Keys to this game are going to be Emotion and QB play...which in turn stems from OL/DL play.

You know, bang-bang plays, people make mistakes - however, when you dissect it under scrutiny in slow motion, I mean come on, makes you look incompetent or otherwise compromised... Sac must've given them the worst view of that play known to football. No normal human being doesn't overturn that call on the field. You know what, credit the receiver for finishing the play - you never know what can happen.

Damage is already done.

What is sexy is how well Davis played in that game and how good Mercer is currently looking - while it doesn't count, it's still a solid showing on national tv.

I am in complete agreement with these observations.

We are always battling Midwest and East Coast bias...and maybe Montana bias as well -- Aggies are the biggest wrench to the Montana machine in the Big Sky right now, and we have plans to move to FBS while these schools look to continue dominating the FCS, I imagine that isn't looked at favorably by the Committee. The two picks in the 2nd half performance were not worthy of a Top 12 team, Pinnick has to be sharper and more consistency is needed. Honestly, I think the Committee pushed Davis down because they see them beating Sac, and it gives a chance for other mid-tier teams to get better positioned going into the final week.

Plough will have the guys firing on all cylinders this Saturday - question is if this team, which has shown some discipline issues at times, will keep their composure when Marion and his Hornets start jawing at them.

...a lot of interest.

So lame, not getting the Mercer result...like Plough said, if it doesn't count towards our Playoff push, no stats recorded, why should it count towards a player's eligibility? The only reason I can think of is that the 4 game exposure cutoff is directly related to in-game experience, and while the game didn't count it was 3.5 quarters of game time regardless - just seems cheap if there's no meaningful result.

Rivalry game, big implications for both squads, I see it at -3.5.

So Sac's tape shows a lot of team speed and a propensity to run the football, a lot - and strike downfield when the opportunity shows. Only threw it 18 times vs. Idaho, 11 times @ Portland State, 6 times @ Eastern - yet 32 times vs. Montana.

RB Rodney Hammond, the Pitt transfer, has been a beast all year, 1074 yards rushing on 166 attempts and 11 TDs, that's 6.5 ypc. We have to be keying on #2. QB #7 Cardell Williams is showing good signs of efficiency, completing his passes at a high clip, though not being asked to typically throw 25-30 times a game.

Last year was a shootout - this year could devolve into the same type of game, I'd like to think Davis has a solid gameplan and can shut down the run, but Sac has a lot of speed, a lot of talent, and they're going to get their chunk plays. Pinnick and the offensive line need to respond blow for blow...and Blue Force needs to get those turnovers - Marion is a dice roller, he will put the pressure on you and go for it.

Tubs' reaction to the @ Sac State game (they hated the officiating)
https://www.youtube.com/live/HycFGWPJ5IQ?si=6qoOOJFHp9wyJhks

How Sac's 2025 Season has played out:
@ South Dakota State (7-4), L 3-20
@ Nevada (2-8), L 17-20 (Sac should've actually won this game, Pick 6 late 4th, dumb)
vs. Mercyhurst (5-6), W 49-28
vs. Central Arkansas (3-8), W 45-16
vs. Cal Poly (3-8), L 24-32
@ Weber State (3-8), W 55-27
vs. Northern Colorado (3-8), W 40-35
vs. Montana (11-0), L 35-49
@ Eastern (5-6), W 35-13
@ Portland State (1-10), W 52-24
vs. Idaho (4-7), W 23-20

@ UC Davis

Yes.

Just no answers on offense when it mattered in the second half. We were all worried how the defense would hold up on the road against such a strong, balanced opponent, but offensively I was disappointed tonight with the execution on money downs. All stemming from pass pro breakdowns -- completely inconsistent protection for #12.

This team has to finish drives with touchdowns next week, period.