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Post by hc1998 on Dec 6, 2022 9:23:20 GMT -5
My two cents, which many may say is not that insightful and is more in line with common sense, is that we absolutely need a couple of turnovers, perhaps even one that advances the ball for us (i.e. a muffed punt). We are MUCH more talented than a typical PL champion and have shown that we can play with anybody...but we are going up against the top team in FCS, a team that is also undefeated with a much more difficult schedule (I do note, for a #1 team, they have 2 wins by 2 points and 1 by 3...not sure if those games were as close as they sound or if there were late scores, but often the #1 team runs through everyone). I think for a good part of the game we can match SDSU play for play...but I also think there will be at least 2 drives where they just bulldoze us and 2 drives where we can't put anything together on offense. I feel like for such an incredible season, we haven't forced as many turnovers as in the past (if my quick look was correct, that was confirmed 23 this year, 38 last year). We absolutely have to win the turnover battle and likely need to be +2...we do that, I think we have a game Awesome stuff 98! I do agree we certainly need turnovers and perhaps win the field position battle through special teams play. That being said, our 23 turnovers gained are good for 12th in FCS. Turnover margin is #1 in FCS. That's nothing to sneeze at! Nothing to sneeze at for sure, but thats an average of less than 2 a game, meaning we have to improve on that against our toughest opponent to get to the +2 I think we need.
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SDSU
Dec 6, 2022 9:27:35 GMT -5
Post by midwestsader05 on Dec 6, 2022 9:27:35 GMT -5
To take this game into the 2nd half, our O is gonna have to sustain some drives. We have a top 5-10 offense in FCS with balance that has to keep our D off the field. SDSU’s offense has a legit 8 pro prospects on it. That’s not a misprint. They have 8 starters that have a legit shot to make 53 man rosters. OT #74 and OG #60 play on the same side. TE Kraft back after injury in the Iowa Game is a legit 2/3 round prospect. Other TE #87 probably goes on day 3. WR Janke twins plus RB Davis (his back-up is also a stud and healthy again) and finally QB Gronowski. It is a legit power 5 FBS offense. Would they be pro prospects if they were playing in the PL or even the CAA? Yes they would. The fundamental difference is that in the CAA those 8 players would be spread across the best 3-4 teams. By nature of many factors SDSU and NDSU are able to get that many great players on one team. Wait till you see… And I haven't even got into their defense. D line is deep and physical. #97 is a disruptor. MLB Bock is a bit undersized but fast with great instincts. He missed maybe 4 games but is now also back.
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Sertorius
Climbing Mt. St. James
Haters everywhere I go
Posts: 73
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SDSU
Dec 6, 2022 9:51:09 GMT -5
Post by Sertorius on Dec 6, 2022 9:51:09 GMT -5
I have seen no attitude issues with Matt Sluka. I have to guess that comment came from a real nitwit You should see what a few people have called him on the UNH board, including words we're not allowed to use on Crossports. I know a few people who have used words like "edgy" and "arrogant" to describe him. I have no problem with how he plays. Haters
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SDSU
Dec 6, 2022 10:00:41 GMT -5
rgs318 likes this
Post by midwestsader05 on Dec 6, 2022 10:00:41 GMT -5
You should see what a few people have called him on the UNH board, including words we're not allowed to use on Crossports. I know a few people who have used words like "edgy" and "arrogant" to describe him. I have no problem with how he plays. Haters What folks don’t understand about Sluk is that he doesn’t want to beat you, he wants to humiliate you. You can’t play like he does and NOT think like that. He has 4 brothers, dad was a bar bouncer when he met his mom. Very tough family. Anyone remember Bull Hurley from the Stallone Arm Wrestling / Father-Son reunification classic “Over the Top”? Stuka’s mindset kind of reminds me of his…Minutes 1 and 2 in the link below. ENJOY HAHA!
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SDSU
Dec 6, 2022 10:12:53 GMT -5
via mobile
Post by lou on Dec 6, 2022 10:12:53 GMT -5
What folks don’t understand about Sluk is that he doesn’t want to beat you, he wants to humiliate you. You can’t play like he does and NOT think like that. He has 4 brothers, dad was a bar bouncer when he met his mom. Very tough family. Anyone remember Bull Hurley from the Stallone Arm Wrestling / Father-Son reunification classic “Over the Top”? Stuka’s mindset kind of reminds me of his…Minutes 1 and 2 in the link below. ENJOY HAHA! I guess that's your opinion, I disagree
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SDSU
Dec 6, 2022 10:52:51 GMT -5
rgs318 likes this
Post by sader1970 on Dec 6, 2022 10:52:51 GMT -5
No. It was all downhill for Stallone after "The Lords of Flatbush." Bet you don't remember that one! He did OK with Rocky and the Rambo movies.
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SDSU
Dec 6, 2022 10:58:22 GMT -5
Post by rgs318 on Dec 6, 2022 10:58:22 GMT -5
I confess to never having seen "Over the Top" but I loved "The Lords of Flatbush" and that may have been his best work. But, I am sure the paychecks for the Rocky and Rambo movies were much larger for him. PS: I took my entire coed cross country team to see Rocky before competing for (and winning) our first County title. It helped! PPS: What "pet" did the bar owner haven his back room at the bar? (2) How did David Carridine's character die in the film?
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SDSU
Dec 6, 2022 11:26:11 GMT -5
Post by midwestsader05 on Dec 6, 2022 11:26:11 GMT -5
Lou, disagree with what? That Over the Top is a classic rewatchable? I love Matt Sluka and how he plays. #1 from UNH found out the hard way. “You want to put the crown of your helmet in my chin, That’s fine…but you’re getting trucked and then I’m gonna smile like that’s all you got?!”
And I 100% know ALL of Stallone’s IMDB.
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Post by HC92 on Dec 6, 2022 11:35:50 GMT -5
Herb Brooks: "If we play them ten times, they may win nine......but not this game...." This is kind of how I feel about this one. SDSU is a great team and it will require a lot to go our way but our guys are going to compete their tails off for 60 minutes and you always have a chance when you compete the way we do. They might beat us 9 of 10 but hopefully this is the 1.
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SDSU
Dec 6, 2022 11:38:43 GMT -5
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Post by sader1970 on Dec 6, 2022 11:38:43 GMT -5
Really? a cross country team to see "Rocky," not "Chariots of Fire" with the most inspiring theme song ever for running or, in my case, walking.
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Post by rgs318 on Dec 6, 2022 11:42:48 GMT -5
I loved how Rocky kept coming back. The team decided he did "win" that bout because, regardless of the judges' scores, he gave it his best from beginning to end. That was their goal for the meet the next day...and they pulled it off - winning by 1 point thanks to our 6th finisher tiebreaker. PS: I loved Chariots of Fire as well.
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SDSU
Dec 6, 2022 14:17:30 GMT -5
Post by inhocsigno on Dec 6, 2022 14:17:30 GMT -5
Lou, disagree with what? That Over the Top is a classic rewatchable? I love Matt Sluka and how he plays. #1 from UNH found out the hard way. “You want to put the crown of your helmet in my chin, That’s fine…but you’re getting trucked and then I’m gonna smile like that’s all you got?!” And I 100% know ALL of Stallone’s IMDB. Buy Sluka a truckers cap so he can turn it on/around, like a switch
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SDSU
Dec 6, 2022 16:02:46 GMT -5
rgs318 likes this
Post by td128 on Dec 6, 2022 16:02:46 GMT -5
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Post by jackedforlife on Dec 6, 2022 16:07:48 GMT -5
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Post by HC92 on Dec 6, 2022 18:01:01 GMT -5
Only one of the remaining 8 FCS teams has a win over an FBS bowl team this season. Be good if we could get a little respect from some of these national guys. Hopefully we show up and make a game of it Saturday. The general consensus among FCS podcasters seems to be that SDSU will destroy us.
In case you’re curious, Weber State and Eastern Kentucky also beat bowl teams.
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Post by nycrusader2010 on Dec 6, 2022 19:32:46 GMT -5
Only one of the remaining 8 FCS teams has a win over an FBS bowl team this season. Be good if we could get a little respect from some of these national guys. Hopefully we show up and make a game of it Saturday. The general consensus among FCS podcasters seems to be that SDSU will destroy us. In case you’re curious, Weber State and Eastern Kentucky also beat bowl teams. The general FCS football fanatic in the Missouri Valley / Big Sky footprint views SDSU facing Holy Cross in the quarters as if it was a season opener against Butler. Unfortunately for us, I'm guessing Coach Stig and his staff and players won't be so overconfident. I'm curious if these podcasters would be saying the same exact thing if they were playing UNH instead.
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SDSU
Dec 6, 2022 19:44:05 GMT -5
via mobile
Post by HC92 on Dec 6, 2022 19:44:05 GMT -5
Only one of the remaining 8 FCS teams has a win over an FBS bowl team this season. Be good if we could get a little respect from some of these national guys. Hopefully we show up and make a game of it Saturday. The general consensus among FCS podcasters seems to be that SDSU will destroy us. In case you’re curious, Weber State and Eastern Kentucky also beat bowl teams. The general FCS football fanatic in the Missouri Valley / Big Sky footprint views SDSU facing Holy Cross in the quarters as if it was a season opener against Butler. Unfortunately for us, I'm guessing Coach Stig and his staff and players won't be so overconfident. I'm curious if these podcasters would be saying the same exact thing if they were playing UNH instead. I’ve listened to two of these podcasts. In one they basically talked about it from the UNH point of view. UNH didn’t do this. UNH always craps the bed when you start to trust them. UNH turned it over five times. No a lot of mention of HC other than that they liked Sluka. In the other one, one guy essentially said UNH was in control in the first half and then HC flipped the script in the second half. That’s not how I remember it and I don’t think the guy watched the game or looked at the stats.
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SDSU
Dec 6, 2022 19:51:26 GMT -5
Post by nycrusader2010 on Dec 6, 2022 19:51:26 GMT -5
The general FCS football fanatic in the Missouri Valley / Big Sky footprint views SDSU facing Holy Cross in the quarters as if it was a season opener against Butler. Unfortunately for us, I'm guessing Coach Stig and his staff and players won't be so overconfident. I'm curious if these podcasters would be saying the same exact thing if they were playing UNH instead. I’ve listened to two of these podcasts. In one they basically talked about it from the UNH point of view. UNH didn’t do this. UNH always craps the bed when you start to trust them. UNH turned it over five times. No a lot of mention of HC other than that they liked Sluka. In the other one, one guy essentially said UNH was in control in the first half and then HC flipped the script in the second half. That’s not how I remember it and I don’t think the guy watched the game or looked at the stats. Zero shot. We outgained UNH about 180-50 in the first half. Should've been at least 17-5 at the break. We got the ball inside the 25yd line 4 times compared to UNH one in the 1st half => Ng short from 41yd due to kicking straight into a gale force wind gust; Oliver 39yd TD run; Ng wide left from the left hash on a chip shot FG attempt; fumbled snap on another relatively short FG attempt with :05 left in half.
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SDSU
Dec 6, 2022 20:18:32 GMT -5
Post by efg72 on Dec 6, 2022 20:18:32 GMT -5
A special and thoughtful coach this will be a great battle
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SDSU
Dec 6, 2022 20:21:24 GMT -5
Post by efg72 on Dec 6, 2022 20:21:24 GMT -5
Only one of the remaining 8 FCS teams has a win over an FBS bowl team this season. Be good if we could get a little respect from some of these national guys. Hopefully we show up and make a game of it Saturday. The general consensus among FCS podcasters seems to be that SDSU will destroy us. In case you’re curious, Weber State and Eastern Kentucky also beat bowl teams. How about the Top 20 FCS teams are top 75 teams in the country and should be playing FBS just saying not much difference what should our future look like? If building towards excellence with Chesney give him all the tools he and the staff need we screwed this up in hoops with the Big East never let it happen again
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SDSU
Dec 6, 2022 20:36:34 GMT -5
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Post by sader1970 on Dec 6, 2022 20:36:34 GMT -5
Yep, any chance of the Jackrabbits looking past the Crusaders is nil despite what some writers may believe this will be a rout.
That said, this will be a huge challenge for us
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SDSU
Dec 6, 2022 20:39:48 GMT -5
rgs318 likes this
Post by hc1998 on Dec 6, 2022 20:39:48 GMT -5
Only one of the remaining 8 FCS teams has a win over an FBS bowl team this season. Be good if we could get a little respect from some of these national guys. Hopefully we show up and make a game of it Saturday. The general consensus among FCS podcasters seems to be that SDSU will destroy us. In case you’re curious, Weber State and Eastern Kentucky also beat bowl teams. I did see one article rank the remaining seeds and we were moved up to 6, thanks, in part, to an injury with Furman Samford (oops) I believe....but we have moved up at least one spot higher than the committee seeded us...at least in that author's eyes. Its not much, but more respect than I've seen elsewhere
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SDSU
Dec 6, 2022 20:50:12 GMT -5
Post by efg72 on Dec 6, 2022 20:50:12 GMT -5
Look SDSU is a monster for us on both sides of the ball.
Despite my purple lens in evaluating the game earlier, they will be as ready as we are. The advantage they have is they know they have better players, but our advantage is we believe we are the better team.
Watch the famous Ted Lasso and the sign above his office
BELIEVE
I honestly believe we just might steal a win, with all odds against us playing the standout JackRabbits, the best team in the FCS
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Post by jackedforlife on Dec 6, 2022 21:06:00 GMT -5
As a Jacks fan I will say there is not one coach, player or support staff that is overlooking the Crusaders.
SDSU hasn’t ever won a national title, heck this is the first time in over 60+ years that I believe they’ve won a conference title outright and haven’t had to put Co-Champion on the plaque.
They are prepping for a battle. All everything MLB Adam Bock is slated to return from injury after being out over a month and a half. He’ll be limited in the amount he plays I’m sure.
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SDSU
Dec 6, 2022 21:47:38 GMT -5
via mobile
Post by efg72 on Dec 6, 2022 21:47:38 GMT -5
As a Jacks fan I will say there is not one coach, player or support staff that is overlooking the Crusaders. SDSU hasn’t ever won a national title, heck this is the first time in over 60+ years that I believe they’ve won a conference title outright and haven’t had to put Co-Champion on the plaque. They are prepping for a battle. All everything MLB Adam Bock is slated to return from injury after being out over a month and a half. He’ll be limited in the amount he plays I’m sure. You are the best team in the country for a reason Taking away my purple glasses i believe you might have two tough games before the final We should be more competitive than others think and if things break..,, William and Mary might very well win on Friday and they could be a really tough match up in the semis
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