Not unexpected but starting to get ugly...

Anybody getting a good quality picture on FB?

Are you guys getting a good, clear feed? My picture is terrible and halting.

PSU continues to be impressive. Too bad they missed that last second FG but a big mistake that hurt them the most was a bad snap with first and goal from about the one yard line early in the game. The ball sailed over the QB's head and the Vikings failed to score after going for it on 4th down. Then OSU marched down the field and scored which turned the momentum of the game.

Oooof...Bob Dunning picks SDSU by 35...

Excerpt:

"SAN DIEGO STATE over AGGIES … talk about a baptism of fire, Dan Hawkins might have to suit up himself if he hopes to get a win in his first game as UC Davis head coach. On the bright side, the Aggies will come back with a fat paycheck (400,000 smackers) in their back pocket. Take the Aztecs by 35."

http://www.davisenterprise.com/sports/dunnings-picks-the-season-begins-now/

More good reads from the Enterprise:

One odds maker has the Ags as a 48 point underdog:

http://www.davisenterprise.com/sports/bob-dunning-coach-hawkins-first-test-is-finally-here/

Plough praises the receiving corps:

http://www.davisenterprise.com/sports/ucd-football-receivers-will-help-get-this-thing-where-it-needs-to-be/

Many players still competing for spots but the starters on the O-line and QB are probably set:

http://www.davisenterprise.com/sports/aggie-nation-ready-to-see-what-hawkins-era-feels-like/

These are exciting times for Aggie Athletics. Blue has been masterful in taking the entire program in a promising new direction. He took the time to gain a deep understanding of the history and philosophy of Aggie Athletics and then followed that up with an informed and systematic approach to implementing changes and garnering support for the program. I can't wait to see how Aggie Athletics grow and succeed in the next few years.

The game notes for both teams are up on the Aggie Athletics website. Our depth chart lists 34 players on offense, 32 on defense and 5 specialists. Looks like Hawk is making a game time decision about our staters!

The offensive line for SDSU is huge. Eight of the 10 players listed on their 2 deep OL are 300+ pounds. It's going to be tough grind for the Aggie D especially as the game wears on and containing their running game is going to be a challenge.

http://www.ucdavisaggies.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/083117aad.html

We've got to walk before we run but I love the open sense of direction we're thinking about.

No, they usually do couple of short interviews each season but not a weekly show. I hope this will be a weekly video live cast but I'm not sure about that.

According to another Enterprise article, the Aggies will get $400,000 for playing the Aztecs. The article also discusses the 2017 schedule game by game.

http://www.davisenterprise.com/sports/aggies-having-a-daunting-2017-football-schedule/

Bob Dunning is now covering Aggie football for the Davis Enterprise. The following article by him is an excellent and lengthy overview of the team heading into Hawkins' inaugural game as the Aggie HC:

Excerpts:

Asked if the Football Championship Subdivision (the former NCAA I-AA) and the Big Sky specifically are the right fit for the Aggies, Hawkins says only “For now, yes.”

But, he adds, “This is a world-class university with 35,000 students and every other sport we have plays in Division I. We have a long way to go in terms of infrastructure and funding, but (athletic director) Kevin Blue is doing a great job and things are on the upswing. It reminds me a bit of a ‘King Kong’ movie when he wakes up and starts moving around a little bit. People better watch out.”

And an indication of the support Aggie Athletics have from Chancellor May:

"When you have a world-class university, it’s important to get out there and let people see who you are.”

Or, as new Chancellor Gary May explains it …

“If you integrate it properly, athletics can be the front porch to a great university.”

http://www.davisenterprise.com/sports/hawkins-aims-to-make-aggie-stadium-the-place-to-be-on-fall-saturdays/

Excerpts from today's Bee article:

“We used to be the big kid on the block and now we’re the up-and-coming kid on the block,” Hawkins said. “We’ve got some catching up to do. We have to maximize us.”

Hawk studied his surroundings, lost in thought.

“It’s a great place to be,” he said. “I remember as a player here we had a guy, Mike Shaw, who was doing jumping jacks, ‘Aggie Jacks,’ and he goes, ‘Yes! Yes!’ What? ‘I just solved the equation that was in my head!’ He was No. 1 in his class in nuclear physics. That’s what this place does. A couple of weeks ago, our players were talking about the Declaration of Independence, when it was signed, what it means. How many college football players do that? Hey, act like you’re in college! Hilarious!”

The coach paused, then added, “It’s like going into the jungle and seeing King Kong sleeping. ‘Hey, wake up! Wake up!’ The potential here is limitless. Who would’ve guessed I’d be back here? By the grace of God, something good is happening here.”

Read more here: http://www.sacbee.com/sports/spt-columns-blogs/hometown-report/article170314287.html#storylink=cpy

I think we should do it...some Aggie Ale sounds good to me! 8-)

I have no idea what to expect. I just want to us come and execute and play with passion and determination from start to finish no matter what the score is. It's been a long time since we pulled a major upset because we simply played harder and smarter and, if that happens on Saturday, it will be a watershed moment for this program.

Portland looked very athletic to me and they have some nice receivers too. They just might be a contender for the Big Sky.

Why do you think Walsh was so conservative in his play calling especially on the final drive with time running down? He was repeatedly running up the gut and taking time off the clock and was then looking at yet another 4th down to keep the drive going.

I thought Poly's passing game looked decent when they did throw it except for the dropped passes. The dropped bomb was a sure TD and the early TO deep in Poly territory hurt too.

You have a good point there, 6th, Poly has certainly been successful with the triple option. I just get tired of one run up the middle after another. I think I got burned out on the the "3 yards and cloud of dust" many years ago and then got spoiled by the great Aggie passing teams of the past. Poly's triple option has a lot of wrinkles to it but I'm a bigger fan of offenses that are built around the passing game.

It might be a blessing that we are opening with SDSU and not Stanford this year. The Cardinal leads Rice 38-0 at the half in a game being played in Sydney, Australia. Their offense is very impressive. Let's hope they don't get even better next year!

Colgate beats Poly 20-14. Poly didn't get rolling until late in the 3rd quarter and entered the 4th quarter down 20-0. It was all Poly after that and they nearly pulled it out but turned it over on downs deep in Colgate territory with a half minute left.

I'm not a big fan of the option offense that Poly has been so successful with over the years. I just don't like seeing them run the ball on 3rd and long with time running down. As a fan that just tries my patience way too much. To their credit they were able to convert 4 straight 4th down plays several of which were nice passes.

Note: Portland State hung tough at BYU but lost 20-6. The Vikings came into the game a 5 TD underdog. I thought they looked very good and they have a very good passing game.