Experience... how much does it matter?

[nanacat]

Okay, yes, it's a DUH, question, on one hand. But here's where my brain has been going this morning...

Vigen- played and coached at NDSU who certainly had a formula for success and spent many years in championship situations, playing in the playoffs, etc. And since he's been at Bozeman he's been to the NC twice and coached in a semi final game 4 times, well this will be his 4th I guess. So he's been there done that, alot, knows how to prepare, knows what mistakes were made and need fixed, etc. Can he prepare his staff and team for this really, really big moment effectively due to his experience?

Bobby- has been to the NC once since he's returned, but more during his 1st tenure, though that was a long time ago. Still, he's the winningest coach in the Big Sky, etc. His record in the post season hasn't been stellar of late, other than 2023, so is he not as good in the big moments against much better teams than the bottom dwellers in the Big Sky, are his staff more "old school", and him too? Can he prepare his team effectively to win on the road with these high stakes?

Lamson- listening to the interview with him this morning, he's nearly surpassed his TD record in one year with the Cats than his two years at Stanford. He's played in some big venues comparatively, it sounds like, and has had the benefit of seeing different coaching styles, defenses, schemes, etc, just due to being a 5th year senior. Is that why going into WA-GRIZ really didn't affect him, and is he better prepared, due to his past, to lead the Cats to a win today?

KAY- he's a sophomore, and the full time starter this year alone. Hasn't played in big venues, hostile environments, but also is leading a team with many transfers who haven't spent more than this year together, and he's younger than many of them. That being said, Tommy, as a RS freshman, got thrown in after McKay got benched and led the Cats to the NC in '21, so clearly youth isn't necessarily a weakness. But is one year of playing mostly in the comfort of his home stadium actually a disadvantage to KAY in this game?

Both teams- Cats have several on their team who have been here before, semi finals, even NC. They're more battle tested having played in bigger venues against tougher teams, but also have more years of playing together in games with alot on the line. While not senior laden, they've been there done that.
The griz, with their plethora of transfers, have only had this year to gel as a team, and while it's obvious they have as the season has progressed, as with AhYat, they've been most successful in the comfort of their home stadium. In addition, though some say it doesn't matter, Colter shared that only 4 Montana players are on the griz starting rotation with 12 on the Cats, (I'm pretty sure these numbers are what he listed). But maybe more importantly is what Adam Jones said about playing for the seniors on the team who will be playing their last game in Bobcat stadium.

Obviously we'll know how much experience matters in a few hours. Go Cats!

[jgrilley406]

It’ll help some but not as much as it would if we were facing another opponent. The fact that these teams played each other less than a month ago and they now each others personnel better than another opponent, it’s gonna come down to execution and which ever teams make fewer mistakes. Also with OOC refs it’ll be tighter called game so can’t have any stupid personal foul calls. Like what Eiden did might warrant a disqualification today and can’t remember what WR it was at the end of the first half when the cats were driving for a FG kept getting into the DBs face after his catches might get you a flag. So as big as this game is composure will be a factor in this brawl.

[BOBCATBORN]

It’ll help some but not as much as it would if we were facing another opponent. The fact that these teams played each other less than a month ago and they now each others personnel better than another opponent, it’s gonna come down to execution and which ever teams make fewer mistakes. Also with OOC refs it’ll be tighter called game so can’t have any stupid personal foul calls. Like what Eiden did might warrant a disqualification today and can’t remember what WR it was at the end of the first half when the cats were driving for a FG kept getting into the DBs face after his catches might get you a flag. So as big as this game is composure will be a factor in this brawl.

The Eiden comment is laughable. The helmet was already coming off. They would review the play before ejecting him.

[Bobcat4Ever]

Even with our experience we are having way too many procedure flags. That needs to be fixed or might be trouble.

[onceacat]

It matters. It's not the be all end all, but it matters. A lot like home field matters. Not everything, but playing at home gives you a bit of an advantage.

More than just having post season experience, the extra practice makes a massive difference. Playing in the NC game gives the guys a full 6 weeks of additional practice (relative to not making the playoffs), not to mention the extra 4 games.

The 5th year seniors at NDSU will have played something like an additional 14-16 games prior to their senior year with an extra 20-24 weeks of practice. Thats a full extra season.

So, yeah, it makes a difference...but it's been showing up all year long...it's why MSU is the 2 seed & why MSU was able to beat UM in WaGris last month. Playing and practicing for an extra 6 weeks just flat out makes you a better team than a team that didn't.

[nanacat]

It matters. It's not the be all end all, but it matters. A lot like home field matters. Not everything, but playing at home gives you a bit of an advantage.

More than just having post season experience, the extra practice makes a massive difference. Playing in the NC game gives the guys a full 6 weeks of additional practice (relative to not making the playoffs), not to mention the extra 4 games.

The 5th year seniors at NDSU will have played something like an additional 14-16 games prior to their senior year with an extra 20-24 weeks of practice. Thats a full extra season.

So, yeah, it makes a difference...but it's been showing up all year long...it's why MSU is the 2 seed & why MSU was able to beat UM in WaGris last month. Playing and practicing for an extra 6 weeks just flat out makes you a better team than a team that didn't.

That's a really good point, as far as the extra playing time.

[RickRund]

It matters. It's not the be all end all, but it matters. A lot like home field matters. Not everything, but playing at home gives you a bit of an advantage.

More than just having post season experience, the extra practice makes a massive difference. Playing in the NC game gives the guys a full 6 weeks of additional practice (relative to not making the playoffs), not to mention the extra 4 games.

The 5th year seniors at NDSU will have played something like an additional 14-16 games prior to their senior year with an extra 20-24 weeks of practice. Thats a full extra season.

So, yeah, it makes a difference...but it's been showing up all year long...it's why MSU is the 2 seed & why MSU was able to beat UM in WaGris last month. Playing and practicing for an extra 6 weeks just flat out makes you a better team than a team that didn't.

Massey did an update on their rankings. CATS are now #1, NDSU #2, Gris #3, Ill St #4, etc.