NCAA FCS semi-final: vs Montana State

[AZjack]

Jacks only throw it for 15-20 times they will lose the game. I didn't say switch to an Air Raid for this game. Use your best players and get them the ball more times than they have been.

This team cannot stop QB run, it's a fact. I hope they figure it out, but it's been an issue for awhile.

Kittens have a more dangerous running game than NDSU because td tommy is a WAY better runner than Miller. I didn't say better than NDSU, I said more dangerous.

This team will need to score points and not play conservatively. Obviously run the ball, but this can't be a ground attack only game.

Turnovers will be big as always and Jankes can't be muffing punts.

The Jacks offense misses Eck in my opinion, not saying Lujan can't be the guy, but this offense has underperformed relative to its talent all year long.

Time to show out and utilize all the weapons, they do that and it will be a good day.

[Mr_Tibbs]

Jacks only throw it for 15-20 times they will lose the game. I didn't say switch to an Air Raid for this game. Use your best players and get them the ball more times than they have been.

This team cannot stop QB run, it's a fact. I hope they figure it out, but it's been an issue for awhile.

Kittens have a more dangerous running game than NDSU because td tommy is a WAY better runner than Miller. I didn't say better than NDSU, I said more dangerous.

This team will need to score points and not play conservatively. Obviously run the ball, but this can't be a ground attack only game.

Turnovers will be big as always and Jankes can't be muffing punts.

The Jacks offense misses Eck in my opinion, not saying Lujan can't be the guy, but this offense has underperformed relative to its talent all year long.

Time to show out and utilize all the weapons, they do that and it will be a good day.

I think our air game could be the key to a victory, but I don’t think we should emphasize the pass game too early in the game, or until they stop the run. Part of playing against an offense like theirs is playing keep away and possessing the ball, which is hard to do if you throw it early and often. I do agree though that if we win this game, we will be able to look back at several key passes that moved the chains in big moments.

[Cats2506]

I think our air game could be the key to a victory, but I don’t think we should emphasize the pass game too early in the game, or until they stop the run. Part of playing against an offense like theirs is playing keep away and possessing the ball, which is hard to do if you throw it early and often. I do agree though that if we win this game, we will be able to look back at several key passes that moved the chains in big moments.

I will agree that MSU's pass defense is our weakness, but just like everything else stats don't tell the whole story. Most of the teams we play look at it and say the same thing you are saying, they game plan a passing attack and commit to it, (most don't have the ground game that SDSU has). The fact that so many teams attack us that way has made MSU better and it has skewed the stats to a degree. I am not saying that you are wrong and I would expect a strong passing component to be a significant part of the SDSU game plan. I'm just saying that it is expected and MSU isn't as bad as some (including our own fans) might think in pass defense.

[Southeast]

I think our air game could be the key to a victory, but I don’t think we should emphasize the pass game too early in the game, or until they stop the run. Part of playing against an offense like theirs is playing keep away and possessing the ball, which is hard to do if you throw it early and often. I do agree though that if we win this game, we will be able to look back at several key passes that moved the chains in big moments.

I think any team that decides to “emphasize the pass” when the windchill is below zero is starting behind the 8-ball. If throwing the ball 25+ times is our only chance to win, buckle up.

I do hope to see the ball in Kraft’s hands one way or another more though.

[jakejc795]

I think any team that decides to “emphasize the pass” when the windchill is below zero is starting behind the 8-ball. If throwing the ball 25+ times is our only chance to win, buckle up.

I do hope to see the ball in Kraft’s hands one way or another more though.

I predict we see at least a couple Kraft-Davis backfield plays

[jakejc795]

well to be clear, i believe the things i said about WHO they have played and about the MVFC vs big sky, but that is FAR from saying that i think their rushing numbers are some kind of mirage!!

i think they are a REALLY good football team and this game is gonna be a battle. that is exactly what anyone should expect in the semifinals, but when people want to compare statistics, they need to realize that stats do not tell the entire story

are they a FAR better running team than NDSU? i doubt that, especially the NDSU team we played with a healthy O line and RB group

at the same time, we are VERY used to the running game that the bison play. MSU runs a different scheme and they run it very well !!! everyone should definitely expect them to make some plays!! but i expect the jacks D is also gonna show up and probably with a bit of a chip on their shoulder after the HC game

gonna be a good one!!! gonna be fun!!! in the words of bart scott, CANT WAIT!!!! is it saturday yet?? dang it!!

Not saying it's a mirage or even that their offense isn't impressive; however, I don't buy what the "Sluka ran for over 200yds, so Mellott and the 'Cats will make last season's loss look tame by comparison" crowd is selling.

I have too much faith in Rogers as a coach and Winkelman, Terveer, Sanders, Bock, Freeman, Stalbird, and Gales as defenders.

[LetsGoRabbits]

Jacks only throw it for 15-20 times they will lose the game. I didn't say switch to an Air Raid for this game. Use your best players and get them the ball more times than they have been.

This team cannot stop QB run, it's a fact. I hope they figure it out, but it's been an issue for awhile.

Kittens have a more dangerous running game than NDSU because td tommy is a WAY better runner than Miller. I didn't say better than NDSU, I said more dangerous.

This team will need to score points and not play conservatively. Obviously run the ball, but this can't be a ground attack only game.

Turnovers will be big as always and Jankes can't be muffing punts.

The Jacks offense misses Eck in my opinion, not saying Lujan can't be the guy, but this offense has underperformed relative to its talent all year long.

Time to show out and utilize all the weapons, they do that and it will be a good day.

this seems like a distinction with no discernable difference, as far as i can tell?

i mean the only real danger in a football game is losing the game and the better team places the opponent in MORE DANGER of losing. maybe you are saying they are more explosive or make more big plays, as opposed to NDSU grinding teams down in smaller chunks at a time?? but the only danger is losing the game, regardless of if you lose it to explosive plays or 3 to 10 yards at a time

[jakejc795]

this seems like a distinction with no discernable difference, as far as i can tell?

i mean the only real danger in a football game is losing the game and the better team places the opponent in MORE DANGER of losing. maybe you are saying they are more explosive or make more big plays, as opposed to NDSU grinding teams down in smaller chunks at a time?? but the only danger is losing the game, regardless of if you lose it to explosive plays or 3 to 10 yards at a time

Not to mention that the Jacks only needing to pass it 15-20 times could be indicative of fact that 'Cats weren't successful stopping the run, and forcing the ball to players we think should get it could be a recipe for turnovers.

Think some folks need to simmer down, grab a nice mug of hot chocolate, and add a few dollops of SDSU ice cream to sweeten their pregame dispositions.

[LetsGoRabbits]

Not saying it's a mirage or even that their offense isn't impressive; however, I don't buy what the "Sluka ran for over 200yds, so Mellott and the 'Cats will make last season's loss look tame by comparison" crowd is selling.

I have too much faith in Rogers as a coach and Winkelman, Terveer, Sanders, Bock, Freeman, Stalbird, and Gales as defenders.

I KNOW you did not mean that. and i was not really talking exactly to you, but i did want to clarify my statements a bit. i had pointed out a lot of reasons to doubt MSU and wanted to make it clear that i absolutely do think they are good

and you know i am with you regarding all the negative comments

i have no doubt if we look at comments before Mo St, following our OOC games, or before the bison game, and probably others, the same people were saying the jacks better start doing this or start doing that!! and they better stop making this mistake or that one CUZ IF THEY DONT THEY ARE GONNA SEE WHAT HAPPENS AGAINST A REAL FOOTBALL TEAM

as I recall they beat Mo St so thoroughly that the bears never recovered
they held the bison scoreless and largely punchless in the second half

they have dominated the second half of almost every game the entire year
against HC they only had one possession in the 3rd Q, but their offense was unstoppable after that and they won convincingly


so could they lose to a good team on saturday? it is possible, but all this acting like they suck and the coaches are just running around in the dark and somehow they managed to win 12 games with some kind of luck and voodoo or something makes ZERO FREAKING SENSE

the jacks are good
the coaches are good
some of their opponents are dang good and can make a play or two (or more) including the opponent coming on saturday

just because sluko or any other opponent makes a play, does not mean the jacks arent good or the coaches are idiots

the jacks are 12 and 1 playing in the 5th national semifinal in 6 years. they are lots of fun to watch. try just a little harder to enjoy it

[AZjack]

this seems like a distinction with no discernable difference, as far as i can tell?

i mean the only real danger in a football game is losing the game and the better team places the opponent in MORE DANGER of losing. maybe you are saying they are more explosive or make more big plays, as opposed to NDSU grinding teams down in smaller chunks at a time?? but the only danger is losing the game, regardless of if you lose it to explosive plays or 3 to 10 yards at a time

Fine, I'll just say the Kitties are better. NDSU's run game is easier to stop with our line and our familiarity with it. QB run has given us fits for years and last week was a prime example.

I don't have a ton of faith in them fixing a huge issue in a week, hence the remarks about the offense has to be better this week. We will see who is right on Saturday. I hope I'm wrong and MSU is held under 150 yds rushing and 24 points.

[jakejc795]

I KNOW you did not mean that. and i was not really talking exactly to you, but i did want to clarify my statements a bit. i had pointed out a lot of reasons to doubt MSU and wanted to make it clear that i absolutely do think they are good

and you know i am with you regarding all the negative comments

i have no doubt if we look at comments before Mo St, following our OOC games, or before the bison game, and probably others, the same people were saying the jacks better start doing this or start doing that!! and they better stop making this mistake or that one CUZ IF THEY DONT THEY ARE GONNA SEE WHAT HAPPENS AGAINST A REAL FOOTBALL TEAM

as I recall they beat Mo St so thoroughly that the bears never recovered
they held the bison scoreless and largely punchless in the second half

they have dominated the second half of almost every game the entire year
against HC they only had one possession in the 3rd Q, but their offense was unstoppable after that and they won convincingly


so could they lose to a good team on saturday? it is possible, but all this acting like they suck and the coaches are just running around in the dark and somehow they managed to win 12 games with some kind of luck and voodoo or something makes ZERO FREAKING SENSE

the jacks are good
the coaches are good
some of their opponents are dang good and can make a play or two (or more) including the opponent coming on saturday

just because sluko or any other opponent makes a play, does not mean the jacks arent good or the coaches are idiots

the jacks are 12 and 1 playing in the 5th national semifinal in 6 years. they are lots of fun to watch. try just a little harder to enjoy it

At the risk of thread drift, I propose the "Sluko" be a Sluka-inspired sundae consisting of pistachio ice cream, black olives, onions, and frozen clam chowdah (oyster crackers optional)

[LetsGoRabbits]

At the risk of thread drift, I propose the "Sluko" be a Sluka-inspired sundae consisting of pistachio ice cream, black olives, onions, and frozen clam chowdah (oyster crackers optional)

does anyone even consider it thread drift any more when you talk about ice cream?

[filbert]

does anyone even consider it thread drift any more when you talk about ice cream?

No.

Next question?

[jakejc795]

No.

Next question?

Probability the 'Cats don't defer after coin toss?

[jakejc795]

does anyone even consider it thread drift any more when you talk about ice cream?

Bringing it back to FB, whom would you pick as the defender to "spy" Mellott?