Bozeman State Bobcats scouting report

[AZGrizFan]

Not sure why, but it bugs me that the SOS includes playup games. So of course, any time you play TWO FBS teams, your SOS goes way up. Apparently even though you offset that with CP, NAU, SUU & Idaho, etc.

 

[hm.grwn.grizfan]

Let's dig into the numbers, shall we?

MSU...scoring 32.5 ppg, but those #'s are bolstered by big scores against horrible teams...56 against Norfolk St., 42 against SUU, 45 against UNC, 49 against NAU...What happened when they face a "real D"? 21 against Sac St. 12 against UND (who had given up 55 to Idaho St., 35 to Weber and 38 to UNC :shock: ). 23 against Western Illinois --the same WIU that's 1-10 right now. UM, on the other hand, scores 30+/game, almost regardless of level of competition.

They give up just 125 ypg rushing. But those numbers are skewed by playing the two cellar-dwellers and giving up just 44 (UNC) and 50 (SUU). NAU rushed for 164 (5.5/carry), CP rushed for 251 (3.4/carry), UCD rushed for 157 (6.8/carry)....so crappy teams have found a way to develop a rush game against MSU. Griz, on the other hand, are incredibly balanced, running the ball 414 times (28 TD's and passing it 411 (26 TD's). Pick your poison, MSU.

They put up massive rush/game numbers, averaging 259.9/game. But that's skewed by 340 against NAU (the worst D in BSC), 451 against UNC (again, the worst D in BSC), 449 against Norfolk St (honestly, should those stats even COUNT?). Sac held them to 141 (3.4/carry), even WIU held them to 194 (4.5/carry)…Griz, on the other hand, have had just ONE FCS team sniff a 200 yard running day (ISU with 197). Outside that, we have five games < 100 yards given up, and 3 games < 70 yards given up rushing, and that's having played 5 of the top 7 rushing offenses in the conference--an AVERAGE of 83 ypg the last four contests.

MSU has outscored opponents in the first half 180-159. in the 2nd half their point differential 92-62. Griz, on the other hand, against a significantly tougher schedule, outscored opponents in the 1st half just 169-165, but in the 2nd half have outscored opponents 248-93 (largest margin in football, I believe).

Read into these what you will, but here's my take. MSU's stats have been piled up against absolutely horrid competition. Norfolk State? UNC? SUU? NAU? WIU? Holy CRAP is there a worse five teams on ANYBODY's schedule? I don't think so--but they looked like world beaters against them. Even against mediocre competition however (UND, CP, WIU, etc) they've struggled to put away teams. My predictions for Saturday:

* Game is close at halftime (potentially even with a small MSU lead that they jumped out to and hung on), 14-13 or 14-10, something like that
* Griz give up over 100 yards rushing in 1st half
* Griz score twice in 3rd quarter to pull away
* Griz shut down running game in 2nd half, < 75 yards given up
* MSU's passing game struggles, with at least 1 pick and < 50% completion ratio

Griz win going away, 42-21

Where in the hell are the graphs to go with the stats?

 

[AZGrizFan]

Let's dig into the numbers, shall we?

MSU...scoring 32.5 ppg, but those #'s are bolstered by big scores against horrible teams...56 against Norfolk St., 42 against SUU, 45 against UNC, 49 against NAU...What happened when they face a "real D"? 21 against Sac St. 12 against UND (who had given up 55 to Idaho St., 35 to Weber and 38 to UNC :shock: ). 23 against Western Illinois --the same WIU that's 1-10 right now. UM, on the other hand, scores 30+/game, almost regardless of level of competition.

They give up just 125 ypg rushing. But those numbers are skewed by playing the two cellar-dwellers and giving up just 44 (UNC) and 50 (SUU). NAU rushed for 164 (5.5/carry), CP rushed for 251 (3.4/carry), UCD rushed for 157 (6.8/carry)....so crappy teams have found a way to develop a rush game against MSU. Griz, on the other hand, are incredibly balanced, running the ball 414 times (28 TD's and passing it 411 (26 TD's). Pick your poison, MSU.

They put up massive rush/game numbers, averaging 259.9/game. But that's skewed by 340 against NAU (the worst D in BSC), 451 against UNC (again, the worst D in BSC), 449 against Norfolk St (honestly, should those stats even COUNT?). Sac held them to 141 (3.4/carry), even WIU held them to 194 (4.5/carry)…Griz, on the other hand, have had just ONE FCS team sniff a 200 yard running day (ISU with 197). Outside that, we have five games < 100 yards given up, and 3 games < 70 yards given up rushing, and that's having played 5 of the top 7 rushing offenses in the conference--an AVERAGE of 83 ypg the last four contests.

MSU has outscored opponents in the first half 180-159. in the 2nd half their point differential 92-62. Griz, on the other hand, against a significantly tougher schedule, outscored opponents in the 1st half just 169-165, but in the 2nd half have outscored opponents 248-93 (largest margin in football, I believe).

Read into these what you will, but here's my take. MSU's stats have been piled up against absolutely horrid competition. Norfolk State? UNC? SUU? NAU? WIU? Holy CRAP is there a worse five teams on ANYBODY's schedule? I don't think so--but they looked like world beaters against them. Even against mediocre competition however (UND, CP, WIU, etc) they've struggled to put away teams. My predictions for Saturday:

* Game is close at halftime (potentially even with a small MSU lead that they jumped out to and hung on), 14-13 or 14-10, something like that
* Griz give up over 100 yards rushing in 1st half
* Griz score twice in 3rd quarter to pull away
* Griz shut down running game in 2nd half, < 75 yards given up
* MSU's passing game struggles, with at least 1 pick and < 50% completion ratio

Griz win going away, 42-21

Where in the hell are the graphs to go with the stats?

Do no mistake me for a certain realtor who hangs here...

 

[EverettGriz]

I see ten keys to a GRIZ victory:

1. Stop the run
2. Limit penalties
3. Stop the run
4. Stop the run
5. Stop the run
6. Stop the run
7. Stop the run
8. Stop the run
9. Stop the run
10. Stop the run

 

[garizzalies]

Let's dig into the numbers, shall we?

MSU...scoring 32.5 ppg, but those #'s are bolstered by big scores against horrible teams...56 against Norfolk St., 42 against SUU, 45 against UNC, 49 against NAU...What happened when they face a "real D"? 21 against Sac St. 12 against UND (who had given up 55 to Idaho St., 35 to Weber and 38 to UNC :shock: ). 23 against Western Illinois --the same WIU that's 1-10 right now. UM, on the other hand, scores 30+/game, almost regardless of level of competition.

They give up just 125 ypg rushing. But those numbers are skewed by playing the two cellar-dwellers and giving up just 44 (UNC) and 50 (SUU). NAU rushed for 164 (5.5/carry), CP rushed for 251 (3.4/carry), UCD rushed for 157 (6.8/carry)....so crappy teams have found a way to develop a rush game against MSU. Griz, on the other hand, are incredibly balanced, running the ball 414 times (28 TD's and passing it 411 (26 TD's). Pick your poison, MSU.

They put up massive rush/game numbers, averaging 259.9/game. But that's skewed by 340 against NAU (the worst D in BSC), 451 against UNC (again, the worst D in BSC), 449 against Norfolk St (honestly, should those stats even COUNT?). Sac held them to 141 (3.4/carry), even WIU held them to 194 (4.5/carry)…Griz, on the other hand, have had just ONE FCS team sniff a 200 yard running day (ISU with 197). Outside that, we have five games < 100 yards given up, and 3 games < 70 yards given up rushing, and that's having played 5 of the top 7 rushing offenses in the conference--an AVERAGE of 83 ypg the last four contests.

MSU has outscored opponents in the first half 180-159. in the 2nd half their point differential 92-62. Griz, on the other hand, against a significantly tougher schedule, outscored opponents in the 1st half just 169-165, but in the 2nd half have outscored opponents 248-93 (largest margin in football, I believe).

Read into these what you will, but here's my take. MSU's stats have been piled up against absolutely horrid competition. Norfolk State? UNC? SUU? NAU? WIU? Holy CRAP is there a worse five teams on ANYBODY's schedule? I don't think so--but they looked like world beaters against them. Even against mediocre competition however (UND, CP, WIU, etc) they've struggled to put away teams. My predictions for Saturday:

* Game is close at halftime (potentially even with a small MSU lead that they jumped out to and hung on), 14-13 or 14-10, something like that
* Griz give up over 100 yards rushing in 1st half
* Griz score twice in 3rd quarter to pull away
* Griz shut down running game in 2nd half, < 75 yards given up
* MSU's passing game struggles, with at least 1 pick and < 50% completion ratio

Griz win going away, 42-21

I seem to recall a similar, stat-heavy post by you prior to the SuckSt game.
Stats don’t mean shit, especially in this game. Just like vs. SuckSt, whichever team wants it more, will win

 

[AZGrizFan]

Let's dig into the numbers, shall we?

MSU...scoring 32.5 ppg, but those #'s are bolstered by big scores against horrible teams...56 against Norfolk St., 42 against SUU, 45 against UNC, 49 against NAU...What happened when they face a "real D"? 21 against Sac St. 12 against UND (who had given up 55 to Idaho St., 35 to Weber and 38 to UNC :shock: ). 23 against Western Illinois --the same WIU that's 1-10 right now. UM, on the other hand, scores 30+/game, almost regardless of level of competition.

They give up just 125 ypg rushing. But those numbers are skewed by playing the two cellar-dwellers and giving up just 44 (UNC) and 50 (SUU). NAU rushed for 164 (5.5/carry), CP rushed for 251 (3.4/carry), UCD rushed for 157 (6.8/carry)....so crappy teams have found a way to develop a rush game against MSU. Griz, on the other hand, are incredibly balanced, running the ball 414 times (28 TD's and passing it 411 (26 TD's). Pick your poison, MSU.

They put up massive rush/game numbers, averaging 259.9/game. But that's skewed by 340 against NAU (the worst D in BSC), 451 against UNC (again, the worst D in BSC), 449 against Norfolk St (honestly, should those stats even COUNT?). Sac held them to 141 (3.4/carry), even WIU held them to 194 (4.5/carry)…Griz, on the other hand, have had just ONE FCS team sniff a 200 yard running day (ISU with 197). Outside that, we have five games < 100 yards given up, and 3 games < 70 yards given up rushing, and that's having played 5 of the top 7 rushing offenses in the conference--an AVERAGE of 83 ypg the last four contests.

MSU has outscored opponents in the first half 180-159. in the 2nd half their point differential 92-62. Griz, on the other hand, against a significantly tougher schedule, outscored opponents in the 1st half just 169-165, but in the 2nd half have outscored opponents 248-93 (largest margin in football, I believe).

Read into these what you will, but here's my take. MSU's stats have been piled up against absolutely horrid competition. Norfolk State? UNC? SUU? NAU? WIU? Holy CRAP is there a worse five teams on ANYBODY's schedule? I don't think so--but they looked like world beaters against them. Even against mediocre competition however (UND, CP, WIU, etc) they've struggled to put away teams. My predictions for Saturday:

* Game is close at halftime (potentially even with a small MSU lead that they jumped out to and hung on), 14-13 or 14-10, something like that
* Griz give up over 100 yards rushing in 1st half
* Griz score twice in 3rd quarter to pull away
* Griz shut down running game in 2nd half, < 75 yards given up
* MSU's passing game struggles, with at least 1 pick and < 50% completion ratio

Griz win going away, 42-21

I seem to recall a similar, stat-heavy post by you prior to the SuckSt game.
Stats don’t mean shit, especially in this game. Just like vs. SuckSt, whichever team wants it more, will win

Okay. Great post.

 

[Grisly Fan]

I see ten keys to a GRIZ victory:

1. Stop the run
2. Limit penalties
3. Stop the run
4. Stop the run
5. Stop the run
6. Stop the run
7. Stop the run
8. Stop the run
9. Stop the run
10. Stop the run

11. Hold on to the DAMN ball

 

[PlayerRep]

I see ten keys to a GRIZ victory:

1. Stop the run
2. Limit penalties
3. Stop the run
4. Stop the run
5. Stop the run
6. Stop the run
7. Stop the run
8. Stop the run
9. Stop the run
10. Stop the run

11. Hold on to the DAMN ball

12. No turnovers (meaning both no fumbles and no interceptions as well no ST screw ups). I know 11 was probably meant to say that.

 

[uofmman1122]

Let's dig into the numbers, shall we?

MSU...scoring 32.5 ppg, but those #'s are bolstered by big scores against horrible teams...56 against Norfolk St., 42 against SUU, 45 against UNC, 49 against NAU...What happened when they face a "real D"? 21 against Sac St. 12 against UND (who had given up 55 to Idaho St., 35 to Weber and 38 to UNC :shock: ). 23 against Western Illinois --the same WIU that's 1-10 right now. UM, on the other hand, scores 30+/game, almost regardless of level of competition.

They give up just 125 ypg rushing. But those numbers are skewed by playing the two cellar-dwellers and giving up just 44 (UNC) and 50 (SUU). NAU rushed for 164 (5.5/carry), CP rushed for 251 (3.4/carry), UCD rushed for 157 (6.8/carry)....so crappy teams have found a way to develop a rush game against MSU. Griz, on the other hand, are incredibly balanced, running the ball 414 times (28 TD's and passing it 411 (26 TD's). Pick your poison, MSU.

They put up massive rush/game numbers, averaging 259.9/game. But that's skewed by 340 against NAU (the worst D in BSC), 451 against UNC (again, the worst D in BSC), 449 against Norfolk St (honestly, should those stats even COUNT?). Sac held them to 141 (3.4/carry), even WIU held them to 194 (4.5/carry)…Griz, on the other hand, have had just ONE FCS team sniff a 200 yard running day (ISU with 197). Outside that, we have five games < 100 yards given up, and 3 games < 70 yards given up rushing, and that's having played 5 of the top 7 rushing offenses in the conference--an AVERAGE of 83 ypg the last four contests.

MSU has outscored opponents in the first half 180-159. in the 2nd half their point differential 92-62. Griz, on the other hand, against a significantly tougher schedule, outscored opponents in the 1st half just 169-165, but in the 2nd half have outscored opponents 248-93 (largest margin in football, I believe).

Read into these what you will, but here's my take. MSU's stats have been piled up against absolutely horrid competition. Norfolk State? UNC? SUU? NAU? WIU? Holy CRAP is there a worse five teams on ANYBODY's schedule? I don't think so--but they looked like world beaters against them. Even against mediocre competition however (UND, CP, WIU, etc) they've struggled to put away teams. My predictions for Saturday:

* Game is close at halftime (potentially even with a small MSU lead that they jumped out to and hung on), 14-13 or 14-10, something like that
* Griz give up over 100 yards rushing in 1st half
* Griz score twice in 3rd quarter to pull away
* Griz shut down running game in 2nd half, < 75 yards given up
* MSU's passing game struggles, with at least 1 pick and < 50% completion ratio

Griz win going away, 42-21

I seem to recall a similar, stat-heavy post by you prior to the SuckSt game.
Stats don’t mean shit, especially in this game. Just like vs. SuckSt, whichever team wants it more, will win

I'm with you that stats can be misleading, for sure, but the stats running up to the Sac game are not like the stats going into this game. We know a lot more about every team now than we did in week 6-7.

The truth is, the cats have statistically the best running game in the conference, but they've played (if you count UND as a conference team) the 3rd (which they lost to), 9th, 10th, 11th, 12th, 13th, and 14th ranked run defenses in the conference to get there. The Griz are #2.

Anything can happen, but I feel like we match up really well against their strength. If MSU has to pass to win this game, it will probably be very, very good for us.

 

[AZGrizFan]

Let's dig into the numbers, shall we?

MSU...scoring 32.5 ppg, but those #'s are bolstered by big scores against horrible teams...56 against Norfolk St., 42 against SUU, 45 against UNC, 49 against NAU...What happened when they face a "real D"? 21 against Sac St. 12 against UND (who had given up 55 to Idaho St., 35 to Weber and 38 to UNC :shock: ). 23 against Western Illinois --the same WIU that's 1-10 right now. UM, on the other hand, scores 30+/game, almost regardless of level of competition.

They give up just 125 ypg rushing. But those numbers are skewed by playing the two cellar-dwellers and giving up just 44 (UNC) and 50 (SUU). NAU rushed for 164 (5.5/carry), CP rushed for 251 (3.4/carry), UCD rushed for 157 (6.8/carry)....so crappy teams have found a way to develop a rush game against MSU. Griz, on the other hand, are incredibly balanced, running the ball 414 times (28 TD's and passing it 411 (26 TD's). Pick your poison, MSU.

They put up massive rush/game numbers, averaging 259.9/game. But that's skewed by 340 against NAU (the worst D in BSC), 451 against UNC (again, the worst D in BSC), 449 against Norfolk St (honestly, should those stats even COUNT?). Sac held them to 141 (3.4/carry), even WIU held them to 194 (4.5/carry)…Griz, on the other hand, have had just ONE FCS team sniff a 200 yard running day (ISU with 197). Outside that, we have five games < 100 yards given up, and 3 games < 70 yards given up rushing, and that's having played 5 of the top 7 rushing offenses in the conference--an AVERAGE of 83 ypg the last four contests.

MSU has outscored opponents in the first half 180-159. in the 2nd half their point differential 92-62. Griz, on the other hand, against a significantly tougher schedule, outscored opponents in the 1st half just 169-165, but in the 2nd half have outscored opponents 248-93 (largest margin in football, I believe).

Read into these what you will, but here's my take. MSU's stats have been piled up against absolutely horrid competition. Norfolk State? UNC? SUU? NAU? WIU? Holy CRAP is there a worse five teams on ANYBODY's schedule? I don't think so--but they looked like world beaters against them. Even against mediocre competition however (UND, CP, WIU, etc) they've struggled to put away teams. My predictions for Saturday:

* Game is close at halftime (potentially even with a small MSU lead that they jumped out to and hung on), 14-13 or 14-10, something like that
* Griz give up over 100 yards rushing in 1st half
* Griz score twice in 3rd quarter to pull away
* Griz shut down running game in 2nd half, < 75 yards given up
* MSU's passing game struggles, with at least 1 pick and < 50% completion ratio

Griz win going away, 42-21

I seem to recall a similar, stat-heavy post by you prior to the SuckSt game.
Stats don’t mean shit, especially in this game. Just like vs. SuckSt, whichever team wants it more, will win

I'm with you that stats can be misleading, for sure, but the stats running up to the Sac game are not like the stats going into this game. We know a lot more about every team now than we did in week 6-7.

The truth is, the cats have statistically the best running game in the conference, but they've played (if you count UND as a conference team) the 3rd (which they lost to), 9th, 10th, 11th, 12th, 13th, and 14th ranked run defenses in the conference to get there. The Griz are #2.

Anything can happen, but I feel like we match up really well against their strength. If MSU has to pass to win this game, it will probably be very, very good for us.

No. Stats don't mean shit. garizzalies said so.

 

[pussycatkillerz]

I see ten keys to a GRIZ victory:

1. Stop the run
2. Limit penalties
3. Stop the run
4. Stop the run
5. Stop the run
6. Stop the run
7. Stop the run
8. Stop the run
9. Stop the run
10. Stop the run

11. Hold on to the DAMN ball

12. No turnovers (meaning both no fumbles and no interceptions as well no ST screw ups). I know 11 was probably meant to say that.

13. Stop the run

 

[PlayerRep]

I wonder if the Cats would put Anderson at QB if they get behind or the starter isn't doing well? I suppose that would be impacted by whether he has practiced at QB.

 

[Catsrback76]

I wonder if the Cats would put Anderson at QB if they get behind or the starter isn't doing well? I suppose that would be impacted by whether he has practiced at QB.

naw, he can't run due to injury and he can't throw...and an injury also is thrown into his game. No need to worry about #15...

 

[ilovethecats]

I wonder if the Cats would put Anderson at QB if they get behind or the starter isn't doing well? I suppose that would be impacted by whether he has practiced at QB.

We've put him in all season, even when Rovig was playing ok. I imagine we'll see him plenty on both sides tomorrow but who knows.

 

[wbtfg]

I wonder if the Cats would put Anderson at QB if they get behind or the starter isn't doing well? I suppose that would be impacted by whether he has practiced at QB.

Andersen will take snaps at QB regardless of how the game is going. Travis Jonsen will also take a number of snaps at QB. I could see a world where either one of them plays over 50% of snaps at QB.

It will be interesting to see what MSU/Choate/Miller's offensive game plan will be. Is there some semblance of run/pass balance or will we lean heavily on the Wildcat/Option/+1 run game?

 

[SaskGriz]

I wonder if the Cats would put Anderson at QB if they get behind or the starter isn't doing well? I suppose that would be impacted by whether he has practiced at QB.

MSU Quarterbacks practice?

 

[Grizzlies1982]

I wonder if the Cats would put Anderson at QB if they get behind or the starter isn't doing well? I suppose that would be impacted by whether he has practiced at QB.

Andersen will take snaps at QB regardless of how the game is going. Travis Jonsen will also take a number of snaps at QB. I could see a world where either one of them plays over 50% of snaps at QB.

It will be interesting to see what MSU/Choate/Miller's offensive game plan will be. Is there some semblance of run/pass balance or will we lean heavily on the Wildcat/Option/+1 run game?

Andersen and Jonsen both take QB snaps every game. However, MSU brings Andersen in when they need the offense to go. They just did it when they were down at UC Davis and had earlier throughout the season.

It's just like when I coached Little Guy football. When we really needed a score late in a game I'd call a reverse using a certain kid. It never failed, touchdown every time. Damn I was a fabulous coach!

Choate is stealing my old play book using Andersen. The linebacker remains the bobcat's best offensive player (by a wide margin). If Troy is playing lots of offense in the 4th quarter that means MSU is in a big hole and our defense should be looking out for the reverse.

 

[Dutch Lane]

I wonder if the Cats would put Anderson at QB if they get behind or the starter isn't doing well? I suppose that would be impacted by whether he has practiced at QB.

Pr, you may have noticed but I have been a big Troy fan because he’s a Montana kid, and watched him play in hs and I also have a connection to him. Talked to a family member this morning and he told me that he is really beat up right shoulder (surgery last year) nagging high ankle sprains, gimpy knee and his hand he broke last year is still nagging him.

Family was surprised when he threw (shot putted) the goal line td pass last weekend because he can’t throw anymore because of the injury and if you notice he now wears a brace on his throwing shoulder which pretty much restricts his ability to throw. He’s a tough kid but only about 75% as runner and lb. They blame it on them playing him both ways which never gives him a chance to heal up. My point is that he will take snaps tomorrow but it should be apparent to Baer and the defensive staff that he is not at all a threat to throw anymore so he should be easy to at least contain. I hope anyway but the kid is a gamer as we all know. I think they have really mishandled him. I think when TG pulled him out of defensive drills his freshman year in fall camp and told Choate they were wasting him at LB they should have made him their feature back. He probably would have been a 3 or 4 time all American at the end of his career. He’s the cats all time leader in career rushing tds playing qb last year.

Will be interesting to find out if he will have any kind of impact on offense like he did the last two years. I’m thinking with his injuries and knowing he won’t be throwing that the griz run defensive will shut him and the cat offense down.

I think you are right that when the cats get behind they will again resort to playing him at qb to try and keep it close which will probably result in him getting more dinged up going into the playoffs.

 

[PlayerRep]

Thx. Have not been following the Cats that closely. TA is a gamer. Always welcome on my team, at any position.

 

[lochlaven]

When Griz get 1st and goal from the five, I predict:

- Ostmo up the gut for 2.
- Ostmo up the gut for TD.
- Wait, time out cats - No TD.
- Eastwood up the gut for TD.

FTC.
-
Ha. Team Bus probably left Eastwood in Phillipsburgh.