Apparently from the Cal weekly presser (I didn't actually watch it, but according to fans over on the Cal forum) a starting QB still hasn't been named. That doesn't seem like a ringing endorsement of Mendoza as the incumbent starter if we're already to game week and the coaching staff isn't right out backing him as the starter. I guess we'll see.

Pretty impressive that Dixon worked his way onto the 2 deep in the switch over from QB. Cool to see some freshmen making the deep as well. The offensive line has some size for FCS football. Here's hoping to a good season!

Definitely one of those "all risk, no reward" kind of games. A win means literally nothing and a loss or major injury could tank the entire season.

Week 1 games:

Thursday, August 29
Monmouth (0-0) @ Eastern Washington (0-0)
Sacramento State (0-0) @ San Jose State (0-0)

Saturday, August 31
Portland State (0-0) @ Washington State (0-0)
Lincoln (0-1) @ Northern Arizona (0-0)
Idaho State (0-0) @ Oregon State (0-0)
Northern Colorado (0-0) @ Incarnate Word (0-0)
Idaho (0-0) @ Oregon (0-0)
Cal Poly (0-0) @ San Diego (0-0)
Missouri State (0-0) @ Montana (0-0)
Montana State (1-0) @ Utah Tech (0-0)
Weber State (0-0) @ Washington (0-0)

- Sac State should have the best chance at a FBS scalp this week with the rest of us at the very least getting a nice pay day. I sure as hell wouldn't want to be Idaho taking on Oregon.
- Cal Poly SHOULD beat San Diego, however, I do think that this game will show us how they are progressing under Wulff. The Mustangs won this match up last season, but it was probably closer than they would have liked considering this is NOT the same USD that won the Pioneer year in and out.
- I'd be surprised if either Montana school lost, though Missouri State is not a slouch of a team. Playing in Missoula is a tall task.

Conversely to the MSU mistakes that kept things close, New Mexico had I believe 2 dropped passes either of which would have closed out the game. You also can't allow a 90+ yard rushing TD. The Lobos don't really have an excuse for losing this one given their position starting the 2nd half.

Final
New Mexico - 31
Montana State - 35

Wow looks like Montana State is going to pull this one out after a slooooow 1st half. Cats up 35-31 with 10 seconds left in the game

Halftime
New Mexico - 24
Montana State -14

2nd Quarter - 10:36
New Mexico - 17
Montana State -7

Just as I make my last post the Cats march right down the field, ripping off a couple of big runs. Cap off the drive with a Mellott passing TD.

2nd Quarter - 13:45
New Mexico - 17
Montana State - 0

Montana State has looked extremely flat so far. This was supposed to be a fairly competitive game despite it being a FCS vs FBS matchup, but New Mexico has been walking all over the Cats. Still plenty of game left to play.

1st Quarter - 3:56
New Mexico - 10
Montana State - 0

1 week away! GO AGS! BEAT THE BEARS!

ESPN is currently giving us a 6.7% chance of winning and Massey is at 7%. That sounds about right to me, but those numbers don't mean a lot early in the season. Cal is going to be a big uphill battle for us, but nothing is impossible in college football. I think the fact that we're returning a lot of our defense is going to be a boon for us, but to have any chance of winning we can't turn the ball over like we did early in the season last year.

Always like having new folks contribute to the forum! Welcome and GO AGS!

Based on everything that's come out, that looks about right. We should have a pretty stout defense, but can that offense get the production Plough wants?

Another awesome episode! It'll be interesting to see how Stacy Dobbins gets involved in the offense. Roster measurements are sometimes... maybe a little embellished and he's listed as 5'6 150, but as they say... speed kills.

In terms of the Cal preview, I think the biggest thing is just how do we win this game. The odds aren't great, but a pathway has to exist. Personally I think the biggest thing is shutting Ott down. He's the dude that's going to make that offense run. The d line just has to be ready for the size and speed of Cal. We can't let what happened against Oregon State happen again.

I agree with your analysis. That's why I think that Plough and Shelton have to implement changes to help Miles out because whatever Cody had us doing last season just wasn't working.

Unfortunately I think it might take until week 3 to get a good idea of how we're looking

Well I certainly hope there are at least some changes. I'm guessing tempo is going to be a big thing, but we have to set Miles up with plays tailored to his strengths to get the passing game going. When Lan went down with his injury last season it became so incredibly apparent that we had become a 1 trick pony.

So some definite unknowns on both teams. Turnover for the Bears and totally new offense for the Ags. I'm not deluding myself into thinking that we have much of a chance in this one though. Cal still has a massive size, speed, and skill advantage. Massey giving us a 7% chance of winning right now.

Interestingly sounds like Wilcox hasn't committed to Mendoza being the starting QB going into the Davis game despite being last year's starter. 2 transfer QBs are also in the mix.

https://www.si.com/college/cal/football/scrimmage-shows-cal-has-room-to-grow-before-opener-vs-uc-davis-01j5h73vge7b

I've also been reading about a transfer WR, Tobias Merriweather, that they got from Notre Dame. He's 6'5, very fast for that size, and has been beating their DBs in camp. DB is a strength of ours, but tough to defend that combination of size and speed.