Bobcat Youth Movement - things to watch

94VegasCat · Post by **94VegasCat** » Tue Oct 03, 2006 8:29 am

at one point during the broadcast of the game, I think right after the half, you could see Jensen warming up. He was trying to gets his steps down for an outside pass rush. DeCock was watching and nodding approval, so maybe he has had some injuries bothering him. If he is less then 100% is DeCock the answer for a week or two? I know that Kramer has been high on him and said he needs to be on the field.

CARDIAC_CATS · Post by **CARDIAC_CATS** » Tue Oct 03, 2006 8:41 am

Griz Dude wrote:I am not trying to be an *sshole. Yes, I watched much of the Cat/NAU game on TV at a sports bar. What I saw was two teams with no defense. No Big Sky team can beat either PSU or the Griz with defenses like I witnessed.

You can poke fun of me all you want, but you will see that I was correct come November. The bottom 7 Sky teams will take turns beating each other. The Griz will end up 7-0, PSU will end up 6-1, and the next team, whoever it is, will be 4-3.

This conference is very weak overall this year, unlike previous years. Seems like some of you have forgotten the embarrassing losses the Cats had versus Chadron and Davis. Your team just is not very good this year. Again, no smack. This is not my intent. Just my observations.

Yeah, the Cats had some bad losses, but also were going through some growing pains putting drives together. One thing you forget to mention about last week is NAU's high octane offense? The Cats defense didn't do anything that most Big Sky defenses won't do against them.

The Cats have talent this year no question about it. They are a little banged up but we are getting 2 more back this week and 2 more next week I hope so the experience our subs have shown will help us out. If we can beat PSU this weekend there is no REASON to say we can't run the table in the Big Sky. Look at Weber 3-4 years ago. They started off very slow 0-3 (everyone said they sucked) and then ran off 7-8 in a row.

What is funny is all the Griz fans at my work were coming out of the closet 2-3 weeks ago when they saw the Bobcats struggling and the Griz starting to win. Funny thing is now, there might be 1-2 that are now saying ... I may have been wrong on the Bobcats. If you know anything about football you cannot say that the Bobcat squad does not have talent.

Everyone I talk to here at work says the Cats have no chance. I bet our boys step up and put it on the line this week .... UNDERDOGS!

Platinumcat · Post by **Platinumcat** » Tue Oct 03, 2006 8:57 am

Griz Dude wrote:I am not trying to be an *sshole. Yes, I watched much of the Cat/NAU game on TV at a sports bar. What I saw was two teams with no defense. No Big Sky team can beat either PSU or the Griz with defenses like I witnessed.

You can poke fun of me all you want, but you will see that I was correct come November. The bottom 7 Sky teams will take turns beating each other. The Griz will end up 7-0, PSU will end up 6-1, and the next team, whoever it is, will be 4-3.

This conference is very weak overall this year, unlike previous years. Seems like some of you have forgotten the embarrassing losses the Cats had versus Chadron and Davis. Your team just is not very good this year. Again, no smack. This is not my intent. Just my observations.

I realize you're not trying to antagonize this board as your only objective. And, I agree with you in that the Cats played terribly for three weeks in a row. And, it's entirely possible that they could revert to that this weekend. But, you're using generalizations and observations from the bad beats to predict the rest of our season. I honestly thought our defense played pretty darn well against an offense that is very explosive. Murietta's been hot and his wide receiver (whom I forget his name - Holmes maybe?) was one of the tops in the nation coming into the game. We held him to three receptions. Give Murietta some props, he played his guts out the second half and willed them back into the game.
Keep in mind this was at Walkup Skydome where the elevation is 7000 feet. Exhaustion definitely played a role towards the end of the game.
I keep hearing Griz fans talking about their awesome defense. But, had it not been for you getting that 16-0 gift to start the game due to a PSU offense that was 3/4 of the way in the ground you may have lost. When White came in, they outscored you 20-10.

I think everyone got a kick out of the comparisons of your post last week vs what you said this week in that you have switched positions to accommodate your ego and desire to believe that you had to have played the best team in the BSC already because they gave the mighty Griz all they could handle and obviously no one else could possibly be that good; that might result in a loss.

So, go ahead and annoint yourself champion now. You may regret it later. You may be saying I told you so in November. But, to write the rest of the season off at this point is brazen and foolish.

Post by **kmax** » Tue Oct 03, 2006 9:05 am

Alright guys, if you want to continue the talk on the subject of how the Griz and/or Cats are going to do the rest of the year start a thread for that. Let's get this one back on topic please.

Platinumcat · Post by **Platinumcat** » Tue Oct 03, 2006 9:14 am

kmax wrote:Alright guys, if you want to continue the talk on the subject of how the Griz and/or Cats are going to do the rest of the year start a thread for that. Let's get this one back on topic please.

My apologies

LuvMaroon · Post by **LuvMaroon** » Tue Oct 03, 2006 9:53 am

Just my 2 cents: The Cats played MUCH BETTER last week against NAU than they had the previous 3 weeks, and that was both a great win and a big win for them. I thought Offensively they looked awesome. My opinion on that is part the Cats finally played well on O, and part NAU has the worst D in the Sky (Check this message board before you rip me, you guys started a thread last week that basically says that).

Defensively I thought the Cats still looked very suspect. You can talk about injuries, altitude, Murietta, etc. all you want. The fact is you gave up 32 points to a team who, yes has a great QB, but has virtually no running game. You could tell MSU's DC knew there was no threat of the run, the Cats were just pinning their ears back and coming after the Q, thus all the sacks and hurries.

I believe this week is the true watershed test for the Cats. I think all Griz fans, certainly myself included, felt PSU was going to be the toughest challenge for the Griz. It turned out to be a very tough win. Look at it how you want, I know Cat fans feel we got lucky and could have lost the game. Certainly PSU had a chance late to win, but in my opinion Griz mistakes cost them winning the game by 20+ points.

That does not change the fact that PSU, in my opinion is the 2nd best team in the BSC and probably a playoff team. Like I said, I think this is the big test for the Cats. If they beat PSU, I say "Look Out, the Cats are going to be very tough to beat, and can challenge for the Sky Title." If you play them close, but lose I still say the Cats are going to be a very tough game, but starting the conference season 1-2 does not bode well for any title chances or playoffs. If PSU blows you out, in my mind a very real possibility, then I think it shows the Cats are not really a very good team, just one with some talent, that on given days can be tough, but not consistent enough to be a factor in the league race.

I have watched all their games except CU. You cannot discount the win against Colorado or NAU, nor can you discount the poor performance 3 straight weeks at home. They have been a very difficult team to get a true handle or read on. Like I said, I will have my true opinion after I see what happens Saturday vs. PSU.

I am not saying if you lose, just throw the season away, but I do say it is a must win for the Cats to be any factor in the Sky this year.

catatac · Post by **catatac** » Tue Oct 03, 2006 10:06 am

Go ahead and watch the CO game, it's still up on cubuffs.com. That was the best game we played so far...

Topher · Post by **Topher** » Tue Oct 03, 2006 10:13 am

catatac wrote:Go ahead and watch the CO game, it's still up on cubuffs.com. That was the best game we played so far...

Can't cling to that...it's just a win in the books. No matter who you beat it only counts as one.

However, with that said I say the Cats win this weekend. I said it last week, and I really do think this week you turn the corner. I think last week was a heart breaker for PSU, and this week they won't have the same tenacity.

My prediction
MSU 24
PSU 17

Goin be HOT!

tetoncat · Post by **tetoncat** » Tue Oct 03, 2006 10:56 am

Griz Dude, with 6 starters out and losing two more, our young players have stepped up big time. it started to show against eastern washington, they just could not quite get it done. We blew a big lead on the road and had the fortitude to answer and win the game. It was not one guy but several who elevated their game. Earlier dropped passes, penalties, and blown coverage doomed us, last week they showed the progress to eliminate many of these mistakes and get a big road win.

PSU will be good no doubt but this savior QB they have left Colorado because he was not going to play and who was their first loss to. If Hawkins thought he could carry them he would be playing in the Big 12. He had a great game against you guys but realistically, if they don't get the safety and kick return the 4th quarter would have been more about the grizzlies running out the clock.

CelticCat · Post by **CelticCat** » Tue Oct 03, 2006 3:51 pm

Griz fans are conveniently forgetting to mention one of the reasons our offense played so well against NAU - we had a running game. We had our first 100 yard rushing day (not for a single player - the whole team) THIS season. For the first time we had a running threat (and Bailey stuck with the run), and the D had to respect Mason, and that opened the passing game.

You act as if we have had the same offense all season. Against NAU, this was the third different running back to start a game, and the second who has never started a game for the Bobcats (or any college team). Also Josh Lewis hasn't played since Chadron, but already had 9 receptions for 216 yards and a TD.

Our offense should get Lewis back this week, and Mason will get his second start, coming off a 195 day performance.

Also if you didn't see the CU game, don't make season-long judgements. We scored 19 on a defense that is giving up only 19.2 per game. The CU defense is pretty decent, and we passed for 288 yards on them.

We start getting some more players back this week and that should also help.

I'm fine that you think we aren't very good. I hope PSU feels the same way.

LuvMaroon · Post by **LuvMaroon** » Tue Oct 03, 2006 9:17 pm

CelticCat, Every time a running back gains over 100 yards for you, the Cats have found the next All-Conference back! Perhaps Mason will prove to be that, perhaps not. Certainly he will have to do it in more than 1 game.

Also, I never said you were horrible, just inconsistent. And like I said this Sat. will be the "Proof in the Pudding".

Not to mention, it doesn't really matter what Griz fans think, we have no impact on the outcome of games. And the actual players and coaches who determine the outcomes do not pay any attention to all this garbage we all read and write anyway. Remember these boards are only for fan entertainment!

MSUcantouchus · Post by **MSUcantouchus** » Tue Oct 03, 2006 9:58 pm

LuvDarkpink wrote:CelticCat, Every time a running back gains over 100 yards for you, the Cats have found the next All-Conference back! Perhaps Mason will prove to be that, perhaps not. Certainly he will have to do it in more than 1 game. And I like boys.

What? Nobody ever said that. And if you mean Groves, well that is because he is the next all-conf back. I don't think any of us touted any running back before him after we had RJ. One reason for that is because very few of our guys ever got 100 yards. Mason is very fast and was not a one game wonder though probably not a superstar just yet.

cornbreadfred · Post by **cornbreadfred** » Tue Oct 03, 2006 10:40 pm

barechestcat wrote:
Griz Dude wrote:I hate to burst your bubble, Bobcat fans, after a great road win versus NAU. But, the Big Sky Conference is a two-team conference this year, PSU and the Griz. For the rest of the teams, including MSU, you could throw them into a basket and pull one of them out on any given week. Basically, the rest of the conference is very weak this season, and the bottom 7 teams (besides PSU and Montana) will take turns beating each other up every week. I do not expect PSU to lose another game after their new QB gets settles in. The Griz will not lose period in the Sky.

The Cats should look to next season. It isn't gonna happen for you this year. This is not smack, just the way I see it.
So, what is making you say this? Have you watched the Cats play in person? Are you going off of the games they lost? Do you think that those games reflected the true Bobcats and the CU/NAU were flukes? If the latter is your opinion, I'm plenty happy to let you think that. But, what you need to know is that the Cats are a very talented team. This is part of the frustration by a lot of us fans the last month in that we knew they had talent but weren't showing it.

So, show me your football knowledge Grizdude. Tell me why we should hang up our season because I'm sure you wouldn't want me to go over to egriz and tell you guys that you've played your best ball and the rest of the season is all downhill from here on out.

CelticCat · Post by **CelticCat** » Tue Oct 03, 2006 11:03 pm

No one said Mason is going to be All-Conference.

Sorry if me saying "defense had to scheme to stop him" made it sound that way, but 195 yards in your first collegiate start isn't anything to sneeze at.

A running game is what has lacked for the Cats the last few years, and face it - if you throw 65-70% of the time, you won't be a consistent team. Running the ball brings consistency, and if we start running well, we will become more consistent.

LuvMaroon · Post by **LuvMaroon** » Wed Oct 04, 2006 9:41 am

As far as I am concerned Groves has not done anywhere near enough yet to be touting him as All-Big Sky. When he returns perhaps he will, but that remains to be seen.

CelticCat, I agree, a running game IS extremely important to being a consistently good offense, and I agree the Cats have not had that the past few years and it has hurt them. I also stick to my opinion that while Mason had a TREMENDOUS DAY vs. NAU, that 1 game does not prove you now have that running game.

However, if I was a Cat fan, I certainly would be optimistic, based on what he showed in that game. But he still has to go out and do it vs. PSU, ISU, Weber, UM etc.

WalkOn79 · Post by **WalkOn79** » Wed Oct 04, 2006 10:27 am

LuvMaroon wrote:

I am not saying if you lose, just throw the season away, but I do say it is a must win for the Cats to be any factor in the Sky this year.

I have to agree with LM on this. Not a season breaker, but a loss will definitely put us in a hole in the Big Sky race. Which team will show up? The one that plays with intensity and fire or the one that can get blown out at home. I hope it's the former.

Platinumcat · Post by **Platinumcat** » Wed Oct 04, 2006 11:14 am

cornbreadfred wrote:
barechestcat wrote:
Griz Dude wrote:I hate to burst your bubble, Bobcat fans, after a great road win versus NAU. But, the Big Sky Conference is a two-team conference this year, PSU and the Griz. For the rest of the teams, including MSU, you could throw them into a basket and pull one of them out on any given week. Basically, the rest of the conference is very weak this season, and the bottom 7 teams (besides PSU and Montana) will take turns beating each other up every week. I do not expect PSU to lose another game after their new QB gets settles in. The Griz will not lose period in the Sky.

The Cats should look to next season. It isn't gonna happen for you this year. This is not smack, just the way I see it.
So, what is making you say this? Have you watched the Cats play in person? Are you going off of the games they lost? Do you think that those games reflected the true Bobcats and the CU/NAU were flukes? If the latter is your opinion, I'm plenty happy to let you think that. But, what you need to know is that the Cats are a very talented team. This is part of the frustration by a lot of us fans the last month in that we knew they had talent but weren't showing it.

So, show me your football knowledge Grizdude. Tell me why we should hang up our season because I'm sure you wouldn't want me to go over to egriz and tell you guys that you've played your best ball and the rest of the season is all downhill from here on out.
I don't think he's saying hang up the season yet, just pointing out that the top two teams are far and away better than the rest of the big sky, which I agree with. I don't think the Cats season is over, I just think when it's all said and done they will not be in any kind of position to win the Big Sky. The NAU/CU games are as much of flukes as the Chadron, EWU, and Davis games were, so either you believe in them or don't.

Why is it that Griz fans keep coming on here and saying that? The reason this sets me off is that you are implying that because you think that the Griz and PSU are the two best teams, and they have alreadyplayed, then it must come to conclusion that you have basically won the season and any chance for anyone else (because they are far and away not as good as PSU and the Griz) is down the toilet.

That's what I don't buy. What I do buy is that this team has talent, hasn't played it's best game yet and is still in the race for the BSC title, a playoff berth, etc.

Griz fans have come on here for a while now touting their opinions without providing any reason. And, if your reason is that the Cats played three bad games. Fine. I just think it's weak rationale.