The Bobcat Nation

That UC Davis makes it to the chipper now that NDSU is out?

I'm leaving our team to handle the one game at a time, but I think this possibility is interesting. The QF game is at Davis which is in their favor. Have no clue as to how they stack up against Illinois State, Vanderbilt, or Tarleton. Maybe one of you experts can enlighten me.

UC Davis wouldn't stack up very well against Vanderbilt but they should be fine against Villanova!

I'd give Davis a 70% chance of winning against Illinois State this week and then a 40% chance of winning at Tarleton in the semis, so I'll estimate (0.70)(0.40) = 0.28 or a 28% chance of them making it to Nashville. If Nova beats Tarleton and Davis gets to play the semifinal game at home, up that to around a 50% chance to get there.

Well I definitely don't they stack up favorably with Vanderbilt...

They definitely had the door open for them. If they can stay focused they can beat anybody on that side of the bracket. See if ISU can stay focused after their huge win.

technoCat wrote: ↑

Mon Dec 08, 2025 10:15 am

Well I definitely don't they stack up favorably with Vanderbilt...

I guess probably not. My mistake - Vanderbilt isn't on their side of the bracket.

Guess I just have Vanderbilt on my mind for some reason.

I thought UCD had a punchers chance against the fuzzy cows. Now we’ll see how they do against a more even opponent.

My money is on Vanderbilt to roll. I liked Diego Pavia at NM State and I really like this SEC version on him.

catscat wrote: ↑

Mon Dec 08, 2025 10:41 am

technoCat wrote: ↑

Mon Dec 08, 2025 10:15 am

Well I definitely don't they stack up favorably with Vanderbilt...

I guess probably not. My mistake - Vanderbilt isn't on their side of the bracket.

Guess I just have Vanderbilt on my mind for some reason.

Well the FCS national championship game is being played in Vanderbilt's home stadium, so perhaps it was just a subliminal mental thing?

Well if they do make it, they'll get destroyed by a team from Montana.

Vandy got left out of the FBS playoffs. Such a travesty.

For what it's worth, Davis is only a 1-point favorite at home over Illinois State after the Redbirds beat North Dakota State.

Last year, Davis was the 5-seed and Illinois State was the 12-seed. They played in the second round. Davis won 42-10.

Davis wins

kwcat wrote: ↑

Mon Dec 08, 2025 9:11 pm

Davis wins

The 'stache bowl. I think Davis wins, too.

Colter_Nuanez wrote: ↑

Mon Dec 08, 2025 9:09 pm

For what it's worth, Davis is only a 1-point favorite at home over Illinois State after the Redbirds beat North Dakota State.

Last year, Davis was the 5-seed and Illinois State was the 12-seed. They played in the second round. Davis won 42-10.

That's wild. I saw Davis at -2.5, so maybe the line moved? In any case, the Aggies are getting no respect.

Any team with Pinnick and Plough has a good chance.

BelligerentBobcat wrote: ↑

Tue Dec 09, 2025 11:01 am

Any team with Pinnick and Plough has a good chance.

I agree but...

they beat NDSU by harassing Payton while keeping him contained. NDSU Oline was in trouble against that front and Davis O line isn't that much better. They also gave up 1 huge catch to Lance but after that shut him down entirely so I think they can take away Gbatu. Theres always could be the letdown after slaying their giant.

Prodigal Cat wrote: ↑

Tue Dec 09, 2025 11:43 am

BelligerentBobcat wrote: ↑

Tue Dec 09, 2025 11:01 am

Any team with Pinnick and Plough has a good chance.

I agree but...

they beat NDSU by harassing Payton while keeping him contained. NDSU Oline was in trouble against that front and Davis O line isn't that much better. They also gave up 1 huge catch to Lance but after that shut him down entirely so I think they can take away Gbatu. Theres always could be the letdown after slaying their giant.

It feels like Pinnick is a bit more elusive and faster than Peyton though? Might be more of a struggle to keep him contained... Maybe I'm off on Peytons speed too but he never seemed real elusive to me (at least not like Pinnick)

I sure do want the Aggies to win. Nice to see the MVFC continue their faceplant. Also I'd like to say we beat two semifinalists the final two weeks of the regular season. Assuming gris win, which I think they will.

I don't think Illinois State is getting enough credit. Their defense completely shut down the bison. 14 of ndsu's 28 points were scored on defense and special teams. If ISU doesn't throw 5 picks in that game they probably win by 20, in the Fargo dome, over the undefeated #1 seed.

They're playing good football right now. If they force Pinnick into some mistakes, they'll win.

91catAlum wrote: ↑

Tue Dec 09, 2025 2:29 pm

I don't think Illinois State is getting enough credit. Their defense completely shut down the bison. 14 of ndsu's 28 points were scored on defense and special teams. If ISU doesn't throw 5 picks in that game they probably win by 20, in the Fargo dome, over the undefeated #1 seed.

They're playing good football right now. If they force Pinnick into some mistakes, they'll win.

If Payton doesn't fumble NDSU wins more than likely. You can't survive 5 picks vs the top teams each week.

BOBCATBORN wrote: ↑

Tue Dec 09, 2025 12:10 pm

Prodigal Cat wrote: ↑

Tue Dec 09, 2025 11:43 am

BelligerentBobcat wrote: ↑

Tue Dec 09, 2025 11:01 am

Any team with Pinnick and Plough has a good chance.

I agree but...

they beat NDSU by harassing Payton while keeping him contained. NDSU Oline was in trouble against that front and Davis O line isn't that much better. They also gave up 1 huge catch to Lance but after that shut him down entirely so I think they can take away Gbatu. Theres always could be the letdown after slaying their giant.

It feels like Pinnick is a bit more elusive and faster than Peyton though? Might be more of a struggle to keep him contained... Maybe I'm off on Peytons speed too but he never seemed real elusive to me (at least not like Pinnick)

I would say Pinnick and Fischer are both more twitchy, elusive and less power than Payton and Kpeenu so yes.. very different style.