Wk 3 Prediction Thread Eastern 55 Montana State 50 Eags WIN

[luckyintheorder]

Glad the team is home for this game. No insight on injuries beyond Jim's blog below. MSU's defense is no better than Eastern's despite several transfer players and the week off didn't improve it. Eastern will rely heavily on depth at WR with Kupp and Hill likely out, but that won't stop the offense. West takes advantage and new star gets a chance to shine.

http://www.spokesman.com/blogs/sportslink/2015/sep/14/ewu-could-lose-key-players-injury/

Predictions: EWU 42 MSU 35 Close, but never feels like it.

JWest throws for over 400 yds and 4 TD's and over 50 yds on the ground (Eag fans hold collective breath)
Splendorio has Kupp like day 125 yds 2 TD's
Bourne makes one spectacular catch among many
Terrance Grady doesn't get a penalty this game and catches a couple balls
J Wilson has 85 yds and two freshman have 100 yds combined
Average drive 2:45
Only 7 penalties for under 80 yds this game. Ridiculousness itself.

Defense continues to improve with 5-7 stops and one key stop near half time or late 4th quarter
7 TFL and 4 sacks (Saugen, Jordan, Williams, one of the safeties)
Contain, contain, contain....

MSU prediction thread:

http://www.bobcatnation.com/bobcatbb/viewtopic.php?f=20&t=36483

 

[DefendtheRed]

EWU 27 MSU 49

 

[Doc3kgt]

EWU is favored in this game, but I think it's a trap game for you guys honestly. The MSU offense had a slow start, but when they click they are elite, and they will click. People saying the MSU defense is the same as last year are spewing hyperbole. They have only played one game (against a DII) and looked good (against a DII). If you paid close attention during the off season and Spring / Fall camp, you would know that this is NOT the same defense as last year. They are infinitely more aggressive and hungry, and some of these transfers are turning heads...I predict that teams will start having more respect for the Bobcats D soon enough. Cats 49, EWU 42.

 

[JasonEWU]

My NON homer prediction is:

MSU 42 - EWU 27.

Without Kupp and without any resemblance of a running game, I see no way EWU hangs with another potent offense.

Maybe it's the whole FCS being smaller thing, but I swear there are NO injury updates for EWU players. I know Kupp is "questionable" but can we get more? How about someone in the Spokane media asks Beau to comment on the injury? Also Shaq Hill? Can we get an update on his status and injury? Just kinda frustrating really. I live in Seattle, and if any UW Husky is hurt, they have non stop updates from the coaching staff on the condition of that player, but for EWU its radio silent.

 

[GROUND&POUND]

EWU 28, MSU 27

Close game, ugly win.

We better get our rushing game going or we are in trouble.

 

[joemon]

My NON homer prediction is:

MSU 42 - EWU 27.

Without Kupp and without any resemblance of a running game, I see no way EWU hangs with another potent offense.

Maybe it's the whole FCS being smaller thing, but I swear there are NO injury updates for EWU players. I know Kupp is "questionable" but can we get more? How about someone in the Spokane media asks Beau to comment on the injury? Also Shaq Hill? Can we get an update on his status and injury? Just kinda frustrating really. I live in Seattle, and if any UW Husky is hurt, they have non stop updates from the coaching staff on the condition of that player, but for EWU its radio silent.

Here's a link to the weekly release. There is an injury report on several players:

http://www.goeags.com/sports/m-footbl/2015-16/files/15fbRelease.pdf" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

It looks like Hennessey is the only one listed as being definitely out

 

[clawman1]

My NON homer prediction is:

MSU 42 - EWU 27.

Without Kupp and without any resemblance of a running game, I see no way EWU hangs with another potent offense.

Maybe it's the whole FCS being smaller thing, but I swear there are NO injury updates for EWU players. I know Kupp is "questionable" but can we get more? How about someone in the Spokane media asks Beau to comment on the injury? Also Shaq Hill? Can we get an update on his status and injury? Just kinda frustrating really. I live in Seattle, and if any UW Husky is hurt, they have non stop updates from the coaching staff on the condition of that player, but for EWU its radio silent.

Jason; If you follow any amount of college football you would know it is common to "keep it close to the vest" as it pertains to injuries. As it should be, why would you tell the competition who they should prepare for?
Coach Peterson in Huskyville is far more savy than to give "non stop updates", I doubt your statement as to the Husky injury report.

 

[luckyintheorder]

EWU is favored in this game, but I think it's a trap game for you guys honestly. The MSU offense had a slow start, but when they click they are elite, and they will click. People saying the MSU defense is the same as last year are spewing hyperbole. They have only played one game (against a DII) and looked good (against a DII). If you paid close attention during the off season and Spring / Fall camp, you would know that this is NOT the same defense as last year. They are infinitely more aggressive and hungry, and some of these transfers are turning heads...I predict that teams will start having more respect for the Bobcats D soon enough. Cats 49, EWU 42.

Just reading your own board, most there aren't sure what MSU has on defense. Aware of the changes, that doesn't always translate on the field. Upgrades in athlete's are nice, learning and responding to new scheme isn't a given. How hard is it to "turn heads" in the comparison to what MSU had? That is a short trip.

I too believe Eastern's D will be adding up to at least the sum of it's parts sooner than later. Guess the game will show us who is making more progress. Prukop is a talent and will put your team on his back. Looking for our defense to put him on his. How's your O line? Expect a close game.

 

[EdubU10]

Probably going to be another shootout but if we're going to win, we're going to need to create turnovers.

 

[JasonEWU]

My NON homer prediction is:

MSU 42 - EWU 27.

Without Kupp and without any resemblance of a running game, I see no way EWU hangs with another potent offense.

Maybe it's the whole FCS being smaller thing, but I swear there are NO injury updates for EWU players. I know Kupp is "questionable" but can we get more? How about someone in the Spokane media asks Beau to comment on the injury? Also Shaq Hill? Can we get an update on his status and injury? Just kinda frustrating really. I live in Seattle, and if any UW Husky is hurt, they have non stop updates from the coaching staff on the condition of that player, but for EWU its radio silent.

Jason; If you follow any amount of college football you would know it is common to "keep it close to the vest" as it pertains to injuries. As it should be, why would you tell the competition who they should prepare for?
Coach Peterson in Huskyville is far more savy than to give "non stop updates", I doubt your statement as to the Husky injury report.

Not from Coach Pete but there is as least talk about the injuries. It seems for EWU no one mentions anything until kickoff, then its like "Oh where is Shaq Hill at?" and when Kupp went out on Saturday no one mentioned anything until about the 4th Qtr. Just seems like information is so slow to trickle out of EWU to fans or media. That's my complaint bud. So doubt my statement all you want ClawMan.

 

[VIVA LOS GATOS1]

Skyline Sports ‏@SkylineSportsMT 9m9 minutes ago
Notes from #BigSkyFB coaches call: EWU HC Beau Baldwin said RT Cassidy Curtis, WR Shaq Hill will not play against Montana State.

Skyline Sports ‏@SkylineSportsMT 7m7 minutes ago
Notes from #BigSkyFB coaches call: Baldwin said WR Cooper Kupp will be a game-time decision. If I were a betting man, I'd bet he plays.

 

[01eag]

We have to really improve our tackling, contain Prukop, and do a better job on special teams to get the job done this weekend. Thankfully, MSU should have the same defensive issues that they always do. With that said I have a bad feeling that our usual mojo against MSU doesn't happen this weekend. My prediction MSU wins 42 to 35. That makes me sick to my stomach to say that.

 

[marceagfan5]

Wow, a lot of fans picking against their team on both boards....

Here is my take

MSU appears to be good, but also a huge unknown. Their defense last year was crap, almost as bad as ours and they really haven't played a game yet this year. Prukop is a great player but Shawn Johnson absolutely killed us last year and he is gone, so did Roderick and he is gone. They start Newell at RB and we don't struggle with backs like him, he's more of a power runner. Prukop is going to get his yards but right now, there are a lot of unknowns so my bet is we focus on shutting Prukop and the run game down, make them earn it through the air. Problem....even when we try to shut down the run we are bad at it...


EWU is going to be really hungry for a win. Banged up, yes, very much so, but we also have played tough competition to date which will give us a leg up, along with home field, in this game. I hope Kupp plays because he would torch this defense. I know MSU wants to double him all the time, but he moves around so much and plays every receiver position its almost impossible to do that. I think MSU will make us beat them with the run and drop a lot of guys into coverage, and Baldwin has proven he will take the run if the team gives it to him, see Forte last year. Wilson is probably due for a big game and he's capable of it and I think we see Webster have a couple big time plays.

Eastern is due for a win and has owned the Bobcats...

EWU - 49
MSU - 36

 

[eaglesfootball]

EWU 42
MSU 41

 

[HookedonGriz]

Just my two cents....

Saw one of the Cat posters said something along the lines that their D is waaaaay better this year and anyone who watched their D against Fort Lewis would see that. This is a tactic the Cats posters have been doing for years. Tell a rival board stuff that isn't true in an effort to convince yourself that everything is rainbows and unicorns.

I watched that game.....and every Cats game last year.....and their D still has GLARING weaknesses. The majority of them said if the Cats D gave up 14 points and more than 250 yards to D2 Fort Lewis then it would be time to panic. Well that's exactly what did happen yet he claims the D is much improved. I think they are basing it all on one hit huge that their young LB Bignell made. We all know there is a lot more to D than a great hit.

Fort Lewis out up about 280 yards, about 180 of it on the ground. They hardly threw the ball at all, but when they did they were quite successful. They were 10-17 for 103 between two QBs and both their TDs were a result of passes. I thought MSU secondary looked as weak or worse than last year and that is exactly where Baldwin will exploit them. I think West and company will pick apart the secondary to the point where you might score 55 points (if Kupp is healthy).

The biggest question is do you hold them to under 55...... I say you do and win by 10. Here's to no more injuries.

 

[clawman1]

The Eagles seem to have been cursed in the second games for several years. Much of it self inflicted pain but losses none the less.
I think we will see the best Eastern team yet this season.
On defense-Our D got burned by the UNI's Aaron Baily rushing 19 times for 134 yards mostly in the first half. That experience prepared the D for Prukop (sp).
On offense - I am confident West will be more on the same page with the receivers than @ UNI. I hope Cooper is 100% this weekend but if not we have several other qualified guys to fill in, not replace, fill in.
We have several outstanding running backs but they need a little room to run.
Sloppy play - We have had 26 penalties for 237 yards YTD. I will be shocked if they do not clean that up, as that is not Beau Baldwin football.
It will be a tough hard fought game that the Eagles will win.
Eagles 37
Cats 27

 

[Doc3kgt]

Wow, a lot of fans picking against their team on both boards....

Here is my take

MSU appears to be good, but also a huge unknown. Their defense last year was crap, almost as bad as ours and they really haven't played a game yet this year. Prukop is a great player but Shawn Johnson absolutely killed us last year and he is gone, so did Roderick and he is gone. They start Newell at RB and we don't struggle with backs like him, he's more of a power runner. Prukop is going to get his yards but right now, there are a lot of unknowns so my bet is we focus on shutting Prukop and the run game down, make them earn it through the air. Problem....even when we try to shut down the run we are bad at it...


EWU is going to be really hungry for a win. Banged up, yes, very much so, but we also have played tough competition to date which will give us a leg up, along with home field, in this game. I hope Kupp plays because he would torch this defense. I know MSU wants to double him all the time, but he moves around so much and plays every receiver position its almost impossible to do that. I think MSU will make us beat them with the run and drop a lot of guys into coverage, and Baldwin has proven he will take the run if the team gives it to him, see Forte last year. Wilson is probably due for a big game and he's capable of it and I think we see Webster have a couple big time plays.

Eastern is due for a win and has owned the Bobcats...

EWU - 49
MSU - 36

Roderick is not gone, although I think Baldwin is more focused on Mitch Herbert. He is our version of Cooper Kupp. Saying that Eastern has owned the Bobcats is a stretch bud. One point win last year...the year before , yes...you guys owned us, but we had two of our backfield players in casts....and MSU beat themselves the year before....I think maybe you are confusing MSU with the jizzbags further west...you have definitely owned their dark pink asses.

 

[Doc3kgt]

Just my two cents....

Saw one of the Cat posters said something along the lines that their D is waaaaay better this year and anyone who watched their D against Fort Lewis would see that. This is a tactic the Cats posters have been doing for years. Tell a rival board stuff that isn't true in an effort to convince yourself that everything is rainbows and unicorns.

I watched that game.....and every Cats game last year.....and their D still has GLARING weaknesses. The majority of them said if the Cats D gave up 14 points and more than 250 yards to D2 Fort Lewis then it would be time to panic. Well that's exactly what did happen yet he claims the D is much improved. I think they are basing it all on one hit huge that their young LB Bignell made. We all know there is a lot more to D than a great hit.

Fort Lewis out up about 280 yards, about 180 of it on the ground. They hardly threw the ball at all, but when they did they were quite successful. They were 10-17 for 103 between two QBs and both their TDs were a result of passes. I thought MSU secondary looked as weak or worse than last year and that is exactly where Baldwin will exploit them. I think West and company will pick apart the secondary to the point where you might score 55 points (if Kupp is healthy).

The biggest question is do you hold them to under 55...... I say you do and win by 10. Here's to no more injuries.

Where did I say that? I said they are more aggressive and hungry this year, and some of the transfer talent is turning heads. You'll see an improvement in the Defense, how much remains to be seen. Keep your griz bullshit on ejizz.

 

[LDopaPDX]

I don't make predictions on these threads because it has been bad luck, but since we're 0-2, might as well change things up.

I think Eastern will win, largely because there is no fall back position. Lose this one, and for all intents and purposes the season is over before it really begins. I think we'll look like a desperate football team in this one.

The hard thing for me is that I don't usually know what kind of teams we're playing against. One thing we know is that Eastern hasn't really been able to stop a zone read offense in 5 years. UNI gashed us in the second quarter with the zone read and inexplicably stopped in the second half. When they ran the zone read, the hung three TDs on quick drives. If Montana State can run that read effectively, I just don't trust our defense to play assignment football and make stops. I'd LOVE to be proven wrong...

I think our offense will show up, but without our top personnel, it's hard for me to imagine more than 35 points getting scored. Our defense will go as far as their tackling and ability to play their assignments will take us. If MSU starts piling up yards after contact, we won't win. But again, I think our sheer desperation will keep us focused and organized.

I sure as hell hope our OL finally finds a DL they can overpower.

 

[LDopaPDX]

Wow, a lot of fans picking against their team on both boards....

Here is my take

MSU appears to be good, but also a huge unknown. Their defense last year was crap, almost as bad as ours and they really haven't played a game yet this year. Prukop is a great player but Shawn Johnson absolutely killed us last year and he is gone, so did Roderick and he is gone. They start Newell at RB and we don't struggle with backs like him, he's more of a power runner. Prukop is going to get his yards but right now, there are a lot of unknowns so my bet is we focus on shutting Prukop and the run game down, make them earn it through the air. Problem....even when we try to shut down the run we are bad at it...


EWU is going to be really hungry for a win. Banged up, yes, very much so, but we also have played tough competition to date which will give us a leg up, along with home field, in this game. I hope Kupp plays because he would torch this defense. I know MSU wants to double him all the time, but he moves around so much and plays every receiver position its almost impossible to do that. I think MSU will make us beat them with the run and drop a lot of guys into coverage, and Baldwin has proven he will take the run if the team gives it to him, see Forte last year. Wilson is probably due for a big game and he's capable of it and I think we see Webster have a couple big time plays.

Eastern is due for a win and has owned the Bobcats...

EWU - 49
MSU - 36

Roderick is not gone, although I think Baldwin is more focused on Mitch Herbert. He is our version of Cooper Kupp. Saying that Eastern has owned the Bobcats is a stretch bud. One point win last year...the year before , yes...you guys owned us, but we had two of our backfield players in casts....and MSU beat themselves the year before....I think maybe you are confusing MSU with the jizzbags further west...you have definitely owned their dark pink asses.

I'm too lazy to look this up, but I believe Eastern is 28-10 against Montana State all time. And the record is something like 25-6 since Eastern joined DI. That said, it has typically been Eastern winning close games. We've split a pair of double overtimers.