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Post by Yotes on Oct 29, 2017 19:47:16 GMT -6
Our Yotes responded from the season's first setback with a great team win against Southern illinois. Next up, a trip to the UNI Dome. UNI might have their backs to the wall right now after falling 30-14 in Fargo. They need to win their last 3 to finish 7-4 secure a playoff spot and a loss to USD would put them squarely on the bubble (since at least 5 teams figure to finish 7-4 out of the MVFC).
Last year's game against UNI was a thriller on Dakota Day, a 28-25 victory for USD. Honestly, UNI has been the one team in the MVFC that we have consistently had competitive games with. We trail the MVFC series 2-3 with those contests settled by 3, 7 (2OT), 11, 13, and 3. Every single other MVFC team we have either suffered a blowout to, or have blown them out. The UNI game has always been tight.
History means absolutely nothing though. I'm confident that USD has a better team than UNI this year, but playing on the road is always tough and we have a few questions at the moment. Is Streveler completely healthy? Will we have Rambo or Harris? Does Kody Case come back yet?
I'll be going to the game with a friend of mine from USD who ended up doing grad school at UNI. I've been to Cedar Falls several times, and he used to live across the street from the UNI Dome parking lot, but this will be the first UNI home game that either of us have been to. I hope to see some of you there.
Go Yotes!
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Post by Coyote Fan on Oct 29, 2017 20:08:20 GMT -6
I thought this right after the loss to Illinois State, but this is the game I feel will really tell the story of how the Coyotes bounce back from the Illinois State game. I was fairly confident the Yotes would win easily against SIU. Now that the urgency to make things right after the loss has faded a bit it will come down to simply how good the Coyotes are because it will be a tough game against a team that will be "up" for the Coyotes. So far teams with good defenses have given the Coyotes the most trouble regardless of how good their offense is. The good thing about this game is that the weather will not play a factor. Not to make excuses but the wind probably played into the Coyotes mentality just enough to throw them off their game. That and I don't think they were mentally sharp either. I personally think this is a 50/50 game. If Simmons plays the whole game or if Streveler is noticeably hobbled I think UNI wins it. If Streveler is at full strength the Coyotes could be ever so slight favorites like 51 to 49%. The Coyotes offense has kind of taken 2 weeks off from their normal explosive selves. I think they need to get back to opening things up and taking advantage of the entire field and the athletes we have on offense. I am going to say that the Coyotes Offensive line will be my biggest key to success. If they protect well I think the Coyotes win, if that don't I think they lose. Whichever QB is in there cannot be running for their lives.
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Post by easmus on Oct 30, 2017 9:25:25 GMT -6
I would add to the O line an ability to run the ball will be key.
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Post by coyotecrazie5 on Oct 30, 2017 9:42:17 GMT -6
UNI's DLine is no joke and it is always tough to win at the UNIDome. This could be a dogfight.
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obc
Senior Member
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Post by obc on Oct 30, 2017 9:57:23 GMT -6
UNI's DLine is no joke and it is always tough to win at the UNIDome. This could be a dogfight. If you watched a replay of the UNI : NDSU game, it appeared the UNI defensive front gave NDSU’s OL all they could handle. The blueprint for shutting down an offense like USD requires a defense to provide run stops and pass rush/qb contain with the defensive front and MLB - leaving the remaining players to focus on pass coverage. As stated earlier - this is why USD having success running the ball will decide the outcome. Last year it was tough going running the ball with the exception of Streveler (ran over 100 yards). USD needs to be able to get yards with the RBs Saturday. The USD OL has a great opportunity to step up and show they are maturing into a good MVFC OL. I would expect (assuming Streveler is healthy) we will see two primary RPO formations - the heavy look with multiple TEs (saw a lot of that last week) and an empty backfield look where the defense gets spread out and the QB - out of each formation the QB will evaluate a run pass option - reading the defense. I would also expect to see USD try to go back to the zone read option to stress the UNI front. This is going to be a great game! |
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Post by howlingyote on Oct 30, 2017 11:58:33 GMT -6
Very interesting dynamic for this week's game. For the Panthers it's win or be eliminated from any playoff consideration. An unbiased observer would assume that provides the overwhelming motivation to win against our yotes. However, the yotes have serious motivation to win too. Win and they are well positioned for at least one home game in the playoffs. My take is both teams will be 'up' and ready to play. Yotes need to come out and take an early 2 possession lead to break the spirit of the Panthers and their fan base. With Strevler playing, I give the yotes a slight advantage over their defense with our offense very challenging to stop. Not surprisingly it will come down to the boys in the trenches for both teams. If our big boys on both sides play like they did last Saturday, it will be very difficult for the panthers to win.
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Post by teamsd on Oct 30, 2017 12:44:46 GMT -6
Hey guys,
First time posting in awhile. What a season so far!
A few comments I have:
1) I am very curious to see when (if ever) the defensive players return from suspension. Obviously our defense played excellent on Saturday, but we also played a backup QB. Bob mentioned in his press conference that in the play where Gray scored his (second) pick 6, the play was actually designed to double cover the outside WR - Southern didn’t even see it coming and in return we had 6 go the other way. Will our D be able to contain the run game, all while closing down big plays through the air at UNI? In 2013, USD snuck away from Cedar Falls with our first ever Valley road win and it was an absolute air show.
2) O-Line - this will be a huge test. Illinois State really brought it to us two weeks ago and I expect the same this week. Even more important because Streveler has taken a few shots the last few weeks and he will be on the mend this week.
3) QB play. If Simmons plays, we will be very 1 dimensional and the pass game will be less of a threat. I’m really impressed by Simmons arm. This kid has a canon. However, it will just take experience for him to get dialed in before he starts delivering the ball more accurately. His arm reminds me a lot of Kevin Earls from a few years ago - he can really step up and pass the ball with a lot of velocity. The future is bright at that position.
I think we saw Southern really focus on our run game in the 3rd quarter and our entire offense was much more stagnant in return. Hopefully we can give Northern a more balanced attacked and then expose some gaps.
4) special teams - this game could very easily come down to key field goals.
Should be a fun one !
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Post by thebacksackdad on Oct 30, 2017 19:46:39 GMT -6
I doubt we're going to try to rely on a run game to beat UNI. Although I have a linn shot oppiniion that UNI might just play the game with Simmons...either wadi i think they do what the do best and that's to mix it up. I think your going to see the same thing on defense. WlI think USD is getting in gear for the playoffs and UNPREDICTABILITY is going to give them their best shot at having a successful run. I'm personally think winning 2 of the last 3 is all they have to do but I have a sneaking suspicion they want to sweep them all and go in HOT and unpredictable! They can work on things in practice...game time is about winning!
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Post by thebacksackdad on Oct 30, 2017 19:49:09 GMT -6
I doubt we're going to try to rely on a run game to beat UNI. Although I have a linn shot oppiniion that UNI might just play the game with Simmons...either wadi i think they do what the do best and that's to mix it up. I think your going to see the same thing on defense. WlI think USD is getting in gear for the playoffs and UNPREDICTABILITY is going to give them their best shot at having a successful run. I'm personally think winning 2 of the last 3 is all they have to do but I have a sneaking suspicion they want to sweep them all and go in HOT and unpredictable! They can work on things in practice...game time is about winning! I'm using a temp phone while mine is in the shop so i apoligize for the typos...  |
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Post by thebacksackdad on Oct 30, 2017 19:50:51 GMT -6
I doubt we're going to try to rely on a run game to beat UNI. Although I have a linn shot oppiniion that UNI might just play the game with Simmons...either wadi i think they do what the do best and that's to mix it up. I think your going to see the same thing on defense. WlI think USD is getting in gear for the playoffs and UNPREDICTABILITY is going to give them their best shot at having a successful run. I'm personally think winning 2 of the last 3 is all they have to do but I have a sneaking suspicion they want to sweep them all and go in HOT and unpredictable! They can work on things in practice...game time is about winning! I'm using a temp phone while mine is in the shop so i apoligize for the typos... ...and the UNI should have been USD. the temp phone is just smart enough to know they were in the conversation.  |
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obc
Senior Member
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Post by obc on Oct 30, 2017 20:36:36 GMT -6
Would this indicate that Adam Harris will be back this week?
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Post by coyotecrazie5 on Oct 30, 2017 20:38:07 GMT -6
Would this indicate that Adam Harris will be back this week? I'm guessing yes, it says no charges against Harris in the Volante article but who knows. |
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Post by Coyote Fan on Oct 30, 2017 20:57:33 GMT -6
When it comes to how many games USD needs to win they probably don't need to win any more to technically make the playoffs. There is a big difference in how many games that Coyotes win when it comes to how good of a position they find themselves in. If the Coyotes go 10-1 there is a good chance that they will be home as long as they keep playing until Texas. If the Coyotes finish 9-2 they will be seeded but almost certainly won't be a top 2 seed. They might be a 3 or 4 or might be somewhere between 5-8. It is actually a very important difference in how many games they win and could have a huge difference in how far they are likely to advance.
The point is every single win is very important at this point in time. For every win the Coyotes could get one additional potential home game in the playoffs. You could probably break it down as shown below.
0 more wins = no home playoff games
1 more win = maybe one home playoff game
2 more wins = probably 1 or 2 home playoff games
3 more wins = probably 3 home playoff games
This is assuming the Coyotes continue to win and the higher seed continues to win. Technically the Coyotes could get the #7 seed and end up playing an unseeded team at home if that team upsets the #2 seed.
If you could tell me right now that the Coyotes would finish 9-2 I would take it without blinking. That would mean a seed and the potential for a top 4 seed. I think it is more likely the Coyotes finish 8-3 vs 10-1.
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obc
Senior Member
Posts: 784
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Post by obc on Oct 30, 2017 21:01:05 GMT -6
When it comes to how many games USD needs to win they probably don't need to win any more to technically make the playoffs. There is a big difference in how many games that Coyotes win when it comes to how good of a position they find themselves in. If the Coyotes go 10-1 there is a good chance that they will be home as long as they keep playing until Texas. If the Coyotes finish 9-2 they will be seeded but almost certainly won't be a top 2 seed. They might be a 3 or 4 or might be somewhere between 5-8. It is actually a very important difference in how many games they win and could have a huge difference in how far they are likely to advance. The point is every single win is very important at this point in time. For every win the Coyotes could get one additional potential home game in the playoffs. You could probably break it down as shown below. 0 more wins = no home playoff games 1 more win = maybe one home playoff game 2 more wins = probably 1 or 2 home playoff games 3 more wins = probably 3 home playoff games This is assuming the Coyotes continue to win and the higher seed continues to win. Technically the Coyotes could get the #7 seed and end up playing an unseeded team at home if that team upsets the #2 seed. If you could tell me right now that the Coyotes would finish 9-2 I would take it without blinking. That would mean a seed and the potential for a top 4 seed. I think it is more likely the Coyotes finish 8-3 vs 10-1. I say - win three more and let the other teams worry about where they slot in behind the Yotes! Have a great feeling about the Yotes against UNI. |
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Post by Coyote Fan on Oct 30, 2017 21:24:59 GMT -6
Ok prediction time and for the first time in a long time I will make some people not very happy. The Valley is a tough week to week league. What you did the week before means very little lately in the MVFC. The Coyotes are dealing with a lot. They are dealing with suspensions that can be a team distraction. They are dealing with at best a banged up quarterback and at worse a starter that is not effective because of his injury. Will Streveler make it through the entire game. UNI is going to come after him and if it's Simmons they will come after him even more.
The biggest thing is simply that UNI has home court in this one. They are going to be a team in desperate mode and they typically play better the longer the season goes on. The Coyotes had just about everything go right that could go right. Having a depleted secondary can be gotten through for a home game against SIU but can it get through the UNI dome. I think the secondary really played well last week so that is a good sign. This game will be an energy game. Whoever has the most of it will probably win but I do believe the Coyotes are the better team that can out coach the Panthers and maybe out scheme them. I am very happy that this game is indoors which should be a better situation then what they faced in Normal.
I believe if the Coyotes are to win they will need to pass protect well. I think it will be hard to run against UNI so they need to be creative in how they control the ball and continue to move the sticks. This is the Valley and winning one like this on the road is tough. USD may very well win and I certainly hope to be wrong but I am going to pick Northern Iowa with the slight upset 28-24.
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