At NAU

[cat-o-nine]

On to the next. Flagstaff has been a challenging place for the Bobcats over the years, and we have gotten into boat races with the Lumberjacks there several times in the past. They are sporting a 4-1 overall record, with their only loss (38-19) coming to Arizona State in their first game of the season. This would normally increase the concern about our visit there, but a closer look at the numbers shows that the Cats should hold distinct advantages over them. The Lumberjack's defense has given up an average of 30 points per game to their FCS opponents. Their wins - all FCS opponents - are as follows:

Vs Utah Tech - W - 38-31
@ Southern Utah - W - 52-49
Vs Incarnate Word - W - 31-23
@ Portland State - W - 31-17

The combined records of their FCS opponents is 3-15.
Just some numbers to consider heading towards that game. The X factor is our history there, but one would think that our defense alone should carry the day even if our offense scores the average amount the Lumberjack D has been allowing.

[MSU01]

Going on the road to NAU is never easy, just ask the 2023 Griz team that was beaten soundly there and then went on to win out until they lost to SDSU in Frisco. And the last time MSU played there in 2022 against a bad NAU team, I'm sure we all remember Tommy's long pass to Taco as time was running down that allowed MSU to kick a game-winning FG instead of facing overtime. I do agree that the MSU defense should be able to win out in the end but I don't expect the game to be anywhere near as stress-free as the EWU game was!

[coloradocat]

This week feels similar to last week. Our primary concern is our history, not the current teams.

NAU is better than EWU but they are not as good as their record, whereas we are better than our record. A 2OT loss against SDSU is much more meaningful than one score wins against SUU and UIW. Plus giving up 17 points to PSU is simply unacceptable for any team that wants to be considered a contender in the BSC.

[iaafan]

The noise is the main factor for the offense but we scored 41 and 36 in its last two games there. This defense is a lot better than either of those defenses.

[mslacatfan]

If Portland State can score 17 points against NAU then we will put up 80.

[Bocephus]

Brian Wright was one of my favorite coaches back in the day, great coach.

[WalkOn79]

Brian Wright was one of my favorite coaches back in the day, great coach.

Yep. The best coaching situation NAU has had in decades. That would be my only concern as I think we have better talent at virtually every position.

[iaafan]

Matchup of the two best quarterbacks in the BSC.

[CelticCat]

NAU is currently ranked 8th in the Massey ratings with a SOS ranked 18, and I think offensively they are pretty solid. Pennington might be the best QB we've faced in FCS play so far, he's 3rd in the FCS in passing yards, although just 20th in efficiency, despite throwing just one pick.

I love our defense but I think we'll need to score 24 to win this one, NAU is going to score a few points, especially if the offense can't get it going. NAU's defense is not very good so I'm optimistic we can easily score that 24. They do have a good rush defense but a pretty mediocre pass defense.

A tough game that may be close but I think the Cat's defense is too good and will travel well enough to win.

This is a monumental conference game for us. UNC is suddenly looking like a potentially tough road game, but beyond that it's just Davis and the Griz left and Davis at home in November is when and where you want to play them. We can't slip up against NAU.

[ZebraCat]

3 TD win. It may be close at half but won't end up that way.

[coloradocat]

Anyone know what the new waterski rules are? And how did nobody ask that question during the press conference?!

[TomCat88]

Anyone know what the new waterski rules are? And how did nobody ask that question during the press conference?!

What was it reference to?

[coloradocat]

Anyone know what the new waterski rules are? And how did nobody ask that question during the press conference?!

What was it reference to?

Check out the white board next to the FIB background.

There's also no rules listed so maybe they're crowd sourcing rules for summer 2026?

[cat-o-nine]

I would lay odds that it is in reference to someone on the team having a mishap of some sort resulting in an injury. With the hot weather we have been experiencing, it's quite likely that someone or someone(s) were engaging in water sports.

[bobcatbob]

The noise is the main factor for the offense but we scored 41 and 36 in its last two games there. This defense is a lot better than either of those defenses.

I think the altitude plays a huge factor there. Just walking around Flagstaff and you can feel it. Yes, playing there is always tough. I think it will be a close game.

[damnyoutuesday]

NAU is the Big Sky's house of voodoo magic. 7000' elevation plus being in a dome makes for a great home field advantage, and strange results. This game honestly scares the hell out of me. I think NAU is a really good football team

[TomCat88]

The noise is the main factor for the offense but we scored 41 and 36 in its last two games there. This defense is a lot better than either of those defenses.

I think the altitude plays a huge factor there. Just walking around Flagstaff and you can feel it. Yes, playing there is always tough. I think it will be a close game.

I thought so, too, but was explicitly told that isn’t the case. Supposedly it takes 1-3 days to adjust from 5,000 to 7,000. Maybe that’s for non-athletes? Like, IAA said MSU has scored 77 points in its last two games so it doesn’t appear that the noise is a huge factor. Chris Murray led MSU to 36 points there. I’m sure that was above the average for that season.

[Prodigal Cat]

Giving up 31 to Utah Tech, 49 to SUU and 17 to PSU really is not a good look for the Jacks defense. It feels like as long as the Cats defense can continue the way they have played it should be a comfortable win. If they don't a shootout could ensue. I echo everyone else's fear for this game. Weird stuff happens at the Walk-up.

[catatac]

The noise is the main factor for the offense but we scored 41 and 36 in its last two games there. This defense is a lot better than either of those defenses.

I think the altitude plays a huge factor there. Just walking around Flagstaff and you can feel it. Yes, playing there is always tough. I think it will be a close game.

It could very well be. But, this is the time of year, or every other year where everyone starts talking about how tough it is to beat them in Flagstaff. I always remind people of that year in the Kramer era where we had a really good team, NAU average, and everybody was freaking out about how the Cats were probably going to lose. Cats absolutely crushed them, by like fifty or sixty points or something. Kramer said something to the effect of... the reason they beat us so often in Flagstaff is because they're usually better than us.

[TomCat88]

The noise is the main factor for the offense but we scored 41 and 36 in its last two games there. This defense is a lot better than either of those defenses.

I think the altitude plays a huge factor there. Just walking around Flagstaff and you can feel it. Yes, playing there is always tough. I think it will be a close game.

It could very well be. But, this is the time of year, or every other year where everyone starts talking about how tough it is to beat them in Flagstaff. I always remind people of that year in the Kramer era where we had a really good team, NAU average, and everybody was freaking out about how the Cats were probably going to lose. Cats absolutely crushed them, by like fifty or sixty points or something. Kramer said something to the effect of... the reason they beat us so often in Flagstaff is because they're usually better than us.

I remember Kramer saying that the altitude was not a factor. He was a mountain climber and I think he climbed Mt Rainier, so he’d probably know.