Villanova-EWU National Semifinal

[AZGrizFan]

how many points you givin?

20.5. I think the 5dimes line is 6 right now. That could be the easiest bet you'll ever see.

I'll take it for $20.

[GrizFanStuckInUtah]

It is gonna be rough for EWU for sure. Nova looked really good against App, I don't think EWU will be able to hang. I'm guessing Deleware and Villanova for the title game with the salad taking home the croutons.

[Grizalltheway]

I can't wait to watch this game on ESPN2 and see barely 4,000 screaming Eagle fans...

Joking aside (though I'm not joking really), I can't wait to watch this game, but after having watched both EWU and Nova this last weekend, and knowing TJ is out, I don't see any way EWU wins this game. I hope I'm wrong, I'm pulling for EWU, but I just don't see it.

Ditto.

[BearIt]

I can't wait to watch this game on ESPN2 and see barely 4,000 screaming Eagle fans...

I'll be watching the game, not the people in the stands. I doubt ESPN gives a shit if there is 4,000 or 15,000. I don't think it makes much difference in their bank account.

I maybe one of the people in the stands. Sounds like I will get great seats with an unobstructed view.

[CPAlum]

I can't wait to watch this game on ESPN2 and see barely 4,000 screaming Eagle fans...

Joking aside (though I'm not joking really), I can't wait to watch this game, but after having watched both EWU and Nova this last weekend, and knowing TJ is out, I don't see any way EWU wins this game. I hope I'm wrong, I'm pulling for EWU, but I just don't see it.

Ditto.

Me too .... Go Eagles

[catbob]

I can't wait to watch this game on ESPN2 and see barely 4,000 screaming Eagle fans...

I'll be watching the game, not the people in the stands. I doubt ESPN gives a **** if there is 4,000 or 15,000. I don't think it makes much difference in their bank account.

I maybe one of the people in the stands. Sounds like I will get great seats with an unobstructed view.

I just love this division of football, and defend it a lot when people put it down, but it's hard when a guy can say "oh I see the semi-final game was on ESPN and the stadium was half-full, big time college football." I have no counter for that.

[EWURanger]

I maybe one of the people in the stands. Sounds like I will get great seats with an unobstructed view.

Hope to see ya there.

[BDKJMU]

If you use the Sagarin predictor Villanova would be a 10 point favorite on the road over Eastern. The problem with that is that the graph isn't all that well connected when you pit east coast FCS vs west coast FCS. The historical dominance of the east coast FCS teams might lead you to believe the difference could be greater than 10.

With TJ out, the gutzy Eagles may be in a lot of trouble here. I think Villanova is head and shoulders over the rest of the field at this point in the season. Sczcar is an amazingly versatile talent, but I think the key is Ijalana creating some really nice openings for him. The way he handled Fletcher last Saturday was very impressive. A good battle I look forward to watching on Friday night will be Ijalana vs. Renard Williams. Renard has been double teamed all year, but it wouldn't surprise me if 'nova tries to single team him with Ijalana.

I'll be rooting for David to slay Goliath on Friday night.

One other edge not mentioned is the power of the cowbell. It has been known to destroy our opponents and apparently drive some of their fans utterly insane (quite possibly not a very long trip), reducing them to pathetic babbling fools.

Believe in the power of the cowbell.

You hit the nail on the head. Saturdays game you had 2 of the consensus AA's lined up against each other for the majority of the plays, and Ijalana (#71) for the most part was manhandling Fletcher.

Nova's 4 OGs and OTs avg I think its 6'4" 323. That is a BCS OL, probably the best in all of I-AA, with one of the best OL in ALL of college football in Ijalana (almost unheard of for a I-AA to be on the outland watch list).

Notice how Nova probably runs at least 60% of the time to their left side behind Ijalana and their other 4 yr sr starter at OG #67 Clouser, and I'm guess gain close to 3/4 of their yards off that side. Sometimes they'll Ijalana on the right side going unbalanced or both those guys on the right to give defenses different looks.

Nova's got a pretty good defense, although not quite as good as last yr.

With the record setting travel Nova is doing for the 3rd straight week, I don't think Nova will be that sharp. Nova has been known to be turnover prone at times this season. Even with Jones out, that could keep it somewhat close. I expect Nova to win by 2-3 TDs on the maxi pad.

[BlackFalkin]

1. #4 is really good. Hes good in that game-changer kinda way.

2. I think NDSU was better than Delaware, Georgia Southern and as good as ASU.

3. EWU's defense is really good & will contain #4. #4 wont score more than 3 times.

4. EWU's offense will be the problem, without TJ, they arent very dangerous, but I think they can still put up points.

5. EWU's keys to success will be to double spy #4. And run, run, pass.

6. Nova is good but not THAT good, I think part of that was ASU was overrated.

7. EWU beat NDSU in the second half WITHOUT TJ.

8. EWU is at home so I think their no-quit attitude & luck will take them to the promise land.


PREDICTION: The great thing about fcs is just bc a team is believed to be better, they still have to prove it on the field...and that EAGLE in the banner wants to advance REALLY bad, hes got his EAGLE EYE on that FCS CS spot! A banged up #4, and his 4 loss team have a let down game after 4 straight on the road. and..... THE RED TURF STRIKES AGAIN!

EWU 31 - nova 18

[SeattleGriz]

I'll be watching the game, not the people in the stands. I doubt ESPN gives a **** if there is 4,000 or 15,000. I don't think it makes much difference in their bank account.

I maybe one of the people in the stands. Sounds like I will get great seats with an unobstructed view.

I just love this division of football, and defend it a lot when people put it down, but it's hard when a guy can say "oh I see the semi-final game was on ESPN and the stadium was half-full, big time college football." I have no counter for that.

The counter is that it is hard for a home teams fans to be ready in one week. When the season schedule comes out, I get to pick which games I can make it to, but when the playoffs happen, I have to roll the dice and take time off. If I didn't have family in Missoula, it would be infinitely more difficult to make the games. Now imagine what it is like for the traveling fans with airfare and such. Most FBS schools are in large metro areas that should have a good majority of their fans within driving distance of the game.

Will be interesting to see how many fans do in fact travel to the NC with three weeks to make plans. I would that alone would allow many to make the game.

[Thumper 76]

I really hope that EWU wins just because of the CAA homers, they make me want to vomit, but its going to be a really tough row to hoe.

[89Hen]

2. I think NDSU was better than Delaware, Georgia Southern and as good as ASU.

Based on....

[Pwns]

1. #4 is really good. Hes good in that game-changer kinda way.

2. I think NDSU was better than Delaware, Georgia Southern and as good as ASU.

3. EWU's defense is really good & will contain #4. #4 wont score more than 3 times.

4. EWU's offense will be the problem, without TJ, they arent very dangerous, but I think they can still put up points.

5. EWU's keys to success will be to double spy #4. And run, run, pass.

6. Nova is good but not THAT good, I think part of that was ASU was overrated.

7. EWU beat NDSU in the second half WITHOUT TJ.

8. EWU is at home so I think their no-quit attitude & luck will take them to the promise land.


PREDICTION: The great thing about fcs is just bc a team is believed to be better, they still have to prove it on the field...and that EAGLE in the banner wants to advance REALLY bad, hes got his EAGLE EYE on that FCS CS spot! A banged up #4, and his 4 loss team have a let down game after 4 straight on the road. and..... THE RED TURF STRIKES AGAIN!

EWU 31 - nova 18

I stand by my theory that this is just a Griz fan trying to stir the pot. Was that whole App. State - WIU game a big fluke?

[ChickenMan]

2. I think NDSU was better than Delaware, Georgia Southern and as good as ASU.

Stop right there and put the bottle down.. you obviously have had more than enough...

[SuperHornet]

you don't think they'll still be watching film? chris whitney didn't practice this week yet we still thumped appy.

Watching film is only half the battle. One has to actually practice against the looks one sees on film.

One would think that a guy going by the handle of "fact" would know something as obvious as this....

[93henfan]

Before this thread drops to page two, I just wanted to remind the Eastern Washington fans, who can in turn hopefully pass this along to the EWU players...


THE ANKLE

It's Matt Szczur's ankle that is bothering him a bit. It would be to your advantage to tackle low, helmet first. Get some plastic on that ankle.

Good luck.

[Mvemjsunpx]

No Taiwan Jones means virtually no chance for the Eagles. Jones had 230 yards on just 20 carries last week. Darrell Beaumonte & Mario Brown have 79 carries and 61 carries on the season respectively, and they still haven't got to 230 yards. EWU has to spread Nova out and Mitchell needs to be much more on than last week to keep things close. I think the Eagle D will do a better job than the SFA & App defenses, but not nearly enough to overcome a crippled offense.

Here's my assessment of the matchups & my pick for the game:

• • • Quarterbacks -- Villanova
      
      Running Backs - Villanova
      
      Receivers/TEs - Villanova
      
      Offensive Line - Villanova
      
      
      Defensive Line - Eastern Washington
      
      Linebackers --- Eastern Washington
      
      Secondary ---- Villanova
      
      
      Kicking ------ (push)
      
      Punting ------ Villanova
      
      Return Teams - Eastern Washington
      
      Kickoffs ------ Villanova
      
      
      
      
      
      
      • • Villanova 28-10 Eastern Washington

[AZGrizFan]

I'll be watching the game, not the people in the stands. I doubt ESPN gives a **** if there is 4,000 or 15,000. I don't think it makes much difference in their bank account.

I maybe one of the people in the stands. Sounds like I will get great seats with an unobstructed view.

I just love this division of football, and defend it a lot when people put it down, but it's hard when a guy can say "oh I see the semi-final game was on ESPN and the stadium was half-full, big time college football." I have no counter for that.

Respond by asking the guy what did the stadium look like for the Keebler Cookies Bowl.

[AZGrizFan]

No Taiwan Jones means virtually no chance for the Eagles. Jones had 230 yards on just 20 carries last week. Darrell Beaumonte & Mario Brown have 79 carries and 61 carries on the season respectively, and they still haven't got to 230 yards. EWU has to spread Nova out and Mitchell needs to be much more on than last week to keep things close. I think the Eagle D will do a better job than the SFA & App defenses, but not nearly enough to overcome a crippled offense.

Here's my assessment of the matchups & my pick for the game:

• • • Quarterbacks -- Villanova
      
      Running Backs - Villanova
      
      Receivers/TEs - Villanova
      
      Offensive Line - Villanova
      
      
      Defensive Line - Eastern Washington
      
      Linebackers --- Eastern Washington
      
      Secondary ---- Villanova
      
      
      Kicking ------ (push)
      
      Punting ------ Villanova
      
      Return Teams - Eastern Washington
      
      Kickoffs ------ Villanova
      
      
      
      
      
      
      • • Villanova 28-10 Eastern Washington

I'll take that score, since I'm getting 20 1/2.

[EWURanger]

I do not like this prediction. Not at all.

[HenZoneNation]

. EWU's defense is really good & will contain #4. #4 wont score more than 3 times.

Sweet Jesus, that's some goal you've set for yourself...only allowing one player to score three touchdowns. If he scores 3 td's your done....that being said:

1) I think Anthony Walters said it best after the Nova game. He praised #4 (isn't it funny how most of us state his number rather than name) but said Whitney runs the machine. He's a big, strong kid who wins. He's not gonna wow you but you don't want a close game and have him with the ball.

2) Don't discount the amount of travel that Nova has gone through. It gets you no matter who you are. We had at least one home game in 07. They've gone to TX, NC, and now WA...that's crazy. Now if they win and have those 3 weeks off, THEN it won't matter.

3) You never know what can happen. Our best defensive player, a potential NFL player, got hurt in warm ups last week and didn't play. I'm not hoping for an injury, but they happen.

EWU needs the MO...and they need it very early in the game...ANYTHING can happen.

[HenZoneNation]

I'm very torn about this game. There's apart of me that would love to see an all CAA final; would love even more to get another shot at Nova...however, I gotta be careful what I wish for. I keep telling myself what are the chances they can beat us 6 times in a row, and then I think back to three weeks ago when I was telling myself what are the chances they can beat us 5 times in a row...insert this every year and ending with what are the chances they can beat us two years in a row...

[Bronco]

Before this thread drops to page two, I just wanted to remind the Eastern Washington fans, who can in turn hopefully pass this along to the EWU players...


THE ANKLE

It's Matt Szczur's ankle that is bothering him a bit. It would be to your advantage to tackle low, helmet first. Get some plastic on that ankle.

Good luck.

Football gods don't like this so you probably just doomed your own QB to a leg injury.

[CSUBUCDAD]

I am taking Nova by 7.

[mcveyrl]

I'm very torn about this game. There's apart of me that would love to see an all CAA final; would love even more to get another shot at Nova...however, I gotta be careful what I wish for. I keep telling myself what are the chances they can beat us 6 times in a row, and then I think back to three weeks ago when I was telling myself what are the chances they can beat us 5 times in a row...insert this every year and ending with what are the chances they can beat us two years in a row...

I wouldn't want to play Nova right now. Then again, my team's not playing ANYBODY right now.

So I'm rooting for an all-CAA final.