Realistic expectations for this year

[ClowderUp]

I'm going with: Semifinals or bust. And I expect home games up to the semis. Past that, it's up to the committee to make a favorable decision based on unclear data. Lots of posters had the Cats down at the #3 spot last year (not me), and they got the #1. If the Cats manage a home game for the semis either through favorable seeding or some luck with an upset (like 2021), then it's Nashville time.

[Prodigal Cat]

I see absolute worst case scenario 8-4

Ceiling is 11-1. I'm 100% assuming Oregon is a loss no matter what

I agree I can't get myself to hold out any hope that the Cats could upset Oregon... or even make it a close game for that matter. Not sure why I feel that way, As we saw the Griz march into Husky Stadium and take down the FBS power Huskies a few years ago. Oregon lost a ton of players off last year's team. I wonder if the Bison program and all their fans would be predicting a blowout loss at Oregon? Probably not. Again, I am predicting a beat down of the Cats but just saying.

Does not help that last year the Vandals, somehow, made it a close game. Ducks won’t be looking last this game, this time around.

Yeah they won’t take the Cats lightly. I’m sure the coaching staff will show them how close Idaho came to beating them and then show how the Cats destroyed the Vandals twice last season. It’s an easy sell to say if they don’t show up MSU will beat you. It was the message Jonathan Smith fed his Beavers the year they played us.

[catatac]

I see absolute worst case scenario 8-4

Ceiling is 11-1. I'm 100% assuming Oregon is a loss no matter what

I agree I can't get myself to hold out any hope that the Cats could upset Oregon... or even make it a close game for that matter. Not sure why I feel that way, As we saw the Griz march into Husky Stadium and take down the FBS power Huskies a few years ago. Oregon lost a ton of players off last year's team. I wonder if the Bison program and all their fans would be predicting a blowout loss at Oregon? Probably not. Again, I am predicting a beat down of the Cats but just saying.

FBS power? UW was vastly overrated and finished 4-8 that season.

I was thinking they were good the prior season, and had a down year the year the Griz played them, which I guess could happen with the Ducks. At any rate, I think the Griz were probably 40 point dogs in that game, as the Cats will be in Autzen.

[BelligerentBobcat]

I see absolute worst case scenario 8-4

Ceiling is 11-1. I'm 100% assuming Oregon is a loss no matter what

I agree I can't get myself to hold out any hope that the Cats could upset Oregon... or even make it a close game for that matter. Not sure why I feel that way, As we saw the Griz march into Husky Stadium and take down the FBS power Huskies a few years ago. Oregon lost a ton of players off last year's team. I wonder if the Bison program and all their fans would be predicting a blowout loss at Oregon? Probably not. Again, I am predicting a beat down of the Cats but just saying.

FBS power? UW was vastly overrated and finished 4-8 that season.

I was thinking they were good the prior season, and had a down year the year the Griz played them, which I guess could happen with the Ducks. At any rate, I think the Griz were probably 40 point dogs in that game, as the Cats will be in Autzen.

Jimmy Lake was a really bad HC. Dan Lanning is a good HC. It makes a difference.

[84CatGrad]

It’ll be like last year and most years at that. Winner of the brawl will get home field through out loser has to go through Fargo.

If MSU loses to SDSU and then SDSU ends up 11-1 with a loss to NDSU, then even if they win out and go 10-2 MSU is looking at the #3 seed and a road semifinal. That SDSU game at Gold Rush is absolutely crucial, I think it will prove to have a significant impact on playoff seeding come November.

We need to get to the point where we can play a semi in Brookings or Fargo and come out with a W. Why not this year, if necessary?

[JudithBasinCat]

It’ll be like last year and most years at that. Winner of the brawl will get home field through out loser has to go through Fargo.

If MSU loses to SDSU and then SDSU ends up 11-1 with a loss to NDSU, then even if they win out and go 10-2 MSU is looking at the #3 seed and a road semifinal. That SDSU game at Gold Rush is absolutely crucial, I think it will prove to have a significant impact on playoff seeding come November.

We need to get to the point where we can play a semi in Brookings or Fargo and come out with a W. Why not this year, if necessary?

Or be at the point where we don’t have to. Make them come to Bozeman every year.

[94VegasCat]

There’s a really solid chance that NDSU goes undefeated. Their schedule minus a few conference games is a cakewalk.

[TomCat88]

There’s a really solid chance that NDSU goes undefeated. Their schedule minus a few conference games is a cakewalk.

If they do, and MSU is 11-1, then I wouldn’t be surprised if MSU is the #1 seed. Depends on how common opponents (SDSU, ??) and if MSU gives Oregon a good game.

[catatac]

It’ll be like last year and most years at that. Winner of the brawl will get home field through out loser has to go through Fargo.

If MSU loses to SDSU and then SDSU ends up 11-1 with a loss to NDSU, then even if they win out and go 10-2 MSU is looking at the #3 seed and a road semifinal. That SDSU game at Gold Rush is absolutely crucial, I think it will prove to have a significant impact on playoff seeding come November.

We need to get to the point where we can play a semi in Brookings or Fargo and come out with a W. Why not this year, if necessary?

Or be at the point where we don’t have to. Make them come to Bozeman every year.

Yep! Take care of business through the regular season and we'll be at home for the semi's, just like last year. If we win every game minus Oregon, we'll still end up with the #1 or #2 seed. Edit, just saw Tom's post saying same!

[MTmadeCat]

There is no reason not to expect a chance at another national championship run. NDSU/SDSU/MSU have proven that the best teams in the FCS are built on strong O/D-line play. Those will be our strengths along with the running game. The staff has proven their ability to develop players, and a ton of the up and coming guys got valuable time last season, along with another full offseason in the program. 8-4 to 11-1 are realistic, my prediction is if they handle SDSU at home and don’t slip up at NAU, they handle Davis at home and the defense and running game travel to Missoula this year and we win the brawl.

[CodyCat]

What does SDSU look like? They had 20 guys follow their coach. So, how good are their lines? Are they veteran? Gronowski is at Iowa now. Who are their veterans? How much playing time do they return?

[MTnative]

Already have my room reserved in Nashvegas.

Offense will still RTDB with authority. Passing game is unknown, but Vigen has a record of success in that department. Defense has some will be locked and loaded.

[GoldstoneCat]

3 games will determine the odds of a run to Nashville. Home SDSU, @NAU, @UM. I don't think we're losing at home to Davis eastern or weber. So if you win 2 of those 3, it's a top 4 seed and a good shot for at minimum the semi's. You win all 3, it's a top 2 and someone will have to beat us at home. Health and development in the secondary, and the ability of a QB to seize control of this offense and make it theirs, will imo be the things that determine the outcome of those swing games.

[TomCat88]

What does SDSU look like? They had 20 guys follow their coach. So, how good are their lines? Are they veteran? Gronowski is at Iowa now. Who are their veterans? How much playing time do they return?

This is going to be a big test for SDSU's player development program/depth. It's been top of the line for years but hasn't been this hard hit. I don't think the coaching change is going have much of an effect. My expectation is that they're going to be about as good as they were last year with the worst-case scenario being about as good as UC Davis and So. Dakota as last year.

[CodyCat]

What does SDSU look like? They had 20 guys follow their coach. So, how good are their lines? Are they veteran? Gronowski is at Iowa now. Who are their veterans? How much playing time do they return?

This is going to be a big test for SDSU's player development program/depth. It's been top of the line for years but hasn't been this hard hit. I don't think the coaching change is going have much of an effect. My expectation is that they're going to be about as good as they were last year with the worst-case scenario being about as good as UC Davis and So. Dakota as last year.

I just saw they were picked 2nd in the MVFC.

[TomCat88]

What does SDSU look like? They had 20 guys follow their coach. So, how good are their lines? Are they veteran? Gronowski is at Iowa now. Who are their veterans? How much playing time do they return?

This is going to be a big test for SDSU's player development program/depth. It's been top of the line for years but hasn't been this hard hit. I don't think the coaching change is going have much of an effect. My expectation is that they're going to be about as good as they were last year with the worst-case scenario being about as good as UC Davis and So. Dakota as last year.

I just saw they were picked 2nd in the MVFC.

And there you have it.