Last home game of the 2021 season.

Will be chilly but temps will rise a bit during the game.

WMU is a 5.5 point favorite but we are picked to win by ESPN.
I

(11-16-2021 04:53 AM)emu steve Wrote:  Last home game of the 2021 season.

Will be chilly but temps will rise a bit during the game.

WMU is a 5.5 point favorite but we are picked to win by ESPN.
I

Unfortunately they have a big back and a quarterback that can throw the ball:

WMU 41 EMU 31

(11-16-2021 05:50 AM)Luckeyone Wrote:  

(11-16-2021 04:53 AM)emu steve Wrote:  Last home game of the 2021 season.

Will be chilly but temps will rise a bit during the game.

WMU is a 5.5 point favorite but we are picked to win by ESPN.
I

Unfortunately they have a big back and a quarterback that can throw the ball:

WMU 41 EMU 31

We have a QB who can throw it as well. Take the OVER.

This is a big big big game and if I know Creighton, his team is going to be jacked!

PASS THE BALL!

Not that we don't usually throw a ton, but from what I have seen of WMU this year and looking at their stats....you can throw on them. They are pretty good against the run, but Boone did have a lot of success against them last year (around 150 yards I think) so it'll be interesting to see if we try to get some of that going again.

Our defense is our defense...what can you say? As Luckey points out they got a good QB and weapons, they will score. Heck, even in last years win we still gave up 42. So they will score, we'll just have to keep pace. WMU does average 30 a game, but they also give up 30 (more than our D amazingly) so if Bryant can get in a rhythm we should be able to keep up. I'd also like to see the defense come up with a stop to start the game. It seems like every game the other team comes right out and scores a TD on the first drive, it'd be nice for momentum to get a stop. Against Ohio we had them at 3rd and 8, couldn't get a stop then later in the drive they go for it on 4th and 6 and not only get it but score a TD...that is a frustrating way to start a game. It can obviously be overcome, but it'd be nice to start on a good note.

I think two keys come to mind for me:
1. We need a turnover.
In the Toledo game the defense forced one (the pick that Finn threw) which we ended up getting stopped at the one, but it was at least one less possession for them. Also, the muffed punt which lead to a touchdown for us. Ohio didn't turn the ball over at all and we know what happened. Turnovers happen, I don't think you always HAVE to have a turnover to win a game, but with our defense's inability to come up with many stops I think we need at least one. At the very least it's a drive that doesn't end in points for them.

2. We need Bryant to play smart.
Every game he seems to make a bad decision or bad throw (he seems to like to throw into triple coverage once a game) that ends up being picked off, or he drops back in a key situation and for whatever reason doesn't see or feel the rush and takes a bad sack. He is a super talented kid, we just need him to play smart and protect the ball.

WMU seems to be trending down as the seasons ends, and CMU seems to be trending up. We are also at home this week, and we also just match up better with WMU I think. So this seems to be the more winnable of the last two games. That being said, that probably means, the way this season has gone for us and the MAC as a whole, we'll probably lose tonight and go into Mt. Pleasant and win next week haha!

I haven't gotten too much into today's game. Other than the Lions, I have been distracted as all of the seasons seem to come together such as CFB, MBB, NFL, NBA and yes MLB (Tigers got a big signee yesterday and going big before December 1 key date).

That said, I think we should see a real aerial show. I wouldn't be surprised to see say 65 - 70 passes tonight.

I would definitely take the Over /66 points. ESPN2 might get one of those 45 - 40 games which viewers love. (Correction: Except our DC and most posters here. As for me, EMU 45, WMU 40 is fine with me.)

I think if we hold their running backs under 275 yards collectively, we have a chance.

Excited to see how our secondary plays and who we start. WOuld love to see big games from Robert Daniel, David Carter and TJ Peavy.

I will be at the game rooting us on!!! Hopefully CC can find a way to get this game in the win column!

In some football news, the CMU game next week will be at noon (which we knew) but they announced it will be on ESPNU.

I'd like to see EMU get the ball first either by winning the coin toss or by WMU winning the toss and deferring to the 2nd half.

Take the ball. That's theoretically one less WMU possession in the 1st half and keeps the EMU defense on the sidelines to start the game. Heck, maybe we'll even score first for once.

(11-16-2021 11:11 AM)TheWoodenNickle Wrote:  I'd like to see EMU get the ball first either by winning the coin toss or by WMU winning the toss and deferring to the 2nd half.

Take the ball. That's theoretically one less WMU possession in the 1st half and keeps the EMU defense on the sidelines to start the game. Heck, maybe we'll even score first for once.

Good point Nickel. I'm always rooting to defer to the 2nd half but given our struggles it might be wise to try and score first and get them on their heels.

I predicted 45 - 40. And so far the defenses are winning.

So much for predictions....

Running the ball effectively and stopping the run. Where has this been all year?

And then another crippling sack taken by Bryant for holding onto the ball way too long in the pocket.

(11-16-2021 07:45 PM)emu steve Wrote:  I predicted 45 - 40. And so far the defenses are winning.

So much for predictions....

Anyone predict 0 - 0 at the quarter? Ouch.

Truly awful coverage

Hamilton!!!

WHY ARE YOU THROWING IT?! Creighton needs a real play caller.

(11-16-2021 08:56 PM)EagleSam Wrote:  WHY ARE YOU THROWING IT?! Creighton needs a real play caller.

You try a low risk completion when you've been running the ball..........makes zero sense! Running twice to pick up 3 yards!

(11-16-2021 08:57 PM)EMUGLORYDAYSthe90s Wrote:  

(11-16-2021 08:56 PM)EagleSam Wrote:  WHY ARE YOU THROWING IT?! Creighton needs a real play caller.

You try a low risk completion when you've been running the ball..........makes zero sense! Running twice to pick up 3 yards!

And it’s the end of the half and they basically got a free time out. An absolutely terrible decision.