Stats Perform FCS Top 25 Poll

[Monymony]

1. SDSU (52)
2. NDSU (9)
3. Montana
4. Montana State (1)
5. South Dakota
6. Villanova
7. Idaho
8. Sac State
9. Chattanooga
10. Southern Illinois
11. Central Arkansas
12. Furman
13. Richmond
14. UIW
15. William & Mary
16. UAlbany
17. Lafayette
18. UC Davis
19. Illinois St
20. WCU
21. Tarleton St
22. Weber State
23. Nicholls
24. North Dakota
25. Youngstown State

[Monymony]

1. SDSU (52)
2. NDSU (9)
3. Montana
4. Montana State (1)
5. South Dakota
6. Villanova
7. Idaho
8. Sac State
9. Chattanooga
10. Southern Illinois
11. Central Arkansas
12. Furman
13. Richmond
14. UIW
15. William & Mary
16. UAlbany
17. Lafayette
18. UC Davis
19. Illinois St
20. WCU
21. Tarleton St
22. Weber State
23. Nicholls
24. North Dakota
25. Youngstown State

7 from MVFC, 6 from BSC, 4 from CAA, 3 from Southern, 2 from UAC, 2 from Southland, and 1 from Patriot.

[Prodigal Cat]

Wonder who gave the Cats a first place vote? I would have them 3rd.

And I am gonna plant my flag that the gris should be down around Idaho. They have questions on both defensive and offensive lines and at QB. Maybe they are good, maybe they aren't. That the amount of preseason love they are getting with those very significant ???'s is on par with the xDSU's is crazy. They haven't earned that benefit of the doubt.

My top 10:
1 SDSU
2 NDSU
3 MSU
4 USD
5 'Nova
6 gris
7 Sac St
8 Idaho
9 Southern Illinois
10 Chattanooga

[coloradocat]

Wonder who gave the Cats a first place vote? I would have them 3rd.

And I am gonna plant my flag that the gris should be down around Idaho. They have questions on both defensive and offensive lines and at QB. Maybe they are good, maybe they aren't. That the amount of preseason love they are getting with those very significant ???'s is on par with the xDSU's is crazy. They haven't earned that benefit of the doubt.

My top 10:
1 SDSU
2 NDSU
3 MSU
4 USD
5 'Nova
6 gris
7 Sac St
8 Idaho
9 Southern Illinois
10 Chattanooga

They played their last game in January. I think they've earned the benefit of the doubt, at least until teams learn you don't actually have to kick the ball right to Junior Bergen.

[BleedingBLue]

Davis is higher than I expected (although I would have put them higher, 14-15). Watch out for Tarleton. They return nearly all of their starters from an 8-3 team last year. I expect them to be vying for a seed in November.

[Catsrgrood]

Wonder who gave the Cats a first place vote? I would have them 3rd.

And I am gonna plant my flag that the gris should be down around Idaho. They have questions on both defensive and offensive lines and at QB. Maybe they are good, maybe they aren't. That the amount of preseason love they are getting with those very significant ???'s is on par with the xDSU's is crazy. They haven't earned that benefit of the doubt.

My top 10:
1 SDSU
2 NDSU
3 MSU
4 USD
5 'Nova
6 gris
7 Sac St
8 Idaho
9 Southern Illinois
10 Chattanooga

They played their last game in January. I think they've earned the benefit of the doubt, at least until teams learn you don't actually have to kick the ball right to Junior Bergen.

This. Although I agree they have a ton of question marks and I don’t think they’ll be all world this year, the bottom line is that they played for a natty last year, you can pencil them in for a top 4 spot in the first ranking of the following year. And when another one of those top 4 is a team you destroyed head on, you’ll get the nod to at least #3.

Unfortunately their schedule is so damn easy, they are likely to stay in that top 4 all year.

Here’s to hoping it’s 11-0 vs 11-0 on Nov 23rd and we see a repeat of Cat/griz 2022.

[Prodigal Cat]

Wonder who gave the Cats a first place vote? I would have them 3rd.

And I am gonna plant my flag that the gris should be down around Idaho. They have questions on both defensive and offensive lines and at QB. Maybe they are good, maybe they aren't. That the amount of preseason love they are getting with those very significant ???'s is on par with the xDSU's is crazy. They haven't earned that benefit of the doubt.

My top 10:
1 SDSU
2 NDSU
3 MSU
4 USD
5 'Nova
6 gris
7 Sac St
8 Idaho
9 Southern Illinois
10 Chattanooga

They played their last game in January. I think they've earned the benefit of the doubt, at least until teams learn you don't actually have to kick the ball right to Junior Bergen.

Cats were ranked below the gris in '22 because of 'what they lost' despite playing in January.

[coloradocat]

Wonder who gave the Cats a first place vote? I would have them 3rd.

And I am gonna plant my flag that the gris should be down around Idaho. They have questions on both defensive and offensive lines and at QB. Maybe they are good, maybe they aren't. That the amount of preseason love they are getting with those very significant ???'s is on par with the xDSU's is crazy. They haven't earned that benefit of the doubt.

My top 10:
1 SDSU
2 NDSU
3 MSU
4 USD
5 'Nova
6 gris
7 Sac St
8 Idaho
9 Southern Illinois
10 Chattanooga

They played their last game in January. I think they've earned the benefit of the doubt, at least until teams learn you don't actually have to kick the ball right to Junior Bergen.

This. Although I agree they have a ton of question marks and I don’t think they’ll be all world this year, the bottom line is that they played for a natty last year, you can pencil them in for a top 4 spot in the first ranking of the following year. And when another one of those top 4 is a team you destroyed head on, you’ll get the nod to at least #3.

Unfortunately their schedule is so damn easy, they are likely to stay in that top 4 all year.

Here’s to hoping it’s 11-0 vs 11-0 on Nov 23rd and we see a repeat of Cat/griz 2022.

Plus you can't really put the reigning BSC champ and national title game participant below both their rival that they blew out (as you said), who lost guys on both sides of the line and has a starting QB that can't make it through a season, the #3 team in the MVFC and any east coast team.

Unfortunately, because they don't play anyone this year, they'll almost definitely go into Cat/griz as the #3 team in the country at worst. Probably #2 if NDSU loses the marker again.

[BleedingBLue]

Wonder who gave the Cats a first place vote? I would have them 3rd.

And I am gonna plant my flag that the gris should be down around Idaho. They have questions on both defensive and offensive lines and at QB. Maybe they are good, maybe they aren't. That the amount of preseason love they are getting with those very significant ???'s is on par with the xDSU's is crazy. They haven't earned that benefit of the doubt.

My top 10:
1 SDSU
2 NDSU
3 MSU
4 USD
5 'Nova
6 gris
7 Sac St
8 Idaho
9 Southern Illinois
10 Chattanooga

They played their last game in January. I think they've earned the benefit of the doubt, at least until teams learn you don't actually have to kick the ball right to Junior Bergen.

This. Although I agree they have a ton of question marks and I don’t think they’ll be all world this year, the bottom line is that they played for a natty last year, you can pencil them in for a top 4 spot in the first ranking of the following year. And when another one of those top 4 is a team you destroyed head on, you’ll get the nod to at least #3.

Unfortunately their schedule is so damn easy, they are likely to stay in that top 4 all year.

Here’s to hoping it’s 11-0 vs 11-0 on Nov 23rd and we see a repeat of Cat/griz 2022.

Plus you can't really put the reigning BSC champ and national title game participant below both their rival that they blew out (as you said), who lost guys on both sides of the line and has a starting QB that can't make it through a season, the #3 team in the MVFC and any east coast team.

Unfortunately, because they don't play anyone this year, they'll almost definitely go into Cat/griz as the #3 team in the country at worst. Probably #2 if NDSU loses the marker again.

I wouldn't put the Cats above the Gris because of the results of last season, but to say we lost guys on both sides of the ball and nothing more is a bit disingenuous. Reimer and Omar are gone sure, but their replacements started in 2022. The entire O Line has started a number of games for the Cats the last 2 years. On the other side we lost Valdez and Seymour. Seymour was a guy on the field taking up space most of the time. There are 7 guys on the D Line who either started last year or have played significant snaps the last 2 years. But you know that.

[tetoncat]

Wonder who gave the Cats a first place vote? I would have them 3rd.

And I am gonna plant my flag that the gris should be down around Idaho. They have questions on both defensive and offensive lines and at QB. Maybe they are good, maybe they aren't. That the amount of preseason love they are getting with those very significant ???'s is on par with the xDSU's is crazy. They haven't earned that benefit of the doubt.

My top 10:
1 SDSU
2 NDSU
3 MSU
4 USD
5 'Nova
6 gris
7 Sac St
8 Idaho
9 Southern Illinois
10 Chattanooga

They played their last game in January. I think they've earned the benefit of the doubt, at least until teams learn you don't actually have to kick the ball right to Junior Bergen.

This. Although I agree they have a ton of question marks and I don’t think they’ll be all world this year, the bottom line is that they played for a natty last year, you can pencil them in for a top 4 spot in the first ranking of the following year. And when another one of those top 4 is a team you destroyed head on, you’ll get the nod to at least #3.

Unfortunately their schedule is so damn easy, they are likely to stay in that top 4 all year.

Here’s to hoping it’s 11-0 vs 11-0 on Nov 23rd and we see a repeat of Cat/griz 2022.

Plus you can't really put the reigning BSC champ and national title game participant below both their rival that they blew out (as you said), who lost guys on both sides of the line and has a starting QB that can't make it through a season, the #3 team in the MVFC and any east coast team.

Unfortunately, because they don't play anyone this year, they'll almost definitely go into Cat/griz as the #3 team in the country at worst. Probably #2 if NDSU loses the marker again.

I guess voters could use the eye test. Griz offense was not good in playoffs, defense and special teams were their strength.Defense lost its best player and other really good LB and DBs. I think they will be good, but can they replicate the run they had. who else would go there?

[coloradocat]

Wonder who gave the Cats a first place vote? I would have them 3rd.

And I am gonna plant my flag that the gris should be down around Idaho. They have questions on both defensive and offensive lines and at QB. Maybe they are good, maybe they aren't. That the amount of preseason love they are getting with those very significant ???'s is on par with the xDSU's is crazy. They haven't earned that benefit of the doubt.

My top 10:
1 SDSU
2 NDSU
3 MSU
4 USD
5 'Nova
6 gris
7 Sac St
8 Idaho
9 Southern Illinois
10 Chattanooga

They played their last game in January. I think they've earned the benefit of the doubt, at least until teams learn you don't actually have to kick the ball right to Junior Bergen.

This. Although I agree they have a ton of question marks and I don’t think they’ll be all world this year, the bottom line is that they played for a natty last year, you can pencil them in for a top 4 spot in the first ranking of the following year. And when another one of those top 4 is a team you destroyed head on, you’ll get the nod to at least #3.

Unfortunately their schedule is so damn easy, they are likely to stay in that top 4 all year.

Here’s to hoping it’s 11-0 vs 11-0 on Nov 23rd and we see a repeat of Cat/griz 2022.

Plus you can't really put the reigning BSC champ and national title game participant below both their rival that they blew out (as you said), who lost guys on both sides of the line and has a starting QB that can't make it through a season, the #3 team in the MVFC and any east coast team.

Unfortunately, because they don't play anyone this year, they'll almost definitely go into Cat/griz as the #3 team in the country at worst. Probably #2 if NDSU loses the marker again.

I wouldn't put the Cats above the Gris because of the results of last season, but to say we lost guys on both sides of the ball and nothing more is a bit disingenuous. Reimer and Omar are gone sure, but their replacements started in 2022. The entire O Line has started a number of games for the Cats the last 2 years. On the other side we lost Valdez and Seymour. Seymour was a guy on the field taking up space most of the time. There are 7 guys on the D Line who either started last year or have played significant snaps the last 2 years. But you know that.

Yeah, I was speaking from the perspective of voters, not knowledgeable fans. I think we'll be the better team this year but I don't expect anyone outside of MT besides Sam Herder to be able to come to that conclusion because it's too much effort for them to pay close attention to the teams they are supposedly covering.

If I were a voter in the poll I would still probably have the same top 5 in the same order just because of how November-January turned out and the fact that it's a preseason poll. If we beat UNM I would flip 3 and 4 in the next poll. Every season is supposed to stand on it's own but you have to start somewhere and as much as I hate it, they ended much better than we did. It's just unfortunate that their season is so easy and they'll be able to ease their new QB (or QBs) in rather than facing any difficult obstacles. As a result, they'll start high and stay high even if they don't deserve to. There's just not enough of a reason in a preseason poll to start them below where they are.

[catatac]

Wonder who gave the Cats a first place vote? I would have them 3rd.

And I am gonna plant my flag that the gris should be down around Idaho. They have questions on both defensive and offensive lines and at QB. Maybe they are good, maybe they aren't. That the amount of preseason love they are getting with those very significant ???'s is on par with the xDSU's is crazy. They haven't earned that benefit of the doubt.

My top 10:
1 SDSU
2 NDSU
3 MSU
4 USD
5 'Nova
6 gris
7 Sac St
8 Idaho
9 Southern Illinois
10 Chattanooga

They played their last game in January. I think they've earned the benefit of the doubt, at least until teams learn you don't actually have to kick the ball right to Junior Bergen.

This. Although I agree they have a ton of question marks and I don’t think they’ll be all world this year, the bottom line is that they played for a natty last year, you can pencil them in for a top 4 spot in the first ranking of the following year. And when another one of those top 4 is a team you destroyed head on, you’ll get the nod to at least #3.

Unfortunately their schedule is so damn easy, they are likely to stay in that top 4 all year.

Here’s to hoping it’s 11-0 vs 11-0 on Nov 23rd and we see a repeat of Cat/griz 2022.

Plus you can't really put the reigning BSC champ and national title game participant below both their rival that they blew out (as you said), who lost guys on both sides of the line and has a starting QB that can't make it through a season, the #3 team in the MVFC and any east coast team.

Unfortunately, because they don't play anyone this year, they'll almost definitely go into Cat/griz as the #3 team in the country at worst. Probably #2 if NDSU loses the marker again.

I wouldn't put the Cats above the Gris because of the results of last season, but to say we lost guys on both sides of the ball and nothing more is a bit disingenuous. Reimer and Omar are gone sure, but their replacements started in 2022. The entire O Line has started a number of games for the Cats the last 2 years. On the other side we lost Valdez and Seymour. Seymour was a guy on the field taking up space most of the time. There are 7 guys on the D Line who either started last year or have played significant snaps the last 2 years. But you know that.

Yeah, I was speaking from the perspective of voters, not knowledgeable fans. I think we'll be the better team this year but I don't expect anyone outside of MT besides Sam Herder to be able to come to that conclusion because it's too much effort for them to pay close attention to the teams they are supposedly covering.

If I were a voter in the poll I would still probably have the same top 5 in the same order just because of how November-January turned out and the fact that it's a preseason poll. If we beat UNM I would flip 3 and 4 in the next poll. Every season is supposed to stand on it's own but you have to start somewhere and as much as I hate it, they ended much better than we did. It's just unfortunate that their season is so easy and they'll be able to ease their new QB (or QBs) in rather than facing any difficult obstacles. As a result, they'll start high and stay high even if they don't deserve to. There's just not enough of a reason in a preseason poll to start them below where they are.

I have a feeling the Griz lose one of the games either at UND, or vs Missouri State... and then loses one other game prior to the brawl, likely EWU or UCD. I'd also guess the Cats will drop one somewhere along the way, even though we should be favored in every game.

[Danster21]

Wonder who gave the Cats a first place vote? I would have them 3rd.

And I am gonna plant my flag that the gris should be down around Idaho. They have questions on both defensive and offensive lines and at QB. Maybe they are good, maybe they aren't. That the amount of preseason love they are getting with those very significant ???'s is on par with the xDSU's is crazy. They haven't earned that benefit of the doubt.

My top 10:
1 SDSU
2 NDSU
3 MSU
4 USD
5 'Nova
6 gris
7 Sac St
8 Idaho
9 Southern Illinois
10 Chattanooga

Sean Anderson gave us the #1 vote, you can hear more about it at the end of this podcast: https://bleav.com/shows/bleav-in-fcs-fo ... k-at-no-1/

And you can read a bit about his explanation when twitter is back up:

[coloradocat]

Wonder who gave the Cats a first place vote? I would have them 3rd.

And I am gonna plant my flag that the gris should be down around Idaho. They have questions on both defensive and offensive lines and at QB. Maybe they are good, maybe they aren't. That the amount of preseason love they are getting with those very significant ???'s is on par with the xDSU's is crazy. They haven't earned that benefit of the doubt.

My top 10:
1 SDSU
2 NDSU
3 MSU
4 USD
5 'Nova
6 gris
7 Sac St
8 Idaho
9 Southern Illinois
10 Chattanooga

They played their last game in January. I think they've earned the benefit of the doubt, at least until teams learn you don't actually have to kick the ball right to Junior Bergen.

This. Although I agree they have a ton of question marks and I don’t think they’ll be all world this year, the bottom line is that they played for a natty last year, you can pencil them in for a top 4 spot in the first ranking of the following year. And when another one of those top 4 is a team you destroyed head on, you’ll get the nod to at least #3.

Unfortunately their schedule is so damn easy, they are likely to stay in that top 4 all year.

Here’s to hoping it’s 11-0 vs 11-0 on Nov 23rd and we see a repeat of Cat/griz 2022.

Plus you can't really put the reigning BSC champ and national title game participant below both their rival that they blew out (as you said), who lost guys on both sides of the line and has a starting QB that can't make it through a season, the #3 team in the MVFC and any east coast team.

Unfortunately, because they don't play anyone this year, they'll almost definitely go into Cat/griz as the #3 team in the country at worst. Probably #2 if NDSU loses the marker again.

I wouldn't put the Cats above the Gris because of the results of last season, but to say we lost guys on both sides of the ball and nothing more is a bit disingenuous. Reimer and Omar are gone sure, but their replacements started in 2022. The entire O Line has started a number of games for the Cats the last 2 years. On the other side we lost Valdez and Seymour. Seymour was a guy on the field taking up space most of the time. There are 7 guys on the D Line who either started last year or have played significant snaps the last 2 years. But you know that.

Yeah, I was speaking from the perspective of voters, not knowledgeable fans. I think we'll be the better team this year but I don't expect anyone outside of MT besides Sam Herder to be able to come to that conclusion because it's too much effort for them to pay close attention to the teams they are supposedly covering.

If I were a voter in the poll I would still probably have the same top 5 in the same order just because of how November-January turned out and the fact that it's a preseason poll. If we beat UNM I would flip 3 and 4 in the next poll. Every season is supposed to stand on it's own but you have to start somewhere and as much as I hate it, they ended much better than we did. It's just unfortunate that their season is so easy and they'll be able to ease their new QB (or QBs) in rather than facing any difficult obstacles. As a result, they'll start high and stay high even if they don't deserve to. There's just not enough of a reason in a preseason poll to start them below where they are.

I have a feeling the Griz lose one of the games either at UND, or vs Missouri State... and then loses one other game prior to the brawl, likely EWU or UCD. I'd also guess the Cats will drop one somewhere along the way, even though we should be favored in every game.

I originally thought they'd likely lose at UND but I heard or read somewhere that UND lost a lot of guys either to graduation or the portal so they may not be as formidable as they were last year. I don't see the griz losing to Missouri State. They could definitely trip up against one of those conference opponents but they'll likely be going into those games undefeated and they are the most emotional team in the country. If they are feeling confident they probably won't get tripped up against an inferior team.

[TomCat88]

Wonder who gave the Cats a first place vote? I would have them 3rd.

And I am gonna plant my flag that the gris should be down around Idaho. They have questions on both defensive and offensive lines and at QB. Maybe they are good, maybe they aren't. That the amount of preseason love they are getting with those very significant ???'s is on par with the xDSU's is crazy. They haven't earned that benefit of the doubt.

My top 10:
1 SDSU
2 NDSU
3 MSU
4 USD
5 'Nova
6 gris
7 Sac St
8 Idaho
9 Southern Illinois
10 Chattanooga

They played their last game in January. I think they've earned the benefit of the doubt, at least until teams learn you don't actually have to kick the ball right to Junior Bergen.

This. Although I agree they have a ton of question marks and I don’t think they’ll be all world this year, the bottom line is that they played for a natty last year, you can pencil them in for a top 4 spot in the first ranking of the following year. And when another one of those top 4 is a team you destroyed head on, you’ll get the nod to at least #3.

Unfortunately their schedule is so damn easy, they are likely to stay in that top 4 all year.

Here’s to hoping it’s 11-0 vs 11-0 on Nov 23rd and we see a repeat of Cat/griz 2022.

Plus you can't really put the reigning BSC champ and national title game participant below both their rival that they blew out (as you said), who lost guys on both sides of the line and has a starting QB that can't make it through a season, the #3 team in the MVFC and any east coast team.

Unfortunately, because they don't play anyone this year, they'll almost definitely go into Cat/griz as the #3 team in the country at worst. Probably #2 if NDSU loses the marker again.

I wouldn't put the Cats above the Gris because of the results of last season, but to say we lost guys on both sides of the ball and nothing more is a bit disingenuous. Reimer and Omar are gone sure, but their replacements started in 2022. The entire O Line has started a number of games for the Cats the last 2 years. On the other side we lost Valdez and Seymour. Seymour was a guy on the field taking up space most of the time. There are 7 guys on the D Line who either started last year or have played significant snaps the last 2 years. But you know that.

Yeah, I was speaking from the perspective of voters, not knowledgeable fans. I think we'll be the better team this year but I don't expect anyone outside of MT besides Sam Herder to be able to come to that conclusion because it's too much effort for them to pay close attention to the teams they are supposedly covering.

If I were a voter in the poll I would still probably have the same top 5 in the same order just because of how November-January turned out and the fact that it's a preseason poll. If we beat UNM I would flip 3 and 4 in the next poll. Every season is supposed to stand on it's own but you have to start somewhere and as much as I hate it, they ended much better than we did. It's just unfortunate that their season is so easy and they'll be able to ease their new QB (or QBs) in rather than facing any difficult obstacles. As a result, they'll start high and stay high even if they don't deserve to. There's just not enough of a reason in a preseason poll to start them below where they are.

I have a feeling the Griz lose one of the games either at UND, or vs Missouri State... and then loses one other game prior to the brawl, likely EWU or UCD. I'd also guess the Cats will drop one somewhere along the way, even though we should be favored in every game.

I originally thought they'd likely lose at UND but I heard or read somewhere that UND lost a lot of guys either to graduation or the portal so they may not be as formidable as they were last year. I don't see the griz losing to Missouri State. They could definitely trip up against one of those conference opponents but they'll likely be going into those games undefeated and they are the most emotional team in the country. If they are feeling confident they probably won't get tripped up against an inferior team.

The Cats and Griz will be favored by oddsmakers in every game they play. I think if both live up to that, then the oddsmakers will make MSU the favorite in the Cat-Griz game. I think MSU would be rated higher in the Sagarin, Massey, etc polls but UM would be ranked ahead of MSU in the voter polls.

[coloradocat]

Wonder who gave the Cats a first place vote? I would have them 3rd.

And I am gonna plant my flag that the gris should be down around Idaho. They have questions on both defensive and offensive lines and at QB. Maybe they are good, maybe they aren't. That the amount of preseason love they are getting with those very significant ???'s is on par with the xDSU's is crazy. They haven't earned that benefit of the doubt.

My top 10:
1 SDSU
2 NDSU
3 MSU
4 USD
5 'Nova
6 gris
7 Sac St
8 Idaho
9 Southern Illinois
10 Chattanooga

They played their last game in January. I think they've earned the benefit of the doubt, at least until teams learn you don't actually have to kick the ball right to Junior Bergen.

This. Although I agree they have a ton of question marks and I don’t think they’ll be all world this year, the bottom line is that they played for a natty last year, you can pencil them in for a top 4 spot in the first ranking of the following year. And when another one of those top 4 is a team you destroyed head on, you’ll get the nod to at least #3.

Unfortunately their schedule is so damn easy, they are likely to stay in that top 4 all year.

Here’s to hoping it’s 11-0 vs 11-0 on Nov 23rd and we see a repeat of Cat/griz 2022.

Plus you can't really put the reigning BSC champ and national title game participant below both their rival that they blew out (as you said), who lost guys on both sides of the line and has a starting QB that can't make it through a season, the #3 team in the MVFC and any east coast team.

Unfortunately, because they don't play anyone this year, they'll almost definitely go into Cat/griz as the #3 team in the country at worst. Probably #2 if NDSU loses the marker again.

I wouldn't put the Cats above the Gris because of the results of last season, but to say we lost guys on both sides of the ball and nothing more is a bit disingenuous. Reimer and Omar are gone sure, but their replacements started in 2022. The entire O Line has started a number of games for the Cats the last 2 years. On the other side we lost Valdez and Seymour. Seymour was a guy on the field taking up space most of the time. There are 7 guys on the D Line who either started last year or have played significant snaps the last 2 years. But you know that.

Yeah, I was speaking from the perspective of voters, not knowledgeable fans. I think we'll be the better team this year but I don't expect anyone outside of MT besides Sam Herder to be able to come to that conclusion because it's too much effort for them to pay close attention to the teams they are supposedly covering.

If I were a voter in the poll I would still probably have the same top 5 in the same order just because of how November-January turned out and the fact that it's a preseason poll. If we beat UNM I would flip 3 and 4 in the next poll. Every season is supposed to stand on it's own but you have to start somewhere and as much as I hate it, they ended much better than we did. It's just unfortunate that their season is so easy and they'll be able to ease their new QB (or QBs) in rather than facing any difficult obstacles. As a result, they'll start high and stay high even if they don't deserve to. There's just not enough of a reason in a preseason poll to start them below where they are.

I have a feeling the Griz lose one of the games either at UND, or vs Missouri State... and then loses one other game prior to the brawl, likely EWU or UCD. I'd also guess the Cats will drop one somewhere along the way, even though we should be favored in every game.

I originally thought they'd likely lose at UND but I heard or read somewhere that UND lost a lot of guys either to graduation or the portal so they may not be as formidable as they were last year. I don't see the griz losing to Missouri State. They could definitely trip up against one of those conference opponents but they'll likely be going into those games undefeated and they are the most emotional team in the country. If they are feeling confident they probably won't get tripped up against an inferior team.

The Cats and Griz will be favored by oddsmakers in every game they play. I think if both live up to that, then the oddsmakers will make MSU the favorite in the Cat-Griz game. I think MSU would be rated higher in the Sagarin, Massey, etc polls but UM would be ranked ahead of MSU in the voter polls.

I agree. The griz may be ranked higher before the game because they started out higher and will likely have a larger average margin of victory. I could see voters moving us ahead based on SOS but again, most voters aren't informed enough to do that and if we don't jump them after UNM then we may not until after Cat-griz.

[TomCat88]

Wonder who gave the Cats a first place vote? I would have them 3rd.

And I am gonna plant my flag that the gris should be down around Idaho. They have questions on both defensive and offensive lines and at QB. Maybe they are good, maybe they aren't. That the amount of preseason love they are getting with those very significant ???'s is on par with the xDSU's is crazy. They haven't earned that benefit of the doubt.

My top 10:
1 SDSU
2 NDSU
3 MSU
4 USD
5 'Nova
6 gris
7 Sac St
8 Idaho
9 Southern Illinois
10 Chattanooga

They played their last game in January. I think they've earned the benefit of the doubt, at least until teams learn you don't actually have to kick the ball right to Junior Bergen.

This. Although I agree they have a ton of question marks and I don’t think they’ll be all world this year, the bottom line is that they played for a natty last year, you can pencil them in for a top 4 spot in the first ranking of the following year. And when another one of those top 4 is a team you destroyed head on, you’ll get the nod to at least #3.

Unfortunately their schedule is so damn easy, they are likely to stay in that top 4 all year.

Here’s to hoping it’s 11-0 vs 11-0 on Nov 23rd and we see a repeat of Cat/griz 2022.

Plus you can't really put the reigning BSC champ and national title game participant below both their rival that they blew out (as you said), who lost guys on both sides of the line and has a starting QB that can't make it through a season, the #3 team in the MVFC and any east coast team.

Unfortunately, because they don't play anyone this year, they'll almost definitely go into Cat/griz as the #3 team in the country at worst. Probably #2 if NDSU loses the marker again.

I wouldn't put the Cats above the Gris because of the results of last season, but to say we lost guys on both sides of the ball and nothing more is a bit disingenuous. Reimer and Omar are gone sure, but their replacements started in 2022. The entire O Line has started a number of games for the Cats the last 2 years. On the other side we lost Valdez and Seymour. Seymour was a guy on the field taking up space most of the time. There are 7 guys on the D Line who either started last year or have played significant snaps the last 2 years. But you know that.

Yeah, I was speaking from the perspective of voters, not knowledgeable fans. I think we'll be the better team this year but I don't expect anyone outside of MT besides Sam Herder to be able to come to that conclusion because it's too much effort for them to pay close attention to the teams they are supposedly covering.

If I were a voter in the poll I would still probably have the same top 5 in the same order just because of how November-January turned out and the fact that it's a preseason poll. If we beat UNM I would flip 3 and 4 in the next poll. Every season is supposed to stand on it's own but you have to start somewhere and as much as I hate it, they ended much better than we did. It's just unfortunate that their season is so easy and they'll be able to ease their new QB (or QBs) in rather than facing any difficult obstacles. As a result, they'll start high and stay high even if they don't deserve to. There's just not enough of a reason in a preseason poll to start them below where they are.

I have a feeling the Griz lose one of the games either at UND, or vs Missouri State... and then loses one other game prior to the brawl, likely EWU or UCD. I'd also guess the Cats will drop one somewhere along the way, even though we should be favored in every game.

I originally thought they'd likely lose at UND but I heard or read somewhere that UND lost a lot of guys either to graduation or the portal so they may not be as formidable as they were last year. I don't see the griz losing to Missouri State. They could definitely trip up against one of those conference opponents but they'll likely be going into those games undefeated and they are the most emotional team in the country. If they are feeling confident they probably won't get tripped up against an inferior team.

The Cats and Griz will be favored by oddsmakers in every game they play. I think if both live up to that, then the oddsmakers will make MSU the favorite in the Cat-Griz game. I think MSU would be rated higher in the Sagarin, Massey, etc polls but UM would be ranked ahead of MSU in the voter polls.

I agree. The griz may be ranked higher before the game because they started out higher and will likely have a larger average margin of victory. I could see voters moving us ahead based on SOS but again, most voters aren't informed enough to do that and if we don't jump them after UNM then we may not until after Cat-griz.

The only way the UNM game will get a lot of traction is if UNM wins at least a handful of games. Most likely that win will be discounted by midseason.

[coloradocat]

They played their last game in January. I think they've earned the benefit of the doubt, at least until teams learn you don't actually have to kick the ball right to Junior Bergen.

This. Although I agree they have a ton of question marks and I don’t think they’ll be all world this year, the bottom line is that they played for a natty last year, you can pencil them in for a top 4 spot in the first ranking of the following year. And when another one of those top 4 is a team you destroyed head on, you’ll get the nod to at least #3.

Unfortunately their schedule is so damn easy, they are likely to stay in that top 4 all year.

Here’s to hoping it’s 11-0 vs 11-0 on Nov 23rd and we see a repeat of Cat/griz 2022.

Plus you can't really put the reigning BSC champ and national title game participant below both their rival that they blew out (as you said), who lost guys on both sides of the line and has a starting QB that can't make it through a season, the #3 team in the MVFC and any east coast team.

Unfortunately, because they don't play anyone this year, they'll almost definitely go into Cat/griz as the #3 team in the country at worst. Probably #2 if NDSU loses the marker again.

I wouldn't put the Cats above the Gris because of the results of last season, but to say we lost guys on both sides of the ball and nothing more is a bit disingenuous. Reimer and Omar are gone sure, but their replacements started in 2022. The entire O Line has started a number of games for the Cats the last 2 years. On the other side we lost Valdez and Seymour. Seymour was a guy on the field taking up space most of the time. There are 7 guys on the D Line who either started last year or have played significant snaps the last 2 years. But you know that.

Yeah, I was speaking from the perspective of voters, not knowledgeable fans. I think we'll be the better team this year but I don't expect anyone outside of MT besides Sam Herder to be able to come to that conclusion because it's too much effort for them to pay close attention to the teams they are supposedly covering.

If I were a voter in the poll I would still probably have the same top 5 in the same order just because of how November-January turned out and the fact that it's a preseason poll. If we beat UNM I would flip 3 and 4 in the next poll. Every season is supposed to stand on it's own but you have to start somewhere and as much as I hate it, they ended much better than we did. It's just unfortunate that their season is so easy and they'll be able to ease their new QB (or QBs) in rather than facing any difficult obstacles. As a result, they'll start high and stay high even if they don't deserve to. There's just not enough of a reason in a preseason poll to start them below where they are.

I have a feeling the Griz lose one of the games either at UND, or vs Missouri State... and then loses one other game prior to the brawl, likely EWU or UCD. I'd also guess the Cats will drop one somewhere along the way, even though we should be favored in every game.

I originally thought they'd likely lose at UND but I heard or read somewhere that UND lost a lot of guys either to graduation or the portal so they may not be as formidable as they were last year. I don't see the griz losing to Missouri State. They could definitely trip up against one of those conference opponents but they'll likely be going into those games undefeated and they are the most emotional team in the country. If they are feeling confident they probably won't get tripped up against an inferior team.

The Cats and Griz will be favored by oddsmakers in every game they play. I think if both live up to that, then the oddsmakers will make MSU the favorite in the Cat-Griz game. I think MSU would be rated higher in the Sagarin, Massey, etc polls but UM would be ranked ahead of MSU in the voter polls.

I agree. The griz may be ranked higher before the game because they started out higher and will likely have a larger average margin of victory. I could see voters moving us ahead based on SOS but again, most voters aren't informed enough to do that and if we don't jump them after UNM then we may not until after Cat-griz.

The only way the UNM game will get a lot of traction is if UNM wins at least a handful of games. Most likely that win will be discounted by midseason.

I guess we'll just have to win Cat-griz then!

[tetoncat]

Wonder who gave the Cats a first place vote? I would have them 3rd.

And I am gonna plant my flag that the gris should be down around Idaho. They have questions on both defensive and offensive lines and at QB. Maybe they are good, maybe they aren't. That the amount of preseason love they are getting with those very significant ???'s is on par with the xDSU's is crazy. They haven't earned that benefit of the doubt.

My top 10:
1 SDSU
2 NDSU
3 MSU
4 USD
5 'Nova
6 gris
7 Sac St
8 Idaho
9 Southern Illinois
10 Chattanooga

They played their last game in January. I think they've earned the benefit of the doubt, at least until teams learn you don't actually have to kick the ball right to Junior Bergen.

This. Although I agree they have a ton of question marks and I don’t think they’ll be all world this year, the bottom line is that they played for a natty last year, you can pencil them in for a top 4 spot in the first ranking of the following year. And when another one of those top 4 is a team you destroyed head on, you’ll get the nod to at least #3.

Unfortunately their schedule is so damn easy, they are likely to stay in that top 4 all year.

Here’s to hoping it’s 11-0 vs 11-0 on Nov 23rd and we see a repeat of Cat/griz 2022.

Plus you can't really put the reigning BSC champ and national title game participant below both their rival that they blew out (as you said), who lost guys on both sides of the line and has a starting QB that can't make it through a season, the #3 team in the MVFC and any east coast team.

Unfortunately, because they don't play anyone this year, they'll almost definitely go into Cat/griz as the #3 team in the country at worst. Probably #2 if NDSU loses the marker again.

I wouldn't put the Cats above the Gris because of the results of last season, but to say we lost guys on both sides of the ball and nothing more is a bit disingenuous. Reimer and Omar are gone sure, but their replacements started in 2022. The entire O Line has started a number of games for the Cats the last 2 years. On the other side we lost Valdez and Seymour. Seymour was a guy on the field taking up space most of the time. There are 7 guys on the D Line who either started last year or have played significant snaps the last 2 years. But you know that.

Yeah, I was speaking from the perspective of voters, not knowledgeable fans. I think we'll be the better team this year but I don't expect anyone outside of MT besides Sam Herder to be able to come to that conclusion because it's too much effort for them to pay close attention to the teams they are supposedly covering.

If I were a voter in the poll I would still probably have the same top 5 in the same order just because of how November-January turned out and the fact that it's a preseason poll. If we beat UNM I would flip 3 and 4 in the next poll. Every season is supposed to stand on it's own but you have to start somewhere and as much as I hate it, they ended much better than we did. It's just unfortunate that their season is so easy and they'll be able to ease their new QB (or QBs) in rather than facing any difficult obstacles. As a result, they'll start high and stay high even if they don't deserve to. There's just not enough of a reason in a preseason poll to start them below where they are.

Sad that voters aren't knowledgeable or won't take the time. Shouldn't STATS consider that when giving a vote.

[catatac]

Wonder who gave the Cats a first place vote? I would have them 3rd.

And I am gonna plant my flag that the gris should be down around Idaho. They have questions on both defensive and offensive lines and at QB. Maybe they are good, maybe they aren't. That the amount of preseason love they are getting with those very significant ???'s is on par with the xDSU's is crazy. They haven't earned that benefit of the doubt.

My top 10:
1 SDSU
2 NDSU
3 MSU
4 USD
5 'Nova
6 gris
7 Sac St
8 Idaho
9 Southern Illinois
10 Chattanooga

They played their last game in January. I think they've earned the benefit of the doubt, at least until teams learn you don't actually have to kick the ball right to Junior Bergen.

This. Although I agree they have a ton of question marks and I don’t think they’ll be all world this year, the bottom line is that they played for a natty last year, you can pencil them in for a top 4 spot in the first ranking of the following year. And when another one of those top 4 is a team you destroyed head on, you’ll get the nod to at least #3.

Unfortunately their schedule is so damn easy, they are likely to stay in that top 4 all year.

Here’s to hoping it’s 11-0 vs 11-0 on Nov 23rd and we see a repeat of Cat/griz 2022.

Plus you can't really put the reigning BSC champ and national title game participant below both their rival that they blew out (as you said), who lost guys on both sides of the line and has a starting QB that can't make it through a season, the #3 team in the MVFC and any east coast team.

Unfortunately, because they don't play anyone this year, they'll almost definitely go into Cat/griz as the #3 team in the country at worst. Probably #2 if NDSU loses the marker again.

I wouldn't put the Cats above the Gris because of the results of last season, but to say we lost guys on both sides of the ball and nothing more is a bit disingenuous. Reimer and Omar are gone sure, but their replacements started in 2022. The entire O Line has started a number of games for the Cats the last 2 years. On the other side we lost Valdez and Seymour. Seymour was a guy on the field taking up space most of the time. There are 7 guys on the D Line who either started last year or have played significant snaps the last 2 years. But you know that.

Yeah, I was speaking from the perspective of voters, not knowledgeable fans. I think we'll be the better team this year but I don't expect anyone outside of MT besides Sam Herder to be able to come to that conclusion because it's too much effort for them to pay close attention to the teams they are supposedly covering.

If I were a voter in the poll I would still probably have the same top 5 in the same order just because of how November-January turned out and the fact that it's a preseason poll. If we beat UNM I would flip 3 and 4 in the next poll. Every season is supposed to stand on it's own but you have to start somewhere and as much as I hate it, they ended much better than we did. It's just unfortunate that their season is so easy and they'll be able to ease their new QB (or QBs) in rather than facing any difficult obstacles. As a result, they'll start high and stay high even if they don't deserve to. There's just not enough of a reason in a preseason poll to start them below where they are.

I have a feeling the Griz lose one of the games either at UND, or vs Missouri State... and then loses one other game prior to the brawl, likely EWU or UCD. I'd also guess the Cats will drop one somewhere along the way, even though we should be favored in every game.

I originally thought they'd likely lose at UND but I heard or read somewhere that UND lost a lot of guys either to graduation or the portal so they may not be as formidable as they were last year. I don't see the griz losing to Missouri State. They could definitely trip up against one of those conference opponents but they'll likely be going into those games undefeated and they are the most emotional team in the country. If they are feeling confident they probably won't get tripped up against an inferior team.

The Cats and Griz will be favored by oddsmakers in every game they play. I think if both live up to that, then the oddsmakers will make MSU the favorite in the Cat-Griz game. I think MSU would be rated higher in the Sagarin, Massey, etc polls but UM would be ranked ahead of MSU in the voter polls.

I would Love to see it but would be absolutely SHOCKED if both teams are 11-0 heading into Cat Griz. In fact, I'll be surprised if either team is 11-0' Can you imagine if that happened though? Would likely be #1 vs #2 in the country, and winner locked into home field throughout playoffs. Talk about the biggest Cat\Griz game of all time..... and we're in Bozeman.