NDSU @ Montana State

[catbob]

MSU's defense has been questionable all year. We haven't been fully healthy for awhile (Montana was the first game in a long time), but it's not like we have been decimated either. We have just been missing a few key guys. I was pretty disappointed with our run defense against UM though; we had been pretty good at run defense all year, but had trouble against that zone read they Griz deployed. As the announcer said, we almost always seemed to commit to the wrong guy.

That was the first game since September for our starting DE Dustin O'Connell, and the first full start for our starting MLB Clay Bignell, arguably our best defensive player. I hope it was just a combination of rust and playing in a hostile, freezing environment that kept those two from being effective.

The real battle will be MSU's offense versus NDSU's defense. NDSU is what 7th in the country in PPG allowed, at 16.7 On the flip side, the Cats average 34.5 PPG which is also good for 7th. MSU is also 4th in yards per game, and a very important stat is 3rd down %, which the Cats convert 47.1% of. NDSU only converts 28.8%. Also of note is that NDSU gives up nearly 170 rushing yards per game, while the Cats rush upwards of 180 per game.

[cats2506]

NDSU will stop MSU's running game. The only chance MSU has running the ball on us is if their QB can scramble after the pocket collapses. Our d-line and linebackers will control the line of scrimmage. Its gonna be what happens when MSU;s QB scrambles thats gonna determine the success of MSU's offense.

The problem that the MSU O presents is that it is very balanced and deep. We use several receivers ( 5 or 6 ) and several backs ( 2 or 3 ) We are pretty good a finding the weaknesses and exploiting it. Once we find that weakness it usually opens up other areas for exploitation. In other words, we may pass to open the run or vise versa depending on the schemes and personnel the defense presents. I am not discounting NDSU's D but if your game plan is that you will stop our run and force McGhee to scramble then we will win going away. Your plan would be much better to balance your defense (play more base) and slow us down and keep the ball in front of you. McGhee is most dangerous when under pressure. NDSU's D can present a real challenge to MSU if they play the right schemes. Forget that McGhee is a Freshman, he plays like a Senior and will not get flustered.

[FargoBison]

Our gameplan will be to disrupt MSU with our front four and prevent the big play. That is the MO of our defense. We run a lot of DBs and LBs in and out depending on the situation, our defense is very deep.

[cats2506]

Our gameplan will be to disrupt MSU with our front four and prevent the big play. That is the MO of our defense. We run a lot of DBs and LBs in and out depending on the situation, our defense is very deep.

At this point in the year we are very deep on both sides of the ball.

[Bronco]

cats have very good skill people. Very quick.
If this game was played in the Dome the cats would win going away but at home I believe it could be a toss up.

If you travel to Bozeman don't get confused when you hear the fans chanting the eat shit Grizzlies cheer. They do it at every game.

[native]

Our gameplan will be to disrupt MSU with our front four and prevent the big play. That is the MO of our defense. We run a lot of DBs and LBs in and out depending on the situation, our defense is very deep.

The more I learn about NDSU, the more confident I am of a Bobcat victory.

[houndawg]

They got all they could handle from a team with 30 fewer scholarships. If I'm a Bison fan I'm praying for the worst weather possible.

If you are going to play a team, you don't want any excusses, like I've heard from you about SIU all year. Either beat them or go home. RMU was a well coached team and was very competitive with some decent players, just not as strong overall as a MVFC team.

No need to get testy, Gilbert.

[houndawg]

They got all they could handle from a team with 30 fewer scholarships. If I'm a Bison fan I'm praying for the worst weather possible.

Robert Morris was game, but hardly gave North Dakota State "all they could handle."

The Bison dominated possession (33:10 to 26:50) by establishing a solid, ball-control running game (48 rushes for 253 yards, avg 5.3 ypc) which eventually allowed their otherwise mediocre passing attack to contribute some big plays (9.5 yd avg per pass, 2 TDs).

The same NDSU game plan will not yield equivalent results against Montana State. OBTW, the Bobcats have won their share of games in Bozeman's sh!tty weather, so praying for snow won't help much. While it is true that MSU relies on a superb passing game, they also have a good rushing offense and rushing defense.

They poured it on in garbage time, nathan.

[houndawg]

How was the mvfc any better last year? SIU won a first round robert morris type game and then got blown out at home the next game. While SDSU lost the first round to Montana. I don't get your point saying the mvfc was down this year. If anything the MVFC was better this year. Teams didn't have any guarantee wins like last year with WIU and ISUb.

Also, I don't think any MVFC team beat a FBS team last year either.

I like the Bison at MSU. It seems MSU gives up a lot of points. If MSU can't stop the run, the Bison will win. Jensen at least throws the ball down field, which really opens up the running lanes.

NDSU's defense is clicking right now. We have the right mix of speed and toughness that a defense needs. We also have depth in the dline and linebacking corp's.

You have to be joking. WIU and NDSU are only in playoffs because the field was expanded. Both marginal 7-4 teams would have been left out of the field last year.

They have what, seven conference losses between them? True, ISU and WIU are up, but not nearly as far as UNI and SIU are down compared to last year. Both were in the Top 10 for most or all of last season.The traditional middle of the pack, YSU, MSU, ISU, NDSU, is about the same, and SDSU was down some with the net = MVC way down. I like the Bison's chances in bad weather but the simple fact is that the Big Sky is the better conference this year. WIU obviously will be embarrassed at ASU - way too slow. Our AQ put up 7 points on Lehigh at home. Sorry, dude, you gotta have more than that to make your case.

[DJH]

Nice to see that houndawg came out of hibernation after SIU's shitty season is finially over.

[mgbison]

My case it the MVFC did nothing in the playoffs last year. SIU won the conference but got their butts kicked in the playoffs when they faced a legit team.

If NDSU or WIU wins on saturday, you can't say that the MVFC was better last year. SIU is down this year and that is it. I would say WIU and ISUb are that much better than they were last year.

Compared to last year
NDSU - better
WIU - better
ISUb - better
UNI - same/better (toss up)
ISUr - same
MSU - same
SDSU - down (more schedule issue)
SIU - down

If NDSU and WIU lose this weekend, I'll buy your the conference was down this year arguement. However, there really isn't that much of a diffence from the top 3 teams in the conference this year compared to last year.

You are looking at it from a SIU point of view, obviously its gonna seem down when your squad is down.

The latest GPI has the MVFC ranked #2 conference in fcs. It was probably the same last year.

[Gil Dobie]

Robert Morris was game, but hardly gave North Dakota State "all they could handle."

The Bison dominated possession (33:10 to 26:50) by establishing a solid, ball-control running game (48 rushes for 253 yards, avg 5.3 ypc) which eventually allowed their otherwise mediocre passing attack to contribute some big plays (9.5 yd avg per pass, 2 TDs).

The same NDSU game plan will not yield equivalent results against Montana State. OBTW, the Bobcats have won their share of games in Bozeman's sh!tty weather, so praying for snow won't help much. While it is true that MSU relies on a superb passing game, they also have a good rushing offense and rushing defense.

They poured it on in garbage time, nathan.

No one was fresh enough to stop the running game at the end. That's part of the game, to wear down your opponent.

[Gil Dobie]

If you are going to play a team, you don't want any excusses, like I've heard from you about SIU all year. Either beat them or go home. RMU was a well coached team and was very competitive with some decent players, just not as strong overall as a MVFC team.

No need to get testy, Gilbert.

Justing pointing out what I have heard from you all year about the Bounty Man's team.

[houndawg]

They poured it on in garbage time, nathan.

No one was fresh enough to stop the running game at the end. That's part of the game, to wear down your opponent.

Hence my comment about the schollie difference.

[houndawg]

No need to get testy, Gilbert.

Justing pointing out what I have heard from you all year about the Bounty Man's team.

Just the facts, ma'am.

Tough breaks, but so it goes. We had a very lucky run injury wise for the most part for several seasons. This time it was our turn.

[houndawg]

My case it the MVFC did nothing in the playoffs last year. SIU won the conference but got their butts kicked in the playoffs when they faced a legit team.

If NDSU or WIU wins on saturday, you can't say that the MVFC was better last year. SIU is down this year and that is it. I would say WIU and ISUb are that much better than they were last year.

Compared to last year
NDSU - better
WIU - better
ISUb - better
UNI - same/better (toss up)
ISUr - same
MSU - same
SDSU - down (more schedule issue)
SIU - down

If NDSU and WIU lose this weekend, I'll buy your the conference was down this year arguement. However, there really isn't that much of a diffence from the top 3 teams in the conference this year compared to last year.

You are looking at it from a SIU point of view, obviously its gonna seem down when your squad is down.

The latest GPI has the MVFC ranked #2 conference in fcs. It was probably the same last year.

That's the point, amigo: Neither NDSU or WIU even sniffs the playoffs last year.

UNI was better last year.

[houndawg]

Nice to see that houndawg came out of hibernation after SIU's shitty season is finially over.

Ditto!

[DJH]

I never left.

[Gil Dobie]

Justing pointing out what I have heard from you all year about the Bounty Man's team.

Just the facts, ma'am.

Tough breaks, but so it goes. We had a very lucky run injury wise for the most part for several seasons. This time it was our turn.

Most teams get riddled with injuries, heck NDSU finally got somewhat healthy by playoff time, QB Back from a broken collarbone, but still had 2 starting Linebackers on the bench. Still have to play with the hand that is dealt and take the results as they fall, without excuses.

[houndawg]

Just the facts, ma'am.

Tough breaks, but so it goes. We had a very lucky run injury wise for the most part for several seasons. This time it was our turn.

Most teams get riddled with injuries, heck NDSU finally got somewhat healthy by playoff time, QB Back from a broken collarbone, but still had 2 starting Linebackers on the bench. Still have to play with the hand that is dealt and take the results as they fall, without excuses.

And so they did. I'm just a fan, though, and I can make all the excuses I want.

Most unfortunate timing, for sure. The conference was ripe for the taking.

[Big McLargehuge]

Hard to see NDSU giving the Cats too much of a fit...but in lousy weather this could have great potential.


Gotta admit that I was kinda hoping RMU would pull it off...I may have tried to snag tickets in Bozeman for that one, though it wouldn't have been a pretty game.

[Gil Dobie]

The Bison are rather healthy, finally. Biggest loss was by 12 points to WIU. Still the MSU QB could cause fits for the defense. I think and hope it will be a close game as both teams have depth and won't wear each other out. Still it's a home game for the Bobcats, and that might be a big enough edge to pull it out.

[TheHerd]

They got all they could handle from a team with 30 fewer scholarships. If I'm a Bison fan I'm praying for the worst weather possible.

Dawg,
I've seen you post on our forums on every website there is and you say the same Sh** every time. You basically belittle anything NDSU has done and also throw in your excuses why SIU sucked it up this year. What are you gonna say if the Bison beat the Cats?? I'll tell ya..you"ll say the BSC must be down this year too. You'll say anything other than giving credit where credits due. You also keep saying the MVFC is down this year...why? cuz there isn't two teams with a one or two loss season and the rest with a five and six loss season....I say it is tougher this year, because of the parity in the league, look at the CAA very similiar although a stronger league overall. You say next year it will be back to SIU and UNI again in the MVFC and I don't doubt both will field strong squads, but I am sorry to tell ya that the Bison are gonna be in the mix for years to come with the young squad we have right now. I think UNI will be the favorite, because they are even younger than the Bison. I know SIU had a lot of injuries this year, but so did NDSU last year, our O-line and especially our LBing core was decimated! We had our RB McNorton play a game or two at LB last year we were so decimated and you know what you would have said and probably said when NDSU fans gave an excuse of injuries, so please quit spewing your injury excuses...its football everybody has them. We have been playing with two missing O-line starters and two LB amongst a few others, but we have still managed a nice season. SIU is a good program, but not superior too NDSU as you keep trying to imply....the last four years we have two wins and you have two wins. How about a little support for your conference mates for once......it is the playoffs!

[grizpack]

The Cat's defense has the uncanny ability to make teams cough it up 3 times inside the red zone...... F#*K!!!

Cat's by 13.

[Silenoz]

Question: does NDSU have a QB at least marginally competent throwing the ball?