WK 1 Prediction Thread CWU 13 v EWU 58

[luckyintheorder]

If we could have gotten UW on the schedule, this would be the first game for the Washington State football championship. Darn.

When Eastern wins this game, it won't be the fault of Reilly Hennessey's arm. We know what kind of player Reilly is and expect to give him a warm welcome back by harassing him all day long in the back field. He will be geeked for this one. Looks like they are rebuilding the WR corp and we know what that can look like.

EWU BIG. 52-17 Expect the D to shut down the run, contain Reilly and get off the field. The offense will look in mid-season form with McPherson and Custer going for 2 bills and Limu-Jones and Grady chewing up big pieces of real estate on the outside by being nearly uncoverable with everyone else as underneath threats.

Here is a nice quick breakdown on CWU this season from the Yakima Herald:

Helping things is that Central returns five defensive starters, most notably All-American safety James Hasty. Shoemaker said the defensive backfield is probably the strongest unit on that side of the ball right now, but there are plenty of other solid pieces, including lineman Billy Greer.

“That’s a pretty talented group back there, but we’ve got some talent up front as well,” he said.

Central’s true strength, however, is on offense, particularly up front where the Wildcats return four starters and six with extensive experience, and at quarterback where Reilly Hennessey is back for his senior season.

Adding to that is a deep stable of running backs, led by Christian Cummings, who is now fully recovered from a season-ending knee injury last fall.

The big question is at receiver after the Wildcats graduated their top four pass catchers from last season. Shoemaker expects returner JoJo Hillel to step up and also said redshirt freshman Tyson Rainwater and sophomore Tony Archie have looked good early in camp. He also said that Samuel Sanchez and Christian Hill-Sanders appear ready to take over at tight end for the graduated Kyle Self.

 

[EWURanger]

I don’t see this game getting that out of hand. CWU is a really good team with a lot of former FBS and Big Sky level talent that, for whatever reason, didn’t pan out. Obviously RH is a great QB and we all know what he can do. Would’ve loved to see him stick around but totally understand the desire to play.

I need to do some research on what their defensive line looks like this year but ideally we lean on them and control the game with the run. I feel like we have the Offensive line to do that.

I’m going with 42-28 Eags.

 

[LDopaPDX]

This is not a walkover, which you would like to see when scheduling a D2 team. Central is always good and probably beats a handful of Big Sky teams.

I feel like Eastern should move the ball fine in this game. The question- as it always is- is can the defense get off the field? If the answer is no, then this is a 50/50 game. I think the D will show enough improvement to get us a W. I still fear it might be too close for comfort. I've had high expectations for the defense for several years and they never seem to make that jump ahead.

 

[dudeitsaid]

This is not a walkover, which you would like to see when scheduling a D2 team. Central is always good and probably beats a handful of Big Sky teams.

I feel like Eastern should move the ball fine in this game. The question- as it always is- is can the defense get off the field? If the answer is no, then this is a 50/50 game. I think the D will show enough improvement to get us a W. I still fear it might be too close for comfort. I've had high expectations for the defense for several years and they never seem to make that jump ahead.

I agree with this. CWU has often played EWU tough (Just look at 2010), and they've been a tough out for other BSC teams (I believe the took a strong UM team to the wire in 2011). I think this game will be frustratingly challenging, and will be closer than comfort would allow. I do think EWU comes out on top, but EWU can't take the Wildcats lightly. CWU will be looking to make a statement, and get back to a high seed in the playoffs like last year. This could be CWU's national championship team. This is not thy typical easy D2 warmup game by any means. I think LDopa's insights are spot on on this game.

 

[EagInTexas]

This is not a walkover, which you would like to see when scheduling a D2 team. Central is always good and probably beats a handful of Big Sky teams.

I feel like Eastern should move the ball fine in this game. The question- as it always is- is can the defense get off the field? If the answer is no, then this is a 50/50 game. I think the D will show enough improvement to get us a W. I still fear it might be too close for comfort. I've had high expectations for the defense for several years and they never seem to make that jump ahead.

I agree with this. CWU has often played EWU tough (Just look at 2010), and they've been a tough out for other BSC teams (I believe the took a strong UM team to the wire in 2011). I think this game will be frustratingly challenging, and will be closer than comfort would allow. I do think EWU comes out on top, but EWU can't take the Wildcats lightly. CWU will be looking to make a statement, and get back to a high seed in the playoffs like last year. This could be CWU's national championship team. This is not thy typical easy D2 warmup game by any means. I think LDopa's insights are spot on on this game.

Yes. Massey ranks CWU higher than 3 of our conference opponents this year (NCU, Cal Poly, PSU). They will not be an easy out by any stretch and I actually think this could be a game that goes down to the wire. In the end I think we take care of business at home but this will be a game that’s much too close for comfort for all of us.

EWU-38 CWU-35

 

[Atomic Eagle]

38-24 EWU

 

[InferNoMercy]

42-28 Eags

 

[Eagle Talon]

Wish we could have scheduled a slightly easier game for our opener but it will be a good early challenge for the Eagles. Should be a close game for three quarters but we should have better depth in key positions.

EWU, 41-31

 

[DefendtheRed]

If we could have gotten UW on the schedule, this would be the first game for the Washington State football championship. Darn.

When Eastern wins this game, it won't be the fault of Reilly Hennessey's arm. We know what kind of player Reilly is and expect to give him a warm welcome back by harassing him all day long in the back field. He will be geeked for this one. Looks like they are rebuilding the WR corp and we know what that can look like.

EWU BIG. 52-17 Expect the D to shut down the run, contain Reilly and get off the field. The offense will look in mid-season form with McPherson and Custer going for 2 bills and Limu-Jones and Grady chewing up big pieces of real estate on the outside by being nearly uncoverable with everyone else as underneath threats.

Here is a nice quick breakdown on CWU this season from the Yakima Herald:

Helping things is that Central returns five defensive starters, most notably All-American safety James Hasty. Shoemaker said the defensive backfield is probably the strongest unit on that side of the ball right now, but there are plenty of other solid pieces, including lineman Billy Greer.

“That’s a pretty talented group back there, but we’ve got some talent up front as well,” he said.

Central’s true strength, however, is on offense, particularly up front where the Wildcats return four starters and six with extensive experience, and at quarterback where Reilly Hennessey is back for his senior season.

Adding to that is a deep stable of running backs, led by Christian Cummings, who is now fully recovered from a season-ending knee injury last fall.

The big question is at receiver after the Wildcats graduated their top four pass catchers from last season. Shoemaker expects returner JoJo Hillel to step up and also said redshirt freshman Tyson Rainwater and sophomore Tony Archie have looked good early in camp. He also said that Samuel Sanchez and Christian Hill-Sanders appear ready to take over at tight end for the graduated Kyle Self.

I think you’re way off in your prediction. A 14-21 point win over CWU would be a really good day. A 35-28 game in favor of Eastern is more realistic.

 

[9MFEaglefan]

Eastern 45, Central 34

 

[clawman1]

Speed and depth are usually two major differences in divisions. The Eagles have more than their share of both for the FCS level. Not that Central is not well stocked for their level as well, the Eagles will shine rise in the second half.
Will and should Best back off if the Eagles get a 20 pt lead?
Eagles- over 50
Central - under 40

 

[Obzerver]

Let's see..CWU gets 4 td's...EWU 6 td's and stalls twice in red zone settle's for two fg's. 24-14 half..48-28 final.

 

[scottywashere11]

Trying to stir up some Central hate... Our DII friends will have their stadium renovated and track removed soon with the addition of two practice fields. While it only costs $6m, they are putting shovels in the ground.

https://imgur.com/1vCOmyV

 

[goeagles17]

Trying to stir up some Central hate... Our DII friends will have their stadium renovated and track removed soon with the addition of two practice fields. While it only costs $6m, they are putting shovels in the ground.

https://imgur.com/1vCOmyV

Despite the track being removed the seats look far away. Aside from it being newer, there's nothing here to incite jealousy. I'm confident our AD will get something done.

 

[GSmith42]

With Hennesey at the helm at CWU this game feels sort of like playing ourselves. Overall it will be a tough test for our team and I think it will be a close game, much like 2010 when it took a last minute Taiwan Jones TD to win.

Call me crazy, but Eastern 38 — CWU 35

 

[Seattle Eagle]

48 - 31 EAGS

 

[eaglesfootball]

EWU 54 CWU 32

 

[93bird]

I totally expect to see a blowout. When your season's slogan is "Leave No Doubt", you light up the scoreboard and punish the opponent. With the depth and talent all over the field, I'll say 51-14.

 

[ewueagle2010]

I get that many have respect for CWU, as do I. They’re still a D-2 school and if we give up 4-5 TDs to them, it’s not a good sign for the D. They can still play us tough and have the scoreboard look a little lopsided, which is what I predict.

45-17 Eags.

 

[clawman1]

I totally expect to see a blowout. When your season's slogan is "Leave No Doubt", you light up the scoreboard and punish the opponent. With the depth and talent all over the field, I'll say 51-14.

Dangerous thinking