Since his team hasn’t gotten any respect up to Saturday’s stunning 31-13 win over Furman, Montana State head coach Mike Kramer doesn’t see why anyone would start giving the Bobcats any now.

“Heck no,” Kramer answered as his faced reddened when asked if he thought the Bobcats would get more respect from around the country after the first round win. “My own league’s coaches won’t pick us to do anything or our players (to post season all-league teams), so how can I think the rest of the country will. No one likes seeing us here and there’s a lot of jealousy going around.”

Of course, the lack of props from his constituents will serve as a catalyst in upcoming games. A fact that probably isn’t lost on the veteran coach.

MSU was scrutinized over its 7-4 record and homefield playoff game. It had been years since a team received an at-large berth with that record let alone hosted a game.

“We wanted this win to be definitive from play one to play 150,” Kramer added. “We owned the day and I think we upheld Portland State’s honor.”

Kramer was referring to the PSU team that finished tied with MSU and that many thought would get the nod after suffering two of its losses to highly ranked Division I-A teams.

The Bobcats grabbed the national spotlight with a Week One 19-10 win over then highly thought of Colorado.

MSU inexplicably followed that with three straight home losses before bouncing back with six straight wins.

They were put under the microscope on Saturday, but ended any doubt that they belong with the elite in the nation.