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Post by Yotes on Oct 15, 2017 10:10:25 GMT -6
The 6-0 Coyotes travel to Normal to take on the 4-2 Redbirds. Illinois State started the season 4-0, but has just laid an egg in their past two games, losing 37-16 at Northern Arizona and an astounding 42-7 at Southern Illinois. Their wins look to be against a bunch of patsies as Butler, Eastern Illinois, Missouri State, and Indiana State have done little to impress this season. Our common opponent is Indiana State. Illinois State beat them at home by 11, we beat them at home by 50.
Last outdoor game of the year for the Yotes and the weather is looking favorable right now (73 and sunny 6 days out). Normal has not been kind to USD, we've lost 46-0, 28-14, and 28-3 in our three trips out there in Division 1. This time it looks like we should come away with a victory to get to 7-0.
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Post by easmus on Oct 15, 2017 13:32:07 GMT -6
I like our chances.
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Post by GoYotes on Oct 15, 2017 13:48:49 GMT -6
I think it is time for a new Normal
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Post by elcoyote on Oct 15, 2017 14:38:02 GMT -6
Really don't know what to think of this game. Before the season I thought this might be one of our tougher games, being on the road against a team that has been good to great in recent seasons. Now I'm not so sure. On one hand they were highly thought of preseason, especially on their board, won their first four games, admittedly against not so good competition, and since have really struggled. So, who are they really? I can't figure if they're a paper tiger from the get go, or they've just hit a large bump in the road. ISUr had better get it together soon though because the rest of their schedule is brutal. As far as the Coyotes are concerned, just respect everyone because everyone can beat you. So far, I've loved the even keel this team has shown. There has been no playing to the opponents ability or lack of. They just seem to take care of business, worry about themselves and what they can do to improve themselves. Big time credit to the player's and coach's for this focus. They keep this up everything takes care of itself. The one game at a time mantra definitely applies.
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Post by aldewitt on Oct 15, 2017 15:16:09 GMT -6
I'm going to update this a little later in the week because of the confusion surrounding the ISU statistics. The conference is a week behind too.
As of 10/15/17
I have the game:
Projected winner: USD Coyotes
Spread: USD -2
Over/under: 68
Typical score: USD 35 ISUr 33
There was no home field adjustment for "The Swamp". I negated it because of the apparent downward spiral of the 4-2 Redbirds having dropped their last 2 games. The thing to remember is the Redbirds do have a good defense.
Overall the "Yotes have a superior offensive attack but the Redbirds will field the stingiest defense of the two teams. There is a real chance they could shut the Coyote running game down.
At the same time the Redbirds may find the answers to their offensive problems through the air. However, if they don't reverse their fortunes this one could get away from them too, dimming significantly any post season hopes and taking their conference title destiny out of their hands.
Right now it's a virtual tie that can only be decided on paper by invoking the intangibles. For now I am leaving them alone and letting the numbers, as I found them this after noon, speak for themselves.
It's a narrow victory indicated by the GAM but it's all it will take to get to the next step in the USD quest for the MVFC and National football titles.
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obc
Senior Member
Posts: 784
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Post by obc on Oct 15, 2017 17:43:38 GMT -6
Watched a replay of the ILL St vs SIU game - sure hope ILL St plays the way they did against SIU. SIU attacked them much the way I would envision USD attacking them. My guess is they will make some adjustments and be much better prepared for the USD offensive attack as a result of SIU exposing their weak pass defense.
USD has given me no reason to believe they will not win this game. They have literally gotten better every week. The obvious excellent play of Streveler and the other skill positions have overshadowed the VAST improvement of the OL and DL. The number of young players that are performing at a high level there is remarkable. Those positions are rarely done well by true freshman and RS freshman. We have several this year. The future is very bright for these crucial position groups.
Wessel was a big loss and that was compounded by Woodward getting injured last week too. If there are young LBs that can step in and perform at that position like Schultz, Ciurej, Coker, Headlee, Scheidegger, and Kramer have on the DL/OL as Freshman, I think the unit will be fine. Have to be impressed with how the USD coaches are coaching up the team and getting them ready. Not sure where USD will end the season statistically, but so far through 3 MVFC games USD is ranked first in run defense, fourth in scoring defense and second in total defense. They also lead the league in QB sacks and are near the top in TFL. Considering where the unit was last year, that is quite the start.
There has not been a game where I feel our OL or DL were dominated so far this year. WIU appeared to be the best OL IMO and even though they slowed the USD pass rush, did not move our guys around run blocking. YSU had quite the defensive front and our young OL won that battle IMO. NDSU will be the stiffest test in that area and I am sure USD is looking forward to taking on that challenge when it comes. Illinois St will be another great test in both departments and opportunity to get better. Like UNI did this past Saturday in Brookings, ILL St will be feeling like this is a must win game for them at home to stay in the conference and playoff hunt. Hopefully USD can stop their run game and make them one-dimensional like they have been able to do most of the year to the other opponents. One of these games I expect our DBs to get some picks to blow a game wide open. Perhaps this will be the week.
Illinois State is a good place to see a game and if it is homecoming it will be a relatively fun environment. Looks like great weather. Only downside is it is a long drive. Hope we get a good crowd travel to the game. Should be a blast.
This is such an entertaining group and brand of football to watch. Keep having fun and cheering on our team. The best way to fill the bandwagon in my opinion is to have a winning team (check) and for the people that are coming to games to just focus on having a good time and making it as fun as possible - show passion and get loud. The fan base will keep learning and get better over time.
Fun times - soak it all in and enjoy every moment!
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Post by azsod73 on Oct 15, 2017 19:07:52 GMT -6
Thanks obc, always look forward to reading your comments.
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Post by Coyote Fan on Oct 15, 2017 20:34:23 GMT -6
To end the 2015 season the Coyotes got curb stomped in this game 46-0 in Normal after earlier winning a game at NDSU. I believe weather/snow was a factor but the Coyotes mentally never showed up for the game. That is the difference between then and now. The Coyotes show up every week now and that tendency has been missing for decades on end. My om my have things changed since the last time the Yotes have played them in their house. Who knows what is going on with Illinois State right now but it isn't anything excellent. Hopefully this is the right time to play them. I know for sure for the Yotes it is a good time to go back onto the road for another test.
I don't have any keys for the game because the Coyotes always seem to cover anything they really need to work on. OK I forgot one, third down conversion rate against. If the Coyotes can keep this reasonable I like the chances. The Coyotes have had off and on trouble with this stat and against WIU it really was an issue from recollection. Against ISUb I believe I heard they were 3 for 14 or 4 for 13 of something of that nature.
Unless many things change from the last few weeks the Coyotes should actually win this game comfortably. I really have tried to force reason to be concerned here but reality of the last couple of weeks just keeps getting in the way. I will go with the Yotes 38-17.
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Post by Yote 53 on Oct 15, 2017 20:45:32 GMT -6
Just one question, is ISUr field natural grass or field turf?
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Post by yotesfan1985 on Oct 15, 2017 20:52:31 GMT -6
Just one question, is ISUr field natural grass or field turf? based on the fact they had heavy equipment cleaning the snow off two years ago. I would say turf |
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Post by easmus on Oct 15, 2017 20:53:42 GMT -6
I believe after SDSU fixed coughlin dirt field they are all now field turf. Part of the reason we are looking to put turf on outdoor practice field.
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Post by Yotes on Oct 17, 2017 6:26:10 GMT -6
Yotes favored by 10.5. Weather still looking 75 degrees with no rain. I'm feeling at ease if we are playing in great conditions like that.
A win would match the best start to a season that the Coyotes have had since 1902, which was so long ago that the forward pass was not yet legal and touchdowns and field goals were both worth 5 points. The Yotes went 9-0 that year, were not scored upon, and boasted wins over Sioux Falls, Yankton, SD Mines, Yankton, SDSU, Morningside, Omaha Medics, Omaha Medics, and Missouri S&T.
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Post by nccyote on Oct 17, 2017 7:45:49 GMT -6
Yotes favored by 10.5. Weather still looking 75 degrees with no rain. I'm feeling at ease if we are playing in great conditions like that. A win would match the best start to a season that the Coyotes have had since 1902, which was so long ago that the forward pass was not yet legal and touchdowns and field goals were both worth 5 points. The Yotes went 9-0 that year, were not scored upon, and boasted wins over Sioux Falls, Yankton, SD Mines, Yankton, SDSU, Morningside, Omaha Medics, Omaha Medics, and Missouri S&T. Not to nit pick, but we were 7-0 to start the 2005 season. |
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Post by goyotes24 on Oct 17, 2017 8:20:31 GMT -6
Yotes favored by 10.5. Weather still looking 75 degrees with no rain. I'm feeling at ease if we are playing in great conditions like that. A win would match the best start to a season that the Coyotes have had since 1902, which was so long ago that the forward pass was not yet legal and touchdowns and field goals were both worth 5 points. The Yotes went 9-0 that year, were not scored upon, and boasted wins over Sioux Falls, Yankton, SD Mines, Yankton, SDSU, Morningside, Omaha Medics, Omaha Medics, and Missouri S&T. Not to nit pick, but we were 7-0 to start the 2005 season. Not to go off topic in regard to this thread, but the 2005 season still irks me. USD got hosed out of the playoffs. OK, back to Illinois State. |
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Post by coyotecrazie5 on Oct 17, 2017 8:38:26 GMT -6
Yotes favored by 10.5. Weather still looking 75 degrees with no rain. I'm feeling at ease if we are playing in great conditions like that. A win would match the best start to a season that the Coyotes have had since 1902, which was so long ago that the forward pass was not yet legal and touchdowns and field goals were both worth 5 points. The Yotes went 9-0 that year, were not scored upon, and boasted wins over Sioux Falls, Yankton, SD Mines, Yankton, SDSU, Morningside, Omaha Medics, Omaha Medics, and Missouri S&T. In 1902 it was called Dakota Agricultural College. |
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