Stats Perform FCS Top 25 Poll

[Monymony]

The FCS has become so watered down these days that for teams like MSU, UM, NDSU, and SDSU strength of schedule has become nearly meaningless for getting a top seed. Win your conference and beat your rival and there you go, it doesn't matter one bit if you played a bunch of Pioneer teams in September. It was different back when the Big Sky and MVFC schools were also competing for top seeds with James Madison, App State, Sam Houston, etc.

Agreed. My thoughts were more along the lines of ‘iron sharpens iron’. Their play dough schedule won’t help much when ‘big man month’ rolls around. November will be tough on em.

I doubt there's much of a correlation between non-conference schedule and how a team plays in November and December. I could even make an argument that cupcake games help a team since they'll be able to get significant game action for their second and third stringers who might need to become starters later in the season if and when injuries hit. As much as we hate to say it, UM was playing better than MSU at the end of last season and they played nobody in their non-conference schedule while MSU played SDSU on the road.

I think their weak schedule did hurt them when they started to play good defenses. Not saying our defense was bad but we tackled awful and could never get them down with the first guy. Furman, NDSU, and SDSU bullied their RBs and shutdown their offense. I find it very interesting how they had 3 very talented WR and a QB who could throw but they never threw a passing touchdown in regulation in their last 3 games, makes me question their WRs. Gris might have another good regular season with their home field advantage and easy schedule but they will never win the Natty until they learn to play big boy football like SDSU, NDSU, and now I’d say MSU.

[CodyCat]

The FCS has become so watered down these days that for teams like MSU, UM, NDSU, and SDSU strength of schedule has become nearly meaningless for getting a top seed. Win your conference and beat your rival and there you go, it doesn't matter one bit if you played a bunch of Pioneer teams in September. It was different back when the Big Sky and MVFC schools were also competing for top seeds with James Madison, App State, Sam Houston, etc.

Agreed. My thoughts were more along the lines of ‘iron sharpens iron’. Their play dough schedule won’t help much when ‘big man month’ rolls around. November will be tough on em.

I doubt there's much of a correlation between non-conference schedule and how a team plays in November and December. I could even make an argument that cupcake games help a team since they'll be able to get significant game action for their second and third stringers who might need to become starters later in the season if and when injuries hit. As much as we hate to say it, UM was playing better than MSU at the end of last season and they played nobody in their non-conference schedule while MSU played SDSU on the road.

I think their weak schedule did hurt them when they started to play good defenses. Not saying our defense was bad but we tackled awful and could never get them down with the first guy. Furman, NDSU, and SDSU bullied their RBs and shutdown their offense. I find it very interesting how they had 3 very talented WR and a QB who could throw but they never threw a passing touchdown in regulation in their last 3 games, makes me question their WRs. Gris might have another good regular season with their home field advantage and easy schedule but they will never win the Natty until they learn to play big boy football like SDSU, NDSU, and now I’d say MSU.

How exactly has MSU played big boy football? Im high on the Cats and think they are going to have a fantastic year. But the fact remains that we have beat a DSU one time in the last five years and lost how many times???

[Monymony]

The FCS has become so watered down these days that for teams like MSU, UM, NDSU, and SDSU strength of schedule has become nearly meaningless for getting a top seed. Win your conference and beat your rival and there you go, it doesn't matter one bit if you played a bunch of Pioneer teams in September. It was different back when the Big Sky and MVFC schools were also competing for top seeds with James Madison, App State, Sam Houston, etc.

Agreed. My thoughts were more along the lines of ‘iron sharpens iron’. Their play dough schedule won’t help much when ‘big man month’ rolls around. November will be tough on em.

I doubt there's much of a correlation between non-conference schedule and how a team plays in November and December. I could even make an argument that cupcake games help a team since they'll be able to get significant game action for their second and third stringers who might need to become starters later in the season if and when injuries hit. As much as we hate to say it, UM was playing better than MSU at the end of last season and they played nobody in their non-conference schedule while MSU played SDSU on the road.

I think their weak schedule did hurt them when they started to play good defenses. Not saying our defense was bad but we tackled awful and could never get them down with the first guy. Furman, NDSU, and SDSU bullied their RBs and shutdown their offense. I find it very interesting how they had 3 very talented WR and a QB who could throw but they never threw a passing touchdown in regulation in their last 3 games, makes me question their WRs. Gris might have another good regular season with their home field advantage and easy schedule but they will never win the Natty until they learn to play big boy football like SDSU, NDSU, and now I’d say MSU.

How exactly has MSU played big boy football? Im high on the Cats and think they are going to have a fantastic year. But the fact remains that we have beat a DSU one time in the last five years and lost how many times???

Our play style. We focus on winning in the trenches and running the ball. I’d say we closed the gap between the Dakotas. Our lines are now just as good as theirs and we aren’t getting bullied like we did in the past. We were inches from beating both and with new coordinators and a deep wr group we have a great opportunity this year.

[TomCat88]

The FCS has become so watered down these days that for teams like MSU, UM, NDSU, and SDSU strength of schedule has become nearly meaningless for getting a top seed. Win your conference and beat your rival and there you go, it doesn't matter one bit if you played a bunch of Pioneer teams in September. It was different back when the Big Sky and MVFC schools were also competing for top seeds with James Madison, App State, Sam Houston, etc.

Agreed. My thoughts were more along the lines of ‘iron sharpens iron’. Their play dough schedule won’t help much when ‘big man month’ rolls around. November will be tough on em.

I doubt there's much of a correlation between non-conference schedule and how a team plays in November and December. I could even make an argument that cupcake games help a team since they'll be able to get significant game action for their second and third stringers who might need to become starters later in the season if and when injuries hit. As much as we hate to say it, UM was playing better than MSU at the end of last season and they played nobody in their non-conference schedule while MSU played SDSU on the road.

I think their weak schedule did hurt them when they started to play good defenses. Not saying our defense was bad but we tackled awful and could never get them down with the first guy. Furman, NDSU, and SDSU bullied their RBs and shutdown their offense. I find it very interesting how they had 3 very talented WR and a QB who could throw but they never threw a passing touchdown in regulation in their last 3 games, makes me question their WRs. Gris might have another good regular season with their home field advantage and easy schedule but they will never win the Natty until they learn to play big boy football like SDSU, NDSU, and now I’d say MSU.

How exactly has MSU played big boy football? Im high on the Cats and think they are going to have a fantastic year. But the fact remains that we have beat a DSU one time in the last five years and lost how many times???

Previous two games vs. SDSU and NDSU.
The Bobcats lost to SDSU 39-18, then less than a year later lost 20-16 in 2023.
The Bobcats lost to NDSU 38-10 in 2021 title game, then lost 35-34 in 2023 (I think MSU has narrowed the score in succession each game since 2018).

[coloradocat]

The FCS has become so watered down these days that for teams like MSU, UM, NDSU, and SDSU strength of schedule has become nearly meaningless for getting a top seed. Win your conference and beat your rival and there you go, it doesn't matter one bit if you played a bunch of Pioneer teams in September. It was different back when the Big Sky and MVFC schools were also competing for top seeds with James Madison, App State, Sam Houston, etc.

Agreed. My thoughts were more along the lines of ‘iron sharpens iron’. Their play dough schedule won’t help much when ‘big man month’ rolls around. November will be tough on em.

I doubt there's much of a correlation between non-conference schedule and how a team plays in November and December. I could even make an argument that cupcake games help a team since they'll be able to get significant game action for their second and third stringers who might need to become starters later in the season if and when injuries hit. As much as we hate to say it, UM was playing better than MSU at the end of last season and they played nobody in their non-conference schedule while MSU played SDSU on the road.

I think their weak schedule did hurt them when they started to play good defenses. Not saying our defense was bad but we tackled awful and could never get them down with the first guy. Furman, NDSU, and SDSU bullied their RBs and shutdown their offense. I find it very interesting how they had 3 very talented WR and a QB who could throw but they never threw a passing touchdown in regulation in their last 3 games, makes me question their WRs. Gris might have another good regular season with their home field advantage and easy schedule but they will never win the Natty until they learn to play big boy football like SDSU, NDSU, and now I’d say MSU.

How exactly has MSU played big boy football? Im high on the Cats and think they are going to have a fantastic year. But the fact remains that we have beat a DSU one time in the last five years and lost how many times???

Previous two games vs. SDSU and NDSU.
The Bobcats lost to SDSU 39-18, then less than a year later lost 20-16 in 2023.
The Bobcats lost to NDSU 38-10 in 2021 title game, then lost 35-34 in 2023 (I think MSU has narrowed the score in succession each game since 2018).

You make one title game and people expect you to win every game now! Win or lose, the Bobcats are much better than they were under Choate and I'd say they have even improved slightly each season under Vigen even if the records don't reflect that. It's great that we legitimately expect the Bobcats to win, or at least have a 50/50 shot, in every game now regardless of opponent. Last year we were just on the wrong side of the 50/50 a few times.

[RockyBearCat]

How exactly has MSU played big boy football? Im high on the Cats and think they are going to have a fantastic year. But the fact remains that we have beat a DSU one time in the last five years and lost how many times???

I will chime in and say that Cats played right with SDSU and NDSU last year. One play in either or both games and it was easily 2-0 against the DSUs. Do we need that next step and flip them to wins, absolutely. There are no moral victories. I am not saying that, but to claim we didn't play with both of them is outright wrong.

[CodyCat]

How exactly has MSU played big boy football? Im high on the Cats and think they are going to have a fantastic year. But the fact remains that we have beat a DSU one time in the last five years and lost how many times???

I will chime in and say that Cats played right with SDSU and NDSU last year. One play in either or both games and it was easily 2-0 against the DSUs. Do we need that next step and flip them to wins, absolutely. There are no moral victories. I am not saying that, but to claim we didn't play with both of them is outright wrong.

Very good point. I agree.

[RockyBearCat]

How exactly has MSU played big boy football? Im high on the Cats and think they are going to have a fantastic year. But the fact remains that we have beat a DSU one time in the last five years and lost how many times???

I will chime in and say that Cats played right with SDSU and NDSU last year. One play in either or both games and it was easily 2-0 against the DSUs. Do we need that next step and flip them to wins, absolutely. There are no moral victories. I am not saying that, but to claim we didn't play with both of them is outright wrong.

Very good point. I agree.

I finally post an argument here and I win with one post?!?!? Damn it. hahahahaha

[Cataholic]

The FCS has become so watered down these days that for teams like MSU, UM, NDSU, and SDSU strength of schedule has become nearly meaningless for getting a top seed. Win your conference and beat your rival and there you go, it doesn't matter one bit if you played a bunch of Pioneer teams in September. It was different back when the Big Sky and MVFC schools were also competing for top seeds with James Madison, App State, Sam Houston, etc.

Agreed. My thoughts were more along the lines of ‘iron sharpens iron’. Their play dough schedule won’t help much when ‘big man month’ rolls around. November will be tough on em.

I doubt there's much of a correlation between non-conference schedule and how a team plays in November and December. I could even make an argument that cupcake games help a team since they'll be able to get significant game action for their second and third stringers who might need to become starters later in the season if and when injuries hit. As much as we hate to say it, UM was playing better than MSU at the end of last season and they played nobody in their non-conference schedule while MSU played SDSU on the road.

I think their weak schedule did hurt them when they started to play good defenses. Not saying our defense was bad but we tackled awful and could never get them down with the first guy. Furman, NDSU, and SDSU bullied their RBs and shutdown their offense. I find it very interesting how they had 3 very talented WR and a QB who could throw but they never threw a passing touchdown in regulation in their last 3 games, makes me question their WRs. Gris might have another good regular season with their home field advantage and easy schedule but they will never win the Natty until they learn to play big boy football like SDSU, NDSU, and now I’d say MSU.

How exactly has MSU played big boy football? Im high on the Cats and think they are going to have a fantastic year. But the fact remains that we have beat a DSU one time in the last five years and lost how many times???

Previous two games vs. SDSU and NDSU.
The Bobcats lost to SDSU 39-18, then less than a year later lost 20-16 in 2023.
The Bobcats lost to NDSU 38-10 in 2021 title game, then lost 35-34 in 2023 (I think MSU has narrowed the score in succession each game since 2018).

You make one title game and people expect you to win every game now! Win or lose, the Bobcats are much better than they were under Choate and I'd say they have even improved slightly each season under Vigen even if the records don't reflect that. It's great that we legitimately expect the Bobcats to win, or at least have a 50/50 shot, in every game now regardless of opponent. Last year we were just on the wrong side of the 50/50 a few times.

Just imagine if the portal didn’t exist and we weren’t losing guys to the FBS. Our depth is what makes this program one of the elite in the FCS. Most programs can’t lose 3 guys to the FBS in a season and still get 10 wins. MSU can.