On to UC Davis

[rivercat]

As much as I would love to keep reading posts on our QB, let's go on to the upcoming game. I think this game against UC Davis has shaped up into the key game this season. UC Davis is good. While they are 5-5, their loses are to FBS Cal by 14, NDSU by 11, um by 25, UND by 2, and Weber by 16. Their two remaining games are MSU and Sac St.

MSU needs to win this game. I'm not saying it is a must win to get into the playoffs because Cats can beat the griz and make it. But if the Cats want to show they are indeed a top level Big Sky team, they need to show it on the road against a tough team. This November has a similar feel to last year when the Cats needed to win out to make the playoffs and rose to the challenge. I hope to see a repeat November this year.

[CelticCat]

Yea it's kind of crazy there is a huge thread on which QB we need to start to beat the Griz, while we have a HUGE game against UC Davis this Saturday. I mean, we win this game and we are in.

I don't know about you but I don't want to be playing Cat/Griz with our playoff chances on the line. We've knocked the Griz out of the playoffs 3 years in a row, I don't want to be in that position.

[superbobcat]

In my mind this game is loser stays home after the regular season. Davis probably has more to lose than MSU. However, another loss for us is not good, but we could probably make a case if we lost this one and beat the griz at home that we are a playoff team. Davis could sneak in if they win out. Both have a lot to gain or lose. Davis is getting healthy, it won't be an easy time.

[catatac]

In my mind this game is loser stays home after the regular season. Davis probably has more to lose than MSU. However, another loss for us is not good, but we could probably make a case if we lost this one and beat the griz at home that we are a playoff team. Davis could sneak in if they win out. Both have a lot to gain or lose. Davis is getting healthy, it won't be an easy time.

What? No. I don't think any Cat fans, players, or coaches have any intentions of losing at UCD but if that does happen God forbid, Cats could still beat the Griz and wuold 100% stil be in the playoffs. However, in that scenario, no seed, no first round bye, etc.

[Catsrgrood]

In my mind this game is loser stays home after the regular season. Davis probably has more to lose than MSU. However, another loss for us is not good, but we could probably make a case if we lost this one and beat the griz at home that we are a playoff team. Davis could sneak in if they win out. Both have a lot to gain or lose. Davis is getting healthy, it won't be an easy time.

I don’t think it’s true that the loser misses the playoffs. For UC Davis I agree, and frankly they’re probably out right now.

The Cats need to go 1-1 in the next two weeks to be in the playoffs, period.
But I think they’re playing for more than that. Go 2-0 and they get a bye and host round 2. That’s what this is all about. So in that sense I agree it’s a huge, must win game.
But if they were to lose, playoffs are still possible.

[Common Cat]

Win on Saturday and we are in the playoffs. Win next two, we get a seed.

[utucats]

Yea it's kind of crazy there is a huge thread on which QB we need to start to beat the Griz, while we have a HUGE game against UC Davis this Saturday. I mean, we win this game and we are in.

I don't know about you but I don't want to be playing Cat/Griz with our playoff chances on the line. We've knocked the Griz out of the playoffs 3 years in a row, I don't want to be in that position.

Agreed. We don’t want to put our rival in a spot to be playoff spoiler for us. Additionally, we’ve seen a turnaround the last couple of weeks but beating Davis at their place will show if we’ve really turned a corner or just looked great against weak competition.

For me, in order to feel like we have a shot at being competitive in the postseason, I need to see us rise up in a game like this.

Win and we’re in, that should be all the motivation we need on Saturday.

[BleedingBLue]

This was one of the games in August and September that I was thinking would probably be a loss because of how well Davis played last year, and in their 1st couple games this year. After seeing how they have played throughout the season, and how our defense has improved against the pass I am more confident about our ability to win this game.

[CelticCat]

Here's a stat that might make your head explode - MSU is averaging more PPG than UC Davis.

[ilovethecats]

Here's a stat that might make your head explode - MSU is averaging more PPG than UC Davis.

I saw that this morning. We won't say by how much.

I love how this game shapes up for us. Defensively they're a great test for our secondary just like the Griz will be. So far our guys have been up to the task.

Offensively no one runs it better than us and Davis isn't great against the run.

If our D avoids giving up the "big play", I think the Cats win this one by a couple scores.

[TomCat88]

Davis is a mixed bag against the run. They did well against NDSU and WSU, but those are traditional between the tackles run games. Other games were sketchy. They’re middle of the pack vs the run. The pass D is also middle of the pack, but that’s good enough to keep MSU from doing much, if any, damage.

Davis will score some points without any help, so it’s imperative that MSU doesn’t have turnovers/penalties and runs of bad offensive and special teams plays.

[agalum]

Howdy from Davis fellas. The weather should be great for a fun afternoon of football. The Ags this year have been decimated by injuries. Aside from tough competition, our young replacements are just now getting in a groove. But we are still missing several key players. I think that is the biggest difference between last year and this year. Last year overall we stayed healthy. And this game is huge for us if we have any glimmer of a chance at the playoffs.
Always enjoy having the cats in town. If you want any tips on restaurants, let me know. But when in CA, Mexican food is a must!

[WalkOn79]

Howdy from Davis fellas. The weather should be great for a fun afternoon of football. The Ags this year have been decimated by injuries. Aside from tough competition, our young replacements are just now getting in a groove. But we are still missing several key players. I think that is the biggest difference between last year and this year. Last year overall we stayed healthy. And this game is huge for us if we have any glimmer of a chance at the playoffs.
Always enjoy having the cats in town. If you want any tips on restaurants, let me know. But when in CA, Mexican food is a must!

Wish I was making this trip! Some day

[NewEra]

Was there a presser today? Haven’t seen anything posted

[Hawks86]

[RobertoGato]

In FCS play this year, UCD is 2-2 at home with the losses coming to WEB and UM. They lost to WEB by 16 and UM by 25. They beat the 4-5 Patriot League Lehigh Mountainhawks by 28 points and Cal Poly by 24 points.

In Big Sky play (including UND here as well), they're allowing 33 points per game and scoring 34.

When you dig into their season, you see a stark contrast based on quality of opponent. The four best teams they've played are NDSU, WEB, UM, and UND. They are 0-4 in those games and 5-0 against everyone else (excluding their game @ CAL).

In those four tougher games, Maier has thrown for 63% and 6.5 YPA with 10 TD and 8 INT. The opposing QB's have thrown for 66% completion and 7.2 YPA with 9 TD and 2 INT. In the running game, UCD has run for only 295 yards and 1 TD on 2.8 YPC in those four contests and their opponents have run for 811 yards and 8 scores on 4.7 YPC.

So it seems that when this team encounters a quality opponent, especially one with quality players along the OL and DL, they struggle mightily-- especially to stop the run and run the ball themselves. They also turn the ball over a lot. If MSU is of that tier of team like Weber and UM, which I believe that they are, this is a game they should win on the road, and they should do it on the strength of rush offense.

[iaafan]

In FCS play this year, UCD is 2-2 at home with the losses coming to WEB and UM. They lost to WEB by 16 and UM by 25. They beat the 4-5 Patriot League Lehigh Mountainhawks by 28 points and Cal Poly by 24 points.

In Big Sky play (including UND here as well), they're allowing 33 points per game and scoring 34.

When you dig into their season, you see a stark contrast based on quality of opponent. The four best teams they've played are NDSU, WEB, UM, and UND. They are 0-4 in those games and 5-0 against everyone else (excluding their game @ CAL).

In those four tougher games, Maier has thrown for 63% and 6.5 YPA with 10 TD and 8 INT. The opposing QB's have thrown for 66% completion and 7.2 YPA with 9 TD and 2 INT. In the running game, UCD has run for only 295 yards and 1 TD on 2.8 YPC in those four contests and their opponents have run for 811 yards and 8 scores on 4.7 YPC.

So it seems that when this team encounters a quality opponent, especially one with quality players along the OL and DL, they struggle mightily-- especially to stop the run and run the ball themselves. They also turn the ball over a lot. If MSU is of that tier of team like Weber and UM, which I believe that they are, this is a game they should win on the road, and they should do it on the strength of rush offense.

Yeah!! Now you’re talking my language. I like all of this!

[grizzh8r]

In FCS play this year, UCD is 2-2 at home with the losses coming to WEB and UM. They lost to WEB by 16 and UM by 25. They beat the 4-5 Patriot League Lehigh Mountainhawks by 28 points and Cal Poly by 24 points.

In Big Sky play (including UND here as well), they're allowing 33 points per game and scoring 34.

When you dig into their season, you see a stark contrast based on quality of opponent. The four best teams they've played are NDSU, WEB, UM, and UND. They are 0-4 in those games and 5-0 against everyone else (excluding their game @ CAL).

In those four tougher games, Maier has thrown for 63% and 6.5 YPA with 10 TD and 8 INT. The opposing QB's have thrown for 66% completion and 7.2 YPA with 9 TD and 2 INT. In the running game, UCD has run for only 295 yards and 1 TD on 2.8 YPC in those four contests and their opponents have run for 811 yards and 8 scores on 4.7 YPC.

So it seems that when this team encounters a quality opponent, especially one with quality players along the OL and DL, they struggle mightily-- especially to stop the run and run the ball themselves. They also turn the ball over a lot. If MSU is of that tier of team like Weber and UM, which I believe that they are, this is a game they should win on the road, and they should do it on the strength of rush offense.

Yeah!! Now you’re talking my language. I like all of this!

Yes, thanks for the analysis, quality stuff! I had a good feeling about this game before reading this, feeling even better now. Will likely still be a close game, but if MSU can just play mostly mistaken free football, I like their chances in Davis.

[Cataholic]

Howdy from Davis fellas. The weather should be great for a fun afternoon of football. The Ags this year have been decimated by injuries. Aside from tough competition, our young replacements are just now getting in a groove. But we are still missing several key players. I think that is the biggest difference between last year and this year. Last year overall we stayed healthy. And this game is huge for us if we have any glimmer of a chance at the playoffs.
Always enjoy having the cats in town. If you want any tips on restaurants, let me know. But when in CA, Mexican food is a must!

Hello Mr Aggie! Looking forward to a tough battle in Davis. I know that this has been a real disappointing season for your team, so I was wondering what a fan like yourself feels are the main reasons for the results this year.

[agalum]

Howdy from Davis fellas. The weather should be great for a fun afternoon of football. The Ags this year have been decimated by injuries. Aside from tough competition, our young replacements are just now getting in a groove. But we are still missing several key players. I think that is the biggest difference between last year and this year. Last year overall we stayed healthy. And this game is huge for us if we have any glimmer of a chance at the playoffs.
Always enjoy having the cats in town. If you want any tips on restaurants, let me know. But when in CA, Mexican food is a must!

Hello Mr Aggie! Looking forward to a tough battle in Davis. I know that this has been a real disappointing season for your team, so I was wondering what a fan like yourself feels are the main reasons for the results this year.

Injuries and a tough schedule. I think the Cal game was the start of guys getting banged up. But every team is banged up in November. Our replacements are coming along and last week we came close to 4 solid quarters of football. Last year we stayed relatively healthy all season. This game is huge for both teams. See ya Saturday!