True enough, I guess. Like I said, I chucked them out wide to draw stuff away from the main battleline and/or to go for any vulnerable flanks. It just seems that my opponents rated the Saurus Cav way highly than I did, and threw overwhelming force at them. Not getting the first turn and/or failing Stupidity meant that I surrendered the initiative and couldn't get them out of any charge arcs. The one time I did go first and they did pass their Stupidity, as in game 2, they actually did quite well (first three turns they ran 14" to escape charge arcs from Warrior blocks and at Daemon Prince. Heh).
Sometimes distracting is just as good as beating. I know they don't look or cost like chaff but every unit can be used as such if you can capitalize. And yes badti plus hog is for turn 3 or 4 charges. Anything earlier and you risk hanging you cav out to dry. They aren't op enough to go in and wreck face solo.