PSU @ Washington: what can we expect from Vikings?

[JasonBourne]

Hey guys,

Husky fan wondering about your PSU Vikings team, what can you tell me about your team this year? Obviously the Vikings will be an underdog, but what kind of game are you all expecting? We had a scare last year when we played Eastern Washington and I was honestly pretty surprised they played us so tough. Do you guys have any studs tucked away down there in Portland?

Thanks for any info you can divulge on PSU as I really don't know anything about your Vikings.

 

[pdxfan]

Don't know what to say about the Vikings this year. You can expect any teams in the upper third of the Big Sky to give UW a run for its money. Remains to be seen if PSU is in that category. We'll have a new QB this year. Our lines may be slightly smaller than yours, but not by much. Depth is another story, of course. Experience may be another story too - you seem to be starting a fair number of sophomores. We do have some capable RBs and WRs. Our kicking game is excellent - I guarantee we'll score some field goals on you. Yes, we'll be underdogs. But we won't be pushovers.

 

[scooter1]

Ditto to what PDX said.

Welcome aboard PR - we spanked EWU last year and hung tight for the first half with TCU, so it's really tough to say what we'll show against the Dawgs, but we are really high on the direction this Viking program is headed. We now run the Pistol offense, perfected at Nevada, and have recruited players to help facilitate that scheme.

We're probably still a year away from being a consistent threat to win the Big Sky, but HC Nigel Burton is reconstructing the program the right way and building the roster largely from the Northwest. In fact, this year's group includes about 9 or 10 players from your area.

Our strength the last couple of years has been the running game (led the Big Sky) but is going to be considerably more balanced as we go forward. The QB this year is a junior transfer who broke Aaron Rodgers records at his JuCo last year, and we have a transfer RB from Maryland that the coaching staff is really high on. Add to those some transplants on the defensive side from Boise State & Fresno State, and we've shored up some positions that were weakened with graduations.

What we hope for (actually, I'm speaking for myself) is that we can hold with you guys for a half or so. It's not realistic to expect to hang with a rejuvenated program like the Huskies from the PAC12. Depth becomes a critical factor. While it's true that SAC ST beat OSU last year, that was a bit of a fluke and the Beavers were mired in a little turmoil. Having said that though, if we could bloody your snouts enough to gain some respect we would be really happy!

 

[martymoose]

Hey guys,

Husky fan wondering about your PSU Vikings team, what can you tell me about your team this year? Obviously the Vikings will be an underdog, but what kind of game are you all expecting? We had a scare last year when we played Eastern Washington and I was honestly pretty surprised they played us so tough. Do you guys have any studs tucked away down there in Portland?

Thanks for any info you can divulge on PSU as I really don't know anything about your Vikings.

Expect solid play from our linebackers and offensive line.

Our defensive line may have the talent to be a strength this season, but it's a group that is unproven thus far.

Our secondary will be a question mark, as well as seeing if our offense can fill some key holes, including the leadership at quarterback.

Although our special teams coach left, we were pretty good last season, and if we can find a solid long snapper, any field goal attempt from 50 yards and in has a pretty good shot at being good.

Do you anticipate any bit of a lack of home field advantage in playing at your home away from home this season?

 

[JasonBourne]

I doubt it, as Seahawks Stadium was designed similarly to Husky Stadium in that both reflect sound down towards the playing field. It's possible not as many students will make the trip downtown, but it should still be really loud anyways.

 

[TheTruth1]

My bet is for a somewhat closely contested first half, but Washington will likely pull away for an comfortable victory in the 2nd as depth and fatigue come into play.

 

[martymoose]

I'd be happy with a close halftime score, ala TCU last year.

I think when you play up, the best chance of an upset comes when you play earlier (week 1 and 2). Our last two FBS upsets (New Mexico and Hawaii) came in those two weeks. The odds are that you'll have a couple of guys dinged up in week three and that is magnified for FCS programs.

 

[PSUVikings2]

Hope we start scheduling more MWC schools in the future. The success really hasn't been there against Pac-12 schools. Most haven't even been competitive. Need more @Wyoming type games. Weber has almost beat them twice now. Southern Utah and North Dakota State barely lost in Laramie too.

 

[Wyokie]

Southern Utah and North Dakota State barely lost in Laramie too.

Thanks for the reminder. :roll:

 

[martymoose]

Hope we start scheduling more MWC schools in the future. The success really hasn't been there against Pac-12 schools. Most haven't even been competitive. Need more @Wyoming type games. Weber has almost beat them twice now. Southern Utah and North Dakota State barely lost in Laramie too.

I suspect that travel costs factor into this. A trip up or down I-5 is a lot cheaper than a trip to Laramie, Albuquerque, or Colorado Springs.

The goal is a Big Sky title, and a probable loss on the schedule that yields more income is more attractive.

 

[BroadwayVik]

I think playing MWC teams in lieu of Pac-12 teams is a great idea. The Pac-12 is highly invulnerable whereas MWC teams are playable. Game payoffs would suffer, though, as attendance would not be as voluminous.