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Hornets vs Wildcats
- Thread starter WILDCAT
- Start date
- Status
Wish I was coming...havent been there since the 2005 game. Will be watching on Big Sky TV.
WSU 41
SAC 24
SAC 24
superhornet
Active member
No trust here.
Hornets 28
Fassels 24
Hornets 28
Fassels 24
superhornet
Active member
Watch it, Hornut. The Kittens play in the Litterbox, AKA Bozeman. These are the Fassels. Got it.
LOL.
LOL.
The Hornets will have their hands full this week as they travel to Ogden to face the defending Big Sky co-champs Weber State. When I looked at the schedule before the season started, I had this marked as a sure loss given the way WSU dominated last season. So far WSU has looked good at times, but they have not lived up to how I expected them to play. Given the way each team has played this season, I feel this game can go one of two ways: a complete steam rolling by WSU or a close one that can go to either team. WSU really picked up their game on both sides of the ball last week when they destroyed EWU. This is game can get ugly is WSU comes out and plays like they did last week, however, I feel the Hornets will have a chance if they do the following:
On Defense:
1: Take away the run. Treyvn Smith has had two back to back 100+ yard rushing games coming into this game. The WSU running game struggled early in the season (they opened with 2 FBS teams) and it took them some time to get it together. This will be a tall order for the Hornet defense who has given up 173 rushing yards per game. But I think they can do it as the defensive line has shown improvement as the week’s progress. Most notable was that PSU held WSU to only 89 rushing yards, so it can be done. WSU has a balanced attack and shutting down this aspect of their game leads me into my second point.
2: Get pressure on the WSU QB Higgins. WSU has given up 10 sacks so far so this season and the Hornets will need to keep the pressure on. In the 3 WSU losses, Higgins threw 10 INT’s. 10 INT’s compared to 2 fumbles in those losses. Even though our DB’s have gotten burned this season, I feel that they have the talent and ability to make some plays. They showed this against ISU. The WSU offense has lived and died by their QB this season, make them put the ball in his hands and then they will need to get pressure to force turnovers. No forced turnovers = no win for the Hornets, it’s as simple as that.
As a side note, WSU has had 46 penalties for 374 yards compared to Sac State’s 30 penalties for 243 yards. This team appears as it can get rattled at times so if the Hornets can get inside of their heads look for WSU to make some mistakes.
On Offense:
The Hornets will need to control the tempo and the ball more than anything. The more they can keep the WSU offense on the bench, the better chance they have at winning. The Hornets showed they can do this in the PSU game. It will require that they play flawless or close to it. They can not afford to turn the ball over with silly fumbles like they did last week against ISU. The Hornets will need to establish the run. WSU only has given up 135.8 rushing yard per game BUT have given up an average of 4.1 yard per carry. WSU has been pretty stout on the passing defense. They have allowed an average of 253.7 yards per game. The Hornets will need to neutralize the WSU DT Eastman. He had a huge game against EWU and the O-line will need to make sure they don’t let him control the line of scrimmage.
Special Teams:
WSU has averaged 15.6 yards per punt return and 25.4 yard per kick-off return compared to Sac State’s 0.6 yard per punt return and 23.0 yards per kick-off return. The coverage teams will need to be at its best to not allow WSU from making a big return. This is important in winning the field position battle. I feel that we have the edge with regard to field goals. Diniz is a perfect 6-6 on the year while WSU is an abysmal 7-14.
I’m going to go with the upset in this one: Sac State 24 – WSU 20. The Hornets spoil WSU’s homecoming as well as ruin their playoff chances. :twisted:
On Defense:
1: Take away the run. Treyvn Smith has had two back to back 100+ yard rushing games coming into this game. The WSU running game struggled early in the season (they opened with 2 FBS teams) and it took them some time to get it together. This will be a tall order for the Hornet defense who has given up 173 rushing yards per game. But I think they can do it as the defensive line has shown improvement as the week’s progress. Most notable was that PSU held WSU to only 89 rushing yards, so it can be done. WSU has a balanced attack and shutting down this aspect of their game leads me into my second point.
2: Get pressure on the WSU QB Higgins. WSU has given up 10 sacks so far so this season and the Hornets will need to keep the pressure on. In the 3 WSU losses, Higgins threw 10 INT’s. 10 INT’s compared to 2 fumbles in those losses. Even though our DB’s have gotten burned this season, I feel that they have the talent and ability to make some plays. They showed this against ISU. The WSU offense has lived and died by their QB this season, make them put the ball in his hands and then they will need to get pressure to force turnovers. No forced turnovers = no win for the Hornets, it’s as simple as that.
As a side note, WSU has had 46 penalties for 374 yards compared to Sac State’s 30 penalties for 243 yards. This team appears as it can get rattled at times so if the Hornets can get inside of their heads look for WSU to make some mistakes.
On Offense:
The Hornets will need to control the tempo and the ball more than anything. The more they can keep the WSU offense on the bench, the better chance they have at winning. The Hornets showed they can do this in the PSU game. It will require that they play flawless or close to it. They can not afford to turn the ball over with silly fumbles like they did last week against ISU. The Hornets will need to establish the run. WSU only has given up 135.8 rushing yard per game BUT have given up an average of 4.1 yard per carry. WSU has been pretty stout on the passing defense. They have allowed an average of 253.7 yards per game. The Hornets will need to neutralize the WSU DT Eastman. He had a huge game against EWU and the O-line will need to make sure they don’t let him control the line of scrimmage.
Special Teams:
WSU has averaged 15.6 yards per punt return and 25.4 yard per kick-off return compared to Sac State’s 0.6 yard per punt return and 23.0 yards per kick-off return. The coverage teams will need to be at its best to not allow WSU from making a big return. This is important in winning the field position battle. I feel that we have the edge with regard to field goals. Diniz is a perfect 6-6 on the year while WSU is an abysmal 7-14.
I’m going to go with the upset in this one: Sac State 24 – WSU 20. The Hornets spoil WSU’s homecoming as well as ruin their playoff chances. :twisted:
weberwildcat
Active member
WSU vs Sac
http://www.bigskyfans.com/wildcats/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=977
Link to Big Sky conference call this week:
http://www.standard.net/topics/sports/2009/10/14/big-seven-oh-finds-ron-mcbride-doing-what-he-loves-best-still-coaching-foot
(at bottom of article)
http://www.bigskyfans.com/wildcats/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=977
Link to Big Sky conference call this week:
http://www.standard.net/topics/sports/2009/10/14/big-seven-oh-finds-ron-mcbride-doing-what-he-loves-best-still-coaching-foot
(at bottom of article)
Green Laser
Active member
Weber has a good team I hope that they have a decent turnout for their homecoming. Despite our relative lack of football success since we joined the Big Sky only Montana and Montana State out draw us.
When we start to string some wins together we will be right up there with them!
The weather looks good for Saturday and I am going to call a upset;
Hornets 28
Mildcats 24
When we start to string some wins together we will be right up there with them!
The weather looks good for Saturday and I am going to call a upset;
Hornets 28
Mildcats 24
OldHornet
Active member
I'm really shocked by the number of people that are predicting a win for the Hornets. Just a few weeks ago people were stating the program is in shambles - now were going on the road to win at WSU? I'm as much of a fan as anyone, but I just don't see this coming out in our favor. Sac has beaten two bad teams during the last few weeks, as they should have. But this is a big step up, and on the road. I'm rooting for the upset, hoping for the upset - but just can't predict the upset.
WSU 45
SAC 24
OldHornet said:
Keep in mind one of the “bad” teams the Hornets beat was AT PSU, a team that took WSU to the limit. And WSU followed up with the destruction of EWU, a team that the Hornets couldn’t stop. I’m just pointing out that anything is possible in any game and as much as we all use common opponents to evaluate how a game might turn out, it doesn’t always happen that way. I made a homer pick by stating that the Hornets will get the win. The fact is WSU isn’t as good as everyone thought they would be this year. Yes they are a dangerous team that can put up points, but they haven’t exactly steam rolled every team they have played. We’ll just have to wait and see how this one turns out.
Go Hornets!
SDHornet said:
Well said.
weberwildcat
Active member
Fassels 35
Buzz 28
Unless WSU's D plays like they did against EWU then it won't be close.
Buzz 28
Unless WSU's D plays like they did against EWU then it won't be close.
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