Top 2 path

[kwcat]

Full first top ten from the committee:

1. NDSU
2. SDSU
3. Tarleton State
4. Montana State
5. Montana
6. UC Davis
7. Lehigh
8. UND
9. Monmouth
10. Tennessee Tech

https://herosports.com/fcs-playoff-2025 ... king-bzbz/

[coloradocat]

I hope on next week's FCS Football Talk podcast Sam tells Zach "I guess the committee actually watches the games and doesn't just look at box scores and opponents media rankings." I'm not sure if we beat his team in the playoffs at some point or what but Zach has been going out of his way for years to not give us enough credit.

[Catsrgrood]

Actually, pretty pleasant surprise. Resume does mean something. Strength of Schedule does mean something. Eye test does mean something. Only surprise to me was Lehigh at #7. They are 12 in Massey and SOS is 86th. Don't see how they are better than #8-10 or SIU or Abilene Christian or even Ill. State. Good position for the Cats. Still don't see a top 2 path UNLESS 1) UTT loses a game by a lot and 2) SDSU loses marker AND one other game. But then have to watch out if UND could jump too far up. Other option is if SDSU loses marker by 20 or more and barely wins a couple of games. Just hard to see SDSU getting blown out at home with the longest FCS home winning streak.

Regarding the NDSU/SDSU topic, doesn’t it make more sense to pull for SDSU to win out and lock up #1 and let NDSU/Tarleton/Cat-gris winner battle it out for #2?

Then, assuming we win out in this scenario, we have the same FCS record as NDSU with one loss to the same team. And our SOS will be better. Not saying it’ll happen, but there is at least a chance to jump NDSU in that scenario. There is zero chance we jump a 1 loss SDSU if they lose to NDSU.

And, NDSU has to play at UND, there is again at least a chance NDSU takes a loss there and then we’d most likely jump a 2 loss NDSU squad.

I feel like the worst case scenario would for NDSU to beat SDSU and then to get beat by UND. We’d all have 1 FCS loss at that point and very likely on the outside looking in at the top 2.

Edit: SDSU also goes to UND the last week of the season. So I guess regardless of what happens in the marker game, we should pull for UND to beat one or both of those teams in the coming weeks.

[CodyCat]

I just hope our team doesn't get complacent and walk into missoula over-confident this year. Reminds me of Tommy winning the Payton the night before the natty. Let's hope Vigen keeps the boys hungry.

So your saying Tommy was over confident because he won?

Tommy’s the only reason that game was close.

[The Butcher]

Full first top ten from the committee:

1. NDSU
2. SDSU
3. Tarleton State
4. Montana State
5. Montana
6. UC Davis
7. Lehigh
8. UND
9. Monmouth
10. Tennessee Tech

OldGriz in shambles

Well this ranking isn't coaches and writer so the committee is too dumb to see the truth obviously.

Don't for get refs...

[JoeCatsJoe]

Well that confirms my thoughts. Glad the only poll that matters think that way. The eye test tells me we have a better shot in Missoula than in past years. Now all we gotta do is prove it!

[coloradocat]

Well that confirms my thoughts. Glad the only poll that matters think that way. The eye test tells me we have a better shot in Missoula than in past years. Now all we gotta do is prove it!

I think Cat-griz will come down to how Lamson handles the environment and if he learns how to throw the ball away. If he passes both of those tests we should be fine.

[ilovethecats]

Well that confirms my thoughts. Glad the only poll that matters think that way. The eye test tells me we have a better shot in Missoula than in past years. Now all we gotta do is prove it!

I think Cat-griz will come down to how Lamson handles the environment and if he learns how to throw the ball away. If he passes both of those tests we should be fine.

I agree but not just Lamson, but the whole team. Especially those who will be visiting wash-griz for the first time. People can say all day long it’s just another game in a loud stadium but that has been proven over and over to not be the case.

I think the Cats are a better football team. I have thought all year that we would be a more well-rounded and better team than last year. If this game was in Bozeman we’d be favored by two touchdowns. I won’t be surprised if we’re favored by a couple even in Missoula. But we’re gonna get punched early. The fans are gonna be nuts. Place will be electric. We gotta weather that storm, calm down, and don’t make big mistakes that get them crazier. Do all that and I love our chances. Don’t, and it’s another beat down like ‘23

[coloradocat]

Well that confirms my thoughts. Glad the only poll that matters think that way. The eye test tells me we have a better shot in Missoula than in past years. Now all we gotta do is prove it!

I think Cat-griz will come down to how Lamson handles the environment and if he learns how to throw the ball away. If he passes both of those tests we should be fine.

I agree but not just Lamson, but the whole team. Especially those who will be visiting wash-griz for the first time. People can say all day long it’s just another game in a loud stadium but that has been proven over and over to not be the case.

I think the Cats are a better football team. I have thought all year that we would be a more well-rounded and better team than last year. If this game was in Bozeman we’d be favored by two touchdowns. I won’t be surprised if we’re favored by a couple even in Missoula. But we’re gonna get punched early. The fans are gonna be nuts. Place will be electric. We gotta weather that storm, calm down, and don’t make big mistakes that get them crazier. Do all that and I love our chances. Don’t, and it’s another beat down like ‘23

Agreed, I just think he is the most at risk of underestimating what he is walking into and being overconfident (I would also put the DBs in this category but they don't impact the game good or bad as much as he does). Every other position group has been around long enough to know better.

[nanacat]

I wonder if having the indoor practice field will help with noise assimilation? I mean it's totally different than a real game, outside, but it could help. But yes, those who haven't played there before will need to get over their anxiety, jitters, whatever.
I was listening to Riding with Rider, and Colter asked about the attitude of this team, the confidence, and what could be the motivator behind that, the coaches - Howe? Just the individuals themselves? It was interesting as I've noticed that too. There was a stoic maturity, almost a business-like attitude of last year's team. But this year they seem more loose, like they're also having fun, but combined with a bit of swagger too.

[CodyCat]

Well that confirms my thoughts. Glad the only poll that matters think that way. The eye test tells me we have a better shot in Missoula than in past years. Now all we gotta do is prove it!

I’m not ready to talk to the rivalry yet. But, until Vigen remotely competes in Missoula I’m not holding my breath.

[tetoncat]

Well that confirms my thoughts. Glad the only poll that matters think that way. The eye test tells me we have a better shot in Missoula than in past years. Now all we gotta do is prove it!

I’m not ready to talk to the rivalry yet. But, until Vigen remotely competes in Missoula I’m not holding my breath.

Which one the LB or QB. But not sure either will play.

[smith427]

I just hope our team doesn't get complacent and walk into missoula over-confident this year. Reminds me of Tommy winning the Payton the night before the natty. Let's hope Vigen keeps the boys hungry.

So your saying Tommy was over confident because he won?

Tommy’s the only reason that game was close.

No, I just wonder if Tommy not getting the award would have lit an extra fire under the team at large that could have pushed us over the edge. It's more superstition than anything, and probably wouldn't have made a difference. These are just the things paranoid fans think about

[nanacat]

I just hope our team doesn't get complacent and walk into missoula over-confident this year. Reminds me of Tommy winning the Payton the night before the natty. Let's hope Vigen keeps the boys hungry.

So your saying Tommy was over confident because he won?

Tommy’s the only reason that game was close.

No, I just wonder if Tommy not getting the award would have lit an extra fire under the team at large that could have pushed us over the edge. It's more superstition than anything, and probably wouldn't have made a difference. These are just the things paranoid fans think about

Well I heard that argument made regarding Cam and the bison being extra motivated due to Tommy winning the Payton and not Cam. So that checks out.

[onceacat]

Winning in Missoula will be challenging. The gris have some explosive receivers that will test our secondary. If we can limit number 6 and stuff the run I really like our chances, but that won’t be easy. I think the biggest deciding factor will be striking early and quieting the fans. We haven’t been able to do that recently in Missoula and it has caused the head scratching struggles.

Cats haven't been able to pass the ball well there and special teams have not been very good.

Last couple times we played there we didn’t have a QB who was a very good passer.





/runs away

Its not wrong.

And the gris were one of the few teams that had dudes on defense that could match up athletically with Tommy. NDSU & SDSU also could do so. The records show that.

[onceacat]

Pretty loud message from the committee. Don't schedule D2's and the way you win (eye test) means something.

Griz might not even have a top 2 seed in their control. If they win out and the Dakota States teams only loss is in the Marker, a 12-0 (11-0 vs D1) UM with only a couple ranked wins might not jump the losing xDSU.

100%. The Gris aren't jumping into the top 2 without some serious weirdness going on in the MVFC. Struggling with a D2 team and not putting up serious "style" points is going to hurt the gris.

OK, I can see a possible scenario where the gris beat the Cats by 20+ AND the loser of the Marker ALSO loses to another team...but that seems like a lot at this point.

[onceacat]

I see our path to the 2 seed as SDSU losing the marker and losing their last regular season game @ UND. Tarleton slipping up and dropping a game or two? to either West Georgia, @ ACU (best chance) or Austin Peay (2nd best chance). Cats will win the brawl decisively….that happens I see us seeded #2. Of course, this scenario has NDSU and us winning out.

99% chance the Cats jump Tarleton with a win against Davis and at Missoula. Its not even very close.

[onceacat]

Actually, pretty pleasant surprise. Resume does mean something. Strength of Schedule does mean something. Eye test does mean something. Only surprise to me was Lehigh at #7. They are 12 in Massey and SOS is 86th. Don't see how they are better than #8-10 or SIU or Abilene Christian or even Ill. State. Good position for the Cats. Still don't see a top 2 path UNLESS 1) UTT loses a game by a lot and 2) SDSU loses marker AND one other game. But then have to watch out if UND could jump too far up. Other option is if SDSU loses marker by 20 or more and barely wins a couple of games. Just hard to see SDSU getting blown out at home with the longest FCS home winning streak.

Regarding the NDSU/SDSU topic, doesn’t it make more sense to pull for SDSU to win out and lock up #1 and let NDSU/Tarleton/Cat-gris winner battle it out for #2?

Then, assuming we win out in this scenario, we have the same FCS record as NDSU with one loss to the same team. And our SOS will be better. Not saying it’ll happen, but there is at least a chance to jump NDSU in that scenario. There is zero chance we jump a 1 loss SDSU if they lose to NDSU.

And, NDSU has to play at UND, there is again at least a chance NDSU takes a loss there and then we’d most likely jump a 2 loss NDSU squad.

I feel like the worst case scenario would for NDSU to beat SDSU and then to get beat by UND. We’d all have 1 FCS loss at that point and very likely on the outside looking in at the top 2.

Edit: SDSU also goes to UND the last week of the season. So I guess regardless of what happens in the marker game, we should pull for UND to beat one or both of those teams in the coming weeks.

The Cats need whichever team loses the Marker to lose another game. Doesn't matter which one.

[luckyirishguy25]

I see our path to the 2 seed as SDSU losing the marker and losing their last regular season game @ UND. Tarleton slipping up and dropping a game or two? to either West Georgia, @ ACU (best chance) or Austin Peay (2nd best chance). Cats will win the brawl decisively….that happens I see us seeded #2. Of course, this scenario has NDSU and us winning out.

99% chance the Cats jump Tarleton with a win against Davis and at Missoula. Its not even very close.

The Cats aren't jumping a undefeated Tarleton... It won't happen.

[BelligerentBobcat]

I see our path to the 2 seed as SDSU losing the marker and losing their last regular season game @ UND. Tarleton slipping up and dropping a game or two? to either West Georgia, @ ACU (best chance) or Austin Peay (2nd best chance). Cats will win the brawl decisively….that happens I see us seeded #2. Of course, this scenario has NDSU and us winning out.

99% chance the Cats jump Tarleton with a win against Davis and at Missoula. Its not even very close.

The Cats aren't jumping a undefeated Tarleton... It won't happen.

If they beat Davis and an undefeated UM?

Absolutely they will, and should.