Western Illinois

[PurpleBlood]

I got this off the WIU fan board. These teams are evenly matched and we will need to play a great game. I have watched WIU play and I honestly believe if we play our best we will be to much for them.

Predictions
Massey - 24-23, WIU Victory
Compughterratings.com - 25-24, WSU win
Sagarin (calculation, doesn't round) - 22.60 to 22.16, WIU win
Average margin: dead even

Rankings
Sagarin (out of all 254 DI teams) - WIU 78, WSU 95
Massey Composite - WIU 7, WSU 6
STATS Top 25 - WIU 9, WSU - 11
AGS Poll - WIU 11, WSU 10

Common Opponents
None. You'd have to go to a second level deep on that (WIU vs NAU, NAU vs most of the Big Sky, most of the Big Sky vs WSU)...and it's really rather pointless when you go that far with it.

My Take - WIU Fan
Wow are we pretty evenly matched. I think we have the advantage through the air for the most part, especially when we're on offense, but defensively, they have a little bit of the edge, especially against the run. They have dangerous return guys who can really turn a game around for them as well as a fairly mobile QB.
I think Weber State is actually a very similar team to us in terms of where and who they are. Both are teams from powerhouse conferences (MVFC and Big Sky), both conferences have a couple of "big flashy" teams that everyone knows...NDSU & YSU...EWU & Montana, but we're both generally just a bit behind the top of the conference. We're both really good teams, but don't often seem to win the conference championship or get close to playing for the FCS championship. Just strong, "workhorse" teams that get out there and get the job done.

Prediction:
I think that most of the predictors out there...Sagarin...Massey, etc. generally factor in a few points (3-4) for a home field advantage. The thing is...we don't do "home field advantage". There's one thing I've really noticed about our team, having gone to two away games (that we won both of)...our guys really thrive on taking a nice loud opposing crowd and completely shutting them up. I think they would much rather do that than play at home in front of our own...sometimes not so enthusiastic or large...crowd. Playing well on the road is our identity...our guys are "road dogs"...so I think you can probably kick that "home field advantage" out the window. Since most predictors have the game essentially "dead even" (one has us winning by 1 point, the other has them winning by 1 point), I think we'll come away with a close, low scoring, 3-point win. I probably won't have any fingernails when it's over...but it'll be a win.

 

[DCWIU11]

Hey everyone, quick question if i wanted to fly into town for this game what is the best airport to use and whats the best airlines in the area? I'd be coming from DC and am having trouble finding flights that aren't $750 each way. It may because of the holiday weekend or I am not looking at the right airlines. Also, very excited for this game and glad to get a tough oppent to start off the playoffs just wished they sent us east because I live on the east coast. haha.

 

[SWeberCat02]

Hey everyone, quick question if i wanted to fly into town for this game what is the best airport to use and whats the best airlines in the area? I'd be coming from DC and am having trouble finding flights that aren't $750 each way. It may because of the holiday weekend or I am not looking at the right airlines. Also, very excited for this game and glad to get a tough oppent to start off the playoffs just wished they sent us east because I live on the east coast. haha.

Salt Lake International Airport is 40 miles and 40 minutes from campus. Only real option if you're flying in. Salt Lake is a Delta hub so Delta's probably your best option. Also, Southwest is a good option. Not surprised prices are high due to last minute booking on a holiday weekend. Hope you can make the trip.

 

[SWeberCat02]

http://macombnewsnow.com/assets/files/charliefisher1120%282%29.mp3

Interview of Western Illinois HC. Talks about the Weber game beginning at 5:27

 

[WILDCAT]

The Leathernecks are 6-1 on the road this year with wins over Tennessee Tech, Northern Arizona, (FBSino) Coastal Carolina, Northern Iowa, Illinois State and Indiana State. Only road loss was to North Dakota State by 12. They are the definition of road warriors. Will probably be our most challenging game outside of SUU and California.

They will also not be affected by our altitude as they handled NAU's quite easily. Weber is going to have to play a perfect game to get this win.

 

[oldrunner]

The Leathernecks are 6-1 on the road this year with wins over Tennessee Tech, Northern Arizona, (FBSino) Coastal Carolina, Northern Iowa, Illinois State and Indiana State. Only road loss was to North Dakota State by 12. They are the definition of road warriors. Will probably be our most challenging game outside of SUU and California.

They will also not be affected by our altitude as they handled NAU's quite easily. Weber is going to have to play a perfect game to get this win.

Unlike some other teams we know, they seem to know how to handle the altitude. You don't show up 48 hours prior to game time and expect to do well. You are better off arriving less than 24 hours before your game. They are leaving home Friday night. As long as they can get a little sleep on the plane, they will be okay for the afternoon game.

Their coach had an interesting comment on the altitude. He said that the game will be played at under 4,000 ft elevation. I guess they will be snorkeling the Great Salt Lake. :lol: :lol: :lol:

 

[n.ogdencat]

It is almost like looking in a mirror. Looking at the stats, the Leathernecks look very similar to Weber State. However, what type of offense or defense they run is a complete mystery to me. What is evident is how effective they are at what they do. Like the Cats, they show up and play their game. They dictate the flow of the game to their advantage and mix it up well on defense. This is going to be an tough game for both teams. A perfect game by both teams will probably end up forcing this game into extra possessions. TO's are a factor, the Cats have to take care of the ball a lot better than they did last Sat.

 

[oldrunner]

I'm wondering what they plan to do with the women's BB game that is scheduled for the same time. Almost the entire administrative crew that runs the WBB games will be tied up running the football game. They will either reschedule the WBB game or throw together a whole new crew to run the game. The men's game shouldn't be a conflict at all.

 

[WILDCAT]

I'm wondering what they plan to do with the women's BB game that is scheduled for the same time. Almost the entire administrative crew that runs the WBB games will be tied up running the football game. They will either reschedule the WBB game or throw together a whole new crew to run the game. The men's game shouldn't be a conflict at all.

The football game should get priority. Not a dig on the hoops programs but this is the biggest game in recent history.

 

[SWWeatherCat]

Hey everyone, quick question if i wanted to fly into town for this game what is the best airport to use and whats the best airlines in the area? I'd be coming from DC and am having trouble finding flights that aren't $750 each way. It may because of the holiday weekend or I am not looking at the right airlines. Also, very excited for this game and glad to get a tough oppent to start off the playoffs just wished they sent us east because I live on the east coast. haha.

SLC International and Frontier isn't comfortable but would probably be pretty competitive price-wise.

 

[SWWeatherCat]

It is almost like looking in a mirror. Looking at the stats, the Leathernecks look very similar to Weber State. However, what type of offense or defense they run is a complete mystery to me. What is evident is how effective they are at what they do. Like the Cats, they show up and play their game. They dictate the flow of the game to their advantage and mix it up well on defense. This is going to be an tough game for both teams. A perfect game by both teams will probably end up forcing this game into extra possessions. TO's are a factor, the Cats have to take care of the ball a lot better than they did last Sat.

That worries me. Usually when teams look pretty even and you think it should be a great game, one team often wins pretty easily and where WIU has owed the road that worries me.

 

[n.ogdencat]

Hey everyone, quick question if i wanted to fly into town for this game what is the best airport to use and whats the best airlines in the area? I'd be coming from DC and am having trouble finding flights that aren't $750 each way. It may because of the holiday weekend or I am not looking at the right airlines. Also, very excited for this game and glad to get a tough oppent to start off the playoffs just wished they sent us east because I live on the east coast. haha.

Southwest from Baltimore? Try jet blue or Delta. The holiday weekend isn't helping things. But, I use to be able to find a fairly inexpensive red-eye out of Reagan.

 

[SWeberCat02]

https://tkt.xosn.com/tickets/TicketHome.dbml?DB_LANG=C&DB_OEM_ID=8600&_MODE_=EVENTSELECT&SALE_TKT_EVENT_ID=1038327

Tickets prices are from $10 to $32. Most of east side is still GA.

 

[MrLevski]

https://tkt.xosn.com/tickets/TicketHome ... ID=1038327

Tickets prices are from $10 to $32. Most of east side is still GA.

Any idea if there will be GA tickets left Saturday morning? Want to go to the game but right now I have no idea whether it will be just me or others. Probably won't know until Friday night.

 

[SWeberCat02]

https://tkt.xosn.com/tickets/TicketHome ... ID=1038327

Tickets prices are from $10 to $32. Most of east side is still GA.

Any idea if there will be GA tickets left Saturday morning? Want to go to the game but right now I have no idea whether it will be just me or others. Probably won't know until Friday night.

My guess is that anyone wanting to get a ticket, including a GA ticket, will be able to walk-up on game day and get one. They've never sold out a game. I'm planning on waiting until game day.

 

[WSUWildcat]

https://tkt.xosn.com/tickets/TicketHome ... ID=1038327

Tickets prices are from $10 to $32. Most of east side is still GA.

Any idea if there will be GA tickets left Saturday morning? Want to go to the game but right now I have no idea whether it will be just me or others. Probably won't know until Friday night.

My guess is that anyone wanting to get a ticket, including a GA ticket, will be able to walk-up on game day and get one. They've never sold out a game. I'm planning on waiting until game day.

I believe plenty of GA seats will be available at game time. Students are allowed one free admission to this game. So subtract the usual 500 or so that attend and there should still be ~10k seats leftover on the east side especially if there are no freebies given away to this game.

I hope the students prove me wrong and we come with over 15k fans.

 

[EdubU10]

Best of luck to you guys. Represent the sky and kick some ass.

 

[the dan]

With such an even matchup I wanted to take a look at special teams.

Western Illinois is 10-11 on field goals. It appears they have two kickers, one for under 50 yards and another for 50+. The short range kicker is 8-8 and the long range kicker is 2-3. I was hoping we’d have an advantage in the kicking game with Tuttle but they appear solid as well.

WIU net punting average of 32.26. Weber is at 38.81. Hopefully we can win some field position here.

They’ve kicked touchbacks on 40 of 71 kickoffs. Here’s hoping Shaheed gets to return a few. They have a long kick return of 42 yards and an 81 yard punt return TD.

The stats show a solid special team unit for WIU.

 

[oldrunner]

With such an even matchup I wanted to take a look at special teams.

Western Illinois is 10-11 on field goals. It appears they have two kickers, one for under 50 yards and another for 50+. The short range kicker is 8-8 and the long range kicker is 2-3. I was hoping we’d have an advantage in the kicking game with Tuttle but they appear solid as well.

WIU net punting average of 32.26. Weber is at 38.81. Hopefully we can win some field position here.

They’ve kicked touchbacks on 40 of 71 kickoffs. Here’s hoping Shaheed gets to return a few. They have a long kick return of 42 yards and an 81 yard punt return TD.

The stats show a solid special team unit for WIU.

Like I said earlier, I'm really glad this game is at our place. WIU looks like our twin. I'm hoping our D comes through big on our home turf.

 

[hawkssb04]

I'm wondering what they plan to do with the women's BB game that is scheduled for the same time. Almost the entire administrative crew that runs the WBB games will be tied up running the football game. They will either reschedule the WBB game or throw together a whole new crew to run the game. The men's game shouldn't be a conflict at all.

The football game should get priority. Not a dig on the hoops programs but this is the biggest game in recent history.

They changed the time for the hoops game to accommodate football.