Bracket talk

[catatac]

I think there’s a decent chance Sac beats UND and then beats USD, which would mean the Cats get a 2nd home game, if we can get past NDSU. That’s what we’re all hoping for obviously. Either that or UND beats Sac then USD. They almost did in their first game.

[BleedingBLue]

I think there’s a decent chance Sac beats UND and then beats USD, which would mean the Cats get a 2nd home game, if we can get past NDSU. That’s what we’re all hoping for obviously. Either that or UND beats Sac then USD. They almost did in their first game.

I'm not sure Sac has the defense to beat USD. Bennet is hobbled and they don't have another QB that is very good either.

[Helcat72]

I think there’s a decent chance Sac beats UND and then beats USD, which would mean the Cats get a 2nd home game, if we can get past NDSU. That’s what we’re all hoping for obviously. Either that or UND beats Sac then USD. They almost did in their first game.

I'm not sure Sac has the defense to beat USD. Bennet is hobbled and they don't have another QB that is very good either.

How can Sac beat UND if they can't beat UCD?
..and on the road because UND will probably out bid them. UND is garbage on the road and will not touch USD.

[Helcat72]

How does Sac get a bid over USD when they just lost to them and have the same record? The committee obviously regarded the win over Stanford as better than head to head.

[thefrank1]

Strength of schedule.

[catatac]

I think there’s a decent chance Sac beats UND and then beats USD, which would mean the Cats get a 2nd home game, if we can get past NDSU. That’s what we’re all hoping for obviously. Either that or UND beats Sac then USD. They almost did in their first game.

I'm not sure Sac has the defense to beat USD. Bennet is hobbled and they don't have another QB that is very good either.

How can Sac beat UND if they can't beat UCD?
..and on the road because UND will probably out bid them. UND is garbage on the road and will not touch USD.

I just think that’s the Big Sky. I mean NAU thumped the Griz for the love of God! I didn’t know about the Sac injuries tho, we’ll see what happens. I think the Big Sky is just a good, tough conference.

[BleedingBLue]

How does Sac get a bid over USD when they just lost to them and have the same record? The committee obviously regarded the win over Stanford as better than head to head.

Beat FBS Stanford and beat conference champ Nicholls. Also played a tight one with #4 Idaho and #6 MSU. Got rewarded for close losses to good teams.

[Utcatsfan]

I've got UND beating Sac State (they play better at home) and they almost upset USD 2 weeks ago and it's hard to beat the same team twice, so it's not impossible. Regardless WE need to focus on NDSU, in particular tackling.

[coloradocat]

I think there’s a decent chance Sac beats UND and then beats USD, which would mean the Cats get a 2nd home game, if we can get past NDSU. That’s what we’re all hoping for obviously. Either that or UND beats Sac then USD. They almost did in their first game.

I'd be shocked if Sac could win one road game in the Dakotas, much less two. Our best shot is that UND avenges their loss last week to USD. They were up 10-0 at halftime and only lost 14-10 so the rematch would likely be close.

[Prodigal Cat]

I think there’s a decent chance Sac beats UND and then beats USD, which would mean the Cats get a 2nd home game, if we can get past NDSU. That’s what we’re all hoping for obviously. Either that or UND beats Sac then USD. They almost did in their first game.

I give it close to 0% chance. Sac is limping into the playoffs. Loss to Um, couldn’t put a bad CP away till late, loss to Davis. UND is very good in the Alerus, they win by double digits. However they played a very close game just a few weeks ago in Vermillion. That’s the best chance for the cats to host in the Quarterfinals.

[tetoncat]

I think there’s a decent chance Sac beats UND and then beats USD, which would mean the Cats get a 2nd home game, if we can get past NDSU. That’s what we’re all hoping for obviously. Either that or UND beats Sac then USD. They almost did in their first game.

I give it close to 0% chance. Sac is limping into the playoffs. Loss to Um, couldn’t put a bad CP away till late, loss to Davis. UND is very good in the Alerus, they win by double digits. However they played a very close game just a few weeks ago in Vermillion. That’s the best chance for the cats to host in the Quarterfinals.

They gave Sac credit for the early big wins as they should, but looking at last month they are not the same team. UCD is much better now with Larrison back.

[Prodigal Cat]

In terms of the bracket, if the Cats get past NDSU I think there is a strong chance its SDSU vs Idaho and MSU vs UM in the Semifinals. Cats played all 3, on the road.

[The Butcher]

NDSU has me very worried.
If the Cats get their s*** together, they should be able to take down NDSU. However, after the debacle in Missoula I am quite worried. Will the players and coaches respond, or will we see another L to a Dakota school.

[84CatGrad]

NDSU has me very worried.
If the Cats get their s*** together, they should be able to take down NDSU. However, after the debacle in Missoula I am quite worried. Will the players and coaches respond, or will we see another L to a Dakota school.

This. Despite their three losses, they are still NDSU.

[Prodigal Cat]

NDSU has me very worried.
If the Cats get their s*** together, they should be able to take down NDSU. However, after the debacle in Missoula I am quite worried. Will the players and coaches respond, or will we see another L to a Dakota school.

This. Despite their three losses, they are still NDSU.

Not really, at least they aren't the NDSU we are used to. Theo Day threw 3 INT's and they still scored 27 points. You know who also looked good versus UNI? Weber St. NDSU just isn't the same team defense as they have been and their schedule wasn't super difficult. The only team they beat that is currently ranked is SIU who's offense is dreadful. They lost to the other Playoffs teams they played including 1 at home. Cats would be 10-1 with their schedule.
Have they earned some respect and are they a tough draw, MOST DEFINITELY YES. It's the playoffs though and there will only be 16 teams left playing. They all have some game to them.

[MSUBRONCO]

Maybe by some slim chance we will avoid NDSU from them losing this week but at least it's home this time.

[catatac]

Maybe by some slim chance we will avoid NDSU from them losing this week but at least it's home this time.

I would be absolutely shocked if Drake beat NDSU in the Fargodome. Drake lost to UND 55-0 and SDSU 70-0.

[AFCAT]

UC Davis seeing Drake get an auto bid to the playoffs.

[84CatGrad]

For what it's worth this is the field with current Sagarin ratings along with the seeds:

Seed Sagrin
33 SDSU #1
71 NDSU
75 MSU #6
90 friz. #2
96 Idaho #4
109 Southern Ill
115 Villanova #8
118 USD #3
122 UND
124 Youngstown State
129 Sac State
130 Furman #7
131 Delaware
132 Austin Peay
135 Albany #5
155 Chattanooga
156 Nicholls State
161 Mercer
162 Richmond
172 Gardner Webb
184 Lafayette
185 NC Central
209 Duquesne
244 Drake

[iaafan]

NDSU has me very worried.
If the Cats get their s*** together, they should be able to take down NDSU. However, after the debacle in Missoula I am quite worried. Will the players and coaches respond, or will we see another L to a Dakota school.

This. Despite their three losses, they are still NDSU.

Not really, at least they aren't the NDSU we are used to. Theo Day threw 3 INT's and they still scored 27 points. You know who also looked good versus UNI? Weber St. NDSU just isn't the same team defense as they have been and their schedule wasn't super difficult. The only team they beat that is currently ranked is SIU who's offense is dreadful. They lost to the other Playoffs teams they played including 1 at home. Cats would be 10-1 with their schedule.
Have they earned some respect and are they a tough draw, was MOST DEFINITELY YES. It's the playoffs though and there will only be 16 teams left playing. They all have some game to them.

Missouri State beat UNI the week before NDSU 35-16 and UNI scored with just a couple minutes to play. Bison defense good against SIU but that game was 13-10 at half. SDSU out scored Bison 30-3 after Bison scored TD to start the game. Bison scored on a long pick 6 and got a TD after a shanked punt to the 30.