http://www.pocatelloshops.com/new_blogs/kellis/?p=4334
Categories: Robinett Ramblings
Written By: krobinett
Sacramento State has slowly worked its way up from an automatic win in the Big Sky Conference to a team everyone in the league has to take seriously.
Last season, the Hornets played terrific football to close out the season under first-year head coach Marshall Sperbeck. And the year before that they won four games in league play. With the addition of new football facilities, two solid linebackers and a talented young running back, Sacramento State has the look of an up-and-coming team.
Only problem is the Hornets won’t truly reach the heights it wants to hit this year. It’s just too soon.
Predicted Finish: 5-7 (2-6)
Predicted Wins: Humboldt State, Southern Oregon, Portland State, at UC Davis, Northern Colorado
Predicted Losses: at Colorado State, Weber State, at Northern Arizona, at Montana, Montana State, at Eastern Washington, at Idaho State
Why No. 7?
Sacramento State is on the rise.
Give the Hornets’ football program a little bit of time — two or three more years — and Marshall Sperbeck will produce a team that ends the year with a winning record.
It’s going to happen. Sacramento State came on strong at the end of last year, winning its last two games and staying competitive in its last five. The Hornets are recruiting better players every year. And Sacramento State just underwent a few significant football facility upgrades. Like I said, in time Sacramento State will be a winner.
But Hornets fans will have to accept at least one more losing season before things get better. Seeing as how the Hornets haven’t experienced anything but sub-.500 seasons since 1999, though, I suppose that shouldn’t be a problem.
For now, Sacramento State is right where everyone has it pegged in the preseason polls: a lower-tier team in the conference.
“We haven’t had the most traditional success, and until you do something to change these type of predictions are probably where you belong,” Sperbeck said.
Sacramento State will begin its move up the conference ladder this year. The Hornets will win five games — two will be shoe-ins with Humboldt State and Southern Oregon on the schedule — and build off last year.
On defense, they have two Buck Buchanan Award candidates coming back as seniors. Mike Brannon and Cyrus Mulitalo will easily combine to create one of the top linebacker corps in the conference.
On offense, the Hornets return a running back everyone in the league should know about. Bryan Hilliard, a sophomore from Sacramento, rushed for more than 800 yards last year and only received significant carries in seven games.
“He had a great year last year, especially for a freshman,” Sperback said. “We’ve got big expectations for Brian. He’s going to be a back who has a bright future in the Big Sky.”
With those three, Sacramento State will certainly have a good core group of players. But it won’t be enough this year. The Hornets still have too many holes to fill, especially on offense, before they can expect to make a run at five or six wins in Big Sky play.
That day is coming.
It’s just not here yet.
Sacramento State at a glance
Story of the year: Who will step up as the go-to quarterback? Sacramento State has a junior and three sophomores on its roster, and if it can develop one of them into a solid signal-caller the Hornets will be looking good in 2009.
Player to watch: Bryan Hilliard. If he plays his cards right, he could be as a good of a running back as Lex Hilliard.
Game of the year: at UC Davis. Sacramento State needs to step up and beat its area rivals if it wants to be taken more seriously in northern California.
Categories: Robinett Ramblings
Written By: krobinett
Sacramento State has slowly worked its way up from an automatic win in the Big Sky Conference to a team everyone in the league has to take seriously.
Last season, the Hornets played terrific football to close out the season under first-year head coach Marshall Sperbeck. And the year before that they won four games in league play. With the addition of new football facilities, two solid linebackers and a talented young running back, Sacramento State has the look of an up-and-coming team.
Only problem is the Hornets won’t truly reach the heights it wants to hit this year. It’s just too soon.
Predicted Finish: 5-7 (2-6)
Predicted Wins: Humboldt State, Southern Oregon, Portland State, at UC Davis, Northern Colorado
Predicted Losses: at Colorado State, Weber State, at Northern Arizona, at Montana, Montana State, at Eastern Washington, at Idaho State
Why No. 7?
Sacramento State is on the rise.
Give the Hornets’ football program a little bit of time — two or three more years — and Marshall Sperbeck will produce a team that ends the year with a winning record.
It’s going to happen. Sacramento State came on strong at the end of last year, winning its last two games and staying competitive in its last five. The Hornets are recruiting better players every year. And Sacramento State just underwent a few significant football facility upgrades. Like I said, in time Sacramento State will be a winner.
But Hornets fans will have to accept at least one more losing season before things get better. Seeing as how the Hornets haven’t experienced anything but sub-.500 seasons since 1999, though, I suppose that shouldn’t be a problem.
For now, Sacramento State is right where everyone has it pegged in the preseason polls: a lower-tier team in the conference.
“We haven’t had the most traditional success, and until you do something to change these type of predictions are probably where you belong,” Sperbeck said.
Sacramento State will begin its move up the conference ladder this year. The Hornets will win five games — two will be shoe-ins with Humboldt State and Southern Oregon on the schedule — and build off last year.
On defense, they have two Buck Buchanan Award candidates coming back as seniors. Mike Brannon and Cyrus Mulitalo will easily combine to create one of the top linebacker corps in the conference.
On offense, the Hornets return a running back everyone in the league should know about. Bryan Hilliard, a sophomore from Sacramento, rushed for more than 800 yards last year and only received significant carries in seven games.
“He had a great year last year, especially for a freshman,” Sperback said. “We’ve got big expectations for Brian. He’s going to be a back who has a bright future in the Big Sky.”
With those three, Sacramento State will certainly have a good core group of players. But it won’t be enough this year. The Hornets still have too many holes to fill, especially on offense, before they can expect to make a run at five or six wins in Big Sky play.
That day is coming.
It’s just not here yet.
Sacramento State at a glance
Story of the year: Who will step up as the go-to quarterback? Sacramento State has a junior and three sophomores on its roster, and if it can develop one of them into a solid signal-caller the Hornets will be looking good in 2009.
Player to watch: Bryan Hilliard. If he plays his cards right, he could be as a good of a running back as Lex Hilliard.
Game of the year: at UC Davis. Sacramento State needs to step up and beat its area rivals if it wants to be taken more seriously in northern California.
