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#24 Southern Illinois (1-2)
@ Youngstown State (2-1)
STAMBAUGH STADIUM | 4PM/ET

Saturday's game at the Ice Castle is going to be a "Red Out." YSU is going to try to pack Stambaugh (20,630) for the first time since the 2000 contest against UNI. YSU is under first year Coach and Youngstown Native Eric Wolford. Wolford is an intense coach and has really rallied the community behind the program. He wants Saturday's game to be a playoff environment in his effort to make the Ice Castle the most feared place to play in the FCS, like it once was in the 1990s.

SIU is coming off a 24-21 loss to Southeast Missouri State. YSU is coming off a 63-24 win over NEC Favorite Central Connecticut State, tying the YSU record for most points in a game (1994 - YSU vs. Air McNair's Alcorn State).

Massey has YSU winning 30-25. Vegas has yet to release a line. Who wins?
SIU Forums: http://www.salukitalk.net/st/viewforum.php?f=2" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
YSU Forums: http://www.letsgoguins.com/forums/viewforum.php?f=2" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

I don't wanna.

Big game right here. A chance for YSU to make a statment.

I picked SIU to win, but I don't have a lot of confidence in that pick after last week. This is almost a must win for SIU.

Depends on who is healthy. If we get three all americans back at full strength we'll be competitive.

This is a huge game in the conference. Its a chance for YSU to break away from the pack and really put a hurt on SIU. I agree with an earlier poster that its almost a must win for SIU. I dont from injuries! This game is big and all eyes will be on it. I dont offer a pick but Dale Lennon has problems in big games. We will see.

This is a huge game in the conference. Its a chance for YSU to break away from the pack and really put a hurt on SIU. I agree with an earlier poster that its almost a must win for SIU. I dont know from injuries! This game is big and all eyes will be on it. I dont offer a pick but Dale Lennon has problems in big games. We will see.

DJH wrote:Big game right here. A chance for YSU to make a statment.

I picked SIU to win, but I don't have a lot of confidence in that pick after last week. This is almost a must win for SIU.

I agree - huge game for both teams. I wonder when the last time a Saluki team started 1-3?

JBB wrote:This is a huge game in the conference. Its a chance for YSU to break away from the pack and really put a hurt on SIU. I agree with an earlier poster that its almost a must win for SIU. I dont know from injuries! This game is big and all eyes will be on it. I dont offer a pick but Dale Lennon has problems in big games. We will see.

Break away from the pack?

You mean by getting as many conference wins as UNI already has?

I see YSU breaking away from the pack and joining the top teams of the MVFC.

AppStateAlumQC wrote:

DJH wrote:Big game right here. A chance for YSU to make a statment.

I picked SIU to win, but I don't have a lot of confidence in that pick after last week. This is almost a must win for SIU.

I agree - huge game for both teams. I wonder when the last time a Saluki team started 1-3?

2001, started 0-3 actually, finished 1-10

JBB wrote:This is a huge game in the conference. Its a chance for YSU to break away from the pack and really put a hurt on SIU. I agree with an earlier poster that its almost a must win for SIU. I dont know from injuries! This game is big and all eyes will be on it. I dont offer a pick but Dale Lennon has problems in big games. We will see.

Lennon has problems in big games, but you won't pick against him?


Lennon is a good coach.

Wildcard:

After having some issues with Lennon at SIU, Offensive Coordinator Phil Longo was let go and in the same week picked up as the Wide Receivers Coach and Recruiting Coordinator at YSU... Unless SIU completely changed their offensive attack, I would have to say Longo will have a vast amount of knowledge about everything SIU will throw at YSU.

guinzone wrote:Wildcard:

After having some issues with Lennon at SIU, Offensive Coordinator Phil Longo was let go and in the same week picked up as the Wide Receivers Coach and Recruiting Coordinator at YSU... Unless SIU completely changed their offensive attack, I would have to say Longo will have a vast amount of knowledge about everything SIU will throw at YSU.

I don't think it's that big a deal. These teams have seen a lot of each other. Now if Longo was your OC I'd feel a lot better about this Saturday.

houndawg wrote:

guinzone wrote:Wildcard:

After having some issues with Lennon at SIU, Offensive Coordinator Phil Longo was let go and in the same week picked up as the Wide Receivers Coach and Recruiting Coordinator at YSU... Unless SIU completely changed their offensive attack, I would have to say Longo will have a vast amount of knowledge about everything SIU will throw at YSU.

I don't think it's that big a deal. These teams have seen a lot of each other. Now if Longo was your OC I'd feel a lot better about this Saturday.

We have Ben Roethlisberger's former head coach, Shane Montgomery, from Miami (OH). Thus far he has run a stellar offense. I do not know of many teams in Division 1 college football that are 5 deep at running. Our staff opted NOT to redshirt any of them this year, which means we have 5 running backs to choose from. Right now Cook, Bellamy, and Thompson are leading the way for the Penguins.

guinzone wrote:

houndawg wrote:
I don't think it's that big a deal. These teams have seen a lot of each other. Now if Longo was your OC I'd feel a lot better about this Saturday.

We have Ben Roethlisberger's former head coach, Shane Montgomery, from Miami (OH). Thus far he has run a stellar offense. I do not know of many teams in Division 1 college football that are 5 deep at running. Our staff opted NOT to redshirt any of them this year, which means we have 5 running backs to choose from. Right now Cook, Bellamy, and Thompson are leading the way for the Penguins.

UNI has 5 running backs we could use too, but haven't needed too thus far.


You realize Big Ben's QB was made to look better than he is because Ben's is a hell of a QB right?



Meh, not even worth it anymore. YSU 2011 FCS Champions

I think by break away from the pack I meant a win might be a harbinger of a power shift. It would put YSU in a good position, tied with UNI and give them an important win that still figures in on the tie breaker and at-large if SIU recovers and competes for the title.

I think that YSU has a good football team, and they will beat some teams that will raise some eyebrows, but a few things to keep in mind:

1. The new coaching staff is a breath of fresh air. The change was long overdue for a program with YSU's past reputation. But they are still NEW and need a few more years of recruiting under their belt.
2. YSU has a freshman QB. There have only been 2-True-Frosh QB's to ever lead a team to a National Title and win (Bernie Kosar and Armanti Edwards) and while the QB is a good game manager, he is not yet surrounded by enough talent to bring home a title. Not sure if the QB is a redshirt or true-frosh, but he is inexperienced.
3. The Penguins have done well in recruiting excellent RB's and Receivers, but the depth on the OL is suspect and will really show as the season wears on.
4. The starting DL is good, but again depth issues. LB's are a big question mark.

By the end of next season, I see YSU being a contender, and I think that they will make great strides this year. We will all know how good they size up in the big picture after the game with SIU this weekend. This is the measuring stick.

penguinpower wrote:I think that YSU has a good football team, and they will beat some teams that will raise some eyebrows, but a few things to keep in mind:

1. The new coaching staff is a breath of fresh air. The change was long overdue for a program with YSU's past reputation. But they are still NEW and need a few more years of recruiting under their belt.
2. YSU has a freshman QB. There have only been 2-True-Frosh QB's to ever lead a team to a National Title and win (Bernie Kosar and Armanti Edwards) and while the QB is a good game manager, he is not yet surrounded by enough talent to bring home a title. Not sure if the QB is a redshirt or true-frosh, but he is inexperienced.
3. The Penguins have done well in recruiting excellent RB's and Receivers, but the depth on the OL is suspect and will really show as the season wears on.
4. The starting DL is good, but again depth issues. LB's are a big question mark.

By the end of next season, I see YSU being a contender, and I think that they will make great strides this year. We will all know how good they size up in the big picture after the game with SIU this weekend. This is the measuring stick.

It don't matter. Whatever you do, you'll still lose to UNI for the 19th time in a row.

Cap'n Cat wrote:

penguinpower wrote:I think that YSU has a good football team, and they will beat some teams that will raise some eyebrows, but a few things to keep in mind:

1. The new coaching staff is a breath of fresh air. The change was long overdue for a program with YSU's past reputation. But they are still NEW and need a few more years of recruiting under their belt.
2. YSU has a freshman QB. There have only been 2-True-Frosh QB's to ever lead a team to a National Title and win (Bernie Kosar and Armanti Edwards) and while the QB is a good game manager, he is not yet surrounded by enough talent to bring home a title. Not sure if the QB is a redshirt or true-frosh, but he is inexperienced.
3. The Penguins have done well in recruiting excellent RB's and Receivers, but the depth on the OL is suspect and will really show as the season wears on.
4. The starting DL is good, but again depth issues. LB's are a big question mark.

By the end of next season, I see YSU being a contender, and I think that they will make great strides this year. We will all know how good they size up in the big picture after the game with SIU this weekend. This is the measuring stick.

It don't matter. Whatever you do, you'll still lose to UNI for the 19th time in a row.

[/quo Sorry to break the news but UNI's automatic W over YSU will soon be coming to an end--there's a new WOLF' in town and although he's not a magician he will turn this program around in the coming years,The MVFC needs to find a team that can win a National Title--UNI has a jillion conference titles but its frustrating watching them getting knocked out of the playoffs year after year.

DavedS wrote:

Cap'n Cat wrote:

It don't matter. Whatever you do, you'll still lose to UNI for the 19th time in a row.

Sorry to break the news but UNI's automatic W over YSU will soon be coming to an end--there's a new WOLF' in town and although he's not a magician he will turn this program around in the coming years,The MVFC needs to find a team that can win a National Title--UNI has a jillion conference titles but its frustrating watching them getting knocked out of the playoffs year after year.

Haha, very well said DavedS!

Here is our predictions for Saturday's Game... Enjoy:
http://www.letsgoguins.com/columns/foot ... n-illinois" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

clenz wrote:

guinzone wrote: We have Ben Roethlisberger's former head coach, Shane Montgomery, from Miami (OH). Thus far he has run a stellar offense. I do not know of many teams in Division 1 college football that are 5 deep at running. Our staff opted NOT to redshirt any of them this year, which means we have 5 running backs to choose from. Right now Cook, Bellamy, and Thompson are leading the way for the Penguins.

UNI has 5 running backs we could use too, but haven't needed too thus far.


You realize Big Ben's QB was made to look better than he is because Ben's is a hell of a QB right?



Meh, not even worth it anymore. YSU 2011 FCS Champions

I'm sure Ben would be the first to tell you how great he is! True UNI hasn't had to use 5 rb's--they just need to hold onto the ball.YSU was picked to finish 7th in the MVFC but that was before we lost 2 of our leading tacklers.We don't ever expect to have the run we had last century but we do expect to be contenders in the coming years.

I thought it was a SIU vs YSU thread, not YSU vs UNI?

DJH wrote:Big game right here. A chance for YSU to make a statment.

I picked SIU to win, but I don't have a lot of confidence in that pick after last week. This is almost a must win for SIU.

There are a lot of must-wins coming up for the Salukis. At this point, they need a conference title to make it back to the playoffs.

Gil Dobie wrote:I thought it was a SIU vs YSU thread, not YSU vs UNI?

It was until the Cap'n hijacked it.