Bad timing as NDSU graduates 30+ Senoirs for the 2014 Montana game in Fargo.AZGrizFan wrote:Bodes well for 2013. Look for a 2013 Griz/Bison clash of the titans in Frisco.Gil Dobie wrote:Doesn't look like NDSU will have any Senior starters, unless I missed something. Senior leadership is important, but several of the Junior's have been starting for 3 years.
BDKJMU wrote:I would pick SHSU if it wasn't for their HORRENDOUS schedule. The WORST I have ever seen:
-2 BCS games
-Div II
-Only 3 games at home
-"Bye" is week one so after that its 11 straight weeks, 8 on the road.
Sept 1: Bye
Sep-8 Incarnate Word
Sep-15 at Baylor
Sep-22 at Central Arkansas
Sep-29 at Texas Southern
Oct-6 in Houston/Stephen F. Austin
Oct-13 at Nicholls State
Oct-20 McNeese State
Oct-27 at Lamar
Nov-3 Southeastern Louisiana
Nov-10 at Northwestern State
Nov-17 at Texas A&M
So most likely they have to go 7-1 vs their I-AA competition to make the playoffs. With the talent they have returning (preview article I saw says return 19 starters, game qtr final game vs Montana St showed 17 of 22 starters as non seniors) with a normal schedule I would say that is a lock. With the worst schedule I have ever seen I wouldn't.
Odds are they'll make the playoffs, but odds are with that schedule it won't be as a seed.
With a normal schedule they are the facvorites. With that schedule, no.
More depth added last week.htownbearkat wrote:BDKJMU wrote:I would pick SHSU if it wasn't for their HORRENDOUS schedule. The WORST I have ever seen:
-2 BCS games
-Div II
-Only 3 games at home
-"Bye" is week one so after that its 11 straight weeks, 8 on the road.
Sept 1: Bye
Sep-8 Incarnate Word
Sep-15 at Baylor
Sep-22 at Central Arkansas
Sep-29 at Texas Southern
Oct-6 in Houston/Stephen F. Austin
Oct-13 at Nicholls State
Oct-20 McNeese State
Oct-27 at Lamar
Nov-3 Southeastern Louisiana
Nov-10 at Northwestern State
Nov-17 at Texas A&M
So most likely they have to go 7-1 vs their I-AA competition to make the playoffs. With the talent they have returning (preview article I saw says return 19 starters, game qtr final game vs Montana St showed 17 of 22 starters as non seniors) with a normal schedule I would say that is a lock. With the worst schedule I have ever seen I wouldn't.
Odds are they'll make the playoffs, but odds are with that schedule it won't be as a seed.
With a normal schedule they are the facvorites. With that schedule, no.
Its not as bad as it seems. The TSU and SFA games are both in Houston and are really much closer to home games than away games. We will have more fans at both.
expandspanos wrote:I don't know if Cal Poly wins it, but we're definitely getting into the playoffs this year.
Gil Dobie wrote:Looking at the schedules, Montana St could be undefeated heading into the Montana game.
Just looked at their schedule for the first time. Not a single playoff participant from last year until the final week?Gil Dobie wrote:Looking at the schedules, Montana St could be undefeated heading into the Montana game.
If they are, they won't be when they leave Missoula.Gil Dobie wrote:Looking at the schedules, Montana St could be undefeated heading into the Montana game.
MSU's schedule is pretty weak! I'm going to the UND game for sure and possibly EWU.89Hen wrote:Just looked at their schedule for the first time. Not a single playoff participant from last year until the final week?Gil Dobie wrote:Looking at the schedules, Montana St could be undefeated heading into the Montana game.
CHADRON STATE
at DRAKE
STEPHEN F. AUSTIN
NORTHERN COLORADO
at SOUTHERN UTAH
at UC DAVIS
EASTERN WASHINGTON
NORTH DAKOTA
at SACRAMENTO STATE
PORTLAND STATE
at MONTANA
Hey, when did you move to MT??Go Lehigh TU Owl wrote:MSU's schedule is pretty weak! I'm going to the UND game for sure and possibly EWU.
Coming to the Cat/Griz game?Go Lehigh TU Owl wrote:MSU's schedule is pretty weak! I'm going to the UND game for sure and possibly EWU.89Hen wrote: Just looked at their schedule for the first time. Not a single playoff participant from last year until the final week?
CHADRON STATE
at DRAKE
STEPHEN F. AUSTIN
NORTHERN COLORADO
at SOUTHERN UTAH
at UC DAVIS
EASTERN WASHINGTON
NORTH DAKOTA
at SACRAMENTO STATE
PORTLAND STATE
at MONTANA
Keep up or take notes, 89er.89Hen wrote:Hey, when did you move to MT??Go Lehigh TU Owl wrote:MSU's schedule is pretty weak! I'm going to the UND game for sure and possibly EWU.
The two new starters on the O-line are RFr, one was a big time heralded recruit the other a walkon. Both are in that 280-285lbs range, which is a bit small compared to NDSU's norm......makes me a little nervous. If the Rams aren't getting it done in the trenches we won't even win The Valley, but on a positive note I really can't remember a year where our O-line wasn't above average to great in the recent past......a couple more injuries at the O-line position could cripple us though. O-line and LB are thin after the starters and secondary and D-line are 8-9 deep. We can't afford any big injuries at O-line and LB that is for sure.bisonboone11 wrote:I don't know if I would say we only have one major running back. Sounds like Crockett is really impressing people. Coach Bohl said he is going to be "something special". He could very easily be better than McNorton, and Ojuri has another year of experience. The new offensive line is the biggest question in my mind. Sounds like we'll be starting 2 freshman on the O-line (can't remember if they are redshirts or not). Defensive line should be as good or better than last year. Same with the secondary. Also, although there isn't a clear go-to WR, it sounds like a lot of people are expecting the WRs as a group to be better than last year. However, I think I may still have to agree with you on the "other" pick. So many things have to go right to win it once, let alone repeat. I do think NDSU has as good of a chance of winning it as any other single team though.rkwittem wrote:
And a mostly new offensive line. And only one major running back instead of two. And no clear go-to WR. Plus the loss of our top LBs. (Not as much of a loss given their depth). I'm not nearly convinced or sure NDSU should be the favorite based on the merits of last year. My vote went in the "other" pile.
The end of February.89Hen wrote:Hey, when did you move to MT??Go Lehigh TU Owl wrote:MSU's schedule is pretty weak! I'm going to the UND game for sure and possibly EWU.
I would have definitely considered it if it wasn't the same weekend as Lehigh-Lafayette. I'll be flying home for that and then staying back east for Thanksgiving.Willie wrote:Coming to the Cat/Griz game?Go Lehigh TU Owl wrote:
MSU's schedule is pretty weak! I'm going to the UND game for sure and possibly EWU.
S F State Gaters wrote:Given the choices, you pretty much have to take the field. Looking back at the 2011 season, the two teams in the championship game didn't even show up in most preseason predictions. In 2010, the preseason #4 lost to the preseason #15 according to these rankings.
It's been pretty rare for the favorites to make it through to the title game. I'd expect 2012 to follow suit.
AZGrizFan wrote:MSU will **** themselves in the quarters.
EWU will **** themselves in the semis.
My vote went to NDSU. Barring excessive injuries there's no reason they shouldn't repeat.
How so how do you become the champ if you don't beat the champ??Screamin_Eagle174 wrote:Not really.dal4018 wrote:You have to beat the champ to become the champ.
