Who'da thunk that the biggest game of the year for ECU would be game 11 @ Rice?

I think we'll come out and try to get a fast start, meaning several shots downfield on the first couple of possessions. If we're successful and manage to get up 10-13 points early on, we'll probably just try to grind it out with the running game and let the defense do what the defense has been doing.

My prediction - ECU 37, Rice 20.

Thoughts?

Lethemeul Wrote:Who'da thunk that the biggest game of the year for ECU would be game 11 @ Rice?

I think we'll come out and try to get a fast start, meaning several shots downfield on the first couple of possessions. If we're successful and manage to get up 10-13 points early on, we'll probably just try to grind it out with the running game and let the defense do what the defense has been doing.

My prediction - ECU 37, Rice 20.

Thoughts?

Our defense tends to be pretty soft at the beginning of the game. That being said, we have been rather blessed that we haven't given up a lot of points during that time.

I have a bad feeling about this one, boys... Rice is starting to peak at the right time.


31


28

GrayBeard Wrote:Our defense tends to be pretty soft at the beginning of the game. That being said, we have been rather blessed that we haven't given up a lot of points during that time.

True, it does seem like the other team has to score before the D wakes up.

Rice's defense seems to be pretty soft all the time, though. I think there are some pretty big mismatches with our WR's vs. their DB's that we'll at least try to exploit early on.

MongoSlade Wrote:I have a bad feeling about this one, boys... Rice is starting to peak at the right time.

If Rice is peaking what is ECU doing?

Lethemeul Wrote:

MongoSlade Wrote:I have a bad feeling about this one, boys... Rice is starting to peak at the right time.

If Rice is peaking what is ECU doing?

Peaked...? Plus the game is @ Rice.

MongoSlade Wrote:

Lethemeul Wrote:

MongoSlade Wrote:I have a bad feeling about this one, boys... Rice is starting to peak at the right time.

If Rice is peaking what is ECU doing?

Peaked...? Plus the game is @ Rice.

Eh. @Marshall or @UTEP with this much on the line might be intimidating, but I don't expect a sparse Rice crowd to be much of a factor.

Plus, Rice is coming off an emotional 2-OT victory over a longtime division/conference foe. Does a team from way out in yonderland really get them fired up?

I'm not going to go out and say Rice is overhyped because I havn't seen them play this year and that win over Tulsa is impressive, but they do seem very confident if not cocky about the game against us. All I hear about is how GREAT their coach is and what a GREAT winning streak their on even though we have won 4 games in a row as well. Even Houston fans are saying Rice will beat us (even though that might be because they don't want to play us). I just hope that our team comes out ready to play so we can show these guys that ECU is the real deal in C-USA.

I'm going to go bold and say:

ECU 34, Rice 31

Bold = optimistic

If the Pirates can minimize mistakes, we should be OK ... but Rice is good at capitalizing.

As good as our defense is, they are going to give up at least 24 in this one. Our OL has GOT to play better, and Pinkney must protect the ball. If we don't turn the ball over, we win. If we lose the turnover margin by two or more, I think we'll be toast against these guys.

I think we'll pull a win out, but this game has me more nervous than any other game this season - except maybe WV and Tulane. Is this program mature enough to handle this situation? Time to find out (and if there is any coaching staff that can get this team in the right state of mind for this game, it's this one).

william146 Wrote:I'm going to go bold and say:

ECU 34, Rice 31

Bold = optimistic

If the Pirates can minimize mistakes, we should be OK ... but Rice is good at capitalizing.

I'm thinking in the 30s for both teams as well

ECU 35-33

I honestly think our defense will do the job and at least limit what they can do. What concerns me is our offense and the tendency to not be able to really get in sync. One game it's the O-line, the next game it's JP having a less than good day. But on the bright side, the O is due for a got it all together day.

Plus, I feel these guys WANT this game and realize what is at stake. They have come to far to let it just slip away. If we paly our best and still get beat, well I can live with that. Not beating ourselves is the name of the game.

Go Pirates.

Hey guys. The boys in blue have come a long way and want this one as well. They have played 8 of 10 away from Rice University, endured a most difficult off-season, a death of a teammate, a total sell out schedule from the old administration and the resulting rash of injuries to arrive at 5-5.

Highly doubtful, they are looking past you as we are Rice. We have suffered longer than you guys.

Forget the arrogance comments - Rice kids are the most polite and articulate fellows around. They will compete.

We have a team that may at appearance be drawfed by your lines. Rice uses the intelligence of the kids to the max. Expect to see some weird sets and players in positions that are slightly different. We are very quick and the game is on turf which will speed things up a little as you guys are used to grass. The 3-3 stack gives up some huge chunks at times as it is a balls to the wall scheme. Plus 7, plus 15, plus 5, loss of 12 and then the pressure dials up on the long yardage situation. One of the nations leaders in TO differential. Like you guys we are penalized very little.

We are almost back to 100% on both lines and have only lost a couple of LB's for the season.

We have a multiple set offense like you and we have very talented WR's - all but one will be returning next year. Dillard is special. Our soph QB has run the offense very efficiently. He broke his hand midway in the 3rd qtr against UH in the opener ( that's why there is all the debate whether UH is actually better) and missed consecutive games against TX, UCLA, and FSU. Rice has lost only to Tulane, after a very emotional 10 days, following his return. We have a quick and powerful RB that is also a terrific blocker. He may be the most underrated player in CUSA.

It is true, we have played numerous big games in a row. You guys have had a few yourself, but your schedule has been much easier from a travel stand point.

I know you guys will bring your A game. With Todd Graham at the helm, I will be surprised if we don't do the same.

We hope to draw a decent crowd, but Houston is very much a pro market and Rice has the smallest living alumni base in D1. I would hope that at least 20,000 show up. You guys need to do your part as well. The stadium has terrific sight lines and has previously housed a Super Bowl. It has new field turf, jumbotron, and bleachers courtesy of a six million dollar one man fund raiser by Graham.

In case you lose and have heart failure the best health care facilities in America are just a stone's throw away.

Good luck this weekend and please come on over to our board and give us a heads up on the Pirates.

PurplePeopleEater Wrote:- except maybe WV and Tulane.

When exactly did we play Tulane this year??

HowardD11 Wrote:

PurplePeopleEater Wrote:- except maybe WV and Tulane.

When exactly did we play Tulane this year??

I think he meant that other CUSA western division private school that starts with T-U-L and also goes by TU (even thought they are The U of T?). As I get older I have a harder time keeping them straight myself.

28-20

Pirates win.