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Re: Marker Week
A lot has been said about how NDSU has a winning culture and how they believe they are going to win every game before the step onto the field. I couldn't agree more. Every program in the country is trying to instill that feeling and culture into their program. I also think that will be the difference in the game this year. Not the belief the Bison have in their team, but the belief in some key players on our team this year.
Last year's game was over after the first series. I think Lujan has had a great career, is still very important to the team, and has done more than anyone ever expected when he transferred to the program. That being said, he was a deer in the headlights in the NDSU game last year after the first series. It's hard to explain but there are certain times in certain games where one bad thing happens early on in a game that just sabotages the game from that point on. Every player on the field can feel it and it has a huge negative mental impact that is almost impossible to overcome. I have played in a few of those games. You feel like you are fighting both the other team and an emotional cloud all at the same time. It permeates everything and everyone and you usually get your butts kicked. That was our game against NDSU last year after Lujan was almost killed. The O-line looked like swiss cheese, our (really good) defense looked lost and overmatched. It was ugly.
Moving ahead to this season, I don't see that happening with TC at QB. That kid has a confidence that is amazing. I hate to use a tired phrase, but he's a winner. Unless he is physically knocked out of the game, I don't think his confidence will ever be shaken in this game (or season). He's the type of player his teammates rally around. We may not win on Saturday, but it won't be because the team looks mentally beaten.
As for my "X's & O's" thoughts, I think this year's team is a much different offensive team than last year's team. (I know I'm not exactly pointing out anything new with that brilliant analysis.) The difference though is why we lost last years game and why we shouldn't be so easy to stop this year. Last year's team wanted to be a run team first who only chucked it up to Wieneke on 3rd and long or on the occasional 1st down to help loosen up the run game. NDSU took away both the run and Wieneke right away and we were done. This year's team is clearly a pass-first team. And, we have a weapon with Goedert who presents a tougher matchup than even Wieneke does to most teams. TE's are usually being covered by Linebackers and Safeties. He's faster than most LB's and bigger than all DB's. And, he's a blitz killer. When NDSU blitzes, they'll have to put a LB on Goedert and that's a mismatch. TC is quick enough to get that pass off, whereas Lujan wasn't last year. If Goedert gashes them for a couple big plays after a blitz, NDSU will have no option but to go back to more of a zone look. (See: New England Patriots & how they use their TE's as a defacto running game) More than anyone on the team, if he has a big game, we win this game.
One last obvious observation (and bonus prediction). Our D-line is still really good. They have been getting heat because they haven't done much this year, but I think that is mainly due to matchup problems more than poor play. TCU, Cal Poly and SIU all played a style of ball that doesn't lend itself to D-Tackles making key plays by clogging up the line of scrimmage. Most of Cal Poly's big runs were on the outside. I've watched bits of NDSU's first 2 games and most of their game against Iowa. They beat Iowa with power football between the tackles. That is the type of football our D-line was built for. I predict this is the game where they shine. Our big studs in the middle are still studs. I don't think NDSU will be able to win by overpowering our D-line. Now, if they start throwing some bubble screens or throw in the occasional option look....
Jacks 38
NDSU 31
A lot has been said about how NDSU has a winning culture and how they believe they are going to win every game before the step onto the field. I couldn't agree more. Every program in the country is trying to instill that feeling and culture into their program. I also think that will be the difference in the game this year. Not the belief the Bison have in their team, but the belief in some key players on our team this year.
Last year's game was over after the first series. I think Lujan has had a great career, is still very important to the team, and has done more than anyone ever expected when he transferred to the program. That being said, he was a deer in the headlights in the NDSU game last year after the first series. It's hard to explain but there are certain times in certain games where one bad thing happens early on in a game that just sabotages the game from that point on. Every player on the field can feel it and it has a huge negative mental impact that is almost impossible to overcome. I have played in a few of those games. You feel like you are fighting both the other team and an emotional cloud all at the same time. It permeates everything and everyone and you usually get your butts kicked. That was our game against NDSU last year after Lujan was almost killed. The O-line looked like swiss cheese, our (really good) defense looked lost and overmatched. It was ugly.
Moving ahead to this season, I don't see that happening with TC at QB. That kid has a confidence that is amazing. I hate to use a tired phrase, but he's a winner. Unless he is physically knocked out of the game, I don't think his confidence will ever be shaken in this game (or season). He's the type of player his teammates rally around. We may not win on Saturday, but it won't be because the team looks mentally beaten.
As for my "X's & O's" thoughts, I think this year's team is a much different offensive team than last year's team. (I know I'm not exactly pointing out anything new with that brilliant analysis.) The difference though is why we lost last years game and why we shouldn't be so easy to stop this year. Last year's team wanted to be a run team first who only chucked it up to Wieneke on 3rd and long or on the occasional 1st down to help loosen up the run game. NDSU took away both the run and Wieneke right away and we were done. This year's team is clearly a pass-first team. And, we have a weapon with Goedert who presents a tougher matchup than even Wieneke does to most teams. TE's are usually being covered by Linebackers and Safeties. He's faster than most LB's and bigger than all DB's. And, he's a blitz killer. When NDSU blitzes, they'll have to put a LB on Goedert and that's a mismatch. TC is quick enough to get that pass off, whereas Lujan wasn't last year. If Goedert gashes them for a couple big plays after a blitz, NDSU will have no option but to go back to more of a zone look. (See: New England Patriots & how they use their TE's as a defacto running game) More than anyone on the team, if he has a big game, we win this game.
One last obvious observation (and bonus prediction). Our D-line is still really good. They have been getting heat because they haven't done much this year, but I think that is mainly due to matchup problems more than poor play. TCU, Cal Poly and SIU all played a style of ball that doesn't lend itself to D-Tackles making key plays by clogging up the line of scrimmage. Most of Cal Poly's big runs were on the outside. I've watched bits of NDSU's first 2 games and most of their game against Iowa. They beat Iowa with power football between the tackles. That is the type of football our D-line was built for. I predict this is the game where they shine. Our big studs in the middle are still studs. I don't think NDSU will be able to win by overpowering our D-line. Now, if they start throwing some bubble screens or throw in the occasional option look....
Jacks 38
NDSU 31
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