Onto our next preview. This time it's Eastern. If I'm not mistaken, I believe Aaron Best is finally in a contract year. That means it's gonna be a very important year for the Eags with new starting QB Jake Schakel. Let's dive in!
August 29 @ Northern Arizona - L. Tricky game right off the bat. I'd be upset if the Griz had to open the year on the road at NAU. The Jacks should be better than Eastern so I think NAU will prevail at home.
September 5 vs. Northern Iowa - W. The Panthers have been really bad for the last handful of years. They haven't made the playoffs since 21 (same with Eastern) and this game is a matchup of two former powers who have really lost their way. Eastern will prevail at home though.
September 12 @ South Dakota - L. The Yotes have had a tough offseason losing their head coach for the second straight year and losing a lot of their top playmakers on offense. I think they're probably a bubble playoff team and they should be able to beat Eastern at home.
September 19 @ Washington - L. One of the tougher money games in the Big Sky this year. I think the Dawgs are a potential sleeper team in the Big 10 this season. No chance for Eastern in this one.
September 26 vs. Cal Poly - W. I'm gonna give Eastern the benefit of the doubt in this one. They're at home and there's a lot of new faces on this Poly team. 50/50 game but I think they pull it out at home.
October 3 @ UC Davis - L. Primetime on ESPN2. Davis has really taken it to Eastern in recent years and I think that continues once again.
October 10 vs. Northern Colorado - W. Gotta have this one at home. I think UNC takes a slight step back this season and Eastern shouldn't have any problems at home with the Bears.
October 17 vs. Montana State - L. A place that used to be a house of horrors for the cats has really become friendly hunting grounds in recent years. They're 3-0 under Brent Vigen on the red rug. The games have been close and maybe this one could as well, but the cats will prevail again.
October 24 BYE
October 31 vs. Montana - L. By the time this game rolls around, Eastern will have spent nearly a month at home with 3 straight home games and a bye. They'll be out for blood in this one as they consider us their rival and especially because we gutted their defensive coaching staff. We're gonna have to play really well but the Griz should win this game.
November 7 @ Idaho - L. Rivalry game in the Kibbie Dome. I'm not like crazy high on the Vandy's this year, but they should win this game at home.
November 14 @ Utah Tech - W. A game Best has gotta have if he wants any sliver of hope of saving his job. I expect UTU to really struggle in their first year in the Big Sky. Eags roll.
November 21 vs. Portland State - W. I do think Chris Fisk will eventually make the Viks competitive, but not this year. Eastern wins easily at home.
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I've got Eastern going 5-7. I really don't know what to make of them this year. I really like Schakel at QB but beyond that they don't really have a ton of playmakers at the skill positions, and I'm once again expecting their defense to be atrocious. Maybe they could spring an upset or two, but I guess I gotta see it to believe it. That's my prediction. Thoughts???
August 29 @ Northern Arizona - L. Tricky game right off the bat. I'd be upset if the Griz had to open the year on the road at NAU. The Jacks should be better than Eastern so I think NAU will prevail at home.
September 5 vs. Northern Iowa - W. The Panthers have been really bad for the last handful of years. They haven't made the playoffs since 21 (same with Eastern) and this game is a matchup of two former powers who have really lost their way. Eastern will prevail at home though.
September 12 @ South Dakota - L. The Yotes have had a tough offseason losing their head coach for the second straight year and losing a lot of their top playmakers on offense. I think they're probably a bubble playoff team and they should be able to beat Eastern at home.
September 19 @ Washington - L. One of the tougher money games in the Big Sky this year. I think the Dawgs are a potential sleeper team in the Big 10 this season. No chance for Eastern in this one.
September 26 vs. Cal Poly - W. I'm gonna give Eastern the benefit of the doubt in this one. They're at home and there's a lot of new faces on this Poly team. 50/50 game but I think they pull it out at home.
October 3 @ UC Davis - L. Primetime on ESPN2. Davis has really taken it to Eastern in recent years and I think that continues once again.
October 10 vs. Northern Colorado - W. Gotta have this one at home. I think UNC takes a slight step back this season and Eastern shouldn't have any problems at home with the Bears.
October 17 vs. Montana State - L. A place that used to be a house of horrors for the cats has really become friendly hunting grounds in recent years. They're 3-0 under Brent Vigen on the red rug. The games have been close and maybe this one could as well, but the cats will prevail again.
October 24 BYE
October 31 vs. Montana - L. By the time this game rolls around, Eastern will have spent nearly a month at home with 3 straight home games and a bye. They'll be out for blood in this one as they consider us their rival and especially because we gutted their defensive coaching staff. We're gonna have to play really well but the Griz should win this game.
November 7 @ Idaho - L. Rivalry game in the Kibbie Dome. I'm not like crazy high on the Vandy's this year, but they should win this game at home.
November 14 @ Utah Tech - W. A game Best has gotta have if he wants any sliver of hope of saving his job. I expect UTU to really struggle in their first year in the Big Sky. Eags roll.
November 21 vs. Portland State - W. I do think Chris Fisk will eventually make the Viks competitive, but not this year. Eastern wins easily at home.
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I've got Eastern going 5-7. I really don't know what to make of them this year. I really like Schakel at QB but beyond that they don't really have a ton of playmakers at the skill positions, and I'm once again expecting their defense to be atrocious. Maybe they could spring an upset or two, but I guess I gotta see it to believe it. That's my prediction. Thoughts???
