Good start. A bit surprised Tompkins did not come in.

AGS forum is interesting. I highly recommend checking out posts by “Mr. Chicken” who posts exclusively in “chicken speak - BAWK!” I always get a good chuckle. Think he’s a Delaware fan.

I think you meant Martinez? Yes I noticed that too-sailing past the QB-can’t do that with Barriere or he’ll just pack it up the gut. Hopefully plenty of time to learn and prepare - keep him in pocket with some pressure I think is the key.

I think Montana State’s 4 down defensive line alignment - I believe their normal defense plus having a fast stud in Troy Anderson at middle backer really messed with EWU and Barriere.

Frazier (backup safety) seemed to have good wheels on him when blitzing the NAU quarterback. But as riveraggie said, the Ags did not contain the NAU quarterback. I think you have a better chance of containment with four down lineman but don’t think that will be an option with the current defensive schemes.

Maybe Best should have benched Barriere instead of firing the O coordinator. I am sure he “resigned” as an alternative to getting fired. Pretty sure Best is striking out at anything for an excuse (except personal reflection of course).

I noticed in the NAU game that the Ags were using a single deep safety defensive backfield (again? Or maybe never has deviated). If memory serves me right, I think the corners went mostly man so a “cover 1” with the safety or “cover 3” if zone. I think with Barriere, if going man, then it will be important to have a “spy” so that when corners have their backs turned, there still will be eyes on the QB. UCD seems to play mostly 3-4 So may need blitzing from time to time. Regardless from what I saw with Weber and MSU victories, the key was keeping him contained within the pocket - he did more damage when scrambling laterally to extend plays, and also when finding gaps up the middle and running. Intentional runs with Barriere have been few and far between.

One thing the Ags have the clear advantage in is special teams and in all facets. EWUs kickoffs are short (only 1/4 touchbacks) and rather flat and the punter appears to be a bit rugby style but not long (although net yardage pretty good) and if Thomas can run up and catch that will help with field position. Their kicker missed an extra point at end of the Weber game, and it appears they have gone to another but I think their is not much confidence in their field goal game.

Of course this is all “shade-tree” coach talk.

Pass fest statistics. (and you thought Eastern Washington was the only team with gaudy numbers - except for last 2 weeks and hopefully this week)
Total passing yardage
Southeastern LA 774
Incarnate Word. 711

Two very good QBs. SE La Cole Kelly 6’7” 260 lbs. won the Payton award last year. Cameron Ward 6’ 3” 225 of UIW also very good. Caveat is that both teams and Southland in general operate on the defense optional principle.

Dakota Marker is SDSU-NDSU still safely in Brookings after last week, but yah South Dakota is good and they have SDSU at home.

that would assume Montana beats Montana Stafe in the “brawl of wild”.

reviewing it - it was more behind him (and behind defender). He did the opposite of “throwing the receiver open”. If he leads Harrell in the slant direction he was running (open side) it’s a big play if not TD.

Agree. He has just “matured” as a QB. Biggest stat in MSU game 3-13 3rd down conversions for EWU. MSU had 200+ more yards than EWU and almost 300 rushing yards. I think TOP is a valid stat with a Barriere led offense (keep away) and MSU had 50% more - due to rushing attack and 78 vs 64 plays. So a win by MSU despite losing the turnover battle (-2).

More plays and TOP for Weber too. For both EWU losses, passing yards were way down from “usual” Barriere numbers. EWU lost turnover margin in Weber game (-1). Also Weber 4-4 fourth down conversions. I do think the Ags are going to have to mix it up on offense as with most of NAU game. Ags are much different than Montana State in offensive scheme. Won’t be able to just totally pound the rock to keep it away from Barriere. Although if ahead and can wear them down in 4th quarter that would be a normal strategy.

Illinois State takes down northern iowa in OT. Despite having beaten both South Dakota State and Southern Illinois, I would say Northern Iowa is out of the playoffs since northern iowa, even if winning out (and beating Missouri state), would have 4 losses. This is sort of going by cmt’s rule/research. Just seems like MVFC and Big Sky tend to cannibalize themselves but I think committee knows that.

A fellow choir member is an Illinois State alum and always asks about UCD. He collects college emblem golf balls and asked me to get him one for UCD. I found some with CA athletic logo. Pretty pricey for 4 sleeves, but will parse out for gifts. One for him, me, a brother, and if anyone wants a sleeve PM me. I am sure to lose mine in short order if used on golf course. Maybe I should just use them to putt.

Montana State has a good defense. Ilfanse had a great game - I think over 200 yards rushing and with TOP MSU limited plays for EWU. UCD needs to take note of what both Weber and MSU did to hold EWU scoring down.

only thing for sure is that Weber is definitely out as possible playoff participant. At this point there are 5 big sky teams fighting for a playoff position (Montana, Montana State, UCD, EWU, and Sac don’t think the playoff committee would take 5 from big sky. UCD - EWU, UCD - Sac, Montana - Montana State are to be played.

Portland State could be a spoiler in their games with Sac and EWU.

yah, just looked but not there yet.

Southern Illinois, SE Louisiana, and Eastern Washington? Depends on which poll I guess.

ESPN+ will have it on demand no later than tomorrow. I know it’s 6.99 or something a month - but now is the time to live a little.

yes, way too conservative the last couple drives.

Still not handling a running qb? Niko guy.

Is whelan good or what. MAJOR weapon.