Matchups

[CelticCat]

How do the Griz attack the Cats defense?

How do the Cats attack the Griz defense?

Let's get some football discussion going here.

[CelticCat]

Is this a game where we see Konkol at LB and JoJo starts at S? I think a LB corp of Konkol, Troy and Hill would make for a solid unit in this kind of game, and you can bring in O'Reilly maybe in some short yardage situations. We're going to have to get off the field on the 3rd down and that is maybe the best combo of LB on a 3rd and 5+ situation I think MSU could field.

[catatac]

Is this a game where we see Konkol at LB and JoJo starts at S? I think a LB corp of Konkol, Troy and Hill would make for a solid unit in this kind of game, and you can bring in O'Reilly maybe in some short yardage situations. We're going to have to get off the field on the 3rd down and that is maybe the best combo of LB on a 3rd and 5+ situation I think MSU could field.

Speaking of that, what is the approach specifically when they are 3rd and long? Can we match up man to man on Toure, Akem (if he plays), JLM, Robertson? I don't think so... although I do find it crazy that Troy can probably match up any of them one on one.

[Sotallytober]

Troy has been great this season in man coverage, even against teams' best receivers. Choate talked about this during one of his pressers that matching a LB against a slot WR can make QBs erroneously key on that matchup.

[Catsrgrood]

The griz will likely attack the middle of the field against us. That has been pretty consistently open this year, even lately when the defense as a whole is playing well.
The key there I think is to limit the YAC and make a tackle. Toure showed what he can do last week when a bad angle is taken or there is a blown assignment. JLM has been elusive for 4 years now so that’s always a problem, although the Cats have done a good job with him the last 3 years.
I envision a lot of 3 safety sets for us to get our best athletes/cover guys out there.

Offensively the Cats need to hit some midrange shots to keep the defense honest. It’s seems like it’s been a screen pass/dump off or a 40yd bomb.
Their D is stout against the run, especially inside the tackles, if the Cats are who we think they are, they should still get the job done there. If they can consistently get 4-5 yds a carry up the middle early on, that’s a good thing. Opens up everything else, then they can attack the edges with RPO and sweeps.

Jonsen has kept it probably 80% of the time this year when he takes it from the gun and has someone in motion as the snap comes. I’d bet that he actually pitches it a few times this game.

[Colter_Nuanez]

We think the key matchups in this game will be:

Montana State's secondary against the Griz WRs

Montana's run defense, namely Dante Olson and Jace Lewis, against Montana State's powerhouse run game

The battle of the fronts.

We will have stories with quotes from players and coaches breaking down all three matchups starting tomorrow through Friday.

[technoCat]

I think the D plays pretty much how we did last week. Gilliam is better than Knight but Sneed/Toure is probably better than Maier/Babb. They will get their yards but when they get to the red zone, we have to get stops. If we can keep them around 35% on third downs, that will be huge.

Rovig will have to hit some deep passes. Kassis and Jonsen better put their sticky stuff on and catch some 50/50 balls. I wonder if we will see Jalen Smith or heaven forbid McCutcheon working deep. Steel/Patterson are going to have to get open. Maybe we really throw them off and target the TEs!

[Buckaroo Bonzi]

I think by the End of the Day if we come a way with a Victory we will say the Offensive Line had a very good Day .

[BadlandsGrizFanAgain]

Key Matchups for me:

Dante Olson and Jace Lewis vs the MSU run game....those two are as good as it gets in line backing tandems in the country, sound tacklers and rangy. If our Dline can hold blockers off them and keep them free, they will dominate the middle of the field and ruin plays.

Griz tight ends in the middle of the field vs MSU secondary, I think the Cats are going to give a ton of attention to our guys out wide, the Griz tight ends are very good pass catching TEs, if they control the middle of the field, Cats are in trouble. Our WRs are big bodied dudes as well.

Rovig has to show that he can hit multiple deep passes with pressure in his face against Griz DBs....if hes not coming close on deep passes or panicking the Griz d will turn up the heat even more, we blitz a lot.

Cats will need to hit a few big runs on the outside with Johnson and TA. I strongly believe the Griz are going to really just jam up the middle of the field and not allow the Cats to play bully ball.

Because of that ^^^^ Griz safeties will need to continue their sound tackling, they are a very aggressive group which can get them in trouble with Play Action....they will need to make tackles on the edges or big plays will happen.

TA verses the world....I feel like their will come a point in this game where Choate just relies on TA to win the game for them.

[The MICKSTER]

Statistically they are dead last in the BSC in Pass Defense (296 y/g) and essentially tied for 1st in Run Defense (113y/g)…..so that would lead me to believe we will throw it more than average. Their Pass Offense is 4th in the league at 300 y/g, their Rush Offense is 7th in the league at 160 y/g. They throw it 50% and run it 50% of the time.

Our Passing Offense is the same as last year (2nd to last) at 171 y/g and our Rush Offense is 1st in the league at 260 y/g. Our Pass Defense is 5th at 243 y/g, and our Rush Defense is also 5th at 127 y/g. We rush it 63% of the time and pass it 37% of the time.

Their Offensive Efficiency (whatever that means) is 148.7, ours’ is 124.3. Their Defensive Efficiency is 132, ours’ is 128 (the lower the better).

Against our 2 common opponents;
___ vs SAC;
…………………….MSU..vs..SAC………..um..vs..SAC
Points…………….21…………34………….22………49
OFF Rush………141……….118……….146…….158
OFF Pass……….262……….260………..245……403…NOTE; we had more Pass Yards than SAC and more than um did vs SAC
TOP……………….27:30…..32:30…….21:00…39:00
1st Downs………..19………..20………….15……..31
3rd Down Conv..4/15…….9/13………4/15….5/12

___ vs UCD;
…………………….MSU..vs..UCD………..um..vs..UCD
Points…………….27…………17…………..45………20
OFF Rush………284……….157…………260……..60
OFF Pass……….217……….273………..268……291
TOP……………….35:30…..24:30…….31:00…29:00
1st Downs………..19………..21………….28……..21
3rd Down Conv..4/13…….2/14………7/13….10/19

On Offense I think we’ll need to throw it more than usual, on Defense I don’t see them running successfully against us, so I’m thinking we’ll either be blitzing or dropping 8 rather than staying with our 4 DL’s.

For them, on Defense I think they’ll load the box and dare us to throw it. On Offense I’m not sure, but my guess is they’ll throw it a little more than 50 % of the time, with a lot of throws on a delayed shallow route coming across the middle of the field.

Key matchups…can our Defense get to Sneed, and, can our run game be dominate.

Does anyone know if Greg Filer will be playing? GO CATS!

[technoCat]

Statistically they are dead last in the BSC in Pass Defense (296 y/g) and essentially tied for 1st in Run Defense (113y/g)…..so that would lead me to believe we will throw it more than average. Their Pass Offense is 4th in the league at 300 y/g, their Rush Offense is 7th in the league at 160 y/g. They throw it 50% and run it 50% of the time.

Our Passing Offense is the same as last year (2nd to last) at 171 y/g and our Rush Offense is 1st in the league at 260 y/g. Our Pass Defense is 5th at 243 y/g, and our Rush Defense is also 5th at 127 y/g. We rush it 63% of the time and pass it 37% of the time.

Their Offensive Efficiency (whatever that means) is 148.7, ours’ is 124.3. Their Defensive Efficiency is 132, ours’ is 128 (the lower the better).

Against our 2 common opponents;
___ vs SAC;
…………………….MSU..vs..SAC………..um..vs..SAC
Points…………….21…………34………….22………49
OFF Rush………141……….118……….146…….158
OFF Pass……….262……….260………..245……403…NOTE; we had more Pass Yards than SAC and more than um did vs SAC
TOP……………….27:30…..32:30…….21:00…39:00
1st Downs………..19………..20………….15……..31
3rd Down Conv..4/15…….9/13………4/15….5/12

___ vs UCD;
…………………….MSU..vs..UCD………..um..vs..UCD
Points…………….27…………17…………..45………20
OFF Rush………284……….157…………260……..60
OFF Pass……….217……….273………..268……291
TOP……………….35:30…..24:30…….31:00…29:00
1st Downs………..19………..21………….28……..21
3rd Down Conv..4/13…….2/14………7/13….10/19

On Offense I think we’ll need to throw it more than usual, on Defense I don’t see them running successfully against us, so I’m thinking we’ll either be blitzing or dropping 8 rather than staying with our 4 DL’s.

For them, on Defense I think they’ll load the box and dare us to throw it. On Offense I’m not sure, but my guess is they’ll throw it a little more than 50 % of the time, with a lot of throws on a delayed shallow route coming across the middle of the field.

Key matchups…can our Defense get to Sneed, and, can our run game be dominate.

Does anyone know if Greg Filer will be playing? GO CATS!

Since he is redshirting, I would say no!

[cats2506]

Statistically they are dead last in the BSC in Pass Defense (296 y/g) and essentially tied for 1st in Run Defense (113y/g)…..so that would lead me to believe we will throw it more than average. Their Pass Offense is 4th in the league at 300 y/g, their Rush Offense is 7th in the league at 160 y/g. They throw it 50% and run it 50% of the time.

Our Passing Offense is the same as last year (2nd to last) at 171 y/g and our Rush Offense is 1st in the league at 260 y/g. Our Pass Defense is 5th at 243 y/g, and our Rush Defense is also 5th at 127 y/g. We rush it 63% of the time and pass it 37% of the time.

Their Offensive Efficiency (whatever that means) is 148.7, ours’ is 124.3. Their Defensive Efficiency is 132, ours’ is 128 (the lower the better).

Against our 2 common opponents;
___ vs SAC;
…………………….MSU..vs..SAC………..um..vs..SAC
Points…………….21…………34………….22………49
OFF Rush………141……….118……….146…….158
OFF Pass……….262……….260………..245……403…NOTE; we had more Pass Yards than SAC and more than um did vs SAC
TOP……………….27:30…..32:30…….21:00…39:00
1st Downs………..19………..20………….15……..31
3rd Down Conv..4/15…….9/13………4/15….5/12

___ vs UCD;
…………………….MSU..vs..UCD………..um..vs..UCD
Points…………….27…………17…………..45………20
OFF Rush………284……….157…………260……..60
OFF Pass……….217……….273………..268……291
TOP……………….35:30…..24:30…….31:00…29:00
1st Downs………..19………..21………….28……..21
3rd Down Conv..4/13…….2/14………7/13….10/19

On Offense I think we’ll need to throw it more than usual, on Defense I don’t see them running successfully against us, so I’m thinking we’ll either be blitzing or dropping 8 rather than staying with our 4 DL’s.

For them, on Defense I think they’ll load the box and dare us to throw it. On Offense I’m not sure, but my guess is they’ll throw it a little more than 50 % of the time, with a lot of throws on a delayed shallow route coming across the middle of the field.

Key matchups…can our Defense get to Sneed, and, can our run game be dominate.

Does anyone know if Greg Filer will be playing? GO CATS!

Since he is redshirting, I would say no!

I think he has only participated in 2 games, so he would have 2 games left and still be able to keep his redshirt

[RobertCats]

Statistically they are dead last in the BSC in Pass Defense (296 y/g) and essentially tied for 1st in Run Defense (113y/g)…..so that would lead me to believe we will throw it more than average. Their Pass Offense is 4th in the league at 300 y/g, their Rush Offense is 7th in the league at 160 y/g. They throw it 50% and run it 50% of the time.

Our Passing Offense is the same as last year (2nd to last) at 171 y/g and our Rush Offense is 1st in the league at 260 y/g. Our Pass Defense is 5th at 243 y/g, and our Rush Defense is also 5th at 127 y/g. We rush it 63% of the time and pass it 37% of the time.

Their Offensive Efficiency (whatever that means) is 148.7, ours’ is 124.3. Their Defensive Efficiency is 132, ours’ is 128 (the lower the better).

Against our 2 common opponents;
___ vs SAC;
…………………….MSU..vs..SAC………..um..vs..SAC
Points…………….21…………34………….22………49
OFF Rush………141……….118……….146…….158
OFF Pass……….262……….260………..245……403…NOTE; we had more Pass Yards than SAC and more than um did vs SAC
TOP……………….27:30…..32:30…….21:00…39:00
1st Downs………..19………..20………….15……..31
3rd Down Conv..4/15…….9/13………4/15….5/12

___ vs UCD;
…………………….MSU..vs..UCD………..um..vs..UCD
Points…………….27…………17…………..45………20
OFF Rush………284……….157…………260……..60
OFF Pass……….217……….273………..268……291
TOP……………….35:30…..24:30…….31:00…29:00
1st Downs………..19………..21………….28……..21
3rd Down Conv..4/13…….2/14………7/13….10/19

On Offense I think we’ll need to throw it more than usual, on Defense I don’t see them running successfully against us, so I’m thinking we’ll either be blitzing or dropping 8 rather than staying with our 4 DL’s.

For them, on Defense I think they’ll load the box and dare us to throw it. On Offense I’m not sure, but my guess is they’ll throw it a little more than 50 % of the time, with a lot of throws on a delayed shallow route coming across the middle of the field.

Key matchups…can our Defense get to Sneed, and, can our run game be dominate.

Does anyone know if Greg Filer will be playing? GO CATS!

Since he is redshirting, I would say no!

I think he has only participated in 2 games, so he would have 2 games left and still be able to keep his redshirt

I believe you are right. Not that this means much if ANYTHING at all, he is listed as Tyrel Thomas' backup on the depth chart released this week.

[1984champ]

Statistically they are dead last in the BSC in Pass Defense (296 y/g) and essentially tied for 1st in Run Defense (113y/g)…..so that would lead me to believe we will throw it more than average. Their Pass Offense is 4th in the league at 300 y/g, their Rush Offense is 7th in the league at 160 y/g. They throw it 50% and run it 50% of the time.

Our Passing Offense is the same as last year (2nd to last) at 171 y/g and our Rush Offense is 1st in the league at 260 y/g. Our Pass Defense is 5th at 243 y/g, and our Rush Defense is also 5th at 127 y/g. We rush it 63% of the time and pass it 37% of the time.

Their Offensive Efficiency (whatever that means) is 148.7, ours’ is 124.3. Their Defensive Efficiency is 132, ours’ is 128 (the lower the better).

Against our 2 common opponents;
___ vs SAC;
…………………….MSU..vs..SAC………..um..vs..SAC
Points…………….21…………34………….22………49
OFF Rush………141……….118……….146…….158
OFF Pass……….262……….260………..245……403…NOTE; we had more Pass Yards than SAC and more than um did vs SAC
TOP……………….27:30…..32:30…….21:00…39:00
1st Downs………..19………..20………….15……..31
3rd Down Conv..4/15…….9/13………4/15….5/12

___ vs UCD;
…………………….MSU..vs..UCD………..um..vs..UCD
Points…………….27…………17…………..45………20
OFF Rush………284……….157…………260……..60
OFF Pass……….217……….273………..268……291
TOP……………….35:30…..24:30…….31:00…29:00
1st Downs………..19………..21………….28……..21
3rd Down Conv..4/13…….2/14………7/13….10/19

On Offense I think we’ll need to throw it more than usual, on Defense I don’t see them running successfully against us, so I’m thinking we’ll either be blitzing or dropping 8 rather than staying with our 4 DL’s.

For them, on Defense I think they’ll load the box and dare us to throw it. On Offense I’m not sure, but my guess is they’ll throw it a little more than 50 % of the time, with a lot of throws on a delayed shallow route coming across the middle of the field.

Key matchups…can our Defense get to Sneed, and, can our run game be dominate.

Does anyone know if Greg Filer will be playing? GO CATS!

Since he is redshirting, I would say no!

I think he has only participated in 2 games, so he would have 2 games left and still be able to keep his redshirt

I believe you are right. Not that this means much if ANYTHING at all, he is listed as Tyrel Thomas' backup on the depth chart released this week.

How about Hosey and his participation status?

[Catsrgrood]

Statistically they are dead last in the BSC in Pass Defense (296 y/g) and essentially tied for 1st in Run Defense (113y/g)…..so that would lead me to believe we will throw it more than average. Their Pass Offense is 4th in the league at 300 y/g, their Rush Offense is 7th in the league at 160 y/g. They throw it 50% and run it 50% of the time.

Our Passing Offense is the same as last year (2nd to last) at 171 y/g and our Rush Offense is 1st in the league at 260 y/g. Our Pass Defense is 5th at 243 y/g, and our Rush Defense is also 5th at 127 y/g. We rush it 63% of the time and pass it 37% of the time.

Their Offensive Efficiency (whatever that means) is 148.7, ours’ is 124.3. Their Defensive Efficiency is 132, ours’ is 128 (the lower the better).

Against our 2 common opponents;
___ vs SAC;
…………………….MSU..vs..SAC………..um..vs..SAC
Points…………….21…………34………….22………49
OFF Rush………141……….118……….146…….158
OFF Pass……….262……….260………..245……403…NOTE; we had more Pass Yards than SAC and more than um did vs SAC
TOP……………….27:30…..32:30…….21:00…39:00
1st Downs………..19………..20………….15……..31
3rd Down Conv..4/15…….9/13………4/15….5/12

___ vs UCD;
…………………….MSU..vs..UCD………..um..vs..UCD
Points…………….27…………17…………..45………20
OFF Rush………284……….157…………260……..60
OFF Pass……….217……….273………..268……291
TOP……………….35:30…..24:30…….31:00…29:00
1st Downs………..19………..21………….28……..21
3rd Down Conv..4/13…….2/14………7/13….10/19

On Offense I think we’ll need to throw it more than usual, on Defense I don’t see them running successfully against us, so I’m thinking we’ll either be blitzing or dropping 8 rather than staying with our 4 DL’s.

For them, on Defense I think they’ll load the box and dare us to throw it. On Offense I’m not sure, but my guess is they’ll throw it a little more than 50 % of the time, with a lot of throws on a delayed shallow route coming across the middle of the field.

Key matchups…can our Defense get to Sneed, and, can our run game be dominate.

Does anyone know if Greg Filer will be playing? GO CATS!

Since he is redshirting, I would say no!

I think he has only participated in 2 games, so he would have 2 games left and still be able to keep his redshirt

I believe you are right. Not that this means much if ANYTHING at all, he is listed as Tyrel Thomas' backup on the depth chart released this week.

I think the concern with him is more that of is he able to play. He definitely has a game or two to use and still be able to redshirt, just not sure he’s close to 100%.

[ilovethecats]

In this game I feel like it always comes down to two main things. People love to look at strength vs strength, i.e. our rushing offense vs their rushing defense. And that will obviously be important. I like to look at weakness vs weakness in this one.

This year it’s more obvious than ever. Our passing offense vs their passing D. We can’t throw well at all. And they are horrendous at defending the pass. So what gives? Who steps up? Are we going to complete a few deep o es and maybe even score on a long pass? Nothing would be bigger in terms of momentum. On the flip side, UM could completely steal that away if we test them and they’re lousy defense gets a big stop or worse, an interception. That would be killer. But something has to give in this battle and I think it’ll be huge.

The other thing, as in most games but especially this one, is turnovers. They are so important for momentum. Especially the first turnover. Can we force the first turnover, make the crowd go nuts, and turn it into points? That’s way more important for us than them. But if we got a nice drive going and they get a takeaway, that could mean trouble.

[BobcatOninetails]

Ifanse needs to start and play as good as he did in the fourth quarter. Needs to be a beast at the beginning. I know he can do it.

[catscat]

Statistically they are dead last in the BSC in Pass Defense (296 y/g) and essentially tied for 1st in Run Defense (113y/g)…..so that would lead me to believe we will throw it more than average. Their Pass Offense is 4th in the league at 300 y/g, their Rush Offense is 7th in the league at 160 y/g. They throw it 50% and run it 50% of the time.

Our Passing Offense is the same as last year (2nd to last) at 171 y/g and our Rush Offense is 1st in the league at 260 y/g. Our Pass Defense is 5th at 243 y/g, and our Rush Defense is also 5th at 127 y/g. We rush it 63% of the time and pass it 37% of the time.

Their Offensive Efficiency (whatever that means) is 148.7, ours’ is 124.3. Their Defensive Efficiency is 132, ours’ is 128 (the lower the better).

Against our 2 common opponents;
___ vs SAC;
…………………….MSU..vs..SAC………..um..vs..SAC
Points…………….21…………34………….22………49
OFF Rush………141……….118……….146…….158
OFF Pass……….262……….260………..245……403…NOTE; we had more Pass Yards than SAC and more than um did vs SAC
TOP……………….27:30…..32:30…….21:00…39:00
1st Downs………..19………..20………….15……..31
3rd Down Conv..4/15…….9/13………4/15….5/12

___ vs UCD;
…………………….MSU..vs..UCD………..um..vs..UCD
Points…………….27…………17…………..45………20
OFF Rush………284……….157…………260……..60
OFF Pass……….217……….273………..268……291
TOP……………….35:30…..24:30…….31:00…29:00
1st Downs………..19………..21………….28……..21
3rd Down Conv..4/13…….2/14………7/13….10/19

On Offense I think we’ll need to throw it more than usual, on Defense I don’t see them running successfully against us, so I’m thinking we’ll either be blitzing or dropping 8 rather than staying with our 4 DL’s.

For them, on Defense I think they’ll load the box and dare us to throw it. On Offense I’m not sure, but my guess is they’ll throw it a little more than 50 % of the time, with a lot of throws on a delayed shallow route coming across the middle of the field.

Key matchups…can our Defense get to Sneed, and, can our run game be dominate.

Does anyone know if Greg Filer will be playing? GO CATS!

Since he is redshirting, I would say no!

I think he has only participated in 2 games, so he would have 2 games left and still be able to keep his redshirt

I believe you are right. Not that this means much if ANYTHING at all, he is listed as Tyrel Thomas' backup on the depth chart released this week.

How about Hosey and his participation status?

I believe he's played in 4 games and I'd guess we don't see him again this year so he can redshirt.

[utucats]

Our defense is the key. Rovig has had some decent games against below average secondaries and he’ll face one on Saturday and, while I expect a little more from the passing game than usual, we are a run first team and that is not going to change.

Defense has to keep us in the game while we go about wearing their D out. We get into the second half and those runs will pay major dividends. We just need to be close enough for it to tip the game in our favor.

[1984champ]

Statistically they are dead last in the BSC in Pass Defense (296 y/g) and essentially tied for 1st in Run Defense (113y/g)…..so that would lead me to believe we will throw it more than average. Their Pass Offense is 4th in the league at 300 y/g, their Rush Offense is 7th in the league at 160 y/g. They throw it 50% and run it 50% of the time.

Our Passing Offense is the same as last year (2nd to last) at 171 y/g and our Rush Offense is 1st in the league at 260 y/g. Our Pass Defense is 5th at 243 y/g, and our Rush Defense is also 5th at 127 y/g. We rush it 63% of the time and pass it 37% of the time.

Their Offensive Efficiency (whatever that means) is 148.7, ours’ is 124.3. Their Defensive Efficiency is 132, ours’ is 128 (the lower the better).

Against our 2 common opponents;
___ vs SAC;
…………………….MSU..vs..SAC………..um..vs..SAC
Points…………….21…………34………….22………49
OFF Rush………141……….118……….146…….158
OFF Pass……….262……….260………..245……403…NOTE; we had more Pass Yards than SAC and more than um did vs SAC
TOP……………….27:30…..32:30…….21:00…39:00
1st Downs………..19………..20………….15……..31
3rd Down Conv..4/15…….9/13………4/15….5/12

___ vs UCD;
…………………….MSU..vs..UCD………..um..vs..UCD
Points…………….27…………17…………..45………20
OFF Rush………284……….157…………260……..60
OFF Pass……….217……….273………..268……291
TOP……………….35:30…..24:30…….31:00…29:00
1st Downs………..19………..21………….28……..21
3rd Down Conv..4/13…….2/14………7/13….10/19

On Offense I think we’ll need to throw it more than usual, on Defense I don’t see them running successfully against us, so I’m thinking we’ll either be blitzing or dropping 8 rather than staying with our 4 DL’s.

For them, on Defense I think they’ll load the box and dare us to throw it. On Offense I’m not sure, but my guess is they’ll throw it a little more than 50 % of the time, with a lot of throws on a delayed shallow route coming across the middle of the field.

Key matchups…can our Defense get to Sneed, and, can our run game be dominate.

Does anyone know if Greg Filer will be playing? GO CATS!

Since he is redshirting, I would say no!

I think he has only participated in 2 games, so he would have 2 games left and still be able to keep his redshirt

I believe you are right. Not that this means much if ANYTHING at all, he is listed as Tyrel Thomas' backup on the depth chart released this week.

How about Hosey and his participation status?

I believe he's played in 4 games and I'd guess we don't see him again this year so he can redshirt.

Thanks. I was wondering if we could potentially see him at some point again but wasn't sure how many games he made an appearance.