The Bobcat Nation

Figured I would start a new thread for anyone watching.

Villanova punting again with 2 minutes to go before half. Illinois State leads 21-6.

Villanova looks like they are outmatched on both sides of the ball.

Was really hoping Nova would find a way to win but it doesn’t look like that will happen. Redbirds are going to be a tough out

Is this the big sky refs? that was some awful OPI

Eastern Illinois looking tough - mirror image of Bobcats.

Illinois State is legit and playing really good football.

Going to be a close one.

BOBCATBORN wrote: ↑

Sat Dec 20, 2025 7:55 pm

Is this the big sky refs? that was some awful OPI

I think you would have to tackle a guy, kick him 3 times on the ground, set him on fire, then pee on him to put in out in order for these refs to throw a PI flag.

But they've been consistent.

Villanova down 27-6 at the end of the 3rd. The fat lady is warming up.

You can tell there is a reason Eastern Illinois beat NDSU…huge in the trenches.

Illinois is a great team. I do think Villanova is playing a ‘happy to be here’ type of game. I watched them last week and completely different looking team today.

Illinois definitely showing the MVC mentality of big bodies and owning the trenches through the entire game. Dragging Villanova to the deep end now.

SparkCat wrote: ↑

Sat Dec 20, 2025 9:06 pm

Illinois is a great team. I do think Villanova is playing a ‘happy to be here’ type of game. I watched them last week and completely different looking team today.

I was not impressed with Nova or Tarleton.

Illinois St is going to be a game. It’s wild to think that they are unranked and are playing for it all

Bobcat Sig wrote: ↑

Sat Dec 20, 2025 11:27 pm

Illinois St is going to be a game. It’s wild to think that they are unranked and are playing for it all

Pretty crazy, they lost 37-7 at home to a 7-5 Southern Illinois team in the regular season finale and then have rattled off four straight road wins to get to Nashville. Sports is so much fun because of stories like that but we all hope they don't get one more upset!!

MSU01 wrote: ↑

Sun Dec 21, 2025 12:12 am

Bobcat Sig wrote: ↑

Sat Dec 20, 2025 11:27 pm

Illinois St is going to be a game. It’s wild to think that they are unranked and are playing for it all

Pretty crazy, they lost 37-7 at home to a 7-5 Southern Illinois team in the regular season finale and then have rattled off four straight road wins to get to Nashville. Sports is so much fun because of stories like that but we all hope they don't get one more upset!!

Villanova did not look good vs Tarleton. Run D was bad. UCD was beat up and had illness running thru team. I'll State will be good but once they pulled the miracle at NDSU they have had an easy path.

tetoncat wrote: ↑

Sun Dec 21, 2025 12:18 am

MSU01 wrote: ↑

Sun Dec 21, 2025 12:12 am

Bobcat Sig wrote: ↑

Sat Dec 20, 2025 11:27 pm

Illinois St is going to be a game. It’s wild to think that they are unranked and are playing for it all

Pretty crazy, they lost 37-7 at home to a 7-5 Southern Illinois team in the regular season finale and then have rattled off four straight road wins to get to Nashville. Sports is so much fun because of stories like that but we all hope they don't get one more upset!!

Villanova did not look good vs Tarleton. Run D was bad. UCD was beat up and had illness running thru team. I'll State will be good but once they pulled the miracle at NDSU they have had an easy path.

I wouldn't go as far as saying that ISU'S games have been easy but they have gotten some very good matchups. Both stylistically and timing wise. SELA was soft and couldn't handle them in the trenches. UCD was ravaged by injury and disease. And Villanova couldn't get out of their own way. They moved the ball early but just couldn't finish. Were actually pretty effective running the ball which I think bodes well.
And of course NDSU. The unbeatable juggernaut. The titan we were all playing for second to. Until they lost and suddenly they had a terrible interior line and couldn't run the ball and Payton couldn't make any throws. Obviously ISU figured something out in the first game and it paid off for them. Do you think they grt away with 5 turnovers against the Cats or Griz? Or even USD or SDSU in the playoffs?
We obviously need to show up and hit them hard from the start and not let them feel like they have a chance but I just don't think they have the horses to match us on a good day. Two weeks is gonna be forever!!

ISU is carbon copy of NDSU. Huge mean OL with a 220 lb RB that runs behind his pads and they seek to run you into the ground. A very good receiving corps that is tall with really good hands. When they are not trying to truck you, they are taking shots down the field. We might have thought the Championship was in Bobcat Stadium, but we are going to have a battle. We have to score early and get out ahead because they can really dominate if they get a lead.

Here’s to another five interception game from ISU…

Helcat72 wrote: ↑

Sun Dec 21, 2025 6:31 am

ISU is carbon copy of NDSU. Huge mean OL with a 220 lb RB that runs behind his pads and they seek to run you into the ground. A very good receiving corps that is tall with really good hands. When they are not trying to truck you, they are taking shots down the field. We might have thought the Championship was in Bobcat Stadium, but we are going to have a battle. We have to score early and get out ahead because they can really dominate if they get a lead.

Sopkowitz is very good. The rest are average at best. Dawson is very good but their other guy left the game and didn't return and the actual starter hasn't played since SELA, I don't think.