FIRE EVERYONE!

[iaafan]

I think there's a better than 50/50 chance this season ends in Fargo or Brookings...but our stats will be pretty even so there's that.

Another moral victory. “Right there!” “So close” I can’t wait for another one of those.

So you’re fine getting blasted 50-0 by No. Colorado?

[TomCat88]

As a wise man once said “stats are for losers.” At the end of the day, the only stat that matters is the score. MSU hasn’t faired well in this statistical category against the Dakotas. Moral victories are a temporary solution to a larger problem. That’s the point I’m making. Like I said, cats have narrowed the gap in recent years but haven’t been able to break thru when it counts. The receipts are in the final scores.

So if we lost 45-0 and looks years away from building a team good enough to beating them, you’re cool with that?

At least there would be no doubt, coming up short is more frustrating than getting routed out of the building. The complacency of “almost” from the fan base and coaches is getting old.

Really?!!?!? Wow!

[ilovethecats]

All just semantics at this point. I don’t care what people call it. If people wanna say we’re as good as the dakotas so be it. Hell, they can say we’re better than the chiefs and eagles too. It’s all talk. Nothing matters but wins and losses and we haven’t shown we can win. Are we good enough to win? Probably. But we don’t so who cares.

Many of the games during the streak we were good enough to win. Who cares? In the end I could have said we were right there with the griz. But they had a decade and a half of wins so I’m sure they really didn’t care if some of us thought we were right there with them. Until we actually start beating the Dakotas, I can’t imagine they or anyone else really cares if we say we’re “right there” with them.

I don’t care either. If people want to say were not any good and are going to quit going to games that’s fine. Don’t let the door hit you on the way out. I used to go to games when we were 0-11. We lost, so what. I still had fun.

Idiotic take though. lol. You say it’s all semantics then you only discuss one side of the semantics. It sounds like you’re crying in your beer. Cats lost. Boo-hoo.

No crying from me. I’m on vacation and wasn’t able to be there in person. But I watched poolside last night and had a great time.

And I admit I’m only talking about one side because my view in sports winning is the deciding factor. We can make lists all day long of the things we do as well as the Dakotas. We can say we’re as good as them, way better than them, worse than them, or WAY worse than them. But the fact is we never beat them so in my eyes that eliminates being way better or even right with them. But games have always been fairly close so that eliminates us being way worse in my opinion. So my view has always been, and always will be until we start beating them, is we’re just a little below them. And people don’t have to agree with me because it doesn’t matter. Which is my point. But I prefer to actually start beating these teams before we say we’re on their level. I think we can someday, but haven’t yet.

[Norsky19]

Jackrabbit D line won the game for them. Our D was also very good but their offense had more answers. Better balance.

[SparkCat]

You’re right. I saw:
1) playing for a field goal at half time
2) miscues, fumbles and blocked punts and 12 men on the field
3) a new offensive coordinator and the same suspect and unexplainable play calls
4) inconsistent play
5) talented kids as always. (He recruits well) but they’re not sharp, seem unprepared.

So who is to blame for those things? Things which we regularly see from Vigen coached teams. Who is the boogeyman that keeps thwarting the coaching genius that is Brent Vigen?

#1 has been consistent through Vigens career. It's not ever going to change. Its got him to a 79% win percentage with the Cats, 2 natties, a few semis, and a bunch of wins at NDSU

2). Correct. Totally unacceptable. Really boggles the mind.

3) Yes

4) I think thats to be expected 2 games in with new co-ordinator, QB, etc. Vigen has a history of getting these things cleaned up as the season goes on.

5) Except in the 80% of games that Vigen wins.

1) losses close games, see Idaho two years ago and tonight
3) has to be Vigen
4) isn’t the point of practice and the team arriving before classes so they’re prepared for games? Oregon doesn’t count. Outlier and irrelevant. SDSU tonight was sloppy and has to be someone’s fault
5) I’m worried about the 20% he doesn’t win. Let’s get it to 95% and then I’ll shut up about the vegetablist.

OK...where exactly are you going to find a coach that wins 95% of games?

Here it is again. “This is good enough cause they’re the cats and they’ve been bad before” that is not an acceptable reason. I don’t understand why so many of our fan base accepts almost just because there have been some bad seasons in the past. That fan mentality is nearly as infuriating as Vigen’s almost good enough, almost prepared, almost beat a good team coaching style.

Complacency kills success. The mindset you describe seems to have a grip on the program as a whole, and that’s culturally problematic.

I also don’t get why a few posters on here are entitled and act like the program owes them a championship. Some of you live in a fantasy world. Next time there is a job opening some of you should apply.

Having standards and expectations is not entitlement it’s the fact of life. You don’t buy a car and just pick whatever car you get. You don’t build/buy a house and accept whatever one you get. You have standards and expectations as with anything in life; anyone who suggests otherwise is either complacent or a liar.

So then shop around for a new team that meets your expectations, your highness. What you listed are investments, that give you the power to make a choice. You voluntarily invest your time to watch the Cats, so if they do not meet your expectations, maybe shop around. Are there better coaches and staff than Vigen, of course, if you axe a coach after a legitimate winning record, losing a great senior class, and having staff jump ship, good luck brining in a great coaching mind.

1) football coaches fall from the sky
2) Shopping around for a team that meets expectations is not how alma mater works
3) Expectations are the enemy of complacency, which is why you disagree with my analysis, you are ragingly complacent. Which frankly is your choice. Just as I choose to have an different attitude.

lol ok dude. I just have been there, an actual Bobcat. Never have been complacent, otherwise I would not be where I am today, successful. You’re just entitled, and expect success to be handed to you, as you’re in absolutely no situation where you can make a change this team, I’m sure you wish you were as you clearly seem to have a plan to lead them to a natty. Like I said, apply next time there is an opening, I’m sure your ragingly speeches on complacency will really win over the admin.

[Cataholic]

Vigen is not the problem lol

Please do elaborate Mr. Madden

You have eyes. This is either the first game you've watched or you're just another emotional clown arguing in bad faith.
Go to bed and come back later.

You’re right. I saw:
1) playing for a field goal at half time
2) miscues, fumbles and blocked punts and 12 men on the field
3) a new offensive coordinator and the same suspect and unexplainable play calls
4) inconsistent play
5) talented kids as always. (He recruits well) but they’re not sharp, seem unprepared.

So who is to blame for those things? Things which we regularly see from Vigen coached teams. Who is the boogeyman that keeps thwarting the coaching genius that is Brent Vigen?

#1 has been consistent through Vigens career. It's not ever going to change. Its got him to a 79% win percentage with the Cats, 2 natties, a few semis, and a bunch of wins at NDSU

2). Correct. Totally unacceptable. Really boggles the mind.

3) Yes

4) I think thats to be expected 2 games in with new co-ordinator, QB, etc. Vigen has a history of getting these things cleaned up as the season goes on.

5) Except in the 80% of games that Vigen wins.

1) losses close games, see Idaho two years ago and tonight
3) has to be Vigen
4) isn’t the point of practice and the team arriving before classes so they’re prepared for games? Oregon doesn’t count. Outlier and irrelevant. SDSU tonight was sloppy and has to be someone’s fault
5) I’m worried about the 20% he doesn’t win. Let’s get it to 95% and then I’ll shut up about the vegetablist.

OK...where exactly are you going to find a coach that wins 95% of games?

Here it is again. “This is good enough cause they’re the cats and they’ve been bad before” that is not an acceptable reason. I don’t understand why so many of our fan base accepts almost just because there have been some bad seasons in the past. That fan mentality is nearly as infuriating as Vigen’s almost good enough, almost prepared, almost beat a good team coaching style.

Complacency kills success. The mindset you describe seems to have a grip on the program as a whole, and that’s culturally problematic.

I also don’t get why a few posters on here are entitled and act like the program owes them a championship. Some of you live in a fantasy world. Next time there is a job opening some of you should apply.

Their experience as pee wee football coach wouldn’t get them the job.

[JudithBasinCat]

As a wise man once said “stats are for losers.” At the end of the day, the only stat that matters is the score. MSU hasn’t faired well in this statistical category against the Dakotas. Moral victories are a temporary solution to a larger problem. That’s the point I’m making. Like I said, cats have narrowed the gap in recent years but haven’t been able to break thru when it counts. The receipts are in the final scores.

So if we lost 45-0 and looks years away from building a team good enough to beating them, you’re cool with that?

At least there would be no doubt, coming up short is more frustrating than getting routed out of the building. The complacency of “almost” from the fan base and coaches is getting old.

So quit then. Leave, find another team to complain about. What’s getting old is seeing someone come on here only after losses to whine about the coaching and fans. Am I happy about the game, no. But at this point I may be more upset about some of the asinine comments made on this board.

[TomCat88]

Jackrabbit D line won the game for them. Our D was also very good but their offense had more answers. Better balance.

MSU ran it better, SDSU passed it better. MSU had more yards on less plays. MSU had a bunch of big chunk plays that it didn't capitalize on. It was a wild game. Lots of miscues and lots of amazing efforts on both sides. The catch by their WR in the first OT was amazing. Even if you take the punter's -11 play out MSU still holds them under 3 per carry. Loughridge is good and they held him in check. Lamson couldn't get the ball downfield and the WRs didn't get much separation.

Still early in the season. Maybe both teams are way overrated? Who knows?

[iaafan]

As a wise man once said “stats are for losers.” At the end of the day, the only stat that matters is the score. MSU hasn’t faired well in this statistical category against the Dakotas. Moral victories are a temporary solution to a larger problem. That’s the point I’m making. Like I said, cats have narrowed the gap in recent years but haven’t been able to break thru when it counts. The receipts are in the final scores.

So if we lost 45-0 and looks years away from building a team good enough to beating them, you’re cool with that?

At least there would be no doubt, coming up short is more frustrating than getting routed out of the building. The complacency of “almost” from the fan base and coaches is getting old.

Why are saying it’s complacency? I don’t see anyone being complacent. Things are just handed to you on a platter. You need to not only analyze the bad but the good. Fans in this situation over think things. I feel strongly that we’re just as good and we will beat them if we stay the course. I don’t think we’ll never beat cuz we’ve lost four close games. I would if we were losing like we did the previous four. What was it 39-18, 38-10, 42-14, 52-10. I can see the light at the end of the tunnel. There’s still work to do but we don’t need to reinvent the wheel or just quit.

[catzz]

As a wise man once said “stats are for losers.” At the end of the day, the only stat that matters is the score. MSU hasn’t faired well in this statistical category against the Dakotas. Moral victories are a temporary solution to a larger problem. That’s the point I’m making. Like I said, cats have narrowed the gap in recent years but haven’t been able to break thru when it counts. The receipts are in the final scores.

So if we lost 45-0 and looks years away from building a team good enough to beating them, you’re cool with that?

At least there would be no doubt, coming up short is more frustrating than getting routed out of the building. The complacency of “almost” from the fan base and coaches is getting old.

Why are saying it’s complacency? I don’t see anyone being complacent. Things are just handed to you on a platter. You need to not only analyze the bad but the good. Fans in this situation over think things. I feel strongly that we’re just as good and we will beat them if we stay the course. I don’t think we’ll never beat cuz we’ve lost four close games. I would if we were losing like we did the previous four. What was it 39-18, 38-10, 42-14, 52-10. I can see the light at the end of the tunnel. There’s still work to do but we don’t need to reinvent the wheel or just quit.

Well put iaafan!

[ClowderUp]

The best part of the 15 game run last year is all the entitled dicks didn't post much. That was nice.

[Cataholic]

LOL!! I'd really love to see someone explain what it is MSU needs to be better at. Just saying 'need a new coach' or 'something must be wrong if...' 'just aren't good enough' doesn't really cut it. If it's so obvious, then someone should be able to explain it clearly and concisely. tick-tock

If MSU was getting pushed around, turning the ball over or committing penalties consistently or just wasn't a talented or fundamentally sound team, I could see a path to fixing a problem. I just don't see it. Now, if the punter keeps getting his punts blocked every game or if MSU is in the negative in turnovers game in and game out, then you might have something, but hasn't been the case in these games.

SDSU was ecstatic to get the win. The players and coaches were giddy after the game. They know what they did wasn't going to be easy and wasn't easy.

When two really good, evenly matched teams play there isn't some magic elixir that the team that ends up winning used. It usually just boils down to a play or two and the team that makes those plays wins, but they had no special enzymes in their system that made the difference.

There are a couple things I'm really good at, but I still don't win every time. I'm sure most everyone can relate.

1) Untimely penalties. That PI in overtime and the 12 men were huge. Not to mention the false start that led to the shanked punt.

2) Shifting around the line. Our OL was pushed around for most of the game. It was obvious they were not getting half the push SDSU was and were letting rushers get pressure consistently.

3) Defensive breakdowns. At the minimum, 2 tds were just complete breakdowns where we left a receiver completely uncovered.

We also wasted home field advantage again. That was at least good for 7-10 points yesterday and made up for several mistakes. We cant make those if we want to have any chance on the road.

SDSU must’ve done a bunch of stuff wrong too to get taken into double overtime by a team that messed up as much as MSU did. Hey! I know!! Maybe both teams suck! Yeah, that’s it. That’s the ticket!! You’re welcome everyone.

Great post.

[JoeCatsJoe]

MSU, SDSU and NDSU are in lock step with each other. The deciding factor when they play other each is randomness. Since 2021, MSU is 1-5 with four losses by miniscule fractions. SDSU is up on NDSU 4-2, but four games have been decided by a TD or less. The only blowouts were by SDSU over NDSU in 2023, when NDSU was down a tad, SDSU over MSU in 2022 and MSU knew its lines weren't ready for prime time. NDSU over MSU in 2021 when Mellott went out on the first series. Other than that, it's just a knockdown, drag out fight. Especially since the start of 2023 when MSU actually caught up physically. No other teams are in the same ballpark.

You can flip a coin, and it'll come up heads 10 times in a row sometimes, and that's kinda what's happening to MSU. There's not guarantee it won't be 20.

SDSU is 7-2, NDSU is 5-4, MSU is 1-5. All three of them blow everyone's doors off unless they're just having a bad day. The eight contestants in the last four title games have been those three teams 7 times. The Griz had a good defense and Bergen and it got them in the title game, but they didn't make a semifinal other than that year. Out of 12 possible chances MSU, NDSU and SDSU have been in the semifinals 10 times the last four years.

All MSU can do is keep chopping wood or as Julius Davis said, keep heading into the storm and don't look back.

They all play the same style of football. It's no big secret to each other when they get on the field.

This narrative that msu is in the same conversation as the DSU’s is baffling. They aren’t. The whole program is a step behind.

I tend to agree. Can we actually BEAT them before we say we’re right there with them? We’ve lost close games. That’s better than losing by 50, but it’s still LOSING! Tom is an excellent poster, but I couldn’t disagree with him more in this regard.

[Cataholic]

I recall this gris_h8 poster complaining about Vigen in the past. His username is a variation of another poster here so it stuck in my mind. I looked at his previous posts and He clearly has some personal vendetta against Vigen. His last posts prior to yesterday was to berate Vigen for being a terrible coach when we beat New Mexico last year. We then ran 14 straight wins and he didn’t make a peep till yesterday. He is an entitled fan who just makes the fan base look bad.

We just took the number two team in the nation into double overtime. We had chances to win the game right. There is no problem. If we lose a couple more games, let’s talk then, but I see this team with 10 straight wins. The OC needs to quit running Lamson so much and the offensive line needs to figure out some things. We will be okay.

[iaafan]

The ultimate thing is winning it’s why you play. I love watching two really good or great teams play and having the game go down to the wire. I don’t like it when one has a good game and the other plays poorly and it’s a wipe out. I don’t consider that game to have been indicative of how good each team is.

The last four games MSU has had with the Dakotas have lived up to the hype. I feel fortunate to have witnessed them all in person.

I don’t really like Cinderella stories. I think they should actually be called Ugly Step Sister stories. I mean a team that isn’t that good is ugly not pretty. I like to see the two best teams make it to the championship and have an epic game with each other.

The last four Cat-Griz games weren’t indicative of how good the teams were. MSU wasn’t 34 points better than UM and vice versa.

[gris_h8er]

As a wise man once said “stats are for losers.” At the end of the day, the only stat that matters is the score. MSU hasn’t faired well in this statistical category against the Dakotas. Moral victories are a temporary solution to a larger problem. That’s the point I’m making. Like I said, cats have narrowed the gap in recent years but haven’t been able to break thru when it counts. The receipts are in the final scores.

So if we lost 45-0 and looks years away from building a team good enough to beating them, you’re cool with that?

At least there would be no doubt, coming up short is more frustrating than getting routed out of the building. The complacency of “almost” from the fan base and coaches is getting old.

Why are saying it’s complacency? I don’t see anyone being complacent. Things are just handed to you on a platter. You need to not only analyze the bad but the good. Fans in this situation over think things. I feel strongly that we’re just as good and we will beat them if we stay the course. I don’t think we’ll never beat cuz we’ve lost four close games. I would if we were losing like we did the previous four. What was it 39-18, 38-10, 42-14, 52-10. I can see the light at the end of the tunnel. There’s still work to do but we don’t need to reinvent the wheel or just quit.

How many years have we been “staying the course”? How many more will it take? I want to mark my calendar so I know when “staying the course” will result in a national championship. Should I buy my Frisco tickets for 2033 or wait til 2035? Obviously there is a schedule and we’re right on time I’m just impatient.

[GoldstoneCat]

We were spoiled last year by a team that was loaded with veteran players and was loaded for bear from day 1 of fall camp. This year's team is going to require some patience, especially on offense. I think the offensive skill is as good as ever, but this line is not very good right now and will need to be given some leash to grow together. I'm pretty confident in saying that we're going to be a lot better outfit November 1 than we are today. We're going to win 3 in a row here now before the next big test. There were always 4 critical games on the schedule, and to be a top 4 seed we needed to be 3-1. That's still in play. Sdsu is no lock to be seeded higher than us, they could lose 2-3 league games. I guess i would just preach patience with this group.

[iaafan]

MSU, SDSU and NDSU are in lock step with each other. The deciding factor when they play other each is randomness. Since 2021, MSU is 1-5 with four losses by miniscule fractions. SDSU is up on NDSU 4-2, but four games have been decided by a TD or less. The only blowouts were by SDSU over NDSU in 2023, when NDSU was down a tad, SDSU over MSU in 2022 and MSU knew its lines weren't ready for prime time. NDSU over MSU in 2021 when Mellott went out on the first series. Other than that, it's just a knockdown, drag out fight. Especially since the start of 2023 when MSU actually caught up physically. No other teams are in the same ballpark.

You can flip a coin, and it'll come up heads 10 times in a row sometimes, and that's kinda what's happening to MSU. There's not guarantee it won't be 20.

SDSU is 7-2, NDSU is 5-4, MSU is 1-5. All three of them blow everyone's doors off unless they're just having a bad day. The eight contestants in the last four title games have been those three teams 7 times. The Griz had a good defense and Bergen and it got them in the title game, but they didn't make a semifinal other than that year. Out of 12 possible chances MSU, NDSU and SDSU have been in the semifinals 10 times the last four years.

All MSU can do is keep chopping wood or as Julius Davis said, keep heading into the storm and don't look back.

They all play the same style of football. It's no big secret to each other when they get on the field.

This narrative that msu is in the same conversation as the DSU’s is baffling. They aren’t. The whole program is a step behind.

I tend to agree. Can we actually BEAT them before we say we’re right there with them? We’ve lost close games. That’s better than losing by 50, but it’s still LOSING! Tom is an excellent poster, but I couldn’t disagree with him more in this regard.

I think you and others are letting your fandom interfere with reality. It’s like the real vs reasonable test. You have a real fear of water but it’s not reasonable to be afraid of dipping your toes in the water.

In this case you want to win so badly that when you lose it must mean you aren’t capable.

[iaafan]

As a wise man once said “stats are for losers.” At the end of the day, the only stat that matters is the score. MSU hasn’t faired well in this statistical category against the Dakotas. Moral victories are a temporary solution to a larger problem. That’s the point I’m making. Like I said, cats have narrowed the gap in recent years but haven’t been able to break thru when it counts. The receipts are in the final scores.

So if we lost 45-0 and looks years away from building a team good enough to beating them, you’re cool with that?

At least there would be no doubt, coming up short is more frustrating than getting routed out of the building. The complacency of “almost” from the fan base and coaches is getting old.

Why are saying it’s complacency? I don’t see anyone being complacent. Things are just handed to you on a platter. You need to not only analyze the bad but the good. Fans in this situation over think things. I feel strongly that we’re just as good and we will beat them if we stay the course. I don’t think we’ll never beat cuz we’ve lost four close games. I would if we were losing like we did the previous four. What was it 39-18, 38-10, 42-14, 52-10. I can see the light at the end of the tunnel. There’s still work to do but we don’t need to reinvent the wheel or just quit.

How many years have we been “staying the course”? How many more will it take? I want to mark my calendar so I know when “staying the course” will result in a national championship. Should I buy my Frisco tickets for 2033 or wait til 2035? Obviously there is a schedule and we’re right on time I’m just impatient.

You acting entitled.

[gris_h8er]

I recall this gris_h8 poster complaining about Vigen in the past. His username is a variation of another poster here so it stuck in my mind. I looked at his previous posts and He clearly has some personal vendetta against Vigen. His last posts prior to yesterday was to berate Vigen for being a terrible coach when we beat New Mexico last year. We then ran 14 straight wins and he didn’t make a peep till yesterday. He is an entitled fan who just makes the fan base look bad.

We just took the number two team in the nation into double overtime. We had chances to win the game right. There is no problem. If we lose a couple more games, let’s talk then, but I see this team with 10 straight wins. The OC needs to quit running Lamson so much and the offensive line needs to figure out some things. We will be okay.

Definitely be ok and likely be an 8+ win season. However that doesn’t mean that’s the end goal or there is nothing to improve. It also doesn’t mean that winning a cream puff schedule makes Vigen the second coming.

You’re absolutely right I have a bone to pick with Vigen, he was supposed to elevate to the dsus and win a national championship. Unless I missed something we’re still waiting on him to accomplish those goals. So the question is how many mistakes, how many close calls and how many coming up short games is enough? Should the Vigen train be ridden to .500 or below? Or should the plug be pulled now and try to push to the next level with a new guy?

And you’re right, I had nothing to say cause it looked like the problems were solved. I wasn’t thrilled with how they called plays for Tommy but it worked out in spite of what I saw to be mistakes. Unfortunately this team is making the same mistakes that showed up two years ago against Idaho. So the question is what happened? Did Vigen learn/not learn? New roster? Coordinators not listening to the greatest coach in Bobcat history?