

[tetoncat]

I like both coach Choate and Vigan but they are certainly different styles. I remember when Choate was hired from the huskies he said that he wanted to coach at the FCS level because it was the type of football he liked and could relate best to. He said things early on about how he could see himself as a long time bobcat head coach. I remember being skeptical of that at the time. I realize college football coaching is a business but the blatent BS is sometimes hard to stomach. I think Choate is very similar to coach Kramer in the sense that he is a players coach, great recruiter and understands that college football is an emotional game of momentum swings and tries to take advantage of that.
Coach Vigan and Ash IMHO are a little different in that they try to take the emotional roller coaster out of the equation. Try to keep the players focused on the task at hand in the moment. It's hard to argue with the success of this year so far. But I do worry that the team is going to run into an inspired team riding a momentum wave, wanting to run through brick walls with emotion like a Kramer or Choate inspired team. That definitely happened to a number #1 rated Ash team and it has happened to Vigan in the big games. Not saying one style is better than the other. There is a reason that it is extremely rare to have an undefeated championship season. I think NDSU has done it once but not sure it's been done otherwise in the last 40 years in the FCS.
Just some thoughts, I'm sure all the smart guys here will tell me I'm all wet.

What big games has Vigen lost because the other team was more inspired.

Hmmm cat griz last year comes to mind.

So the year before did the Cats win because Vigen inspired them more than Bobby did the Griz?

I’ll be honest. Comparing Vigen to Ash is a large insult to Vigen. He’s every bit as intense as Choate, he just doesn’t have the used car salesman persona that Jeffrey does.

The point is that sometimes the inspired team can beat the more prepared team. I didn't think the point was that hard to understand.

The point is you are trying to say all big losses are because Cats were not inspired enough. Griz were better prepared and made big plays to get momentum at home. NDSU was a close game against similar opponents Cats made more mistakes, SDSU made 1 more play than Cats.Idaho was another show by team is first quarter and 1/2 and horrible special teams. Playoff losses have been someewhat injury related and some better teams.
My belief is losing to a much lower quality opponent by playing flat would be an example of losing due to inspiration levels but I can't think of one of those in Vigens tenure.

Ok dude

Sure Dude. It's a discussion board, asked you to explain your thoughts, you used 1 game, rivalry, to justify Vigens teams are uninspired in big games. I gave my opinion why I disagree.
Peace out.

[Joe Bobcat]

The point is that sometimes the inspired team can beat the more prepared team. I didn't think the point was that hard to understand.
[/quote]

IMHO

Ash's approach to preparation was.. Xs and Os along with scheme was stressed far more than inspiration

Choate's approach to preparation was.. inspiration was stressed a bit more than Xs and Os along with scheme

Vigen approaches preparation by first aggressively schooling the entire team from top to bottom in the fundamentals of Xs and Os, technic, and the scheme (double repping).
At the same time, winter workouts, Spring camp, Summer, Fall camp, and game day, he and his staff (Sean Herrin and others) prepares the entire team mentally. Inspiration is mental and to truly inspire takes far more than just a great gameday speech. Vigen talks about mental preparation in so many of his press conferences and makes it clear that it is a high priority every day including off season.

In a nut shell Vigen views mental preparation/inspiration on an equal level with the many aspects of physical preparation and as a result of that Vigen's teams will always be more completely prepared than Ash's or Choate's teams ever were.

[onceacat]

I like both coach Choate and Vigan but they are certainly different styles. I remember when Choate was hired from the huskies he said that he wanted to coach at the FCS level because it was the type of football he liked and could relate best to. He said things early on about how he could see himself as a long time bobcat head coach. I remember being skeptical of that at the time. I realize college football coaching is a business but the blatent BS is sometimes hard to stomach. I think Choate is very similar to coach Kramer in the sense that he is a players coach, great recruiter and understands that college football is an emotional game of momentum swings and tries to take advantage of that.
Coach Vigan and Ash IMHO are a little different in that they try to take the emotional roller coaster out of the equation. Try to keep the players focused on the task at hand in the moment. It's hard to argue with the success of this year so far. But I do worry that the team is going to run into an inspired team riding a momentum wave, wanting to run through brick walls with emotion like a Kramer or Choate inspired team. That definitely happened to a number #1 rated Ash team and it has happened to Vigan in the big games. Not saying one style is better than the other. There is a reason that it is extremely rare to have an undefeated championship season. I think NDSU has done it once but not sure it's been done otherwise in the last 40 years in the FCS.
Just some thoughts, I'm sure all the smart guys here will tell me I'm all wet.

What big games has Vigen lost because the other team was more inspired.

Hmmm cat griz last year comes to mind.

Two Cat Griz games. The SDSU road playoff game.

It's a little unfair, becasue Choate left a Top 8 program to Vigen, but I don't think Vigen has ever had a legit upset. Some close ones (Wyoming, SDSU on a weird overturned TD...maybe Idaho on the road last season?)

Choate pulled off some really emotional upsets with a couple pretty bad teams.

[VimSince03]

I like both coach Choate and Vigan but they are certainly different styles. I remember when Choate was hired from the huskies he said that he wanted to coach at the FCS level because it was the type of football he liked and could relate best to. He said things early on about how he could see himself as a long time bobcat head coach. I remember being skeptical of that at the time. I realize college football coaching is a business but the blatent BS is sometimes hard to stomach. I think Choate is very similar to coach Kramer in the sense that he is a players coach, great recruiter and understands that college football is an emotional game of momentum swings and tries to take advantage of that.
Coach Vigan and Ash IMHO are a little different in that they try to take the emotional roller coaster out of the equation. Try to keep the players focused on the task at hand in the moment. It's hard to argue with the success of this year so far. But I do worry that the team is going to run into an inspired team riding a momentum wave, wanting to run through brick walls with emotion like a Kramer or Choate inspired team. That definitely happened to a number #1 rated Ash team and it has happened to Vigan in the big games. Not saying one style is better than the other. There is a reason that it is extremely rare to have an undefeated championship season. I think NDSU has done it once but not sure it's been done otherwise in the last 40 years in the FCS.
Just some thoughts, I'm sure all the smart guys here will tell me I'm all wet.

What big games has Vigen lost because the other team was more inspired.

Hmmm cat griz last year comes to mind.

Two Cat Griz games. The SDSU road playoff game.

It's a little unfair, becasue Choate left a Top 8 program to Vigen, but I don't think Vigen has ever had a legit upset. Some close ones (Wyoming, SDSU on a weird overturned TD...maybe Idaho on the road last season?)

Choate pulled off some really emotional upsets with a couple pretty bad teams.

Sam Houston was 100% a legit upset. No reason a rookie QB should have won that game but we pulled it off. Other than 2016 Cat/Griz, what was Choate's emotional upset?

[GoldstoneCat]

I'll say this: the perception among some that Vigen somehow lacks the competitive fire that Choate so prominently displayed is not accurate. He is more soft spoken in his public interactions, no doubt. But this guy burns to win as much as any coach. You see it seep thru the carefully maintained public face sometimes, whether it's in defense of a philosophy or especially in defense of one of his players. I don't want to make it about one vs. the other, as the situations are different. But we have not lost a regular season home game under Vigen. Not one. And we're becoming, over time, over seasons, MORE consistent in approach and results. Yes there's one step yet to take but we're in the best position to take that step in early November that this program has been in in years. I know I've gotten quickly jaded, and maybe we all have, but we show up now just expecting and planning to win, no matter what. That's a luxury that Vigen deserves the credit for.