NDSU vs E. Washington - in Frisco

[BadlandsBison]

Finally got the chance to watch some more eagle tape and I'm feeling pretty darn good about this match up. My honest assessment is that they are a smaller and weaker version of sdsu if you want a comparison to a previous opponent.

I said earlier that their 2 best players on defense are the linebackers #40(Kupp) and #58. Both have good speed and pursue great on lateral running plays but they don't fair near so well when they have blockers coming at them. They also blitz these two on obvious passing downs for pressure and they are good blitzers. I'm surprised that #99 Jay-Tee Tiuli was the defensive player of the year in the conference. He's big and heavy and pretty nimble for a guy his size but he's certainly not dominant. Not worried about him against our O-line. Their d-line doesn't rush the passer all that well either including Tiuli.

Bottom line is that we should be able to run right at them between the tackles with all of our tailbacks and have success. Mix in play action and we should be scoring a lot of points if we don't make bad/stupid mistakes because we have ewu out-gunned up front.

Eastern will have to score a lot of points to beat the Bison. I'm most impressed with the tailback #20. He's a north/south runner who just has a knack for finding a hole to run through. You consistently see him sprint through small seems and turns them into big chunk plays. Their oline doesn't drive block as much as they try to move guys laterally and create empty gaps with zone blocking. Barriere like to run the ball on zone reads, too, so the defense has to account for him on run plays. He also LOVES to scramble around on pass plays and extend the play. That is probably where he is most dangerous is on the run, if the defense breaks contain can take off for 30+ yards so Entz probably has QB spy plays ready to go. Barriere is not all that dangerous as a drop back passer, though. They have good receivers as usual, but Barriere has a propensity to force bad throws from the pocket so I'm thinking we will get a couple interceptions off of him.

So...the Bison run the ball, the Bison stop the run and we win. Go Bison!

[IzzyFlexion]

Sorry if this has been posted but I didnt see it. I know that NDSU got a police escort from the airport to the hotel. Did EWU? I would assume so, but that would be cool if they didnt.

It think that it's an NCAA rule that if a team's defensive tackle is in handcuffs while on the bus...……..well, then they HAVE TO HAVE a police escort.

[Vet70]

I am getting extremely nervous about this game. Please GOBISON123 post how we are going to lose so I can relax.

[OatmealWicket92]

Tired of talking about the game, just want to get this crap going.

[tony]

I am getting extremely nervous about this game. Please GOBISON123 post how we are going to lose so I can relax.

Well, I'm just going to make somethings up based on a feeling I had watching EWU tape from last year:

1. On defense, they are going to try to get lots of penetration. They know that they could give up big plays to the NDSU but hoping that they can come up with enough big plays of their own to kill enough NDSU drives to win.
2. On offense, they'll stretch the field by taking shots which could lead to TDs hoping that this will allow their QB run wild.

[HerdBot]

Their D Tackle will play. Best said hell know tomorrow but that's bullshit obviously since they flew him down. Why they wouldn't announce it is pretty funny

[Vet70]

Well, I'm just going to make somethings up based on a feeling I had watching EWU tape from last year:

1. On defense, they are going to try to get lots of penetration. They know that they could give up big plays to the NDSU but hoping that they can come up with enough big plays of their own to kill enough NDSU drives to win.
2. On offense, they'll stretch the field by taking shots which could lead to TDs hoping that this will allow their QB run wild.

That's a good start.

[Christopher Moen]

Pretty nice series of videos on NDSUAthletics youtube page that looks back on each of the title games. It's worth a watch and will give you a little extra juice (like that's even needed at this point) for Frisco part 7. It's also nice to hear the voice of the legend Scottie Miller again.



2012 (January 2013): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rX4K4KxjI_g

2013 (January 2014): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pyQj7ul1Nc8

2014 (January 2015): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-YDGaLAODow

I'd assume they'll be adding the last two shortly on their youtube channel: https://www.youtube.com/user/NDSUAth...able_polymer=1

The last two were recently added:

2015 (January 2016): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1-vyolTdpoQ

2017 (January 2018): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uBCkC-3kra8

[gabisonfan]

Page 13 of EWU game notes has the score 20-19 filled in for them winning. I wonder if they know the game is tomorrow?

[GreenfieldBison]

I went to the former players practice at the stadium today and while there I spotted several EWU fans so they do actually exist in Frisco.