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I am curious to hear what other people think about this game. I was really happy that Cal Poly did not have to play on the 24th but traveling to the last year's runner up is a tall order.

I think they have a shot at winning but they are unquestionably the underdog in this one. To me it all comes down to Cal Poly's run game. SHSU appears to have a great run D. I'd look at it like this, if Cal Poly can go for 300+ on the ground they win. If SHSU can make them throw they lose.

Time of possession will also be a factor; SHSU has a great run game as well and if Poly cant get the offense off the field it may be a long day.

Its funny how many SHSU fans are calling Cal Poly a "Big Sky school" ......that apparently means Cal Poly passes a lot and thinks they are better than everyone.....news to me. Cal Poly was an America West....Great West member until this year....most teams pass more in one quarter than they pass in a whole game and I can tell you most Cal Poly fans are as happy as can be just to get a chance to see their team in the payoffs. Sure we'd like to see them win and I think they can but no Cal Poly fan, player or coach takes anything for granted especially when it comes to FCS playoffs .....oh, and extra point attempts

Happy to see my team in the Big Sky and counting the days... should be a great game.

Its funny how many SHSU fans are calling Cal Poly a "Big Sky school" ......that apparently means Cal Poly passes a lot and thinks they are better than everyone.....news to me.

I think we call you a big sky school because you are a big sky school.
5 min worth of research of any team will give you the basics of the offense they run.

I think Cal Poly will have some success rushing, no question. The Bearkat Def will get their share of stops though.
Where the game will be won though will be Sam's off vs the mustang Def. This could be a very long day for them. Going to be very hard to get off the field.
42-24 Bearkats

That's true...makes the fact that a few have described Cal Poly as a passing offense all the more entertaining.

As I said above...Cal Poly is the underdog in this one but I must admit I find the overconfidence of many SHSU fans amusing. It's almost like Cal Poly received some kind of charitable gift to even be on the same field....Hopefully the Mustangs will be able to keep it within 3 TD's

Let me start by saying I think Cal Poly is a very good team, their record this year proves that. However, Sam Houston was clearly the best team NDSU played all year last year IMO, and they have everyone back. With that said, they're clearly beatable (see Central Arkansas game). To me the biggest question in this game is what htwonbearkat talked about, Poly's defense. If they can find a way to slow SHSU down it could be a very good game. With that, I'm taking SHSU.

This would be one I'd like to watch.

If Eastern gets through their first two games they will meet Cal Poly, MSU, or SHSU. Cal Poly is the team I would LEAST like the Eagles to have to play.

If SAMs DC is worth his salt he'll have this team ready. The SLC had Nicholls running the Triple O until last season and it was always a challenge to change gears for one game a year.

That said, Cal Poly is always tough with their offense. It's not as easy to defend as one might imagine.
TXST escaped by the skin of their teeth (14-7) in 2005 (of course they had Barden and Gocong too)

Sam will be watching the Sac and EWU game film with a fine-toothed comb looking for how CP was beaten after doing so well against everyone else. This will be one tough game and could go either way. I think the spread will be less than a touchdown. I think Sam will win, but I'll be pulling for CP.

BisoNation wrote:Let me start by saying I think Cal Poly is a very good team, their record this year proves that. However, Sam Houston was clearly the best team NDSU played all year last year IMO, and they have everyone back. With that said, they're clearly beatable (see Central Arkansas game). To me the biggest question in this game is what htwonbearkat talked about, Poly's defense. If they can find a way to slow SHSU down it could be a very good game. With that, I'm taking SHSU.

This would be one I'd like to watch.

Sam Houston is better than last year, and I'd almost say significantly better though you do have to acknowledge they were beaten by UCA. Anybody is "beatable" on a given day, but that said, if Sam played UCA ten times, I'd bet Sam all ten ... I might lose once or twice as evidenced by UCA's late come-from-behind W back in September, but having played them both in back-to-back weeks, Sam is clearly on a different level ... and it's not close.

I would also add that Sam is on a different level than South Dakota State who we also played ... they're totally different animals and honestly tough to compare, but Sam can hit you in so many different ways on both sides of the ball.

I've seen tape of Cal-Poly and I do think the option game will give Sam some fits, especially early, and they may hit a big play or two up top, but I'd be shocked if Sam doesn't win that game handily at home.

slulionsfan wrote:

BisoNation wrote:Let me start by saying I think Cal Poly is a very good team, their record this year proves that. However, Sam Houston was clearly the best team NDSU played all year last year IMO, and they have everyone back. With that said, they're clearly beatable (see Central Arkansas game). To me the biggest question in this game is what htwonbearkat talked about, Poly's defense. If they can find a way to slow SHSU down it could be a very good game. With that, I'm taking SHSU.

This would be one I'd like to watch.

Sam Houston is better than last year, and I'd almost say significantly better though you do have to acknowledge they were beaten by UCA. Anybody is "beatable" on a given day, but that said, if Sam played UCA ten times, I'd bet Sam all ten ... I might lose once or twice as evidenced by UCA's late come-from-behind W back in September, but having played them both in back-to-back weeks, Sam is clearly on a different level ... and it's not close.

I would also add that Sam is on a different level than South Dakota State who we also played ... they're totally different animals and honestly tough to compare, but Sam can hit you in so many different ways on both sides of the ball.

I've seen tape of Cal-Poly and I do think the option game will give Sam some fits, especially early, and they may hit a big play or two up top, but I'd be shocked if Sam doesn't win that game handily at home.

I can agree with you on most of that. I'm not doubting SHSU at all, I have them losing to us again in the natty in my bracket.

Cal Poly rushing yards this season:

323 vs San Diego
325 @ Wyoming
336 vs UC Davis
321 @ North Dakota
246 @ Weber State
308 vs Northern Colorado
341 vs Portland State
387 @ Sacramento State
251 @ Eastern Washington
505 vs Idaho State
323 @ Northern Arizona

Excuse us if we think we have a chance at 300 yards rushing. It would not be the first time.

LuckyKat wrote:300+
id say if any one drops 300 rushing on someone its proabaly a win
All of Huntsville and surrounding areas are looking forward to seeing your running game,
we will see how it plays out, !!!

We dropped 387 on Sac State and lost.

SloStang wrote:

LuckyKat wrote:300+
id say if any one drops 300 rushing on someone its proabaly a win
All of Huntsville and surrounding areas are looking forward to seeing your running game,
we will see how it plays out, !!!

We dropped 387 on Sac State and lost.

We had 407 against Eastern.

Give em hell, Cal Poly. Nothing but positive interactions with your fanbase last weekend in Flagstaff. I'm pulling for the Mustangs and the rest of the Big Sky.

mtjack wrote:Give em hell, Cal Poly. Nothing but positive interactions with your fanbase last weekend in Flagstaff. I'm pulling for the Mustangs and the rest of the Big Sky.

Thanks mtjack. The Jacks should be one of the field 20.

Anyone who thinks SHSU winning this game is a foregone conclusion might want to think about that one again. Cal Poly is a solid team, and the Southland isn't exactly the Big Sky, IMO.


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I'd never rule anyone out, and certainly Cal Poly is good enough that they *could* pull an upset. But I think Sam Houston State will be a big favorite for a reason. I've seen them play twice this season and they look sharp. Both teams will likely score some points, but I think the Bearkats (what is a "bearkat," BTW...) defense is good enough to make enough stops.

Rooting for Cal Poly though, would love to see them find a way in this one...

Option football teams SHOULD rush for 300 yards at minimum to have a chance against most good football teams, and that alone likely won't be enough unless they play great defense.

I can envision CP rushing for 300+ vs Sam but the problem I see is they're probably gonna have to score at least 45 points to have a shot to win in Huntsville ... I don't see that happening unless Sam turns the ball over a bunch.

SloStang wrote:Cal Poly rushing yards this season:

323 vs San Diego
325 @ Wyoming
336 vs UC Davis
321 @ North Dakota
246 @ Weber State
308 vs Northern Colorado
341 vs Portland State
387 @ Sacramento State
251 @ Eastern Washington
505 vs Idaho State
323 @ Northern Arizona

Excuse us if we think we have a chance at 300 yards rushing. It would not be the first time.

Cal Poly defense has not allowed a 100 yard rusher all season. It will be interesting to see how they do against Flanders.

Impressive #'s, but if you look a little closer:


NET YARDS RUSHING -46 Incarnate Word (impressive, but Incarnate who???)
NET YARDS RUSHING 232 Baylor
NET YARDS RUSHING 95 Central Arkansas (they only average 132.6 yds/gm)
NET YARDS RUSHING 50 Texas Southern (a 2-9 team that only averages 97.4 yds/gm)
NET YARDS RUSHING 21 SFA (they threw for 545 yds on SHSU)
NET YARDS RUSHING 20 Nichols State (Impressive, but they did not win a DI game)
NET YARDS RUSHING 79 McNeese State (impressive, good team that averaged 209 a game)
NET YARDS RUSHING 85 Lamar (another impressive game)
NET YARDS RUSHING 105 SE Lousiana (SELU averaged 103 yds/gm)
NET YARDS RUSHING 42 Northwestern State (another impressive game)
NET YARDS RUSHING 157 Texas A&M

The SFA passing yards doesn't hold water. They always put up outrageous passing yards. It's their bread and butter and they live and die by it.
I can't remember the last time they had a semi decent running game. Has to go back, at least, before Moses.
TXST gave up 508 passing yds to SFA one year but won the game by 23 pts. It's how you defend those yards. They can go up and down the field all day, passing, if you keep them out of the EZ.

Cal Poly can be stopped if you can defend the option. SAM can be stopped if you shut down Flanders, Bell and Sincere.

Going to be an interesting game, to say the least.

SloStang wrote:Cal Poly defense has not allowed a 100 yard rusher all season. It will be interesting to see how they do against Flanders.

It's not only Flanders you have to worry about ... you can game plan to slow him down, but you'll have to rob Peter to pay Paul which opens up Sincere out of the Wildcat, not to mention they're much better throwing the ball this year.

LuckyKat wrote:Heres the SHSU Rushing Defense Stats

NET YARDS RUSHING -46 Incarnate Word
NET YARDS RUSHING 232 Baylor
NET YARDS RUSHING 95 Central Arkansas
NET YARDS RUSHING 50 Texas Southern
NET YARDS RUSHING 21 SFA
NET YARDS RUSHING 20 Nichols State
NET YARDS RUSHING 79 McNeese State
NET YARDS RUSHING 85 Lamar
NET YARDS RUSHING 105 SE Lousiana
NET YARDS RUSHING 42 Northwester State
NET YARDS RUSHING 157 Texas A&M

like a said , lookimng forward to the Match up

Those numbers are worthless considering nobody Sam played runs the triple option ... defending it is a completely different animal than defending more traditional or spread type offenses ... that said, Sam has the personnel to successfully defend it though my guess is CP will have some early success until the Bearkats can get adjusted ... the big question will be can CP defend Sam which I don't see happening with enough consistency for them to be able to go into Huntsville and win.

323 vs San Diego ...... #35 Rush Defense FCS
325 @ Wyoming ....... #110 Rush Defense FBS
336 vs UC Davis......... #70 Rush Defense FCS
321 @ North Dakota ... #116 Rush Defense FCS
246 @ Weber State ..... #72 Rush Defense FCS
308 vs Northern Colorado.. #74 Rush Defense FCS
341 vs Portland State ...... #24 Rush Defense FCS
387 @ Sacramento State.... #49 Rush Defense FCS
251 @ Eastern Washington ... #65 Rush Defense FCS
505 vs Idaho State............ #121 Rush Defense FCS
323 @ Northern Arizona..... #38 Rush Defense FCS


12/1/12 SAM HOUSTON STATE ... #3 RUSH DEFENSE FCS

If CAl-Poly runs the option offense the majority of the time, they will get yards, but I honestly dont see 300+ against this Kat D. Cal-Poly is going to have to be effective throwing the ball because Stoker will stack the line.
Since we are looking at stats, I think the major player in this game will be time of possession. SHSU is #4 in FCS in TOP. Poly cant do their thing if they dont get the ball.





Should be a fun game.

Against some of the worst rushing defenses in the country....

323 vs San Diego ... #35 FCS
325 @ Wyoming .... #110 FBS
336 vs UC Davis .... #70 FCS
321 @ North Dakota..#116 FCS
246 @ Weber State .. #72 FCS
308 vs Northern Colorado.. #74 FCS
341 vs Portland State ...... #24 FCS
387 @ Sacramento State... #49 FCS
251 @ Eastern Washington . #65 FCS
505 vs Idaho State........... #121 FCS
323 @ Northern Arizona .... #38 FCS

12/1/2012 ... Sam Houston State #3 Rush Defense in FCS .

I am not going to sit here and say that Cal-Poly wont get yards running the triple o, but they better have some success throwing the ball because Coach Stoker will stack the line to shut it down. Kat D will not be easy to run against sideline to sideline.

kats89 wrote:Against some of the worst rushing defenses in the country....

323 vs San Diego ... #35 FCS
325 @ Wyoming .... #110 FBS
336 vs UC Davis .... #70 FCS
321 @ North Dakota..#116 FCS
246 @ Weber State .. #72 FCS
308 vs Northern Colorado.. #74 FCS
341 vs Portland State ...... #24 FCS
387 @ Sacramento State... #49 FCS
251 @ Eastern Washington . #65 FCS
505 vs Idaho State........... #121 FCS
323 @ Northern Arizona .... #38 FCS

12/1/2012 ... Sam Houston State #3 Rush Defense in FCS .

I am not going to sit here and say that Cal-Poly wont get yards running the triple o, but they better have some success throwing the ball because Coach Stoker will stack the line to shut it down. Kat D will not be easy to run against sideline to sideline.

Cal Poly leads the FCS in passing efficiency @ 176.34. We do not throw a lot, but when we do we are very efficient at it. 18 TDs vs 3 INTs.

Link: http://www.ncaa.com/stats/football/fcs/ ... /team/1030" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;