Weekly Prediction Thread: Cats at EWU

[WYCAT]

I'm very surprised so many are predicting a Cat victory. I know we all WANT that to happen but the way we have played the past 3 weeks (pretty mediocre after the NAU game) I don't see how you think we can match up and win, especially on the road. Our defense has made a couple of middle of road QB's look like all-americans and Adams is that caliber. We will score, probably a lot, but unless we get a few breaks, i.e. turnovers, big plays, etc. I don't think we will be able to keep up. Our kicking game has gone from what we hoped would be a strength, to so-so to now a liability. Add it all up and I don't see it any closer than 45-24, bad guys roll.

[catatac]

I'm very surprised so many are predicting a Cat victory. I know we all WANT that to happen but the way we have played the past 3 weeks (pretty mediocre after the NAU game) I don't see how you think we can match up and win, especially on the road. Our defense has made a couple of middle of road QB's look like all-americans and Adams is that caliber. We will score, probably a lot, but unless we get a few breaks, i.e. turnovers, big plays, etc. I don't think we will be able to keep up. Our kicking game has gone from what we hoped would be a strength, to so-so to now a liability. Add it all up and I don't see it any closer than 45-24, bad guys roll.

I think most folks realize that if we play like we did against UNC, make mistakes, and don't execute... we'll lose. I'm optimistic that for whatever reason, the team just hasn't been able to maintain focus for the entire game is some of our games this year. I'm betting that going on the road and playing one of the best teams in the country in their house, will have this team focused and executing every single play. We'll see.

[Htowngriz]

EWU scored 42 against the griz, and our pass defense is much better than theirs.

Hopefully the Cats find a way to slow down Cupp just like they did Kaufmann last year. If they can keep EWU's score in the 30s they will win.

Sent from my DROID RAZR HD using Tapatalk 2

I'm not saying ours is great, but statistically speaking yours is only margianally better. EWU will put up points.

[Htowngriz]

We bounce back from an ugly win, to win going away. MSU 45 EWU 27 to take the lead in the conference race. I'm more worried about SUU than EWU!

Now that's just silly.

[[cat_bracket]]

EWU scored 42 against the griz, and our pass defense is much better than theirs.

Hopefully the Cats find a way to slow down Cupp just like they did Kaufmann last year. If they can keep EWU's score in the 30s they will win.

Sent from my DROID RAZR HD using Tapatalk 2

I'm not saying ours is great, but statistically speaking yours is only margianally better. EWU will put up points.

Did you look at the stats before posting this? We give up 30 less yards and our efficiency is 20 points better overall. In conference games we give up 90 less yards and our efficiency is 35 points better. There's nothing marginal about the difference of those numbers. We also played pass happy SMU and SFA.

[Htowngriz]

EWU scored 42 against the griz, and our pass defense is much better than theirs.

Hopefully the Cats find a way to slow down Cupp just like they did Kaufmann last year. If they can keep EWU's score in the 30s they will win.

Sent from my DROID RAZR HD using Tapatalk 2

I'm not saying ours is great, but statistically speaking yours is only margianally better. EWU will put up points.

Did you look at the stats before posting this? We give up 30 less yards and our efficiency is 20 points better overall. In conference games we give up 90 less yards and our efficiency is 35 points better. There's nothing marginal about the difference of those numbers. We also played pass happy SMU and SFA.

Over the course of an entire game, no, 30 yards is not a huge difference.

[[cat_bracket]]

EWU scored 42 against the griz, and our pass defense is much better than theirs.

Hopefully the Cats find a way to slow down Cupp just like they did Kaufmann last year. If they can keep EWU's score in the 30s they will win.

Sent from my DROID RAZR HD using Tapatalk 2

I'm not saying ours is great, but statistically speaking yours is only margianally better. EWU will put up points.

Did you look at the stats before posting this? We give up 30 less yards and our efficiency is 20 points better overall. In conference games we give up 90 less yards and our efficiency is 35 points better. There's nothing marginal about the difference of those numbers. We also played pass happy SMU and SFA.

Over the course of an entire game, no, 30 yards is not a huge difference.

Based on that response I take it you now realize the difference between the um and MSU pass D isn't marginal. Btw, um gives up 7.3 per pass, which is eighth in the BSC compared to 6.0 for MSU, which is first. In league only games MSU leads the way at 5.6, while um is tied for 11th at 8.1.

[John K]

I'm very surprised so many are predicting a Cat victory. I know we all WANT that to happen but the way we have played the past 3 weeks (pretty mediocre after the NAU game) I don't see how you think we can match up and win, especially on the road. Our defense has made a couple of middle of road QB's look like all-americans and Adams is that caliber. We will score, probably a lot, but unless we get a few breaks, i.e. turnovers, big plays, etc. I don't think we will be able to keep up. Our kicking game has gone from what we hoped would be a strength, to so-so to now a liability. Add it all up and I don't see it any closer than 45-24, bad guys roll.

I think most folks realize that if we play like we did against UNC, make mistakes, and don't execute... we'll lose. I'm optimistic that for whatever reason, the team just hasn't been able to maintain focus for the entire game is some of our games this year. I'm betting that going on the road and playing one of the best teams in the country in their house, will have this team focused and executing every single play. We'll see.

I think you both make valid points. I expect MSU to play better than they have in the last three games, but teams can't always just flip the switch and turn it on, after three weeks of uninspired play. I too am surprised that so many people are picking MSU. I certainly believe that we can win, but even setting aside our poor play in the last three games, I think EWU would have been considered a slight favorite, especially being at home. I know they haven't always been dominant either, but their offense has been very impressive all season. I believe that one of the primary keys will be our pass rush. If we don't get more pressure on Adams than we did against Lobato, then he could have a field day, and they could easily hang 50 on us. The other key will be DM's play. He's been pretty inconsistent since coming back from the injury. He played lights out against UND, WSU, and UCD, but he wasn't very good against either NAU or NC...fortunately we ran the ball effectively in both those games.

I would be stunned if we hold EWU under 35, and I'd actually be satisfied if we hold them under 40. I think we'll have to score at least 40 to win, and I'm just not all that confident that we'll do that. I'm picking EWU 42-35.

[Potomac Griz]

Based on that response I take it you now realize the difference between the um and MSU pass D isn't marginal. Btw, um gives up 7.3 per pass, which is eighth in the BSC compared to 6.0 for MSU, which is first. In league only games MSU leads the way at 5.6, while um is tied for 11th at 8.1.

One thing you have to remember though is the Griz have faced the top 2 QBs for efficiency in the conference (conf only stats). Adams and Saffron. Unfortunately the Griz also made both of those QBs look like Peyton Manning... So far the best QB the Cats have faced in conference is UC Davis' QB for efficiency, and Lobato (UNC) for yards per game. Not exactly world beaters Conference only stats are kind of messed up with this new clusterf*** of a conference we got where teams don't all play the same opponents anymore. Of course, they are still better to use than overall stats, and I'll be the first to admit the Griz pass defense has been very bad when facing good QBs like Adams & Saffron.

That said I hope your defense does a hell of a lot better against Adams than ours did. It'll be a very interesting test to see how good your pass defense really is that's for sure.

[[cat_bracket]]

Based on that response I take it you now realize the difference between the um and MSU pass D isn't marginal. Btw, um gives up 7.3 per pass, which is eighth in the BSC compared to 6.0 for MSU, which is first. In league only games MSU leads the way at 5.6, while um is tied for 11th at 8.1.

One thing you have to remember though is the Griz have faced the top 2 QBs for efficiency in the conference (conf only stats). Adams and Saffron. Unfortunately the Griz also made both of those QBs look like Peyton Manning... So far the best QB the Cats have faced in conference is UC Davis' QB for efficiency, and Lobato (UNC) for yards per game. Not exactly world beaters Conference only stats are kind of messed up with this new clusterf*** of a conference we got where teams don't all play the same opponents anymore. Of course, they are still better to use than overall stats, and I'll be the first to admit the Griz pass defense has been very bad when facing good QBs like Adams & Saffron.

That said I hope your defense does a hell of a lot better against Adams than ours did. It'll be a very interesting test to see how good your pass defense really is that's for sure.

Common opponents: NAU, UCD, UND.
MSU has allowed 412 yards (4.16 per attempt) on 55-99 (55.6%) with two TDs and two INTs. A 93.14 efficiency rating.
The grizz have allowed 674 (6.54 per att) on 63-103 (61.1%) with two TDs and five INTs. 112.83 rating.
That's nearly 20 points better for MSU.

[Team10]

Based on that response I take it you now realize the difference between the um and MSU pass D isn't marginal. Btw, um gives up 7.3 per pass, which is eighth in the BSC compared to 6.0 for MSU, which is first. In league only games MSU leads the way at 5.6, while um is tied for 11th at 8.1.

One thing you have to remember though is the Griz have faced the top 2 QBs for efficiency in the conference (conf only stats). Adams and Saffron. Unfortunately the Griz also made both of those QBs look like Peyton Manning... So far the best QB the Cats have faced in conference is UC Davis' QB for efficiency, and Lobato (UNC) for yards per game. Not exactly world beaters Conference only stats are kind of messed up with this new clusterf*** of a conference we got where teams don't all play the same opponents anymore. Of course, they are still better to use than overall stats, and I'll be the first to admit the Griz pass defense has been very bad when facing good QBs like Adams & Saffron.

That said I hope your defense does a hell of a lot better against Adams than ours did. It'll be a very interesting test to see how good your pass defense really is that's for sure.

Common opponents: NAU, UCD, UND.
MSU has allowed 412 yards (4.16 per attempt) on 55-99 (55.6%) with two TDs and two INTs. A 93.14 efficiency rating.
The grizz have allowed 674 (6.54 per att) on 63-103 (61.1%) with two TDs and five INTs. 112.83 rating.
That's nearly 20 points better for MSU.

Nobody cares about those stats! The Bobcats play eastern this weekend. If the 'Cats win, let that be the only thing you need to say. If they lose then clearly the best team in the conference is ewu. Go Cats!!!

[John K]

Based on that response I take it you now realize the difference between the um and MSU pass D isn't marginal. Btw, um gives up 7.3 per pass, which is eighth in the BSC compared to 6.0 for MSU, which is first. In league only games MSU leads the way at 5.6, while um is tied for 11th at 8.1.

One thing you have to remember though is the Griz have faced the top 2 QBs for efficiency in the conference (conf only stats). Adams and Saffron. Unfortunately the Griz also made both of those QBs look like Peyton Manning... So far the best QB the Cats have faced in conference is UC Davis' QB for efficiency, and Lobato (UNC) for yards per game. Not exactly world beaters Conference only stats are kind of messed up with this new clusterf*** of a conference we got where teams don't all play the same opponents anymore. Of course, they are still better to use than overall stats, and I'll be the first to admit the Griz pass defense has been very bad when facing good QBs like Adams & Saffron.

That said I hope your defense does a hell of a lot better against Adams than ours did. It'll be a very interesting test to see how good your pass defense really is that's for sure.

Common opponents: NAU, UCD, UND.
MSU has allowed 412 yards (4.16 per attempt) on 55-99 (55.6%) with two TDs and two INTs. A 93.14 efficiency rating.
The grizz have allowed 674 (6.54 per att) on 63-103 (61.1%) with two TDs and five INTs. 112.83 rating.
That's nearly 20 points better for MSU.

I"m not a big believer in QB efficiency. I think the only two passing stats that really matter are yards per attempt and TD-INT differential. MSU has a significant edge in YPA allowed, but UM has five INT to only 2 for MSU, so they have the edge in that category. I think our secondary is clearly superior to UM"s, but we've got to get more of a pass rush against Adams than we did last Saturday against Lobato, or Adams will light us up.

[Potomac Griz]

Common opponents: NAU, UCD, UND.
MSU has allowed 412 yards (4.16 per attempt) on 55-99 (55.6%) with two TDs and two INTs. A 93.14 efficiency rating.
The grizz have allowed 674 (6.54 per att) on 63-103 (61.1%) with two TDs and five INTs. 112.83 rating.
That's nearly 20 points better for MSU.

Both the Griz and the Cats look like they have awesome pass defenses going by those combined 3 games then. 93 rating and 112 ratings are awful QB ratings.

The big test though is when those teams go up against very good QBs, like Adams, Saffron, McGhee & Johnson (the top 4 in the league). The Cats haven't faced one of those yet, where the Griz have faced 2 so far and got absolutely TORCHED by both of them The Cats face 2 of the top 4 in the next 3 weeks though, so this is crunch time for the pass D. Are they as good as the conference stats show? Well find out soon!

I hope I'm wrong about my prediction of the Cats vs Eagles. I'd love to see the Cats keep Adams' numbers down, come away with a win and smack EWU back down to reality.

we've got to get more of a pass rush against Adams than we did last Saturday against Lobato, or Adams will light us up.

Definitely agree. Adams is a slippery one back there too, so hopefully they can wrap him up and not let him get big gains on the ground too.

[[cat_bracket]]

Well exxxcuuuuuuse me!

I wasn't posting these because I think they mean MSU will beat EWU. I was posting them because a grizz poster said MSU's pass D stats are only marginally better than um's. if you start reading from that post on you will pick up on that detail.

I could give a crap what MSU or um or EWU are doing statistically going into this game. This is a find-a-way-to-win game. The W is all anyone cares about. May the best team win. Hopefully it doesn't come down to a fluke play or bad officiating. Good luck both teams!!!

[catatac]

Based on that response I take it you now realize the difference between the um and MSU pass D isn't marginal. Btw, um gives up 7.3 per pass, which is eighth in the BSC compared to 6.0 for MSU, which is first. In league only games MSU leads the way at 5.6, while um is tied for 11th at 8.1.

One thing you have to remember though is the Griz have faced the top 2 QBs for efficiency in the conference (conf only stats). Adams and Saffron. Unfortunately the Griz also made both of those QBs look like Peyton Manning... So far the best QB the Cats have faced in conference is UC Davis' QB for efficiency, and Lobato (UNC) for yards per game. Not exactly world beaters Conference only stats are kind of messed up with this new clusterf*** of a conference we got where teams don't all play the same opponents anymore. Of course, they are still better to use than overall stats, and I'll be the first to admit the Griz pass defense has been very bad when facing good QBs like Adams & Saffron.

That said I hope your defense does a hell of a lot better against Adams than ours did. It'll be a very interesting test to see how good your pass defense really is that's for sure.

Common opponents: NAU, UCD, UND.
MSU has allowed 412 yards (4.16 per attempt) on 55-99 (55.6%) with two TDs and two INTs. A 93.14 efficiency rating.
The grizz have allowed 674 (6.54 per att) on 63-103 (61.1%) with two TDs and five INTs. 112.83 rating.
That's nearly 20 points better for MSU.

I"m not a big believer in QB efficiency. I think the only two passing stats that really matter are yards per attempt and TD-INT differential. MSU has a significant edge in YPA allowed, but UM has five INT to only 2 for MSU, so they have the edge in that category. I think our secondary is clearly superior to UM"s, but we've got to get more of a pass rush against Adams than we did last Saturday against Lobato, or Adams will light us up.

This 100%... and if EWU wants to, they can probably guarantee we'll get no pressure on VA. It looked to me like Lobato was getting the ball out so quick there was no chance of getting to him. And this was happening with the shotgun and three step drop I believe. I re watched the UN game last night, and there were a BUNCH of pass plays where we had zero chance of getting to Lobato. Go back and look at their stats. Their pass plays went 8, 17, 14, 10, 5, inc, 5, 6, 5, 2, 4, 17, 4, 12, 11, inc, 20, 13, and a couple more inc's to end the half. I didn't keep going but from recollection they did about the same thing in the 2nd half, although we might have stiffened up a bit. I understand having a bend but don't break defense here but I would think we would have adjusted and tried to slow that approach down after they marched down and scored the 2nd TD on us. Maybe we did, I don't know. What I do know is that we cannot take this approach against EWU. Their receivers are good enough to take some of these dink and dunks to the house if we give them enough chances to do so. I think we need to play aggressive D here, play tighter coverage on the line, not give up the quick hits, and count on Daly and Gale to get to VA a bunch of times if they have a few seconds to do so. The biggest risk here, in addition to our DB's getting burned deep, is VA running the ball. So this is back to LB's playing gap assignment sound football... but it's a pick your poison deal. There's no reason we should allow them to complete 14 of their first 15 passes like we let UNC do. Our DB's are too good for that. I don't care if they're quick hits or not, this can't happen.

[Counter Assault]

Based on that response I take it you now realize the difference between the um and MSU pass D isn't marginal. Btw, um gives up 7.3 per pass, which is eighth in the BSC compared to 6.0 for MSU, which is first. In league only games MSU leads the way at 5.6, while um is tied for 11th at 8.1.

One thing you have to remember though is the Griz have faced the top 2 QBs for efficiency in the conference (conf only stats). Adams and Saffron. Unfortunately the Griz also made both of those QBs look like Peyton Manning... So far the best QB the Cats have faced in conference is UC Davis' QB for efficiency, and Lobato (UNC) for yards per game. Not exactly world beaters Conference only stats are kind of messed up with this new clusterf*** of a conference we got where teams don't all play the same opponents anymore. Of course, they are still better to use than overall stats, and I'll be the first to admit the Griz pass defense has been very bad when facing good QBs like Adams & Saffron.

That said I hope your defense does a hell of a lot better against Adams than ours did. It'll be a very interesting test to see how good your pass defense really is that's for sure.

Common opponents: NAU, UCD, UND.
MSU has allowed 412 yards (4.16 per attempt) on 55-99 (55.6%) with two TDs and two INTs. A 93.14 efficiency rating.
The grizz have allowed 674 (6.54 per att) on 63-103 (61.1%) with two TDs and five INTs. 112.83 rating.
That's nearly 20 points better for MSU.

Nobody cares about those stats! The Bobcats play eastern this weekend. If the 'Cats win, let that be the only thing you need to say. If they lose then clearly the best team in the conference is ewu. Go Cats!!!

I cared about reading those stats infinitely more than reading this!

#carebears #rainbowsbobcatnation

[coachouert]

Tuesday bump. Get your scores submitted, people! GATOS!

[urcrackinmeup]

Worried abit but think cats will get it done
Cats38
Eagles35

What he said ^^^^^

[Team10]

If we win the coin toss I'd like to see Ash & Co. choose to take the ball first to: 1. Put a score on the board first and 2. Keep their offense off the field. Give our defense a chance to calm their nerves before they go out and make VAJ run for his life. Cats win in a close one.

Bobcats 38
Eeeewww 37

[LongTimeCatFan]

I really don't know why you guys are in the least bit concerned.

Let me just say this. Neither QB is going to put up huge numbers.

Think about it