Nothing ever comes easy in the Big Sky Conference.
The second-ranked Eastern Washington University football team hosts a Northern Colorado team on the upswing when the two teams play in front of a sold-out crowd Saturday (Oct. 18) at 1:05 p.m. Pacific time at Roos Field in Cheney, Wash. The Bears lead the NCAA Football Championship Subdivision in interceptions and are second nationally in turnover margin.
The Eagles put their 13-game league winning streak on the line this week, having not lost since falling 30-27 at SUU on Oct. 27, 2012. The Eagles are 23-2 in their last 25 Big Sky games dating back to a 0-2 start in 2011. Eastern is also 6-0 all-time against UNC in Big Sky games by an average score of 30-13.
The Eagles enter the game 6-1 on the season and remain ranked second in The Sports Network FCS Top 25 Poll after a 42-30 victory against Southern Utah in Cedar City, Utah. Eastern is 3-0 in the Big Sky Conference as it defends the league title it won with an 8-0 record last season.
The Bears, meanwhile, picked up one of its biggest victories in years when they knocked off then 25th-ranked Northern Arizona 24-17 on Oct. 4. Northern Colorado, which is now 2-4 overall and 1-2 in the league, then narrowly lost at home 43-38 versus Sacramento State, which at one time this season was an impressive 3-1.
With 14 interceptions this season, the Bears lead FCS and are second nationally in turnover margin with a plus 1.83 for the season (total of 18 takeaways and just six giveaways). Kyle Griffin is third in FCS with an average of 0.7 interceptions per game (total of 4).
“They beat a good NAU team and they play with tremendous passion,” said Eastern head coach Beau Baldwin. “They create turnovers and it will be an absolute battle. All of our games will be a battle, but it will be nice to come back home after a road win.”
89Hen wrote:
This doesn't dispute that fact. Only shows how ludicrous the comment above trying to prop up UNC as anything but a cupcake is. Would you take UNC +14?
No, but when you have a ball-hawking defense going up against a pass-happy offense with an inexperienced QB at the helm, things could get interesting.
You must have missed where EWU had two backs go over 130 yards each in West's first start. I expect a similar game plan againat UNC.
Grizalltheway wrote:
No, but when you have a ball-hawking defense going up against a pass-happy offense with an inexperienced QB at the helm, things could get interesting.
You must have missed where EWU had two backs go over 130 yards each in West's first start. I expect a similar game plan againat UNC.
I didn't miss that, but I also saw that it was against the 119th ranked rushing D in the country.
And by pass happy, I didn't mean that they can't run the ball at all, but they do average 38 pass attempts/game.
EWURanger wrote:
Montana's DI opponents to date average something like 17 ppg. Must mean Montana's defense is over-rated.
Possibly, but this thread isn't about Montana. All I said is that UNC's penchant for picks could be factor in a game that is otherwise a mismatch.
Well yes, it could. I wouldn't be surprised to see a young QB throw a pick or two. I still think we will run, a lot. Against SUU it was 2 running plays to every pass.
EWURanger wrote:
Montana's DI opponents to date average something like 17 ppg. Must mean Montana's defense is over-rated.
Possibly, but this thread isn't about Montana. All I said is that UNC's penchant for picks could be factor in a game that is otherwise a mismatch.
I agree with this. While the conference appears down, it seems like everyone you face brings a serious threat. I was very impressed with SUU's passing game last week. UND can "D" it up. ISU is dangerous. Even Davis limited our first half possessions to three and only trailed by two at half. Five years ago, these were games you wouldn't sweat in the least.
it's most likely not going to be a great game. Who's really anticipating this matchup?
I think it will be an interesting game. Interesting for us, because we are without the front-runner for the Payton Award and have a backup QB starting only his second game. UNC has a lot of takeaways...
Beardown wrote:
it's most likely not going to be a great game. Who's really anticipating this matchup?
I think it will be an interesting game. Interesting for us, because we are without the front-runner for the Payton Award and have a backup QB starting only his second game. UNC has a lot of takeaways...
Honestly I don't think we have one player, maybe besides Dominick Sierra (our outside LB) that could start for the Eagles. We're not even close to EWU, UM, MSU's level right now. Granted, anything could happen in todays game.
EWURanger wrote:
I think it will be an interesting game. Interesting for us, because we are without the front-runner for the Payton Award and have a backup QB starting only his second game. UNC has a lot of takeaways...
Honestly I don't think we have one player, maybe besides Dominick Sierra (our outside LB) that could start for the Eagles. We're not even close to EWU, UM, MSU's level right now. Granted, anything could happen in todays game.
Yep, I figured the Bears would come to play today, and they did. Our offense is really struggling without VA, but it was nice to see the defense show up. Think they got 7 sacks today.
Beardown wrote:
Honestly I don't think we have one player, maybe besides Dominick Sierra (our outside LB) that could start for the Eagles. We're not even close to EWU, UM, MSU's level right now. Granted, anything could happen in todays game.
Yep, I figured the Bears would come to play today, and they did. Our offense is really struggling without VA, but it was nice to see the defense show up. Think they got 7 sacks today.
Yep. Our offensive line is god-aweful. On our first field goal one of our linemen completely missed a block that would have lead to a TD, rather than a FG. That stuff is the kind of junk I was hoping UNC would be done with. SMH.
89Hen wrote:
This doesn't dispute that fact. Only shows how ludicrous the comment above trying to prop up UNC as anything but a cupcake is. Would you take UNC +14?
No, but when you have a ball-hawking defense going up against a pass-happy offense with an inexperienced QB at the helm, things could get interesting.
Grizalltheway wrote:
No, but when you have a ball-hawking defense going up against a pass-happy offense with an inexperienced QB at the helm, things could get interesting.
Should have taken the points and the bet.
Dammit all! I think you should send me some DFH anyway.
Grizalltheway wrote:
Possibly, but this thread isn't about Montana. All I said is that UNC's penchant for picks could be factor in a game that is otherwise a mismatch.
I agree with this. While the conference appears down, it seems like everyone you face brings a serious threat. I was very impressed with SUU's passing game last week. UND can "D" it up. ISU is dangerous. Even Davis limited our first half possessions to three and only trailed by two at half. Five years ago, these were games you wouldn't sweat in the least.
FIVE? Hell, last year we beat UND 55-17. This year? 18-15 on a FG as time expired. Last year we beat UCD 42-7 in a game that was over by halftime. This year--IN MISSOULA--we were tied at halftime and a late TD by us made the score look worse than it actually was.
I take NO team for granted at this point.
"Ah fuck. You are right." KYJelly, 11/6/12
"The future must not belong to those who slander the prophet of Islam." Barack Obama, 9/25/12
Northern Iowa sure wished it had it so hard every week.
I think you should send me some DFH anyway. 
