2009 AGS Preseason Poll

[mitchell]

Re: 2009 AGS Preseason Poll

NDSU actually ended up giving up more points in conference games than SDSU. (SDSU 168, NDSU 175)

The difference will be that SDSU loses 2 players and NDSU lost 7.

Also, not to make excuses, but the D was banged up all year. At one game, 6 starters were out. Not to mention that our D stats were altered by having a powerful offense that scored early and often, much like how the Vikings D looked horrible back in the Culpepper, Moss years.

[Rabbitlivinginverm]

Re: 2009 AGS Preseason Poll

How will the defense be "rock solid" or "great" when last year's unit gave up 29ppg? What are the big areas of improvement over last year's defense? Not smacking, that's an honest question.

As a Bison fan, I think SDSU deserves to be ranked. I really, really hope the Jacks are ranked on October 17th

I'm with you Hando, I was very disappointed in our D last year and I suspect it will be average (in comparison with other MVFC teams) this year.

[mango4]

Re: 2009 AGS Preseason Poll

I'm with you Hando, I was very disappointed in our D last year and I suspect it will be average (in comparison with other MVFC teams) this year.

When I talked to Stig, he said the defense is going to be one of the strong points of the team. I don't have the exact quote right now but it is in a story I did for the Collegian orientation issue

[HandoEX]

Re: 2009 AGS Preseason Poll

NDSU actually ended up giving up more points in conference games than SDSU. (SDSU 168, NDSU 175)

The difference will be that SDSU loses 2 players and NDSU lost 7.

Also, not to make excuses, but the D was banged up all year. At one game, 6 starters were out. Not to mention that our D stats were altered by having a powerful offense that scored early and often, much like how the Vikings D looked horrible back in the Culpepper, Moss years.

How does having a high scoring offense equate to a defense giving up points? In SDSU's 4 blowout wins the other teams averages only 12.5 ppg. The bulk of the points scored on SDSU's defense were in losses or really tight games. It's not like SDSU was hangin 5 td's on teams and letting the third stringers give up easy points.

[Kemo]

Re: 2009 AGS Preseason Poll

The defense was just inconsistent last year, and one of the best examples would be the game against McNeese State, a team with a good offense, in which the Jacks' D gave up 21 in 1st half, only 3 in the 2nd half, and 22 in overtime. The hope is that with another year of experience, especially for our young secondary, will iron out the wrinkles and the defense will be solid all game, and all year.

Last year scrambling QBs was our biggest problem and we need to improve on that tremendously. I personally think we were a couple of tackles away from the playoffs last year, so if we figure that out in the offseason, I do believe we'll make the playoffs this year.

[HandoEX]

Re: 2009 AGS Preseason Poll

Maybe by Oct 17th, the ONE AND ONLY NDSU QB Mertens will be out on the sideline with season ending injury, then what? Do you put Lakesbison in order for the center to snap the ball? (not smacking)

Jose Quervo should be back by then as the backup with Lakes as the 3rd string QB/head coach.

In defense of the one high stat, there were several injuries in the secondary, and its not an excuse but rather an opportunity to give experience for all the young guys who are back and ready btw. Who gave up more points in Fargo last year and the year before in Brookings? , waiting for an answer.

Well, if you're talking about which defense gave up more points...it would be SDSU's in both cases. The punt TD in '07 goes on the NDSU special teams. The two missed FG's in '08 go on NDSU's special teams as well.

[Kemo]

Re: 2009 AGS Preseason Poll

How does having a high scoring offense equate to a defense giving up points? In SDSU's 4 blowout wins the other teams averages only 12.5 ppg. The bulk of the points scored on SDSU's defense were in losses or really tight games. It's not like SDSU was hangin 5 td's on teams and letting the third stringers give up easy points.

It's not so much high scoring offenses, its quick scoring offenses. I would say that if the same team gets 15 possessions instead of 10 possessions, they will more than likely score more points at the end of the game with the former as opposed to the latter.

There is no doubt SDSU's defense played poorly at times, but I will refer back to my previous post that it had to do more with consistency rather than inability.

[JimmyJack]

Re: 2009 AGS Preseason Poll

How will the defense be "rock solid" or "great" when last year's unit gave up 29ppg?

Look at who we played out of conference: Cal Poly, Iowa State, McNeese State. NDSU had Austin Peay, Central Connecticut and Wyoming. Wyoming and Iowa State might possibly be a push (I'd give that one to Iowa State by a nose), but we also played a couple of very high scoring out-of-conference opponents. We also played the top teams in the conference, UNI, SIU and NDSU on the road.

I'm not making excuses and I'm not smacking. I'm just saying that makeup of the schedule has something to do with defensive statistics.

[1stRowFANatic]

Re: 2009 AGS Preseason Poll

The two missed FG's in '08 go on NDSU's special teams as well.

This is an honest question as I can't figure out any explanation: How does a team's missed field goals factor in to how many points the defense gave up? Would you then not figure in the points after a failed 4th down conversion? Or an interception with a long return, and how long does the return have to be? I'll give you punt returns, pick-6, etc. but can't figure out how you can put missed FGs in the same category.

[Danger41]

Re: 2009 AGS Preseason Poll

My original reference to the D being solid this year would be the fact that we return so many players who have started and/or have tons of experience. The D line will be deep and be able to rotate guys in and out without a loss of production. The linebackers are in the same boat and have guys that would be starters on any other team in the conference (Jackson) as back-ups. The secondary returns several young, talented guys. Couple this with the inevitable surprise guys from spring ball, and you're looking at a tough defense.

[FargoBison]

Re: 2009 AGS Preseason Poll

NDSU actually ended up giving up more points in conference games than SDSU. (SDSU 168, NDSU 175)

The difference will be that SDSU loses 2 players and NDSU lost 7.

Also, not to make excuses, but the D was banged up all year. At one game, 6 starters were out. Not to mention that our D stats were altered by having a powerful offense that scored early and often, much like how the Vikings D looked horrible back in the Culpepper, Moss years.

Well at least the Jackrabbits don't resemble the current Vikings like the Bison do now. NDSU might have the best D-line in the MVFC, a solid o-line, and running game but QB is a huge question mark. We don't get the option of having a guy wearing #4 riding in on a white horse to save the day. It's either Mertens has got to be rehabbed into an adequate starter by the new OC or his backup Jose Cuervo-Mohler has to get out of rehab and take the job from him.

[JimmyJack]

Re: 2009 AGS Preseason Poll

Well at least the Jackrabbits don't resemble the current Vikings like the Bison do now. NDSU might have the best D-line in the MVFC, a solid o-line, and running game but QB is a huge question mark. We don't get the option of having a guy wearing #4 riding in on a white horse to save the day. It's either Mertens has got to be rehabbed into an adequate starter by the new OC or his backup Jose Cuervo-Mohler has to get out of rehab and take the job from him.

I'd never sell NDSU short. Too many great athletes there. Who knows? Maybe Mertens comes out with a fresh start and plays well. He's got a year under his belt.

[FargoBison]

Re: 2009 AGS Preseason Poll

I'd never sell NDSU short. Too many great athletes there. Who knows? Maybe Mertens comes out with a fresh start and plays well. He's got a year under his belt.

I hope something clicks, I do think he is in better hands with the new OC. The last guy seemed stuck on making him into the ideal west coast QB, which isn't Nick. The new OC, who was the former QB coach, seems a lot more open minded.

[NoVaJack]

Re: 2009 AGS Preseason Poll

Football and cupcake don't belong in the same thread. (Sturgis Jeff, insert photo illustration here).

Schedule the best, play your best, and may the best team win.
If you're a coach in a recruit's living room, what would you rather say: "We schedule the best and make no apologies for it"....or, "we like to play the Wagner Colleges to pad the win column."

This 2009 schedule looks like a take-a-giant-step opportunity.
Go Jacks!

[91jack]

Re: 2009 AGS Preseason Poll

Jose Quervo should be back by then as the backup with Lakes as the 3rd string QB/head coach.

Well, if you're talking about which defense gave up more points...it would be SDSU's in both cases. The punt TD in '07 goes on the NDSU special teams. The two missed FG's in '08 go on NDSU's special teams as well.

I think this 2nd paragraph sums up the story well.
In the 6 games SDSU gave up between 34 to 48 points, they had 18 turnovers. Three of the INT's were returned for TD's. In one of the games, they allowed 22 points in OT. Take those points out and SDSU only allowed 24 points in that game instead of 46.
SDSU does return most of their defense from last year. SDSU was missing both safties and their starting nose tackle most of the season. I guess you could say that 2 of those 3 graduated so their defense might struggle this year too but I think with a year of experience everybody else will improve.
SDSU is still getting better each year and it won't take long for NDSU to get back up there.
Only 3 teams from this conference in the top 25 is a joke. I don't know if I can really complain but it should never be that way. I guess there were 6(I think) teams in the preseason poll last year and it didn't end like that so we'll see if it's the other way around this year.