#18 WIU at #13 ILLINOIS STATE Noon Kickoff

[fourthandshort]

Without quoting the whole response, I'll get fourthandshort's back again. No one's "happy" or "satisfied" with 6-5, but the season isn't over yet even tho we face the Dakotas in the next two weeks and it won't be easy. I think Total Red called the Birds "unpredictable", while I was using "inconsistent", and that's what's frustrating about this team, you don't know which team will show up.

This is year two of criticism on this board for our play-calling/OC stuff and it would be nice for the coaching staff to shut us up with a couple solid game plans and "booth performances".

do appreciate it Madbird !

 

[jbird]

If we finish 6-5, I don't know how we survive the fact that at least 3 losses were not close. At 7-4, that means a win either at S.D. State or against N.D. State and I think we're in. At 6-5, I really don't see us getting in.

 

[ChiRedbirdfan]

If we finish 6-5, I don't know how we survive the fact that at least 3 losses were not close. At 7-4, that means a win either at S.D. State or against N.D. State and I think we're in. At 6-5, I really don't see us getting in.

I believe the chances of ISU getting into the playoffs at 6-5 are basically as close to zero percent as it can be without being zero percent. They need to play two solid football games and win at least one. The SDSU game is the one that worries me as respects to ISU being competitive.

 

[cpacmel]

If we finish 6-5, I don't know how we survive the fact that at least 3 losses were not close. At 7-4, that means a win either at S.D. State or against N.D. State and I think we're in. At 6-5, I really don't see us getting in.

I believe the chances of ISU getting into the playoffs at 6-5 are basically as close to zero percent as it can be without being zero percent.

Agree with chiredbirdfan. 6-5 no chance.

 

[Redbird28]

If we finish 6-5, I don't know how we survive the fact that at least 3 losses were not close. At 7-4, that means a win either at S.D. State or against N.D. State and I think we're in. At 6-5, I really don't see us getting in.

I believe the chances of ISU getting into the playoffs at 6-5 are basically as close to zero percent as it can be without being zero percent. They need to play two solid football games and win at least one. The SDSU game is the one that worries me as respects to ISU being competitive.

Agree, 6-5 won't get it done. There is no B1G win in our back pocket to boost us into playoff consideration this year.

After digesting the stats I also agree that this SDSU game is trouble. It's kind of a trap game for them coming off their game against NDSU, but other than that, they have a lot going for them with the biggest aspects being balance and QB protection.

From a statistical view, they've only allowed 10 sacks total out of 282 attempts. We got virtually no push on WIU, and the SDSU line appears to be better at protecting their guy than WIU is at protecting theirs. Bear in mind, that's strictly an observation based off the story the stats tell. So, having said that, I haven't watched SDSU much more than 1 drive earlier this year. So, if they are a short drop get it out quick team then that kind of helps tell the story too. Have any of you really watched them closely from that regard?

As crazy as it is to say, the NDSU game feels much more winnable than this game at Brookings. While they've only allowed 12 sacks this year, it's been on 201 attempts. NDSU clearly leans dramatically more towards the rush (396 rush attempts vs 201 pass attempts) than SDSU who displays way more balance from a play calling perspective (307 rush attempts vs 282 pass attempts). Stopping the run is our bread and butter so if we can shut NDSU down the stats say that we should be in that game all the way to the end.

Here's hoping we get them both, but I'm feeling a little uneasy about SDSU after seeing how our D Line was handled in the WIU game.

 

[fourthandshort]

only thing tilting in our favor is our game plan against SDSU last year .. granted it was at home. But defensively, we really stifled their normal offensive flow last year, very much like we did to USD this year .. similar dual threat QB. But last year, QB Christion really struggled as we stuffed their run game and his dual option threat .. he got 400 yards passing, but went 33 of 63 and ultimately threw 3 picks and only scored 21 points .. and they abandoned run game 2nd half.

Ironically similar to our USD game this year .. except we hit Streveler a whole lot more, and he played very well passing the ball .. but again, nothing deep and only got 21 points.

Hard to expect our defense to perform like that on road and against same potent offense twice in a row ... they will be game planning and no doubt watching film from last years game, and then our USD and WIU games this year ... if I were them. So while we have shown a consistent ability to contain dual threat QBs .. I'm thinking it's less likely this time around.

So I too like our chances better with match against NDSU at home, than SDSU on road. But like everyone else, just swagging this from my recliner.

But I love our defense and run game, and love our ability to bounce back ... this or next week, not so sure.

 

[CaliRdBrd]

8-3 would have some serious swagger. Wonder where that would put us, seed-wise?

Bring it, boys!