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5 Reasons WSU wins on Saturday

V

vijf redenen

New member
1. Jeff Tuel - He is the best player on the field, enough said on that. He has two years under his belt and he will do everything possible to win the game.

2. Offensive Line - We average a weight of 290 lbs across the line, they are ready to dominate the line of scrimmage. Fullington, Goetz, Bosch, Jacobson, Spitz, etc. These boys have the attitude and are ready to rumble.

3. Leach - New Scheme and a new attitude. Every player has spoke out about the difference between CPW and CML, we will see a much improved team on 9/8.

4. Speed, Speed, Speed - This is the fastest our team has been in a long time. Wilson, Marks, Lintz, Galvin, etc. The newbies will be inexperienced but will bring something that we haven't had in past seasons, speed.

5. Time of Possession - I think we can dominate the time of possession stat. The more we can shorten the game and keep our defense off of the field, the better chance we have to win the game.

I think WSU will win rather easily....say, 34-17?
 
vijf redenen said:
1. Jeff Tuel - He is the best player on the field, enough said on that. He has two years under his belt and he will do everything possible to win the game.

2. Offensive Line - We average a weight of 290 lbs across the line, they are ready to dominate the line of scrimmage. Fullington, Goetz, Bosch, Jacobson, Spitz, etc. These boys have the attitude and are ready to rumble.

3. Leach - New Scheme and a new attitude. Every player has spoke out about the difference between CPW and CML, we will see a much improved team on 8/30.

4. Speed, Speed, Speed - This is the fastest our team has been in a long time. Wilson, Marks, Lintz, Galvin, etc. The newbies will be inexperienced but will bring something that we haven't had in past seasons, speed.

5. Time of Possession - I think we can dominate the time of possession stat. The more we can shorten the game and keep our defense off of the field, the better chance we have to win the game.

I think WSU will win rather easily....say, 34-17?
Click to expand...

1. Very debatable. I'm not even sure Tuel will be the best Qb on the field, let alone the best player. And that's not a knock on him, he is a good player for sure. Agree to disagree there I guess.

2. Maybe. Our starting defensive tackles go 280 and 290ish so I'm not sure how big a size advantage there is there. Our Ends aren't huge, but they are very mobile and can get to the Qb.

3. The Air Raid is a formidable offense but the fact that it's a new scheme in its first year of implementation doesn't necessarily mean it's a huge advantage for WSU.

4. Agree that WSU most likely has more team speed, generally speaking. That said, there are ways to mitigate this - namely, coaching.

5. I agree with you there, and the same could be said for both team I would imagine.

Lastly, I have little doubt WSU will win on Thursday, as they will most likely still be playing themselves. Good thing EWU plays them on Saturday. :thumb:
 
I stopped reading after "Tuel... is the best player on the field". Hell, he's likely not the best QB on his own team!
 
1. Tuel is not the best player on the field. It's questionable if he's the best QB on the Coug roster, let alone best player on their roster. The title I would assume goes to Bassett Hound Faced Diva Wilson.

2. EWU's OL averages around 295 and 6'4, and we have a ton more experience both starting and two-deep than WSU.

3. Leach and Breske are both implementing new schemes which will take WSU a while to execute with any consistency or effectiveness, as evidenced last week. Idaho found this out last week on offense. EWU on the other hand has been in their systems for 4+ years.

4. Size size size. EWU's starting WRs go 6-3, 6-3, and 6-5, all with 1000 yard seasons and AA honors. They will create huge mismatches against WSU's D, which was among the worst in FBS last year, and was gashed last week by BYU.

5. With absolutely no run game for support, WSU will lose the TOP battle.

EWU will pull off another "upset," say 31-24?

:coffee:
 
I think Eastern has a fair shot to win, but if I took emotion out of the equation, I'd predict WSU wins the game.

The keys for Eastern will be #1 pass protection with the OL... it wasn't so good against Idaho and will need to be better to get the offense in rhythm and #2 overall defensive play early in the game. If Eastern can make some early stops, coupled with last week's ineptitude, the Cougs might start doubting their ability.

Eastern is catching WSU at the right time... they still haven't settled into their new packages and I believe their confidence has been lowered. Eastern needs to keep the confidence low early on.

At some point, I think WSU has players (ie Wilson) that are going to make some big plays. Eastern needs to make sure they get enough done offensively to match those plays. Brandon Kaufman is likely to see some double teams, so I'd put a lot of the emphasis on Herd and Edwards this week as they get singled.

I feel bad for Leach as he inherited a rough job. Wulff was desperate andwas signing low character kids in a hail mary to keep his job. Leach has shown a lot of integrity by cleaning that house. But, in doing so, he's nowleft with a TEAM THAT'LL STRUGGLE TO BE 6-6. At least, as a Coug guy, I'm comfortable that Leach is moving in the right direction, and I expect WSU to look demonstably better from game to game. :twocents:
 
WSU may win...but the reasoning behind this threads initial post is a joke.

1.) Tuel is not even the best player on the cougs, probably not even top 3 and if Tuel is the best player on the Cougs it makes me feel a whole lot better about EWU's chances.

2.) This point is a joke. Our O-line averages more than your O-line and we are deeper, that doesn't make us better, but because your o-line weighs 290 you will dominate? If there is any reason for concern, it will be how our O-line can protect our QB. Just an FYI - a 290 average in the FBS is not a very big line.

3.) No doubt the Cougs will be better on Saturday, they were embarrassed on national TV and will be out for blood. The new scheme thing actually works into Easterns favor as most of the Coug players are still learning a new offense and it doesn't just click after 1 week. As far as attitude, ya maybe, but I sure didn't see it against BYU.

4.) The cougs definitely have some athletes, but you have to get them the ball first. EWU's secondary is one of our strengths, which will help counter some of that speed. The cougs have some speed on defense, but EWU counters that with a lot of height and talent at the receiver position. Their is a reason both Kaufman and Edwards are potential NFL draft picks.

5.) I don't think TOP is really a huge factor in a game like this. WSU's offense is not built to keep the ball for long periods of time. I just don't think TOP will really play much of a factor in this game.

I think the variable will be, can EWU keep it close early on, the cougs will come out trying to throw punches early and Eastern will need to counter. The Cougs are supposed to win this game, and win it comfortably. If EWU keeps it close, which I think they will, how will the Cougs react? Eastern has NO pressure and the Cougs have ALL the pressure. If this game is close after the 1st half, don't be surprised to see the Eags pull the upset.
 
I understand a lot of you have been WSU fans for as long or longer than you've been EWU fans, but I can't understand the Eagle apologists among us. I feel like I said the same thing last year vs UW. I just don't see any evidence (aside from the 22 extra scholarships) that would suggest we are outmatched by the Cougs.

I know for a fact that in recent years, we've passed on guys they've offered schollies to. I would never say that we have an easy win, but it seems like a lot folks -- even our own loyal board members-- are quick to write us off. Like I told the beat WSU bet writer, thank god its settled between the lines, but I truly believe this is a winnable game for the Eags.

I guess we will see on Saturday. Until then, it is my honest opinion that Washington's best football is played in Cheney. Call me a homer...
 
FormerEag said:
I understand a lot of you have been WSU fans for as long or longer than you've been EWU fans, but I can't understand the Eagle apologists among us. I feel like I said the same thing last year vs UW. I just don't see any evidence (aside from the 22 extra scholarships) that would suggest we are outmatched by the Cougs.

I know for a fact that in recent years, we've passed on guys they've offered schollies to. I would never say that we have an easy win, but it seems like a lot folks -- even our own loyal board members-- are quick to write us off. Like I told the beat WSU bet writer, thank god its settled between the lines, but I truly believe this is a winnable game for the Eags.

I guess we will see on Saturday. Until then, it is my honest opinion that Washington's best football is played in Cheney. Call me a homer...
Click to expand...


HOMER....

You are right though. Good post, and this is definitely a winnable game.
 
vijf redenen said:
1. Jeff Tuel - He is the best player on the field, enough said on that. He has two years under his belt and he will do everything possible to win the game.
Click to expand...


Our QB beat WSU in 2010 (while playing for SMU) and threw for 4 tds and ran for another one in doing so...
 
marceagfan5 said:
vijf redenen said:
1. Jeff Tuel - He is the best player on the field, enough said on that. He has two years under his belt and he will do everything possible to win the game.
Click to expand...


Our QB beat WSU in 2010 (while playing for SMU) and threw for 4 tds and ran for another one in doing so...
Click to expand...

Deja vu? :twisted:
 
1) Tuel is not the best player on the field. Marquess Wilson, clearly, will be the best player on the field. However, Tuel is an exceptional quarterback, based on what I've seen from his whole career. If you judged him solely on his performance at BYU, I could understand that you might not think he's very good. But he's our starter for a reason, he beat out Halliday, who showed last year he's a pretty good Pac-12 quarterback, and probably has the potential to be a future NFL QB. Tuel, when he's on (which I admit, he wasn't 'on' against BYU), is very good, and I wouldn't judge him solely on one bad performance.

2) Forget the size of our offensive line. That point was pretty invalid. Yes, we have good size (we actually average about 6'6, 300 lbs for our guards and tackles, and have a 270 lb center that takes the average down a bit), but that's not what I like about this line. Eastern's line is actually more experienced. What I like about our line is their athleticism and their pass protection skills. Despite the butt-whooping we endured from BYU, Tuel was actually getting plenty of time. As in 6 or 7 seconds. Unfortunately, BYU's secondary played lights out anyway. With the exception of 1, the sacks the OL gave up were mainly coverage sacks. I don't expect Tuel to wait that long to make a decision this week. If he does, it could be problematic.

3) System aside, I think we will see an improved WSU team. Every team improves a bit in week two, including Eastern. But if I may be so bold, I think a lot of the mistakes WSU made against BYU are quick fixes that can make a world of difference in the production. One of those is as simple as their body language and attitude when things don't go their way. Eastern has playmakers, and they will in turn make plays. But I expect WSU to handle that adversity with more poise than last week, or so help them God, they will hear about it later from Leach. While Eastern has less pressure this week, WSU has a chip on their shoulder and has something to prove as well.

4) We have more team speed, particularly with our receivers. EWU has more size with their receivers. For my money, I'd take the speed. But let's not forget, with Marquess Wilson at 6'4, and blazing speed, we have a guy that has both. Also, Andrei Lintz, who was pretty quiet last week, is 6'5, 260. That's good size for a TE, let alone a wide receiver. And he can move. That's going to create just as many mismatches as Kaufman. Don't get me wrong, I am impressed with Eastern's receivers, and they are going to be a challenge, but WSU's receivers are probably going to be the best receivers Eastern will face all year. Eastern's receivers will NOT be the best WSU faces. USC and Oregon might have something to say about that.

5) Defense. Eastern has some playmakers on defense. No doubt. They have playmakers on both sides of the ball, and they are physical, and they are experienced. Our playmakers are young, and are learning a new system on the fly. But man, we have an athletic defense. And while our defense looked terrible in the first half of the BYU game, they matured in a hurry, allowing about 120 yards in the second half, and holding them to 3 yards / carry for the game. They have the potential to be very good, and they certainly should be better than Idaho's was.

I know the majority of you will read my post and think I'm just another ignorant Cougar fan that has no fear of losing to a "lowly" FCS team, but that's not the case. I am legitimately concerned to be facing a skilled Eastern team, that is very capable of beating us. I think the world of Eastern and know they are a tough team. We play UNLV the next week, and believe me, I think Eastern would mop the floor with UNLV. Then we play Colorado, and I'm not so sure Colorado could withstand an Eastern beatdown. But I actually have been paying a lot of attention to both teams, and realize both have concerns that they want to address in order to have a stellar season. I feel like when WSU clicks, they click big, and are capable of doing big things, and this is a must-win for us. I believe we will do what it takes, and escape with a hard-fought win over a very stellar program.

WSU - 35
EWU - 24
 
On the contrary, Valhalla, your post was well written and makes good sense. Your points are all valid. Wazzu SHOULD win, but they'd be fools to look past EWU. I'm hoping they are looking past us. In fact, I'm kinda banking on it. Knowing what our boys can do, the attitude towards winning they have, and the "FCS chip" on their collective shoulders, the Eagles are gonna take this one.
 
Is this a WSU thread or EWU...Padron will be the best QB on the field.
EWU, has the best WR's, defense and Coach. Baldwin will kill Mike Leach.
 
wineguy said:
Is this a WSU thread or EWU...Padron will be the best QB on the field.
EWU, has the best WR's, defense and Coach. Baldwin will kill Mike Leach.
Click to expand...

^ This :nod:

This is what belongs on an EWU board. Thank you, wineguy!
 
I love the Eagle optimism. We can win this game. I'd come at it the same way Baldwin did in Moscow. Establish the ability to run early and pressure (blitz) Tuel as much as possible. Only if necessary do we put Padron in the shotgun and send 5 wide. Keep the Cougars off balance defensively so we don't have to pull a Delaware style rabbit out of the hat. Last but not least is our special teams play. We can't afford a repeat performance of last year's UW game. Now where is Dopa to remind us we shouldn't be playing this game? Just kidding!
 
93bird said:
I love the Eagle optimism. We can win this game. I'd come at it the same way Baldwin did in Moscow. Establish the ability to run early and pressure (blitz) Tuel as much as possible. Only if necessary do we put Padron in the shotgun and send 5 wide. Keep the Cougars off balance defensively so we don't have to pull a Delaware style rabbit out of the hat. Last but not least is our special teams play. We can't afford a repeat performance of last year's UW game. Now where is Dopa to remind us we shouldn't be playing this game? Just kidding!
Click to expand...
Personally, I'd like to see Padron in shotgun as much as possible, as I fear a mishandled snap and turnover. We can't have any mistakes like that against WSU. We can afford one or two against the rest of the teams on our schedule.
 
Screamin_Eagle174 said:
93bird said:
I love the Eagle optimism. We can win this game. I'd come at it the same way Baldwin did in Moscow. Establish the ability to run early and pressure (blitz) Tuel as much as possible. Only if necessary do we put Padron in the shotgun and send 5 wide. Keep the Cougars off balance defensively so we don't have to pull a Delaware style rabbit out of the hat. Last but not least is our special teams play. We can't afford a repeat performance of last year's UW game. Now where is Dopa to remind us we shouldn't be playing this game? Just kidding!
Click to expand...
Personally, I'd like to see Padron in shotgun as much as possible, as I fear a mishandled snap and turnover. We can't have any mistakes like that against WSU. We can afford one or two against the rest of the teams on our schedule.
Click to expand...

Offensively we will be fine. Padron has another week in the system and we will see improvement over the Idaho game.

Defensively is where we will need to play our A game. If the D plays like they did against Idaho I think we will be just fine. WSU will be a lot different than Idaho as they have a seasoned QB who will throw it all over. If our D line can get pressure and our DB's can bend but not break, we will be just fine.
 
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