Herder has Cats at #3

[Catprint]

In somewhat of a surprise, Sam Herder of Hero sports dropped SDSU to #6 and moved up his #3-#5 (Gris, Cats and Texans) as well as UND. This pretty much fits the scenario I think is best for Cats to get #2. Don't think the committee will be this brash on Nov 5th with the second ranking of Top 10. SDSU has a tough last three games but next week they play Indiana State. Overall, the voters will be much kinder to SDSU and I think we will see NDSU, Tarleton State, Gris, SDSU, Cats, Davis and UND in the poll. Still tons of football left and we need SDSU to drop the game to UND at the end of the season AFTER UND loses to the Bizon.

[Prodigal Cat]

I’ve been vocal on here that 2 losses by SDSU wouldn’t be enough for the Cats to jump them in the seeding. I never envisioned the Jacks would get stomped that bad. That they would look as bleh as they have in the last month of games. I have to eat crow. They will certainly fall if they keep playing like they are even if they rack up wins until UND.

[The MICKSTER]

https://herosports.com/fcs-top-25-sam-h ... 2025-bzbz/

I’m reposting this below……

Tartleton plays in the United Athletic Conference, their remaining games are in order.....@Abilene Christian, bye, North Alabama, Austin Peay. They won't lose at home to North Alabama but could lose to Austin Peay, who's currently ranked 3rd in the UAC. However, their most likely loss will be this coming weekend SA Nov 1st @Abilene Christian who's currently ranked 2nd in the UAC.

SDSU remaining games in order are Indiana State, @South Dakota, Illinois State & @North Dakota. I suppose without Mason there's a chance they could lose 3 of them, but not Indiana State.

The gris have @Weber, EWU, @PSU before the Brawl. I think Glacier High School could sweep those 3 teams. So their only realistic chance for a loss is the Brawl.

Of course the CATS remaining games are @UNC, Weber, #6UCD, @#4um. IF the CATS win out, we'll be ahead of the gris. IF SDSU loses another game I think we'll be ahead of them. However, I think it's unlikely that we would jump Tarleton IF they win out, since we would have 1 FBS loss & 1 FCS loss.....but with our SoS and having beaten both the #6 & #4 FCS teams I suppose it's possible.

I’m glad to see Herder has moved the CATS up in his poll but I don’t think others will yet……..we’ll see. GO CATS!!!

[Catprint]

I’ve been vocal on here that 2 losses by SDSU wouldn’t be enough for the Cats to jump them in the seeding. I never envisioned the Jacks would get stomped that bad. That they would look as bleh as they have in the last month of games. I have to eat crow. They will certainly fall if they keep playing like they are even if they rack up wins until UND.

Have followed your comments closely. We definitely would not jump them if they have only 1 close loss to NDSU. I always thought it was likely we would jump them if Jacks had 2 FCS losses and Cats only 1. However, I grant the underlying MVFC bias would play a roll and depending on our dominance in the last 6 games vs how the Jacks play and have played down the stretch will be a huge factor. As I outlined, I don't think they look good.

I wrote that an SDSU loss (larger than smaller) would be hugely in our favor. Now, I hope/pray/plead that Jacks lose one more as I am confident a 10-2 Cats team (one FCS loss, 3 ranked wins) would jump a 10-2 SDSU (2 FCS losses, 2 now ranked wins (Sac State; YGU and USD will not be ranked at the end of the season so only ranked wins will be MSU and Ill. State - assuming the loss is to UND). Then it all depends on Tarleton State vs Abilene Christian.

If Jacks surprise everyone and win out like gangbusters, then all bets are off and not sure what happens on selection Sunday but #4 would seem more probable. And of course, there is that game in East Bonner. We could end up... 6th?

[Catprint]

https://herosports.com/fcs-top-25-sam-h ... 2025-bzbz/

I’m reposting this below……

Tartleton plays in the United Athletic Conference, their remaining games are in order.....@Abilene Christian, bye, North Alabama, Austin Peay. They won't lose at home to North Alabama but could lose to Austin Peay, who's currently ranked 3rd in the UAC. However, their most likely loss will be this coming weekend SA Nov 1st @Abilene Christian who's currently ranked 2nd in the UAC.

SDSU remaining games in order are Indiana State, @South Dakota, Illinois State & @North Dakota. I suppose without Mason there's a chance they could lose 3 of them, but not Indiana State.

The gris have @Weber, EWU, @PSU before the Brawl. I think Glacier High School could sweep those 3 teams. So their only realistic chance for a loss is the Brawl.

Of course the CATS remaining games are @UNC, Weber, #6UCD, @#4um. IF the CATS win out, we'll be ahead of the gris. IF SDSU loses another game I think we'll be ahead of them. However, I think it's unlikely that we would jump Tarleton IF they win out, since we would have 1 FBS loss & 1 FCS loss.....but with our SoS and having beaten both the #6 & #4 FCS teams I suppose it's possible.

I’m glad to see Herder has moved the CATS up in his poll but I don’t think others will yet……..we’ll see. GO CATS!!!

Your post beat mine by seconds. I believe I pretty much said the same thing. However, I can't imagine a 10-2 Cats team jumps a 12-0 Tarleton State with an FBS win. It was same argument we made last year (we had 3 ranked wins; Tarleton will have 3 then ranked wins - West Georgia; ACU and Austin Peay). SOS will not play a role -- UTT get a #2 seed and Cats get #3 in this scenario. (Assuming SDSU loses one more game).

[bobcatfan123]

In somewhat of a surprise, Sam Herder of Hero sports dropped SDSU to #6 and moved up his #3-#5 (Gris, Cats and Texans) as well as UND. This pretty much fits the scenario I think is best for Cats to get #2. Don't think the committee will be this brash on Nov 5th with the second ranking of Top 10. SDSU has a tough last three games but next week they play Indiana State. Overall, the voters will be much kinder to SDSU and I think we will see NDSU, Tarleton State, Gris, SDSU, Cats, Davis and UND in the poll. Still tons of football left and we need SDSU to drop the game to UND at the end of the season AFTER UND loses to the Bizon.

Are you assuming that und will lose to NDSU or saying that an NDSU win over UND is good for us? Either way can’t root for NDSU, also would be nice to see they are mortal

[kwcat]

I’ve been vocal on here that 2 losses by SDSU wouldn’t be enough for the Cats to jump them in the seeding. I never envisioned the Jacks would get stomped that bad. That they would look as bleh as they have in the last month of games. I have to eat crow. They will certainly fall if they keep playing like they are even if they rack up wins until UND.

I am not sure how long Mason has been injured. But he was definitely a huge difference maker, allowing the offense to control the ball. I haven’t heard if he’s coming back or not. That would be huge.

[Catprint]

In somewhat of a surprise, Sam Herder of Hero sports dropped SDSU to #6 and moved up his #3-#5 (Gris, Cats and Texans) as well as UND. This pretty much fits the scenario I think is best for Cats to get #2. Don't think the committee will be this brash on Nov 5th with the second ranking of Top 10. SDSU has a tough last three games but next week they play Indiana State. Overall, the voters will be much kinder to SDSU and I think we will see NDSU, Tarleton State, Gris, SDSU, Cats, Davis and UND in the poll. Still tons of football left and we need SDSU to drop the game to UND at the end of the season AFTER UND loses to the Bizon.

Are you assuming that und will lose to NDSU or saying that an NDSU win over UND is good for us? Either way can’t root for NDSU, also would be nice to see they are mortal

UND will lose to the Bison. NDSU will not lose to anyone. However, it would be REALLY BAD if UND beat both NDSU and SDSU as UND would be 10-2 (with FBS loss) and NDSU would be 11-1. UND would get the second seed if Tarleton loses and the 3rd seed if Tarleton wins out (or maybe even the #1 seed and Bizon get #2). There would be no path to the #2 seed and we might have to settle for the #4 seed and a trip to NDSU/UND. However, for what its worth, I am in the same camp as Herder and McKinnell and Rosario - it is NDSU and everyone else vying for second place. Sure something odd could happen but odds are against it. NDSU is the most dominant team and it is not even close.

[Catprint]

I’ve been vocal on here that 2 losses by SDSU wouldn’t be enough for the Cats to jump them in the seeding. I never envisioned the Jacks would get stomped that bad. That they would look as bleh as they have in the last month of games. I have to eat crow. They will certainly fall if they keep playing like they are even if they rack up wins until UND.

I am not sure how long Mason has been injured. But he was definitely a huge difference maker, allowing the offense to control the ball. I haven’t heard if he’s coming back or not. That would be huge.

Regardless of status, I can't imagine Mason plays against hapless Indiana State this weekend. I have heard lower leg injury and also heard Turf toe which is same injury Bengals QB (Burrows) has which has kept him out weeks and weeks.

On another note, yes Mason could help the offense control the ball some. But not sure how that keeps NDSU from scoring 38 points against "one of the best defenses in the FCS" according to just about everyone who knows anything. I don't think SDSU is a top 5 defense at this point.

[TomCat88]

I’ve been vocal on here that 2 losses by SDSU wouldn’t be enough for the Cats to jump them in the seeding. I never envisioned the Jacks would get stomped that bad. That they would look as bleh as they have in the last month of games. I have to eat crow. They will certainly fall if they keep playing like they are even if they rack up wins until UND.

I am not sure how long Mason has been injured. But he was definitely a huge difference maker, allowing the offense to control the ball. I haven’t heard if he’s coming back or not. That would be huge.

Regardless of status, I can't imagine Mason plays against hapless Indiana State this weekend. I have heard lower leg injury and also heard Turf toe which is same injury Bengals QB (Burrows) has which has kept him out weeks and weeks.

On another note, yes Mason could help the offense control the ball some. But not sure how that keeps NDSU from scoring 38 points against "one of the best defenses in the FCS" according to just about everyone who knows anything. I don't think SDSU is a top 5 defense at this point.

I think more players than Mason have been injured. I don’t know the details but I’ve read comments to that effect.

SDSU simply hasn’t shown any growth. I can’t point to a game that they were dominant from start to finish and they’ve had multiple chances to exhibit that: Murray 35-14 (14-7 halftime), UNI 31-3 (14-3 half), YSU 35-30 (down 17-7 half), Drake 37-21 (21-10 half), they did beat Mercyhurst 51-7 but even then it was 17-7 midway through the second quarter and 23-7 at half. You would think at least two of those games would be routs before halftime. The biggest halftime lead is 16, two by 11, one 7, one -10. MSU by comparison has led by 10, 13, (both road games), 24,17, 27, 17 at halftime. +108 to +35 (not counting ndsu w/o Mason game -24).

[Prodigal Cat]

I’ve been vocal on here that 2 losses by SDSU wouldn’t be enough for the Cats to jump them in the seeding. I never envisioned the Jacks would get stomped that bad. That they would look as bleh as they have in the last month of games. I have to eat crow. They will certainly fall if they keep playing like they are even if they rack up wins until UND.

I am not sure how long Mason has been injured. But he was definitely a huge difference maker, allowing the offense to control the ball. I haven’t heard if he’s coming back or not. That would be huge.

Regardless of status, I can't imagine Mason plays against hapless Indiana State this weekend. I have heard lower leg injury and also heard Turf toe which is same injury Bengals QB (Burrows) has which has kept him out weeks and weeks.

On another note, yes Mason could help the offense control the ball some. But not sure how that keeps NDSU from scoring 38 points against "one of the best defenses in the FCS" according to just about everyone who knows anything. I don't think SDSU is a top 5 defense at this point.

Bison scored on 5 of their first 6 possessions, 4 TDs and a FG as time expired in the first half, not sure how Chase stops that.

Multiple times the SDSU defense had the Bison in 3rd and long only to give up an easy 1st. The second drive NDSU false started, got sacked to make it 3rd and 16, only to convert with a 26 yard pass to Lance.

It was weird to watch, I couldn't decide if it was NDSU being that good because it sure looked like SDSU didn't have any fight. Honestly it reminded of the last couple brawls in Missoula. One team came out and punched the other in the mouth and and the other team folded. You know the Cats were more talented than what they put on the field those days, they just couldn't get it together. Jacks defense was the same. Just looked like deer in headlights.

[91catAlum]

I’ve been vocal on here that 2 losses by SDSU wouldn’t be enough for the Cats to jump them in the seeding. I never envisioned the Jacks would get stomped that bad. That they would look as bleh as they have in the last month of games. I have to eat crow. They will certainly fall if they keep playing like they are even if they rack up wins until UND.

I am not sure how long Mason has been injured. But he was definitely a huge difference maker, allowing the offense to control the ball. I haven’t heard if he’s coming back or not. That would be huge.

Regardless of status, I can't imagine Mason plays against hapless Indiana State this weekend. I have heard lower leg injury and also heard Turf toe which is same injury Bengals QB (Burrows) has which has kept him out weeks and weeks.

On another note, yes Mason could help the offense control the ball some. But not sure how that keeps NDSU from scoring 38 points against "one of the best defenses in the FCS" according to just about everyone who knows anything. I don't think SDSU is a top 5 defense at this point.

Bison scored on 5 of their first 6 possessions, 4 TDs and a FG as time expired in the first half, not sure how Chase stops that.

Multiple times the SDSU defense had the Bison in 3rd and long only to give up an easy 1st. The second drive NDSU false started, got sacked to make it 3rd and 16, only to convert with a 26 yard pass to Lance.

It was weird to watch, I couldn't decide if it was NDSU being that good because it sure looked like SDSU didn't have any fight. Honestly it reminded of the last couple brawls in Missoula. One team came out and punched the other in the mouth and and the other team folded. You know the Cats were more talented than what they put on the field those days, they just couldn't get it together. Jacks defense was the same. Just looked like deer in headlights.

Chase wouldn’t stop that but he likely extends drives for sdsu so the bison don’t get as many possessions. SDSU still loses with him but maybe it’s 28-17 or so and sdsu keeps their #2 ranking.

It also affects the mentality of the whole team to have your star QB out.

[nanacat]

I’ve been vocal on here that 2 losses by SDSU wouldn’t be enough for the Cats to jump them in the seeding. I never envisioned the Jacks would get stomped that bad. That they would look as bleh as they have in the last month of games. I have to eat crow. They will certainly fall if they keep playing like they are even if they rack up wins until UND.

I am not sure how long Mason has been injured. But he was definitely a huge difference maker, allowing the offense to control the ball. I haven’t heard if he’s coming back or not. That would be huge.

Regardless of status, I can't imagine Mason plays against hapless Indiana State this weekend. I have heard lower leg injury and also heard Turf toe which is same injury Bengals QB (Burrows) has which has kept him out weeks and weeks.

On another note, yes Mason could help the offense control the ball some. But not sure how that keeps NDSU from scoring 38 points against "one of the best defenses in the FCS" according to just about everyone who knows anything. I don't think SDSU is a top 5 defense at this point.

Bison scored on 5 of their first 6 possessions, 4 TDs and a FG as time expired in the first half, not sure how Chase stops that.

Multiple times the SDSU defense had the Bison in 3rd and long only to give up an easy 1st. The second drive NDSU false started, got sacked to make it 3rd and 16, only to convert with a 26 yard pass to Lance.

It was weird to watch, I couldn't decide if it was NDSU being that good because it sure looked like SDSU didn't have any fight. Honestly it reminded of the last couple brawls in Missoula. One team came out and punched the other in the mouth and and the other team folded. You know the Cats were more talented than what they put on the field those days, they just couldn't get it together. Jacks defense was the same. Just looked like deer in headlights.

Chase wouldn’t stop that but he likely extends drives for sdsu so the bison don’t get as many possessions. SDSU still loses with him but maybe it’s 28-17 or so and sdsu keeps their #2 ranking.

It also affects the mentality of the whole team to have your star QB out.

That's what I was thinking too, and we've seen that before. The team gets used to "the guy" and gets confidence from that player, then we he goes down it can be harder to rally the troops. Like when Tommy went down and Rovig took over, things just didn't look the same.

[coloradocat]

I’ve been vocal on here that 2 losses by SDSU wouldn’t be enough for the Cats to jump them in the seeding. I never envisioned the Jacks would get stomped that bad. That they would look as bleh as they have in the last month of games. I have to eat crow. They will certainly fall if they keep playing like they are even if they rack up wins until UND.

I am not sure how long Mason has been injured. But he was definitely a huge difference maker, allowing the offense to control the ball. I haven’t heard if he’s coming back or not. That would be huge.

Regardless of status, I can't imagine Mason plays against hapless Indiana State this weekend. I have heard lower leg injury and also heard Turf toe which is same injury Bengals QB (Burrows) has which has kept him out weeks and weeks.

On another note, yes Mason could help the offense control the ball some. But not sure how that keeps NDSU from scoring 38 points against "one of the best defenses in the FCS" according to just about everyone who knows anything. I don't think SDSU is a top 5 defense at this point.

Bison scored on 5 of their first 6 possessions, 4 TDs and a FG as time expired in the first half, not sure how Chase stops that.

Multiple times the SDSU defense had the Bison in 3rd and long only to give up an easy 1st. The second drive NDSU false started, got sacked to make it 3rd and 16, only to convert with a 26 yard pass to Lance.

It was weird to watch, I couldn't decide if it was NDSU being that good because it sure looked like SDSU didn't have any fight. Honestly it reminded of the last couple brawls in Missoula. One team came out and punched the other in the mouth and and the other team folded. You know the Cats were more talented than what they put on the field those days, they just couldn't get it together. Jacks defense was the same. Just looked like deer in headlights.

Chase wouldn’t stop that but he likely extends drives for sdsu so the bison don’t get as many possessions. SDSU still loses with him but maybe it’s 28-17 or so and sdsu keeps their #2 ranking.

It also affects the mentality of the whole team to have your star QB out.

I didn't watch the game but the fact that NDSU scored 31 points in the first half and only 7 in the second likely means they were more or less running the clock out for the last 30. If Mason plays SDSU score more points but NDSU also plays a full 60 and likely goes over 40 points no matter how many possessions they get.

[doebrmnn]

I watched the game and absent injuries or a game where NDSU has 3 turnovers, nobody is beating NDSU. Not having QB1 obviously hurt SDSU, but NDSU simply rolled SDSU's defense. While MSU's defense may be slightly better than SDSU, it is not good enough to stop NDSU. UM's defense got rolled by ISU so it goes without saying (but I will anyway), NDSU will roll UM for at least 35 points and its D will not give up more than 17 to UM's offense. Tarleton gets rolled by NDSU, SDSU, MSU and UM by at least 20 points so not even in the same conversation.

[Bobcatsinmso]

[Catsrgrood]

I watched the game and absent injuries or a game where NDSU has 3 turnovers, nobody is beating NDSU. Not having QB1 obviously hurt SDSU, but NDSU simply rolled SDSU's defense. While MSU's defense may be slightly better than SDSU, it is not good enough to stop NDSU. UM's defense got rolled by ISU so it goes without saying (but I will anyway), NDSU will roll UM for at least 35 points and its D will not give up more than 17 to UM's offense. Tarleton gets rolled by NDSU, SDSU, MSU and UM by at least 20 points so not even in the same conversation.

Yea that’s about how it’s shaping up to be.

I had said before the season started that I felt NDSU was the strong favorite the rest are playing for the right to go to Nashville and take second place.

A lot of season left, crazy things can happen, but as the season progresses, that’s looking more and more like how it’ll play out.

[Bobcat Sig]

I get it, but... LAME. Griz play a soooft schedule

[grizzh8r]

Haha tied for 4th in the rankings, but H2H gets them the honor of being above MSU on the list. I can respect that...

[BlueNGoldTilIDie]

I still think even if we end up 3rd we will host a semi game if tarleton is 2nd. I do not believe they will win out. Remind me a lot of the sac st teams but never did anything in the playoffs.