MSU Bobcats Scouting Report

[BWahlberg]

MSU OLine: This is the first year in a long time that MSU is finishing the season with the same starting 5 on the OLine that they started the season with. Additionally, in recent weeks MSU is using their TON package where they bring 330lb Kyle Goedeke into the game as a 6th OLineman.

The "ton" package looks like a beast to defend:

https://vine.co/v/O5DVagPUAIH" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

https://vine.co/v/O5DrhOwr2EI" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

 

[LongTimeCatFan]

MSU OLine: This is the first year in a long time that MSU is finishing the season with the same starting 5 on the OLine that they started the season with. Additionally, in recent weeks MSU is using their TON package where they bring 330lb Kyle Goedeke into the game as a 6th OLineman.

The "ton" package looks like a beast to defend:

https://vine.co/v/O5DVagPUAIH" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

https://vine.co/v/O5DrhOwr2EI" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

You almost need to take out the corners and sub for 2 more LB's

 

[Highwood Cat]

This is my first and maybe only post on this board, mostly to thank Mr. Wahlberg for a "balanced reporting". It is refreshing to see something on this board actually worth reading (the Bobcat big dogs are just as bad on their site). This game will be won on the line of scrimmage. Cat offensive line has been stream rolling people and Griz defensive line has been shutting them down. If the line of scrimmage is "neutralized" in stand off fashion, (which could easily happen), it will boil down to turnovers, field position, and special teams. Good luck to the Griz, and good luck to all our Montana raised kids!

 

[BWahlberg]

MSU OLine: This is the first year in a long time that MSU is finishing the season with the same starting 5 on the OLine that they started the season with. Additionally, in recent weeks MSU is using their TON package where they bring 330lb Kyle Goedeke into the game as a 6th OLineman.

The "ton" package looks like a beast to defend:

https://vine.co/v/O5DVagPUAIH" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

https://vine.co/v/O5DrhOwr2EI" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

You almost need to take out the corners and sub for 2 more LB's

Go 4-5-2 on defense, ha. I bet we see a lot of this package too considering UM has smaller OLBs.

 

[PDXGrizzly]

We have not defeated even one quality team this season, with combined records of our 6 FCS wins being 19-45. Well, we are playing another quality team this Saturday..... a team very much in make-up like EWU. They can score in bunches, but have a terrible defense. But then, with our offense being of the 1970's vintage, it will be a challenge for us to score even against the Cat's sieve defense.

This is how I see it if we are going to win Saturday:

1) Come out ready to play football from the opening kick-off..... something we have not done much this season. We are usually flat the entire first quarter. I can only remember one TD the entire season on our first possession. Have there been others? If we get behind again like we did against EWU, it will be tough, especially if the weather is a factor.
2) The team needs to be more inspired than it has in recent games. Other posters have mentioned how our team just does not show the fire that previous teams have shown, and I agree. This comes from coaching, or lack of it. Delaney couldn't inspire a bowel movement at an Ex-Lax party. Hopefully the other coaches can get them fired up. It IS THE BOBCATS, after all!
3) Our defense needs to control their running game. The Cats have put up some huge rushing numbers all season long. They use a very sophisticated running game, with lots of mis-direction, multiple formations, counter plays, pulling linemen, motion, and option football. If we can stop them from running the ball, and make them a passing team, we will win.
4) On offense, we need to STOP THROWING THE 40-YARD PASS 10 times a game, many times into coverage. Instead, focus on controlling the football longer by moving the football in long, time consuming drives against the Cats weak defense. This also keeps their potent offense off the field.
5) Finally, our special-ed teams need to have a "neutral" game, in which we don't lose the special teams war. We need to at least be neutral on special teams.

Brint - thanks. Always full of substance.

Contrast with the garbage in the quote above:
1. Come ready to play.
2. Play inspired.
3. Stop the run.
4. Keep their offense off the field.
5. Execute solid special teams.

Give it a rest Monte, high school freshman football players can do what you do.

Oh, I am sorry I didn't include info from the Cats media guides, previous box scores, and meaningless graphs for your benefit.

Would get off Brint's ass? What did he do to you? You have a lot of great points but you attack Brint (one of the nicest guys out there who bleeds Maroon and Silver) with enough venom to poison every page you post on. Is it to "stir the pot?" It's very AG1 of you. I agree with a lot that you say, but your hard-on for Brint is one of those things that makes this board hard to read.

 

[PDXGrizzly]

This is my first and maybe only post on this board, mostly to thank Mr. Wahlberg for a "balanced reporting". It is refreshing to see something on this board actually worth reading (the Bobcat big dogs are just as bad on their site). This game will be won on the line of scrimmage. Cat offensive line has been stream rolling people and Griz defensive line has been shutting them down. If the line of scrimmage is "neutralized" in stand off fashion, (which could easily happen), it will boil down to turnovers, field position, and special teams. Good luck to the Griz, and good luck to all our Montana raised kids!

This shouldn't be the last time you post! Thank you for some meaningful dialogue. Even if you are a kitty.

 

[indian-outlaw]

Great job as always Brint. The players to watch breakdowns are great, I really enjoy reading them.
I see this game much differently than most here. I don't see the Cats doing much on the ground. I know everything points to them trying to establish a run game but I don't think that will be Cramsey's approach. We will probably see some zone read and some fly sweeps to try to loosen up the defense but I think the Bobcats are going to rely on the short passing game. I think they will try to take advantage of the aggressiveness of the griz D by running lots of crossing routes behind the lb's. They have confidence in Bleskins accurate arm and they know the griz will most likely sell out to stop the misdirectional run game.
The griz are one or two o-linemen away from dominating this game on the ground but I still think we will have success with the ground and pound and occasional play action.
If Bleskin is sharp throwing the ball the cats will most likely win if he throws any pics or is a bit off we will beat them handily.

 

[LongTimeCatFan]

MSU OLine: This is the first year in a long time that MSU is finishing the season with the same starting 5 on the OLine that they started the season with. Additionally, in recent weeks MSU is using their TON package where they bring 330lb Kyle Goedeke into the game as a 6th OLineman.

The "ton" package looks like a beast to defend:

https://vine.co/v/O5DVagPUAIH" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

https://vine.co/v/O5DrhOwr2EI" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

You almost need to take out the corners and sub for 2 more LB's

Go 4-5-2 on defense, ha. I bet we see a lot of this package too considering UM has smaller OLBs.

ISU and PSU tried 5-3-2 with almost no success. 4-5-2 at least gives someone a chance to slip in behind the rolling freight train of 4-5 lead blockers.

BTW it isn't just adding a 6th OLman (#63 Godecke). We throw in 2 TE (#80 Salanoa and #93 Perkins) and both FullBacks (#9 Knight and #17 Newell)

 

[indian-outlaw]

The "ton" package looks like a beast to defend:

https://vine.co/v/O5DVagPUAIH" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

https://vine.co/v/O5DrhOwr2EI" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

You almost need to take out the corners and sub for 2 more LB's

Go 4-5-2 on defense, ha. I bet we see a lot of this package too considering UM has smaller OLBs.

ISU and PSU tried 5-3-2 with almost no success. 4-5-2 at least gives someone a chance to slip in behind the rolling freight train of 4-5 lead blockers.

BTW it isn't just adding a 6th OLman (#63 Godecke). We throw in 2 TE (#80 Salanoa and #93 Perkins) and both FullBacks (#9 Knight and #17 Newell)

Yea, and you still can't get a yard when you really need it. Your running game without prukop calling his own number will not be successful against a stout front seven.

 

[LongTimeCatFan]

You almost need to take out the corners and sub for 2 more LB's

Go 4-5-2 on defense, ha. I bet we see a lot of this package too considering UM has smaller OLBs.

ISU and PSU tried 5-3-2 with almost no success. 4-5-2 at least gives someone a chance to slip in behind the rolling freight train of 4-5 lead blockers.

BTW it isn't just adding a 6th OLman (#63 Godecke). We throw in 2 TE (#80 Salanoa and #93 Perkins) and both FullBacks (#9 Knight and #17 Newell)

Yea, and you still can't get a yard when you really need it. Your running game without prukop calling his own number will not be successful against a stout front seven.

What's weird is we didn't roll out the TON until we got on the goal line. Why we didn't do that for the 3rd and shorts, I don't know.

As far as your front seven... We'll see. I don't see much success on the dive, but maybe after a couple of outside plays.

 

[Htowngriz]

The "ton" package looks like a beast to defend:

https://vine.co/v/O5DVagPUAIH" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

https://vine.co/v/O5DrhOwr2EI" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

You almost need to take out the corners and sub for 2 more LB's

Go 4-5-2 on defense, ha. I bet we see a lot of this package too considering UM has smaller OLBs.

ISU and PSU tried 5-3-2 with almost no success. 4-5-2 at least gives someone a chance to slip in behind the rolling freight train of 4-5 lead blockers.

BTW it isn't just adding a 6th OLman (#63 Godecke). We throw in 2 TE (#80 Salanoa and #93 Perkins) and both FullBacks (#9 Knight and #17 Newell)

So what did Weber do defensively to hold you to 23 points? Same for Cal Poly (27).

 

[wbtfg]

Cal Poly was just flat out good and fast. Weber benefited from a 20+mph wind during the game, and what looked to be a dialed back gameplan.

 

[LongTimeCatFan]

Cal Poly was just flat out good and fast. Weber benefited from a 20+mph wind during the game, and what looked to be a dialed back gameplan.

Dzubnar was the difference with his speed

Plus we tried to run ball control against THE best ball control team.

 

[AZGrizFan]

It's going to be really difficult for either team to play ball control I think. Difficult for UM because your OL is still young and weak. Difficult for MSU because your DL is pretty good.

I think MSU is going to try for ball distribution as that's what we've had the most success with lately. If MSU can get 11 guys to touch the football again, it really keeps a defense on their heels.

Conversely if UM intends to keep up, you're going to have to start throwing on 1st and 2nd downs occasionally to keep our D honest.

Continuing to repeat misconceptions doesn't automatically make them true. I HOPE MSU's DC believes we only run on 1st & 2nd downs...

 

[CatzWillRise]

I like football threads.

Another interesting dynamic is MSU's fast start to games, with UM's slow start. I don't have numbers to back that up but that seems to be the case? If MSU comes up and gets up 2 scores by the end of the 1st or early into the 2nd, how does that change the game?

MSU's 4th quarter numbers are a bit of a misnomer. Several games we've had comfortable leads, so the defense goes into prevent mode/subs out, and the offense goes conservative (sometimes not always).

I think for UM to win, and they certainly can do this, they can't get down early. At the same time, if UM is down a couple scores in the 2nd half, you'll probably realize you can just throw all over the Cat defense. Abandoning the run and passing all over our prevent defense is the reason teams have come back on us.

 

[poorgriz]

Great report. One correction, MSU is not favored. Betting lines have us as five point underdogs. Should be a heluva fight.

 

[jbear]

I can't imagine why. Realistically the Cats should be favored.

 

[wbtfg]

Historically, I've always thought WaGriz to be worth about 7-10 points.

 

[Grizzlies1982]

What I’m not sure of is if our offense can put enough points on the board. If they can get rolling and not start out in the usual funk they’ve been in – this could be a huge Grizzly win that propels them into the playoffs. If the Grizzly offense opens slowly, punts the ball away a ton, and leads to the defense getting worn down, it’s going to be a long day.

Brint, nice job. All were excellent points but believe the essence of who will win comes down to this statement of yours.

I expect the cats will carry a lead in this game. That is not a concern. I'm confident our guys will score too, and the UM defense will clamp down on MSU as the game progresses. Question is how long our Grizzly offense takes to get going. Should be a great game. Go Griz! :ugeek:

 

[poorgriz]

Historically, I've always thought WaGriz to be worth about 7-10 points.

I'd say closer to 10 to 14 IMO. Update - 5dimes has the griz at 7 point favorites. 61 on the over\under.