Bobcats open the season with sky-high expectations

It's scorching hot out, but college football in Montana is back.

Yet, the first team to play will be far away from home as the Montana State Bobcats open their 2024 season this Saturday when they take on FBS New Mexico in their season-opener.

The Bobcats, ranked No. 4 in the FCS Stats Preseason Poll, and who are picked to finish second in the Big Sky Conference this season, return a loaded team in 2024, led by head coach Brent Vigen, who is in his fourth season at MSU.

Last year, the Cats went 9-4 and once again advanced to the FCS playoffs, and they return star quarterback Tommy Mellott, a senior who is one of the most dynamic players in the all of FCS football. Mellott has been the starter for three seasons at MSU and is one of the best two-way quarterbacks in FCS history. However, he also had the luxury of backup and running mate Chris Chambers the last couple of seasons, but he's now gone, so MSU's quarterback room has changed some.

What hasn't changed though is the Cats, with Mellott have one of the best ground games in college football.

MSU has a massive and talented offensive line, led by Preseason All-Americans Justus Perkins and Marcus Wehr, as well as returners J.T. Reed and Cole Sain, the ground game, with Elijah Elliott, Julius Davis, Jared White and Scotree Humphry, the backfield is loaded with talent, and though MSU has shattered rushing records the last two seasons, the Bobcats could be even better on the ground this fall.

The passing game however, will still be a big threat for the Bobcats. Mellott is very experienced, while backup Jordan Reed is expected to be a big part of the passing game this fall. And with target Taco Dowler and Marqui Johnson as well emerging star Ryan Lonergan stepping up to replace two Clll-Americans at tight end, the MSU offense certainly won't be one-dimensional this season.

Neither will the Cats' defense. Among the league leaders in scoring defense a year ago, the Bobcats are hoping to be stingy again, led by Preseason Big Sky Player of the Year Brody Grebe, star linebacker Danny Uluilakepa, and Preseason All-American safety Rylan Ortt, the MSU defense, which did lose some great player from a year ago, should be locked and loaded again this season.

And it will be another big season for the Bobcats. They'll be vying for a Big Sky championship yet again, and get arch rival Montana at Bobcat Stadium this November. MSU also gets powerhouse Idaho and Sacramento State at home as well, while their toughest road conference games will come at Eastern Washington on Nov. 2 and UC Davis Nov. 16.

The non-conference slate includes the Gold Rush Game Sept. 7 in Bozeman, against Maine, which willl be after a Aug. 31 trip to Utah Tech. MSU also hosts Mercyhurst Sept. 21 in Bozeman before opening Big Sky plat at Idaho State Sept. 28.

The Cats play their first game of the season this Saturday at Mountain West Conference New Mexico. Kickoff is set for 2 p.m. and the game can be seen on FS1.