Another great episode guys! It's only a matter of time before Coach Coombs gets the call from a big name program. Dude is too smart and has put too good of a product on the field to stay here forever unfortunately.

I agree with you Brock in terms of our offensive identity or lack there of. There's a lot of questions marks there and I think we'll get more answers this weekend. For instance, tempo was a hallmark aspect of Plough's offense when he was here previously yet he specifically stated that they played slow to limit Cal's time with the ball. Are we going to hit the Lions with some high tempo on Saturday and catch them off guard?

Apparently Idaho's starting QB had to have surgery for a broken collarbone and is expected to be out "several weeks" due to reports. That could have huge implications for their season. We'll see how they do against a bottom of the barrel FBS team with a backup QB.

I think that they will be better than last season and they played a solid defensive first half, but SDSU was not predicted to be the creme de la creme of the Mountain West this season. The Aggies SHOULD win comfortably if the offense can play cleanly, but that has now been a challenge for a season plus for our guys.

Interesting that taking the name plates off of the jerseys looks like it's going to be a permanent change. I understand the 'honoring the past' take Plough has on it, but I have to be honest and say that I much prefer having the name plates present.

Game notes are already up. I don't see any real changes in the depth chart.

Game Notes

At least like a regional argument could be made, although I'd be embarrassed if the Ags scheduled them. Most FCS match ups stay fairly regional. Not sure how Maine and MSU came together.

Yeah looking at the stat lines, I'm not sure their rationale for thinking Eck should get it over Porter. Bias is a helluva drug.

The McCourty twins both made it to the NFL. The Griffin twins as well both made the NFL, but we're highly productive at UCF.

Porter Connors named Big Sky Defensive Player of the Week for his performance against Cal. 13 tackles, 1 sack, fumble recovery returned for a TD. GO AGS!

Man, Idaho fans are already whining that Eck's kid didn't get it in the replies.

https://x.com/BigSkyConf/status/1830637595531108729

Yes, this is an absolute 'must win' game for us if we want even a chance at making the playoffs given our schedule this year and as you stated we need to make it a rather comfortable win at that.

With the updated Massey ratings after week 1, they are giving the Aggies a 97% chance of winning this matchup, but I do think the Lions should offer more of a challenge than they did last season. That being said, we will have the home field advantage.

Week 2 games:

Saturday, September 7
Idaho (0-1) @ Wyoming (0-1)
Western Oregon (0-0) @ Idaho State (0-1)
Montana (1-0) @ North Dakota (0-1)
Cal Poly (0-1) @ Stanford (0-1)
Northern Colorado (0-1) @ Colorado State (0-1)
Drake (0-0) @ Eastern Washington (1-0)
Maine (1-0) @ Montana State (2-0)
Portland State (0-1) @ Weber State (0-1)
Northern Arizona (1-0) @ Arizona (1-0)
Sacramento State (0-1) @ Fresno State (0-1)

- After their impressive performance against Oregon, we'll see if Idaho can pull off a FBS scalp against Wyoming. Was Oregon a fluke or are the Vandals for real? I don't see any other FCS vs FBS matchups where the FCS has much of a chance this week.
- Drake? Maine? How did these games get scheduled in the Big Sky?
- Montana @ UND and Portland State @ Weber State should both be interesting games.

This could also be a better chance for Lan to get going. Commerce was bleeding rushing yards to SDSU. In terms of total offense SDSU outgained them 468-180.

Sounds like your guys' assessment isn't too far from what the rest of the board saw during the game. Defense was lights outs and should carry over well to FCS play. Big question marks regarding the offense and special teams. We simply will not make the playoffs if we turn the ball over at this rate throughout the season.

Yes the line drive punts were very strange. Not sure if that is a coaching choice or the new punter is only capable of kicking that way.

The good
- First half offense was cooking Cal. Frankly we should have been up going into halftime.
- Defense the whole game. Only let up 1 TD in the 1st half. Forced a scoop and frankly held the Bears in check despite the number of turnovers from the offense.

The bad
- First game of the season kicking jitters? Missed FG and extra point didn't make the difference in this game, but they could in conference play.
- Not a fan of the pooch kicks. It did lead to some Cal confusion on 1 that almost caused a turnover, but also had 1 result in a kick 6. Just kick it out of the end zone.
- Red zone play calling; run up the gut, run up the gut, run up the gut...

The ugly
- 2nd half offense. Not much can be said that hasn't already. Turnovers galore and generally ineffective even when not turning the ball over. I expected things to slow down after halftime with Cal making adjustments, but the dichotomy was shocking. Looked like 2 different teams.

Biggest surprises are Idaho hanging around with Oregon and Cal Poly losing to San Diego. Idaho appears to be solid defensively, but even with that being the case Oregon should have mopped the floor with them. Kuddos to the Vandals. Cal Poly losing to San Diego is concerning for their program. San Diego is not the powerhouse of the Pioneer that they once were. Cal Poly has had decently good recruiting classes the last couple of seasons, but I'm not sure Wulff has this thing moving in the right direction.

50% completions with 3 picks is a rough stat line, but let's see how it looks against FCS competition. Defense played admirably all things considered.

I'm not going to read too much into this game in terms of QB play, but I can't say that I'm overly enthused.

That's like 3 or 4 bats at the line for Cal

This is where I'm at. I wasn't deluding myself into thinking a win was realistic, but this 2nd half is looking non-functional.