@SUU

[Chex]

For the first time all year, the Wildcats play consecutive weeks...at least as of today.

The Wildcats and the Big Sky are a mystery. SUU is three plays away from being undefeated. The Wildcats look like they could have big time potential, but are playing inconsistent on all sides of the ball. The offense is especially struggling at times, but even the defense has lapses with terrible missed tackles.

I expect another battle to the final whistle, and honestly, if Johnson starts, I think SUU has the upper hand as this is their big game, and plainly it’s not the same for Weber State and is just another game.

Johnson will have to have the plays limited with easy passes to build up his confidence with maybe occasional downfield throws. He and Davis will mainly have to run to move the ball.

If Barron is healthy, will he be able to get in game form and be on the passing game after three weeks off?

Can the defense be the shutdown defense of old?

The NAU game could have been a 20 plus win with a couple of plays, so if they put it together, the Wildcats could get a solid win this week.

I doubt we find out anything before the game on who plays, so I guess we’ll just have to tune in. I’m hoping the Wildcats had a major wake up call and respond.

 

[oldrunner]

I agree with all of your points, Chex.

This game could go one of two ways. If we build a lead, they may not react so well. It could become a big win. It could also be a dog fight from start to finish. In a dog fight, I still like our chances.

If Johnson is still under center, I feel that his game will be much improved after he has had a chance to look at video and make corrections.

Our defense should also enter this game with a renewed intensity and focus.

I'm glad that there is not a bye week in between. No time to dwell on past mistakes. Look at them, correct them, and move quickly on to the next test.

 

[SWeberCat02]

Two games left after CP quits their season. Got to win them both, but this game worries me. Have to play better than the NAU game to win. SUU isn't as bad as they were supposed to be and are hungry for a win.

 

[the dan]

Any chance we schedule an extra game?

 

[oldrunner]

Two games left after CP quits their season. Got to win them both, but this game worries me. Have to play better than the NAU game to win. SUU isn't as bad as they were supposed to be and are hungry for a win.

I think it was kind of chickenshit for Poly to pull out in the middle of the season. They were getting soundly beat and decided to take their ball and go home with their tails between their legs. Probably a good thing that the tail was there 'cause there sure weren't anything else hanging there. The BSC should tell them to stay home and never come back. Other schools have gone through that kind of losing and not just quit. Wusses. :rofl:

 

[Chex]

I think it more sucks for NAU and UC Davis than it does for Weber State that Cal Poly is quitting. This makes this week the last game of the season for UC Davis and an extra game could help at large playoffs. I think they would need Weber State to drop both games for a shot at AQ. Anything can happen, but that would be a long shot.

If UC Davis beats EWU and Idaho State beats Idaho. Weber State could clinch the AQ and no less than a share of the title with a win at SUU...so that should provide extra motivation.

Weber State not having to play at Cal Poly would be a break should they win the title to get a bye week before the playoffs. Plus, they don’t have to travel outside Utah and only went as far as Pocatello.

I could see UC Davis and NAU wanting to schedule another game if that is possible at this stage in the season.

It’s a very strange year for sure.

Does anyone know tiebreaker scenarios for if Weber State and Idaho or EWU tie? If it is highest ranking, I almost think Weber State would pretty much clinch the AQ with a win Saturday regardless.

 

[SWeberCat02]

Weber State not having to play at Cal Poly would be a break should they win the title to get a bye week before the playoffs.

The way they tend to play after byes I'm not so sure having a break is a good thing.

 

[Chex]

Weber State not having to play at Cal Poly would be a break should they win the title to get a bye week before the playoffs.

The way they tend to play after byes I'm not so sure having a break is a good thing.

That’s a very good point. I don’t know what would be better, the playoff game being the fifth straight game played, or having 3 straight games (hopefully), a bye, and then start the playoffs.

To use one of my favorite football quotes, “Playoffs??? Don’t talk about the playoffs! Playoffs? You kidding me? I just hope we can win a game!”

I think the game in Cedar City should be the only focus right now.

 

[oldrunner]

Weber State not having to play at Cal Poly would be a break should they win the title to get a bye week before the playoffs.

The way they tend to play after byes I'm not so sure having a break is a good thing.

That’s a very good point. I don’t know what would be better, the playoff game being the fifth straight game played, or having 3 straight games (hopefully), a bye, and then start the playoffs.

To use one of my favorite football quotes, “Playoffs??? Don’t talk about the playoffs! Playoffs? You kidding me? I just hope we can win a game!”

I think the game in Cedar City should be the only focus right now.

I'm absolutely sure that, after the NAU game, the coaches have thier complete attention and that the focus will be intense on Saturday. We all know that when you are on top, you have everybody else's attention. SUU will be flying high to start this game. We need to absorb that early energy and maintain our focus. :rockon:

 

[the dan]

Looks like we’re about 20 point favorites.... which is shocking to me. Should be half of that.

 

[oldrunner]

The good news is that Barron is taking some snaps in practice. He is still waiting for clearance for full contact, but he is at least staying sharp. Sounds like Johnson is still preparing to be the QB, but there may be more options come Saturday.

My feelings are that Johnson will be much improved having had the chance to review the things he did right and the things he didn't. Like everyone keeps saying; the biggest improvement comes between the first and second games. I feel that this will prove to be true in his situation. I also feel that our running game is about to have a breakout.

I still haven't heard if Grimes has recieved his waiver to play this spring. Anybody have any info on that?

 

[oldrunner]

Any chance we schedule an extra game?

I don't see that happening. It sounds like the BSC is leaning toward granting Ws by forfeit for Poly backing out of playing. That would give us and UCD another win. No need for scrambling up a game in the off week before the playoffs.
:twocents:

 

[WILDCAT]

Apparently SUUcks is going with an all red look tomorrow and Weber is gonna wear all purple including the Go W helmets. Pretty cool.

 

[Kantoa]

This is so frustrating to watch Weber making so many dumb mistakes for penalties.

 

[Chex]

What a terrible first half. Weber State had a lot of opportunities to make it a two score game. Now they find themselves down 9-3. Every team has scored on SUU’s defense, and the offense can only muster up a 51-yard field goal?

They better get a fire lit under them and come to play the 2nd half.

 

[Kantoa]

Even with a win no way will the committee give Weber a seed with this level of play.

 

[baller]

WELL, was that as ugly for you as it was for me? But a win is better than a loss... I have several observations to make:
1. I have not seen the # of penalties Weber committed but it was a lot for a lot of yards and with a better opponent we won't survive such a rash of stupid penalties.
2. Matt Hammer has not done the job as OC since the first game of the season. We go into every new game with a game plan that falls flat on its face in the first half. He has been better at adjusting in the second half. But you cannot beat great teams with a half a game (or less) of good offensive play.
3. Weber had 2 delay-of-game penalties, the last one on a punt for Gods sake. How can an offense not be able to execute a punt within the allotted time. It is a sign of poorly put together offense.
4. The selection committee was right to place Weber in a tie for 5th place, and after today's showing we should be put down a couple more spots.

I keep waiting for the offense to show up ready to play and execute a great game. But it has been 4 games now and haven't had anything even resembling a strong offense since the first game. I went into the season thinking that we would be going to Frisco in May for the finals. As long as we are playing no better than we have been in the past 3 games we will be lucky to make it out of the first round of the playoffs.

I applaud Jay Hill for replacing last year's QB in hopes of upgrading. And I do see that these two QB's are an upgrade and will get better in time. Thats what a guy who wins does, he continues to upgrade to stay on a improving win track. I know that Jay's ultimate goal is to be national champ and I applaud him. So many at Weber don't have such high expectations. So Jay, keep making the tough decisions that it takes to be a champion. Maybe a new good, but tough, decision is to find a new OC.

 

[Chex]

Awesome game by McMillan. He stepped up when it was needed. The Wildcats had too many penalties and made some stupid calls...going for two when tied and the run call on the goal line on third down was not great...I think a play fake would have been an easy TD.

All that said, they outscored SUU 10-0 in the 4th and ran off the clock when needed. SUU is better than people give them credit for...along with ISU and NAU. ISU should have beaten EWU but choked. I think you will see a much tougher game than the first one was with them. I really think ISU’s QB is good.

I think the offense is light years ahead of Schramm’s but that’s not saying much. I was kind of surprised they didn’t get a bigger name and offensive mind than Hammer, but I think you have to ride out the Spring Season...and then look at options. I’m still open to see if Hammer can grow into the role and improve...but if an opportunity to improve with a known commodity occurs...it should be taken.

Congratulations to the team on winning the Beehive Bowl and going to 4-0! Another battle is set for next week. This is an opportunity for a non-shared conference championship.

Go Wildcats!

 

[oldrunner]

I'm so glad that SUU is leaving the BSC. You'll never get decent officiating there. No official, who knows crap about anything, ever wants to do a game in a craphole like Cedar City. It doesn't matter what the sport is, when you go to Cedar you will take what you get and it isn't good. They should play in Ogden 5 times before we ever go back there, after next fall. :wall:

 

[Chex]

I'm so glad that SUU is leaving the BSC. You'll never get decent officiating there. No official, who knows crap about anything, ever wants to do a game in a craphole like Cedar City. It doesn't matter what the sport is, when you go to Cedar you will take what you get and it isn't good. They should play in Ogden 5 times before we ever go back there, after next fall. :wall:

So my PlutoTV feed was jumpy. I thought McMillan was in the end zone for sure on the drive they settled for the field goal. Was it a TD in your opinion? Was it a fumble on the TD they gave to SUU? That would have been a 14-point swing. I thought the two 15 yard penalty calls were BS on the drive they settled for an opening field goal.

Given all that, it could have been a 17-point victory. Just have to tip your hat that Weber State didn’t let it get them down and won in spite of it. I’m sure EWU is happy to play Idaho next week to get revenge on the field goal that was called no good. EWU didn’t battle through it though. That is the difference.

Honestly, since SUU opted to step down to the WAC, Weber State shouldn’t even bother to schedule them. They can use that for another high quality FCS game like they have with JMU, Northern Iowa, and South Dakota. I’d schedule Dixie State every now and then and skip SUU altogether...and I’d only schedule Dixie State just to save money on traveling.