Realistic expectations for this year

[ECBobcat]

In my opinion, we’ve reached the point in the evolution of the FCS in which Montana State should have a semifinal or bust expectation year in and year out no matter who graduates or transfers…

Agree. Some of the dumba$$e$ over on egriz are convinced Tommy was our entire offense, and the Cats are going to struggle offensively this season. I think some posters said we'll drop from around 40ppg to like 20ppg. - LOL.

Griz nation '22-24
"Tommy is not a good QB"
"Tommy is a RB that can throw a little"
"This why the Bobcats will suck this season"

Griz Nation '25
"Tommy was the best QB to ever play of the Bobcats"
"No way they can ever replace him"
"This is why the Bobcats will suck this season"

So true.

Regarding our friends in Missoula—did you know three of their “stud” offensive line transfers were backups to former MSU players? Two backed up Session and/or Reimer at Cal, and another was a backup on a Kennesaw line that started Jacob Kettels (not a regular starter at MSU). If the Kennesaw guy ends up starting, can we say Cat backups are better than UM starters?

[TomCat88]

In my opinion, we’ve reached the point in the evolution of the FCS in which Montana State should have a semifinal or bust expectation year in and year out no matter who graduates or transfers…

Agree. Some of the dumba$$e$ over on egriz are convinced Tommy was our entire offense, and the Cats are going to struggle offensively this season. I think some posters said we'll drop from around 40ppg to like 20ppg. - LOL.

Griz nation '22-24
"Tommy is not a good QB"
"Tommy is a RB that can throw a little"
"This why the Bobcats will suck this season"

Griz Nation '25
"Tommy was the best QB to ever play of the Bobcats"
"No way they can ever replace him"
"This is why the Bobcats will suck this season"

So true.

Regarding our friends in Missoula—did you know three of their “stud” offensive line transfers were backups to former MSU players? Two backed up Session and/or Reimer at Cal, and another was a backup on a Kennesaw line that started Jacob Kettels (not a regular starter at MSU). If the Kennesaw guy ends up starting, can we say Cat backups are better than UM starters?

Within that you can also see that the teams they transferred to didn't improve much, while MSU stayed the same or improved after they left. That's like a hammer over the head in telling what kind of player development MSU has. I would be explaining that to players thinking they're improving their NFL chances by going to P4 schools. Obviously, they NIL money is a factor, but players should be able to see that their ability to develop into better players is demonstrably better at MSU.

[MinnesotaBobcat]

It would be a huge disappointment if the Cats didn’t make the semifinals this year. I think the Cats/Bison are 1/an and 1/b in the FCS, and whoever is more successful at replacing their QB would be the favorite to win it all. The South Dakota schools could also make some noise along with UC Davis. Those would be my top 5 contenders, with UM/Sac St./a MVFC team that strikes portal gold as the next tier of teams.

I do hate how the season starts. This is a terrible year to open with Oregon then follow it up with a game with huge playoff implications the following week. I know there is a paycheck involved, but I’d love it if they’d quit scheduling Power 5 schools, and look to schedule top tier FCS instead.

[CodyCat]

It would be a huge disappointment if the Cats didn’t make the semifinals this year. I think the Cats/Bison are 1/an and 1/b in the FCS, and whoever is more successful at replacing their QB would be the favorite to win it all. The South Dakota schools could also make some noise along with UC Davis. Those would be my top 5 contenders, with UM/Sac St./a MVFC team that strikes portal gold as the next tier of teams.

I do hate how the season starts. This is a terrible year to open with Oregon then follow it up with a game with huge playoff implications the following week. I know there is a paycheck involved, but I’d love it if they’d quit scheduling Power 5 schools, and look to schedule top tier FCS instead.

SDSU has talent returning. In fact, they probably have the most hype about their QB than any of the other FCS elites. I can’t remember his name but he is buzzing in the Jacks world like McGhee was for MSU while waiting his turn. Time will tell if the hype is real. But, the Jacks are in the same category at MSU. It will be a massive massive victory if the Cats can pull it out.

1. NDSU
2a. Cats
2b. Jacks

[TomCat88]

It would be a huge disappointment if the Cats didn’t make the semifinals this year. I think the Cats/Bison are 1/an and 1/b in the FCS, and whoever is more successful at replacing their QB would be the favorite to win it all. The South Dakota schools could also make some noise along with UC Davis. Those would be my top 5 contenders, with UM/Sac St./a MVFC team that strikes portal gold as the next tier of teams.

I do hate how the season starts. This is a terrible year to open with Oregon then follow it up with a game with huge playoff implications the following week. I know there is a paycheck involved, but I’d love it if they’d quit scheduling Power 5 schools, and look to schedule top tier FCS instead.

SDSU has talent returning. In fact, they probably have the most hype about their QB than any of the other FCS elites. I can’t remember his name but he is buzzing in the Jacks world like McGhee was for MSU while waiting his turn. Time will tell if the hype is real. But, the Jacks are in the same category at MSU. It will be a massive massive victory if the Cats can pull it out.

1. NDSU
2a. Cats
2b. Jacks

Mason(?). I think he was a 4 star recruit not that that means everything.

Currently, I don’t think NDSU is in any better shape than MSU or SDSU. Yes, they should be ranked #1. Both of SDSU’s fcs losses were narrow ones at NDSU. NDSU lost to USD, which MSU beat by 14 at home. The only road team to win vs a top 5 team was MSU over UCD.

Those three teams have proven over the last 2-3 years that they’re pretty evenly matched. No one else has played as consistently well. MSU only has the one win vs the other three. A couple bad losses after that but the last three losses have been on a questionable call, blocked XP and the title game was within MSU’s grasp.

Semifinalist in order of finish:
2019 - NDSU, JMU, MSU, WSU
2021 - NDSU, MSU, JMU, SDSU
2022 - SDSU, NDSU, MSU, UIW
2023 - SDSU, UM, Albany, NDSU
2024 - NDSU, MSU, SDSU, USD

If you assign 4 points for titles, 3 for runners up,
2 for semi loss to champ, 1 for semi loss to runner up:
NDSU 16 (5)
SDSU 11 (4)
MSU 10 (4)
JMU 5 (2)
UM 3 (1)
Albany 2 (1)
Other three 1 (1)

[MinnesotaBobcat]

It would be a huge disappointment if the Cats didn’t make the semifinals this year. I think the Cats/Bison are 1/an and 1/b in the FCS, and whoever is more successful at replacing their QB would be the favorite to win it all. The South Dakota schools could also make some noise along with UC Davis. Those would be my top 5 contenders, with UM/Sac St./a MVFC team that strikes portal gold as the next tier of teams.

I do hate how the season starts. This is a terrible year to open with Oregon then follow it up with a game with huge playoff implications the following week. I know there is a paycheck involved, but I’d love it if they’d quit scheduling Power 5 schools, and look to schedule top tier FCS instead.

SDSU has talent returning. In fact, they probably have the most hype about their QB than any of the other FCS elites. I can’t remember his name but he is buzzing in the Jacks world like McGhee was for MSU while waiting his turn. Time will tell if the hype is real. But, the Jacks are in the same category at MSU. It will be a massive massive victory if the Cats can pull it out.

1. NDSU
2a. Cats
2b. Jacks

Mason(?). I think he was a 4 star recruit not that that means everything.

It’s Mason. SDSU will be good, but they lost 45 players to graduation/transfer portal. I just think it’ll take them a year or two to reload.

Also, I know they are NDSU…..but the Cats really should have beaten them the last 2 years. That team lost every bit as much as MSU did through graduation and the portal. They both had great QB’s last year year, and I think the determining factor will be who has the better QB.

[TomCat88]

It would be a huge disappointment if the Cats didn’t make the semifinals this year. I think the Cats/Bison are 1/an and 1/b in the FCS, and whoever is more successful at replacing their QB would be the favorite to win it all. The South Dakota schools could also make some noise along with UC Davis. Those would be my top 5 contenders, with UM/Sac St./a MVFC team that strikes portal gold as the next tier of teams.

I do hate how the season starts. This is a terrible year to open with Oregon then follow it up with a game with huge playoff implications the following week. I know there is a paycheck involved, but I’d love it if they’d quit scheduling Power 5 schools, and look to schedule top tier FCS instead.

SDSU has talent returning. In fact, they probably have the most hype about their QB than any of the other FCS elites. I can’t remember his name but he is buzzing in the Jacks world like McGhee was for MSU while waiting his turn. Time will tell if the hype is real. But, the Jacks are in the same category at MSU. It will be a massive massive victory if the Cats can pull it out.

1. NDSU
2a. Cats
2b. Jacks

Mason(?). I think he was a 4 star recruit not that that means everything.

It’s Mason. SDSU will be good, but they lost 45 players to graduation/transfer portal. I just think it’ll take them a year or two to reload.

Also, I know they are NDSU…..but the Cats really should have beaten them the last 2 years. That team lost every bit as much as MSU did through graduation and the portal. They both had great QB’s last year year, and I think the determining factor will be who has the better QB.

All I know is that if I were UCD, USD, UM, UIW, Idaho, etc I’d be very concerned if SDSU is in the semis again.

[MSU01]

If I were a betting man, Chase Mason would be my pick right now for the Payton Award this year. Go watch the highlights of their game against Youngstown State last year and it won't take long for him to remind you of another recent Payton winner.

[iaafan]

It would be a huge disappointment if the Cats didn’t make the semifinals this year. I think the Cats/Bison are 1/an and 1/b in the FCS, and whoever is more successful at replacing their QB would be the favorite to win it all. The South Dakota schools could also make some noise along with UC Davis. Those would be my top 5 contenders, with UM/Sac St./a MVFC team that strikes portal gold as the next tier of teams.

I do hate how the season starts. This is a terrible year to open with Oregon then follow it up with a game with huge playoff implications the following week. I know there is a paycheck involved, but I’d love it if they’d quit scheduling Power 5 schools, and look to schedule top tier FCS instead.

SDSU has talent returning. In fact, they probably have the most hype about their QB than any of the other FCS elites. I can’t remember his name but he is buzzing in the Jacks world like McGhee was for MSU while waiting his turn. Time will tell if the hype is real. But, the Jacks are in the same category at MSU. It will be a massive massive victory if the Cats can pull it out.

1. NDSU
2a. Cats
2b. Jacks

Mason(?). I think he was a 4 star recruit not that that means everything.

Currently, I don’t think NDSU is in any better shape than MSU or SDSU. Yes, they should be ranked #1. Both of SDSU’s fcs losses were narrow ones at NDSU. NDSU lost to USD, which MSU beat by 14 at home. The only road team to win vs a top 5 team was MSU over UCD.

Those three teams have proven over the last 2-3 years that they’re pretty evenly matched. No one else has played as consistently well. MSU only has the one win vs the other three. A couple bad losses after that but the last three losses have been on a questionable call, blocked XP and the title game was within MSU’s grasp.

Semifinalist in order of finish:
2019 - NDSU, JMU, MSU, WSU
2021 - NDSU, MSU, JMU, SDSU
2022 - SDSU, NDSU, MSU, UIW
2023 - SDSU, UM, Albany, NDSU
2024 - NDSU, MSU, SDSU, USD

If you assign 4 points for titles, 3 for runners up,
2 for semi loss to champ, 1 for semi loss to runner up:
NDSU 16 (5)
SDSU 11 (4)
MSU 10 (4)
JMU 5 (2)
UM 3 (1)
Albany 2 (1)
Other three 1 (1)

That’s crazy. Of the last 20 semifinalists, 13 have been MSU, SDSU and ndsu, and the only other team with more than one isn’t in the FCSanymore. So, 3 teams 13 (out of a possible 15) other 5 teams 5 (out of a possible 20).

[MinnesotaJack]

It would be a huge disappointment if the Cats didn’t make the semifinals this year. I think the Cats/Bison are 1/an and 1/b in the FCS, and whoever is more successful at replacing their QB would be the favorite to win it all. The South Dakota schools could also make some noise along with UC Davis. Those would be my top 5 contenders, with UM/Sac St./a MVFC team that strikes portal gold as the next tier of teams.

I do hate how the season starts. This is a terrible year to open with Oregon then follow it up with a game with huge playoff implications the following week. I know there is a paycheck involved, but I’d love it if they’d quit scheduling Power 5 schools, and look to schedule top tier FCS instead.

SDSU has talent returning. In fact, they probably have the most hype about their QB than any of the other FCS elites. I can’t remember his name but he is buzzing in the Jacks world like McGhee was for MSU while waiting his turn. Time will tell if the hype is real. But, the Jacks are in the same category at MSU. It will be a massive massive victory if the Cats can pull it out.

1. NDSU
2a. Cats
2b. Jacks

Mason(?). I think he was a 4 star recruit not that that means everything.

Currently, I don’t think NDSU is in any better shape than MSU or SDSU. Yes, they should be ranked #1. Both of SDSU’s fcs losses were narrow ones at NDSU. NDSU lost to USD, which MSU beat by 14 at home. The only road team to win vs a top 5 team was MSU over UCD.

Agree about NDSU not being the prohibitive favorite many think they are. I don't think most people (even many NDSU fans) realize just how elite of QB play they got out of Cam Miller last year, he had complete command of that offense. He turned an otherwise pretty good team into a great team. They'll still be good no doubt and should be as favored as anybody else to win it all, but I don't think I'd bet them against the field.

If I were a betting man, Chase Mason would be my pick right now for the Payton Award this year. Go watch the highlights of their game against Youngstown State last year and it won't take long for him to remind you of another recent Payton winner.

Whoa even we aren't really talking about that over here, though I can definitely see that play out. If Chase is even half as good as we all know he's capable of, the offense will be very good. The offensive line will be as good as we've come to expect, he'll have plenty of playmakers at every position to get the ball to, and an OC that has proven he can adapt the offense to maximize the talent that's on the field.

It would be a huge disappointment if the Cats didn’t make the semifinals this year. I think the Cats/Bison are 1/an and 1/b in the FCS, and whoever is more successful at replacing their QB would be the favorite to win it all. The South Dakota schools could also make some noise along with UC Davis. Those would be my top 5 contenders, with UM/Sac St./a MVFC team that strikes portal gold as the next tier of teams.

I do hate how the season starts. This is a terrible year to open with Oregon then follow it up with a game with huge playoff implications the following week. I know there is a paycheck involved, but I’d love it if they’d quit scheduling Power 5 schools, and look to schedule top tier FCS instead.

SDSU has talent returning. In fact, they probably have the most hype about their QB than any of the other FCS elites. I can’t remember his name but he is buzzing in the Jacks world like McGhee was for MSU while waiting his turn. Time will tell if the hype is real. But, the Jacks are in the same category at MSU. It will be a massive massive victory if the Cats can pull it out.

1. NDSU
2a. Cats
2b. Jacks

Mason(?). I think he was a 4 star recruit not that that means everything.

It’s Mason. SDSU will be good, but they lost 45 players to graduation/transfer portal. I just think it’ll take them a year or two to reload.

Also, I know they are NDSU…..but the Cats really should have beaten them the last 2 years. That team lost every bit as much as MSU did through graduation and the portal. They both had great QB’s last year year, and I think the determining factor will be who has the better QB.

We rebounded from all the departures way better than even the most optimistic Jacks fans could've imagined. It all starts with the new coaching staff and the fact that the HC and both coordinators were here when the current culture was really ingrained into the program. The transition to this new coaching staff should be relatively seamless. As noted above I think our offense should be very good, the biggest question (at least for me) is how fast can the defense gel as a unit? The talent is there to be very good as well (though not as dominant as what we had the past few season) but that is where the majority of the personnel turnover has taken place.

[PHAT CAT]

8-3

[TomCat88]

8-3

That's completely unrealistic. Unless you know something about canceling a game this year that hasn't been revealed.

[MSU01]

8-3

That's completely unrealistic. Unless you know something about canceling a game this year that hasn't been revealed.

Seems fine to me. Oregon is well known for trying two point conversions and MSU has a good field goal kicker, so a score of 8-3 after the first quarter on the 30th is a good possibility.

[PHAT CAT]

8-3

That's completely unrealistic. Unless you know something about canceling a game this year that hasn't been revealed.

lol.... 9-3. Mercyhurst isn't really a game. But, I do have respect for them. They come out and played us last season when SFA backed out on us. Their fans showed up well too. They just have a ways to go to get to our level. Plus, I forgot we have 12 games.

[Prodigal Cat]

8-3

That's completely unrealistic. Unless you know something about canceling a game this year that hasn't been revealed.

lol.... 9-3. Mercyhurst isn't really a game. But, I do have respect for them. They come out and played us last season when SFA backed out on us. Their fans showed up well too. They just have a ways to go to get to our level. Plus, I forgot we have 12 games.

Honestly the scores don’t show it but Mercyhurst fought harder and played better than Maine.

[CodyCat]

8-3

That's completely unrealistic. Unless you know something about canceling a game this year that hasn't been revealed.

lol.... 9-3. Mercyhurst isn't really a game. But, I do have respect for them. They come out and played us last season when SFA backed out on us. Their fans showed up well too. They just have a ways to go to get to our level. Plus, I forgot we have 12 games.

Honestly the scores don’t show it but Mercyhurst fought harder and played better than Maine.

I remember Maine fighting hard until the end. Running hard, hitting hard.