Game 11: NW vs MW

Opening Thoughts:

Well, I’m pissed at myself. I had originally predicted a score of 55-10. But then when I went to put it in the Predictions pages, I noticed that somebody had already predicated 55 and somebody else picked 10. And I don’t like to share – so I changed my prediction. I could have been my first ever perfect prediction –but no: I was stupid and changed it. That’s two weeks in a row I should have just gone with my head. That’s it, from here on out, I’m going with my head!

I am also EXTREMELY disappointed with the Student Section. It was absolutely terrible. There was a time when the Student Section was CRAZY! Heck they were known as the Rickenbrode Rowdies. Not anymore… more like the Bearcat BUMS! Take a look at this photo: 

I know what you are thinking – it was a blowout, what do you expect. But at the time I took this photo, the score was NW 7 ESU 3 and it was 3^rd down.  This is a picture of section FF – which is right at the 50 yard line. If you notice, the vast majority of the students are SITTING down. Absolutely sickening if you ask me. You guys are totally spoiled. I had kind of hoped that two years of not going to Florence would make our Student Fans not be so spoiled. But I guess I was wrong about that.

Last Week’s Recap:

That is what I call an old fashion whoopin’. I really did expect Tyler Eckenrode to be able to score a few more points than he was able to. Oh well, I guess that NW is just that good. I was kinda hoping that it wouldn’t be a total blow out so that the players would be extra focused next week. But my guess is that they won’t need any outside encouragement to stay focused.

This is quickly becoming one of the best overall D’s that I’ve seen NW have. I’ve already said that its easily the best secondary, and the LB corps is top of the line, and now the DLine is really coming together. They are getting a ton of pressure with just the front four. NW has been able to rotate a lot of guys thru there and gotten a lot of experience. That also allows them a lot of time to rest. That will come in to play next week! I noticed that the coaching staff kept the starters in a little bit longer than needed – my guess is that was to help them with full game conditioning. After all, its been a while since the starters had to play a full game – in fact, I don’t remember the last time that the starters played a full game – probably UCM. That will quickly change starting this week and continue on throughout the playoffs.

The NW offense is really coming together more and more all the time. I can tell that this team is just that – a TEAM. It seems like it is even more of a team than it has been in the past – and its not like there has been a ton of divisiveness on the team – but it seams to me as an outsider that there is something more there. Maybe it’s because there really are no All Stars on the team. Don’t get me wrong, there are some really really good players on the team, but there isn’t the Xavier Omon, or Josh Baker, or Jake Soy type of individual on the team. But I think as a whole – when this team is hitting on all cylinders – it rivals any of the teams since I’ve been following Bearcat football (2007) I would not have said that at the beginning of the season – or even midway thru the season. The OL has a lot to do with that. They have improved immensely since the SNAFU that was the UCM game. The play calling has completely changed as well. The coaches have been playing to the teams actual strengths – rather than what they want the strengths to be. The RB’s this game did a great job. Neither JF3 or Simmons broke the century mark, but they both came within 10 of doing it – and combined for 5 rushing TD’s. I also want to give TA a shout out. He went out there and gave that LB a heck of hit rather than sliding. I can understand why AD was pissed about it – but at the same time I can see why he did it. I also thought that he did a great job of checking down. He didn’t throw to his first guy every time – he did force a throw to Shaw that what picked, but there were a lot of times that he checked down and found an open receivers. And the OL needs to be given credit for that as well – they were giving TA all day to throw.

If I could vote for Kenny Gordon for Coach of the Year I would – between the Secondary and the Special Teams (two things that he coaches) NW has been amazing. Special Teams – how cool was it to see Simmons run that KO back on Homecoming. I felt like I was watching it develop in slow motion, and I was like – OH Yeah – Simmons is going to extend the MIAA record! Todd Adolf did a great job kicking off, as well as kicking FG’s – that 45 yarder would have been good for quite a ways more it looked like to me!

This Weeks Match Up:

Going into this season, I said that if MoWest was ever going to go the distance, this is their year. They return a ton of seniors. I think that they start 8 seniors on offense – including their entire offensive line, and 6 or 7 on defense. This is not a bad team by any means.

When the Griffons have the ball – they are going to run it. They love to run it. They are a running machine. And the guy that they give the rock to is Michael Hill. Hill is averaging 150+ yards per game and over 7 yards per carry. He could actually have more yards per game, but since they have been blowing people out of the water, he hasn’t played much in the second half of games. Hill is a good runner – but I’ve never been overly impressed with him. He’s got a good line in front of him – and that gets him a lot of yards – but he’s not a homerun threat. He honestly reminds me a lot of Birmingham from UCO with a better line in front of him – in fact Birmingham I think has better speed than Hill. Historically, the NW offense has done a pretty good job of being able to slow down a power run game. Only Isaac Odim from Duluth able to run it over the NW D, and they still held him below his average. I think that the key for the NW D will be to slow down the run game, and get pressure on Jerry’s Kid. They don’t have to sack him – just get him uncomfortable – and then let the Dixon Bros & Co do what they do best. Being at home is going to be an advantage for NW – they may be able to sub in a few guys that wouldn’t normally travel. I’m thinking of Jordan Chrisman. He played well in the first game and then had an emergency appendectomy. ESU was his first game back playing DE. He got in the game in the 3^rd and 4^th quarter – I think he could really help there give some relief and contribute as well. I doubt that we will see it happen, but I would love to see Sony Theodate out there on obvious passing plays – and just tell him to get Jerry’s Kid. The guy is a massive human being, and I hope he sticks around. He definitely has the measurables, I hope that he is taking the time to soak up the knowledge from Rich Wright!

A lot of this game is going to depend on the game plan. If AD and Charlie Flohr use that same stupid offense that they tried in the ECU, UCM, and first half of Pitt St – NW will be in for a long day. I don’t think that NW is going to be able to simply pound the rock on the MoWest D. They are going to need to have the pass game there to help open up the run game and vice versa. I’ve heard that Bryce Young may very well be back for this game – and that is a huge plus. The other receivers have stepped it up, but it is always nice to have Young there. I really hope that Utter gets a chance to show his skills – it almost seems like the coaching staff picks some WR’s to be targets, and others to simply run routes. Last year Miller and Hinchey never got a ball thrown to them, this year Hinchey has become that clutch go to receiver on 3^rd down and Utter (who is crazy fast and can go up and get a ball) seems to be relegated to simply running routes. Hopefully he will stay dedicated because I think he has a bright future as a Bearcat. I am going to do my best to help JF3 have a spectacular day – I am going to sit him on my bench on my fantasy football team. He’s done great every week I’ve done that – so I will continue that tradition. Really, I know its cliché – but this game will be won in the trenches. And I think that the offensive line is playing their best now. I am really excited to see the matchup between one of the best DEnds in D2 (David Bass) and one of the best Offensive Tackles (Rod Williams) in D2. If the OL can give TA some time to throw, and open up some holes for the runners – I like our chances.

I think when it comes to Special Teams – NW definitely has the advantage in all facets. KO & Punt return, field goals and punts. What more can you ask for? Just keep up the good work boys!

The last two weeks I’ve gotten screwed by going with my gut rather than my head. My gut says that this is going to be a battle royale. Complete with all sorts of extra curriculars and diarrhea of the mouth. But my head said that NW will stay focused, NW matches up well with the MoWest strengths. I can see both NW and MoWest scoring on their opening drives and then both teams make adjustments. But NW makes better. NW gets up by 14-17 points and then the landslide begins. A running team isn’t built to come from behind. Jerry’s Kid gets frustrated and starts forcing things – and the Dixon Bros & Co have a field day. NW ends up winning this one 45 – 24.