What will the 2018 Season Bring?

[ewueagle2010]

It will probably come down to beating a MVC team like NDSU to get to Natty.

I don't know... there's some mysterious force we need to beat that's a far greater challenge. Each year, the defeat just before the natty gets even more rediculous. And just when we all thought it couldn't get even more bonkers - the helmet catch against YSU.

The Semifinal Saturday jinx. The only time we won a national semifinal was on a Friday. I'd argue that Sam Houston State just came out and beat us, even though it was close at the end. We played an absolute stinker the first time against Youngstown State. The other against Towson and Youngstown State part II required a defensive meltdown when we could've walked out with a win. In both games, we gave up a game-winning TD the last play of the season for the defense. It was a bad look each time, and just sort of encapsulates how our defense seems to cost us when It counts.

Although true about the D in those two games, the O had chances to put both of those games away and keep it out of the hands of the D, specifically the Towson game in 2013. The overthrow to a wide open Cooper for the TD would have sealed that game.

 

[EdubU10]

It will probably come down to beating a MVC team like NDSU to get to Natty.

I don't know... there's some mysterious force we need to beat that's a far greater challenge. Each year, the defeat just before the natty gets even more rediculous. And just when we all thought it couldn't get even more bonkers - the helmet catch against YSU.

The Semifinal Saturday jinx. The only time we won a national semifinal was on a Friday. I'd argue that Sam Houston State just came out and beat us, even though it was close at the end. We played an absolute stinker the first time against Youngstown State. The other against Towson and Youngstown State part II required a defensive meltdown when we could've walked out with a win. In both games, we gave up a game-winning TD the last play of the season for the defense. It was a bad look each time, and just sort of encapsulates how our defense seems to cost us when It counts.

Although true about the D in those two games, the O had chances to put both of those games away and keep it out of the hands of the D, specifically the Towson game in 2013. The overthrow to a wide open Cooper for the TD would have sealed that game.

God, please don't remind me of that play...

 

[EWURanger]

Yeah...that one and the helmet catch in the 2016 semifinal game.

Regardless, we've allowed opponents to drive the entire field in the final couple minutes of the game in at least two semi-final appearances in recent years. You can point to a play or two here or there, but in my mind the bigger issue was the soft defense in those instances. Giving up game winners in the waning moments of such games should never happen in my opinion.

 

[clawman1]

Yeah...that one and the helmet catch in the 2016 semifinal game.

Regardless, we've allowed opponents to drive the entire field in the final couple minutes of the game in at least two semi-final appearances in recent years. You can point to a play or two here or there, but in my mind the bigger issue was the soft defense in those instances. Giving up game winners in the waning moments of such games should never happen in my opinion.

Ranger; In your mind should the Eagles win games in the waning minutes?

 

[EWURanger]

Yeah...that one and the helmet catch in the 2016 semifinal game.

Regardless, we've allowed opponents to drive the entire field in the final couple minutes of the game in at least two semi-final appearances in recent years. You can point to a play or two here or there, but in my mind the bigger issue was the soft defense in those instances. Giving up game winners in the waning moments of such games should never happen in my opinion.

Ranger; In your mind should the Eagles win games in the waning minutes?

Depends on the situation, but it’s certainly not unreasonable given the talent we’ve had at QB and WR the past 10 or so years. Our offense has shown repeatedly that it can score in 3-4 plays.

Both Towson and YSU were ball control type offenses without consistent big play ability in the passing game, which made watching both those teams march right down the field to score the game winners all the more unbearable to watch.

 

[IdaEag92]

I'm new here,I really like and respect this football program, and the diversity of the fan base. I just would like to give a bit of my respect for this defense, and the type of players this team seams to recruit. Haveing not watched as much of BSC conference football as most of you, it seems as though most of the D line is composed of smaller speed rushers, 260 pounders, to match up against the mobile duel threat QB's in the RPO offenses that dominate the league. I aplaude coach Best for implementing a more balanced approach. A effective run game gives the D line needed rest so they can go hard the entire game and not get worn out by a run heavy team late in the game. The D line is the core of the defense, and the nose tackle is the heart of the defense. The loss of JT last year due to injury, was IMO the greatest single loss on the defense, maybee even the team. He is a run stopper!!! We need more than one. He is to Eastern, what Willam Perry was to the 85, Chichago Bears,or what BJ Rogie was to the packers. He is a dominateing player who dosen't get a lot of credit, but makes LB's look really good. Finally I believe that the main difference between FBS and FCS is the depth of the D line, Haveing more speed rushers , and at least a equel amount of run stoppers like JT. on the inside, Just my oppinion. Good luck to this team!!

 

[dudeitsaid]

Yeah...that one and the helmet catch in the 2016 semifinal game.

Regardless, we've allowed opponents to drive the entire field in the final couple minutes of the game in at least two semi-final appearances in recent years. You can point to a play or two here or there, but in my mind the bigger issue was the soft defense in those instances. Giving up game winners in the waning moments of such games should never happen in my opinion.

Ranger; In your mind should the Eagles win games in the waning minutes?

Depends on the situation, but it’s certainly not unreasonable given the talent we’ve had at QB and WR the past 10 or so years. Our offense has shown repeatedly that it can score in 3-4 plays.

Both Towson and YSU were ball control type offenses without consistent big play ability in the passing game, which made watching both those teams march right down the field to score the game winners all the more unbearable to watch.

My heart is hurting just remembering these playoff games. Each of this decades semifinal games were winnable. I think against SHSU, had VA been put in sooner, we win that game. Towsen, the Cooper catch would've sealed it. Against YSU, there were several moments we could've won that game, but to me, the most critical was in the 2nd half, when we could've gone up by three scores. We ran a trick play with Cooper passing the ball down the field. I can't remember who he was passing to, but the receiver was open, and it would've been a touchdown. The next play, Gubrude threw an interception. That led to the ball control clock eating process that followed, and instead of being up three scores, they brought it within one. I firmly believe that if we had scored, they would've been forced to play a brand of football that would've worked in our favor. They couldn't have played the ball control game down three scores. And, of course...that catch! Ugh.

 

[Obzerver]

IdaEag92, i agree with what you said. You mentioned that the main difference between FBS and FCS is the depth of the D line. I would even take it a step further and say just the starting D line in general is big between FBS and FCS. The D Tackle is the hardest position in football to recruit due to the limited number available. There is only so many good ones out there and the best go to the big FBS programs along with other D lineman. Getting a top D tackle is harder than any other position including QB's, RB's, safety's ect. to get in ones program, much less having depth at that spot. You get some good D lineman and you're golden.

 

[LDopaPDX]

IdaEag92, i agree with what you said. You mentioned that the main difference between FBS and FCS is the depth of the D line. I would even take it a step further and say just the starting D line in general is big between FBS and FCS. The D Tackle is the hardest position in football to recruit due to the limited number available. There is only so many good ones out there and the best go to the big FBS programs along with other D lineman. Getting a top D tackle is harder than any other position including QB's, RB's, safety's ect. to get in ones program, much less having depth at that spot. You get some good D lineman and you're golden.

To be fair, DT is the hardest position to recruit in the NW. These guys grow in the South like wheat sprouts in our neck of the woods. Down there, the hardest part is finding a QB, which grow like weeds in the NW.

One thing that I've never liked is the small number of DL we recruit on a regular basis. You could sign 5 big DL with every class. As long as they are big, you can always put more size on them and lock them in a weight room for a year and convert them to OL if they don't have the feet for DL. It's just really hard to find these guys around here. It would be a good position to look at transfers.

 

[IdaEag92]

I'm not a very outgoing person, I wish that on critical 3'd down, or goal line stand, the entire Eagle Nation would chant JT! JT! JT! I just love watching that young man play!!! Especially during the Idaho game, I want to win that one so bad! Thanks for listening.

 

[Seattle Eagle]

8-3, and playoff birth. First game played at home, and then off to some MVFC or Southland venue.

 

[Screamin_Eagle174]

RECORD
Optimistic: 9-2, BSC Title, #4-5 seed (unless one of the wins is against the Cougs, then #2-3).
Realistic: 8-3, playoffs (probably AL)

STYLE & STATS
4.0+ YPC for RBs
GG Throws 4,200+, 40+ TDs

FOR FANS
Over-reaction, hyperbole, frustration, irrational proclamations.

 

[EagInTexas]

8-3 is a reasonable expectation with this year’s schedule. Most optimistic is probably 9-2. Depends on how much the defense has progressed and balance on offense.

 

[eaglesfootball]

Going with a cautious 7-4 right now but think we could be a 8-3 or 9-2 playoff type team.