Kent is a 2 point favorite per the USA Today paper.

I'm surprised it is that small, even though it is an EMU home game.

Most be a lot of 'intagibles':

1). EMU played MSU very tough,

2). EMU home game following a bye week,

3). Kent had a very tough game vs. Ball State Saturday.

I watched the KSU-BSU game Saturday and also saw KSU against Kentucky.

Here are some of my thoughts.

Kent has one of (if not the best) playmakers in the MAC in running back/kick returner Dri Archer. Bruising running back Trayion Durham is a tough between the tackles runner. A major key for victory will be for our defense to get numbers to swarm the football.

This may be our week to get to the quarterback. Spencer Keith hasn't had much protection this year as his O-line has had trouble with protection.

The Kent defense is capable of big plays, a strong front 7. The secondary looked to be the weakness of the D. Roosevelt Nix is an animal on the D-line; they'll line him up anywhere along the line. Undersized, he has tremendous speed and quickness for a lineman and plays with great leverage.

This is a much better Kent State team than they've been accustomed to. With our defensive improvement we saw against MSU and a week off I feel pretty good about our chances.

I remember the announcers claiming that Archer has 4.3 speed.

I'll re-watch the game but I believe Archer had a ton of yards every which way.

I believe Roosevelt Nix is 5' 11" and say 245 (according to Kent).

Prince Fielder is 5' 11" and listed as 275.

I looked at Prince yesterday and wondered how he'd be on the EMU DL.

On second thought, he's doing fine at 5' 11" making what he's making hitting that small white ball.

I just reviewed the stats and scoring summary:

Dri Archer had a 99 yard K.O. for a TD and two TD pass receptions.

This kid is dynamic.

I also checked out the game on Saturday and I must say that I was impressed with their team.. Their DL is very good but they are a little to quick chasing the ball, I am thinking that they will fall for a rev or option pass... The screen pass will also..

If we can prevent Archer from killing us with big plays, we'll be fine. They are a smashmouth team that we match up well with on both sides, save for this Archer kid. Speed has always killed us, so stopping him needs to be a priority.

Hopefully the extra week will allow Karcher to modify the playbook to Benz's strengths. Not getting my hopes up in that regard, though.

(10-01-2012 12:43 PM)NUPudge Wrote:  I am thinking that they will fall for a rev or option pass... The screen pass will also..

Ken Karcher has no idea what those things are.

The depth chart is up, with some changes...

-As expected, Benz listed as starter.

-Javonti Greene is now the starting RB, and Jay Jones is starting over Demarius Reed.

-Korey Neal is listed as the starting LT. Not sure if it means anything, but if he's on the depth chart for this game, I expect him to play.

-Not much different on defense, save for Poole starting, Hunter Matt listed as backup WILL, and Darius Scott taking Pollard's spot...would've liked to see Bryant there again. He played well against State.

I hope now is starting to put in place kids who he want to play the remaining of the year and next season.. I am not saying this because I am giving up on the team but we need to start playing the starter and also prepare kids for the following year..

We seems to have a good class of recruits (freshmen and sophmores) who are doing somewhat well on the field.. If we can work on stopping the run, we should be okay..

I like that the DC has started playing 7 or 8 in the box on 1st and 2nd down..

This is what lots of teams has been doing to us for weeks..

I would love to see some biltzing in this game..

I want to have the offense put together long drives so we can allow our defense to rest and also we can have Kent State defense looking to get rest..

One thing we must do is not kick to Dri Archer on KOs.

I'd suggest the short, high kick.

Archer can run like the wind and hit a hole. Wow!!!

(10-01-2012 01:08 PM)EagleSam Wrote:  

(10-01-2012 12:43 PM)NUPudge Wrote:  I am thinking that they will fall for a rev or option pass... The screen pass will also..

Ken Karcher has no idea what those things are.

haha you beat me to it

BTW. USA Today (forgot the source) has the line at Kent by 3 and over/under at 52 points.

Wow, if I were in Vegas this weekend [I"m not :( ] I'd take the over.

I can see a 35 - 28 type game.

I'd take that over in a heartbeat.

(10-02-2012 12:24 PM)SpartanEagle Wrote:  I'd take that over in a heartbeat.

A MAC defensive struggle is an oxymoron.

(10-02-2012 11:27 AM)emu steve Wrote:  BTW. USA Today (forgot the source) has the line at Kent by 3 and over/under at 52 points.

Wow, if I were in Vegas this weekend [I"m not :( ] I'd take the over.

I can see a 35 - 28 type game.

I better call my bookie and tell him that EmuSteve told me to take this sucker bet....

(10-02-2012 02:12 PM)emu steve Wrote:  

(10-02-2012 12:24 PM)SpartanEagle Wrote:  I'd take that over in a heartbeat.

A MAC defensive struggle is an oxymoron.

Haha true, I hope the Eagles can get a W this weekend and prove me wrong.

(10-01-2012 01:19 PM)EagleSam Wrote:  The depth chart is up, with some changes...

-As expected, Benz listed as starter.

-Javonti Greene is now the starting RB, and Jay Jones is starting over Demarius Reed.

-Korey Neal is listed as the starting LT. Not sure if it means anything, but if he's on the depth chart for this game, I expect him to play.

-Not much different on defense, save for Poole starting, Hunter Matt listed as backup WILL, and Darius Scott taking Pollard's spot...would've liked to see Bryant there again. He played well against State.

Below is a link for your comments...

http://eagletotem.net/blog/2012/10/03/de...ent-state/

I guess this thread is as good as any to post this.

CMadler has a table showing the records, through week 5, of our past and upcoming opponents.

As one might guess, our past opponents weren't exactly cupcakes. They are a combined 14 - 5 (74%) with two of the teams, obviously, being B1G.

Ill. State is undefeated in FCS and nationally ranked in their division.

Upcoming foes have a combined winning percentage of 59%.

Where are the cupcakes? Only Army has a bad record. They are 0 - 4. BG is 2 - 3 as is WMU. Both BG and WMU play weak MAC East teams Saturday.

Only three of the 12 opponents having losing records to date.

They are upcoming opponents.

http://eagletotem.net/blog/2012/09/30/ho...in-week-5/

(10-02-2012 02:12 PM)emu steve Wrote:  

(10-02-2012 12:24 PM)SpartanEagle Wrote:  I'd take that over in a heartbeat.

A MAC defensive struggle is an oxymoron.

EMU Homecoming 2011: EMU 14, WMU 10.
Later in 2011: NIU 18, EMU 12.

Just so you all know, at tonight's pep rally English "promised" a victory on Saturday. He's got more confidence than I do.