Bobcat Defense

[CodyCat]

Sam Herder mentioned that the Cats defense isnt elite. What would they need to do to become elite? I just dont know how the defense could play much better. Yes, the Eastern game wasnt their best performance. But, as its been said a lot of times here, the Cats D held them below all their averages.

[TomCat88]

Sam Herder mentioned that the Cats defense isnt elite. What would they need to do to become elite? I just dont know how the defense could play much better. Yes, the Eastern game wasnt their best performance. But, as its been said a lot of times here, the Cats D held them below all their averages.

They most likely (almost certainly) are looking for eye-popping, traditional stats, such as sacks, interceptions, fumbles, TO ratio. MSU is good at forcing three and outs and punts. Not as sexy. They're also probably not aware (see Sam Akem) that MSU has allowed most of its points and yards late in games playing its 2s and 3s. And they aren't accounting for 20 points being scored by opposing defenses (MSU would be at 15 ppg, not 17). They're also probably not aware that MSU's defense has only allowed 21 first half points vs conference opponents and 42 all season (4.2 first half ppg). Without digging through it, I'd say MSU's ypa, ypc, pass efficiency D are 1.0, 0.5 and 10 points better, respectively, before going to the 2s and 3s.

MSU definitely has played at an elite level, but it hasn't put a lot of numbers into the low hanging branches. I think the fact that MSU doesn't get a lot of turnovers, score lots of points with turnovers/returns, doesn't get a lot of sacks, the offense isn't consistently set up in prime field position and doesn't rack up a lot of points late in games actually makes MSU look BETTER. I'd never want to be a team that has to rely on its defense and special teams to generate points/offense. It's great if they do, but if your stats are good based on things like that, then they're puffed up and when a game comes along (and it will) that you're don't get much from those sources, you're screwed.

Just this week Tim Plough, the UC Davis head coach, said he thinks MSU has the best corners in the BSC on Colter's show and Colter agreed with him immediately. Just a few weeks ago people were saying MSU's secondary is a question mark. Everyone thought the NY Jets were going to deep into the playoffs and now Jets fan and ESPN host Mike Greenburg is calling them the most disappointing Jets team ever. It's a pretty hilarious profession this way. I laugh at myself, too.

[technoCat]

Sam Herder mentioned that the Cats defense isnt elite. What would they need to do to become elite? I just dont know how the defense could play much better. Yes, the Eastern game wasnt their best performance. But, as its been said a lot of times here, the Cats D held them below all their averages.

They most likely (almost certainly) are looking for eye-popping, traditional stats, such as sacks, interceptions, fumbles, TO ratio. MSU is good at forcing three and outs and punts. Not as sexy. They're also probably not aware (see Sam Akem) that MSU has allowed most of its points and yards late in games playing its 2s and 3s. And they aren't accounting for 20 points being scored by opposing defenses (MSU would be at 15 ppg, not 17). They're also probably not aware that MSU's defense has only allowed 21 first half points vs conference opponents and 42 all season (4.2 first half ppg). Without digging through it, I'd say MSU's ypa, ypc, pass efficiency D are 1.0, 0.5 and 10 points better, respectively, before going to the 2s and 3s.

MSU definitely has played at an elite level, but it hasn't put a lot of numbers into the low hanging branches. I think the fact that MSU doesn't get a lot of turnovers, score lots of points with turnovers/returns, doesn't get a lot of sacks, the offense isn't consistently set up in prime field position and doesn't rack up a lot of points late in games actually makes MSU look BETTER. I'd never want to be a team that has to rely on its defense and special teams to generate points/offense. It's great if they do, but if your stats are good based on things like that, then they're puffed up and when a game comes along (and it will) that you're don't get much from those sources, you're screwed.

Just this week Tim Plough, the UC Davis head coach, said he thinks MSU has the best corners in the BSC on Colter's show and Colter agreed with him immediately. Just a few weeks ago people were saying MSU's secondary is a question mark. Everyone thought the NY Jets were going to deep into the playoffs and now Jets fan and ESPN host Mike Greenburg is calling them the most disappointing Jets team ever. It's a pretty hilarious profession this way. I laugh at myself, too.

I love our corners. I think Powdrell is one of the most underrated players on the team. For being a smallish corner, he is a fierce tackler and seems to love being physical. Woodard is ol' steady Eddy and Johnson seems to be rounding back into form. Really like Carr and Harmon coming in the second wave and the young talent of Boyd, McMillan, and Williams signal a bright future.

[Bobcat80]

I think this is the best place to put this fact. The Cats haven't trailed in a game in 540 game minutes. If your defense isn't elite...or at least elite adjacent, this doesn't happen.

[Lord Vigo]

I think this is the best place to put this fact. The Cats haven't trailed in a game in 540 game minutes. If your defense isn't elite...or at least elite adjacent, this doesn't happen.

The only thing naysayers have going for them is the schedule. That’s it. Their argument is and must be that the Cats only appear to be elite on defense in every facet because they haven’t played anyone.

Never mind that many of the same pundits are praising the UCD defense despite the fact that their schedule is totally comparable.

[Lord Vigo]

Sam Herder mentioned that the Cats defense isnt elite. What would they need to do to become elite? I just dont know how the defense could play much better. Yes, the Eastern game wasnt their best performance. But, as its been said a lot of times here, the Cats D held them below all their averages.

They most likely (almost certainly) are looking for eye-popping, traditional stats, such as sacks, interceptions, fumbles, TO ratio. MSU is good at forcing three and outs and punts. Not as sexy. They're also probably not aware (see Sam Akem) that MSU has allowed most of its points and yards late in games playing its 2s and 3s. And they aren't accounting for 20 points being scored by opposing defenses (MSU would be at 15 ppg, not 17). They're also probably not aware that MSU's defense has only allowed 21 first half points vs conference opponents and 42 all season (4.2 first half ppg). Without digging through it, I'd say MSU's ypa, ypc, pass efficiency D are 1.0, 0.5 and 10 points better, respectively, before going to the 2s and 3s.

MSU definitely has played at an elite level, but it hasn't put a lot of numbers into the low hanging branches. I think the fact that MSU doesn't get a lot of turnovers, score lots of points with turnovers/returns, doesn't get a lot of sacks, the offense isn't consistently set up in prime field position and doesn't rack up a lot of points late in games actually makes MSU look BETTER. I'd never want to be a team that has to rely on its defense and special teams to generate points/offense. It's great if they do, but if your stats are good based on things like that, then they're puffed up and when a game comes along (and it will) that you're don't get much from those sources, you're screwed.

Just this week Tim Plough, the UC Davis head coach, said he thinks MSU has the best corners in the BSC on Colter's show and Colter agreed with him immediately. Just a few weeks ago people were saying MSU's secondary is a question mark. Everyone thought the NY Jets were going to deep into the playoffs and now Jets fan and ESPN host Mike Greenburg is calling them the most disappointing Jets team ever. It's a pretty hilarious profession this way. I laugh at myself, too.

I love our corners. I think Powdrell is one of the most underrated players on the team. For being a smallish corner, he is a fierce tackler and seems to love being physical. Woodard is ol' steady Eddy and Johnson seems to be rounding back into form. Really like Carr and Harmon coming in the second wave and the young talent of Boyd, McMillan, and Williams signal a bright future.

Powdrell has really stood out to me lately as well.

[The Butcher]

Watching the highlights from the Idaho vs. Davis game. Larrison alone will keep our defense on their feet, he is a stud. Idaho could have won this game by 14+ points but made a lot of mistakes and costly turnovers. Larrison throws a 30+ yard pass in the 3rd that leads to a touchdown. I definitely think our defense can get pressure on the QB. Our DB’s and safeties will be tested as Hastings is a great passer. At this point, the waiting for Saturday evening is the hardest part of this whole thing.

After watching this and last weekend's Griz game, I believe the Cats are set to put up over 300 rushing yards. With a strong offensive line and powerful downhill runners, plus a jet sweep to keep defenses on their toes, there should be plenty of chances to pile up the yardage.

[BelgradeBobcat]

I think this is the best place to put this fact. The Cats haven't trailed in a game in 540 game minutes. If your defense isn't elite...or at least elite adjacent, this doesn't happen.

"elite adjacent" Let's go with that. I like that.

I think a lot of people watched that EWU game, because that was our only game since UNM that was worth watching into the second half-and the defense didn't play great in that one...until the 4th quarter.

[RUACAT]

I was shocked when Herder said that. But, if he and Sammy Akem believe that, I assume many others do as well. Good. Let the opposition think we don't have an elite defense.

[GoldstoneCat]

Watching the highlights from the Idaho vs. Davis game. Larrison alone will keep our defense on their feet, he is a stud. Idaho could have won this game by 14+ points but made a lot of mistakes and costly turnovers. Larrison throws a 30+ yard pass in the 3rd that leads to a touchdown. I definitely think our defense can get pressure on the QB. Our DB’s and safeties will be tested as Hastings is a great passer. At this point, the waiting for Saturday evening is the hardest part of this whole thing.

After watching this and last weekend's Griz game, I believe the Cats are set to put up over 300 rushing yards. With a strong offensive line and powerful downhill runners, plus a jet sweep to keep defenses on their toes, there should be plenty of chances to pile up the yardage.

We are going to rush for 300 yards on Saturday night. I think it's going to look slightly different than it has. We've been essentially putting window dressing on our basic runs the past few weeks, per colter/Mike rider. I bet Vigen/walker will be in the bag of tricks and little deeper, and I would also expect more designed stuff for Tommy to challenge the edges of their defense.

[MTnative]

Watching the highlights from the Idaho vs. Davis game. Larrison alone will keep our defense on their feet, he is a stud. Idaho could have won this game by 14+ points but made a lot of mistakes and costly turnovers. Larrison throws a 30+ yard pass in the 3rd that leads to a touchdown. I definitely think our defense can get pressure on the QB. Our DB’s and safeties will be tested as Hastings is a great passer. At this point, the waiting for Saturday evening is the hardest part of this whole thing.

After watching this and last weekend's Griz game, I believe the Cats are set to put up over 300 rushing yards. With a strong offensive line and powerful downhill runners, plus a jet sweep to keep defenses on their toes, there should be plenty of chances to pile up the yardage.

We are going to rush for 300 yards on Saturday night. I think it's going to look slightly different than it has. We've been essentially putting window dressing on our basic runs the past few weeks, per colter/Mike rider. I bet Vigen/walker will be in the bag of tricks and little deeper, and I would also expect more designed stuff for Tommy to challenge the edges of their defense.

A Ty McFerrari jet sweep should be in the game plan for sure.

[onceacat]

I think this is the best place to put this fact. The Cats haven't trailed in a game in 540 game minutes. If your defense isn't elite...or at least elite adjacent, this doesn't happen.

The only thing naysayers have going for them is the schedule. That’s it. Their argument is and must be that the Cats only appear to be elite on defense in every facet because they haven’t played anyone.

Never mind that many of the same pundits are praising the UCD defense despite the fact that their schedule is totally comparable.

All thats true. Of course, I think of some pretty eye popping factoids like the D not allowing a first down for 45 minutes + against Dixie

Or holding Maine to an average of 5 plays per drive (in the first half)

Or holding a top 10 Idaho team to 4.5 plays per drive (again, first half)

If forcing opposing offenses off the field that effectively isn't "elite", I'm just not sure what is.

[ilovethecats]

I think this is the best place to put this fact. The Cats haven't trailed in a game in 540 game minutes. If your defense isn't elite...or at least elite adjacent, this doesn't happen.

The only thing naysayers have going for them is the schedule. That’s it. Their argument is and must be that the Cats only appear to be elite on defense in every facet because they haven’t played anyone.

Never mind that many of the same pundits are praising the UCD defense despite the fact that their schedule is totally comparable.

Yep and let them say all that. You can only play who's on your schedule. Funny thing is, Griz fans will still be able to say that on the evening of November 23rd......

[jgrilley406]

I think this is the best place to put this fact. The Cats haven't trailed in a game in 540 game minutes. If your defense isn't elite...or at least elite adjacent, this doesn't happen.

The only thing naysayers have going for them is the schedule. That’s it. Their argument is and must be that the Cats only appear to be elite on defense in every facet because they haven’t played anyone.

Never mind that many of the same pundits are praising the UCD defense despite the fact that their schedule is totally comparable.

Yep and let them say all that. You can only play who's on your schedule. Funny thing is, Griz fans will still be able to say that on the evening of November 23rd......

Griz fans are still claiming UND and WCU are playoff caliber teams that they had to play.

[Lord Vigo]

As I've noted, the Cats have allowed 28 total points in the first halves of FCS contests, 3.1/game.

UCD has allowed 78 points in the first halves of FCS contests, 8.7/game.

[ilovethecats]

As I've noted, the Cats have allowed 28 total points in the first halves of FCS contests, 3.1/game.

UCD has allowed 78 points in the first halves of FCS contests, 8.7/game.

That's incredible.

[onceacat]

As I've noted, the Cats have allowed 28 total points in the first halves of FCS contests, 3.1/game.

UCD has allowed 78 points in the first halves of FCS contests, 8.7/game.

I just don't understand how that doesn't qualify as 'elite.'

[TomCat88]

As I've noted, the Cats have allowed 28 total points in the first halves of FCS contests, 3.1/game.

UCD has allowed 78 points in the first halves of FCS contests, 8.7/game.

First half offense:
vs. FCS:
UCD - 17.5; MSU 24.2
Last 4 games:
UCD - 26.8; MSU 28.8
UCD home - 21.4
MSU road - 24.0

[RootinfortheCats]

It’s hard to win on the road in the BSC.

I don’t know if the Cats will win, but I predict they will.

The Cats are the better team offensively AND defensively. The Cats defense IS elite. Saturday they get a chance to show it to Herder and the rest of the naysayers.

[Lord Vigo]

As I've noted, the Cats have allowed 28 total points in the first halves of FCS contests, 3.1/game.

UCD has allowed 78 points in the first halves of FCS contests, 8.7/game.

I just don't understand how that doesn't qualify as 'elite.'

The only possible argument is that they haven’t played anyone. But if that’s the argument, then neither has UCD and both defenses are therefore fraudulent. In which case, the better offense should carry the day which is also MSU (by an even wider margin).