Post by Coyote Fan on Sept 22, 2010 19:31:57 GMT -6
OK I have been thinking about this all week. I have been 50/50 all week as to who I would pick and what kind of a game I think it will be. drumroll please.....
South Dakota 35
North Dakota State 21
Yep I am predicting a Coyote win. This team is sky high right now but for USD to prove me right they will need to focus on a few things.
First of all, don't forget what got ya there in the first place. That is playing to win and not to lose and that may as well be my theme for the whole season because I will come back to it time and time again, USD should also make that their motto as well. This is true on both sides of the ball. I will start on defense. It is Imperative, and I say that with a Capital I that USD does't allow NDSU to control the heck out of the ball on offense. Make NDSU do what is uncomfortable to them. Make their iffy quarterback situation be what beats us. If USD plays high risk high reward the worst that can happen is that the game becomes a shootout and that should play into the Coyotes hands. They should be comfortable now in that type of game. They have proven in difficult cirsumstances that they have what it takes to respond with the offense.
Let the defenders be free to play. Let them be free to blitz just let them create their own energy. If the D-Line has a bit of trouble against NDSU's offensive line than the Yotes need to get even more creative to get the ball out of NDSU's hands.
On offense it's really very simply. I say pass the ball early and often to set up the run. Don't be affraid to allow multiple backs to be a part of the offense. I have no problem letting Michael Buress get into the game in some fassion. Line him up at the wing or anywhere else where he may feel comfortable.
USD has major weapons on offense, use them effectively and use them in an unpredictable manner. NDSU has a good defense but can they stop Warren, Ganious, Powell, Flanagan, Novotny and Landry. That is alot of weapons. I say keep the playbook wide open and be very random with the play calling. Try a screen on first down instead of third down. Try a designed quarterback draw on second and long. Whatever it is, don't be affraid to put these guys in a position to gain chunks of yardage. The crowd will be a factor but the more USD's offense plays an attacking style the more NDSU's crowd won't have a change to get into it. The best way to allow the Fargo Dome to explode is to run-run-pass. Lets try all kinds of different combos. I kind of like the pass-run-pass combo.
Special team needs constant work. USD needs to kickoff inside the 10 every time. There is no excuse for a D1 kicker to only get the ball to the 15-20 yard line. Try a line drive squib kick. The field position often end up worse for the receiving team during a squib kick then when they set up a regular return. Plus squibs can be fumbled around alot. USD's punter has done an excellent job. His puting at TCF Bank was awsome.
This is what I would say to the players. Go in confident and stay confident regardless of what happens in the game. Don't get down if things don't always go perfectly. When visiting the Fargo Dome it's lucky to have alot go right but never will everything go right. Just roll with the punches and keep the heads up and energy there even if things don't look good at a particular time. Bouncing back from adversity could be the key that can allow USD to win the game.
I like to see Dante with the ball in his hands. I like him when he is on the run. He can run or pass so well and on NDSU's turf having Warren use his legs will be vital. He can win the game by running for yards or from running to a different spot on the field to throw from. Not that he shouldn't stay in the pocket but there are times that rolling out will work good against any team and especially one that is playing well on D.
If USD plays to win and puts it all out on the field I will be happy no matter what happens. If USD self destructs with turnovers or takes too many bad penalties or otherwise just allows NDSU to win by default is where I wouln't be satisfied.
South Dakota 35
North Dakota State 21
Yep I am predicting a Coyote win. This team is sky high right now but for USD to prove me right they will need to focus on a few things.
First of all, don't forget what got ya there in the first place. That is playing to win and not to lose and that may as well be my theme for the whole season because I will come back to it time and time again, USD should also make that their motto as well. This is true on both sides of the ball. I will start on defense. It is Imperative, and I say that with a Capital I that USD does't allow NDSU to control the heck out of the ball on offense. Make NDSU do what is uncomfortable to them. Make their iffy quarterback situation be what beats us. If USD plays high risk high reward the worst that can happen is that the game becomes a shootout and that should play into the Coyotes hands. They should be comfortable now in that type of game. They have proven in difficult cirsumstances that they have what it takes to respond with the offense.
Let the defenders be free to play. Let them be free to blitz just let them create their own energy. If the D-Line has a bit of trouble against NDSU's offensive line than the Yotes need to get even more creative to get the ball out of NDSU's hands.
On offense it's really very simply. I say pass the ball early and often to set up the run. Don't be affraid to allow multiple backs to be a part of the offense. I have no problem letting Michael Buress get into the game in some fassion. Line him up at the wing or anywhere else where he may feel comfortable.
USD has major weapons on offense, use them effectively and use them in an unpredictable manner. NDSU has a good defense but can they stop Warren, Ganious, Powell, Flanagan, Novotny and Landry. That is alot of weapons. I say keep the playbook wide open and be very random with the play calling. Try a screen on first down instead of third down. Try a designed quarterback draw on second and long. Whatever it is, don't be affraid to put these guys in a position to gain chunks of yardage. The crowd will be a factor but the more USD's offense plays an attacking style the more NDSU's crowd won't have a change to get into it. The best way to allow the Fargo Dome to explode is to run-run-pass. Lets try all kinds of different combos. I kind of like the pass-run-pass combo.
Special team needs constant work. USD needs to kickoff inside the 10 every time. There is no excuse for a D1 kicker to only get the ball to the 15-20 yard line. Try a line drive squib kick. The field position often end up worse for the receiving team during a squib kick then when they set up a regular return. Plus squibs can be fumbled around alot. USD's punter has done an excellent job. His puting at TCF Bank was awsome.
This is what I would say to the players. Go in confident and stay confident regardless of what happens in the game. Don't get down if things don't always go perfectly. When visiting the Fargo Dome it's lucky to have alot go right but never will everything go right. Just roll with the punches and keep the heads up and energy there even if things don't look good at a particular time. Bouncing back from adversity could be the key that can allow USD to win the game.
I like to see Dante with the ball in his hands. I like him when he is on the run. He can run or pass so well and on NDSU's turf having Warren use his legs will be vital. He can win the game by running for yards or from running to a different spot on the field to throw from. Not that he shouldn't stay in the pocket but there are times that rolling out will work good against any team and especially one that is playing well on D.
If USD plays to win and puts it all out on the field I will be happy no matter what happens. If USD self destructs with turnovers or takes too many bad penalties or otherwise just allows NDSU to win by default is where I wouln't be satisfied.