Let's talk about the game

[mthoopsfan]

SDSU has never beaten Griz and doesn’t know how to. The Griz aren’t overconfident, but they have their normal quiet confidence. SDSU has a terrific D,, but their O hasn’t faced a scheme like UM’s nor a D as good as UM’s. McDowell and O-Line need to have top games.

 

[Westernjack]

What would you Griz fans consider to be the biggest areas of weakness for your D? Seems like pass defense is somewhat of a liability (210 yards per game allowed).

 

[Jackedforlife]

SDSU has never beaten Griz and doesn’t know how to. The Griz aren’t overconfident, but they have their normal quiet confidence. SDSU has a terrific D,, but their O hasn’t faced a scheme like UM’s nor a D as good as UM’s. McDowell and O-Line need to have top games.

I’m not superstitious but I am stitious. That said the last time these teams met, the coordinators for the Jacks were Juniors on the roster. Any current players were just starting pop warner up to High School.

Whether this team knows how to beat the Griz remains to be seen but I will say, none of them, players or coaches cares about the past.

The chess game of watching this unfold will be fantastic. Ultimately both teams are strong offensively and defensively. Exactly how it should be, like a tug of war.

 

[Colter_Nuanez56]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g8Q6xLIYZNw

 

[mthoopsfan]

SDSU has never beaten Griz and doesn’t know how to. The Griz aren’t overconfident, but they have their normal quiet confidence. SDSU has a terrific D,, but their O hasn’t faced a scheme like UM’s nor a D as good as UM’s. McDowell and O-Line need to have top games.

I’m not superstitious but I am stitious. That said the last time these teams met, the coordinators for the Jacks were Juniors on the roster. Any current players were just starting pop warner up to High School.

Whether this team knows how to beat the Griz remains to be seen but I will say, none of them, players or coaches cares about the past.

The chess game of watching this unfold will be fantastic. Ultimately both teams are strong offensively and defensively. Exactly how it should be, like a tug of war.

But I assume that most of the players know about the big comeback by the Griz in the playoffs and know they have never beaten the Griz.

Why would players not care about the past, or at least be aware of the past? That seems like an odd thing to say. Did you play college football?

 

[Jackedforlife]

I’m not superstitious but I am stitious. That said the last time these teams met, the coordinators for the Jacks were Juniors on the roster. Any current players were just starting pop warner up to High School.

Whether this team knows how to beat the Griz remains to be seen but I will say, none of them, players or coaches cares about the past.

The chess game of watching this unfold will be fantastic. Ultimately both teams are strong offensively and defensively. Exactly how it should be, like a tug of war.

But I assume that most of the players know about the big comeback by the Griz in the playoffs and know they have never beaten the Griz.

Why would players not care about the past, or at least be aware of the past? That seems like an odd thing to say. Did you play college football?

I should add a disclaimer. *in regards to this upcoming game they don’t care about it, the past/history. The 09 game ended the HCs playing career. Guaranteed he’s thought of this. The players are aware, they were also aware that the Bison had never lost in Frisco…the Jacks had never beat them in the playoffs.

This team, its leadership and coaching staffs will visit all of that after the game. Right now the only thing 09 will mean is that “IF” there is a big lead at any point, there will never be any comfort. The game in ‘15 it felt like both teams were happy with the playoffs and looking for lightning in a bottle.

 

[mthoopsfan]

What would you Griz fans consider to be the biggest areas of weakness for your D? Seems like pass defense is somewhat of a liability (210 yards per game allowed).

The Griz D does not have big areas of weakness. They are good and deep everywhere, except not deep at nose guard (but have a first team all-American who is a beast and can play the whole game). With the changing and blitzing D, it's possible for opponents to call a play that goes exactly into a weak spot (and becomes a big play). Also, on occasion, players line up in the wrong place or make a mistake, and a big play occurs. These things haven't happened too much later in the season. Pass D is not a weakness. The Big Sky has some top passing offenses. Idaho St. is no. 1 in nation. Cal Poly is 14th. EWU and Idaho are 18 and 21. DE 22. SS 28. NAU 41. Davis 44. All but one of those (7) average more passing yards than SDSU. The Griz D has only 2.5 all-Americans. Not as many as last season.

The Griz D coaches, led by T. Hauck and the DC, have come up with great special D game plans as the season has gone one. And the team has executed the D's very well. Having extra weeks to prepare for SDSU is a big bonus for the Griz D. I think the Griz pressuring D will cause some issues for your very good qb.

The Griz special teams are top notch and explosive too.

The Griz O is often not as strong as the D and ST, especially at certain times of some games, but can also be explosive and can wear teams down. The QB has thrown only 3 interceptions and is a terrific and hard runner. He makes big and important plays and finds ways to pick up 3d downs. The top 2 running backs haven't fumbled this season. They are good, tough, and have good speed. As I have said, the QB, who is from Texas, and the O-line (who should be fairly healthy again, although the best lineman has started only 1 game this season) need to have terrific games. I hope your D continues not to go out of their way to pressure the QB.

 

[Griz Time]

What would you Griz fans consider to be the biggest areas of weakness for your D? Seems like pass defense is somewhat of a liability (210 yards per game allowed).

Huh? Compared to who?? PSU is the only one who lit it up, late season.
There is why you really shouldnt read into stats. Try redoing the math from mid October, look at average scores and then assess.
How did those qb's do, when we gave up that average. Im going to say it again. You sound like early media and not actually looking at where this team is at. Griz have faced way more true challenges than sdsu.
Cats showed that if you can keep it close, you guys kinda freak out. Thats the game i fully expect. Your media put all the pressure on you, good luck handling that.

 

[Westernjack]

What would you Griz fans consider to be the biggest areas of weakness for your D? Seems like pass defense is somewhat of a liability (210 yards per game allowed).

Huh? Compared to who?? PSU is the only one who lit it up, late season.
There is why you really shouldnt read into stats. Try redoing the math from mid October, look at average scores and then assess.
How did those qb's do, when we gave up that average. Im going to say it again. You sound like early media and not actually looking at where this team is at. Griz have faced way more true challenges than sdsu.
Cats showed that if you can keep it close, you guys kinda freak out. Thats the game i fully expect. Your media put all the pressure on you, good luck handling that.

So we are only supposed to take stats from games mid October on for the griz, but the Montana state game from early September keeps getting brought up for sdsu?

I was simply looking at your pass defense that is rated 58th in the country in yards allowed and asking if it is considered a weakness. The fact that you give up a low completion percentage (53%) on average but quite a few yards would lead anyone to believe you can be susceptible to big plays, which a poster of yours also said.

We are both 14 games in, so looking at statistics should be a darn good way to point out areas of weakness that the other team can exploit. With sdsu having better numbers in virtually every single statistical category I think it’s fair to wonder where the griz will have an advantage

 

[Jackedforlife]

Regarding pressure or lack thereof on the QB for the Jacks.

Playoffs:

Jackrabbits have 5 sacks in the playoffs to the Griz’s 8.

Not sure where QB hurry/pressure for the Jacks is bur according to Herder the Griz are at 10, say the Jacks are similarly behind like the sacks. Let’s give them 60% or 6 QB hurries.

Interceptions the Jacks have 6 picks. The Griz are at 2.

Passing yards per game average, SDSU at 127/game given up. Griz are averaging 180/game. SDSU did play in gale force winds so that hindered passing abilities but also played with a lead so that would increase the passing need of the opposition.

Passing TDs allowed, Jacks at 0, Griz at 4.

Opposition completion percentage allowed. Jacks, 50/84, 59%. Griz, 42/105, 40%

Each defense affects the opponent in the passing game. Statistics can favor either one depending on which metric you chose.

Regardless it’ll be a battle and a hack of a chess match on both sides of the ball.

 

[Jackedforlife]

What would you Griz fans consider to be the biggest areas of weakness for your D? Seems like pass defense is somewhat of a liability (210 yards per game allowed).

Huh? Compared to who?? PSU is the only one who lit it up, late season.
There is why you really shouldnt read into stats. Try redoing the math from mid October, look at average scores and then assess.
How did those qb's do, when we gave up that average. Im going to say it again. You sound like early media and not actually looking at where this team is at. Griz have faced way more true challenges than sdsu.
Cats showed that if you can keep it close, you guys kinda freak out. Thats the game i fully expect. Your media put all the pressure on you, good luck handling that.

Kinda freak out? Maybe, that MSU game was close. The USD game kinda started out like a train wreck, the SIU game was tight as well. Mental strength and this team are not a concern, not like they may have been in years past. If the team is in a tight game I do not expect they’ll fold. If they are losing in the 4th I’ll be concerned but not quite ready for the pepto like in years past.

 

[Jackedforlife]

Love all this banter.

Question, which single player on the opposing team concerns you the most? Who would you prefer got left at the team hotel.

My SDSU fan answer , McDowell. He’s the engine, Bergen is scary but he doesn’t touch the ball every down.

 

[GrizWin99]

Love all this banter.

Question, which single player on the opposing team concerns you the most? Who would you prefer got left at the team hotel.

My SDSU fan answer , McDowell. He’s the engine, Bergen is scary but he doesn’t touch the ball every down.

QB is usually the safest answer. I would love for Gronowski to be left behind in Brookings. That said, #99 should concern you the most. Without Gubner our defense doesn’t work.

 

[Jackedforlife]

Love all this banter.

Question, which single player on the opposing team concerns you the most? Who would you prefer got left at the team hotel.

My SDSU fan answer , McDowell. He’s the engine, Bergen is scary but he doesn’t touch the ball every down.

QB is usually the safest answer. I would love for Gronowski to be left behind in Brookings. That said, #99 should concern you the most. Without Gubner our defense doesn’t work.

I wavered on that between those two. Although they won’t cancel Gubner out, the Jacks do have the highest graded PFF center in Gus Miller, and likely NFL draft pick mcCormick at LG. Plus the Oline has 20+ games as a whole starting and playing together.

 

[MinnesotaJack]

What would you Griz fans consider to be the biggest areas of weakness for your D? Seems like pass defense is somewhat of a liability (210 yards per game allowed).

The Griz D does not have big areas of weakness. They are good and deep everywhere, except not deep at nose guard (but have a first team all-American who is a beast and can play the whole game). With the changing and blitzing D, it's possible for opponents to call a play that goes exactly into a weak spot (and becomes a big play). Also, on occasion, players line up in the wrong place or make a mistake, and a big play occurs. These things haven't happened too much later in the season. Pass D is not a weakness. The Big Sky has some top passing offenses. Idaho St. is no. 1 in nation. Cal Poly is 14th. EWU and Idaho are 18 and 21. DE 22. SS 28. NAU 41. Davis 44. All but one of those (7) average more passing yards than SDSU. The Griz D has only 2.5 all-Americans. Not as many as last season.

The Griz D coaches, led by T. Hauck and the DC, have come up with great special D game plans as the season has gone one. And the team has executed the D's very well. Having extra weeks to prepare for SDSU is a big bonus for the Griz D. I think the Griz pressuring D will cause some issues for your very good qb.

The Griz special teams are top notch and explosive too.

The Griz O is often not as strong as the D and ST, especially at certain times of some games, but can also be explosive and can wear teams down. The QB has thrown only 3 interceptions and is a terrific and hard runner. He makes big and important plays and finds ways to pick up 3d downs. The top 2 running backs haven't fumbled this season. They are good, tough, and have good speed. As I have said, the QB, who is from Texas, and the O-line (who should be fairly healthy again, although the best lineman has started only 1 game this season) need to have terrific games. I hope your D continues not to go out of their way to pressure the QB.

I was surprised at the number of sacks we had on the year when I went and looked, only 24. I do know we didn't have a single one in the non-conference and that was a little bit of a talking point going into conference play, but we've picked it up since then with 24 in the last 11 games (Griz have 27 in that same time frame). I have no idea what the numbers would be for hurries/pressures, or even where one would find them, but in no game this year have I thought "we're getting no pressure, their QB has all day to throw." For some plays here and there sure, but we've done a good job not letting other QB's get comfortable in the pocket for extended periods of time.

 

[Hoops watcher]

Love all this banter.

Question, which single player on the opposing team concerns you the most? Who would you prefer got left at the team hotel.

My SDSU fan answer , McDowell. He’s the engine, Bergen is scary but he doesn’t touch the ball every down.

Davis. NDSU had some success running early but were kept out of the end zone and the D really kept them from doing much in the 2nd half. If he can get 20 or 25 carries and 150 I'd guess it will be a long day for the Griz. If he can be kept under control I think it goes down to the wire. Tight end is the 2nd.

 

[AZGrizFan]

Huh? Compared to who?? PSU is the only one who lit it up, late season.
There is why you really shouldnt read into stats. Try redoing the math from mid October, look at average scores and then assess.
How did those qb's do, when we gave up that average. Im going to say it again. You sound like early media and not actually looking at where this team is at. Griz have faced way more true challenges than sdsu.
Cats showed that if you can keep it close, you guys kinda freak out. Thats the game i fully expect. Your media put all the pressure on you, good luck handling that.

So we are only supposed to take stats from games mid October on for the griz, but the Montana state game from early September keeps getting brought up for sdsu?

I was simply looking at your pass defense that is rated 58th in the country in yards allowed and asking if it is considered a weakness. The fact that you give up a low completion percentage (53%) on average but quite a few yards would lead anyone to believe you can be susceptible to big plays, which a poster of yours also said.

We are both 14 games in, so looking at statistics should be a darn good way to point out areas of weakness that the other team can exploit. With sdsu having better numbers in virtually every single statistical category I think it’s fair to wonder where the griz will have an advantage

How many common opponents? Because statistics piled up against uncommon opponents really don’t mean squat. In fact, statistics in general don’t mean squat. In many of the Griz games, a large percentage of the yardage was gained by the opposing offense late in the game. And when you have the top rushing defense in the conference, yeah, they’re gonna try SOMETHING to win…

 

[Jackedforlife]

So we are only supposed to take stats from games mid October on for the griz, but the Montana state game from early September keeps getting brought up for sdsu?

I was simply looking at your pass defense that is rated 58th in the country in yards allowed and asking if it is considered a weakness. The fact that you give up a low completion percentage (53%) on average but quite a few yards would lead anyone to believe you can be susceptible to big plays, which a poster of yours also said.

We are both 14 games in, so looking at statistics should be a darn good way to point out areas of weakness that the other team can exploit. With sdsu having better numbers in virtually every single statistical category I think it’s fair to wonder where the griz will have an advantage

How many common opponents? Because statistics piled up against uncommon opponents really don’t mean squat. In fact, statistics in general don’t mean squat. In many of the Griz games, a large percentage of the yardage was gained by the opposing offense late in the game. And when you have the top rushing defense in the conference, yeah, they’re gonna try SOMETHING to win…

That’ last bit is somewhat quizzical. The Griz gave up a large amount of pass yardage late in the game due to other teams trying to come back, makes sense. But is the top rushing defense in the conference really a thing? I mean I know it is statistically and the Griz rush D is stout…but opponents passing more takes away rush attempts…or are opponents not rushing because…its why you see the Jacks with similar stats defensively. Big lead, teams try to play catch up, turnovers/sacks, and we end up with 2 teams with a combined record of 27-1. Neither team played from behind very many minutes this season.

At this point we are seeing what the FCS generally brings to the championship. Two teams with strong defenses. Tough to find holes in either teams game at this point.

It’s why I’ll say the FCS is my favorite level of football to watch.

 

[armonte]

Are the jacks senior or grad dominated in the O and D overall? NDSU according to their roster had 11 of 13 (listed 13 positions) on the offense and 9 of 11
on defense. Outside question, was the NDSU game you played against them as good as or better than the one we played? I understand it very subjective, just looking for an opinion.

 

[Jackedforlife]

Are the jacks senior or grad dominated in the O and D overall? NDSU according to their roster had 11 of 13 (listed 13 positions) on the offense and 9 of 11
on defense. Outside question, was the NDSU game you played against them as good as or better than the one we played? I understand it very subjective, just looking for an opinion.

The offense will lose 3 on the OL, 2 WR, a TE and a RB(Davis forgoing his final year for the Draft.

D will lose 3 on the DL, 2 LBs, a CB and a Safety I believe.

The Bison game for the Jacks was close for a quarter then opened up in the 2nd and 3rd. It wax 30-9 with 7 min to go in the 4th when the Bison scored to make it 30-16, the Jacks then kicked a FG with just under 2 min to extend and solidly the win. As always the Marker game is about the trenches. Whoever wins there wins the game.

Statistically the game was pretty even except for turnovers where the Jacks picked off Miller twice.