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Post by HadleyCoyote on Aug 29, 2011 7:27:55 GMT -6
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Post by Old Ball Coach on Aug 29, 2011 8:07:48 GMT -6
My heart says the game will be close. (I think it could be very close if the following happens - 1. AF overlooks USD for their next game against TCU. 2. USD wins the turnover margin by +3. 3. USD's defense tackles as well as we have ever seen them.) AF by 10 or less.
My head says it will be a very tough day for the Yotes. Air Force comes into the game prepared and ready to get the season rolling. Their explosive offense gets rolling and their speed on defense creates big challenges for the Yote offense. Air Force by 24 points minimum.
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Post by HadleyCoyote on Aug 29, 2011 18:01:10 GMT -6
This isn't exactly a prediction, but I'd like to see us score at least 3 TD's and stay within 3 Td's ...
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Post by yotemeal on Aug 30, 2011 12:51:55 GMT -6
Like this guy:  I’m back! My batteries are recharged, and I’m incredibly excited for another year of Coyote athletics. I, of course, have followed the Argus updates here and there concerning the upcoming season, but last night’s Coaches Corner event at Callaway’s really got the juices flowing. I don’t know if my observations have changed much since last season ended. Vast defensive improvements are needed, and this year’s schedule is a beast. But instead of spewing all of my pent up thoughts on the entire season, I’ll attempt to keep it somewhat focused on Air Force. The tone of the coaches last night was encouraging. The overarching mantra for these payday games will always remain “We’re going to go out there and compete our butts off.” However, Air Force is not your standard FBS opponent. On offense, they’re a small and quick team that runs a frustrating triple option scheme. Likewise, on defense, they’re also small and quick. USD probably won’t encounter too many payday games in which they match or oversize their opponents (Wisconsin most certainly won’t be one of them), but I’m not about to fall into the trap of thinking this is a game we’re supposed to win; it’s not. Air Force is picked to finish third in the MWC behind Boise State and TCU. Last season, they ended their season with a bowl victory over Georgia Tech. They’re a disciplined academy team, and I suspect they’ll be ready to play (unlike this one FBS team from Minnesota last year). We do have a shot, however. And a pretty good one, I think. The biggest key to the game, in my opinion, is our defensive line creating disruption (which was a point of frustration last season) and the defensive unit as a whole maintaining assignments. The coaches touched on it last night – the triple option is all Air Force runs and they’ve mastered the ability to make adjustments to what defenses are showing. Our players and coaches must be prepared for the chess match. A couple of interesting points from last night: Coach Meierkort stated that this is the most talented football team he’s ever coached (and it didn’t sound like hyperbole). Also, as the various coaches broke down the depth chart, it was noted that three of last year’s starting defensive lineman will be coming off the bench. In other words, we’re deep on the defensive line. Effective? I guess we’ll find out. I’m hopeful for some big defensive stops early, and would like to see us use our size and experienced offensive line to establish a run game. It’s all about gaining some early momentum between the earholes. Go Yotes! |
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Post by yotemeal on Aug 30, 2011 15:24:35 GMT -6
Yeah, judging by the sampling of AF fan predictions offered on that board, expectations are high for a beat down. I counted 21 score predictions, the average of which is Air Force 50, USD 11. That's certainly not outside the realm of possibility, but I think our guys are prepared to make it much closer than that. Go Yotes! |
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Post by coastie on Aug 31, 2011 10:22:57 GMT -6
Yeah, judging by the sampling of AF fan predictions offered on that board, expectations are high for a beat down. I counted 21 score predictions, the average of which is Air Force 50, USD 11. That's certainly not outside the realm of possibility, but I think our guys are prepared to make it much closer than that. Go Yotes! Air Force fan here, and I just found this board. First, let me say my own prediction of AF winning 45-7 was made before I found out about your team, so please don't read any disrespect into it. I had no idea you guys are bringing back 22 starters off a team that beat Minnesota; that's awesome!! Second, some of the high predictions of AF points are based on history. Due to the AFA's mission, there isn't any of the "voluntary" workouts organized by players like you see at other schools. Air Force is actually on a schedule where the players are either home on leave, at the Academy working with the incoming cadets, or sent around the world to an Air Force base to work and gain experience. They CAN'T all get together, so the first game of the season is always played against an FCS school. And in opening games against FCS the last few years, Air Force has scored 65 against Northwestern State and 72 against Nicholls State. Our offense is one of those that when it gets clicking, it really gets going and is hard to stop. As far as our offense, it's described as a "triple option", but from what I can tell, it's more of a spread concentrating to set up the run instead of the pass. You'll see lots of motion coming out of a no huddle. Like I said above, when it gets workng, it's kind of self-sustaining and confusing and we put +450 yards on Oklahoma last year. Our defense is solid, especially our pass defense, which last year held BYU to only 88 yards in the air. Our run defense last year was not too good, and was our weakness. As far as your team, I'm still pretty ignorant about it other than you guys beating Minnesota last year. Feel free to stop by our board and introduce yourself. |
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Post by yotemeal on Aug 31, 2011 12:23:33 GMT -6
Yeah, judging by the sampling of AF fan predictions offered on that board, expectations are high for a beat down. I counted 21 score predictions, the average of which is Air Force 50, USD 11. That's certainly not outside the realm of possibility, but I think our guys are prepared to make it much closer than that. Go Yotes! Air Force fan here, and I just found this board. First, let me say my own prediction of AF winning 45-7 was made before I found out about your team, so please don't read any disrespect into it. I had no idea you guys are bringing back 22 starters off a team that beat Minnesota; that's awesome!! Second, some of the high predictions of AF points are based on history. Due to the AFA's mission, there isn't any of the "voluntary" workouts organized by players like you see at other schools. Air Force is actually on a schedule where the players are either home on leave, at the Academy working with the incoming cadets, or sent around the world to an Air Force base to work and gain experience. They CAN'T all get together, so the first game of the season is always played against an FCS school. And in opening games against FCS the last few years, Air Force has scored 65 against Northwestern State and 72 against Nicholls State. Our offense is one of those that when it gets clicking, it really gets going and is hard to stop. As far as our offense, it's described as a "triple option", but from what I can tell, it's more of a spread concentrating to set up the run instead of the pass. You'll see lots of motion coming out of a no huddle. Like I said above, when it gets workng, it's kind of self-sustaining and confusing and we put +450 yards on Oklahoma last year. Our defense is solid, especially our pass defense, which last year held BYU to only 88 yards in the air. Our run defense last year was not too good, and was our weakness. As far as your team, I'm still pretty ignorant about it other than you guys beating Minnesota last year. Feel free to stop by our board and introduce yourself. Welcome to the board, Coastie. Your analysis is fair. I think all of us are concerned the AF rushing attack might overwhelm what hasn't been the strongest defensive unit in recent years. And if one properly considers the offensive numbers AF has put up against the likes of Oklahoma, he would be a fool to assume sheer size will frustrate the AF attack. The Coyotes know they have work to do, but I think and hope you'll witness a higher caliber FCS team Saturday than you may have encountered the previous two seasons. I know Nicholls State and Northwestern State haven't been strong in recent years. USD finished last season 4-7, and displayed an unfortunate knack for letting leads and games slip away. If USD comes out sharp, I think they'll put up some points. I just hope they can keep pace. |
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Post by #1CoyoteFan (Admin) on Sept 1, 2011 1:02:07 GMT -6
If this turns into a chess match, I really don't like USD's chances. The Air Force coach has to play a chess match in just getting enough athletes to play football, let alone field a competitive team like they do year in and year out. Plus I have always been concerned with Meierkort's ability to make adjustments as the year goes on. I am not too confident on this one, I think it will be Air Force 48, USD 27. I think USD can put up points because they are a physical offensive team, especially at WR.
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Post by usdfbalum on Sept 3, 2011 8:40:48 GMT -6
Really do not know what to expect with this game at all.
Just hope our guys come out ready to play disciplined and hard. If they do they have the ability to stay in the game.
All I really know is that the FB season is finally here and I couldn't be more excited.
Wishful thinking prediction:
South Dakota 31
Air Force 30
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Post by usdfbalum on Sept 4, 2011 8:32:25 GMT -6
Would have had to played near perfect to get a W against that squad. Next week looks like another big challenge. Should be fun to watch.
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Post by Yote 53 on Sept 4, 2011 10:49:27 GMT -6
Air Force is everything I thought they would be. I thought we played well at times and of course we need to work on things. Looks like there will be a very tough EWU team coming in next week. We better bring our A game.
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Post by yoteforever on Sept 4, 2011 11:11:31 GMT -6
This isn't exactly a prediction, but I'd like to see us score at least 3 TD's and stay within 3 Td's ... We did that. You should be happy. That being said, there were two critical "phantom" calls that went against USD that did affect that game. The first happened when we were down 17-7 and we are driving with Warren around the left side. He got to about the 22, but a flag was thrown for a chop block. The call was made against Ganious, and what makes it a phantom call is that there was a ball fake to him as like in a dive, and a lineman from AF covered him, and immediately you see the official throw the flag. Horse crap call. The second and worst call came when we were at the 1 and taking it in. Another chop block call was made, and when you watch the replay there wasn't one Coyote on the ground. Even the announcers said it was not a good call. So going back to the first call, if USD drives it in it is now 17-14 or 17-10, and you have a new ball game. Combine that with the worst call of the game and we have another 7, we played them almost straight up. In gact, statistically, remove the first play of the game, and there wouldn't have been over 20 yards difference between them. Our D needs alot of work again, but I will say this. They are playing better than last years D did, and Tyler Starr is indeed a Star in the making. Physical kid. I had a former player at my place watching the game and I point blank asked him if this years, or last years team for that matter has "IT". IT being defined as that intangible quality the really good teams have to have in order to win games like this, or win the conference your in, and he said no. He indicated that although they work hard, they didn't do what they had to to make it seem as if they were busting theirs harder than they percieved their opponents were busting theirs, therefore giving them a driving desire to win because they are working harder. I do think we have a strong offense and will score alot of points. But until our D gets a sort of NASTY aura about them, I can't see us putting away anyone other than the cupcakes we have on the schedule. Air Force is a good team, no doubt about it. But the fun thing in my mind is that it really was a winnable game. The fact we didn't doesn't disiilusion me in the slightest, it's just fun at this stage in our transition knowing we can play with the big boys and be competitive. |
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Post by HadleyCoyote on Sept 4, 2011 19:57:34 GMT -6
This isn't exactly a prediction, but I'd like to see us score at least 3 TD's and stay within 3 Td's ... We did that. You should be happy. You know, I thought if we could meet those parameters, I would feel satisfied, but I'm not. The BS chop block calls, a few completely missed blocking assignments could have made this a completely different game. AF's no huddle offense had our defense on their heels most of the game, and I'm sure the altitude didn't help either. Like the announcer said: once the yotes started wearing down, those 3-4 yard AF gains started to become 6-7 yard gains. Most of our offensive success came against their second line players. So, although I really expected to get beat worse, I came away feeling disappointed in our performance. I don't mean to take anything away from a good Air Force team, but my expectations for this experienced team are very high, and I think they fell short. |
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Post by yotefan on Sept 5, 2011 8:57:19 GMT -6
I agree with yoteforever 100% about the two poor chop-block calls.
From what I gathered, chop blocks are apparently "a new officiating point of emphasis" and in the case of the Coyotes against AF, both calls seemed more or less designed to drive this new point home whether or not such an offense really occurred on the field.
In looking at the replays of both calls, I couldn't see it.
USD played well and agree with yf again that minus the 80 yard reverse both teams were pretty even. Ironic that the AF air attack was so poor, but they appeared to be a classy bunch and USD handled themselves well. Proud of the Yotes and looking forward to Saturday.
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