EWU vs SFA game thread

[slycat]

Post your predictions, news, banter, or whatever.

EWU makes the playoffs after getting the ban dropped. SFA picked at the bottom of the SLC and they have a great season.

Another good matchup.

[G&B]

EWU wins this one. TJ will run wild. high scoring.

[AZGrizFan]

I think SFA is in for a rude awakening.

[G&B]

Me too.

[slycat]

Tough game to predict. Both teams have strong offenses.

I'll give the edge to the Jacks as they have seen their fair share of high caliber offense this season and pulled out wins.

SFA - 38
EWU- 31

[kalm]

SFA's offense and qb are very productive and our defense has given up a ton of yardage the last two weeks albeit against 2 very good offenses (SUU and NAU). I'm also concerned about injuries as we looked to be getting pretty banged up at the end of the game yesterday.

EWU has a better turnover margin and while SFA's defense is ranked 20th overall, they are 71st against the pass. Plus we have playoff experience on our side and we tend to play very well on the road.

We'll need turnovers and a few stops to pull off the win.

Get out your running shoes.

[AZGrizFan]

Tough game to predict. Both teams have strong offenses.

I'll give the edge to the Jacks as they have seen their fair share of high caliber offense this season and pulled out wins.

SFA - 38
EWU- 31

If EWU hadn't lost their NFL-caliber receiver, I'd say EWU by 28. But because they did, I'll say EWU by 17.

38-21.

[NuclearGRIZ]

It's been a long time since SFA has been in the playoffs. I guess they didn't want to get punished by another Big Sky QB. Granted, Matt Nichols is NOT Dave D., but I see SFA falling short in this track meet. Eagles win 49-35.

[kalm]

Tough game to predict. Both teams have strong offenses.

I'll give the edge to the Jacks as they have seen their fair share of high caliber offense this season and pulled out wins.

SFA - 38
EWU- 31

If EWU hadn't lost their NFL-caliber receiver, I'd say EWU by 28. But because they did, I'll say EWU by 17.

38-21.

Shhh, don't tell anybody, but our offensive numbers - especially Nichol's have gotten better since Boyce went down.

[kalm]

BTW, since Slycat is acting as surrogate for SFA and I don't recall any SFA posters on CS, anyone know the way to their message board?

[SFA Fan!!!]

I Got SFA In This One, Should Be A Thriller! I Think People Are Underestimating The Jacks Seriously. SFA 31, Eatsern Washington 24

[Gil Dobie]

SFA 45, EWU 42

[JMU DJ]

SFA 45, EWU 42

I Got SFA In This One, Should Be A Thriller! I Think People Are Underestimating The Jacks Seriously. SFA 31, Eatsern Washington 24

Something like this. Possibly reminicent of the NAU game (though SFA looks to have the better D here)



Who's this Jeremy Moses and what has he done in his career? It's not like he's a good quarterback facing a bad pass defense or anything like that.

[93henfan]

SFA 45, EWU 42

Sounds good. I'll go with that too. Doesn't really matter anyway, as it will be the only win in the playoffs for whomever wins.

[McNeese75]

I think the Eagles are about to find out who Moses is. They will also find out about a pretty salty defense that is going to give them some problems. I like SFA's chances in this one

[G&B]

Let Screaming Eagle tell you about their O.

[Appaholic]

SFA 12
EWU 28

[danefan]

Anybody have the game time on this one? I'll be in Terrell (near Dallas). I think its only about 3 hours from there.

If its a 1pm game I might make that drive. I have a 6:30am flight out of Dallas sunday morning, so if its a late game Saturday night I'm SOL.

[BlackFalkin]

Anybody have the game time on this one? I'll be in Terrell (near Dallas). I think its only about 3 hours from there.

If its a 1pm game I might make that drive. I have a 6:30am flight out of Dallas sunday morning, so if its a late game Saturday night I'm SOL.

hopefully it will be sometime around 1pm local

[kalm]

So the NCAA's stats must have just been updated because in total offense the numbers are still SFA #3 and EWU #4, but in total defense SFA is now #32 and EWU is #109.

In scoring offense, SFA is #1 at 37.18 ppg, and EWU is 9th at 33.74. However, you have to factor in SFA's 92-0 win over NAIA Texas College.

In scoring defense, SFA is 27th at 19.55 ppg, and EWU is #70 at 25.91.

So those number would certainly favor SFA, but a couple of further points about the level of competition:

EWU's defense has faced the #6, 9, 13 and 18 ranked offenses in the nation

SFA's defense has faced the #5, 12, 23, and 37 ranked offenses

The best scoring defenses EWU has faced are #19 Montana and #51 Montana State

The two best scoring defenses SFA has faced are #64 McNeese and #91 Texas State.

Also consider that these stats include SFA's game against a 6-5 SMU from Conf. USA and EWU's game against 8-3 Cal from the PAC-10.

When SFA did play quality opponents (SMU, SFA, and TSU), they were held to 17, 16, and 3 points. EWU against Cal, Montana Weber was held to 7, 13, and 34. In those situations, both teams appear to have still got their yards but penalties and turnovers kept their scoring low.

Bottom line is SFA has the better team statistical rankings, but in comparing who each team has played the advantage is much less.

So I feel better - which is all that matters.

[MrTitleist]

Defenses might as well not even show up for this game. EWU takes it.

[slycat]

BTW, since Slycat is acting as surrogate for SFA and I don't recall any SFA posters on CS, anyone know the way to their message board?

http://forums.delphiforums.com/sfalumberjacks

[Screamin_Eagle174]

I'm slightly worried about this matchup. It should be another high-scoring affair, but we're going to need to get a couple stops and a couple turnovers if we're going to win. Scoring points won't be a problem... just scoring more than the Lumberjacks (again).

[Wildcat Ryan]

I think Eastern has an offense, that can compete with anybody in the Nation, I think Eastern has a very good chance at winning this game and I think they will 45-40

By the way Screamin_Eagle, that is an AWESOME Big Sky Playoff Banner.

[EWURanger]

Another game with a bunch of points scored - keys to an EWU win will be to make the occasional stop on defense, create a couple of turn-overs, and taking care of the ball. Can't believe I'm saying this, but if we could sustain some drives rather than scoring in 2-5 plays, it would help keep the defense off the field.

Anyways, I think EWU wins this one. Historically, we seem to play well against the SLC, and we've got a lot of momentum going into this game.

EWU - 42
SFA - 35