Montana State Will Beat Wazzu, Sep 11

[Wedgebuster]

I wouldn't be surprised if the Kittens beat Wazzu. I also wouldn't be surprised if they turned around and lost to Drake the next week. Remember Chadron St.?

Who?

[Shellin]

As the only person here (and maybe in the world) who has actually watched every single Coug game these past two incredibly miserable seasons, I seriously doubt the Cats can beat WSU. We are not a very good Pac-10 team by any stretch of the imagination, but we should be drastically improved from the previous two seasons. Granted, "drastically" probably means we'll only win 2 or 3 games and keep some close, but this isn't the same team that was losing games 69-0, 66-3, 59-0, etc back in 2008.

That 2008 team was the worst team I've ever seen in my life (with the exception of 2008 University of Washington, obviously) and we played Portland State that season. Granted, 2010 MSU is a significantly better team than the 2008 Vikings (4-7, 3-5 Big Sky that year) but we racked up 640 yards with our 3rd string, freshman QB who was making his first ever game appearance in beating PSU 48-9.

We won't beat MSU by 39 points, their defense is very good and they have some playmakers coming back on offense too, but the simple truth of the matter remains that no matter how much we love our FCS teams (and I do), there is still a large talent gap between the Big Sky and the Pac-10, even when comparing the bottom of the Pac-10 to the top of the Big Sky. Obviously, something fluky could happen, but I seriously don't see MSU being competitive with us in the fourth quarter, though I wouldn't be surprised at all if they kept it closer than most Coug fans liked through halftime.

[JALMOND]

As the only person here (and maybe in the world) who has actually watched every single Coug game these past two incredibly miserable seasons, I seriously doubt the Cats can beat WSU. We are not a very good Pac-10 team by any stretch of the imagination, but we should be drastically improved from the previous two seasons. Granted, "drastically" probably means we'll only win 2 or 3 games and keep some close, but this isn't the same team that was losing games 69-0, 66-3, 59-0, etc back in 2008.

That 2008 team was the worst team I've ever seen in my life (with the exception of 2008 University of Washington, obviously) and we played Portland State that season. Granted, 2010 MSU is a significantly better team than the 2008 Vikings (4-7, 3-5 Big Sky that year) but we racked up 640 yards with our 3rd string, freshman QB who was making his first ever game appearance in beating PSU 48-9.

We won't beat MSU by 39 points, their defense is very good and they have some playmakers coming back on offense too, but the simple truth of the matter remains that no matter how much we love our FCS teams (and I do), there is still a large talent gap between the Big Sky and the Pac-10, even when comparing the bottom of the Pac-10 to the top of the Big Sky. Obviously, something fluky could happen, but I seriously don't see MSU being competitive with us in the fourth quarter, though I wouldn't be surprised at all if they kept it closer than most Coug fans liked through halftime.

I have to agree. The Cougs may still be the Cougs, but they are still Pac-10 and a BCS team. I'd take Wazzu by 10-14 points. Maybe more than most people on the FCS sites think, but probably a whole lot less than the Coug fans would be comfortable with. Montana State beating Wazzu would still be considered a pretty big upset.

[SuperHornet]

For me, this has ZERO to do with Wazzu being B(C)$. It has EVERYTHING to do with the Kitties being the Kitties.

Wazzu wins this game.

Were it Montana vs Wazzu, however, Montana wins big.

[Catattack]

For me, this has ZERO to do with Wazzu being B(C)$. It has EVERYTHING to do with the Kitties being the Kitties.

Wazzu wins this game.

Were it Montana vs Wazzu, however, Montana wins big.

and in your opinion Sac. is going to beat Stanford so in my opinion your opinion means squat.

[bpcats]

As a Bobcat fan I would love to see them beat the Cougars. I just don't see it happening. I have a lot of respect for Paul Wulff and what he is trying to build in Pullman. Simple fact is WSU should beat the Cats by 21-28 points, but it will not be an easy game and I expect a battle for a couple of quarters.

As far as UM if they played the Cougs going into Pullman and winning if they had a shot at playing them, I would have to disagree with that also. This is the same Griz team that almost got beat by Central Washington and escaped Idaho State with a win...barely.

Besides, WSU has struggled with injuries, depth, etc since Wulff took over. I see those troubles starting to end this year and they should get back on track.

All I know is that WSU is not Michigan State and even they struggled to run inside on the Cats. The Cougs should be able to take advantage at our inexperience at linebacker during passing plays. We struggled with correct drops for most of last year at that position.

I am looking forward to see how the Cats quarterback play develops. Kempt is more polished but McGhee is a natural leader that is already gaining respect from his teammates.

[Silenoz]

As a Bobcat fan I would love to see them beat the Cougars. I just don't see it happening. I have a lot of respect for Paul Wulff and what he is trying to build in Pullman. Simple fact is WSU should beat the Cats by 21-28 points, but it will not be an easy game and I expect a battle for a couple of quarters.

As far as UM if they played the Cougs going into Pullman and winning if they had a shot at playing them, I would have to disagree with that also. This is the same Griz team that almost got beat by Central Washington and escaped Idaho State with a win...barely.

Besides, WSU has struggled with injuries, depth, etc since Wulff took over. I see those troubles starting to end this year and they should get back on track.

All I know is that WSU is not Michigan State and even they struggled to run inside on the Cats. The Cougs should be able to take advantage at our inexperience at linebacker during passing plays. We struggled with correct drops for most of last year at that position.

I am looking forward to see how the Cats quarterback play develops. Kempt is more polished but McGhee is a natural leader that is already gaining respect from his teammates.

Got it. We almost lost to CWU two years ago under a different staff, so we can't beat team X this year. I may as well say MSU lost to Humbolt State 10 years ago, so I'd give Western Oregon the advantage if they played this year

Look at New Hampshire over Rutgers and Northwestern. Or Northern Iowa over Iowa State. Or William & Mary over Virginia. Or freaking Montana State over Colorado.

Bad BCS teams are susceptible to elite FCS teams. I think Montana is at least "in the running" for elite status...

[JALMOND]

Even if it was the Big Sky top team (Montana) playing the Pac-10 bottom team (Wazzu), it would still be a big upset if the Griz beat the Cougs. For a Pac-10 team to lose to an FCS team, it would be a big upset, just like when the Bobcats beat Colorado, it was considered to be a big upset. I think it would be close (10-14 points) but the Cougs still prevail, regardless of which Big Sky team they play.

[Silenoz]

I almost forgot Davis over Stanford. Stanford was better than WSU, and Davis was worse than UM. I'm not saying we'd be the favorites, but I wouldn't predict any sort of blowout. Especially since Bobby ball is gone

[SuperHornet]

Even if it was the Big Sky top team (Montana) playing the Pac-10 bottom team (Wazzu), it would still be a big upset if the Griz beat the Cougs. For a Pac-10 team to lose to an FCS team, it would be a big upset, just like when the Bobcats beat Colorado, it was considered to be a big upset. I think it would be close (10-14 points) but the Cougs still prevail, regardless of which Big Sky team they play.

You remember your history, dude?

Back in '95, Oregon State lost to a Big West school. The Big Sky was rated over the Big West by Sagarin. I have NO problem believing a FCS-dominant team like Montana beating a lower-tier Pac-10 school, particularly one as low as Wazzu.

And, believe me, that Big West school was no Appy.

[Mvemjsunpx]

Even if it was the Big Sky top team (Montana) playing the Pac-10 bottom team (Wazzu), it would still be a big upset if the Griz beat the Cougs. For a Pac-10 team to lose to an FCS team, it would be a big upset, just like when the Bobcats beat Colorado, it was considered to be a big upset. I think it would be close (10-14 points) but the Cougs still prevail, regardless of which Big Sky team they play.

You remember your history, dude?

Back in '95, Oregon State lost to a Big West school. The Big Sky was rated over the Big West by Sagarin. I have NO problem believing a FCS-dominant team like Montana beating a lower-tier Pac-10 school, particularly one as low as Wazzu.

And, believe me, that Big West school was no Appy.

And one year later, in '96, Montana beat Oregon State by 20. That was arguably the best Griz team ever, but still…

I'm guessing MSU & Wazzu are pretty close in terms of ability (I'm assuming the Cougs will be better than the last 2 years), but the game's in Pullman and Paul Wulff just plain owns the Bobcats. I expect WSU to win by a score or two.

[bear axed]

[quote="bpcats"]As a Bobcat fan I would love to see them beat the Cougars. I just don't see it happening. I have a lot of respect for Paul Wulff and what he is trying to build in Pullman. Simple fact is WSU should beat the Cats by 21-28 points, but it will not be an easy game and I expect a battle for a couple of quarters.

As far as UM if they played the Cougs going into Pullman and winning if they had a shot at playing them, I would have to disagree with that also. This is the same Griz team that almost got beat by Central Washington and escaped Idaho State with a win...barely [quote]

A fact of interest, would be the score in the Cats last game of last year?
A 21 point difference? So where would that put the Griz against Wazu in your point spread?

[FWJack]

Bear axed "A fact of interest, would be the score in the Cats last game of last year?
A 21 point difference? So where would that put the Griz against Wazu in your point spread?"

This means nothing. I am pretty sure UM lost some talent (M80, just to name one). My point is, last years performance isn't a good indication that UM would play WSU and better this year than MSU will. Regardless, I don't see MSU beating WSU this season. Not hat it can't happen (I hope it does), but it would be a huge upset.

[weberwildcat]

MSU 17
Wazzu 14

[JALMOND]

Even if it was the Big Sky top team (Montana) playing the Pac-10 bottom team (Wazzu), it would still be a big upset if the Griz beat the Cougs. For a Pac-10 team to lose to an FCS team, it would be a big upset, just like when the Bobcats beat Colorado, it was considered to be a big upset. I think it would be close (10-14 points) but the Cougs still prevail, regardless of which Big Sky team they play.

You remember your history, dude?

Back in '95, Oregon State lost to a Big West school. The Big Sky was rated over the Big West by Sagarin. I have NO problem believing a FCS-dominant team like Montana beating a lower-tier Pac-10 school, particularly one as low as Wazzu.

And, believe me, that Big West school was no Appy.

I know my history, dude. I was at the game the next year when Montana beat Oregon State. Just like then, it would still be considered a big upset now. Smart money still on the Pac-10 worst over the Big Sky best. When the Griz beat the Beavs, when the Cats beat Colorado, when Davis beat Stanford, those all are some big upsets. But that is what they are, upsets. Foolish to think in any scenario that the top echelon of FCS would be favored over any FBS (except maybe, stress maybe, those teams making an immediate transition from FCS to FBS). At times, FBS does get beat by FCS and those are upsets. It is fun to speculate, but I would not put any hard money on it happening.

[SuperHornet]

At times, FBS does get beat by FCS and those are upsets.

Appy over Tulsa is an upset? Montana over Buffalo is an upset?

[weberwildcat]

At times, FBS does get beat by FCS and those are upsets.

Appy over Tulsa is an upset? Montana over Buffalo is an upset?

YES

any FCS over an FBS is an upset

[SuperHornet]

So all I have to do is get Sac to declare for FBS, and Montana's annual win over Sac will automatically become an "upset?"

[Wedgebuster]

I'm goin' with the B-Cats on this one, by a hair. But they will never have the sackage to pay Chadron State 35K to come kick their ass in their own house again.

[G&B]

I wish the Griz had a shot at WSU this year.

[Screamin_Eagle174]

I wish the Griz had a shot at WSU this year.

Same with EWU. In 2012 when we finally get them, we'll be breaking in a new starting QB and Taiwan will be gone.

[weberwildcat]

So all I have to do is get Sac to declare for FBS, and Montana's annual win over Sac will automatically become an "upset?"

your catching on.

[Wapiti]

If this years Bobcat is improved over last years, like many predictions have said, and if this years Cougar team is like last years Cougar team, then yes the Bobcats have a fair chance to win. But I see the Cougar team being much improved over last year's team and easily beating the Bobcats by 21 or more. The Cat's still have a chance, but I say it is slim. The Bobcat's will have to win the turnover battle to have a chance to win.

The interesting storyline here is Kramer on the Wazzu side of the field.