luckyintheorder
Active member
Despite a momentary compulsion to give in to superstition and not put up the prediction thread, realized again the game is played on the field and no fans will be suiting up, so here it is.
Think this one comes down to OL play for Eastern. Know there are a lot of other factors and will say that this team measures up well in most of those categories as well.
Eastern's OL has helped this offense turn in top 20 stats rushing and passing with two different QB's this season. It hasn't been perfect, Nicholls State DL was in the backfield most of the game and EB3 struggled to make plays early. Looking at NDSU's DL their TFL numbers just don't add up to a dominating DL. They are a good DL but believe their defensive backfield locking the passing game down has given the DL a lot of time to eventually make a play. Also, NDSU hasn't actually faced a top 20 passing offense this year or the weapons Eastern has at it's disposal.
Eastern has faced 4 teams, five times (UC Davis twice) that have top 10 TFL numbers. Three of them in the playoffs. NDSU barely cracks the top 50. If NDSU can't get pressure with the front 4, Eastern will test the defensive backfield and establish a running game. Eastern's OL has been very good all year when healthy and they are healthy now.
NDSU will get it's yards but leaving a safety high, letting the DB's man up on the WR's, ignore the play action and let the LB's and rover fly around the field will yield some stops and put the ball back in the offense's hands. How many stops will it take to get the W? One more than NDSU gets.
This will be a game of season average's.
Eastern gains 540 yds/gm, NDSU 470 yds/gm. It's been noted that Eastern has given up some yards to teams like Maine, how many points were yielded? Under 22 points a game. Yards aren't points. NDSU could very well go for 500+ yards in this game. What's crazy is Eastern having 7 replacements on defense for the entire playoff's and still only allowing 386 yds/gm... NDSU's numbers are stellar at 285 per game.
There is no hiding that fact NDSU is a great team, playing well, with a lot on the line. Eastern in contrast has several key players out and the QB of the future behind center.
Going with the averages:
Eastern 45 - NDSU 42
May the Best team win!
Think this one comes down to OL play for Eastern. Know there are a lot of other factors and will say that this team measures up well in most of those categories as well.
Eastern's OL has helped this offense turn in top 20 stats rushing and passing with two different QB's this season. It hasn't been perfect, Nicholls State DL was in the backfield most of the game and EB3 struggled to make plays early. Looking at NDSU's DL their TFL numbers just don't add up to a dominating DL. They are a good DL but believe their defensive backfield locking the passing game down has given the DL a lot of time to eventually make a play. Also, NDSU hasn't actually faced a top 20 passing offense this year or the weapons Eastern has at it's disposal.
Eastern has faced 4 teams, five times (UC Davis twice) that have top 10 TFL numbers. Three of them in the playoffs. NDSU barely cracks the top 50. If NDSU can't get pressure with the front 4, Eastern will test the defensive backfield and establish a running game. Eastern's OL has been very good all year when healthy and they are healthy now.
NDSU will get it's yards but leaving a safety high, letting the DB's man up on the WR's, ignore the play action and let the LB's and rover fly around the field will yield some stops and put the ball back in the offense's hands. How many stops will it take to get the W? One more than NDSU gets.
This will be a game of season average's.
Eastern gains 540 yds/gm, NDSU 470 yds/gm. It's been noted that Eastern has given up some yards to teams like Maine, how many points were yielded? Under 22 points a game. Yards aren't points. NDSU could very well go for 500+ yards in this game. What's crazy is Eastern having 7 replacements on defense for the entire playoff's and still only allowing 386 yds/gm... NDSU's numbers are stellar at 285 per game.
There is no hiding that fact NDSU is a great team, playing well, with a lot on the line. Eastern in contrast has several key players out and the QB of the future behind center.
Going with the averages:
Eastern 45 - NDSU 42
May the Best team win!
Looking forward to your prediction. This one is really a crap shoot. Still making the trip to Frisco, no matter the result. This team has been fun to watch and cheer for this season.
