Prediction Thread Eagles 42 @ Cal Poly 21 Great WIN!

[SloStang]

CP threads seem to think this will be a contest they "should" win. Good reasons like, EWU has won six in a row and due for a stinker; if we win the TO battle (had two last week and didn't effect outcome); they have some defensive starters back that didn't play at Sac St.... Certainly understand fan enthusiasm, plus this is a road game played late.

If I was a CP fan, would really want to be able to say things that we are saying on our board. Line play is tough minded, physical and winning the 3rd and 4th quarters by wearing the other team out or defense has shown the ability to slow down and stop several high powered offenses or there are weapons all over the field on offense and go three deep at QB and on and on....

Geronimo!

My guess would be that they see that you give up 5 yard per rushing attempt on defense (we are the top rushing team in the FCS) and they feel we should have beat you last year on the road when we were a 4-7 team. I know EWU is a better team than last year, but Cal Poly is vastly improved over last year. I think we will be able to move the ball and score, I am just not sure we can stop EWU's offense. I think it will be another epic game between two good teams. Can not wait.

What did North Dakota do to pull out a win?

UND's defense is a tough match up for Cal Poly. They have the top rushing defense in the Big Sky conference and only give up 3.0 yards per rushing attempt (vs 5.0 yards by EWU). Cal Poly waited too long to throw the ball. Once they did in the second half we started to move the ball and Graves threw for 219 yards and 3 TDs (bad night throwing for EWU, but a good night for a run heavy Cal Poly team).

Am I confident we will win. NO. Do I feel we are capable of winning? Absolutely. Win or lose I expect a great game.

Watched the game CP at UND. 7 in the box is UND's strength and CP had a couple of TO's. Thought CP was winning this game when you opened it up, but late interception in the endzone was a killer. UND would not match up well against Eastern. Despite late game start, team will be ready to bring it at CP today

I think UND is a better team than most give them credit for, but I do agree that EWU is not a good match up for them. If you are going to beat them you are going to do it through the air and nobody does it better than EWU.

 

[luckyintheorder]

HEY A couple of key Defensive Stats are below the 100 rank mark

Pass eff defense is 75th
Rushing defense is 83rd

http://www.ncaa.com/stats/football/fcs/current/team/24/p2

 

[luckyintheorder]

 

[dudeitsaid]

Again you're not giving any respect to our defense. I know it has been years since we have had this good of a defense but we do. We have the speed and discipline to contain CPA. We keep them under 30 pts. maybe 5 or six scores but at least 2 will be field goals. This eagle team is the most focused team I can remember.

I see what you're saying, but this is a game that should be close. Cal Poly is mostly healthy, and playing at home. Even in their down years, they are still usually a tough out. This year, they are a very good team. Even if it were close, and even if the Mustangs score a lot of points, I don't think that means our D is bad, or we didn't play well. It that happens against ISU, then yes, a close game, and giving up a lot of points would be bad. Our offense can make even great defenses look mediocre. We scored more on what is typically one of the best defensive teams in the FCS year in and year out than any team has scored in six years, doesn't mean their D is bad. Our D is improving dramatically, and will have some stops. But this is a true top 10 team, IMO, and this is what a great football game should be! I think Cal Poly can win, but I think EWU wins this week in a shootout, and then crushes our next two opponents. This is going to be a great test to prepare for the playoffs!

 

[dudeitsaid]

Again you're not giving any respect to our defense. I know it has been years since we have had this good of a defense but we do. We have the speed and discipline to contain CPA. We keep them under 30 pts. maybe 5 or six scores but at least 2 will be field goals. This eagle team is the most focused team I can remember.

I see what you're saying, but this is a game that should be close. Cal Poly is mostly healthy, and playing at home. Even in their down years, they are still usually a tough out. This year, they are a very good team. Even if it were close, and even if the Mustangs score a lot of points, I don't think that means our D is bad, or we didn't play well. It that happens against ISU, then yes, a close game, and giving up a lot of points would be bad. Our offense can make even great defenses look mediocre. We scored more on what is typically one of the best defensive teams in the FCS year in and year out than any team has scored in six years, doesn't mean their D is bad. Our D is improving dramatically, and will have some stops. But this is a true top 10 team, IMO, and this is what a great football game should be! I think Cal Poly can win, but I think EWU wins this week in a shootout, and then crushes our next two opponents. This is going to be a great test to prepare for the playoffs!

For our D to do that to the high scoring Poly offense with their start Prothroe in is outstanding. They have arrived! The lowest point total Cal Poly has scored this season is...21!

 

[Screamin_Eagle174]

EWU 48 - 31 CP

Had the margin almost right, just not the total points. I'll take it.

 

[Rontheoldwiseeagle]

Again you're not giving any respect to our defense. I know it has been years since we have had this good of a defense but we do. We have the speed and discipline to contain CPA. We keep them under 30 pts. maybe 5 or six scores but at least 2 will be field goals. This eagle team is the most focused team I can remember.

I see what you're saying, but this is a game that should be close. Cal Poly is mostly healthy, and playing at home. Even in their down years, they are still usually a tough out. This year, they are a very good team. Even if it were close, and even if the Mustangs score a lot of points, I don't think that means our D is bad, or we didn't play well. It that happens against ISU, then yes, a close game, and giving up a lot of points would be bad. Our offense can make even great defenses look mediocre. We scored more on what is typically one of the best defensive teams in the FCS year in and year out than any team has scored in six years, doesn't mean their D is bad. Our D is improving dramatically, and will have some stops. But this is a true top 10 team, IMO, and this is what a great football game should be! I think Cal Poly can win, but I think EWU wins this week in a shootout, and then crushes our next two opponents. This is going to be a great test to prepare for the playoffs!

For our D to do that to the high scoring Poly offense with their start Prothroe in is outstanding. They have arrived! The lowest point total Cal Poly has scored this season is...21!

:thumb: Such great speed and discipline .