Week 12 and Season Review....

Jacks Clinch Title

For the first time in 44 years the South Dakota State Jackrabbits are conference champions. SDSU overcame a 0-3 start to the season by finishing 7-1 over their final 8 games. SDSU was able to do all of this thanks to a very steady rushing attack, solid special teams, and a defense that was as opportunistic as they come. All of these strengths played a large part in Saturday's Border Marker game.

The Jacks took it to NDSU, rushing for over 170 yards on 38 attempts. Few teams have taken it to NDSU like SDSU did last Saturday, in fact SDSU was only 30 yards shy of equaling their total rushing output from the last two Border Marker games. The Jacks also dominated special teams, blocking a kick and returning a punt 96 yards for touchdown. Even with the amount of success the Jacks had in those two areas the Bison still had a chance to win it until SDSU's senior defensive back Brock Gentile picked off a Steve Walker pass to seal the victory with just over a minute left.

The pick left Bison fans stunned to say the least. Over the past few years Walker seemed to be able to magically bring NDSU back from almost any deficit but on Saturday he wasn't able to pull one final rabbit out of his hat. It was sad to see his career end on a interception but in the grand scheme of things that is just one bad play in what has been a great career at NDSU. There is no doubt Walker and the other 10 other NDSU seniors have done things no other transition team has and are responible for building a great foundation of future success for NDSU's program in DI.

All in all, the game on Saturday lived up to all the hype. There was another record crowd(last year NDSU set a record at the Fargodome), the game was very clean and well played, and the better team that day won. It was a fitting end to what has been another terrific season of Great West football.

Other games...

The UCD-USD game was another classic that took place on Saturday. With 36 seconds left in the game UCD QB Matt Engle was able to lead the Aggies 63 yards to the winning touchdown. Engle had a monster game throwing for over 400 yards and out dueled a future NFL in USD's Joshua Johnson.

The other two games went pretty much as expected. Cal Poly had way too much firepower for Iona to contain them and SUU's miserable season was finally brought to an end UNI. About the only really impact from these two games was that SUU's coach was fired after the UNI game. Which is shame because his AD set him up for failure with the schedule that was put together. Sure he didn't have a lot of prior success but with the right schedule his team probably would have been a lot better 0-11.

Great West Blog All-GWFC Team...

Offense

Defense

Special Teams

Co-Offensive MVPs- Steve Walker and Jonathan Dalley

Co-Defensive MVPs- Joe Mays and Jimmy Rogers

Power Ranking the GWFC next year...

  1. Cal Poly- Returns 10 players on offense, if they get it going on defense they are a legit national title contender.
  2. UCD- Lots of talent on both sides of the ball, could do some big things with the right QB at the helm.
  3. UND- Loses their Mr Electricity in WR Weston Dressler but they do return some good talent on offense. Should be interesting to see how their defense handles teams like UCD and Cal Poly
  4. USD- The Yotes will be playing a lot of road games next year, they'll need to prove that they can win away from home if they ever want to be a factor in the FCS.
  5. SUU- New coach will hopefully provide some new hope.

Posted by: JMN on 11/21/2007 at 1:26 PM | Comments (0) | Permalink

Week 12 Preview- Border Battle....

Cal Poly(6-4) vs Iona(7-3)

Why Watch: If you aren't a fan of blow-outs this one might be tough to watch. Iona has a nice record but the Gaels have no quality wins and losses to teams like Marist and DII Western Connecticut.

Why Iona Might Win: Cal Poly has definitely struggled with some of the weaker teams on its schedule, beating both SUU and Western Oregon by only a touchdown. It should also be interesting to see how the Mustangs react to what was very rough loss to NDSU. If they come out slow Iona might be able to get a jump on them.

Why Cal Poly Might Win: I doubt Iona has faced a team with an offense like Cal Poly's. Not only are the Mustangs near the top in the nation but they are also an option team. The option is hard enough for a team to prepare for but when you throw in receivers like Ramses Bardon and Tredale Toliver and it becomes a defensive coordinator's worst nightmare. If motivated you could definitely see Cal Poly going for 45+ points in this game.

Prediction: After NDSU ended their playoffs last year Cal Poly played a weak team with only pride on the line and rolled on to a huge win and I think this year will be a repeat. Cal Poly 45 Iona 7

UCD(4-6) vs USD(9-1)

Why Watch: Don't let USD's 9-1 record fool you because this should be a great game. The Torrero's have perhaps one of the best QB's in the nation in senior Josh Johnson and a player that will probably be playing on Sunday's a year from now. The only thing that is holding him back is the fact that San Diego plays rather weak competition, 4-6 UCD may very well be the best team he goes up against this year and that fact alone will be attracting NFL scouts who want to see him to take on solid competition.

Why USD Might Win: This is Josh Johnson's last shot to show off his skills to NFL scouts in a real game. It really is amazing to see a talent like his in a non-scholarship league like the PFL. He is athletic enough to pose a big threat on the ground and is also capable of throwing for over 300 at any time. With the way UCD's defense has struggled this year he will be tough for them to stop.

Why UCD Might Win: UCD's depth and talent is going to create some problems for USD. The Aggies can do a lot of things on offense with guys like Joe Trombetta on the ground and QB Matt Engle through the air. But UCD's biggest advantage is that they are coming off a bye week and that is exactly what the doctor ordered for what a team that has been ravaged by injuries.

Prediction: There should be a lot of points scored in this game but I still think UCD has the edge. Johnson is a great QB but UCD is going to be healthy and ready for him. UCD 41 USD 31

SUU(0-10) at UNI(10-0)

Why Watch: Besides the fact that SUU continues to fight and scrap week in and week out, capable of giving any team a major headache this game is interesting for other reasons..SUU coach Wes Meier had an interesting comment in a AP article. Meier said he "would feel great" about giving NDSU a shot at being #1 in the nation by knocking off UNI. "We want to see the guys in our conference, the guys we have a tremendous amount of respect for as coaches and players, do well," he said. "No disrespect to Northern Iowa, but I just don't know if they're the quality of some of the teams in our conference." 

I gotta give Meier props for wanting to see the GWFC do well but I don't know if saying that is the best thing heading into the UNI Dome.

Why SUU Might Win: I've pretty much run out of ideas on why they might win games. I'll say what I say every week and that is they are a capable team and nobody can sleep on them.

Why UNI Might Win: If Meier's quote wasn't motivation enough for UNI the fact that with a win they'll clinch the #1 seed in the playoffs should be. No offense to SUU, but if UNI shows up ready to play they'll win this one going away.

Prediction: SUU scraps for about one quarter and then UNI pulls away to a nice win and gives their starters some rest before starting their playoff run. UNI 38 SUU 17

SDSU(6-4) vs NDSU(10-0)

Why Watch: Once again this annual border battle has become the Great West title game. Over the past two years the Jacks have to had to play the Bison in Fargo so you could probably say they've had this game circled on their calenders for quite some time. All of the talk about bragging rights, conference titles, and revenge is all nice but what I love about this game is the style that these two teams play with. Both teams are well disciplined and will go about things with a mentality that they will run the ball right at you until you prove that you can stop it. This will definitely be a showcase of smashmouth football at its finest, shame its not on TV but if you want to see it both Gobison.com and Gojacks.com will have a webcast for a small fee. I highly advise any fan of smashmouth football to be in front of their computer screens watching this one on Saturday.

Why NDSU Might Win: NDSU will be the most balanced team SDSU faces all year, NDSU can beat a team both on the ground and through the air. Last week Cal Poly put the clamps on the NDSU rushing attack but Steve Walker was still able to find his receivers and rack up 342 yards passing. Along with a very potent and diverse offense the Bison also have a defense that has limited SDSU to only 203 yards rushing in their last two games. SDSU has a capable passing attack but there is little doubt that thrive when they can take it to a team with their ground game. If the NDSU defense limits SDSU to around a 100 yards again the Jacks will have a tough time pulling this one out.

Why SDSU Might Win: The Jacks have been one of the most opportunistic teams in the FCS this year. They have one of the best turnover margins in the FCS at +12 and taking care of the football is something NDSU has had a little trouble with this year. SDSU is also a very tough team to beat at home. The Bison have lost two straight games at Coughlin Alumni and I'm sure the chance of winning a GWFC title at home will have all the Rabbit faithful worked up into a frenzy.

Prediction: This will be another great chapter to the budding NDSU-SDSU Border Marker rivalry. Both teams are heading into this game playing great football and both have a shot at making some history with a win. With that said, I can't go against Steve Walker in his last game at NDSU. It will be a close game but Walker will find a way to get the win. NDSU-34 SDSU-27

Posted by: FargoBison on 11/16/2007 at 12:10 PM | Comments (0) | Permalink

Week 11 Review- Captain Comeback....

Bison Stun the Mustangs....

One of the most highly anticipated match-ups of the year in the Great West was the NDSU-Cal Poly game and it was definitely one for the ages. For the first three quarters it seemed like NDSU would do everything right but then self destruct at the worst possible moment. The Bison would get down in the red zone only to stall due to costly mistakes. Even when NDSU managed to stop the Cal Poly offense they roughed the kicker on a block punt. I'm sure many Bison and Mustangs fans had visions of 2005 dancing around in their heads when Cal Poly rolled the Bison 35-7.

Then somewhere in the 4th quarter things took a dramatic turn and the Bison became the team that couldn't be stopped and Cal Poly was making the costly mistakes. Mistakes that would lead Cal Poly coach Rich Ellereson to say that he should be fired after the game. Mistakes like playing man coverage with a huge lead, playing not to lose, but the one that still boggles my mind was going for it on 4th and 4 near mid-field. Cal Poly seemed intent on playing a very conservative 4th quarter, just use the clock and field position to beat NDSU. Those were their two best friends and I still wonder what went into going for it there. That decison in my book is what cost Cal Poly the game. That gave NDSU the ball in a place where they could score quickly. That decision completely changed the momentum of the game.

However, as bad as those mistakes were I don't think the Ellerson should be fired. It shows a lot about his character to place the loss entirely on his shoulders even though Cal Poly losing the game wasn't all in him.

I think you have to recognize NDSU and Steve Walker for taking every opportunity Cal Poly gave them and capitalizing. That 28-9 hole they dug themselves in gave NDSU no margin for error, the defense had to make stops and Walker had to move the ball at will.  Both did just that, and in doing so Walker has achieved legendary status among the Bison faithful. Which is pretty amazing considering the guy will have never taken a snap in a playoff game.

Marker Motivation....

Thanks to GWFC scheduling shuffling it will be close to 1139 days since NDSU has last set foot on the turf of Coughlin Alumni Stadium. That means the SDSU fans and team have heard that NDSU touchdown cannon about 30 times (it goes off three times after each TD) and they have also heard god knows how many ﾓthatﾒs another Bison first down" chants from the PA guy. Most importantly, they have seen NDSU walk off with that wonderful hunk of rock known as the Dakota Marker twice and watched NDSU celebrate a Great West title once to boot. If all that doesn't make a Jackrabbit's mouth foam with anticipation for this years Dakota Marker game I don't know what will.

Donﾒt think NDSU is without motivation either....The Bison are undefeated and with a win will more than likely finish #1 in the coaches poll and also clinch the GWFC title. Both of those are the team's major goals. I'd also expect NDSU would like to get some payback against SDSU for a little incident that happened when an SDSU player scored a TD and then wiped his feet on the Bison logo. I know that is hardly a heinous act but still in a rivalry game it just gives more fuel to NDSU's fire.

Posted by: FargoBison on 11/15/2007 at 11:40 AM | Comments (0) | Permalink

Week 11 Preview- Down the Stretch They Come...

We are finally in the stretch run of 2007 season and down to just three teams left in contention for the Great West title. Both NDSU and SDSU are undefeated while Cal Poly has one loss and will need some help in order to grab a piece of the title. It should be interesting to see how the chips fall this year because lately the Jacks have been nothing but a bridesmaid to both Cal Poly and NDSU. Despite how competitive they been over the years the Jacks have a long history of being a bridesmaid. Honestly, I don't know how much longer grandpa will be able to remember SDSU's last conference title. Maybe this will be the year for a new generation of Rabbit fans to see their team win a title and maybe it won't. With two home games left they definitely control their own fate.....

SUU(0-9) at SDSU(5-4)

Why Watch: SUU is a feisty team and they really have it out for my picks. Every time I count them out they come back and give some poor coach a big headache. Sure they don't ever win but for a 0-9 team they have shown they can hang with just about anyone. SDSU better not take them lightly and really after that thing they call TGTSNBM(The game that shall not be mentioned vs. D3 Wisconsin Lacrosse) SDSU really has no excuse to.

Why SUU Might Win: They may not be a good team but they do have some talent. Cody Stone can throw the ball and they have some guys that can catch the ball in Nick Miller and Jeremy Edwards. Jonny Sanchez has also proven to be an effective runner at times. If they get a little confidence and a few breaks anything can happen.

Why SDSU Might Win: The Jacks are physical team and from what I saw of SUU in Fargo they don't have the manpower to stop a team that keeps pounding away at them. The Bison were able to put up over 220 yards of rushing without the services of Tyler Roehl so Cory Koenig and the Jacks O-line should be able to have similar results.The biggest thing SDSU needs in order to win this game is energy. They have to come out and hit the Thunderbirds in the mouth and considering the Jacks have won three straight and are in the midst of a GWFC title race they should have plenty of energy.

Prediction:  The Jacks are just too hot right now and have too much riding on the game to drop it. SUU will hang tough for a while but eventually 4 quarters against a very physical SDSU team will take its toll. SDSU 41 SUU 21

NDSU(9-0) at Cal Poly(6-3)

Why Watch: This game has huge implications all over the place. For one, this game is Cal Poly's last chance at getting a playoff bid, if they lose they won't have the needed 7 DI wins. On the other hand you have fans of bubble teams everywhere watching and hoping that the Bison can burst CP's bubble. Then you have NDSU, a team that is trying to win out and achieve a #1 regular season ranking. With four other FCS teams undefeated NDSU can't afford to drop this one. Most importantly(at least in terms of this blog), this game has huge Great West title ramifications. Cal Poly is done with a loss and with a win we could have a 3 way tie depending on how the NDSU-SDSU game plays out next week.

Why NDSU Might Win: SDSU's physical offense gave the Cal Poly defense some troubles a month or so ago running for over 300 yards. There is no doubt they had a lot of trouble with NDSU's offense in the dome last year. I think NDSU's best match-up is Tyler Roehl and those big rams up front against Cal Poly's undersized defense. I don't see Cal Poly stopping them and containing them won't be that easy either. The Bison did lose back-up running back Patrick Paschall to injury in the Illinois State game but the guy filling his shoes in Pete Blincoe, did run for 109 yards last year against CP. Defensively, NDSU's Tampa 2 scheme could also pose a few problems. Poly's QB Jonathan Dalley likes to hit the homerun pass to his receivers but his accuracy is a bit shaky. Both NDSU safeties can ball hawk so NDSU's defensive backs will have some chances to get there hands on a few passes.

Why Cal Poly Might Win: This is their last chance at getting into the playoffs, its win or spend the playoffs watching the games from their living rooms like all the other GWFC teams. The Mustangs also have a pair of receivers that are a defensive coordinators nightmare in Ramses Bardon and Tredale Tolver. Both of them are fully capable of changing the game with one play. When you combine them with a rushing attack that is 6th in the nation, you can see that NDSU will have to pick their poison in this game because stopping both is next to impossible.

Prediction: This will be a very entertaining game to watch, there are playmakers on both teams that will make you just shake your head in disbelief of what they are capable of doing. The sellout crowd in SLO will definitely be getting their money's worth and then some. I see this game being a deadlock for three quarters. Both teams will score some points but NDSU will take control in the 4th after pounding away at Cal Poly for the entire game. NDSU-41 Cal Poly 31

Posted by: FargoBison on 11/8/2007 at 1:22 PM | Comments (0) | Permalink

Week 10 Review- Great West dominates the competition...

Great Weekend....

On Saturday the Great West beat teams from the Big Sky, Southland, and Gateway conferences. South Dakota State had the best win of the weekend taking down what was a top 25 and red hot team in Central Arkansas. The Jacks won the game 38-10 on the legs of halfback Cory Koenig. Koenig ran for 204 yard on 21 carries and if you can't do the math that is a staggering 9.4 yards per carry. I thought the Jacks would push UCA around a bit but I wasn't expecting domination like that.

NDSU also ran over their non-conference opponent. Coming into the game Illinois State had some troubles stopping the run but I don't know if anyone expected the Bison to rack up 416 yards worth of rushing. The Bison stampede was lead by junior running back Tyler Roehl and if you though Koenig's numbers were impressive Roehl's were from another planet. The junior out of West Fargo ND ran for 256 yards, 4 TDs, and had a mind boggling 12.9 yards per carry. Over his last 2 games Roehl has ran for 520 yards, 5 TDs, and 12.4 yards per carry. Those are what some call video game stats; you just don't see things like that too often in real life.

Unlike their conference mates UCD wasn't able to dominate their non-conference opponent in Sacramento State but I doubt few Aggie fans really care about that fact. Going into the game UCD was struggling, in the midst of their first losing season in decades, and wrecked with injuries. All they needed was a win to cure their woes and they got just that against of all teams their hated rival. One of the most impressive stats of this game was the fact that UCD was able to win the game despite only rushing for 2 yards. UCD was able to overcome that stat thanks in large part to the play of Matt Engle and the opportunistic Aggie defense that picked off 3 Hornet passes, one of which was returned for an 87 yard TD by Adam Cook. While Sac St throw the ball away Engle didn't make any costly mistakes and was an effective 20-31 for 304 yards.

Cal Poly and SUU took part in the lone conference game of the week. Many including myself thought the Mustangs would walk all over the Thunderbirds but even in the midst of a winless season this SUU team continued to show their resolve. The Thunderbirds were able to limit the Cal Poly offense to only 391 yards which broke a 4 game string of 500 yard games by the Mustangs. On the other side of the ball first time SUU starter Cody Stone was able to complete 21 of 40 passes for 310 yards. The SUU offense was very one sided, thanks to a stingy run defense for the Mustangs that held SUU to only 16 yards. That same defense was also able to keep the SUU offense out of the end zone for the last 11 minutes of the game. I don't know why the Mustangs always seem to struggle with SUU but regardless they'll need a much better performance against NDSU this week. You also have to wonder just how much SUU has left in the tank, the team definitely has a lot of fight but all these losses and tough opponents have to be taking a toll on them. Things won't get any easier when SUU has to travel to both SDSU and UNI to finish out the season.

My FCS Top 25 Poll

1. North Dakota St.
2. Northern Iowa
3. McNeese St.
4. Montana
5. Southern Illinois
6. Delaware
7. Appalachian St.
8. Massachusetts
9. Richmond
10. Yale
11. James Madison
12. Delaware St.
13. New Hampshire
14. Eastern Kentucky
15. Georgia Southern
16. Wofford
17. Grambling St.
18. Elon
19. Eastern Washington
20. Youngstown St.
21. Cal Poly
22. Eastern Illinois
23. South Dakota St.
24. Western Illinois
25. Fordham

Posted by: FargoBison on 11/6/2007 at 3:50 PM | Comments (0) | Permalink