Impressions after a week anyone? Let me start with NDSU. Such a tainted win. Body bag game if we ever saw one. Feel sick for these young men. The left tackle was DOMINATING at the point of attack and getting to the linebackers. THe "we got more athletic" at the OL comment was directed at this kid. He is a freak. Get healthy kid. Stay hungry. Losing backup RB and Safety who played a ton on special teams is a killer. It trickles down. We will have some starters on special teams now. Not to mention losing greg a month ago. two kids who were difference makers. Some depth. Nobody will feel sorry for us. Time to use the chip on our shoulder. I expect NDSU to win by 21 in Washington.
USD. They impress me. Streveler should be the starting QB for the Gophers. They never gave him a chance. Now he is better than what they have. THey played a crap team, so like us it is really hard to understand what that week meant to them, but they put up numbers...and kept their starters in to really put up some stats. They will be fun to follow. Mid level team in the valley. Can they defend?
Missouri State. I checked at halftime, and they were scoring at will on Missouri. Two teams that thought they were playing 2 hand touch. Part of me thinks that was impressive, part of me thinks they are still the worst team in the Valley. Time will tell. They always impress me athletically, and recruit from such a hot bed area, they always scare me, then they get punched in the mouth and quit.
Indiana State. #missourivalleytakeover....well, that didn't happen. Same old same old. They are broke. Coaching staff will leave as soon as they can. Tragic school. Should be better than they are.
SDSU. They are good. Still not sure they are tough enough at the DL spot. You typically do not win with kids in there. THey can score on you. They throw more jump balls than I can remember. Plus, they have two kids that win those jump balls. QB is a freak, not as accurate as he needs to be against better teams.
Western Illinois. I still think they are ok. They just play tough. Not enough info on them yet. They will scare people.
Youngstown. Lost to Pitt in Overtime. That is probably as close to a moral victory as you can get. Down 21 rip at half. Get it to overtime. I mean Alex Heinert of Midco would say they hung with Pitt for 60 minutes! They scare me. THey recruit. THey coach. They compete. THey now know what it takes to make a deep run.
UNI. Who cares. THey will win a few games they shouldn't and lose some they shouldn't. Farley has gotten worse, only coaches the team up about once a year. THe rest of the staff is holding meet and greets to simply get to know eachother. They need the big red reset button on their desk. Still a ton of talent. Farley has hatred and nothing to lose, Dad says those people are scary.
Illinois State. Transfer U is good. NOt sure how good, but pretty darn good. Well coached. This team will be interesting to follow.
Overall, the league is deeper than normal. with a couple teams impressing me that typically stink. Big Sky vs Mo Valley this week. some entertaining games. Will be fun to follow.
I think it is a 5 bid league this year.