How do Cats stack up against Griz

[TomCat88]

Those stats are very interesting.

Besides the Cat-Griz stats I always love this time of year, I found it very interesting that the awful Weber offense is ranked exactly the same as their very sneaky good defense.

Over last six games wsu, which gave up 1,551 yards on 210 plays in its first three games, is fourth in the BSC in yards allowed per game and fourth in yards allowed per play.

And has the 10th overall defense and10th overall offense.

Yes, that’s BSC only stats. WSU has played 3 of the top five offenses during that stretch which obviously skews the numbers.

And I never said that wsu was sneaky on defense. I said that about UNC and CP in general.

I'm just having fun TC.

But your comment has me thinking about the discussions that happen around now every single season. Was Weber just really unlucky with the scheduling that they happened to play all these really good offenses? Or are all these offenses lucky because their numbers start looking better after getting to play against Weber?

I'm thinking we'll be having this discussion in abundance the next couple weeks. Will the "amazing" griz offense look that way when they go up against the best D they've seen this year? Does the Cat defense only look unstoppable because they haven't played such a prolific offense?

Oh, i know you are. You like pulling my leg from time to time. It's all good. If ya didn't like me, you wouldn't give me s--t.

Joe Dale is the DC at Weber, and he was there when WSU was the best defensive team in the BSC under Jay Hill. I expect they will continue to grow as long as Dale is around. I'm not sure if Mental will last through this year, so maybe Dale gets hired next year. I think WSU went with Mental because he's more offensive minded and that's where WSU need to improve. They may want to go with Dale if Mental is let go, because Dale is more like Hill.

You can always slice/spin it several different ways. I love the rags to riches stories in sports. I think Weber is a prime candidate to make a big turnaround. I don't expect them to stay down long.

[MrGoodKat]

Jay Hill left after the 2022 season.

In 2023, the Wildcats allowed 26 PPG in conference play.

In 2024, they allowed 32 PPG in conference play.

So far in 2025, they have allowed 35 PPG in conference play.

Joe Dale has been the DC or Co-DC for them over the entirety of that span.

The further away they get from Jay Hill, the worse their defense is performing. They are showing no sign of some big turnaround.

[catatac]

Equally funny was how they all predicted the cats being at the bottom of the conference without Tommy.

Honestly this has been my favorite part of the season. Some acted as if there was NO way we could be good after losing Tommy. And they said our defense wouldn't be as good either. I've maintained since the summer I felt like this team would be better overall than last year, despite losing some really great players on both sides of the ball.

Though to be fair to griz fans, some of our own were acting the same way after we started 0-2. Some acted like I was crazy saying we'd win out until the Brawl.

This is a very good team getting better every week.

They said the same thing about Troy. Our success was supposed to just be a function of him being elite and once he left we would crumble. There was some cognitive dissonance there, seeing as how we blew their doors off in the Brawl without Troy.

Bobby Hauck, The only person who used the other team being without their best player as a reason for losing. Its really his Mona Lisa.

[BgCATfan]

Found this on the Big Sky Conference website. You'd think it could help gris fans understand the rankings, especialy from the playoff commitee.
Only two 2 loss teams in the top 20 teams with the toughest schedule in the FCS.

Toughest Schedules in the FCS (via Massey Ratings)
Team (Conference) - Record
1. Portland State (Big Sky) - 1-8
2. Murray State (MVFC) - 0-9
3. Northern Iowa (MVFC) - 2-7
4. Abilene Christian (UAC) - 5-4
5. Indiana State (MVFC) - 3-6
6. Northern Arizona (Big Sky) - 5-4
7. Montana State (Big Sky) - 7-2
8. Idaho State (Big Sky) - 3-6
9. North Dakota (MVFC) - 6-3
10. Utah Tech (UAC) - 2-7
11. Youngstown State (MVFC) - 5-4
12. Weber State (Big Sky) - 3-6
13. Idaho (Big Sky) - 4-5
14. Eastern Washington (Big Sky) - 4-5
15. Cal Poly (Big Sky) - 3-6
16. Northern Colorado (Big Sky) - 3-6
17. South Dakota (MVFC) - 6-4
18. Southern Illinois (MVFC) - 6-3
19. South Dakota State (MVFC) - 7-2
20. UC Davis (Big Sky) - 6-2

Their point, which is fair, is that MSU’s SOS is only as high as it is because we played Oregon.

My point then would be that had we didn't play Oregon, we would most likely be 8-1.

[MrGoodKat]

Found this on the Big Sky Conference website. You'd think it could help gris fans understand the rankings, especialy from the playoff commitee.
Only two 2 loss teams in the top 20 teams with the toughest schedule in the FCS.

Toughest Schedules in the FCS (via Massey Ratings)
Team (Conference) - Record
1. Portland State (Big Sky) - 1-8
2. Murray State (MVFC) - 0-9
3. Northern Iowa (MVFC) - 2-7
4. Abilene Christian (UAC) - 5-4
5. Indiana State (MVFC) - 3-6
6. Northern Arizona (Big Sky) - 5-4
7. Montana State (Big Sky) - 7-2
8. Idaho State (Big Sky) - 3-6
9. North Dakota (MVFC) - 6-3
10. Utah Tech (UAC) - 2-7
11. Youngstown State (MVFC) - 5-4
12. Weber State (Big Sky) - 3-6
13. Idaho (Big Sky) - 4-5
14. Eastern Washington (Big Sky) - 4-5
15. Cal Poly (Big Sky) - 3-6
16. Northern Colorado (Big Sky) - 3-6
17. South Dakota (MVFC) - 6-4
18. Southern Illinois (MVFC) - 6-3
19. South Dakota State (MVFC) - 7-2
20. UC Davis (Big Sky) - 6-2

Their point, which is fair, is that MSU’s SOS is only as high as it is because we played Oregon.

My point then would be that had we didn't play Oregon, we would most likely be 8-1.

And then the counterpoint would be that they’re 9-0 and they won their home game against a quality MVFC opponent, while the Cats lost theirs.

I believe that MSU is better. I think league play has borne that out. However, if roles were reversed, Cats fans would be *furious* and that’s just a fact.

[tdub]

Found this on the Big Sky Conference website. You'd think it could help gris fans understand the rankings, especialy from the playoff commitee.
Only two 2 loss teams in the top 20 teams with the toughest schedule in the FCS.

Toughest Schedules in the FCS (via Massey Ratings)
Team (Conference) - Record
1. Portland State (Big Sky) - 1-8
2. Murray State (MVFC) - 0-9
3. Northern Iowa (MVFC) - 2-7
4. Abilene Christian (UAC) - 5-4
5. Indiana State (MVFC) - 3-6
6. Northern Arizona (Big Sky) - 5-4
7. Montana State (Big Sky) - 7-2
8. Idaho State (Big Sky) - 3-6
9. North Dakota (MVFC) - 6-3
10. Utah Tech (UAC) - 2-7
11. Youngstown State (MVFC) - 5-4
12. Weber State (Big Sky) - 3-6
13. Idaho (Big Sky) - 4-5
14. Eastern Washington (Big Sky) - 4-5
15. Cal Poly (Big Sky) - 3-6
16. Northern Colorado (Big Sky) - 3-6
17. South Dakota (MVFC) - 6-4
18. Southern Illinois (MVFC) - 6-3
19. South Dakota State (MVFC) - 7-2
20. UC Davis (Big Sky) - 6-2

Their point, which is fair, is that MSU’s SOS is only as high as it is because we played Oregon.

My point then would be that had we didn't play Oregon, we would most likely be 8-1.

And then the counterpoint would be that they’re 9-0 and they won their home game against a quality MVFC opponent, while the Cats lost theirs.

I believe that MSU is better. I think league play has borne that out. However, if roles were reversed, Cats fans would be *furious* and that’s just a fact.

Your opinion about being *furious* is not a fact. It’s your opinion of what you think would happen. There is justification why the gris are ahead of the Cats in the polls. There’s just as much justification why the committee thinks the opposite. So, no, Cat fans (i.e. me) would not be furious if roles were reversed.

[MrGoodKat]

Found this on the Big Sky Conference website. You'd think it could help gris fans understand the rankings, especialy from the playoff commitee.
Only two 2 loss teams in the top 20 teams with the toughest schedule in the FCS.

Toughest Schedules in the FCS (via Massey Ratings)
Team (Conference) - Record
1. Portland State (Big Sky) - 1-8
2. Murray State (MVFC) - 0-9
3. Northern Iowa (MVFC) - 2-7
4. Abilene Christian (UAC) - 5-4
5. Indiana State (MVFC) - 3-6
6. Northern Arizona (Big Sky) - 5-4
7. Montana State (Big Sky) - 7-2
8. Idaho State (Big Sky) - 3-6
9. North Dakota (MVFC) - 6-3
10. Utah Tech (UAC) - 2-7
11. Youngstown State (MVFC) - 5-4
12. Weber State (Big Sky) - 3-6
13. Idaho (Big Sky) - 4-5
14. Eastern Washington (Big Sky) - 4-5
15. Cal Poly (Big Sky) - 3-6
16. Northern Colorado (Big Sky) - 3-6
17. South Dakota (MVFC) - 6-4
18. Southern Illinois (MVFC) - 6-3
19. South Dakota State (MVFC) - 7-2
20. UC Davis (Big Sky) - 6-2

Their point, which is fair, is that MSU’s SOS is only as high as it is because we played Oregon.

My point then would be that had we didn't play Oregon, we would most likely be 8-1.

And then the counterpoint would be that they’re 9-0 and they won their home game against a quality MVFC opponent, while the Cats lost theirs.

I believe that MSU is better. I think league play has borne that out. However, if roles were reversed, Cats fans would be *furious* and that’s just a fact.

Your opinion about being *furious* is not a fact. It’s your opinion of what you think would happen. There is justification why the gris are ahead of the Cats in the polls. There’s just as much justification why the committee thinks the opposite. So, no, Cat fans (i.e. me) would not be furious if roles were reversed.

It is my opinion that it is a fact.

[JoeCatsJoe]

Pretty sure my opinion wouldn’t change. My opinion now is that I don’t care who is ranked ahead of who, cuz we play in a few weeks.

[HookedOnGriz]

Tom’s latest meandering thoughts aside, the only way he and OldJack are correct is that yes, MSU hasn’t seen an offense like UM’s simply because they haven’t yet played UM.

Oregon is a better offense by miles, so I’m really not understanding the “haven’t seen an offense like UM’s yet” unless you’re being literal in that the Gris are still to be played. In that case, congrats for stating the obvious.

Oregon’s offense is not only BETTER THAN Montana’s offense, but it’s also DIFFERENT THAN Montana’s offense. The Griz have the best offense in the Big Sky Conference and the Cats have seen nothing like it yet. That is the clear point I read in Tom’s statement. Some of you guys keep using the fact that Oregon boatraced the Cats as a nonsensical argument to try to dispute Tom’s statement.

As I said, that’s being literal. That’s not analysis, that’s a statement of fact. No duh they haven’t seen the Gris offense yet. Excellent insight, Jack. Never could have figured that one out without your wisdom.

Not only “haven’t seen the Griz offense yet,” but haven’t seen an offense like it. The Griz have the top offense in the BSC, as you know.

Griz have the top offense in the conference? If you want to compare conference teams, you need to compare conference only stats. It’s the closest way to compare apples to apples. You might want to check them. Cats are number one in offense by a long shot (scoring and total yards), while the Griz are sitting 4th. Cats will have seen the number 2 (UC Davis) and number 3 (Idaho State) offenses before they face the mighty #4 offense in the conference.

Ha ha ha. That's funny stuff, but hey look - Griz are good because Bobby told me so.

Ya…and don’t get me going on the QB comparison. Lamson’s efficiency rating is 196.0 while Ah Yat is 148.0….and Griz fans say Ah Yat is a front runner for the Walter Payton, that is embarrassing actually. Lamson is killing it and is getting better. He has a high ceiling and with Vigen’s ability to develop, watch out!

Where did you pull your stats for this bad argument?


Per ESPN:

Lamson
Rating 169
Completion % 72
Total passing yards 1909
16 TDs
2 INTs

Ah Yat
Rating 161
% 67
Passing yards 2534 (leads all of FCS)
19 TDs
INT 7

Colter a many of his guests have said many times Ah Yat is probably the best QB in the league with a shot to be in the Payton race as well as win Big Sky player of the year.

[MTnative]

Tom’s latest meandering thoughts aside, the only way he and OldJack are correct is that yes, MSU hasn’t seen an offense like UM’s simply because they haven’t yet played UM.

Oregon is a better offense by miles, so I’m really not understanding the “haven’t seen an offense like UM’s yet” unless you’re being literal in that the Gris are still to be played. In that case, congrats for stating the obvious.

Oregon’s offense is not only BETTER THAN Montana’s offense, but it’s also DIFFERENT THAN Montana’s offense. The Griz have the best offense in the Big Sky Conference and the Cats have seen nothing like it yet. That is the clear point I read in Tom’s statement. Some of you guys keep using the fact that Oregon boatraced the Cats as a nonsensical argument to try to dispute Tom’s statement.

As I said, that’s being literal. That’s not analysis, that’s a statement of fact. No duh they haven’t seen the Gris offense yet. Excellent insight, Jack. Never could have figured that one out without your wisdom.

Not only “haven’t seen the Griz offense yet,” but haven’t seen an offense like it. The Griz have the top offense in the BSC, as you know.

Griz have the top offense in the conference? If you want to compare conference teams, you need to compare conference only stats. It’s the closest way to compare apples to apples. You might want to check them. Cats are number one in offense by a long shot (scoring and total yards), while the Griz are sitting 4th. Cats will have seen the number 2 (UC Davis) and number 3 (Idaho State) offenses before they face the mighty #4 offense in the conference.

Ha ha ha. That's funny stuff, but hey look - Griz are good because Bobby told me so.

Ya…and don’t get me going on the QB comparison. Lamson’s efficiency rating is 196.0 while Ah Yat is 148.0….and Griz fans say Ah Yat is a front runner for the Walter Payton, that is embarrassing actually. Lamson is killing it and is getting better. He has a high ceiling and with Vigen’s ability to develop, watch out!

Where did you pull your stats for this bad argument?


Per ESPN:

Lamson
Rating 169
Completion % 72
Total passing yards 1909
16 TDs
2 INTs

Ah Yat
Rating 161
% 67
Passing yards 2534 (leads all of FCS)
19 TDs

Colter a many of his guests have said many times Ah Yat is probably the best QB in the league with a shot to be in the Payton race as well as win Big Sky player of the year.

Ah Yat also has 7 INTs, which you conveniently left out. He also has 47 rush yards to Lamson's 387 and 6 rushing TDs.

Per ESPN of course.

[HookedOnGriz]

One more interesting comparison.

The Cats and Griz have both played 5 BSC games, they have both played 2 games at home and 3 on the road, and their collective opponents' records are an identical 18-27.

In those conference games, the Cats are +177 points in scoring differential, good for 35.4 PPG. Their smallest margin was the 17 point victory over CP.

In their conference games, the Griz are +79 points in scoring differential, good for 15.8 PPG. Their smallest margin was their 4 point victory over ISU.

Here's an offense/defense breakdown in BSC play.

The Griz have scored 198 points in five conference games, good for 39.6 PPG.

They have allowed 129 points in those same games, or 25.8 PPG.

The Cats have scored 228 points in five conference games, good for 45.6 PPG.

They have allowed 51 points in those same games, or 10.2 PPG.

Here's why this is interesting to me:

A lot of the discourse around the Cat/Griz comparison so far this season has focused on SOS. Griz fans have obviously (and fairly) highlighted that UM is undefeated and the Cats have two losses. Cat fans have responded that they've played a tougher schedule. The response to that (again, I think fairly) is that the stronger SOS is basically based on the Oregon game, which is basically irrelevant.

So my suggestion is throw the OOC play out altogether and just focus on what's truly comparable: conference play. The SOS in-conference between the Cats and the Griz is literally identical. And what it reveals is that MSU is a substantially better performing team. That's even true in regards to offense, where the narrative in the media right now definitely favors the Griz. The Cats are almost a touchdown better and then obviously on the defensive side, they're 2.5 times better in terms of points allowed.

I think this is getting lost in a lot of the coverage of the team teams.

The Oregon game isn’t “irrelevant” when Gris fans are using W/L record as a point of comparison.

UM hasn’t played anyone like Oregon, or even SDSU when they were healthy, and that’s really what matters in the SOS argument if W/L record matters.

The “best” team UM played is probably UND, and they just got beaten by a 4-loss team.

Well there’s this. Cats aren’t even on the “3” list

[Hawks86]

[onceacat]

Found this on the Big Sky Conference website. You'd think it could help gris fans understand the rankings, especialy from the playoff commitee.
Only two 2 loss teams in the top 20 teams with the toughest schedule in the FCS.

Toughest Schedules in the FCS (via Massey Ratings)
Team (Conference) - Record
1. Portland State (Big Sky) - 1-8
2. Murray State (MVFC) - 0-9
3. Northern Iowa (MVFC) - 2-7
4. Abilene Christian (UAC) - 5-4
5. Indiana State (MVFC) - 3-6
6. Northern Arizona (Big Sky) - 5-4
7. Montana State (Big Sky) - 7-2
8. Idaho State (Big Sky) - 3-6
9. North Dakota (MVFC) - 6-3
10. Utah Tech (UAC) - 2-7
11. Youngstown State (MVFC) - 5-4
12. Weber State (Big Sky) - 3-6
13. Idaho (Big Sky) - 4-5
14. Eastern Washington (Big Sky) - 4-5
15. Cal Poly (Big Sky) - 3-6
16. Northern Colorado (Big Sky) - 3-6
17. South Dakota (MVFC) - 6-4
18. Southern Illinois (MVFC) - 6-3
19. South Dakota State (MVFC) - 7-2
20. UC Davis (Big Sky) - 6-2

Their point, which is fair, is that MSU’s SOS is only as high as it is because we played Oregon.

‘The Cats only have a strong SOS because they played good teams’ isn’t really that great of a flex.

SMH

[91catAlum]

One more interesting comparison.

The Cats and Griz have both played 5 BSC games, they have both played 2 games at home and 3 on the road, and their collective opponents' records are an identical 18-27.

In those conference games, the Cats are +177 points in scoring differential, good for 35.4 PPG. Their smallest margin was the 17 point victory over CP.

In their conference games, the Griz are +79 points in scoring differential, good for 15.8 PPG. Their smallest margin was their 4 point victory over ISU.

Here's an offense/defense breakdown in BSC play.

The Griz have scored 198 points in five conference games, good for 39.6 PPG.

They have allowed 129 points in those same games, or 25.8 PPG.

The Cats have scored 228 points in five conference games, good for 45.6 PPG.

They have allowed 51 points in those same games, or 10.2 PPG.

Here's why this is interesting to me:

A lot of the discourse around the Cat/Griz comparison so far this season has focused on SOS. Griz fans have obviously (and fairly) highlighted that UM is undefeated and the Cats have two losses. Cat fans have responded that they've played a tougher schedule. The response to that (again, I think fairly) is that the stronger SOS is basically based on the Oregon game, which is basically irrelevant.

So my suggestion is throw the OOC play out altogether and just focus on what's truly comparable: conference play. The SOS in-conference between the Cats and the Griz is literally identical. And what it reveals is that MSU is a substantially better performing team. That's even true in regards to offense, where the narrative in the media right now definitely favors the Griz. The Cats are almost a touchdown better and then obviously on the defensive side, they're 2.5 times better in terms of points allowed.

I think this is getting lost in a lot of the coverage of the team teams.

The Oregon game isn’t “irrelevant” when Gris fans are using W/L record as a point of comparison.

UM hasn’t played anyone like Oregon, or even SDSU when they were healthy, and that’s really what matters in the SOS argument if W/L record matters.

The “best” team UM played is probably UND, and they just got beaten by a 4-loss team.

Well there’s this. Cats aren’t even on the “3” list

Top 50?? Seems a bit arbitrary. Let’s do top 3 at the time on schedule:
MSU - 1
um - 0

Let’s do D2 schools on schedule:
um - 1
MSU- 0

[BelligerentBobcat]

Tom’s latest meandering thoughts aside, the only way he and OldJack are correct is that yes, MSU hasn’t seen an offense like UM’s simply because they haven’t yet played UM.

Oregon is a better offense by miles, so I’m really not understanding the “haven’t seen an offense like UM’s yet” unless you’re being literal in that the Gris are still to be played. In that case, congrats for stating the obvious.

Oregon’s offense is not only BETTER THAN Montana’s offense, but it’s also DIFFERENT THAN Montana’s offense. The Griz have the best offense in the Big Sky Conference and the Cats have seen nothing like it yet. That is the clear point I read in Tom’s statement. Some of you guys keep using the fact that Oregon boatraced the Cats as a nonsensical argument to try to dispute Tom’s statement.

As I said, that’s being literal. That’s not analysis, that’s a statement of fact. No duh they haven’t seen the Gris offense yet. Excellent insight, Jack. Never could have figured that one out without your wisdom.

Not only “haven’t seen the Griz offense yet,” but haven’t seen an offense like it. The Griz have the top offense in the BSC, as you know.

Griz have the top offense in the conference? If you want to compare conference teams, you need to compare conference only stats. It’s the closest way to compare apples to apples. You might want to check them. Cats are number one in offense by a long shot (scoring and total yards), while the Griz are sitting 4th. Cats will have seen the number 2 (UC Davis) and number 3 (Idaho State) offenses before they face the mighty #4 offense in the conference.

Ha ha ha. That's funny stuff, but hey look - Griz are good because Bobby told me so.

Ya…and don’t get me going on the QB comparison. Lamson’s efficiency rating is 196.0 while Ah Yat is 148.0….and Griz fans say Ah Yat is a front runner for the Walter Payton, that is embarrassing actually. Lamson is killing it and is getting better. He has a high ceiling and with Vigen’s ability to develop, watch out!

Where did you pull your stats for this bad argument?


Per ESPN:

Lamson
Rating 169
Completion % 72
Total passing yards 1909
16 TDs
2 INTs

Ah Yat
Rating 161
% 67
Passing yards 2534 (leads all of FCS)
19 TDs
INT 7

Colter a many of his guests have said many times Ah Yat is probably the best QB in the league with a shot to be in the Payton race as well as win Big Sky player of the year.

I know you won’t respond, but why don’t you tell me how many games KAY has played compared to the guy in 2nd place for passing yards?

Secondly, again, I know you won’t respond, but how about you post the conference only QB stats? You know, see how both have done against their conference peers.

[onceacat]

Tom’s latest meandering thoughts aside, the only way he and OldJack are correct is that yes, MSU hasn’t seen an offense like UM’s simply because they haven’t yet played UM.

Oregon is a better offense by miles, so I’m really not understanding the “haven’t seen an offense like UM’s yet” unless you’re being literal in that the Gris are still to be played. In that case, congrats for stating the obvious.

Oregon’s offense is not only BETTER THAN Montana’s offense, but it’s also DIFFERENT THAN Montana’s offense. The Griz have the best offense in the Big Sky Conference and the Cats have seen nothing like it yet. That is the clear point I read in Tom’s statement. Some of you guys keep using the fact that Oregon boatraced the Cats as a nonsensical argument to try to dispute Tom’s statement.

As I said, that’s being literal. That’s not analysis, that’s a statement of fact. No duh they haven’t seen the Gris offense yet. Excellent insight, Jack. Never could have figured that one out without your wisdom.

Not only “haven’t seen the Griz offense yet,” but haven’t seen an offense like it. The Griz have the top offense in the BSC, as you know.

Griz have the top offense in the conference? If you want to compare conference teams, you need to compare conference only stats. It’s the closest way to compare apples to apples. You might want to check them. Cats are number one in offense by a long shot (scoring and total yards), while the Griz are sitting 4th. Cats will have seen the number 2 (UC Davis) and number 3 (Idaho State) offenses before they face the mighty #4 offense in the conference.

Ha ha ha. That's funny stuff, but hey look - Griz are good because Bobby told me so.

Ya…and don’t get me going on the QB comparison. Lamson’s efficiency rating is 196.0 while Ah Yat is 148.0….and Griz fans say Ah Yat is a front runner for the Walter Payton, that is embarrassing actually. Lamson is killing it and is getting better. He has a high ceiling and with Vigen’s ability to develop, watch out!

Where did you pull your stats for this bad argument?


Per ESPN:

Lamson
Rating 169
Completion % 72
Total passing yards 1909
16 TDs
2 INTs

Ah Yat
Rating 161
% 67
Passing yards 2534 (leads all of FCS)
19 TDs
INT 7

Colter a many of his guests have said many times Ah Yat is probably the best QB in the league with a shot to be in the Payton race as well as win Big Sky player of the year.

I know you won’t respond, but why don’t you tell me how many games KAY has played compared to the guy in 2nd place for passing yards?

Secondly, again, I know you won’t respond, but how about you post the conference only QB stats? You know, see how both have done against their conference peers.

Also, how many games did KAY sit out the last 2-4 drives because the game was out of hand?

[PapaG]

One more interesting comparison.

The Cats and Griz have both played 5 BSC games, they have both played 2 games at home and 3 on the road, and their collective opponents' records are an identical 18-27.

In those conference games, the Cats are +177 points in scoring differential, good for 35.4 PPG. Their smallest margin was the 17 point victory over CP.

In their conference games, the Griz are +79 points in scoring differential, good for 15.8 PPG. Their smallest margin was their 4 point victory over ISU.

Here's an offense/defense breakdown in BSC play.

The Griz have scored 198 points in five conference games, good for 39.6 PPG.

They have allowed 129 points in those same games, or 25.8 PPG.

The Cats have scored 228 points in five conference games, good for 45.6 PPG.

They have allowed 51 points in those same games, or 10.2 PPG.

Here's why this is interesting to me:

A lot of the discourse around the Cat/Griz comparison so far this season has focused on SOS. Griz fans have obviously (and fairly) highlighted that UM is undefeated and the Cats have two losses. Cat fans have responded that they've played a tougher schedule. The response to that (again, I think fairly) is that the stronger SOS is basically based on the Oregon game, which is basically irrelevant.

So my suggestion is throw the OOC play out altogether and just focus on what's truly comparable: conference play. The SOS in-conference between the Cats and the Griz is literally identical. And what it reveals is that MSU is a substantially better performing team. That's even true in regards to offense, where the narrative in the media right now definitely favors the Griz. The Cats are almost a touchdown better and then obviously on the defensive side, they're 2.5 times better in terms of points allowed.

I think this is getting lost in a lot of the coverage of the team teams.

The Oregon game isn’t “irrelevant” when Gris fans are using W/L record as a point of comparison.

UM hasn’t played anyone like Oregon, or even SDSU when they were healthy, and that’s really what matters in the SOS argument if W/L record matters.

The “best” team UM played is probably UND, and they just got beaten by a 4-loss team.

Well there’s this. Cats aren’t even on the “3” list

“Top 50 wins” isn’t saying much when the majority of those teams are not good and have no chance at a national title.

Go ahead and list those wins.