catbob
November 2nd, 2005, 11:03 AM
Finally, I went a perfect 4 for 4! Bout time I say.
That brings my season total to 77.78%, 21 for 27.
I want to pat myself on the back for a couple of scores there were pretty close.
My prediction:
NAU 23 MSU 31
Actual:
NAU 22 MSU 29
My prediction:
ISU 20 WSU 28
Actual:
ISU 21 WSU 30
Weber has the only bye of the week, and Eastern plays the only out of conference game, a road game with Cal Poly.
Teams still in contention for the coveted autobid:
UM 3-1 (@NAU @Sac @MSU)
MSU 3-1 (Sac @EWU UM)
EWU 4-2 (@Cal Poly MSU UC Davis)
WSU 4-2 (@PSU @SUU)
PSU 3-2 (@ISU WSU)
UM and MSU both control their own destinys. If UM wins out, they win it outright, and the same goes for MSU. If EWU beats MSU, they will need a Griz loss to win the BSC. There is a possibility of UM, MSU, EWU and WSU/PSU all finishing with 5-2 marks. It makes my head hurt.
Sacramento State @ #11 Montana State
- Sac got blown away by that high powered Eagle offense we have all come to know and fear. The Hornets surrendered 485 yards in the air to Mr. Meyer, and gave up 45 points. Sac still can't find any rhythm offensively, and Ryan Mole didn't get the majority of the carries (I can't find out why, Sac boards are dead at this point). The Bobcats were playing well for one half, and lead 22-0 at halftime, and thanks to a few mental mistakes, the game should have been much worse for NAU. But NAU came storming back and the Cats played one terrible half of football, needing to score in the final 2 minutes to beat a lackluster NAU squad. The Bobcats can't seem to put a full game together. Luckily for them, I don't feel they will have to play a complete game to beat a toothless Sac St squad. The Hornets run the ball with decent sucess, and they will have to run it better than that against a bad Cat rush defense. The Cats defense was bolstered by Clive Lowes return, only allowing 56 yards on the ground, and should get another boost this weekend with the return of DL Chris Kolone. The Cats are still undefeated at home this year, and Sac hasn't won on the road yet. The Hornets defense might be a bit underrated (though the stats won't reflect that), and will play hard. They should be able to apply pressure on Lulay, and will more than likely be able to stuff any running game the Cats throw at them. Also, they Hornets QBs have only thrown 5 INTs all year. Sac will have to control the clock, run the ball effectively, and minimize turnovers, because MSU cannot play mistake free. Unfortunately for Sac, MSU has abadoned the run for this season and will get a heavy dose of Lulay, Gatewood/Guinn/and Murray. The Cats will get up at halftime, but this time they won't let the opponent sneak back in and will win big at home.
What to watch : NAU won the time of possession battle 2:1 last week vs MSU. Sac will have to duplicate that performance if they want any chance in this one.
- 17-34
#3 Montana @ Northern Arizona
- Griz fans really, really got on my nerves this week, spewing unbelievable trash on our boards after we got a W. So I'm not going to do a write-up for this one.
- 27-13
Portland State @ Idaho State
- After rising as high as #15 in the polls, just one loss to Montana completely wiped PSU off the ranking board. A little harsh in my opinion, but I digress. The Viks were simply outmanned, outcoached and outstadiumed (yes I made that up) by the Griz last week. Rubin was held in check on 20 carries for 101 yards, and PSU turned the ball over only once. The Griz were sucessful in executing the gameplan against any good run team - get up early and force them to pass. Sawyer Smith, while having a decent day, was not up to that task. The PSU defense played well though, but special teams were a big factor, with Harris returning a punt for a TD for the Griz. ISU has lost 3 of their last 4, only winning at Sac. They were not effective running the ball, proving that if you shut down the run game, ISU is rendered toothless. While Hagler had a decent day (17/33 242 2 TD 1 INT), it was ultimately ISU's defense that lost this one for them. They are going to be facing a PSU team that is on the ropes and still has hopes for a playoff shot. One matchup that favors the Bengals is their run defense. ISU is 5th in the nation allowing less than 100 YPG on the ground. They face a run-happy PSU offense, lead by IAAs leading rusher, Joe Rubin. In terms of matchups, I actually give the nod to ISU's ground game, that deadly duo of Cornist and Barnett who have combined for 1272 yards and 14 TDs on the year. I think ISU will be able to get an effective run game going, and will limit Rubin to under a buck fifty. PSU is playing with their backs against the wall, but are known for their late season drops. PSU will have to pass more than it would like, and he may find some sucess against a subpar Bengal secondary, but I think ISU wins a low scoring affair at home, and eliminates PSU from playoff contention.
What to watch : Special teams will win the day, and ISU has an advantage in this department.
- 14-20
#9 Eastern Washington @ #17 Cal Poly
- This should be a good one to watch. Cal Poly, having lost it's starting QB for the season, and it's leading rusher for a game or two, played a very touch UC Davis defense last week, and mustered up only 113 yards of total offense. The Stangs are in trouble. But their defense is still strong. And they will have to play the game of their life to stop the offensive juggernaut that is EWU. Last week the Eags simpled dismantled the Sac secondary, with Meyer having a ridiculously efficient day, throwing for 470 on 28/33 3 TDs and no picks. That is a mere rating of 234.48. While the Stang defense is a much stauncher opponent, I don't see anyone being able to stop these Eagles when they get rolling. Poly needs to get after Meyer and throw the Eagles out of rhythm. Of course when you think of EWU, you think of Meyer and Kimble. But what an addition Ryan Cole was to this team, having rushed for 730 yards and 11 TDs. Not to mention the defense is playing average, which is all they needed from them. If James Noble returns for Cal Poly, they might be able to control the clock enough to keep Meyer and Co off the field. But without starting QB Barnett (who was a very good runner), the Stangs are left with a RS Freshman walk-on. No, the Mustangs have too much to overcome in this one, even if Noble is able to play. The Eagle defense will shut down the Stang offense, and the Stang defense will play well for awhile but I think they will eventually be overcome. A big factor, however, is that Poly is fighting for it's playoff lives and EWU might be looking past them to MSU next week.
What to watch : Gocong is going to have to pressure Meyer a lot and force him out of rhythm if the Stangs want to hang in this one.
- 35-17
Possible upset of the week: NAU over UM
Best matchup: PSU @ ISU
Worst matchup: CSUS @ MSU
That brings my season total to 77.78%, 21 for 27.
I want to pat myself on the back for a couple of scores there were pretty close.
My prediction:
NAU 23 MSU 31
Actual:
NAU 22 MSU 29
My prediction:
ISU 20 WSU 28
Actual:
ISU 21 WSU 30
Weber has the only bye of the week, and Eastern plays the only out of conference game, a road game with Cal Poly.
Teams still in contention for the coveted autobid:
UM 3-1 (@NAU @Sac @MSU)
MSU 3-1 (Sac @EWU UM)
EWU 4-2 (@Cal Poly MSU UC Davis)
WSU 4-2 (@PSU @SUU)
PSU 3-2 (@ISU WSU)
UM and MSU both control their own destinys. If UM wins out, they win it outright, and the same goes for MSU. If EWU beats MSU, they will need a Griz loss to win the BSC. There is a possibility of UM, MSU, EWU and WSU/PSU all finishing with 5-2 marks. It makes my head hurt.
Sacramento State @ #11 Montana State
- Sac got blown away by that high powered Eagle offense we have all come to know and fear. The Hornets surrendered 485 yards in the air to Mr. Meyer, and gave up 45 points. Sac still can't find any rhythm offensively, and Ryan Mole didn't get the majority of the carries (I can't find out why, Sac boards are dead at this point). The Bobcats were playing well for one half, and lead 22-0 at halftime, and thanks to a few mental mistakes, the game should have been much worse for NAU. But NAU came storming back and the Cats played one terrible half of football, needing to score in the final 2 minutes to beat a lackluster NAU squad. The Bobcats can't seem to put a full game together. Luckily for them, I don't feel they will have to play a complete game to beat a toothless Sac St squad. The Hornets run the ball with decent sucess, and they will have to run it better than that against a bad Cat rush defense. The Cats defense was bolstered by Clive Lowes return, only allowing 56 yards on the ground, and should get another boost this weekend with the return of DL Chris Kolone. The Cats are still undefeated at home this year, and Sac hasn't won on the road yet. The Hornets defense might be a bit underrated (though the stats won't reflect that), and will play hard. They should be able to apply pressure on Lulay, and will more than likely be able to stuff any running game the Cats throw at them. Also, they Hornets QBs have only thrown 5 INTs all year. Sac will have to control the clock, run the ball effectively, and minimize turnovers, because MSU cannot play mistake free. Unfortunately for Sac, MSU has abadoned the run for this season and will get a heavy dose of Lulay, Gatewood/Guinn/and Murray. The Cats will get up at halftime, but this time they won't let the opponent sneak back in and will win big at home.
What to watch : NAU won the time of possession battle 2:1 last week vs MSU. Sac will have to duplicate that performance if they want any chance in this one.
- 17-34
#3 Montana @ Northern Arizona
- Griz fans really, really got on my nerves this week, spewing unbelievable trash on our boards after we got a W. So I'm not going to do a write-up for this one.
- 27-13
Portland State @ Idaho State
- After rising as high as #15 in the polls, just one loss to Montana completely wiped PSU off the ranking board. A little harsh in my opinion, but I digress. The Viks were simply outmanned, outcoached and outstadiumed (yes I made that up) by the Griz last week. Rubin was held in check on 20 carries for 101 yards, and PSU turned the ball over only once. The Griz were sucessful in executing the gameplan against any good run team - get up early and force them to pass. Sawyer Smith, while having a decent day, was not up to that task. The PSU defense played well though, but special teams were a big factor, with Harris returning a punt for a TD for the Griz. ISU has lost 3 of their last 4, only winning at Sac. They were not effective running the ball, proving that if you shut down the run game, ISU is rendered toothless. While Hagler had a decent day (17/33 242 2 TD 1 INT), it was ultimately ISU's defense that lost this one for them. They are going to be facing a PSU team that is on the ropes and still has hopes for a playoff shot. One matchup that favors the Bengals is their run defense. ISU is 5th in the nation allowing less than 100 YPG on the ground. They face a run-happy PSU offense, lead by IAAs leading rusher, Joe Rubin. In terms of matchups, I actually give the nod to ISU's ground game, that deadly duo of Cornist and Barnett who have combined for 1272 yards and 14 TDs on the year. I think ISU will be able to get an effective run game going, and will limit Rubin to under a buck fifty. PSU is playing with their backs against the wall, but are known for their late season drops. PSU will have to pass more than it would like, and he may find some sucess against a subpar Bengal secondary, but I think ISU wins a low scoring affair at home, and eliminates PSU from playoff contention.
What to watch : Special teams will win the day, and ISU has an advantage in this department.
- 14-20
#9 Eastern Washington @ #17 Cal Poly
- This should be a good one to watch. Cal Poly, having lost it's starting QB for the season, and it's leading rusher for a game or two, played a very touch UC Davis defense last week, and mustered up only 113 yards of total offense. The Stangs are in trouble. But their defense is still strong. And they will have to play the game of their life to stop the offensive juggernaut that is EWU. Last week the Eags simpled dismantled the Sac secondary, with Meyer having a ridiculously efficient day, throwing for 470 on 28/33 3 TDs and no picks. That is a mere rating of 234.48. While the Stang defense is a much stauncher opponent, I don't see anyone being able to stop these Eagles when they get rolling. Poly needs to get after Meyer and throw the Eagles out of rhythm. Of course when you think of EWU, you think of Meyer and Kimble. But what an addition Ryan Cole was to this team, having rushed for 730 yards and 11 TDs. Not to mention the defense is playing average, which is all they needed from them. If James Noble returns for Cal Poly, they might be able to control the clock enough to keep Meyer and Co off the field. But without starting QB Barnett (who was a very good runner), the Stangs are left with a RS Freshman walk-on. No, the Mustangs have too much to overcome in this one, even if Noble is able to play. The Eagle defense will shut down the Stang offense, and the Stang defense will play well for awhile but I think they will eventually be overcome. A big factor, however, is that Poly is fighting for it's playoff lives and EWU might be looking past them to MSU next week.
What to watch : Gocong is going to have to pressure Meyer a lot and force him out of rhythm if the Stangs want to hang in this one.
- 35-17
Possible upset of the week: NAU over UM
Best matchup: PSU @ ISU
Worst matchup: CSUS @ MSU