AI: Cats win

RockyBearCat · Post by **RockyBearCat** » Fri Dec 05, 2025 5:17 pm

It’s the Montana State Bobcats' cold, hard statistics that truly predict a decisive win over the Yale Bulldogs. As the No. 2 team in the nation, MSU (10-2) is a statistical juggernaut poised to steamroll the Ivy League champions (9-2), who face a brutal combination of elite talent, hostile territory, and a significant change in climate.

Offensive and Defensive Dominance
Montana State's success is a simple equation: elite offense meets stifling defense. The Bobcats average a stellar 38.2 points per game, which is nearly eight points better than Yale’s 30.8 PPG. Crucially, MSU's defense is the Big Sky's best, holding opponents to just 17.2 points per game, compared to Yale's 19.5 PPG allowed. This significant 21.0-point scoring margin for the Bobcats suggests they'll control the game from the opening kick.

The Rushing Advantage
The disparity in the ground game is perhaps the most glaring mismatch. MSU’s offense, built to withstand the elements, averages a dominant 233.4 rushing yards per game, outperforming the Bulldogs' 178.3 yards. Conversely, Yale will struggle to contain the Bobcats' rushing attack, as Montana State's defensive unit allows a scant 116.6 rushing yards per game. This massive advantage in both rushing offense and defense indicates the Bobcats will control the clock and dictate the tempo.

Efficiency and Experience
Quarterback Justin Lamson has been a model of efficiency, boasting a 72.4% completion rate and tossing 20 touchdowns to just 2 interceptions. This turnover differential—Yale's QB Dante Reno has thrown 8 picks—is a critical factor in playoff football. Add in the Bobcats' 10-game winning streak and the home-field advantage of hosting a playoff game for the ninth time in recent history, and all signs point to a comfortable Montana State victory. Yale’s impressive run ends in Bozeman, buried under a Bobcat blitz.