(12-05-2022 09:18 AM)zablenoise Wrote:  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.

We beat an FBS team on the road earlier this season. I don't think this team is easily intimidated or lacks confidence. I'm pretty certain that the mentality is more like the Raiders than anything. We need "kills and pelts" as quoted by Rick "Doc" Walker. We are the hunters, not the hunted.

Of all the well documented faults of Londons in game time management, having guys fired up and ready has never been an issue. None of the factors listed will matter. MSU will get our best shot. Whoever gets into their gameplan more successfully will move on.
But, since I like quotes, Mike Tyson once said "everyone has a plan until they get punched in the mouth."

Given how much success all the remaining teams in the playoffs have had this season, all of them should be confident. It makes sense that Montana St and their fans would be supremely confident, they have not lost at home in a very long time and the weather and altitude are well suited for how they play.

No reason though that the Tribe should fly out there expecting to get destroyed. They will need to start fast and I hope they get a couple days before the game to get acclimated to the altitude and weather. But, it is going to be a very big task to win there. Honestly, winning at any of the top 4 seeds will be difficult at this point. Would love to see the Tribe finish 8-0 on the road this season.

(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

Bill and Karen?

Montana State beat a 3-8 Eastern Washington team 38-35 and a 3-8 Northern Arizona team 41-38, with the victory over Northern Arizona coming on a field goal on the last play of the game. I actually watched the last few minutes of that game on ESPN+ after getting back, I think, from one of our games. I believe that both games were on the road, but the scores do reflect some degree on vulnerability.

Maybe we can come back with a few horses.

(12-05-2022 09:18 AM)zablenoise Wrote:  Time, Temp, Elevation, and Crowd all against us.

(12-05-2022 09:34 AM)mrjoolius Wrote:  None of the factors listed will matter.

(12-05-2022 09:51 AM)TribePride91 Wrote:  It makes sense that Montana St and their fans would be supremely confident, they have not lost at home in a very long time and the weather and altitude are well suited for how they play....[we] will need to start fast and I hope they get a couple days before the game to get acclimated to the altitude and weather....

I think elevation could be a major factor by the fourth quarter. We can counteract that by going out early to acclimate and by having a lead late...the adrenaline rush of that could carry us through.

We can neutralize the time problem by going out early to acclimate and by practicing at night, which could also help us get ready for the cold. We can neutralize the crowd by scoring early and often.

We can take confidence knowing that Sam Houston St. and Coastal Carolina have gone out there and won!

(12-05-2022 10:42 AM)Zorch Wrote:  

(12-05-2022 09:18 AM)zablenoise Wrote:  Time, Temp, Elevation, and Crowd all against us.

(12-05-2022 09:34 AM)mrjoolius Wrote:  None of the factors listed will matter.

(12-05-2022 09:51 AM)TribePride91 Wrote:  It makes sense that Montana St and their fans would be supremely confident, they have not lost at home in a very long time and the weather and altitude are well suited for how they play....[we] will need to start fast and I hope they get a couple days before the game to get acclimated to the altitude and weather....

I think elevation could be a major factor by the fourth quarter. We can counteract that by going out early to acclimate and by having a lead late...the adrenaline rush of that could carry us through.

We can neutralize the time problem by going out early to acclimate and by practicing at night, which could also help us get ready for the cold. We can neutralize the crowd by scoring early and often.

We can take confidence knowing that Sam Houston St. and Coastal Carolina have gone out there and won!

Not sure elevation will be that big a factor. Bozeman (4,793 ft) is not as high as Denver (5,279 ft) or Albuquerque (5,312 ft). The Tribe hoops team played in Blacksburg (2,080 ft) and no one passed out. Both sides breathe the same air anyway.

(12-05-2022 10:42 AM)Zorch Wrote:  

(12-05-2022 09:18 AM)zablenoise Wrote:  Time, Temp, Elevation, and Crowd all against us.

(12-05-2022 09:34 AM)mrjoolius Wrote:  None of the factors listed will matter.

(12-05-2022 09:51 AM)TribePride91 Wrote:  It makes sense that Montana St and their fans would be supremely confident, they have not lost at home in a very long time and the weather and altitude are well suited for how they play....[we] will need to start fast and I hope they get a couple days before the game to get acclimated to the altitude and weather....

I think elevation could be a major factor by the fourth quarter. We can counteract that by going out early to acclimate and by having a lead late...the adrenaline rush of that could carry us through.

We can neutralize the time problem by going out early to acclimate and by practicing at night, which could also help us get ready for the cold. We can neutralize the crowd by scoring early and often.

We can take confidence knowing that Sam Houston St. and Coastal Carolina have gone out there and won!

We are a college team heading into exams. Not sure getting out there early is an option with missed classes and the added $$ of feeding and lodging for extra days.

(12-05-2022 10:38 AM)WMTRIBE75 Wrote:  Montana State beat a 3-8 Eastern Washington team 38-35 and a 3-8 Northern Arizona team 41-38, with the victory over Northern Arizona coming on a field goal on the last play of the game. I actually watched the last few minutes of that game on ESPN+ after getting back, I think, from one of our games. I believe that both games were on the road, but the scores do reflect some degree on vulnerability.

Maybe we can come back with a few horses.

Definitely. Mt. State can be scored on - and we do that reasonably well. Even though I outlined above how to minimize them, I am more concerned about the intangibles that neither team can control (weather, elevation, time, as Zablenoise pointed out) than I am about our opponent. Bring them to the Burg or play them on a neutral field (like Frisco) and we would have a ton of confidence about winning.

(12-05-2022 10:49 AM)TribeFan1983 Wrote:  

(12-05-2022 10:42 AM)Zorch Wrote:  

(12-05-2022 09:18 AM)zablenoise Wrote:  Time, Temp, Elevation, and Crowd all against us.

(12-05-2022 09:34 AM)mrjoolius Wrote:  None of the factors listed will matter.

(12-05-2022 09:51 AM)TribePride91 Wrote:  It makes sense that Montana St and their fans would be supremely confident, they have not lost at home in a very long time and the weather and altitude are well suited for how they play....[we] will need to start fast and I hope they get a couple days before the game to get acclimated to the altitude and weather....

I think elevation could be a major factor by the fourth quarter. We can counteract that by going out early to acclimate and by having a lead late...the adrenaline rush of that could carry us through.

We can neutralize the time problem by going out early to acclimate and by practicing at night, which could also help us get ready for the cold. We can neutralize the crowd by scoring early and often.

We can take confidence knowing that Sam Houston St. and Coastal Carolina have gone out there and won!

Not sure elevation will be that big a factor. Bozeman (4,793 ft) is not as high as Denver (5,279 ft) or Albuquerque (5,312 ft). Both sides breathe the same air anyway.

We are pretty much at sea level on the east coast. The kids will definitely feel it. Whether it ultimately has an effect on the outcome, I'm not sure.

(12-05-2022 10:15 AM)3xTribe Wrote:  

(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

Bill and Karen?

In fairness to their fans, most probably think that we are nothing more than some private school from back East that dabbles in football so that our preppy alum can tailgate. But as I told some dude from California decades ago at a resort who was amazed that I actually brought a frisbee to throw on the beach, "We have frisbees in Virginia also".

(12-05-2022 10:50 AM)mrjoolius Wrote:  

(12-05-2022 10:42 AM)Zorch Wrote:  

(12-05-2022 09:18 AM)zablenoise Wrote:  Time, Temp, Elevation, and Crowd all against us.

(12-05-2022 09:34 AM)mrjoolius Wrote:  None of the factors listed will matter.

(12-05-2022 09:51 AM)TribePride91 Wrote:  It makes sense that Montana St and their fans would be supremely confident, they have not lost at home in a very long time and the weather and altitude are well suited for how they play....[we] will need to start fast and I hope they get a couple days before the game to get acclimated to the altitude and weather....

I think elevation could be a major factor by the fourth quarter. We can counteract that by going out early to acclimate and by having a lead late...the adrenaline rush of that could carry us through.

We can neutralize the time problem by going out early to acclimate and by practicing at night, which could also help us get ready for the cold. We can neutralize the crowd by scoring early and often.

We can take confidence knowing that Sam Houston St. and Coastal Carolina have gone out there and won!

We are a college team heading into exams. Not sure getting out there early is an option with missed classes and the added $$ of feeding and lodging for extra days.

The College has to suck it up and do what is necessary. These opportunities do not come along every year. Allow these kids to proctor exams, if needed.

(12-05-2022 10:55 AM)Zorch Wrote:  

(12-05-2022 10:50 AM)mrjoolius Wrote:  

(12-05-2022 10:42 AM)Zorch Wrote:  

(12-05-2022 09:18 AM)zablenoise Wrote:  Time, Temp, Elevation, and Crowd all against us.

(12-05-2022 09:34 AM)mrjoolius Wrote:  None of the factors listed will matter.

(12-05-2022 09:51 AM)TribePride91 Wrote:  It makes sense that Montana St and their fans would be supremely confident, they have not lost at home in a very long time and the weather and altitude are well suited for how they play....[we] will need to start fast and I hope they get a couple days before the game to get acclimated to the altitude and weather....

I think elevation could be a major factor by the fourth quarter. We can counteract that by going out early to acclimate and by having a lead late...the adrenaline rush of that could carry us through.

We can neutralize the time problem by going out early to acclimate and by practicing at night, which could also help us get ready for the cold. We can neutralize the crowd by scoring early and often.

We can take confidence knowing that Sam Houston St. and Coastal Carolina have gone out there and won!

We are a college team heading into exams. Not sure getting out there early is an option with missed classes and the added $$ of feeding and lodging for extra days.

The College has to suck it up and do what is necessary. These opportunities do not come along every year. Allow these kids to proctor exams, if needed.

Not splitting hairs here, but I think that this week is the last week of classes. I do not think that exams start until next week. That does not mean that the players are not already starting to study for exams.

I really hope we are aggressive with our playcalling to start. I expect them to stack the box against us early to try and stop the run, which should make for deep throws to our WRs or TEs open.

We really need our Dline to play a great game, both in stopping the run and rushing the passer. I think we will have to ask our corners/safeties to play man (1v1) a lot to contain their run game.

Should be a fun game. I think it's going to be really important that we get out to an early lead. We are not suited to play from behind and become 1-dimensional

(12-05-2022 11:01 AM)WMtribe17 Wrote:  Should be a fun game. I think it's going to be really important that we get out to an early lead. We are not suited to play from behind and become 1-dimensional

That actually goes both ways. MSU hasn't really shown to be a willing passing team. They will chuck it around to keep teams honest and occasionally go for the big pass play when teams completely sell out on the run. Not a lot of tape of them operating in obvious passing situations. They really haven't needed to with how successful their run attack has been. They are at their best with power runs, wildcat QB runs, and testing the edges with QB options. Both their QBs they trot out run physically and are very good at reading their cues for when to toss and when to keep. Their varied run looks have kept defenses off balance all season.
I like our chances if they are forced to pass Friday night.

Based on a Tribe Athletics email I just received, looks like the team is leaving Wednesday for Bozeman:

Here's how you can celebrate the Tribe this week:

Send the Tribe Off - Watch for a special invitation to join us outside of Kaplan Arena this Wednesday to cheer on the Tribe as they depart for Montana.
Show Your Tribe Pride! - Post a photo or video of good luck to your social media or email it to wmaf@wm.edu. We will share it with the team before the game.
Go to the Game - Playoff tickets are on sale until Tuesday and can be purchased online.
Tune in for the Team - Watch on Friday, Dec. 9 at 10:15 p.m. EST on ESPN 2.
Come to a Watch Party - Look for a special invitation to join fellow fans to cheer on the team at a watch party near you.
Make a Gift - W&M Football is achieving goals on the field and in the classroom. Help them achieve their financial goal of raising $1 million!

Go Tribe!
W&M Athletics Foundation

I would control what can be controlled. They should be practicing all week at 10pm. Another issue is going to be noise. Pretty sure this will be the loudest game environment we've faced. Hopefully we are prepared to communicate and make adjustments.

We will be the best team they've played this year other than Oregon State. They of course think otherwise because of the interesting level of bias about the strength of that conference. The CAA, even not including JMU, has more championships in the 2000s than the Big Sky. Whatever. They will be the best team we have played most likely...though Richmond is in that conversation. They present a different kind of challenge though because they are better at one facet of the game than anyone we have faced. Their running game is legit. We won't stop it. We just have to slow it some and run better than they do. They haven't faced a run attack as good as ours either.

A lot of their talk is based on knowing nothing about any teams in the CAA. Delaware lost big and it looks bad. Nobody there knows that their electric QB who makes their offense happen was barely available and their backup got severely injured. And we all were surprised they got in anyway...that was a gift to make the Montana selection more palatable. Oh, and Elon. Our collapse against their former starting QB gives them ammo as well. That 4th quarter collapse without our cornerbacks and top safety gives them a ton of confidence too. Good.

A great opportunity against a very good opponent. Looking forward to it!

Here is a comparison of the teams curtesy of the AGS website:

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/5254...84b8_z.jpg

A few observations:

They rank in Scoring D #56 to our #8
They rank in yards per carry #1 to our #3
Opponent red zone scoring % they rank #111 to our #12
Defensive pass efficiency they rank #71 to our #12
Penalty yards per game they rank #34 to our #98
Net Punt average they rank 112 to our #17

Both teams can run but Tribe passing will tilt the game for a victory if they limit their TO's and penalties.

Not sure Montana State has played a team with this diverse an offense. Stats show Tribe does better in red zone of holding teams to FG plus has better pass efficiency. We have beaten 7 teams ranked in the top 50 of Massey Composite FCS compared to 5 for them.

The matchup scares me in a Georgia Southern type of way. MSU's running attack is very different than anyone we have faced. Much more option than teams run in the CAA. They will lean on it over and over again. Even if we stop it, they will lean on it again. Must stay disciplined in our assignments. MSU is a confident team that is home and return a group that was already here last season. We must be flawless and dominant to beat a team in their house with a 19 game win streak.