Big Sky Champ, once again!

[Mvemjsunpx]

McNeese had better get ready for some fireworks. I don't think you'll see the same offensive game plan that SHSU had last time.

My second comment on this statement is that when it comes to game plan issues I'm more worried about the game plan when McNeese is on offense. McNeese did very well on offense against Sam Houston State on offense last time; especially early in the game. It also was very successful in maintaining possession so as to keep Sam Houston State's offense off the field. I AM worried that Sam Houston State will have a better DEFENSIVE game plan so that McNeese's offense is not as effective this time.

Sam Houston's run defense is garbage, though.

[htownbearkat]

That was a SHSU team that was down to their 4th and 5th string runners...and their 2nd string QB

I think that was their #3 and #4 running backs rather than #4 and #5 but it was still bad

No, they really were the 4th and 5th string backs ( a freshman and 5th year Sr)
Sam's #1 back left the team a few weeks ago inexplicably.

McNeese is definitely the favorite in this game.

[Chizzang]

Please note: The Big Sky winner lost to Portland State and South Dakota for gods sake
How good could they really be..?

[Get'em_Griz]

Please note: The Big Sky winner lost to Portland State and South Dakota for gods sake
How good could they really be..?

They had a fairly easy schedule with not having to play Montana or Eastern Washington. Playing either of those two schools and SUU probably doesn't win the Big Sky.

[YoUDeeMan]

Please note: The Big Sky winner lost to Portland State and South Dakota for gods sake
How good could they really be..?

They had a fairly easy schedule with not having to play Montana or Eastern Washington. Playing either of those two schools and SUU probably doesn't win the Big Sky.

^^ A 72 post poster stole your bait, Chizz.

[Mvemjsunpx]

Please note: The Big Sky winner lost to Portland State and South Dakota State for gods sake
How good could they really be..?

FIFY

[JohnStOnge]

No, they really were the 4th and 5th string backs ( a freshman and 5th year Sr)
Sam's #1 back left the team a few weeks ago inexplicably.

Looking at the game by game stats I'm guessing you're talking about Donavan Williams as he disappeared from the game by game stats after the 5th game of the season and I think he was probably leading the team in carries at that point. But when I've watched Sam Houston State play this year I've always thought their best back is Corey Avery. He is extremely hard to tackle. Southern Utah got a taste of that when he flat ran over that guy on the 31 yard TD run in the first quarter.

Just to see if the stats were at least consistent with my impression I looked at what Avery and Williams both did when Williams was playing. Williams did have more carries, 59 to 32. But Avery had more yards, 286 to 241. In the games both played Avery averaged 8.9 yards per carry to Williams' 4.1.

I wouldn't be surprised if Williams left the team because he could see the handwriting on the wall in terms of who the number 1 back was going to be as the season went on and the coaches saw more and more of what Avery can do. That guy is good. To me he's better than Tim Flanders was. A LOT harder to tackle than Flanders was. I don't know what his yards after contact stat is but I'd bet it's huge. It's hard to believe he isn't better than any of the backs that stayed at Kansas.

[7yearkat]

No, they really were the 4th and 5th string backs ( a freshman and 5th year Sr)
Sam's #1 back left the team a few weeks ago inexplicably.

Looking at the game by game stats I'm guessing you're talking about Donavan Williams as he disappeared from the game by game stats after the 5th game of the season and I think he was probably leading the team in carries at that point. But when I've watched Sam Houston State play this year I've always thought their best back is Corey Avery. He is extremely hard to tackle. Southern Utah got a taste of that when he flat ran over that guy on the 31 yard TD run in the first quarter.

Just to see if the stats were at least consistent with my impression I looked at what Avery and Williams both did when Williams was playing. Williams did have more carries, 59 to 32. But Avery had more yards, 286 to 241. In the games both played Avery averaged 8.9 yards per carry to Williams' 4.1.

I wouldn't be surprised if Williams left the team because he could see the handwriting on the wall in terms of who the number 1 back was going to be as the season went on and the coaches saw more and more of what Avery can do. That guy is good. To me he's better than Tim Flanders was. A LOT harder to tackle than Flanders was. I don't know what his yards after contact stat is but I'd bet it's huge. It's hard to believe he isn't better than any of the backs that stayed at Kansas.

Bearkats missed the "heavy" running of Williams against the Pokes in the first game and I would imagine the same will be the case on Saturday. Overstreet may be able to pick up some of that slack, but we'll have to see since he didn't play in the regular season matchup.

I agree to Avery has been the highlight in the backfield for the Kats. My understanding is that he didn't leave Kansas due to being outplayed by another back. In fact, he had a ton of touches last year as a freshman there. He was on track to be the featured back there again this year. More than likely he just got tired of getting his teeth kicked in for a terrible football team (pretty sure they went 0-fer this year).

Looking forward to Saturday. I think it's gonna be a tight game. I know it's hard to beat anyone twice in one year. If I had to pick one of the two to win it would be this one. Go Kats!