3 weeks' prep. Who does that help more?

JohnStOnge · Post by **JohnStOnge** » Mon Dec 19, 2011 7:46 pm

Nowadays the FCS playoffs are structured so that there are three weeks between semis and championshp. So each team has three weeks to prepare for the other.

Who do you think benefits most from that circumstance in this case?

Gil Dobie · Post by **Gil Dobie** » Mon Dec 19, 2011 8:02 pm

It helps the injured players recover.

SuperHornet · Post by **SuperHornet** » Mon Dec 19, 2011 8:56 pm

I think it cuts both ways.

GD is definitely correct about injured players recovering. There's also more time to look at film and to add crazy stuff (which you probably won't use for fear of being accused of throwing the game away on a stupid gamble). The thing is that an underdog pretty much HAS to take a few gambles if the difference is significant enough. While I'm fairly certain SHSU will win, I'm not so sure the difference is big enough to FORCE NDSU into blatant gambles. Either team (or both) may CHOOSE to take a few, however. There's an old unwritten rule that says that the first team to successfully complete a gadget wins the game. Unfortunately, those things typically have the flip side: you blow it, and just watched a huge shift in momentum, if not an actual score.

Overall, the gap probably balances out.

Winindy · Post by **Winindy** » Mon Dec 19, 2011 9:30 pm

SuperHornet wrote: There's an old unwritten rule that says that the first team to successfully complete a gadget wins the game. Unfortunately, those things typically have the flip side: you blow it, and just watched a huge shift in momentum, if not an actual score.

Overall, the gap probably balances out.

Interesting, I've never heard of this. Also, it didn't work for GSU. The did the fake punt which helped them tie the game at 7-7. NDSU promptly scored on their next drive.

GrizFanStuckInUtah · Post by **GrizFanStuckInUtah** » Mon Dec 19, 2011 9:32 pm

I watched the first half of Ga Southern vs North Dakota and haven't watcht he last half, will finish it soon. I also want to go back and watch some of the previous playoff games. UND has been ranked right up there but SHSU sure looked goo against us in our game.

Bronco · Post by **Bronco** » Mon Dec 19, 2011 9:49 pm

Here's where having a dome will come in handy

Could get tough practicing outdoors for some northern teams

Does the wind blow in Frisco like it does in Sam's ballpark

Cujo · Post by **Cujo** » Tue Dec 20, 2011 12:46 am

NDSU.

More time to scout SHSU's crazy O

houndawg · Post by **houndawg** » Tue Dec 20, 2011 3:30 am

I think it ruins momentum for both teams and there should be a one week at most gap between the semis and the NC. This year the layoff helps NDSU more than SHSU.

Tribe4SF · Post by **Tribe4SF** » Tue Dec 20, 2011 3:47 am

NDSU. #20 gets three weeks to heal, and solidify his reads.

JohnStOnge · Post by **JohnStOnge** » Tue Dec 20, 2011 6:01 pm

Ok I'll tell you what I was thinking. I think it helps NDSU more. You may recall that at the beginning of the game the annoucners were talking about how difficult it was for Montana to prepare for Sam Houston's offense because 1) it is unique and like nothing they'd played against before and 2) it was Montana's exam week. Also, you may have noticed that Sam Houston State got something like 496 yards of offense but only 98 in the second half. In fact, before that last clutch drive to run out the clock (for which they deserve great credit) they had something like 46 yards and one first down. They recovered a fumble at the Montana 8 yard line and had to settle for a field goal.

And I don't think that can be attributed to Sam Houston taking its foot off the gas because the game was only 28-14 at halftime and got a lot closer than that. Don't know whether it was adjustments in scheme or just getting used to what was going on. But Montana's defense pretty much shut Sam Houston State's offense down once it had been seeing it for a while.

NDSU is going to have three weeks to prepare for that offense and they'll have plenty of prepartion time that isn't during exam week.

I think NDSU's offense is much less exotic and Sam Houston State could've pretty well prepared to go against it in a week. With NDSU I think it's just a question of whether or not they physically beat you or not. If they're going to physically beat you it doesn't matter if it's one week or three weeks. If they're not they're not.

Whether it'll be enough or not I don't know. But I do think the extra preparation time helps NDSU's chances.

JohnStOnge · Post by **JohnStOnge** » Tue Dec 20, 2011 6:09 pm

<<Does the wind blow in Frisco like it does in Sam's ballpark>>

I don't think Hunstville is particularly windy. I think that's just how it worked out. And it's interesting that you say that because I do think the wind helped Sam Houston in both the Montana and Montana State games. They gamble with those corners and there were times when they got beat deep but the wind was a factor in bailing them out. Of course I'm sure you're thinking of that long ball by Montana on its last drive where the receiver was behind the secondary and the ball didn't reach him.

Post by **Grizalltheway** » Wed Dec 21, 2011 11:42 am

JohnStOnge wrote:<<Does the wind blow in Frisco like it does in Sam's ballpark>>

I don't think Hunstville is particularly windy. I think that's just how it worked out. And it's interesting that you say that because I do think the wind helped Sam Houston in both the Montana and Montana State games. They gamble with those corners and there were times when they got beat deep but the wind was a factor in bailing them out. Of course I'm sure you're thinking of that long ball by Montana on its last drive where the receiver was behind the secondary and the ball didn't reach him.

Post by **EWURanger** » Wed Dec 21, 2011 2:04 pm

It favors NDSU. Sam Houston has the more complex offense.....You pretty much know what you're going to get with NDSU, so the only thing benefitting SHSU with the layover is perhaps getting a few guys healthier and the rest. But from a preparation standpoint, I don't think you need a lot of time to prepare for NDSU's brand of football. You stop it or you don't.

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FargoBison · Post by **FargoBison** » Wed Dec 21, 2011 7:48 pm

Interesting that Bohl is keep the team on campus while after they beat the Griz Fritz sent his team home until the 28th.

Bohl is leaning on his bowl experience that he had with the Huskers on other schools. Guess this week is a light week with a lot of focus on strength and conditioning.

TheBud · Post by **TheBud** » Thu Dec 22, 2011 9:10 am

It helps each defense tremendously.

NDSU D plays similar to Montana and Montana State. They did exceptionally well against the GSU triple option. That preparation for GSU and studying the playoff tapes of SHSU will give them the edge in this game, IMHO.

They can watch the MSU/SHSU tape on how to stop Flanders and then watch the UM/SHSU tape on how to stop the rest of the offense.

SHSU has a lot of weapons though.

I think that NDSU wins a close one. I hope for a great game and no injuries for either team.

Good luck to both teams!

Gil Dobie · Post by **Gil Dobie** » Sun Dec 25, 2011 6:20 am

FargoBison wrote:Interesting that Bohl is keep the team on campus while after they beat the Griz Fritz sent his team home until the 28th.

Bohl is leaning on his bowl experience that he had with the Huskers on other schools. Guess this week is a light week with a lot of focus on strength and conditioning.

That is a lot of time off and probably giving SAM 7 days to prepare from Wednesday to Wednesday. After that the teams travel to Frisco and take part in the media circus.

Post by **BlueHen86** » Sun Dec 25, 2011 7:51 am

JohnStOnge wrote:Nowadays the FCS playoffs are structured so that there are three weeks between semis and championshp. So each team has three weeks to prepare for the other.

Who do you think benefits most from that circumstance in this case?

Nobody.

Both teams were playing at a high level, now neither team has momentum. Both teams will have rust and timing issues. It might still be a good game, but these won't be the same two teams that won 3 playoff games in three weeks to get to the NC game.

McNeese72 · Post by **McNeese72** » Sun Dec 25, 2011 8:04 am

TheBud wrote:
They can watch the MSU/SHSU tape on how to stop Flanders and then watch the UM/SHSU tape on how to stop the rest of the offense.

SHSU has a lot of weapons though.

Good luck to both teams!

Yeah, but doesn't necessarily mean that they can do both at the same time. It will interesting to see if they can.

Doc

JohnStOnge · Post by **JohnStOnge** » Sun Dec 25, 2011 9:59 am

Both teams were playing at a high level, now neither team has momentum. Both teams will have rust and timing issues. It might still be a good game, but these won't be the same two teams that won 3 playoff games in three weeks to get to the NC game.

Yeah I think you're right. I'd like it MUCH better if the championship game was still one week after the semifinals. And I think they could've done it. I realize there's a lot of chaff out there because of the outrageous number of pointless bowl games. But I don't think they should be too focused on trying to avoid playing when there are bowl games.

Two weeks tops. To me there's no reason they couldn't have it some time this upcoming week. Surely they could find some spot to have it in. Three weeks is way too long.

rkwittem · Post by **rkwittem** » Sun Dec 25, 2011 12:06 pm

BlueHen86 wrote:
JohnStOnge wrote:Nowadays the FCS playoffs are structured so that there are three weeks between semis and championshp. So each team has three weeks to prepare for the other.

Who do you think benefits most from that circumstance in this case?
Nobody.

Both teams were playing at a high level, now neither team has momentum. Both teams will have rust and timing issues. It might still be a good game, but these won't be the same two teams that won 3 playoff games in three weeks to get to the NC game.

IMO, timing is much more important to SHSU's offense than NDSU's.

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