Can Weber pull off 1st rd upset back2back yrs?

[weberwildcat]

Last yr WSU went to #3 Cal Poly and won 49-35. Then lost 24-13 at seed UM.
This year WSU travels to the oppposite coast to Williamsburg, VA.

Last year WSU beat two #3 ranked teams (CP & UM) and #15 NAU.

This year WSU has 1 ranked win - #14 EWU.

[kalm]

Last yr WSU went to #3 Cal Poly and won 49-35. Then lost 24-13 at seed UM.
This year WSU travels to the oppposite coast to Williamsburg, VA.

Last year WSU beat two #3 ranked teams (CP & UM) and #15 NAU.

This year WSU has 1 ranked win - #14 EWU.

Yes,

Weber definitely has the skill position people in Higgins, Toone, and Smith to put up points on any defense. And I think they do well enough on both the lines of scrimmage to keep it close with a physical team like William and Mary. The travel is tough, but they have playoff experience and have shown they can win on the road.

This should be a close and very competitive game.

[WeberAlum02]

The travel is tough, but they have playoff experience and have shown they can win on the road.

I don't think travel is much of an issue for Weber, or for any team from the west. In the wide open west, long road trips are the norm. Weber has already made 4 long bus trips this year to Wyo, Colo St, N Colo, and Montana. A flight to the east coast isn't any more difficult than these bus trips. Plus, over the past two seasons Weber has generally played better on the road. And being from a higher elevated Wasatch Front, the kids are well conditioned. But all said, the key is to protect the football.

[dbackjon]

Welcome Weberalum

[WeberAlum02]

Welcome Weberalum

Thank you.

[AZGrizFan]

The travel is tough, but they have playoff experience and have shown they can win on the road.

I don't think travel is much of an issue for Weber, or for any team from the west. In the wide open west, long road trips are the norm. Weber has already made 4 long bus trips this year to Wyo, Colo St, N Colo, and Montana. A flight to the east coast isn't any more difficult than these bus trips. Plus, over the past two seasons Weber has generally played better on the road. And being from a higher elevated Wasatch Front, the kids are well conditioned. But all said, the key is to protect the football.

Amen. Higgins better bring his "A" game, or it'll be a long afternoon, ala Halloween.

[Grizalltheway]

Some Richmond prick over on *** thinks it'll be an "upset" if Weber is within 17 going into the fourth quarter.

[native]

Last yr WSU went to #3 Cal Poly and won 49-35. Then lost 24-13 at seed UM.
This year WSU travels to the oppposite coast to Williamsburg, VA.

Last year WSU beat two #3 ranked teams (CP & UM) and #15 NAU.

This year WSU has 1 ranked win - #14 EWU.

The William & Mary defense is one of the best Weber has seen all year, and probably the best FCS defense in the country. It is similar to Wyoming's defense, with big, talented D-Line and linebacker corps, but a vulnerable defensive secondary. The Tribe offense is a traditional ball control and possession offense weighted more towards the running game. The offense is balanced and effective, but lacks the quick-strike capability often seen in the Big Sky.

Weber has two advantages.

First, W&M has not seen a passing attack as dynamic as Weber's, nor a gambler at quarterback the likes of Higgins. Weber will be able to either go up early of turn the ball over early. If Weber goes up by more than a score, it will be difficult for W&M's ball-control scheme to play catch up, but with their overwhelming defense they are unlikely to panic, like EU did late in the second half, so Weber will have to play a full four quarters.

Second, Weber's punting and kickoff special teams perform better than W&M's on both sides of the ball, but especially on kick and punt returns, which could provide Weber with some short field scoring opportunities.

IF Weber is able to avoid turnovers, force field goals in lieu of TDs, use the passing game to set up the running game, and make a couple of quick strikes to go up early, it will be a long day for the Tribe.

[ChickenMan]

I thought that Nova and W&M were the most talented teams in the CAA. Richmond is right there and the Spiders are just as tough due to the fact that they seem to find ways to win close games.

To me the key will be Weber's ability or inablity to protect their passer.. as I doubt that they will make much hay with the run. W&M's run defense may have been the best in the nation.. as they give up only 55 yrds a game on the ground.. overall the Tribe defense gave up only 236 yrds per game and they do have the ability to put a lot of heat on opposing QBs. As for offense W&M is very balanced and capable of succes with both the run and pass. They also have very good FG kicker as well.

My impression of Weber St is that they play in a very offense oriented league that doesn't play great defense.. that's not the case in the CAA as all four CAA playoff teams have much better defensive credentials the any of the Big Sky playoff teams. In bg games.. defense usually wins and there's no doubt that W&M has a very good defense. W&M by 10.

[wideright82]

It's painfully obvious this game will not even be close. To those who think otherwise, sorry. W&M by at least 20

[wildkyle]

Yes I think Weber will win again. We play better on the road then at home.

[Col Hogan]

Well, I'm looking for a wager...any Weber takers...

I'll wager a W&M hat that the Tribe wins...

[Chizzang]

It's painfully obvious this game will not even be close. To those who think otherwise, sorry. W&M by at least 20

Because..?
A) W & M is just that much better
B) Weber is over rated
C) Travel
D) Weber's never played a team as good as W & M

E) All of the above
F) Different reason

[wideright82]

It's painfully obvious this game will not even be close. To those who think otherwise, sorry. W&M by at least 20

Because..?
A) W & M is just that much better
B) Weber is over rated
C) Travel
D) Weber's never played a team as good as W & M

E) All of the above
F) Different reason

because I said so

[JMU DJ]

It's painfully obvious this game will not even be close. To those who think otherwise, sorry. W&M by at least 20

Because..?
A) W & M is just that much better
B) Weber is over rated
C) Travel
D) Weber's never played a team as good as W & M

E) All of the above
F) Different reason

Because he got drunk one weekend and one of the players on W&M guaranteed him that they weren't playing at their top level when they lost to UR.

[GrizMonster]

W&M hasn't seen a QB WR combo as good as Higgins/Toone...This isn't smack, or BSC bias..its just the truth. Really, W&M will being doing themselves a major disservice assuming anything else but that. For that matter W&M hasn't seen a returner like Toone. If you underestimate this team, you will go home in tears on Saturday.

[wideright82]

Because..?
A) W & M is just that much better
B) Weber is over rated
C) Travel
D) Weber's never played a team as good as W & M

E) All of the above
F) Different reason

Because he got drunk one weekend and one of the players on W&M guaranteed him that they weren't playing at their top level when they lost to UR.

Tell me I was wrong.

[JMU DJ]

Because he got drunk one weekend and one of the players on W&M guaranteed him that they weren't playing at their top level when they lost to UR.

Tell me I was wrong.

Can't say that you were, thus I went with that option again in support of your boisterous claim.

[wideright82]

W&M hasn't seen a QB WR combo as good as Higgins/Toone...This isn't smack, or BSC bias..its just the truth. Really, W&M will being doing themselves a major disservice assuming anything else but that. For that matter W&M hasn't seen a returner like Toone. If you underestimate this team, you will go home in tears on Saturday.

I love these types of projections. Hold about as much weight as what I said.



and FWIW I think W&M can show up with 15 players and a kangaroo and still beat Weber

[wideright82]

Tell me I was wrong.

Can't say that you were, thus I went with that option again in support of your boisterous claim.

excellent

[ChickenMan]

W&M hasn't seen a QB WR combo as good as Higgins/Toone...This isn't smack, or BSC bias..its just the truth. Really, W&M will being doing themselves a major disservice assuming anything else but that. For that matter W&M hasn't seen a returner like Toone. If you underestimate this team, you will go home in tears on Saturday.

W&M has a great defense and a good offense.. Weber appears to have a great offense and a very mediocre defense. It will be very difficult to beat W&M with a mediocre defense.

[wideright82]

W&M hasn't seen a QB WR combo as good as Higgins/Toone...This isn't smack, or BSC bias..its just the truth. Really, W&M will being doing themselves a major disservice assuming anything else but that. For that matter W&M hasn't seen a returner like Toone. If you underestimate this team, you will go home in tears on Saturday.

W&M has a great defense and a good offense.. Weber appears to have a great offense and a very mediocre defense. It will be very difficult to beat W&M with a mediocre defense.

Maybe you didn't hear him, though. W&M hasn't seen a combo like Higgins/Toone. So, basically, anything about William & Mary's defense is irrelevant.

[mcveyrl]

W&M hasn't seen a QB WR combo as good as Higgins/Toone...This isn't smack, or BSC bias..its just the truth. Really, W&M will being doing themselves a major disservice assuming anything else but that. For that matter W&M hasn't seen a returner like Toone. If you underestimate this team, you will go home in tears on Saturday.

I'm not necessarily going to dispute the QB/WR combo because that's probably accurate. From the returner standpoint, they've had to face both McGee from JMU and Szczur from 'Nova, both in the top 5 in kickoff returns, but Toone is probably the best punt returner they've had to face (and they are 72nd in punt return yardage given up... )

[ChickenMan]

W&M has a great defense and a good offense.. Weber appears to have a great offense and a very mediocre defense. It will be very difficult to beat W&M with a mediocre defense.

Maybe you didn't hear him, though. W&M hasn't seen a combo like Higgins/Toone. So, basically, anything about William & Mary's defense is irrelevant.

Sorry.. I forgot that there aren't ANY highly skilled players in the CAA...

[wideright82]

Maybe you didn't hear him, though. W&M hasn't seen a combo like Higgins/Toone. So, basically, anything about William & Mary's defense is irrelevant.

Sorry.. I forgot that there aren't ANY highly skilled players in the CAA...

We also don't have high powered offenses. It's nothing but defense and field goals in the CAA, but a shit ton of both.