National Semifinals vs. Maine Game Day Thread

[EdubAlum]

I think you guys out here are in for a real wakeup call next Saturday...but will see..

https://www.foxbangor.com/bangor-local-sports/item/44817-maine-football-s-black-hole-defense-among-the-best-in-fcs

Every team that has newfound success brings out some overly cocky fans. When your program has had some success and some real heartbreaks in the post season, you'll learn to go to another fanboare with a litttle humility.

Congrats on making the semis. I'm not sold on Maine. The CAA was a cake walk this year, yet Maine barely squeaked by several wins.

20 bucks says Mainebrother is MaineFootball/MaineFutball from the other forums :roll: ....

That being said. 7-0 against ranked opponents is pretty impressive. I'm looking forward to this matchup. I want them to be tough, I'd rather lose to Maine in the Semi's vs getting roasted by NDSU in Frisco.

 

[LDopaPDX]

I think you guys out here are in for a real wakeup call next Saturday...but will see..

https://www.foxbangor.com/bangor-local-sports/item/44817-maine-football-s-black-hole-defense-among-the-best-in-fcs

Every team that has newfound success brings out some overly cocky fans. When your program has had some success and some real heartbreaks in the post season, you'll learn to go to another fanboare with a litttle humility.

Congrats on making the semis. I'm not sold on Maine. The CAA was a cake walk this year, yet Maine barely squeaked by several wins.

20 bucks says Mainebrother is MaineFootball/MaineFutball from the other forums :roll: ....

That being said. 7-0 against ranked opponents is pretty impressive. I'm looking forward to this matchup. I want them to be tough, I'd rather lose to Maine in the Semi's vs getting roasted by NDSU in Frisco.

Not me. I really want to get back to playing for a championship. You never know what can happen when you get there.

Maine will be a very tough opponent and this game could easily be a coin-toss. We need every available body on the field. Opportunities like this don’t present themselves very often, and getting another three weeks elongated into the season will be big for both recruiting and program credibility.

 

[Mainebrother]

I am from a little town called Wayne, Maine...apparently they don't allow many Maine fans on this thing...
or perhaps they don't want to be here...

 

[Rjones61]

I am from a little town called Wayne, Maine...apparently they don't allow many Maine fans on this thing...
or perhaps they don't want to be here...

Get over yourself.

 

[Mainebrother]

I think you guys out here are in for a real wakeup call next Saturday...but will see..

https://www.foxbangor.com/bangor-local-sports/item/44817-maine-football-s-black-hole-defense-among-the-best-in-fcs

Every team that has newfound success brings out some overly cocky fans. When your program has had some success and some real heartbreaks in the post season, you'll learn to go to another fanboare with a litttle humility.

Congrats on making the semis. I'm not sold on Maine. The CAA was a cake walk this year, yet Maine barely squeaked by several wins.

This is hardly our first appearance in the FCS playoffs....

:lol: Black Bears have appeared in the Division I-AA/FCS Playoffs eight times. Including their victory over Weber State on December 7, 2018, the team has a 5–7 record in playoff games.
Year
Round
Opponent
Result
1987
First Round
Georgia Southern
L 28–31
1989
First Round
Missouri State
L 35–38
2001
First Round
Quarterfinals
McNeese State
Northern Iowa
W 14–10
L 28–56
2002
First Round
Quarterfinals
Appalachian State
Georgia Southern
W 14–13
L 7–31
2008
First Round
Northern Iowa
L 15–40
2011
Second Round
Quarterfinals
Appalachian State
Georgia Southern
W 34–12
L 23–35
2013
Second Round
New Hampshire
L 27–41
2018
Second Round
Quarterfinals
Semifinals
Jacksonville State
Weber State
Eastern Washington
W 55–27
W 23–18
Win 35-10 *
:rofl:
Just in case you win this is the URL for FRISCO tickets
https://www.vividseats.com/sports/ncaa-fcs-football-championship-tickets.html?utm_source=msn&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=NCAA+Football+Bowls&utm_term=fcs+championship+game+tickets&vkid=17043148&msclkid=3d2e4dec98f71bb7b4f311e1efeeebe3

 

[luckyintheorder]

Yes, Eastern will now have hosted 5 FIVE semi-final games in 9 years when Maine comes calling... This will be Coach Best's first as the HC. One thing about Coach Best I've seen, he doesn't lie to himself. This has allowed him to improve from last season to this season and since the coaching fiasco at Weber. Yesterday, the Eagles were "coached down" to the level of UC Davis, fortunately; the players played up to their talent level and bailed it out. Coach Best won't make that mistake again.

Maine is hyper energetic with a 29 year old HC, a tough, big, fast D with a above average front 7 and two super DB's. Offensively, efficient and made just enough explosive plays to win games. Going to save the smack talk. Watched the whole Weber game and came away impressed. Looking for our Coaches to rise to the challenge.

BTW, Kettner Kupp played an amazing game yesterday. Way to go young man! McPherson is supernatural with a flare for the dramatic and all the backups were magnificent. I like our chances.

Maine fan here. I wanted to come see what the opponents were saying about us.

I have to correct a few inaccuracies with the above. The Maine HC is 32 (still the youngest in D1). They are a fast, very aggressive and violent defense but its not their DBs that are the strength; it is definitely the front 7. I'd argue that they probably have the best front 7 in the FCS. This was evident last week when they held Weber to -1 rush yards. Their LB core, in particular, is deep and talented (they have at least 2 LBs that are likely to play in the NFL). Their DBs are good, Patterson has a shot to play next level and is their best, but not at the level of their front 7.

Yeah, it's been said in other posts, I don't feel the need to repeat known information again and again. Read the Weber v Maine thread for further acknowledgements of Maine's prowess... Like I said, above average.

 

[Rjones61]

I think you guys out here are in for a real wakeup call next Saturday...but will see..

https://www.foxbangor.com/bangor-local-sports/item/44817-maine-football-s-black-hole-defense-among-the-best-in-fcs

Every team that has newfound success brings out some overly cocky fans. When your program has had some success and some real heartbreaks in the post season, you'll learn to go to another fanboare with a litttle humility.

Congrats on making the semis. I'm not sold on Maine. The CAA was a cake walk this year, yet Maine barely squeaked by several wins.

This is hardly our first appearance in the FCS playoffs....

:lol: Black Bears have appeared in the Division I-AA/FCS Playoffs eight times. Including their victory over Weber State on December 7, 2018, the team has a 5–7 record in playoff games.
Year
Round
Opponent
Result
1987
First Round
Georgia Southern
L 28–31
1989
First Round
Missouri State
L 35–38
2001
First Round
Quarterfinals
McNeese State
Northern Iowa
W 14–10
L 28–56
2002
First Round
Quarterfinals
Appalachian State
Georgia Southern
W 14–13
L 7–31
2008
First Round
Northern Iowa
L 15–40
2011
Second Round
Quarterfinals
Appalachian State
Georgia Southern
W 34–12
L 23–35
2013
Second Round
New Hampshire
L 27–41
2018
Second Round
Quarterfinals
Semifinals
Jacksonville State
Weber State
Eastern Washington
W 55–27
W 23–18
Win 35-10 *
:rofl:
Just in case you win this is the URL for FRISCO tickets
https://www.vividseats.com/sports/ncaa-fcs-football-championship-tickets.html?utm_source=msn&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=NCAA+Football+Bowls&utm_term=fcs+championship+game+tickets&vkid=17043148&msclkid=3d2e4dec98f71bb7b4f311e1efeeebe3

That was a whole lot of words for something not very impressive.

 

[jly]

UMaine alum here... no way Maine can hang with a big time program like EW. Had no business beating Weber either. All defense and no offense... Maine can only win if game if something like 16-13... make it ugly and maybe stand a chance.

 

[Obzerver]

EaglesOwntheSky, you mentioned; That was a whole lot of words for something not very impressive.

Perhaps because it was in French as that's Maine's official language.

All I know is EWU is favored by 11 and they have covered every game but two (one a loss one a win).

FYI, NDSU is favored by 7.5

 

[Mister207]

Yes, Eastern will now have hosted 5 FIVE semi-final games in 9 years when Maine comes calling... This will be Coach Best's first as the HC. One thing about Coach Best I've seen, he doesn't lie to himself. This has allowed him to improve from last season to this season and since the coaching fiasco at Weber. Yesterday, the Eagles were "coached down" to the level of UC Davis, fortunately; the players played up to their talent level and bailed it out. Coach Best won't make that mistake again.

Maine is hyper energetic with a 29 year old HC, a tough, big, fast D with a above average front 7 and two super DB's. Offensively, efficient and made just enough explosive plays to win games. Going to save the smack talk. Watched the whole Weber game and came away impressed. Looking for our Coaches to rise to the challenge.

BTW, Kettner Kupp played an amazing game yesterday. Way to go young man! McPherson is supernatural with a flare for the dramatic and all the backups were magnificent. I like our chances.

Maine fan here. I wanted to come see what the opponents were saying about us.

I have to correct a few inaccuracies with the above. The Maine HC is 32 (still the youngest in D1). They are a fast, very aggressive and violent defense but its not their DBs that are the strength; it is definitely the front 7. I'd argue that they probably have the best front 7 in the FCS. This was evident last week when they held Weber to -1 rush yards. Their LB core, in particular, is deep and talented (they have at least 2 LBs that are likely to play in the NFL). Their DBs are good, Patterson has a shot to play next level and is their best, but not at the level of their front 7.

Yeah, it's been said in other posts, I don't feel the need to repeat known information again and again. Read the Weber v Maine thread for further acknowledgements of Maine's prowess... Like I said, above average.

But... you just repeated misinformation.

The secondary could be described as "above average" but the front 7 is among the best in all of the FCS.

 

[luckyintheorder]

Yes, Eastern will now have hosted 5 FIVE semi-final games in 9 years when Maine comes calling... This will be Coach Best's first as the HC. One thing about Coach Best I've seen, he doesn't lie to himself. This has allowed him to improve from last season to this season and since the coaching fiasco at Weber. Yesterday, the Eagles were "coached down" to the level of UC Davis, fortunately; the players played up to their talent level and bailed it out. Coach Best won't make that mistake again.

Maine is hyper energetic with a 29 year old HC, a tough, big, fast D with a above average front 7 and two super DB's. Offensively, efficient and made just enough explosive plays to win games. Going to save the smack talk. Watched the whole Weber game and came away impressed. Looking for our Coaches to rise to the challenge.

BTW, Kettner Kupp played an amazing game yesterday. Way to go young man! McPherson is supernatural with a flare for the dramatic and all the backups were magnificent. I like our chances.

Maine fan here. I wanted to come see what the opponents were saying about us.

I have to correct a few inaccuracies with the above. The Maine HC is 32 (still the youngest in D1). They are a fast, very aggressive and violent defense but its not their DBs that are the strength; it is definitely the front 7. I'd argue that they probably have the best front 7 in the FCS. This was evident last week when they held Weber to -1 rush yards. Their LB core, in particular, is deep and talented (they have at least 2 LBs that are likely to play in the NFL). Their DBs are good, Patterson has a shot to play next level and is their best, but not at the level of their front 7.

Yeah, it's been said in other posts, I don't feel the need to repeat known information again and again. Read the Weber v Maine thread for further acknowledgements of Maine's prowess... Like I said, above average.

But... you just repeated misinformation.

The secondary could be described as "above average" but the front 7 is among the best in all of the FCS.

Time will tell. Good news for you, this one will be settled on the football field. Let's look into the numbers... Massey has Eastern with a slightly better SOS at 141, Maine 153; Offense at 49, Maine 147 (ouch); Defense 99, Maine 116. These aren't the end all but should provide some much needed perspective.

Eastern has an above average defense and is rated better in 2 of the 3 below stats.

Passing defense:
Maine 79th
Eags 73rd
Scoring defense:
Maine 20th
Eags 18th
Total Defense:
Maine 9th
Eags 49th

Total Offense
Maine 96th
Eags 2nd

Eastern gave up 275 yds against the only common opponent, Weber. Maine gave up 271 yds. If this was all about the defenses, it would be an old school 7-3 type game... If it comes to that, will take our kicker who is 15-15 this season all day long.

 

[air045]

It maked me laugh when folks like to say a certain defense is better in all fcs without common opponents. I get it, it's a homer call. The reality is that EWU and both Dakota teams are complete teams. I know nothing about Main, but if they're not a complete team- they will be exposed. I look forward to a great game.

 

[luckyintheorder]

It maked me laugh when folks like to say a certain defense is better in all fcs without common opponents. I get it, it's a homer call. The reality is that EWU and both Dakota teams are complete teams. I know nothing about Main, but if they're not a complete team- they will be exposed. I look forward to a great game.

:thumb:

 

[Mister207]

If you want to talk common opponents, I can point to Weber. Maine won. EWU lost and was held to 6 points (ouch). From what I saw last week Maine's defense looked superior to Weber's. Do I think Maine will hold EWU to 6 points? Very unlikely but that doesn't bode well for EWU.

 

[Mister207]

Yes, Eastern will now have hosted 5 FIVE semi-final games in 9 years when Maine comes calling... This will be Coach Best's first as the HC. One thing about Coach Best I've seen, he doesn't lie to himself. This has allowed him to improve from last season to this season and since the coaching fiasco at Weber. Yesterday, the Eagles were "coached down" to the level of UC Davis, fortunately; the players played up to their talent level and bailed it out. Coach Best won't make that mistake again.

Maine is hyper energetic with a 29 year old HC, a tough, big, fast D with a above average front 7 and two super DB's. Offensively, efficient and made just enough explosive plays to win games. Going to save the smack talk. Watched the whole Weber game and came away impressed. Looking for our Coaches to rise to the challenge.

BTW, Kettner Kupp played an amazing game yesterday. Way to go young man! McPherson is supernatural with a flare for the dramatic and all the backups were magnificent. I like our chances.

Maine fan here. I wanted to come see what the opponents were saying about us.

I have to correct a few inaccuracies with the above. The Maine HC is 32 (still the youngest in D1). They are a fast, very aggressive and violent defense but its not their DBs that are the strength; it is definitely the front 7. I'd argue that they probably have the best front 7 in the FCS. This was evident last week when they held Weber to -1 rush yards. Their LB core, in particular, is deep and talented (they have at least 2 LBs that are likely to play in the NFL). Their DBs are good, Patterson has a shot to play next level and is their best, but not at the level of their front 7.

Yeah, it's been said in other posts, I don't feel the need to repeat known information again and again. Read the Weber v Maine thread for further acknowledgements of Maine's prowess... Like I said, above average.

But... you just repeated misinformation.

The secondary could be described as "above average" but the front 7 is among the best in all of the FCS.

Time will tell. Good news for you, this one will be settled on the football field. Let's look into the numbers... Massey has Eastern with a slightly better SOS at 141, Maine 153; Offense at 49, Maine 147 (ouch); Defense 99, Maine 116. These aren't the end all but should provide some much needed perspective.

Eastern has an above average defense and is rated better in 2 of the 3 below stats.

Passing defense:
Maine 79th
Eags 73rd
Scoring defense:
Maine 20th
Eags 18th
Total Defense:
Maine 9th
Eags 49th

Total Offense
Maine 96th
Eags 2nd

Eastern gave up 275 yds against the only common opponent, Weber. Maine gave up 271 yds. If this was all about the defenses, it would be an old school 7-3 type game... If it comes to that, will take our kicker who is 15-15 this season all day long.

You can cherry pick whichever stats you want to try to make them fit your argument. Stat lines and box scores, though, obviously don't tell the whole story.

For example, you think Maine has a terrible offense but, really, those stats you present leave out so much. Maine has an historically bad backup QB who struggles to even take a snap. He started or finished 5 of Maine's 13 games this year (including the losses to CMU and Yale which I think they win otherwise). In those games Maine averaged 262 yards per game. Terrible. I more accurate reflection of the Maine offense that EWU will see next week should be based on the games that Ferguson, their starter, started and finished. In those 8 games Maine averaged 387 yards per game. Again, not phenomenal but a little above the middle of the pack in the FCS.

I know Ferguson didn't look good last week. It was probably the worst he's looked all season. Maybe it was a fluke. Maybe it was something Weber did. That said, he's a solid QB who can make all the throws. Additionally, Maine has some dynamic playmakers on offense. Earnest Edwards (leading WR) is a burner and big time player who has 14 total TDs this year. Ramon Jefferson (#1 RB) is a freshman who has started to find his legs late in the season and is putting up huge numbers in recent weeks. If EWU takes this offense lightly or thinks they can't score or make plays they'll be in for a rude awakening. Just ask Jacksonville St. who Maine just scored 55 on two weeks ago. You could even look at the Weber game... Maine scored 17 more points on them than EWU did...

 

[air045]

If you want to talk common opponents, I can point to Weber. Maine won. EWU lost and was held to 6 points (ouch). From what I saw last week Maine's defense looked superior to Weber's. Do I think Maine will hold EWU to 6 points? Very unlikely but that doesn't bode well for EWU.

Humm. Good hold on to that thought and small sample size. The good news is you seem to not know the backdrop of that lose. I cant wait until the game.

 

[Mister207]

If you want to talk common opponents, I can point to Weber. Maine won. EWU lost and was held to 6 points (ouch). From what I saw last week Maine's defense looked superior to Weber's. Do I think Maine will hold EWU to 6 points? Very unlikely but that doesn't bode well for EWU.

Humm. Good hold on to that thought and small sample size. The good news is you seem to not know the backdrop of that lose. I cant wait until the game.

Exactly my point. People are throwing out Maine stats they found online with zero understanding of context. You don't realize how many times detractors have pointed to that Yale or CMU game with arguments along the lines of "see Maine isn't that good since they lost to Yale" with no understanding of the context of that game.

I do know that Maine beat the top rated team out of the Big Sky already. Is EWU actually better? We'll see Saturday.

 

[luckyintheorder]

Yes, Eastern will now have hosted 5 FIVE semi-final games in 9 years when Maine comes calling... This will be Coach Best's first as the HC. One thing about Coach Best I've seen, he doesn't lie to himself. This has allowed him to improve from last season to this season and since the coaching fiasco at Weber. Yesterday, the Eagles were "coached down" to the level of UC Davis, fortunately; the players played up to their talent level and bailed it out. Coach Best won't make that mistake again.

Maine is hyper energetic with a 29 year old HC, a tough, big, fast D with a above average front 7 and two super DB's. Offensively, efficient and made just enough explosive plays to win games. Going to save the smack talk. Watched the whole Weber game and came away impressed. Looking for our Coaches to rise to the challenge.

BTW, Kettner Kupp played an amazing game yesterday. Way to go young man! McPherson is supernatural with a flare for the dramatic and all the backups were magnificent. I like our chances.

Maine fan here. I wanted to come see what the opponents were saying about us.

I have to correct a few inaccuracies with the above. The Maine HC is 32 (still the youngest in D1). They are a fast, very aggressive and violent defense but its not their DBs that are the strength; it is definitely the front 7. I'd argue that they probably have the best front 7 in the FCS. This was evident last week when they held Weber to -1 rush yards. Their LB core, in particular, is deep and talented (they have at least 2 LBs that are likely to play in the NFL). Their DBs are good, Patterson has a shot to play next level and is their best, but not at the level of their front 7.

Yeah, it's been said in other posts, I don't feel the need to repeat known information again and again. Read the Weber v Maine thread for further acknowledgements of Maine's prowess... Like I said, above average.

But... you just repeated misinformation.

The secondary could be described as "above average" but the front 7 is among the best in all of the FCS.

Time will tell. Good news for you, this one will be settled on the football field. Let's look into the numbers... Massey has Eastern with a slightly better SOS at 141, Maine 153; Offense at 49, Maine 147 (ouch); Defense 99, Maine 116. These aren't the end all but should provide some much needed perspective.

Eastern has an above average defense and is rated better in 2 of the 3 below stats.

Passing defense:
Maine 79th
Eags 73rd
Scoring defense:
Maine 20th
Eags 18th
Total Defense:
Maine 9th
Eags 49th

Total Offense
Maine 96th
Eags 2nd

Eastern gave up 275 yds against the only common opponent, Weber. Maine gave up 271 yds. If this was all about the defenses, it would be an old school 7-3 type game... If it comes to that, will take our kicker who is 15-15 this season all day long.

You can cherry pick whichever stats you want to try to make them fit your argument. Stat lines and box scores, though, obviously don't tell the whole story.

For example, you think Maine has a terrible offense but, really, those stats you present leave out so much. Maine has an historically bad backup QB who struggles to even take a snap. He started or finished 5 of Maine's 13 games this year (including the losses to CMU and Yale which I think they win otherwise). In those games Maine averaged 262 yards per game. Terrible. I more accurate reflection of the Maine offense that EWU will see next week should be based on the games that Ferguson, their starter, started and finished. In those 8 games Maine averaged 387 yards per game. Again, not phenomenal but a little above the middle of the pack in the FCS.

I know Ferguson didn't look good last week. It was probably the worst he's looked all season. Maybe it was a fluke. Maybe it was something Weber did. That said, he's a solid QB who can make all the throws. Additionally, Maine has some dynamic playmakers on offense. Earnest Edwards (leading WR) is a burner and big time player who has 14 total TDs this year. Ramon Jefferson (#1 RB) is a freshman who has started to find his legs late in the season and is putting up huge numbers in recent weeks. If EWU takes this offense lightly or thinks they can't score or make plays they'll be in for a rude awakening. Just ask Jacksonville St. who Maine just scored 55 on two weeks ago. You could even look at the Weber game... Maine scored 17 more points on them than EWU did...

You don't need my approval to believe or feel the way you do about your team and am certain you don't know what I think either.

Everyone on this board has seen a lot of playoff football. Miracle season's can happen, Eastern had one in 2010 when we beat a good Delaware team with several NFL prospects on it. What happened 8 years ago or two weeks ago won't matter Saturday. Did your team meet or exceed the expectation for the season? If so, take that as a victory. Hard to win the big one on the road, harder still on the opposing teams fan board.

 

[Mister207]

Yes, Eastern will now have hosted 5 FIVE semi-final games in 9 years when Maine comes calling... This will be Coach Best's first as the HC. One thing about Coach Best I've seen, he doesn't lie to himself. This has allowed him to improve from last season to this season and since the coaching fiasco at Weber. Yesterday, the Eagles were "coached down" to the level of UC Davis, fortunately; the players played up to their talent level and bailed it out. Coach Best won't make that mistake again.

Maine is hyper energetic with a 29 year old HC, a tough, big, fast D with a above average front 7 and two super DB's. Offensively, efficient and made just enough explosive plays to win games. Going to save the smack talk. Watched the whole Weber game and came away impressed. Looking for our Coaches to rise to the challenge.

BTW, Kettner Kupp played an amazing game yesterday. Way to go young man! McPherson is supernatural with a flare for the dramatic and all the backups were magnificent. I like our chances.

Maine fan here. I wanted to come see what the opponents were saying about us.

I have to correct a few inaccuracies with the above. The Maine HC is 32 (still the youngest in D1). They are a fast, very aggressive and violent defense but its not their DBs that are the strength; it is definitely the front 7. I'd argue that they probably have the best front 7 in the FCS. This was evident last week when they held Weber to -1 rush yards. Their LB core, in particular, is deep and talented (they have at least 2 LBs that are likely to play in the NFL). Their DBs are good, Patterson has a shot to play next level and is their best, but not at the level of their front 7.

Yeah, it's been said in other posts, I don't feel the need to repeat known information again and again. Read the Weber v Maine thread for further acknowledgements of Maine's prowess... Like I said, above average.

But... you just repeated misinformation.

The secondary could be described as "above average" but the front 7 is among the best in all of the FCS.

Time will tell. Good news for you, this one will be settled on the football field. Let's look into the numbers... Massey has Eastern with a slightly better SOS at 141, Maine 153; Offense at 49, Maine 147 (ouch); Defense 99, Maine 116. These aren't the end all but should provide some much needed perspective.

Eastern has an above average defense and is rated better in 2 of the 3 below stats.

Passing defense:
Maine 79th
Eags 73rd
Scoring defense:
Maine 20th
Eags 18th
Total Defense:
Maine 9th
Eags 49th

Total Offense
Maine 96th
Eags 2nd

Eastern gave up 275 yds against the only common opponent, Weber. Maine gave up 271 yds. If this was all about the defenses, it would be an old school 7-3 type game... If it comes to that, will take our kicker who is 15-15 this season all day long.

You can cherry pick whichever stats you want to try to make them fit your argument. Stat lines and box scores, though, obviously don't tell the whole story.

For example, you think Maine has a terrible offense but, really, those stats you present leave out so much. Maine has an historically bad backup QB who struggles to even take a snap. He started or finished 5 of Maine's 13 games this year (including the losses to CMU and Yale which I think they win otherwise). In those games Maine averaged 262 yards per game. Terrible. I more accurate reflection of the Maine offense that EWU will see next week should be based on the games that Ferguson, their starter, started and finished. In those 8 games Maine averaged 387 yards per game. Again, not phenomenal but a little above the middle of the pack in the FCS.

I know Ferguson didn't look good last week. It was probably the worst he's looked all season. Maybe it was a fluke. Maybe it was something Weber did. That said, he's a solid QB who can make all the throws. Additionally, Maine has some dynamic playmakers on offense. Earnest Edwards (leading WR) is a burner and big time player who has 14 total TDs this year. Ramon Jefferson (#1 RB) is a freshman who has started to find his legs late in the season and is putting up huge numbers in recent weeks. If EWU takes this offense lightly or thinks they can't score or make plays they'll be in for a rude awakening. Just ask Jacksonville St. who Maine just scored 55 on two weeks ago. You could even look at the Weber game... Maine scored 17 more points on them than EWU did...

You don't need my approval to believe or feel the way you do about your team and am certain you don't know what I think either.

Everyone on this board has seen a lot of playoff football. Miracle season's can happen, Eastern had one in 2010 when we beat a good Delaware team with several NFL prospects on it. What happened 8 years ago or two weeks ago won't matter Saturday. Did your team meet or exceed the expectation for the season? If so, take that as a victory. Hard to win the big one on the road, harder still on the opposing teams fan board.

Chill. No one is looking for approval. I'm just trying to talk football and learn about EWU. I want to learn what EWU fans think of their team and mine. I'm also going to give my assessment of my team who I think I know a lot about. If you open yourself to other perspectives you can learn something.

Don't be afraid of civil discourse. A message board where everyone agrees with each other is boring and less informative.

 

[Mainebrother]

I think at this point for the four teams left you can throw out all the Stats...as I recall JSU quoted Stats, then weber quoted Stats and look where they ended up. I agree with Mister207 that our QB did not have a good game last week, perhaps it was Weber State, or perhaps it was the high altitude which Maine players were not used to. Either way we won...and at this point I don't see EWU being able to stop our defense with much success. I think your QB is in for a very long day next Saturday...as is your running game...
I just don't think EWU has faced as tough a defense as Maine...but I could be wrong...Our TFL(tackles for losses) was very high at Weber. If our QB does have a good day next Saturday I don't even think this game will be close...