How do Cats stack up against Griz

[kwcat]

ISU was a bad matchup for the Griz and good matchup for the Cats. So that means the Griz are a bad matchup for the Cats.

Why

I should say, I was told ISU was a bad matchup for the Griz (I don't know why) and ISU nearly beat them. Then I was told ISU was a good matchup for the Cats (I didn't know why) and MSU blew them out. So based on those two things (transitive properties?) proving to be correct, then the Griz must be a bad matchup for the Cats.

You said it backwards, the Cats are a bad matchup for Missoula

[RickRund]

ISU was a bad matchup for the Griz and good matchup for the Cats. So that means the Griz are a bad matchup for the Cats.

Why

I should say, I was told ISU was a bad matchup for the Griz (I don't know why) and ISU nearly beat them. Then I was told ISU was a good matchup for the Cats (I didn't know why) and MSU blew them out. So based on those two things (transitive properties?) proving to be correct, then the Griz must be a bad matchup for the Cats.

You said it backwards, the Cats are a bad matchup for Missoula

That is what I was thinking…

[tetoncat]

The 'Cats under Vigen have laid an egg twice in Missoula, whereas Choate took less potent teams into Missoula and won. Why?

QB had folded for the year and I think team played with no emotion due to that. They didn't think they could win with him. . Next game there they had stumbled at Idaho, kicking game woes continued, and they were failing as season wore on. Neither year were Cats peaking when game arrived.

[KIX]

Colter Nuanez's latest hyperfixation on "maybe the griz having a bad offensive line is actually the silver bullet to defeating NDSU" is getting pretty old for me. Like I get the that the cats haven't been able to topple them by largely replicating their style, but the idea that the griz are on a better track by having a couple explosive offensive players instead of a competent O and D line is stretching things way too far. That's literally what every non-Dakota/Montana team has been trying since covid. Get a couple explosive transfers and hope that they can overcome the fact that you don't have access to good linemen (see UIW and Idaho until this year). These teams do well and then get stomped the second they see a team from MT/Dakota because that style can't hold a candle to dominant line play.

Colter is a very smart guy and I really like his analysis, but I couldn't disagree more on this point that he keeps hammering.

I mean he has to keep the griz faithful engaged somehow even if its feeding them what they try to convince themselves.

To me, Colter tends to talk too much and in circles. Thus, he often contradicts himself from points he made weeks earlier. Does get old.

[JoeCatsJoe]

Colter Nuanez's latest hyperfixation on "maybe the griz having a bad offensive line is actually the silver bullet to defeating NDSU" is getting pretty old for me. Like I get the that the cats haven't been able to topple them by largely replicating their style, but the idea that the griz are on a better track by having a couple explosive offensive players instead of a competent O and D line is stretching things way too far. That's literally what every non-Dakota/Montana team has been trying since covid. Get a couple explosive transfers and hope that they can overcome the fact that you don't have access to good linemen (see UIW and Idaho until this year). These teams do well and then get stomped the second they see a team from MT/Dakota because that style can't hold a candle to dominant line play.

Colter is a very smart guy and I really like his analysis, but I couldn't disagree more on this point that he keeps hammering.

I mean he has to keep the griz faithful engaged somehow even if its feeding them what they try to convince themselves.

To me, Colter tends to talk too much and in circles. Thus, he often contradicts himself from points he made weeks earlier. Does get old.

Oh geez. We are extremely lucky to have someone of the caliber and quality of Colter covering our team. And yeah, he puts out a lot of content, and he talks a lot. When you are pumping out content every day, you’ll say some things that don’t completely line up. I for one don’t really want to pick nits and will plan on enjoying a level of coverage that no other teams in the FCS and a good portion of G5 have.

[nanacat]

Colter Nuanez's latest hyperfixation on "maybe the griz having a bad offensive line is actually the silver bullet to defeating NDSU" is getting pretty old for me. Like I get the that the cats haven't been able to topple them by largely replicating their style, but the idea that the griz are on a better track by having a couple explosive offensive players instead of a competent O and D line is stretching things way too far. That's literally what every non-Dakota/Montana team has been trying since covid. Get a couple explosive transfers and hope that they can overcome the fact that you don't have access to good linemen (see UIW and Idaho until this year). These teams do well and then get stomped the second they see a team from MT/Dakota because that style can't hold a candle to dominant line play.

Colter is a very smart guy and I really like his analysis, but I couldn't disagree more on this point that he keeps hammering.

I mean he has to keep the griz faithful engaged somehow even if its feeding them what they try to convince themselves.

To me, Colter tends to talk too much and in circles. Thus, he often contradicts himself from points he made weeks earlier. Does get old.

Oh geez. We are extremely lucky to have someone of the caliber and quality of Colter covering our team. And yeah, he puts out a lot of content, and he talks a lot. When you are pumping out content every day, you’ll say some things that don’t completely line up. I for one don’t really want to pick nits and will plan on enjoying a level of coverage that no other teams in the FCS and a good portion of G5 have.

Exactly!! Colter does a great job! I really think those who want to pick nits should just back off. Realize how fortunate we are to have the great coverage we do.

[VimSince03]

Colter Nuanez's latest hyperfixation on "maybe the griz having a bad offensive line is actually the silver bullet to defeating NDSU" is getting pretty old for me. Like I get the that the cats haven't been able to topple them by largely replicating their style, but the idea that the griz are on a better track by having a couple explosive offensive players instead of a competent O and D line is stretching things way too far. That's literally what every non-Dakota/Montana team has been trying since covid. Get a couple explosive transfers and hope that they can overcome the fact that you don't have access to good linemen (see UIW and Idaho until this year). These teams do well and then get stomped the second they see a team from MT/Dakota because that style can't hold a candle to dominant line play.

Colter is a very smart guy and I really like his analysis, but I couldn't disagree more on this point that he keeps hammering.

Incarnate Word may not fit your narrative or at least they didn't in the 2022 semi-final game in Fargo. Lindsey Scott Jr. led them to over 500 yards of offense, 32 points, 29 to 15 first downs for UIW vs NDSU, Cam Miller threw for 5 yards, and SOMEHOW NDSU won 35-32.

On second thought, maybe this does fit the narrative that just because you have a high flying offense team you can knock off the Bison. Look through all of their losses in the MVFC since 2010. It's mostly been similar styles of play on both sides and those teams get beat by Big Sky schools every year. I think we're overthinking it...just go play football and make the plays when they need to be made.

[WalkOn79]

I’m glad the game is in Missoula. Seems to help as of late.

I think the Cats have the better trenches and defense. I think the Griz have the better offense and play makers and special teams. How each of those affect the outcome of the game is anyone’s guess at this point. The Griz have more experience with a come from behind, pressure wins too so maybe that helps in a tight game. I think it’s a coin flip and the game being in Missoula may be the difference.

I think this is a pretty fair assessment at this point.
Being in Missoula is what gives me pause with the recent history.

If it was in Bozeman I’d be very confident. If it was on a neutral field I’d be solidly confident. Being in Missoula, I still have confidence the Cats can win, but it’s anyone’s guess how the teams come out and if momentum and crowd become a deciding factor. I’m not saying Vigen can’t win there by any means, but he’s 0-2 and they haven’t been close. I need to see a win there before I can be too confident.

I don’t know that I buy that the griz offense is better as a whole though.
Gillman is probably the best RB in the league, but Jones and Davis might be 2 and 3, so I still take our RB group over UM’s.

Ah Yat looks good, but I wouldn’t necessarily take him over Lamson, they’re different styles, but are of similar quality/importance to what their respective teams need them to do. I’d personally take Lamson, but I’m a Cats fan.

Wortham is the obvious x factor. He does everything and is a problem.

And the other big one is the O line. I don’t think it’s particularly close. I’ll take our O line every time vs their O line.
I like the Cats d line vs the Gris o line all day long. How that matchup goes will be a big factor in how Gillman does and how well Ah Yat is able to get the ball to the other playmakers.

Still a month away, so still a lot of football to be played, but I’m getting excited for this one.

I agree with all of this. If the Cat's can limit UM and not allow a special teams score, we're in good shape with advantages in many other areas.

[Catsrgrood]

Colter Nuanez's latest hyperfixation on "maybe the griz having a bad offensive line is actually the silver bullet to defeating NDSU" is getting pretty old for me. Like I get the that the cats haven't been able to topple them by largely replicating their style, but the idea that the griz are on a better track by having a couple explosive offensive players instead of a competent O and D line is stretching things way too far. That's literally what every non-Dakota/Montana team has been trying since covid. Get a couple explosive transfers and hope that they can overcome the fact that you don't have access to good linemen (see UIW and Idaho until this year). These teams do well and then get stomped the second they see a team from MT/Dakota because that style can't hold a candle to dominant line play.

Colter is a very smart guy and I really like his analysis, but I couldn't disagree more on this point that he keeps hammering.

Incarnate Word may not fit your narrative or at least they didn't in the 2022 semi-final game in Fargo. Lindsey Scott Jr. led them to over 500 yards of offense, 32 points, 29 to 15 first downs for UIW vs NDSU, Cam Miller threw for 5 yards, and SOMEHOW NDSU won 35-32.

On second thought, maybe this does fit the narrative that just because you have a high flying offense team you can knock off the Bison. Look through all of their losses in the MVFC since 2010. It's mostly been similar styles of play on both sides and those teams get beat by Big Sky schools every year. I think we're overthinking it...just go play football and make the plays when they need to be made.

I think this is absolutely being over-analyzed in respect to what style can beat NDSU.

I still feel strongly that last year the Cats were a better team, but they had some lapses at the wrong time, didn’t make some plays they should have made and we lost by 3.

The year before in Bozeman was the same. The Cats were right there with them (and I feel like we’re the better team) and had not one, but two QB injuries during the game that undoubtedly affected that outcome and we lose in double OT on a blocked kick.

Give credit where credit is due, NDSU is the gold standard for a reason; they just win. But at least these last 2 losses to them had very little do with style matchups and more to do with just the way things played out on the field and not making that play that needed to be made.

If Tommy and/or Chambers are anywhere near 100% in that qtr final game, we win.
If we don’t have a lapse on defense and leave a gaping hole up the middle or a couple of other plays go another way, we’re national champs and have won two straight against them and we’re not having this conversation.

Those losses weren’t due to not being able to match their style, they were just a result of the game of football not going our way.

[VimSince03]

Colter Nuanez's latest hyperfixation on "maybe the griz having a bad offensive line is actually the silver bullet to defeating NDSU" is getting pretty old for me. Like I get the that the cats haven't been able to topple them by largely replicating their style, but the idea that the griz are on a better track by having a couple explosive offensive players instead of a competent O and D line is stretching things way too far. That's literally what every non-Dakota/Montana team has been trying since covid. Get a couple explosive transfers and hope that they can overcome the fact that you don't have access to good linemen (see UIW and Idaho until this year). These teams do well and then get stomped the second they see a team from MT/Dakota because that style can't hold a candle to dominant line play.

Colter is a very smart guy and I really like his analysis, but I couldn't disagree more on this point that he keeps hammering.

Incarnate Word may not fit your narrative or at least they didn't in the 2022 semi-final game in Fargo. Lindsey Scott Jr. led them to over 500 yards of offense, 32 points, 29 to 15 first downs for UIW vs NDSU, Cam Miller threw for 5 yards, and SOMEHOW NDSU won 35-32.

On second thought, maybe this does fit the narrative that just because you have a high flying offense team you can knock off the Bison. Look through all of their losses in the MVFC since 2010. It's mostly been similar styles of play on both sides and those teams get beat by Big Sky schools every year. I think we're overthinking it...just go play football and make the plays when they need to be made.

I think this is absolutely being over-analyzed in respect to what style can beat NDSU.

I still feel strongly that last year the Cats were a better team, but they had some lapses at the wrong time, didn’t make some plays they should have made and we lost by 3.

The year before in Bozeman was the same. The Cats were right there with them (and I feel like we’re the better team) and had not one, but two QB injuries during the game that undoubtedly affected that outcome and we lose in double OT on a blocked kick.

Give credit where credit is due, NDSU is the gold standard for a reason; they just win. But at least these last 2 losses to them had very little do with style matchups and more to do with just the way things played out on the field and not making that play that needed to be made.

If Tommy and/or Chambers are anywhere near 100% in that qtr final game, we win.
If we don’t have a lapse on defense and leave a gaping hole up the middle or a couple of other plays go another way, we’re national champs and have won two straight against them and we’re not having this conversation.

Those losses weren’t due to not being able to match their style, they were just a result of the game of football not going our way.

It's just silly because we've 100% matched them in the trenches the last two games. Or we're at least just as productive. What it comes down to is making plays. I've rambled on about the 2023 game a lot so I won't repeat myself but there were about 8 plays from mid-third quarter on that if we make them, we win...and we did not execute. Want to beat NDSU? Out-execute them in the big moments.

[smith427]

Colter Nuanez's latest hyperfixation on "maybe the griz having a bad offensive line is actually the silver bullet to defeating NDSU" is getting pretty old for me. Like I get the that the cats haven't been able to topple them by largely replicating their style, but the idea that the griz are on a better track by having a couple explosive offensive players instead of a competent O and D line is stretching things way too far. That's literally what every non-Dakota/Montana team has been trying since covid. Get a couple explosive transfers and hope that they can overcome the fact that you don't have access to good linemen (see UIW and Idaho until this year). These teams do well and then get stomped the second they see a team from MT/Dakota because that style can't hold a candle to dominant line play.

Colter is a very smart guy and I really like his analysis, but I couldn't disagree more on this point that he keeps hammering.

Incarnate Word may not fit your narrative or at least they didn't in the 2022 semi-final game in Fargo. Lindsey Scott Jr. led them to over 500 yards of offense, 32 points, 29 to 15 first downs for UIW vs NDSU, Cam Miller threw for 5 yards, and SOMEHOW NDSU won 35-32.

On second thought, maybe this does fit the narrative that just because you have a high flying offense team you can knock off the Bison. Look through all of their losses in the MVFC since 2010. It's mostly been similar styles of play on both sides and those teams get beat by Big Sky schools every year. I think we're overthinking it...just go play football and make the plays when they need to be made.

I think this is absolutely being over-analyzed in respect to what style can beat NDSU.

I still feel strongly that last year the Cats were a better team, but they had some lapses at the wrong time, didn’t make some plays they should have made and we lost by 3.

The year before in Bozeman was the same. The Cats were right there with them (and I feel like we’re the better team) and had not one, but two QB injuries during the game that undoubtedly affected that outcome and we lose in double OT on a blocked kick.

Give credit where credit is due, NDSU is the gold standard for a reason; they just win. But at least these last 2 losses to them had very little do with style matchups and more to do with just the way things played out on the field and not making that play that needed to be made.

If Tommy and/or Chambers are anywhere near 100% in that qtr final game, we win.
If we don’t have a lapse on defense and leave a gaping hole up the middle or a couple of other plays go another way, we’re national champs and have won two straight against them and we’re not having this conversation.

Those losses weren’t due to not being able to match their style, they were just a result of the game of football not going our way.

It's just silly because we've 100% matched them in the trenches the last two games. Or we're at least just as productive. What it comes down to is making plays. I've rambled on about the 2023 game a lot so I won't repeat myself but there were about 8 plays from mid-third quarter on that if we make them, we win...and we did not execute. Want to beat NDSU? Out-execute them in the big moments.

I'll never forget Humphrey running the ball on 4th and 1 and trying to cut back up the field instead of just running over a guy to get the yard. Got reviewed in the break between Q3/Q4 and that gave them the ball back to go tie it up. But yeah many such plays in that game. I hope we get another shot at them this year, even if it's in fargo.

[Bobcatsinmso]

Colter Nuanez's latest hyperfixation on "maybe the griz having a bad offensive line is actually the silver bullet to defeating NDSU" is getting pretty old for me. Like I get the that the cats haven't been able to topple them by largely replicating their style, but the idea that the griz are on a better track by having a couple explosive offensive players instead of a competent O and D line is stretching things way too far. That's literally what every non-Dakota/Montana team has been trying since covid. Get a couple explosive transfers and hope that they can overcome the fact that you don't have access to good linemen (see UIW and Idaho until this year). These teams do well and then get stomped the second they see a team from MT/Dakota because that style can't hold a candle to dominant line play.

Colter is a very smart guy and I really like his analysis, but I couldn't disagree more on this point that he keeps hammering.

Incarnate Word may not fit your narrative or at least they didn't in the 2022 semi-final game in Fargo. Lindsey Scott Jr. led them to over 500 yards of offense, 32 points, 29 to 15 first downs for UIW vs NDSU, Cam Miller threw for 5 yards, and SOMEHOW NDSU won 35-32.

On second thought, maybe this does fit the narrative that just because you have a high flying offense team you can knock off the Bison. Look through all of their losses in the MVFC since 2010. It's mostly been similar styles of play on both sides and those teams get beat by Big Sky schools every year. I think we're overthinking it...just go play football and make the plays when they need to be made.

I think this is absolutely being over-analyzed in respect to what style can beat NDSU.

I still feel strongly that last year the Cats were a better team, but they had some lapses at the wrong time, didn’t make some plays they should have made and we lost by 3.

The year before in Bozeman was the same. The Cats were right there with them (and I feel like we’re the better team) and had not one, but two QB injuries during the game that undoubtedly affected that outcome and we lose in double OT on a blocked kick.

Give credit where credit is due, NDSU is the gold standard for a reason; they just win. But at least these last 2 losses to them had very little do with style matchups and more to do with just the way things played out on the field and not making that play that needed to be made.

If Tommy and/or Chambers are anywhere near 100% in that qtr final game, we win.
If we don’t have a lapse on defense and leave a gaping hole up the middle or a couple of other plays go another way, we’re national champs and have won two straight against them and we’re not having this conversation.

Those losses weren’t due to not being able to match their style, they were just a result of the game of football not going our way.

It's just silly because we've 100% matched them in the trenches the last two games. Or we're at least just as productive. What it comes down to is making plays. I've rambled on about the 2023 game a lot so I won't repeat myself but there were about 8 plays from mid-third quarter on that if we make them, we win...and we did not execute. Want to beat NDSU? Out-execute them in the big moments.

Like it or not luck comes into play. You can flip a coin ten times and it can come up tails ten times in a row. The Bobcats it seems, have been on the wrong side of that coin vs the range cows for a while now. Eventually that coin is going to turn up heads.

[TomCat88]

Colter Nuanez's latest hyperfixation on "maybe the griz having a bad offensive line is actually the silver bullet to defeating NDSU" is getting pretty old for me. Like I get the that the cats haven't been able to topple them by largely replicating their style, but the idea that the griz are on a better track by having a couple explosive offensive players instead of a competent O and D line is stretching things way too far. That's literally what every non-Dakota/Montana team has been trying since covid. Get a couple explosive transfers and hope that they can overcome the fact that you don't have access to good linemen (see UIW and Idaho until this year). These teams do well and then get stomped the second they see a team from MT/Dakota because that style can't hold a candle to dominant line play.

Colter is a very smart guy and I really like his analysis, but I couldn't disagree more on this point that he keeps hammering.

Incarnate Word may not fit your narrative or at least they didn't in the 2022 semi-final game in Fargo. Lindsey Scott Jr. led them to over 500 yards of offense, 32 points, 29 to 15 first downs for UIW vs NDSU, Cam Miller threw for 5 yards, and SOMEHOW NDSU won 35-32.

On second thought, maybe this does fit the narrative that just because you have a high flying offense team you can knock off the Bison. Look through all of their losses in the MVFC since 2010. It's mostly been similar styles of play on both sides and those teams get beat by Big Sky schools every year. I think we're overthinking it...just go play football and make the plays when they need to be made.

I think this is absolutely being over-analyzed in respect to what style can beat NDSU.

I still feel strongly that last year the Cats were a better team, but they had some lapses at the wrong time, didn’t make some plays they should have made and we lost by 3.

The year before in Bozeman was the same. The Cats were right there with them (and I feel like we’re the better team) and had not one, but two QB injuries during the game that undoubtedly affected that outcome and we lose in double OT on a blocked kick.

Give credit where credit is due, NDSU is the gold standard for a reason; they just win. But at least these last 2 losses to them had very little do with style matchups and more to do with just the way things played out on the field and not making that play that needed to be made.

If Tommy and/or Chambers are anywhere near 100% in that qtr final game, we win.
If we don’t have a lapse on defense and leave a gaping hole up the middle or a couple of other plays go another way, we’re national champs and have won two straight against them and we’re not having this conversation.

Those losses weren’t due to not being able to match their style, they were just a result of the game of football not going our way.

It's just silly because we've 100% matched them in the trenches the last two games. Or we're at least just as productive. What it comes down to is making plays. I've rambled on about the 2023 game a lot so I won't repeat myself but there were about 8 plays from mid-third quarter on that if we make them, we win...and we did not execute. Want to beat NDSU? Out-execute them in the big moments.

Like it or not luck comes into play. You can flip a coin ten times and it can come up tails ten times in a row. The Bobcats it seems, have been on the wrong side of that coin vs the range cows for a while now. Eventually that coin is going to turn up heads.

Grasshopper? Neo?

[VimSince03]

Colter Nuanez's latest hyperfixation on "maybe the griz having a bad offensive line is actually the silver bullet to defeating NDSU" is getting pretty old for me. Like I get the that the cats haven't been able to topple them by largely replicating their style, but the idea that the griz are on a better track by having a couple explosive offensive players instead of a competent O and D line is stretching things way too far. That's literally what every non-Dakota/Montana team has been trying since covid. Get a couple explosive transfers and hope that they can overcome the fact that you don't have access to good linemen (see UIW and Idaho until this year). These teams do well and then get stomped the second they see a team from MT/Dakota because that style can't hold a candle to dominant line play.

Colter is a very smart guy and I really like his analysis, but I couldn't disagree more on this point that he keeps hammering.

Incarnate Word may not fit your narrative or at least they didn't in the 2022 semi-final game in Fargo. Lindsey Scott Jr. led them to over 500 yards of offense, 32 points, 29 to 15 first downs for UIW vs NDSU, Cam Miller threw for 5 yards, and SOMEHOW NDSU won 35-32.

On second thought, maybe this does fit the narrative that just because you have a high flying offense team you can knock off the Bison. Look through all of their losses in the MVFC since 2010. It's mostly been similar styles of play on both sides and those teams get beat by Big Sky schools every year. I think we're overthinking it...just go play football and make the plays when they need to be made.

I think this is absolutely being over-analyzed in respect to what style can beat NDSU.

I still feel strongly that last year the Cats were a better team, but they had some lapses at the wrong time, didn’t make some plays they should have made and we lost by 3.

The year before in Bozeman was the same. The Cats were right there with them (and I feel like we’re the better team) and had not one, but two QB injuries during the game that undoubtedly affected that outcome and we lose in double OT on a blocked kick.

Give credit where credit is due, NDSU is the gold standard for a reason; they just win. But at least these last 2 losses to them had very little do with style matchups and more to do with just the way things played out on the field and not making that play that needed to be made.

If Tommy and/or Chambers are anywhere near 100% in that qtr final game, we win.
If we don’t have a lapse on defense and leave a gaping hole up the middle or a couple of other plays go another way, we’re national champs and have won two straight against them and we’re not having this conversation.

Those losses weren’t due to not being able to match their style, they were just a result of the game of football not going our way.

It's just silly because we've 100% matched them in the trenches the last two games. Or we're at least just as productive. What it comes down to is making plays. I've rambled on about the 2023 game a lot so I won't repeat myself but there were about 8 plays from mid-third quarter on that if we make them, we win...and we did not execute. Want to beat NDSU? Out-execute them in the big moments.

I'll never forget Humphrey running the ball on 4th and 1 and trying to cut back up the field instead of just running over a guy to get the yard. Got reviewed in the break between Q3/Q4 and that gave them the ball back to go tie it up. But yeah many such plays in that game. I hope we get another shot at them this year, even if it's in fargo.

Or the Providence touchdown wiped away due to an illegal shift. Or the Tommy sneak call.

[catatac]

Colter Nuanez's latest hyperfixation on "maybe the griz having a bad offensive line is actually the silver bullet to defeating NDSU" is getting pretty old for me. Like I get the that the cats haven't been able to topple them by largely replicating their style, but the idea that the griz are on a better track by having a couple explosive offensive players instead of a competent O and D line is stretching things way too far. That's literally what every non-Dakota/Montana team has been trying since covid. Get a couple explosive transfers and hope that they can overcome the fact that you don't have access to good linemen (see UIW and Idaho until this year). These teams do well and then get stomped the second they see a team from MT/Dakota because that style can't hold a candle to dominant line play.

Colter is a very smart guy and I really like his analysis, but I couldn't disagree more on this point that he keeps hammering.

Incarnate Word may not fit your narrative or at least they didn't in the 2022 semi-final game in Fargo. Lindsey Scott Jr. led them to over 500 yards of offense, 32 points, 29 to 15 first downs for UIW vs NDSU, Cam Miller threw for 5 yards, and SOMEHOW NDSU won 35-32.

On second thought, maybe this does fit the narrative that just because you have a high flying offense team you can knock off the Bison. Look through all of their losses in the MVFC since 2010. It's mostly been similar styles of play on both sides and those teams get beat by Big Sky schools every year. I think we're overthinking it...just go play football and make the plays when they need to be made.

I think this is absolutely being over-analyzed in respect to what style can beat NDSU.

I still feel strongly that last year the Cats were a better team, but they had some lapses at the wrong time, didn’t make some plays they should have made and we lost by 3.

The year before in Bozeman was the same. The Cats were right there with them (and I feel like we’re the better team) and had not one, but two QB injuries during the game that undoubtedly affected that outcome and we lose in double OT on a blocked kick.

Give credit where credit is due, NDSU is the gold standard for a reason; they just win. But at least these last 2 losses to them had very little do with style matchups and more to do with just the way things played out on the field and not making that play that needed to be made.

If Tommy and/or Chambers are anywhere near 100% in that qtr final game, we win.
If we don’t have a lapse on defense and leave a gaping hole up the middle or a couple of other plays go another way, we’re national champs and have won two straight against them and we’re not having this conversation.

Those losses weren’t due to not being able to match their style, they were just a result of the game of football not going our way.

It's just silly because we've 100% matched them in the trenches the last two games. Or we're at least just as productive. What it comes down to is making plays. I've rambled on about the 2023 game a lot so I won't repeat myself but there were about 8 plays from mid-third quarter on that if we make them, we win...and we did not execute. Want to beat NDSU? Out-execute them in the big moments.

I'll never forget Humphrey running the ball on 4th and 1 and trying to cut back up the field instead of just running over a guy to get the yard. Got reviewed in the break between Q3/Q4 and that gave them the ball back to go tie it up. But yeah many such plays in that game. I hope we get another shot at them this year, even if it's in fargo.

Not me! I wish I was as strong as you... but I'm not. LOL. I really don't want to see the Cats get beat in the Fargo Dome, which is what would happen. Call it a loser, defeatist attitude or whatever, but it would be really tough to go on there and beat them even if we were a significantly better team, which we currently aren't.

[FA_Q_M]

How do the Cats stack up against the Griz? Very well I'd say.
Don't think the gris offense has seen a defense like MSU's and the Cat's have played against better defenses than UM. Plain and simple.

Id say the only advantage UM has is the location of the game. We'll see if defense travels...

[TomCat88]

How do the Cats stack up against the Griz? Very well I'd say.
Don't think the gris offense has seen a defense like MSU's and the Cat's have played against better defenses than UM. Plain and simple.

Id say the only advantage UM has is the location of the game. We'll see if defense travels...

Griz just had 560 yards without hardly using Wortham. MSU hasn’t seen an offense like that.

[tetoncat]

How do the Cats stack up against the Griz? Very well I'd say.
Don't think the gris offense has seen a defense like MSU's and the Cat's have played against better defenses than UM. Plain and simple.

Id say the only advantage UM has is the location of the game. We'll see if defense travels...

Griz just had 560 yards without hardly using Wortham. MSU hasn’t seen an offense like that.

Has no other offense done that vs Weber

[BelligerentBobcat]

How do the Cats stack up against the Griz? Very well I'd say.
Don't think the gris offense has seen a defense like MSU's and the Cat's have played against better defenses than UM. Plain and simple.

Id say the only advantage UM has is the location of the game. We'll see if defense travels...

Griz just had 560 yards without hardly using Wortham. MSU hasn’t seen an offense like that.

Has no other offense done that vs Weber

Sac and UC Davis both had around 460, McNeese put up 540 on Weber.

[BelligerentBobcat]

How do the Cats stack up against the Griz? Very well I'd say.
Don't think the gris offense has seen a defense like MSU's and the Cat's have played against better defenses than UM. Plain and simple.

Id say the only advantage UM has is the location of the game. We'll see if defense travels...

Griz just had 560 yards without hardly using Wortham. MSU hasn’t seen an offense like that.

Did I imagine playing Oregon?