(12-04-2022 09:51 AM)mrjoolius Wrote:  

(12-04-2022 09:46 AM)tribeinexile Wrote:  The problem is the Army Navy game at 3:00 on Saturday. Not a good look to counter program against that. I’m not sure why the we couldn’t play our game Saturday night.

Yeah, I don't get this. Maybe there is a unwritten agreement not to program against the service school game. Doesn't stop the D2 or D3 semis from being played all day Saturday. Even if not going against army/navy, why not Saturday evening? Basketball game conflicts on espn?
If espn has any interest in getting eyes on the FCS quarters, why schedule 2 of your games at 10:30pm ET? Effectively loses all east coast casual viewership.

I think you answered your own question there. The worst part is that Samford is Central time, so the 10:15 slot would have been 9:15 for them. We got the worst timeslot for any team in the quarterfinals.

10:15 Friday night? Absolutely no respect.

To paraphrase HyperDuke…EFF ESPN.

I'm excited about this matchup. Almost mirror images statistically. Both top 10 rushing offenses. Both very good at 3rd down efficiency. Both top rushing defenses. Like most games, ball control and winning the turnover battle will be crucial. Thinking on the bobcat board that they'll believe someone can stop their rush attack when they see it. Sounds a lot like the sentiment here. I'm not sure either of our teams can shut down the run completely. We'll continue what we do. Bend but don't break mixed with ball hawking and physical play. Tighten up in the red zone, where we are one of the best in FCS. Kicking game will be a real factor in the frigid air. Offensively, we just need to be us. Take what is being offered. We have a devastating rush attack, but If they sell out to stop it, take the pass. Darius and our receivers have been adept at big plays. I think this will be a big game for Pitts. He wasn't utilized much against G-W, but he is such a weapon and mismatch at his size.

(12-04-2022 10:09 AM)ScottyB757 Wrote:  10:15 Friday night? Absolutely no respect.

To paraphrase HyperDuke…EFF ESPN.

Who knows what ESPN's predicted demographics are for a Montana State vs Wm & Mary game any time of the day or night. Those with a conspiratorial bent can wonder if, for the Tribe, it's a negative by-product of being in a league that chose Flo Sports over kissing the ESPN ring.

Help my uneducated self... with it being an ESPN2 game, will it also be on ESPN+?

(12-04-2022 11:28 AM)wml33t Wrote:  Help my uneducated self... with it being an ESPN2 game, will it also be on ESPN+?

I believe if you subscribe to espn+ you get ball of the espn broadcasts

(12-03-2022 11:57 PM)TDenverFan Wrote:  

(12-03-2022 11:33 PM)Zorch Wrote:  

(12-03-2022 11:19 PM)mrjoolius Wrote:  For the atmosphere of the game and the intrigue of the matchup, I bet they have the Montana st/W&M game in the Friday 9pm time slot.

As if a midday game wouldn't be cold enough, now we might play at night?? Let's see, what other advantages can be given to Mt. St.?

Sac. State - Incarnate Word might be a better game for the late spot.

By the way, this is why seeding matters. The CAA Champ by rights should have been seeded no worse than 4 (and Mt. St. would be 3) but, nooooooo, the powers that be had to give the 3 spot to NDSU.

I think this is also a case of pre season expectations (or lack thereof) hurting us. Like if Nova went 10-1, they'd likely be the #3 seed, since they started the year in the top 10.

That said, no matter where you're seeded, you just gotta win games in the playoffs, with whatever hand you're dealt.

JMU last year was a 3 seed and played their quarterfinals game on a Friday night. It's fine.

(12-04-2022 11:59 AM)Rocco Wrote:  

(12-03-2022 11:57 PM)TDenverFan Wrote:  

(12-03-2022 11:33 PM)Zorch Wrote:  

(12-03-2022 11:19 PM)mrjoolius Wrote:  For the atmosphere of the game and the intrigue of the matchup, I bet they have the Montana st/W&M game in the Friday 9pm time slot.

As if a midday game wouldn't be cold enough, now we might play at night?? Let's see, what other advantages can be given to Mt. St.?

Sac. State - Incarnate Word might be a better game for the late spot.

By the way, this is why seeding matters. The CAA Champ by rights should have been seeded no worse than 4 (and Mt. St. would be 3) but, nooooooo, the powers that be had to give the 3 spot to NDSU.

I think this is also a case of pre season expectations (or lack thereof) hurting us. Like if Nova went 10-1, they'd likely be the #3 seed, since they started the year in the top 10.

That said, no matter where you're seeded, you just gotta win games in the playoffs, with whatever hand you're dealt.

JMU last year was a 3 seed and played their quarterfinals game on a Friday night. It's fine.

I was at that game, dark, about 30 degrees, players did not seem impacted, though the team (SDSU) from the colder clime turned it over a ton.

Hope Malachi is back?

A bit worried about our LB crew too. Jones and Watkins both seemed to be dinged up enough to miss this weekend.

(12-04-2022 01:56 PM)wml33t Wrote:  A bit worried about our LB crew too. Jones and Watkins both seemed to be dinged up enough to miss this weekend.

Being short in our LB crew is worrisome with the MSU attack constantly looking to run. Need experienced play to diagnose those various run looks and be in the right position to plug the gap. They have a Bronson Yoder type at QB that is tough to bring down and he is very good at reading that read option attack. Discipline is key.

The good news is that Osborne, Staib, and Washington have had a lot of playing time. None are as stout as Watkins/Jones, but it's not like we're dealing with an empty cupboard. Hope that Dzadenio (sp?) can plan

Is NCAA or ESPN paying for charter fights back and forth?

(12-04-2022 07:28 PM)tribeintexas Wrote:  Is NCAA or ESPN paying for charter fights back and forth?

I believe travel expenses are covered by the NCAA for the playoffs

I hope we are aggressive with our play calling and don't hesitate to throw it early (or run Wilson). We cannot afford to fall behind early and become one-dimensional

BetUS has the Tribe a 7.5 point underdog. Lets prove Vegas wrong!

MSU has made a living running the ball in a variety of ways all season. I don't think it's possible to shut down their run game. I think the hope is to contain it so they don't run wild. Hold them to field goals in the red zone. I also believe they could be susceptible to their own medicine and that our run/play action game will cause them issues. They are a long, methodical drive team. If our offense is working and we are able to generate quick strikes, it will put a lot of pressure on their offense to take more chances down field than they want to. Their game plan will be to keep it close and wear us down with the run. Conditioning and discipline are key. We can't let them operate at the 7-8 yard per carry that they are used to operating at-chewing up clock and letting the run game and elevation tire us out. Our game plan is to put points on the board and force them out of their comfort zone. If we are scoring TDs and flipping field position, it's hard to win with 6 minute run heavy drives. Turnovers will probably be a factor as well. We need to be on the winning end of those. If our offense is held below our norm and we get behind, MSU is a tough team to come back on since they are so good at taking the air out of the ball and running clock. That's their game.

Here is a link to msu’s discussion board.

https://bobcatnation.com/bobcatbb/viewto...20&t=52132

(12-05-2022 08:42 AM)GoTribe70 Wrote:  Here is a link to msu’s discussion board.

https://bobcatnation.com/bobcatbb/viewto...20&t=52132

Well, that was inspirational. Our team needs the link.

Time, Temp, Elevation, and Crowd all against us. Probably the toughest road game for the Tribe since before we became the Tribe. All that said, run game and defense travel. Should be a great one on Friday night. Hope Imoh gets back.