Big Sky Predictions 10-2

[catbob]

What Sac fans don't realize, that this isn't your typica Griz team (yet). Yes, going into WA-Griz anytime and playing well could be considered a moral victory in some circles, because even if the Griz are a little down that is still the toughest place to play in all of FCS.

However, this is a Griz team that lost back to back FCS games for the first time in who knows how long. They have a whole new staff and offense to learn, and so far they are struggling with it.

Don't get me wrong, the Griz could be the most talent laden team in the Sky. But they aren't executing well, and are playing mistake prone football. Sac fans want to give the credit to the Sac defense for that, but so far a pattern has emerged for the Griz pertaining to turnovers, so until the Griz prove they can take care of the ball, the problem is deeper than just the opponent's defense making great plays.

That being said, the Cats are in your typical, prime time for a letdown game. We came off a huge win, are playing our first game on the road, and are banged up on the offensive line. But if we continue to execute like we have been, take care of the ball, and as long as we have Coach Mac on the OL then I think we can be consistent enough to pull this one off. If we play mistake free football, I think the Cats win fairly easily.

[Herky]

What Sac fans don't realize, that this isn't your typica Griz team (yet). Yes, going into WA-Griz anytime and playing well could be considered a moral victory in some circles, because even if the Griz are a little down that is still the toughest place to play in all of FCS.

However, this is a Griz team that lost back to back FCS games for the first time in who knows how long. They have a whole new staff and offense to learn, and so far they are struggling with it.

Don't get me wrong, the Griz could be the most talent laden team in the Sky. But they aren't executing well, and are playing mistake prone football. Sac fans want to give the credit to the Sac defense for that, but so far a pattern has emerged for the Griz pertaining to turnovers, so until the Griz prove they can take care of the ball, the problem is deeper than just the opponent's defense making great plays.

That being said, the Cats are in your typical, prime time for a letdown game. We came off a huge win, are playing our first game on the road, and are banged up on the offensive line. But if we continue to execute like we have been, take care of the ball, and as long as we have Coach Mac on the OL then I think we can be consistent enough to pull this one off. If we play mistake free football, I think the Cats win fairly easily.

What Bobcat fans don't realize is, their arguments are becoming irritating.

Don't get me wrong, MSU is tops in the Sky for now, but that's no reason to act like an ass er Griz fan

[catbob]

What arguments would that be, that are so irritating? I haven't said anything that a fan of the game of football wouldn't notice about this upcoming game. If your argument is about the whole Griz being down, no one giving you the credit you think you deserve for hanging tough in WA-Griz, then that is just my opinion, don't get bent out of shape.

It is a little too early for stats to tell the story, since everyone's stats will be a little skewed from non-FCS competition. But to think that Sac is anything but the underdog in this game is pure homerism. And to think Sac has zero chance of winning is also way off-base. Sac has a decent football team, maybe the strongest they've had in a few years. And you had a good win against Weber at home, no one is taking anything away from that accomplishment.

If I was acting like a Griz fan, I'd be arguing with the other Cat posters here, giving your school zero respect, spouting off historical records of my team versus yours, and using the term "scary good" several times in my observations.

[Silenoz]

If I was acting like a Griz fan, I'd be arguing with the other Cat posters here, giving your school zero respect, spouting off historical records of my team versus yours, and using the term "scary good" several times in my observations.

...or pointing out that UNC has ONE win over a team with a winning record since their move to DI. I can't recall which program it was that they beat though

Anyways, we get it. No one in the Big Sky like us

[Grizalltheway]

If I was acting like a Griz fan, I'd be arguing with the other Cat posters here, giving your school zero respect, spouting off historical records of my team versus yours, and using the term "scary good" several times in my observations.

...or pointing out that UNC has ONE win over a team with a winning record since their move to DI. I can't recall which program it was that they beat though

Anyways, we get it. No one in the Big Sky like us

Careful man, I smell a trap in Greasy tomorrow...

[Herky]

What arguments would that be, that are so irritating? I haven't said anything that a fan of the game of football wouldn't notice about this upcoming game. If your argument is about the whole Griz being down, no one giving you the credit you think you deserve for hanging tough in WA-Griz, then that is just my opinion, don't get bent out of shape.

It is a little too early for stats to tell the story, since everyone's stats will be a little skewed from non-FCS competition. But to think that Sac is anything but the underdog in this game is pure homerism. And to think Sac has zero chance of winning is also way off-base. Sac has a decent football team, maybe the strongest they've had in a few years. And you had a good win against Weber at home, no one is taking anything away from that accomplishment.

If I was acting like a Griz fan, I'd be arguing with the other Cat posters here, giving your school zero respect, spouting off historical records of my team versus yours, and using the term "scary good" several times in my observations.

That was a "scary good" post

Here's to a good game tomorrow. If you're coming to town, feel free to stop by my tailgate. Right hand side of the parking lot (in the corner) next to the parking garage. Just yell HERKY!

[catbob]

I'd love to, but after traveling for every single Bobcat game this year (including Wazzou), I am looking forward to kicking my back in my recliner, watching the Cats (& griz), and just relaxing! Plus I'm broke.

[Silenoz]

...or pointing out that UNC has ONE win over a team with a winning record since their move to DI. I can't recall which program it was that they beat though

Anyways, we get it. No one in the Big Sky like us

Careful man, I smell a trap in Greasy tomorrow...

[FAMU Rattler70]

Idaho St. at Portland St.

Montana St. at Sac State.

EWU at Weber St.

Montana at NoCo

NAU at Southern Utah

[Grizo406]

The Kitties are NOT better than the Griz. No blowout this week.

Chris Diniz is going to stuff MSU at the end.

We'll see whether they are at the end of the season. I fully expect the griz to begin getting it together and be tough by the time we play them.

But I think that right now, the Cats are better than the Griz.

After 4 games, I also think the Cats are better than the Griz.

So far, the Bobcats are gettin' it done, and limiting their mistakes. I'd kinda' like to see that continue...up until 30 November !

[SDHornet]

Nice you folks put PSU in the win column. Understandable that the feeling is "meh", since we haven't had a chance in show anything yet. CompughterRankings.com (whateverthe hell that is) has PSU at 30, and Idaho State at 75, so I guess we're doing something right for someone and there's something out there to buttress your prediction this week. About all I can do is smile and say nothing, and wait for the returns. Watch McCaffrey run. Watch our very ordinary QB Cavanaugh hook up a few decent passes (if they aren't knocked down at scrimmage - he's short and throws sidearm) and even run, watch Brown kick a few field goals (he's pretty good at it) - it'll be fun. And yes, we'll win. And I know full well it won't mean a thing until we take on NSU, UNC, NAU etc. Then maybe we'll get some talk about PSU names and stats.

I only "mehed" because I had nothing much to say.

[NAU_Alum10]

Idaho St 17 @ Portland St 14

Montana St 31 @ Sac St 21

Eastern Washington 21 @ Weber St 28

Montana 35 @ Northern Colorado 10

Northern Arizona 20 @ Southern Utah 10

[Grizalltheway]

We'll see whether they are at the end of the season. I fully expect the griz to begin getting it together and be tough by the time we play them.

But I think that right now, the Cats are better than the Griz.

After 4 games, I also think the Cats are better than the Griz.

So far, the Bobcats are gettin' it done, and limiting their mistakes. I'd kinda' like to see that continue...up until 30 November !

[Screamin_Eagle174]

Correct Pick
Incorrect Pick
Actual Score
(-123) = Difference between predicted and actual point spread
APSE = Average Point Spread Error
___________________________________________________


EWU 24 @ 20 WSU
EWU 35 @ 24 WSU (-7)

ISU 14 @ 31 PSU
ISU 3 @ 38 PSU (-18)

UM 28 @ 20 UNC
UM 30 @ 7 UNC (-15)

MSU 34 @ 28 Sac State
MSU 64 @ 61 Sac State (-3)

NAU 24 @ 27 Southern Utah
NAU 26 @ 23 Southern Utah (-6)

___________________________________________________

This week: 4-1
Last week: 4-1
Overall: 26-6
APSE last week: 9.0 pts.
APSE this week: 9.8 pts.
APSE overall: 10.8 pts.

Another crazy week in Big Sky Football.

EWU bounced back nicely in team-effort win over Weber on the road -- without Taiwan Jones. BLM was 23/36 for 337 yards, 4 TDs to 1 INT. WR's Brandon Kaufman and Ashton Gant had 100+ yards receiving on 5 receptions apiece (138 and 110 respectively), with Gant also having 2 TDs. RB's Darriell Beaumonte and Mario Brown combined for 132 yards on the ground and 1 TD, each also with a receiving TD. Three different EWU defenders had an INT; Matt Johnson, Tyler Washburn, and J.C. Sherritt. DT Renard Williams recorded a sack and a forced-fumble.

MSU won a thriller basketball game on a football field, out-lasting Sac State 64-61 in OT after leading 37-10 at halftime. Impressive second half performance by Sac State to rally back, outscoring MSU 35-7 in the third quarter.

NAU won an exciting game in the final minutes after trailing Southern Utah 23-19. Herrick threw his only TD of the game, a 15 yard strike to Zach Bauman with 3:07 left to play to go up and eventually win 26-23. SUU led most of the game after going up 7-0 early on a 44-yard pick-six.

In more boring news, UM shut-down UNC and PSU absolutely dominated ISU.

Still two games back from Jalmond, but came mighty close to tying it up.

[SuperHornet]

I don't think ANYONE should take credit for the Sac-Cat game today. I had the margin right and the OT right, but it went the other way. I don't think ANYONE figured on EITHER team scoring more than 42, either.

NOBODY gets credit for this one, IMO.

[cats2506]

I don't think ANYONE should take credit for the Sac-Cat game today. I had the margin right and the OT right, but it went the other way. I don't think ANYONE figured on EITHER team scoring more than 42, either.

NOBODY gets credit for this one, IMO.

But we get the W and you get the L

[AZGrizFan]

I don't think ANYONE should take credit for the Sac-Cat game today. I had the margin right and the OT right, but it went the other way. I don't think ANYONE figured on EITHER team scoring more than 42, either.

NOBODY gets credit for this one, IMO.

But we get the W and you get the L

So, bob, WTF happened?

[cats2506]

But we get the W and you get the L

So, bob, WTF happened?

We won

[AZGrizFan]

So, bob, WTF happened?

We won

Thanks for clearing that up.

How did the vaunted Bobscat D give up 35 in the 3rd?

[JALMOND]

As we put an end to September and move on to October, the games within the conference begin to mean something. As a result the games start getting tougher to predict. Through the month of September I went 24-3. It looks pretty good until one takes a look at the statistics, the big one being that only NAU and PSU won games on the road (EWU did win on a neutral field). This week will be tougher, as most of the top teams go on the road for conference games. Will there be upsets? How many? More importantly, what will the conference look like on Sunday. 24-3 so far. Here are this week's predictions...

EWU @ WSU---The Eagles were brought crashing down to earth last week at Montana State. The Wildcats were putting away a pesky UC-Davis bunch at home. It is still unclear what role Jones will have this week, if he plays at all. The Eagles need other players, namely Mitchell, to step up and take on more of a strong role in order to give themselves a solid chance to win. Problem is, that strong Wildcat defense...WSU 25, EWU 23.

ISU @ PSU--Last year the Vikings were the only victim during the Bengals season, a season that saw them improve every week. The Vikings were on a downward slide towards the end of the year. This season, this game is closer to the beginning of the year. The Bengals had their first game last week, a home loss to NAU. The Vikings are coming into this game off of a bye week. The Bengals won at home last year, take the Vikings in this one...PSU 36, ISU 24.

UM @ UNC---One of those good team on the road games. The Grizzlies feel like they finally turned a corner with their win over Sacramento State at home last week. The Bears feel like they got through their money game and are back to the conference schedule. The Bears also feel like this could be the year they finally get a win over the mighty Griz. Only 2 teams have won road games so far, the Bears held serve against Idaho State two weeks ago, and the Griz looked very ordinary on the road. Yet, this goes to the bigger bears...UM 24, UNC 17.

MSU @ Sac State---Another interesting game and a possible upset. The Bobcats are coming off a very impressive home win over Eastern Washington while the Hornets had to be content with a close game at Montana last week. The Hornets are still thinking this could be their year and all they need to do is hold serve at home. This is the Bobcats first venture on the road in conference play. Their first road game of the year, they lost in the closing minutes to Pac-10 Washington State. The Hornets are not Washington State...MSU 31, Sac State 28.

NAU @ Southern Utah---The Jacks are the only team in the conference that is not playing a conference foe (yet, possibly). But once again, this could be construed as a trap game as it is on the road. However, the Jacks did win on the road last week against Idaho State and looked good against Pac-10 Arizona State. The first one is always the toughest one to get, but the Jacks got their first last week. They should get this...NAU 35, Southern Utah 20.

Hoping to continue perfect as Scream is still behind me.

4-1 this week, puts me at 28-4 for the year, although the Bobcats and Jacks gave me a heart attack. Glad they could pull those games out. Weber a different story.

[cats2506]

We won

Thanks for clearing that up.

How did the vaunted Bobscat D give up 35 in the 3rd?

If you really care, We had 3 issues, actually 4.
1. Missed Bignell in the middle, most of the passes in the second half came in the middle, I dont think grosulack was dropping far enough.
2. Missing O'Connel, Dont know what we are going to do there, we moved ogden out to DE but we didnt get any QB pressure.
3. Missing craney in the secondary was a bigger problem than I thought it would be, it will be good to have him (and hopfully bignell too) back next week.

4. The gameplan was designed to stop the run and make them beat us with the pass, and they almost did, after the last few weeks who woulda thunk that SAC could pass for over 350 yards. I think they got desperate and decided to "go for it", I give SAC credit, most teams down that bad at half will just give up, they listened to their coaches and played thier guts out.

[EWURanger]

Double post.

[EWURanger]

Hard to believe that we could only muster 7 points in the entire game against MSU, but Sac scores 35 in one quarter?? Boy, were we horrible in that game.

Interesting note on yesterday, 3/4 conference games were won by the away team. Also NAU wins @ SUU. Those road wins are going to play a big factor in the outcome of the conference race.

[cats2506]

Hard to believe that we could only muster 7 points in the entire game against MSU, but Sac scores 35 in one quarter?? Boy, were we horrible in that game.

Interesting note on yesterday, 3/4 conference games were won by the away team. Also NAU wins @ SUU. Those road wins are going to play a big factor in the outcome of the conference race.

Remember, we were missing a couple of key players yesterday that played almost the whole game against EWU (Bignell & Craney)
As the game went on tackling got worse and worse, normaly MSU has some very sure tacklers and this is one of the reasons for the success against EWU. I think the oppressive heat was major factor in the tackling issue. Sac had some problems with that in the 4th qtr too. this game was an abnormality in many ways but Sac is for real and you better be ready when the come to Cheney.

[EWURanger]

this game was an abnormality in many ways but Sac is for real and you better be ready when the come to Cheney.

Oh, without a doubt. I'm really worried about that game as well as NAU. Sac's definitely an improved program this year and they're going to win games in the BSC. They took Montana down to the wire in Missoula and damn near won last night.

Overall, the BSC seems more balanced this year and I don't think anyone escapes conference play without a loss. Sac, NAU, and PSU all seem to have improved in the off-season and will win games. The only teams that are really out of contention at this point are ISU, UNC, and Weber........sorry Weber, just my opinion - your remaining schedule is brutal and I don't think you'll get through it.