Eastern Washington (-5.5) over ND St
ND st D.J. McNorton 14th in FCS in rushing yards per game (110.4) and 18th in all-purpose rushing (143.2) AGAINST EW Taiwan Jones ranked fourth in FCS in rushing yards (137.5) and second in all-purpose yards (196.6). So both teams can run the ball and both teams have lines that can open holes. ND st has a better defense ranked seventh in the nation in scoring defense, allowing just 16.7 points per game. They are also sixth in turnover margin (+1.0 per game) and 16th in passing efficiency defense (106.4). Now just like Boise the Eastern Washington field holds some problems for folks. They play on a red field. North Dakota State has a 3-3 record on the road this season. BUT The Bison have won five of their last eight road games. Seven of Eastern's 10 wins this year have come by an average of just under seven points per game, including five decided by seven points or less. So we have two solid rushing teams, ND st has the edge in defense Eastern Washington shows a bit more balence on offense and the home field advantage. Should be a good game but I think the Easten Washington run game is stronger, They can pass the ball and the o-line is very strong. Looking for a cold game but both can play in that weather, I still think ND st might have spent it all last week and Eastern comes in with the want to muscle past the bison. Eastern Washington is perfect 6-0 on the new red Sprinturf surface at the ?Inferno". Couplke that with an unreal fan base (they are about set the season record for attandence) and it is a very nice home field advantage.
App St (-3) over Nova
Well nova are the defensing champs and they have started to play better as the season has gone along. Nova has two straight games against teams ranked in the top three in the nation. Now thats impressive but I am wondering if they have enough in the tank for this game. They needed an overtime win against Delaware to even get into these playoffs.The emotional level after coming back from 14 down aginst Stephen Austin would be dificult enough if it was not right after the Delaware win and not before going into App St. App st has seventh-ranked scoring offense (35.2 ppg) the Wildcats? eighth-ranked scoring defense (17.0 ppg). App St has a tremendous amount of talent on defense but Villanova has an EXTREMELY good QB in Whitney. Now I normally give a lot of stock in these games to the QB but both teams come in with great players under center. Pressley is in my opinion more dangerous because of his running ability. He is a running back that can throw and I am not sure the Nova defense will be able to contain him. Now both run the spread, App St average 35 points per game and Nova about 30 per contest. Total yards allowed per game these teams are 3rd and 4th overall in conference but App St tends to give up more rushing yards. App state avergaes about 50 more yards per game because they tend to have the ball with more oppertunities as they have very big play potential. Appalachian is 30-2 in its last 32 home games (.938) in November and December. Appalachian is 15-1 all-time when playing on ESPN, ESPN2 or ESPNU, including a 2-1 record on the Worldwide Leader in Sports? flagship network, which is airing this week?s game. So you have a VERY good team at home on national TV after they were humbled before the playoffs begain. Simple game plan which is limit Szczur and you cut out a big potion of the Nova offense. Now I like both teams on offense but I think App state is the better over all team with more consistancy ASU ranks seventh nationally with 227.2 (5.5 per rush) rushing yards per game this season and big play potential. In all, the Mountaineers have faced five of the nation?s top 25 rushing attacks (No. 1 Wofford, No. 3 Georgia Southern, No. 17 The Citadel and No. 21 Jacksonville, No. 23 Western Illinois) and held all four below their season averages on the ground. Today they try to force Nova to play more pass then run and Nova cannot keep up trying to do it.
Cheers
Irish
ND st D.J. McNorton 14th in FCS in rushing yards per game (110.4) and 18th in all-purpose rushing (143.2) AGAINST EW Taiwan Jones ranked fourth in FCS in rushing yards (137.5) and second in all-purpose yards (196.6). So both teams can run the ball and both teams have lines that can open holes. ND st has a better defense ranked seventh in the nation in scoring defense, allowing just 16.7 points per game. They are also sixth in turnover margin (+1.0 per game) and 16th in passing efficiency defense (106.4). Now just like Boise the Eastern Washington field holds some problems for folks. They play on a red field. North Dakota State has a 3-3 record on the road this season. BUT The Bison have won five of their last eight road games. Seven of Eastern's 10 wins this year have come by an average of just under seven points per game, including five decided by seven points or less. So we have two solid rushing teams, ND st has the edge in defense Eastern Washington shows a bit more balence on offense and the home field advantage. Should be a good game but I think the Easten Washington run game is stronger, They can pass the ball and the o-line is very strong. Looking for a cold game but both can play in that weather, I still think ND st might have spent it all last week and Eastern comes in with the want to muscle past the bison. Eastern Washington is perfect 6-0 on the new red Sprinturf surface at the ?Inferno". Couplke that with an unreal fan base (they are about set the season record for attandence) and it is a very nice home field advantage.
App St (-3) over Nova
Well nova are the defensing champs and they have started to play better as the season has gone along. Nova has two straight games against teams ranked in the top three in the nation. Now thats impressive but I am wondering if they have enough in the tank for this game. They needed an overtime win against Delaware to even get into these playoffs.The emotional level after coming back from 14 down aginst Stephen Austin would be dificult enough if it was not right after the Delaware win and not before going into App St. App st has seventh-ranked scoring offense (35.2 ppg) the Wildcats? eighth-ranked scoring defense (17.0 ppg). App St has a tremendous amount of talent on defense but Villanova has an EXTREMELY good QB in Whitney. Now I normally give a lot of stock in these games to the QB but both teams come in with great players under center. Pressley is in my opinion more dangerous because of his running ability. He is a running back that can throw and I am not sure the Nova defense will be able to contain him. Now both run the spread, App St average 35 points per game and Nova about 30 per contest. Total yards allowed per game these teams are 3rd and 4th overall in conference but App St tends to give up more rushing yards. App state avergaes about 50 more yards per game because they tend to have the ball with more oppertunities as they have very big play potential. Appalachian is 30-2 in its last 32 home games (.938) in November and December. Appalachian is 15-1 all-time when playing on ESPN, ESPN2 or ESPNU, including a 2-1 record on the Worldwide Leader in Sports? flagship network, which is airing this week?s game. So you have a VERY good team at home on national TV after they were humbled before the playoffs begain. Simple game plan which is limit Szczur and you cut out a big potion of the Nova offense. Now I like both teams on offense but I think App state is the better over all team with more consistancy ASU ranks seventh nationally with 227.2 (5.5 per rush) rushing yards per game this season and big play potential. In all, the Mountaineers have faced five of the nation?s top 25 rushing attacks (No. 1 Wofford, No. 3 Georgia Southern, No. 17 The Citadel and No. 21 Jacksonville, No. 23 Western Illinois) and held all four below their season averages on the ground. Today they try to force Nova to play more pass then run and Nova cannot keep up trying to do it.
Cheers
Irish
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