First Round Upsets?

[McNeese75]

By style of attack and more dangerous do you mean, McNeese tries to score points other than by putting the ball into the endzone?

Air vs. Ground. Taiwan Jones' 4.3 speed. Scores of 96, 89, 80, 71 yards on the season.

You act like that 4.3 is a big deal. SFA has seen their share of players that fast this year.

[Ursus A. Horribilis]

By style of attack and more dangerous do you mean, McNeese tries to score points other than by putting the ball into the endzone?

Air vs. Ground. Taiwan Jones' 4.3 speed. Scores of 96, 89, 80, 71 yards on the season.

All I've ever heard from Southland teams is how they outclassed us in speed and it's not done a lot of good talking about it once the game started. TJ had that speed when you lost the games you did this year correct? He also had it last week when you got out of NAU with a close one that sent you into fits correct? He is a special player but as I said early in the season when you have a guy like that he is a great lift for the team but you also need guys that can sustain drives and get those 3rd down conversions. If anything I would think Montana & Weber would be more shocked at that speed than a lot of SLC teams will be. The SLC teams normally build everything with more of a nod to speed and sell out some physicality which is where I think EWU has a real advantage. Of course I could be wrong as I haven't watched an entire SFA game this year.

[Ursus A. Horribilis]

Air vs. Ground. Taiwan Jones' 4.3 speed. Scores of 96, 89, 80, 71 yards on the season.

You act like that 4.3 is a big deal. SFA has seen their share of players that fast this year.

SEE WHAT I TOLD YOU SE174!!!

That is primarily what SLC teams say every year.

"You ain't seen speed like this before"

[McNeese75]

You act like that 4.3 is a big deal. SFA has seen their share of players that fast this year.

SEE WHAT I TOLD YOU SE174!!!

That is primarily what SLC teams say every year.

"You ain't seen speed like this before"

Yep and all we hear from Montana is how big the linemen are and how they like to drink and drive

[Screamin_Eagle174]

You act like that 4.3 is a big deal. SFA has seen their share of players that fast this year.

SEE WHAT I TOLD YOU SE174!!!

That is primarily what SLC teams say every year.

"You ain't seen speed like this before"

[Ursus A. Horribilis]

SEE WHAT I TOLD YOU SE174!!!

That is primarily what SLC teams say every year.

"You ain't seen speed like this before"

Yep and all we hear from Montana is how big the linemen are and how they like to drink and drive

Troof. You did forget about the cold and how the Hellgate winds are gonna cut ya in 1/2 when you are in the stadium.

That's always one of my favorites from some of our fans.

[Screamin_Eagle174]

Air vs. Ground. Taiwan Jones' 4.3 speed. Scores of 96, 89, 80, 71 yards on the season.

You act like that 4.3 is a big deal. SFA has seen their share of players that fast this year.

I'm only presuming his speed is around 4.3 - In a preseason preview Nichols stated three different people have clocked him at 4.22. Those 3 people are not NFL scouts, so I don't know what his official time is, but when 3 different people clock him at 4.22, he probably is that fast. It'll be interesting to see if SFA's DBs can stop or prevent him from busting busting another 40+ yard play/score.

[McNeese75]

You act like that 4.3 is a big deal. SFA has seen their share of players that fast this year.

I'm only presuming his speed is around 4.3 - In a preseason preview Nichols stated three different people have clocked him at 4.22. Those 3 people are not NFL scouts, so I don't know what his official time is, but when 3 different people clock him at 4.22, he probably is that fast. It'll be interesting to see if SFA's DBs can stop or prevent him from busting busting another 40+ yard play/score.

I'm FWY. I am sure he is quick and will probably get his runs in this weekend. SFA's defense has good speed so I'm not sure how effective he will be but he will help keep them honest for the passing game.

[McNeese75]

Yep and all we hear from Montana is how big the linemen are and how they like to drink and drive

Troof. You did forget about the cold and how the Hellgate winds are gonna cut ya in 1/2 when you are in the stadium.

That's always one of my favorites from some of our fans.

Well fortunately those winds were not blowing during my one visit in 2006 but it did look pretty nipply during the night game you had after that.

[Ursus A. Horribilis]

Troof. You did forget about the cold and how the Hellgate winds are gonna cut ya in 1/2 when you are in the stadium.

That's always one of my favorites from some of our fans.

Well fortunately those winds were not blowing during my one visit in 2006 but it did look pretty nipply during the night game you had after that.

Yeah, I wore a sweatshirt and a pull over to that one. I also had gloves to store some beer on em' when I spilled for the ride home of course.

[houndawg]

You act like that 4.3 is a big deal. SFA has seen their share of players that fast this year.

I'm only presuming his speed is around 4.3 - In a preseason preview Nichols stated three different people have clocked him at 4.22. Those 3 people are not NFL scouts, so I don't know what his official time is, but when 3 different people clock him at 4.22, he probably is that fast. It'll be interesting to see if SFA's DBs can stop or prevent him from busting busting another 40+ yard play/score.

With all that speed one would think you'd have a better record.

[wideright82]

I'm only presuming his speed is around 4.3 - In a preseason preview Nichols stated three different people have clocked him at 4.22. Those 3 people are not NFL scouts, so I don't know what his official time is, but when 3 different people clock him at 4.22, he probably is that fast. It'll be interesting to see if SFA's DBs can stop or prevent him from busting busting another 40+ yard play/score.

With all that speed one would think you'd have a better record.

I owe YOU a hat good sir!

[CrunchGriz]

Air vs. Ground. Taiwan Jones' 4.3 speed. Scores of 96, 89, 80, 71 yards on the season.

You act like that 4.3 is a big deal. SFA has seen their share of players that fast this year.

Well, every season there are lots of teams claiming lots of players with 4.3 speed. Realistically, there are very few players who really have this type of speed (electronically timed) at any level of football.

Taiwan Jones has true 4.3 speed. In high school, he was second in California in the state 100 meters, behind only Jahvid Best (star running back for Cal).

[Thumper 76]

As showcased in their game against SIU.

I've already voiced my opinion on the UM-SDSU game, but if we're going to pull out single games, the Griz didn't exactly look like world beaters against Idaho State.

Exactly, or if your going to cherry pick games, we could always look at the game against Minnesota, and not allowing an offensive TD against a bowl eligble team (albiet a low end one). Interesting side note, the offense of the Jacks has given up 4 td's to opponents while the defense has allowed 9. IF O'Brien can avoid handing points to the Griz, I optomistically like the Jacks chances.

[kemajic]

I just think the SDSU defense will hold Montana's offense in check.

That's what Montana State thought, too.

[kemajic]

With all that speed one would think you'd have a better record.

I owe YOU a hat good sir!

They would have had they not had to play Montana, Weber and Cal.

[danefan]

I just think the SDSU defense will hold Montana's offense in check.

That's what Montana State thought, too.

Once again - National Defense Rankings
Total Defense
16. SDSU
61. Montana St.

Scoring Defense
5. SDSU
51. Montana St.


SDSU's defense is way better than MSU.

[kemajic]

SEE WHAT I TOLD YOU SE174!!!

That is primarily what SLC teams say every year.

"You ain't seen speed like this before"

Yep and all we hear from Montana is how big the linemen are and how they like to drink and drive

I think you hear more from Montana.

[kemajic]

By style of attack and more dangerous do you mean, McNeese tries to score points other than by putting the ball into the endzone?

Air vs. Ground. Taiwan Jones' 4.3 speed. Scores of 96, 89, 80, 71 yards on the season.

You should be more concerned about not giving up 747 yards. That is unlikely to win a playoff game.

[kemajic]

That's what Montana State thought, too.

Once again - National Defense Rankings
Total Defense
16. SDSU
61. Montana St.

Scoring Defense
5. SDSU
51. Montana St.


SDSU's defense is way better than MSU.

You have no way of knowing that since they played against entirely different offenses.

Montana and SDSU played one common opponent.
UM 35; CPSLO 23 CPSLO had 317 yards TO
CPSLO 21; SDSU 14 CPSLO had 333 yards TO

Doesn't look like a unique defense to me.

[Ursus A. Horribilis]

That's what Montana State thought, too.

Once again - National Defense Rankings
Total Defense
16. SDSU
61. Montana St.

Scoring Defense
5. SDSU
51. Montana St.


SDSU's defense is way better than MSU.

The MVFC has some very good solid football that they play and I got no problem saying that SDSU is a real good physical defense. What are the offensive rankings of the teams that SDSU has played vs. the BSC offenses though? I'm wondering if that tells any kind of a story as to why this may be? I honestly don't know and I know that you pay more attention to that kind of stuff DF.

[Col Hogan]

[
You have no way of knowing that since they played against entirely different offenses.

To all those making wild claims that you team will run over your opponents in the playoffs...the quote above says it all...

I know that's not what kemajic meant to do, but he shot all his arguements in the foot with that statement...

Montana hasn't played SDSU...
Weber hasn't played W&M...

Etc, etc, etc...

You have no way of knowing what your opponent can or can't do based on what you know your team can do...

[kemajic]

I've already voiced my opinion on the UM-SDSU game, but if we're going to pull out single games, the Griz didn't exactly look like world beaters against Idaho State.

And struggled to beat NAU in OT...

So you say Montana is good at winning close games on the road instead of losing them? I agree.

[danefan]

SDSU schedule (opponent - points given up - national rank of opponents offense):

Ga. Southern - 6 - 95th
Indiana St. - 0 - 118th
Illinois St. - 10 (1 INT return for TD by ISU)- 56th
Cal Poly - 7 (1 INT return for TD and 1 fumble return for TD by CP) - 71st
Missouri St. 17 - 74th
North Dakota St.- 13 - 19th
UNI - 14 - 14th
Youngstown St. - 3 - 65th
Southern Ill. - 27 (1 INT return for TD for SIU) - 15th
Minnesota - 9 (1 fumble return for TD for Minn) - 114th in FBS
Western Ill. - 7 - 100th

Big Sky Teams
Eastern Wash. - 4th
Northern Ariz.- 6th
Montana 9th
Weber St. 13th
Montana St. 42nd
Portland St. 44th
Sacramento St. 49th
Northern Colo. 64th
Idaho St. 114th


Maybe SDSU hasn't faced the same level offense as Montana but their defense has dominated just about every team they've played (sans SIU).

And think about this: Montana hasn't exactly faced the best defenses in the country either. Which may have something to do with their offense being ranked so high:

Montana Opponent - Points scored by Montana - National Rank of defense

Western St - 38 - 84th in DII
UC Davis - 17 - 54th
Cal Poly - 35 - 102nd
Montana St. - 33 - 61st
Weber St. - 31 - 79th
Northern Colo. - 38 - 87th
Northern Ariz. - 41 - 100th
Portland St. - 49 - 107th
Eastern Wash. - 35 - 109th
Sacramento St. - 45 - 116th
Idaho St. - 12 - 118th

With the glaring game bolded above.

[kemajic]

I also agree. I've got McNeese pulling it out against UNH. I don't think SFA will be ready for Nichols and TJ... we'll win by 10-14.

Well We Will See If We Are Ready For Them. We Got A Hell OF A Defense, Ask McNeese! I Dont Think E. Washington Is Anything Different Than What We have Seen From Our Previous Oponents.

SFA might indeed have a hell of a defense, but I argue that your defense hasn't been up against an offense like ours. McNeese is a mostly running team with Pendland in the backfield. I'm sure your D was able to key in on that with your 20th ranked rushing defense. But your pass defense, like ours, is poor, and will be very vulnerable against a QB as efficient and explosive as Nichols. We pass to set up the run... and with Taiwan Jones in the backfield (4.3 speed), the run or screen pass to the outside is deadly... he's a threat to score every time he touches the ball. He had a run of 71 yards for a TD, and a screen pass he took for 80 yards and a score in the same game against NAU. When you have a QB like Nichols putting up these kind of numbers... your D is going to have a tough time stopping him.

The last 5 games:
NAU: 22/33 – 408 yds – 5 TDs – 0 INTs
SUU: 28/38 – 380 yds – 4 TDs – 0 INTs
PSU: 21/30 – 413 yds – 4 TDs – 0 INTs
MSU: 26/41 – 327 yds – 4 TDs – 0 INTs
UM: 32/49 – 312 yds – 3 TDs – 0 INTs
___________________________________
Total: 129/191 = 67.5% - 1840 yds – 20 TDs (+1 rushing) – 0 INTs

On the season he's 255/382 for a completion rate of 66.8%, 3369 yards, 30 TDs (+ 2 rushing)/5 INTs, and 306.3 yards per game

EWU will score against anyone. The real issue is whether they can stop anyone. Do you want to share your defensive yards allowed? In spite of this; I like EWU against SFA.