Time for another prediction, this time for Eastern, who faces a pivotal year for their program. Over the last 2 years, the Eags have fallen on hard times. Aaron Best now enters a contract year with a new AD who is chomping at the bit to make a coaching change. Eastern has had some brutal schedules the last couple years. This one is definitely better, but still tough. Let's dive in!
August 29 vs. Monmouth-W. Monmouth had some pretty good teams when they were still in the Big South, but since they moved to the CAA, they haven't quite been able to get it going. I definitely wouldn't overlook these guys, but Eastern should win this game at home.
September 7 vs. Drake-W. The Bulldogs were the PFL's auto bid in the playoffs last year, but still a non schollie program at home. They'll be fine in this one.
September 14 @ Southeastern Louisiana-W. SELA had a miserable year last season and lost to Eastern in Cheney. I really don't know much about what they have coming back this year, but this is a huge game for Eastern on the road. It's one that they have to have, cause things get tough after this. 50/50 game on the road but I'll give them the benefit of the doubt and say they win this game.
September 21 @ Nevada-L. In a normal year, I would say Eastern wins this game. That being said, Jeff Choate is now at Nevada, he knows Eastern and Aaron Best well, and if you've seen how tough Nevada's schedule is, you would know that this game may likely be the Wolfpack's only chance at a win this year. I'm not saying Eastern can't win this game, I think they have a great shot, but I think Choate with a re-building team will know the importance of this game in terms of getting a win and I'll say Nevada eeks it out at home.
September 28 vs. Montana-L. Should be pretty outmatched in this one. The Griz offense should be able to score at will on their defense, and I think their O is gonna have a hard time scoring on our D. There is zero excuse for us to not get our first win on the red rug this year. We get it done this time.
October 5 BYE
October 12 @ Sacramento State-L. Sac State definitely showed a lot of inconsistency last year, but they got a high flying offense and what should be an improved defense this year. I just don't see them losing this game at home. Expect a tighter one, bus Sac gets it done.
October 19 vs. UC Davis-L. I've seen a lot of people on Facebook over the weekend predict that Eastern wins this game because they won at Davis las year. My counter argument to that is if Lan Larrison doesn't get hurt in that game, Davis would have won. I'm actually pretty high on Davis this year. I think they're gonna have a really good team and I think they'll win in Cheney.
October 26 @ Idaho-L. Another game I've seen Eastern fans suggesting they're gonna win. I know it was a close game in Cheney last year, but I don't see Eastern going into the Kibbie Dome and winning. Idaho is still gonna have a good team. Maybe not as good, but good enough that they should win at home. If this game were in Cheney, I might give Eastern the benefit of the doubt, but I don't think they're gonna win on the road.
November 2 vs. Montana State-L. The cats have won their last 2 trips to Cheney, but Eastern has always played them really tough at home. Including the controversial call at the end of the game in 2022, but the cats should be ashamed of themselves if they can't win this game. I'm expecting a high scoring game and a shootout, but I do think the cats will end up winning comfortably.
November 9 @ Northern Colorado-W. If they don't win this one, Aaron Best should be fired in the locker room after the game.
November 16 vs. Idaho State-W. Eastern lost this game in Poky last year, but they'll get it done at home this year.
November 23 @ Northern Arizona-W. They lost at home to NAU last year, and I could certainly see them losing on the road this year, But I think NAU will be going through enough of a transitional year that Eastern can win this game on the road.
-------------------------------------------------
I've got Eastern going 6-6. I could see it being worse than that, or I think it could also be a respectable season for the Eags. The big stretch of games is gonna be from 9/21-11/2. If they can steal 2 games in that stretch, then they will be a playoff team at 8-4. It's definitely attainable, but they're gonna need much better play out of their defense this year. They also can't stub their toe against teams that they should beat like they did on multiple occasions last year. That's my prediction. Thoughts???
August 29 vs. Monmouth-W. Monmouth had some pretty good teams when they were still in the Big South, but since they moved to the CAA, they haven't quite been able to get it going. I definitely wouldn't overlook these guys, but Eastern should win this game at home.
September 7 vs. Drake-W. The Bulldogs were the PFL's auto bid in the playoffs last year, but still a non schollie program at home. They'll be fine in this one.
September 14 @ Southeastern Louisiana-W. SELA had a miserable year last season and lost to Eastern in Cheney. I really don't know much about what they have coming back this year, but this is a huge game for Eastern on the road. It's one that they have to have, cause things get tough after this. 50/50 game on the road but I'll give them the benefit of the doubt and say they win this game.
September 21 @ Nevada-L. In a normal year, I would say Eastern wins this game. That being said, Jeff Choate is now at Nevada, he knows Eastern and Aaron Best well, and if you've seen how tough Nevada's schedule is, you would know that this game may likely be the Wolfpack's only chance at a win this year. I'm not saying Eastern can't win this game, I think they have a great shot, but I think Choate with a re-building team will know the importance of this game in terms of getting a win and I'll say Nevada eeks it out at home.
September 28 vs. Montana-L. Should be pretty outmatched in this one. The Griz offense should be able to score at will on their defense, and I think their O is gonna have a hard time scoring on our D. There is zero excuse for us to not get our first win on the red rug this year. We get it done this time.
October 5 BYE
October 12 @ Sacramento State-L. Sac State definitely showed a lot of inconsistency last year, but they got a high flying offense and what should be an improved defense this year. I just don't see them losing this game at home. Expect a tighter one, bus Sac gets it done.
October 19 vs. UC Davis-L. I've seen a lot of people on Facebook over the weekend predict that Eastern wins this game because they won at Davis las year. My counter argument to that is if Lan Larrison doesn't get hurt in that game, Davis would have won. I'm actually pretty high on Davis this year. I think they're gonna have a really good team and I think they'll win in Cheney.
October 26 @ Idaho-L. Another game I've seen Eastern fans suggesting they're gonna win. I know it was a close game in Cheney last year, but I don't see Eastern going into the Kibbie Dome and winning. Idaho is still gonna have a good team. Maybe not as good, but good enough that they should win at home. If this game were in Cheney, I might give Eastern the benefit of the doubt, but I don't think they're gonna win on the road.
November 2 vs. Montana State-L. The cats have won their last 2 trips to Cheney, but Eastern has always played them really tough at home. Including the controversial call at the end of the game in 2022, but the cats should be ashamed of themselves if they can't win this game. I'm expecting a high scoring game and a shootout, but I do think the cats will end up winning comfortably.
November 9 @ Northern Colorado-W. If they don't win this one, Aaron Best should be fired in the locker room after the game.
November 16 vs. Idaho State-W. Eastern lost this game in Poky last year, but they'll get it done at home this year.
November 23 @ Northern Arizona-W. They lost at home to NAU last year, and I could certainly see them losing on the road this year, But I think NAU will be going through enough of a transitional year that Eastern can win this game on the road.
-------------------------------------------------
I've got Eastern going 6-6. I could see it being worse than that, or I think it could also be a respectable season for the Eags. The big stretch of games is gonna be from 9/21-11/2. If they can steal 2 games in that stretch, then they will be a playoff team at 8-4. It's definitely attainable, but they're gonna need much better play out of their defense this year. They also can't stub their toe against teams that they should beat like they did on multiple occasions last year. That's my prediction. Thoughts???
if I have to stare at that red field live
