ragtimejoe1
Well-known member
McPeachy said:
BALL CONTROL!!! :rofl:
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Home Opener vs. Montana State
- Thread starter Rich K
- Start date
BALL CONTROL!!! :rofl:
Howdy, another MSU fan here.
The interesting part to me is how similar the complaints seem to be about the Wyo offense and the MSU under previous coach Jeff Choate. Throwing the ball was a struggle in Bozeman and a constant complaint amongst fans, but perhaps the biggest difference was that MSU didn't need to throw the ball that much. Why? Because the Cats rushed for 3,871 yards in 15 games (258 YPG) and scored 44 rushing TDs, for a whopping 5.7 YPC and were winning games. Jeff Choate would say "if I'm getting 7 yards per carry why would I throw the ball?". So Vigen inherited a team that is already extremely prolific running the ball. The biggest difference in my estimation is that MSU is likely done with the Wildcat/QB power game we've ran for a few years. Travis Jonsen rushed for 549 yards and 8 TDs (3rd on the team) out of the Wildcat last year. And make no mistake, no one was expecting him to throw the ball. Jonsen also caught 55 passes for 580 yards and a TD as a WR. I suspect those days are gone or will be cut back heavily which is one of the main reasons MSU's run game was so hard to defend. I'm interested to see how MSU goes about running the ball under Vigen and first year OC Taylor Housewright. We have a very good OL and a stable of running backs.
MSU's defense was absolutely lights out in the last half of the season last year, and into the playoffs until NDSU. The defense only allowed something like 5 TDs in a 7 game span or something ridiculous. Problem is the DC is gone and so is a ton of talent from that side of the ball. We should have good talent to replace them but they are unproven, and first year DC Freddie Banks is switching from a 3 man front to a 4 man front so there is a lot of wait and see on that side of the ball.
I will say as the weeks progress the more optimistic I am about the Cats. It's hard to replace such a dynamic character as Jeff Choate and initial reports had me a bit worries in terms of culture and philosophy, but the more I hear and read now I'm feeling much better about the coaching staff and culture, as well as the reports of some predicted playmakers coming out of camp. I think the Cats will likely be a playoff team this fall but I don't think any magic run starts in Laramie unfortunately.
The interesting part to me is how similar the complaints seem to be about the Wyo offense and the MSU under previous coach Jeff Choate. Throwing the ball was a struggle in Bozeman and a constant complaint amongst fans, but perhaps the biggest difference was that MSU didn't need to throw the ball that much. Why? Because the Cats rushed for 3,871 yards in 15 games (258 YPG) and scored 44 rushing TDs, for a whopping 5.7 YPC and were winning games. Jeff Choate would say "if I'm getting 7 yards per carry why would I throw the ball?". So Vigen inherited a team that is already extremely prolific running the ball. The biggest difference in my estimation is that MSU is likely done with the Wildcat/QB power game we've ran for a few years. Travis Jonsen rushed for 549 yards and 8 TDs (3rd on the team) out of the Wildcat last year. And make no mistake, no one was expecting him to throw the ball. Jonsen also caught 55 passes for 580 yards and a TD as a WR. I suspect those days are gone or will be cut back heavily which is one of the main reasons MSU's run game was so hard to defend. I'm interested to see how MSU goes about running the ball under Vigen and first year OC Taylor Housewright. We have a very good OL and a stable of running backs.
MSU's defense was absolutely lights out in the last half of the season last year, and into the playoffs until NDSU. The defense only allowed something like 5 TDs in a 7 game span or something ridiculous. Problem is the DC is gone and so is a ton of talent from that side of the ball. We should have good talent to replace them but they are unproven, and first year DC Freddie Banks is switching from a 3 man front to a 4 man front so there is a lot of wait and see on that side of the ball.
I will say as the weeks progress the more optimistic I am about the Cats. It's hard to replace such a dynamic character as Jeff Choate and initial reports had me a bit worries in terms of culture and philosophy, but the more I hear and read now I'm feeling much better about the coaching staff and culture, as well as the reports of some predicted playmakers coming out of camp. I think the Cats will likely be a playoff team this fall but I don't think any magic run starts in Laramie unfortunately.
LanderPoke
Well-known member
Good info. Thanks.celticcat said:
Sounds like the cats offense was what Wyoming strives to be. Should be a good game and I can’t wait.
As an aside, it still blows my mind Vigen is a head coach. Talk about falling forward. I sincerely hope he works out well for the Bobcats
OrediggerPoke
Well-known member
LanderPoke said:
‘Falling forward’ is debatable. Even with incentives, Vigen is virtually guaranteed to make less money this year at Montana State than he did each of the past 3 years at Wyoming. For instance, in 2019 he made $353,000 at Wyoming. He is likely to make around $320,000 or so at Montana State this year if things go decent and if he fulfills his media obligations.
https://www.bozemandailychronicle.com/sports/bobcats/football/new-montana-state-head-coach-brent-vigen-signs-four-year-contract/article_0171ead8-2d6e-51f7-a9b4-bf8063c5c75e.html
LanderPoke
Well-known member
Guess I didn't realize he's getting paid less. That isn't falling forward, especially since Bozeman is more expensive than Laramie.OrediggerPoke said:
However, getting a head coaching gig at one of the best FCS schools isn't anything to sneeze at. It's like Polaseck. He is getting paid less, but gets to be the "man" and have more responsibility.
ragtimejoe1
Well-known member
It's year 8 for Bohl. If we struggle with FCS teams, I'm off the Bohl train.
LanderPoke
Well-known member
WyoPaPoke said:
Hell no. I would put Muma up there with anyone in CFB. He is just like Logan Wilson. Carbon copy.
LanderPoke
Well-known member
Ugh. Yes. I think it will be close though. Please, Pokes, prove me wrong.ragtimejoe1 said:
PokeNer
Well-known member
Bohl has always struggled early in the season (except mizzou), and against FCS teams. I’m bracing for more of the same, but hopefully the return of key players from opt outs, return from injuries, and Polasek are enough to finally beat a team handily early in the season like they should. I’m hoping for a 31-7 type of score, but expecting 24-20.
ragtimejoe1
Well-known member
PokeNer said:
I definitely get the hesitancy, but, I'm just being honest. If we are building a solid G5 program, then FCS games largely should be solid wins (always exceptions). If after 8 years, Bohl can't solidly beat teams that have fewer resources, lower paid staff, and over 20 fewer scholarships, then there is something drastically wrong. Years 1-4? Maybe an excuse can be generated. Year 8? Hell no; especially when it isn't a rebuild year.
I don't think we have to worry, though. I'm thinking 32-14 type of range with 7 of the 14 coming in the 4th against backups.
McPeachy
Well-known member
ragtimejoe1 said:
Agree with all of your post. I hope you are right on the score...it sure would be fun for once in 8 years, to not be on the edge of my MF seat every 4th quarter. In years past, even being up by 3 scores, Vigen got so bland and conservative we would either lose, or come close to losing. And they stopped serving beer at the start of the 4th...
ragtimejoe1
Well-known member
McPeachy said:
:rofl: No joke. For once, get up on a team, keep the gas on, and put backups in the 4th. It is too sobering for the game to be in doubt deep into the 4th.
WyomingAgJ
Well-known member
Anyone aware of any online stream that will be available of the game for us out of state folks that can't make it in person?
McPeachy said:
I'm hoping for a blowout...though I've seen plenty of games wherein we are dominant in the game but the final score does not indicate the level of domination. By the same token, a hotly contested game that gets away from one team in the end makes it look like it was more of a mismatch than it actually was. Would love to have the beatdown along with the huge score differential but I'll settle for the beatdown regardless of the score.
All that being said...my prediction is for a hard fought game that widens out in the end. The upper echelon of the FCS is no joke...they are disciplined and champing at the bit to prove themselves.
