Indiana and NDSU are not the best teams in the league statistically. I would give the Sycamores the edge on the main measurements of total offense/defense pass and rush. Its not much of an edge but its there. They have a good offense and a good defense.
Looking a little further some of the less significant statistics, but those that reflect an understanding of the games fundamentals and demonstrate an ability to execute on some of the games finer points, comes out. These are the things that can tip an even matchup like this.
Although the Sycamores have a good pass offense they allow a lot of sacks. NDSU is a good sack team. That has the potential to stop a lot of drives and slow down what is already a rather poor third down conversion rate. If our practice week is successful it will. That of course is going to give the BISON some extra possessions.
Those extra possessions mean more time to exploit Indiana's "Opponent 1st downs" performance this season. Using Jays theory those extra yds are going to result in more pts. That is sound. Same with time of possession, another key state relating to scoring in favor of the BISON.
The BISON have a very favorable pts for/against ratio in comparison to the Sycamores.
The BISON are #1 in the league at the skill position of place-kicking. I believe I mentioned earlier that was one of the focuses at our practices.
INTANGIBLES:
No question the BISON have their best football ahead of them. Our boys comprise a strong and contending team. Last week they suffered a heartbreaking loss. With all due respect to ISUR there are more than a handful of fans that believe NDSU should have won that game by 21 pts. Cut those mistakes out, finish those drives and put points on the board. But most of all, DONT MAKE MISTAKES AGAINST GOOD TEAMS. THIS AINT D2!
Mohlers play was marred by mistakes last week. If he continues to make those kinds of plays I feel he has to be taken out in favor of a promising but inexperienced young recruit.
STOP THE TURNOVERS.
