In the FCS Huddle: Ten games that will shape the FCS season

[EWURanger]

Montana State at Eastern Washington (Sept. 24) - The defending FCS champion Eagles have not lost since they were routed at Montana State last September. MSU's DeNarius McGhee versus EWU's Bo Levi Mitchell is one of the quarterback duels of the season.

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[eaglesfootball]

hard to determine which game is bigger ewu/um or ewu/msu this year. We generally have to beat one or the other each year to get to the playoffs. If MSU gets on a roll they will be hard to stop and its kind of strange to think that this one might actually be bigger game this year.

 

[kalm]

hard to determine which game is bigger ewu/um or ewu/msu this year. We generally have to beat one or the other each year to get to the playoffs. If MSU gets on a roll they will be hard to stop and its kind of strange to think that this one might actually be bigger game this year.

And don't forget the Griz hangover factor. :mrgreen:

 

[EWURanger]

hard to determine which game is bigger ewu/um or ewu/msu this year. We generally have to beat one or the other each year to get to the playoffs. If MSU gets on a roll they will be hard to stop and its kind of strange to think that this one might actually be bigger game this year.

And don't forget the Griz hangover factor. :mrgreen:

I think every team that played the Griz last year lost the next game....or was it every team that beat them? Can't remember. It is a factor, though. Emotions are always high for that one, and MSU is a hell of a team to have to play the very next week. Gunna be a big one, for sure......first home game, championship dedication prior to, and the embarrassing loss last year in Bozeman will all be factors. I'm sure MSU is looking forward to attempting to give the defending champs their first loss on the Inferno, as well. I think we'll be ready. :thumb:

 

[bpcats1]

If EWU can get those two wins out of the way they should control the conference race.

The game against UM should be an interesting one. As much as EWU beat UM, the Griz didn't do themselves any favors with their sloppy play. EWU will miss having T. Jones because there were some runs that with his speed the rest of Eagles backs couldn't make that TJ made and were the difference. I think that it will be a low scoring game with first team to 24 points will probably win. Griz defense will probably make a run at being the conference's best unit. It will be interesting to see if Griz uptempo offense can help out their young quarterback. I expect the Eagles to win as they rely on their experience from last years playoff push. Mitchell won't have to be spectacular just efficient enough to keep chains moving. For the Griz to have a chance they need to get back to playing mistake free football and that will be harder to do with their wide open attack and breaking in a new QB.

Against MSU the next week, will be two teams that could swap rosters and not see any difference in performance. I think that game will come down to a race to 30 points with both offenses being really explosive.

I expect all three teams to make the playoffs and make a big push, once there.

 

[EWURanger]

If EWU can get those two wins out of the way they should control the conference race.

The game against UM should be an interesting one. As much as EWU beat UM, the Griz didn't do themselves any favors with their sloppy play. EWU will miss having T. Jones because there were some runs that with his speed the rest of Eagles backs couldn't make that TJ made and were the difference. I think that it will be a low scoring game with first team to 24 points will probably win. Griz defense will probably make a run at being the conference's best unit. It will be interesting to see if Griz uptempo offense can help out their young quarterback. I expect the Eagles to win as they rely on their experience from last years playoff push. Mitchell won't have to be spectacular just efficient enough to keep chains moving. For the Griz to have a chance they need to get back to playing mistake free football and that will be harder to do with their wide open attack and breaking in a new QB.

Against MSU the next week, will be two teams that could swap rosters and not see any difference in performance. I think that game will come down to a race to 30 points with both offenses being really explosive.

I expect all three teams to make the playoffs and make a big push, once there.

Great comments and I agree with your assessment. UM definitely won't be a walk in the park. I think their defense is what's going to win games for them this year, they have a lot of talent there. Also, agree on what you said about Jones - he made a lot of big plays in that game that no one else would have been able to make. The big draw on our final drive to get us into range to kick the winning field goal comes to mind. But what I will suggest is that EWU was a very different team the beginning of the season when they played UM and MSU than at the end of the season. We relied far too heavily on him early on, but after the Weber game I think people realized we could be a potent team offensively without him and still score a lot of points fairly quickly. That said, I think teams will be ok with having to make BLM beat them through the air, so our ground game will need to be a little more productive than it was when Jones was out. If Brown can get a few Villanova type performances this year and we can get decent productivity out Bronson, Beumonte, and our other backs then I think we'll be ok there.

MSU game is going to be epic. I guess we'll know a little more about both teams going into week 4, but on paper there doesn't seem to be a favorite. I'd say MSU's offense with DM was probably more explosive last year, but EWU perhaps was better along both lines, which is what kept us in a lot of those close games. I think MSU will be improved in that regard, so I really think this one comes down to who makes the fewest mistakes. Cliche, I know.....but there's not really anything that sticks out in my mind as to who should have the advantage.

 

[LDopaPDX]

If EWU can get those two wins out of the way they should control the conference race.

The game against UM should be an interesting one. As much as EWU beat UM, the Griz didn't do themselves any favors with their sloppy play. EWU will miss having T. Jones because there were some runs that with his speed the rest of Eagles backs couldn't make that TJ made and were the difference.

True. The Griz game last year was not played well by either team. We just made more big plays. Both teams had some atrocious plays, mental mistakes, and bad breaks.

If things go according to script, Eastenr should be 1-1 going into the Griz game. That still requires us beating South Dakota in their dome, which won't be a cakewalk. But then we absolutely MUST get 2 of our next 3 to make the playoffs... assuming we need to win 8 games to make it in. (I know you can make it with 7 in the 20 team field, but you sure as hell don't want to count on that as then you are at the mercy of the committee).

I personally think the Griz game is bigger than MSU because it is a trend-setter. We win that, confidence is high for Montana State at home, student are excited, the game sells out, things fall into place. I'd much rather play confident than desperate, and if wer lose to UM, we become desperate.

 

[eaglesfootball]

no way does ANY 7-4 Big Sky team miss the playoffs. We'd definitely have to play in the first round, but with them expanding to 20 teams there's no way we'd miss out with an all Division I schedule. Just sayin.

 

[Screamin_Eagle174]

no way does ANY 7-4 Big Sky team miss the playoffs. We'd definitely have to play in the first round, but with them expanding to 20 teams there's no way we'd miss out with an all Division I schedule. Just sayin.

And defending National Champions, just like Nova last year.

 

[wineguy]

I wouldn't overlook Sac. State or Weber State this year. i think one of these teams will be in the playoff's this year over one of the Montana teams.

 

[Screamin_Eagle174]

I wouldn't overlook Sac. State or Weber State this year. i think one of these teams will be in the playoff's this year over one of the Montana teams.

Weber lost A LOT; QB, RBs, and WRs... all starters. Their lines will be good, but I don't see them making the playoffs at all. 7-4 at absolute best, but likely 6-5 or worse.

Very likely loss
Greater chance for a loss than a win
Greater chance for a win than a loss
Very likely win

at Wyoming
at Utah State
Sacramento State
at Northern Colorado
at Eastern Washington
Bye
Idaho State
Southern Utah
at Montana
Montana State
Northern Arizona
at Portland State

 

[clawman1]

If EWU can get those two wins out of the way they should control the conference race.

The game against UM should be an interesting one. As much as EWU beat UM, the Griz didn't do themselves any favors with their sloppy play. EWU will miss having T. Jones because there were some runs that with his speed the rest of Eagles backs couldn't make that TJ made and were the difference. I think that it will be a low scoring game with first team to 24 points will probably win. Griz defense will probably make a run at being the conference's best unit. It will be interesting to see if Griz uptempo offense can help out their young quarterback. I expect the Eagles to win as they rely on their experience from last years playoff push. Mitchell won't have to be spectacular just efficient enough to keep chains moving. For the Griz to have a chance they need to get back to playing mistake free football and that will be harder to do with their wide open attack and breaking in a new QB.

Against MSU the next week, will be two teams that could swap rosters and not see any difference in performance. I think that game will come down to a race to 30 points with both offenses being really explosive.

I expect all three teams to make the playoffs and make a big push, once there.

If you recall the Griz game last year we pretty much spotted them 14 points in the first couple of series and dug out of the hole. Early games last year BLM was regularly throwing to 7' receivers when our were only 6'2". I would expect his play to be far superior to last year as he and the receiving corps really jelled late in the year.
On defense, we lost Tyler Jolly, J.C. Sherritt and two very good corners, but we are really strong on the D-line, at linebacker, and safety, and I would expect the D to be merciless and dominate this year.
There is not a team in the BSC that is a "cake walk"( Griz @ ISU last year). and if the Eagles overlook the South Dakota game they could get dumped.
We could very well be 3-1 after the Bobcat game with Weber coming in and a road trip to NAU. Here is where I would be concerned about a letdown and getting upset. And that late season road trip to Cal Poly could make the difference of where we are seeded in the playoffs.
Agreed the SKY could very well have 3 teams in the playoffs.
Playing all playoff games at home had a lot to do with the NC title. If we had to travel to ND for example it could have been very different. Nova is a good example of a brutal playoff schedule eventually caught up with them.
Go Eags.

 

[Vic E. Wallace]

bpcats,All Concerned,
I really enjoy reading your input. I noticed you mentioned no T. Jones. Keep this young recruit in mind.
He is a recruit coming in for Fall FB, Shaquille Hill, from Brookside Christian High School, Fremont, CA. This young man if he comes in and work hard, he might be able to start. This young man have speed, moves, reminding me of TJ.
Looking at him, you might confuse him with Twain Jones. He is 5'10", WR/RB/QB. I just saw his film,he will be greatly welcome. BTW, don't forget our East West All Stars on Friday July 1st, @7pm, Roos Field.
I will be there with some other Fans.

Off The Subject:
2010 Football Champonship Display Flags. I have been flying two of them on my rear window. I have seen only one other person flying one of the flags, that was the day of "Killin Lobster Feed in April". I am very disappointed with all the "Eagles Die Hard Fans", I haven't see more flags flown by others besides myself flying our Champonship Flag. They have been in the Bookstore since we won the Championship. Cost $14.95. I am talking about our Spokane, Area. I don't know what is happening on the West Side of the State. Let us back the "EWU CHAMPIONS". :thumb: :thumb: Go Eagles. Vic p.s, cruse around Campus yesterday, very big FB Camps going, along with MBB. Keep he Faiith. :nod: :nod: :nod: Vic

 

[eaglesfootball]

I agree on Sac but must say a little doubtful on weber as they seem to have just lost far too much to be a real threat for the big sky this season. Debatable as always but I have a hard time seeing them go above 6-5. Sac could be on the cusp and if they get good performance out of their qb then i think they will finish around 7-4. If they finish higher than one of the montana schools I don't see it being MSU. If they ever had any shot whatsoever of beating montana then it might be this year in Sac and the week after Montana plays us.

 

[clawman1]

Off The Subject:
2010 Football Champonship Display Flags. I have been flying two of them on my rear window. I have seen only one other person flying one of the flags, that was the day of "Killin Lobster Feed in April". I am very disappointed with all the "Eagles Die Hard Fans", I haven't see more flags flown by others besides myself flying our Champonship Flag. They have been in the Bookstore since we won the Championship. Cost $14.95. I am talking about our Spokane, Area. I don't know what is happening on the West Side of the State. Let us back the "EWU CHAMPIONS". :thumb: :thumb: Go Eagles. Vic p.s, cruse around Campus yesterday, very big FB Camps going, along with MBB. Keep he Faiith. :nod: :nod: :nod: Vic

Agreed Vic. It is disappointing to see so many Montana logos in Spokane and so few Eagles logos of the local NC team. Would be nice if they could hand out tail light stickers or bumper stickers at a home game. If it is free maybe people will show some pride.

 

[HannahO]

I'd like to see signs under the I-90 exit signs that designate the EWU exits that say "2010 National Football Champions" and one in the Spokane Airport terminal. It would reach both the locals and folks traveling through the area and show some civic and school pride. You can bet that if Gonzaga ever won the basketball national championship there would be that kind of recognition ....

 

[clawman1]

I'd like to see signs under the I-90 exit signs that designate the EWU exits that say "2010 National Football Champions" and one in the Spokane Airport terminal. It would reach both the locals and folks traveling through the area and show some civic and school pride. You can bet that if Gonzaga ever won the basketball national championship there would be that kind of recognition ....

My son has displayed some of his trophies and awards in the Legends restaurant in the Alaska terminal. I'm sure they would be receptive to that.

 

[eaglesfootball]

has anyone seen a version of the actual championship flag that will fly over Roos Field? i hope its going to be huge.