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SeattleGriz
December 3rd, 2007, 11:44 PM
After watching Montana get beat by Wofford, and then EWU losing to App State, I believe I have a decent grasp on the two conferences.

My thoughts, and why:

Offense: SoCon
Defense: Equal
Special Teams: Big Sky

The biggest thing I see in helping out the SoCon is the obvious speed advantage they have. It was this advantage that not only gave the SoCon the advantage on offense, but made it a draw on defense. I think the Big Sky defenses are better, they just don't have the speed.

The most glaring issue for the SoCon was horrible special teams. How many HUGE returns did App State give up? Why did Montana have their 37 as their worst starting position? The SoCon is lacking in special teams.

Now, with all that being said, we all can see that the SoCon doesn't need special teams to beat teams with lesser speed.

I guess through all of this, I am trying to say that the SoCon may have the advantage now, but it won't take long for the trickle down effect and for the rest of the nation to catch up to them. Of course by that time, some new twist will happen, and they will embrace that.

Go Cats
December 4th, 2007, 12:08 AM
The only grasp you have is on the two matchups, not the conferences. App St. and Wofford didn't play the Big Sky Conference, they played Montana and Eastern Washington which are only two teams in the Big Sky Conference. The same is true for App St. and Wofford.

08Dawg
December 4th, 2007, 12:29 AM
I'm just going to throw it out there...not sure what the Big Sky does, but I know alot of the SoCon teams are running some kind of spread offense. Before Duran Lawson went down, depending on who we were playing he was just as likely to take off running as he was to throw. I think App is the same way with Edwards and GSU with Foster, so yes, we're speedy on offense. From what I saw, we've never been too much on the power running game.

SeattleGriz
December 4th, 2007, 12:43 AM
I'm just going to throw it out there...not sure what the Big Sky does, but I know alot of the SoCon teams are running some kind of spread offense. Before Duran Lawson went down, depending on who we were playing he was just as likely to take off running as he was to throw. I think App is the same way with Edwards and GSU with Foster, so yes, we're speedy on offense. From what I saw, we've never been too much on the power running game.


Ain't that the truth. The SoCon has to recruit against many FBS teams in the area, they don't get the biggest, but they sometimes get the fastest. That is why the SoCon has changed lately as far as offense goes. The spread is the best way to utilize the smaller faster guys.

As evidenced by this year, with App losing two conference games, the spread will soon be figured out by other teams...but will they have the speed to stop it.

SeattleGriz
December 4th, 2007, 12:48 AM
The only grasp you have is on the two matchups, not the conferences. App St. and Wofford didn't play the Big Sky Conference, they played Montana and Eastern Washington which are only two teams in the Big Sky Conference. The same is true for App St. and Wofford.

What you say is true, but after watching App vs NAU and EWU, then getting to watch Montana vs Wofford, I would have to say those teams represent their respective conferences well.

It was plain as day to me my friend, when I would look out over the field and see the Montana players stand a full helmet taller than Wofford, how evident the speed advantage for Wofford was. Speed rules right now.

As for defense, look at what the SoCon did all year on D. When the speed differential is negated, they had a tough time stopping the spread offense. Its a new offense and everyone is trying to catch up.

Special teams is a no brainer. I only wish it would win some games.

RazorEdge19
December 4th, 2007, 01:11 AM
What you say is true, but after watching App vs NAU and EWU, then getting to watch Montana vs Wofford, I would have to say those teams represent their respective conferences well.

It was plain as day to me my friend, when I would look out over the field and see the Montana players stand a full helmet taller than Wofford, how evident the speed advantage for Wofford was. Speed rules right now.

As for defense, look at what the SoCon did all year on D. When the speed differential is negated, they had a tough time stopping the spread offense. Its a new offense and everyone is trying to catch up.

Special teams is a no brainer. I only wish it would win some games.

Wofford was missing their starting kick-off man/punter Chris Tommie for the playoffs. Might explain why the starting position was so good for Montana. Had someone taking over a job they simply were not familiar with.

Kiss My Apps
December 4th, 2007, 06:12 AM
Keep in mind that special teams is not just the return/kick coverage game.

In case you haven't heard... we tend to block a big kick every now and then, including one this past weekend.

CopperCat
December 4th, 2007, 06:15 AM
Special teams is a no brainer. I only wish it would win some games.

Special teams DOES win games, but you can't win them all that way. When you are kicking FG's instead of putting it in the endzone, then you will get burned eventually. Carpenter is a mighty good kicker, but Montana has sort of taken him for granted the past few years. When the O gets stagnant and can't finish a drive, Carpenter is the one who has to bail them out. Does the SDSU game ring a bell? I'm not talking smack, I'm just saying that special teams does win games, but it doesn't work all the time.

ASUMountaineer
December 4th, 2007, 06:36 AM
The only grasp you have is on the two matchups, not the conferences. App St. and Wofford didn't play the Big Sky Conference, they played Montana and Eastern Washington which are only two teams in the Big Sky Conference. The same is true for App St. and Wofford.

Appalachian also played Montana St last year and NAU this year.

blueballs
December 4th, 2007, 08:11 AM
GSU won 6 NC's using a very basic formula: Get great talent that was fast and very athletic to run their unique type of option offense, recruit as many HS QB's as possible as they tend to be the best athletes and change their positions as necessary, redshirt them all so they are in the system 5 years, run the offense at a speed that is impossible for opponents- especially OOC opponents- to prepare for, and do it over and over until it is perfected.

In the past few years GSU has gotten away from that philosophy (hopefully Hatcher understands that with his unique attack) and the rest of the conference- especially App- has stepped up and adopted some of that philosophy; hence, a lot of the SoCon teams are very fast and run unique systems.

WVAPPmountaineer
December 4th, 2007, 08:19 AM
I've seen 3 Big Sky teams come into The Rock over the last 2 seasons and here's my 2-cents worth - Of those three, I think MSU was the most talented- Personally, I was impressed with the overall speed of the Big Sky teams - I don't think there is a huge disparity there between the Big Sky and the SoCon - The difference in my opinion is at QB where our dual-threat QBs have the edge - The 3 Big Sky QBs I have seen are all quality QBs but I never felt like any of the 3 could break out of the pocket and go 30-50-70 yards with it - The Big Sky is a quality conference and as for comparing Wofford - well you can't compare Wofford - they are so unique in what they do it is hard for anyone to match up with them ---

Black and Gold Express
December 4th, 2007, 08:23 AM
blueballs beat me to the point about GSU. Winning by running circles around your opponent is nothing new for the SoCon as a conference. But we have a lot of teams that used to not be so fast (ASU included) that are loaded with speed. Coach Moore said in an interview after the Michigan win that size is the third attribute they look for. Speed and character are 1 and 1A. They feel they can add the size in the weight room since we don't have to worry about early jumpers to the NFL.

As for the special teams, I made a point in another thread that at least some of our special teams regulars are not playing in the playoffs due to the ridiculous 53-man roster limitations the NCAA demands. Not that we were lights out on coverages in the regular season, but we were better than we have been, and I think not having special teams specialists out there has been a cause of it.

It's interesting because the Big Sky has had a reputation of being the big-offense conference in my mind. Especially Montana. As you noted, there are not too many FBS teams you have to fight against for players like we do in the southeast. It seems to me Montana would have a stockpile of speedy players, but they don't seem to right now. Perhaps this year's playoffs will spur your staff on to focusing on speed more in recruiting?

AZGrizFan
December 4th, 2007, 11:54 AM
I've seen 3 Big Sky teams come into The Rock over the last 2 seasons and here's my 2-cents worth - Of those three, I think MSU was the most talented- Personally, I was impressed with the overall speed of the Big Sky teams - I don't think there is a huge disparity there between the Big Sky and the SoCon - The difference in my opinion is at QB where our dual-threat QBs have the edge - The 3 Big Sky QBs I have seen are all quality QBs but I never felt like any of the 3 could break out of the pocket and go 30-50-70 yards with it - The Big Sky is a quality conference and as for comparing Wofford - well you can't compare Wofford - they are so unique in what they do it is hard for anyone to match up with them ---


Could it be as simple as.....our QB's are the wrong color? xeyebrowx xeyebrowx xeyebrowx ;) xwhistlex xwhistlex

xeekx xeekx xeekx Did I just SAY that????

Don't get me wrong....I can live with Berquist, but you're right: he ain't gonna go 50 yards down the field, even though he routinely pulls the ball down and runs with it. He's got the guts, just not the speed. He's no Foster or Edwards.

89Hen
December 4th, 2007, 11:56 AM
Do people really consider Wofford "fast"? Honest question.

Black and Gold Express
December 4th, 2007, 12:05 PM
Wofford is not slow and plodding, by any means.

Wofford is a unique animal though. They only make big noise once every 3-4 years when they have an uperclass-laden team. Their system makes them successful when they have it clicking, and it takes time to get a player there. As we've seen (and Montana can attest to), when Wofford does not shoot themselves in the foot they are a beast to play against. Because they are talented enough to win with their unusual system. But only with time and experience do they get there.

SeattleGriz
December 4th, 2007, 12:06 PM
Special teams DOES win games, but you can't win them all that way. When you are kicking FG's instead of putting it in the endzone, then you will get burned eventually. Carpenter is a mighty good kicker, but Montana has sort of taken him for granted the past few years. When the O gets stagnant and can't finish a drive, Carpenter is the one who has to bail them out. Does the SDSU game ring a bell? I'm not talking smack, I'm just saying that special teams does win games, but it doesn't work all the time.

I agree with all you are saying. I do believe special teams wins games. In fact, it is special teams and defense that won so many games this year for Montana.

I don't know why it took me so long to figure out the reason why we had such a high scoring average was because the special teams were giving Montana short fields, and the defense did their job as well.

SeattleGriz
December 4th, 2007, 12:09 PM
Do people really consider Wofford "fast"? Honest question.

Good question. I suppose quick would be better, as I never got to see them in the open field. What I saw mostly was how Collier or Johnson would turn a tackle for loss into a gain because they were able to outquick the Montana defender - most of the time by just inches out of grasp.


Wofford is not slow and plodding, by any means.

Wofford is a unique animal though. They only make big noise once every 3-4 years when they have an uperclass-laden team. Their system makes them successful when they have it clicking, and it takes time to get a player there. As we've seen (and Montana can attest to), when Wofford does not shoot themselves in the foot they are a beast to play against. Because they are talented enough to win with their unusual system. But only with time and experience do they get there.

I loved watching the Wofford vs Montana game, but sure didn't like the Wofford vs Richmond game. It was as if Wofford was a different team.

SeattleGriz
December 4th, 2007, 12:19 PM
It's interesting because the Big Sky has had a reputation of being the big-offense conference in my mind. Especially Montana. As you noted, there are not too many FBS teams you have to fight against for players like we do in the southeast. It seems to me Montana would have a stockpile of speedy players, but they don't seem to right now. Perhaps this year's playoffs will spur your staff on to focusing on speed more in recruiting?

While Montana and Montana State generally get all the in state kids they want, it ends up being a small amount. I believe GSU and APP have a distinct advantage.

The reason why is because when I used to live in Arizona, I could not believe how many programs they had for kids in baseball, football, soccer, etc - and they ran all year long. I knew a guy who's son played on four different little league teams? The warmer weather, coupled with the population base down south gives you the upper hand. Many of our recruits are three sport atheletes, and they can't focus on a particular sport like they could in a larger populated area.

As for the playoffs spurring speed. I don't doubt that the Griz will try to get more, especially on offense. We didn't really have any burners on offense that played regularly. Its nice having tall WR, but if they can't get separation...

By the way, it was the 45-? drubbing by Georgia Southern years ago that made our coaching staff realize, big bodies do you nothing. Speed wins at our level. Sounds like a time for another upgrade.

WVAPPmountaineer
December 4th, 2007, 12:22 PM
Could it be as simple as.....our QB's are the wrong color?

Really dumb statement - our backup Trey Elder is only a notch below Armanti and he definitely is white and good and fast and have you seen Tebow play? - Remember Alex Smith and the Boise QB??? - It's a style not the color!!!

AZGrizFan
December 4th, 2007, 12:42 PM
Really dumb statement - our backup Trey Elder is only a notch below Armanti and he definitely is white and good and fast and have you seen Tebow play? - Remember Alex Smith and the Boise QB??? - It's a style not the color!!!

Really dumb answer. Stick around here and you'll get a better feel for my sense of humor. xrolleyesx xrolleyesx xrolleyesx xrolleyesx

Wasn't it Elder who was QB'ing you guys through the losses this year? Wasn't it Elder's QB'ing that was causing all the angst amongst App fans, because he wasn't as good, fast, or talented as Armanti, and if you could just get Armanti back everything would be all better? That's one BIG notch. xeyebrowx

And Tebow ain't gonna get you 50/60 yards downfield either. Yeah, he'll tuck it and run, and run over a few defenders because of his size, but he ain't gonna pull away from DB's with his blazing speed. xreadx xreadx

Tailbone
December 4th, 2007, 12:44 PM
.......
It was plain as day to me my friend, when I would look out over the field and see the Montana players stand a full helmet taller than Wofford, how evident the speed advantage for Wofford was. Speed rules right now.
........

Sorry SG, I ain't buyin' it.

There isn't a single SoCon player capable of outrunning a Bergquist pass.
Those big Griz linemen should have been able to give sufficient time for the receivers to get downfield.

If the coaching staff would quit trying to be so gawd-damned intent on "establishing the run", "managing the clock", and other conservative crap, and just work on leveraging mismatches to score points, we wouldn't have the margin of victory issues (playing down) and early exits from the play-offs.

Wofford had as much trouble with Montana as the Griz had with the Terriers. There's no excuse for not getting some points from 3 turn-overs and playing the whole game in Wofford's half of the field.

I preferred Read's philosophy........ "we'll score 70 points, you guys can establish the run and manage the clock."

AZGrizFan
December 4th, 2007, 12:48 PM
Sorry SG, I ain't buyin' it.

There isn't a single SoCon player capable of outrunning a Bergquist pass.
Those big Griz linemen should have been able to give sufficient time for the receivers to get downfield.

If the coaching staff would quit trying to be so gawd-damned intent on "establishing the run", "managing the clock", and other conservative crap, and just work on leveraging mismatches to score points, we wouldn't have the margin of victory issues (playing down) and early exits from the play-offs.

Wofford had as much trouble with Montana as the Griz had with the Terriers. There's no excuse for not getting some points from 3 turn-overs and playing the whole game in Wofford's half of the field.

I preferred Read's philosophy........ "we'll score 70 points, you guys can establish the run and manage the clock."


xbowx xbowx xbowx xbowx xbowx xbowx xbowx xbowx xhurrayx xhurrayx xhurrayx xhurrayx xhurrayx xhurrayx xhurrayx xhurrayx xhurrayx
xthumbsupx xthumbsupx xthumbsupx xthumbsupx xthumbsupx xthumbsupx xthumbsupx xsmileyclapx xsmileyclapx xsmileyclapx xsmileyclapx xsmileyclapx xsmileyclapx xsmileyclapx

The game was lost because of 3 turnovers = 0 points. Not because of a missed field goal. Conservative playcalling SUCKS.

Kiss My Apps
December 4th, 2007, 12:52 PM
Wasn't it Elder who was QB'ing you guys through the losses this year? Wasn't it Elder's QB'ing that was causing all the angst amongst App fans, because he wasn't as good, fast, or talented as Armanti, and if you could just get Armanti back everything would be all better? That's one BIG notch. xeyebrowx

And Tebow ain't gonna get you 50/60 yards downfield either. Yeah, he'll tuck it and run, and run over a few defenders because of his size, but he ain't gonna pull away from DB's with his blazing speed. xreadx xreadx

Armanti started both of our losses. He played the entire GSU game and the first half of the Wofford game.

AZGrizFan
December 4th, 2007, 12:54 PM
Armanti started both of our losses. He played the entire GSU game and the first half of the Wofford game.


But if I recall, he was a one-winged Armanti. xeyebrowx

Black and Gold Express
December 4th, 2007, 12:55 PM
Really dumb answer. Stick around here and you'll get a better feel for my sense of humor. xrolleyesx xrolleyesx xrolleyesx xrolleyesx

Wasn't it Elder who was QB'ing you guys through the losses this year? Wasn't it Elder's QB'ing that was causing all the angst amongst App fans, because he wasn't as good, fast, or talented as Armanti, and if you could just get Armanti back everything would be all better? That's one BIG notch. xeyebrowx

Elder was 4-0 this year as a starter. Elder almost led us back against Wofford after a rusty Armanti put us in a hole and then got hurt again. Armanti played the majority of the GSU game but Elder is the one that got us within 3 points.

Tery Elder is not as gifted as Armanti. But then again, name me one I-AA quarterback that is. Chances are you cannot. Elder was struggling from offseason shoulder surgery prior to 2006, and Armanti came from 4th on the depth chart to take over as a starter that season. It wasn't Elder being bad, it was Armanti proving he was a rare talent in this level, which he has continuted to prove for 2 seasons now.

But I believe that there is not a team in I-AA that Elder would not be a starter, and one of the nation's best QB's, if he played for. He is deadly accurate (moreso than Armanti), and he is a GOOD runner. Look at his stats, those numbers don't lie.

I think 99% of ASU fans would not have been shocked if Trey had transferred to play his senior season somewhere else. But he's been an asset as a player and a young man by deciding to stay and be a leader on the sidelines. And when asked to come in and play, he has delivered each and every time.

Kiss My Apps
December 4th, 2007, 12:56 PM
But if I recall, he was a one-winged Armanti. xeyebrowx

Correct.

I was simply replying to the statement that Elder quarterbacked us through our losses.

bench
December 4th, 2007, 01:10 PM
You could argue that with Elder starting App might not have won a couple of the games that Armanti played healthy and was fantastic, but you can't say that either of the losses was on Trey.

Behind AE, Trey is the MVP. How many FCS teams could lose a terrific starter like Edwards early in the season and have a backup more than capable enough to keep them from dropping crucial games? Without Trey I don't know if App even makes the playoffs.

AZGrizFan
December 4th, 2007, 01:14 PM
You could argue that with Elder starting App might not have won a couple of the games that Armanti played healthy and was fantastic, but you can't say that either of the losses was on Trey.

Behind AE, Trey is the MVP. How many FCS teams could lose a terrific starter like Edwards early in the season and have a backup more than capable enough to keep them from dropping crucial games? Without Trey I don't know if App even makes the playoffs.

Well, you're singing a different tune than most App fans were here when Edwards was out. xcoffeex xcoffeex xcoffeex

proasu89
December 4th, 2007, 01:21 PM
Getting back to the question at hand, When we played at Montana in 2000 our offense looked a lot like there's. Big QB, (Burchette) strong arm, and powerful RB's. Consistent playoff team, but never really made any noise. Changed our scheme to emphasize speed over power and that's where we ae today. Big and strong is good. Fast and strong is better. I don't really know but I feel like we probably have more former HS QB's on our roster now than we've had in the past, backing up what the GSU poster said earlier about speed and skill athletes.

Black and Gold Express
December 4th, 2007, 01:23 PM
Well, you're singing a different tune than most App fans were here when Edwards was out. xcoffeex xcoffeex xcoffeex

In all honesty, I think with Elder going the whole season we are at worst case 9-2, probably 10-1. The Michigan game would have turned out differently I think, though Elder can move enough and UM was ripped apart by short passes, and Elder IS a better passer. But to be honest Armanti as a runner was the difference. So count UN as a loss with Elder.

The facts are that Elder ran the offense as or more efficiently as Armanti has. The difference is that Elder gets everyone involved because he is a much better passer. And Trey can run, though not like Armanti. What you saw from Elder was an offense just as prolific in scoring, but done in a different way.

I am not going to sit here and say Trey should play over Armanti. Edwards has the gifted running ability that is a game breaker. But, if ASU was down one score to Richmond this week, or UD/SIU next week, I would be very secure in feeling that we had as good a chance to score a touchdown on that drive with Trey at the helm as with Armanti. Because Trey HAS delivered in those situations in the past.

Trey is not only the best backup QB in I-AA by far, he's probably better then 90% of the starters in I-AA. We are lucky beyond words to have him.

WVAPPmountaineer
December 4th, 2007, 01:24 PM
Well, you're singing a different tune than most App fans were here when Edwards was out.

Every team has fans who - let's just say - aren't as well informed --- Two things - Armanti is the best dual-threat QB in the country - everybody, even Jayson Foster would be playing behind him (Foster would get my vote for the Payton) so that can't be a knock on Trey and secondly, and I have told Trey this personally, we wouldn't have 2 NCs if he hadn't led that comeback against in Furman in the '05 semis (the biggest game is ASU history in my opinion) - Most if not all fans out there would have a tendency to say "Oh-I don't know" when the 2nd string QB goes into the game at a critical point - not APP fans!!!

SeattleGriz
December 4th, 2007, 01:33 PM
Sorry SG, I ain't buyin' it.

There isn't a single SoCon player capable of outrunning a Bergquist pass.
Those big Griz linemen should have been able to give sufficient time for the receivers to get downfield.

If the coaching staff would quit trying to be so gawd-damned intent on "establishing the run", "managing the clock", and other conservative crap, and just work on leveraging mismatches to score points, we wouldn't have the margin of victory issues (playing down) and early exits from the play-offs.

Wofford had as much trouble with Montana as the Griz had with the Terriers. There's no excuse for not getting some points from 3 turn-overs and playing the whole game in Wofford's half of the field.

I preferred Read's philosophy........ "we'll score 70 points, you guys can establish the run and manage the clock."

I agree with what you are saying. Watching the game was surreal. We had opportunities all day, but we used our "prevent offense" to perfection.

bench
December 4th, 2007, 01:46 PM
Well, you're singing a different tune than most App fans were here when Edwards was out. xcoffeex xcoffeex xcoffeex

You don't replace arguably the most dynamic player in FCS, but the drop-off from Armanti to Trey isn't as steep as you'd think. He's not Armanti, but who is? The offense didn't change one bit. How many teams in the division could replace an Armanti Edwards without altering the scheme?

The two toughest games that Trey played from kickoff to horn were against Elon and Northern Arizona. With an average backup, both games would have been in serious jeopardy. Trey played very well in both games and picked up two big wins.

Replacing any injured starting QB is often a season-killer, let alone our improvisational superman starter. App's season would have been in peril without Elder's steady hand through the slate of injuries.

Griz40
December 4th, 2007, 02:57 PM
Sorry SG, I ain't buyin' it.

There isn't a single SoCon player capable of outrunning a Bergquist pass.
Those big Griz linemen should have been able to give sufficient time for the receivers to get downfield.

If the coaching staff would quit trying to be so gawd-damned intent on "establishing the run", "managing the clock", and other conservative crap, and just work on leveraging mismatches to score points, we wouldn't have the margin of victory issues (playing down) and early exits from the play-offs.

Wofford had as much trouble with Montana as the Griz had with the Terriers. There's no excuse for not getting some points from 3 turn-overs and playing the whole game in Wofford's half of the field.

I preferred Read's philosophy........ "we'll score 70 points, you guys can establish the run and manage the clock."
Being a fan of those "good old days" I sometimes agree with you on this....I actually would like to see the quality of running backs we have today with the passing attack of back then. I loved those blow-outs! My favorite games from back then actually were when Boise State would come to Wa-Griz for a thumping! I hated it when we went there and took our lumps. Home team won between those battles.

ASUG8
December 4th, 2007, 03:10 PM
Wasn't it Elder who was QB'ing you guys through the losses this year? Wasn't it Elder's QB'ing that was causing all the angst amongst App fans, because he wasn't as good, fast, or talented as Armanti, and if you could just get Armanti back everything would be all better? That's one BIG notch. xeyebrowx



Comparing the two is difficult. Elder is what I would consider more of a traditional QB in that he thinks pass first, then run. He has considerable speed, just not as explosive as Armanti. Elder as a senior appears more comfortable and patient in the pocket whereas Edwards takes a brief look downfield and runs for daylight. Elder's passing rating was fantastic this year and would have made him very high in FCS rankings if he had enough games. I was pleased to see us adjust last week against EW and provide a more balanced attack with some effective passing. Coach Moore knew that EW put up a strong run Defense, and we were able to exploit some of that for some better than season average pass yardage.

terrierbob
December 4th, 2007, 04:39 PM
Wofford is not slow and plodding, by any means.

Wofford is a unique animal though. They only make big noise once every 3-4 years when they have an uperclass-laden team. Their system makes them successful when they have it clicking, and it takes time to get a player there. As we've seen (and Montana can attest to), when Wofford does not shoot themselves in the foot they are a beast to play against. Because they are talented enough to win with their unusual system. But only with time and experience do they get there.


Pretty good insight; it makes me glad Ayers played as many non-seniors as he did.

already123
December 4th, 2007, 04:43 PM
I've seen 3 Big Sky teams come into The Rock over the last 2 seasons and here's my 2-cents worth - Of those three, I think MSU was the most talented- Personally, I was impressed with the overall speed of the Big Sky teams - I don't think there is a huge disparity there between the Big Sky and the SoCon - The difference in my opinion is at QB where our dual-threat QBs have the edge - The 3 Big Sky QBs I have seen are all quality QBs but I never felt like any of the 3 could break out of the pocket and go 30-50-70 yards with it - The Big Sky is a quality conference and as for comparing Wofford - well you can't compare Wofford - they are so unique in what they do it is hard for anyone to match up with them ---



Our QB Kriesien is about as close to that as the BSC is ever gonna get. 700 yards rushing this year...I'd say he would fit in quite well in the SoCon. App had a hard time containing him.xnodx

grizband
December 4th, 2007, 05:00 PM
Our QB Kriesien is about as close to that as the BSC is ever gonna get. 700 yards rushing this year...I'd say he would fit in quite well in the SoCon. App had a hard time containing him.xnodx
If Ash allows Mark Desin to play the position next year at MSU, he could possibly be the best dual threat QB in the Big Sky. He is Montana's all-time high school passing leader, and I've heard reports that his 40 times is between 4.4 and 4.5.

already123
December 4th, 2007, 05:00 PM
And yes, i agree that Trey Elder is still better than most starters in FCS. Having depth at that position is key and App found themselves to be truly blessed

already123
December 4th, 2007, 05:02 PM
If Ash allows Mark Desin to play the position next year at MSU, he could possibly be the best dual threat QB in the Big Sky. He is Montana's all-time high school passing leader, and I've heard reports that his 40 times is between 4.4 and 4.5.

Well i guess we'll just have to wait until he plays to see it. So far, my vote goes to Lulay. However, if Kriesien can get some of his passing game cleaned up, he has a great shot. He already has the respect of the BSC...xthumbsupx

grizband
December 4th, 2007, 05:07 PM
Well i guess we'll just have to wait until he plays to see it. So far, my vote goes to Lulay. However, if Kriesien can get some of his passing game cleaned up, he has a great shot. He already has the respect of the BSC...xthumbsupx
He definitely has my respect. He should be a great one for NAU during his career.

WVAPPmountaineer
December 4th, 2007, 06:23 PM
Our QB Kriesien is about as close to that as the BSC is ever gonna get. 700 yards rushing this year...I'd say he would fit in quite well in the SoCon. App had a hard time containing him.


Yes you are correct - I was impressed with him - he did get most of his rushing yards when he couldn't find anyone to pass to and broke out of the pocket as compared to what I think of as a dual-threat which is where the QB runs sweeps, options and draws, as well as passing - Kriesien is a quality QB!!! ---