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YSU Penguin Athletics => YSU Penguin Athletics => Topic started by: seanbryan3 on November 04, 2014, 01:47:21 PM

Title: Mid Week Predictions for Ill State
Post by: seanbryan3 on November 04, 2014, 01:47:21 PM
Well its about mid week.. How do we feel this week. Some interesting things heading into this game so far.. Illinois State squeaked by Missouri State, Western Illinois, and Indiana State. Against Missouri State they trailed 7-6 heading into the 4th, and ended up winning 21-7.. Against Western Ill they trailed 24-6 at half, trailed heading into the fourth quarter, but had an explosive 24 point 4th to end up winning 37-34. Against Indiana State they trailed 10-6 heading into the 4th and won 20-18.. Some interesting scores that all could have went the other way, and this Illinois State could have possible 3-4 conference losses. Seem like a second half team team to me. Gonna be interesting next week.. If im not mistaken im pretty sure we put up 40 or 50 on this team last year, and it is not an entirely different football team. Getting excited.
Title: Re: Mid Week Predictions for Ill State
Post by: pioneer9 on November 04, 2014, 01:58:33 PM
This would seem, on paper, to be a VERY even match up.  Watched some of their games on replay... Their quarterback is explosive but he misses passes here and there. A lot of talent on the offensive side of the football. Beatable defense that will step up from time to time.  I am going to guess we are in for a heck of a game. I'm a homer so I'm going to call it at 24-21 in favor of the Penguins
Title: Re: Mid Week Predictions for Ill State
Post by: IAA Fan on November 04, 2014, 02:06:29 PM
I am going with 42-32 good guys. We will break 50, but maybe not quite a 75-point affair.
Title: Re: Mid Week Predictions for Ill State
Post by: ScarletRook on November 04, 2014, 02:08:10 PM
Still a concern about our defense, especially the D line.  Seems to me the are gassed in the third quarter and there is never any substitutions.  Don't even see #90 & 94 - they must be way down the depth chart by now.
Fresh legs would go a long way in the 4th, but the coaches have yet to call me for an opinion.
With that said:  GO GUINS
No predictions because of my WIU game jinx.
Title: Re: Mid Week Predictions for Ill State
Post by: seanbryan3 on November 04, 2014, 02:46:04 PM
Agreed, should make for a good matchup and gridlocked game. Their defense is very beatable, and we can exploit the secondary. The question is can we step up on defense and contain QB Tre Roberson. Athletic Quaterback.. He only threw for 127 yards last week and was sacked 5 times.
Title: Re: Mid Week Predictions for Ill State
Post by: Wick250 on November 04, 2014, 03:14:19 PM
On a neutral field, I would feel very comfortable about this game.  But Illinois State last season won all their home games and lost all their road games.  Some of the margins both ways were huge as reflected in the beating that we administered to them at Stambaugh.  If the posters on their message board are correct, they have not lost yet in their renovated stadium.  Perhaps they are due.

Remember the last two games we played in Normal.  Got beat on a Hail Mary in 2010; blew a three touchdown lead and got shut out in the second half in 2012.  Time to erase the memories of those travesties.

I agree. Containing their Indiana transfer quarterback is the key.  Also, we are going to have to put up over 30.  That is doable if we don't make mistakes.
Title: Re: Mid Week Predictions for Ill State
Post by: SoupCity on November 04, 2014, 03:31:33 PM
Do they not have a really good RB??  The QB seems more like a runner as opposed to passer I think.  If YSU can MAKE him throw the ball, seems like that would be the best way to go (WOW, did I really just say that!!).
Title: Re: Mid Week Predictions for Ill State
Post by: Wick250 on November 04, 2014, 05:30:14 PM
Soup, I am glad that you made that statement.  I could not force myself to type those words. :P  That strategy worked very well at Missouri State against a run first quarterback.  Problem here is that this guy is much better and he has a high quality tailback standing next to him, as you suggested.
Title: Re: Mid Week Predictions for Ill State
Post by: DavedS on November 04, 2014, 05:58:45 PM
Last years score was 59-21---should be a close game this year--hopefully the good guys will win.
Title: Re: Mid Week Predictions for Ill State
Post by: ysufan0505 on November 04, 2014, 06:00:15 PM
This team is more focused than ever. Now is the time where good teams start to separate themselves. Ruiz and Webb go off, Wells manages the game, nothing too fancy. Defense gets a late pick to seal the game.

YSU 35
Ill St 28
Title: Re: Mid Week Predictions for Ill State
Post by: ysufan0505 on November 04, 2014, 06:22:25 PM
I will say Tre Roberson is a great athlete, better than the QB at Missouri St. Way faster. Have to be able to contain him. Coach Bryant has had some really good defensive game plans so far and I see that continuing. Let's go Guins!!
Title: Re: Mid Week Predictions for Ill State
Post by: seanbryan3 on November 04, 2014, 09:54:01 PM
Looking forward to seeing their scheme this week. Will be interesting to see if they will have a spy on the QB. I like both of our defensive ends, Rivers has done a tremendous job, 7 sacks in the past couple weeks.
Title: Re: Mid Week Predictions for Ill State
Post by: seanbryan3 on November 05, 2014, 07:45:06 AM
I also believe that we put up 30 this week.  fb fb But im also being a homer and bias because I want to see these
kids succeed.
Title: Re: Mid Week Predictions for Ill State
Post by: penguinpower on November 05, 2014, 08:12:20 AM
Looking forward to seeing their scheme this week. Will be interesting to see if they will have a spy on the QB. I like both of our defensive ends, Rivers has done a tremendous job, 7 sacks in the past couple weeks.

I wouldn't spy Hunter.  However they could throw a wrench into the game plan for Illinois State by running Dante a few times.  Illinois State has struggled with the read option for several years.  In 2006 they were unable to stop us with Marcus Mason and we beat them twice running ithe that year once in the playoffs and once in regular season.   Every time I watch them it seems they struggle with it. Last year was an odd game and we couldn't do anything wrong that day.  I say heavy doses of Ruiz and Webb with play action to keep them honest
Title: Re: Mid Week Predictions for Ill State
Post by: seanbryan3 on November 05, 2014, 10:24:36 AM
Looking forward to seeing their scheme this week. Will be interesting to see if they will have a spy on the QB. I like both of our defensive ends, Rivers has done a tremendous job, 7 sacks in the past couple weeks.

I would spy Hunter.  However they could throw a wrench into the game plan for Illinois State by running Dante a few times.  Illinois State has struggled with the read option for several years.  In 2006 they were unable to stop us with Marcus Mason and we beat them twice running ithe that year once in the playoffs and once in regular season.   Every time I watch them it seems they struggle with it. Last year was an odd game and we couldn't do anything wrong that day.  I say heavy doses of Ruiz and Webb with play action to keep them honest

I agree 100%. I think your going to see alot of Ruiz and Webb. It is truly awesome to have to feature backs that you can interchange in the backfield. Ruiz is fantastic, tough kid, can run the football and take off, and Jody Webb is electric as well, and throughout the entire season has been consistent with coming up with a big play when needed, even in the Illinois game in week one when his TD pass from Nania was called back. I really would like to see Stubbsy out there alot this week as well, talk about electric, there may be no one else in the conference as quick and shifty as this kid, I would like to see him used more than just for jet sweeps though, kid can catch a ball over the middle and slip up the field. Stubbs and Bryan have proven that they are not afraid to catch a ball across the middle, and then hey you got the two big guys to stretch the field. I think we will see a deep shot or two down the field to Andrew Williams again this weekend.
Title: Re: Mid Week Predictions for Ill State
Post by: penguinpower on November 05, 2014, 11:17:53 AM
That meant to say I wouldn't spy hunter he is not theat to run.
Title: Re: Mid Week Predictions for Ill State
Post by: ysuguins4 on November 05, 2014, 12:08:02 PM
Illinois State has struggled with the read option for several years.  In 2006 they were unable to stop us with Marcus Mason and we beat them twice running ithe that year once in the playoffs and once in regular season.

Zetts ran the read option to perfection in that regular season match-up.  He had over 100 yards rushing and I believe Mason was close to 200.
Title: Re: Mid Week Predictions for Ill State
Post by: ysubigred on November 06, 2014, 09:22:12 AM
YSU has too much muscle to lose this one.. "IF" Coaches heads out of their asses and YSU wins going away. To play it safe I predicted 31-27 on AGS  8)
Title: Re: Mid Week Predictions for Ill State
Post by: Penguin Nation on November 06, 2014, 10:14:48 AM
I can never predict outcomes with the Wolf.  One week you win in the Fargodome and the next week lose to Mizz St.  Another time you beat Pitt and lose 4 in a row in the Valley.

I think this could go either way....and no outcome would surprise me either way.....but I'd give ISUr the edge, especially due to the home field....hope I'm wrong.

FWIW....Massey favors ISUr over YSU. .....but favors us to beat ISUb next week....

http://www.masseyratings.com/team.php?t=9217&s=262657
Title: Re: Mid Week Predictions for Ill State
Post by: HappyPenguin on November 06, 2014, 12:46:23 PM
Whoa those Massey numbers don't give me a great feeling about the NDSU game  :o
Title: Re: Mid Week Predictions for Ill State
Post by: ysuguins4 on November 06, 2014, 12:54:33 PM
I say Guins 28 - 27.
Title: Re: Mid Week Predictions for Ill State
Post by: YGUINSNO1 on November 06, 2014, 05:42:02 PM
  Guins  31.. Birds  28   ;)
Title: Re: Mid Week Predictions for Ill State
Post by: seanbryan3 on November 07, 2014, 02:53:49 AM
Im never consistent with picking scores, especially with YSU, as I agree, you never know what your going to see. But im going to be a homer and pick us by 6. I think we are the better football team, I also think that we can contain the QB, and im very bias as it's Christians senior season and there is nothing more that he wants than to make the playoffs (because they have blew it the last two seasons).
Title: Re: Mid Week Predictions for Ill State
Post by: FOOTBALLFEVER on November 07, 2014, 08:27:13 AM
Well it all comes down to these final 3 games against the top teams in the conference. After last year's season ending collapse what more could you ask for if your the players or coaches? Dry but very windy conditions are in the forecast for kickoff time in Normal. I think this might limit what Montgomery  wants to do with Wells downfield. I look for a strong dose of Ruiz and Webb and the O-line will take over in the 2nd half just like they have done all season and running clock to keep the ball out of I.S.U. playmakers hands will be key. Defensively I think we will have a great game plan. Our ends and secondary must play discipline that will be key as well. I like the penguins in a overtime thriller 20-17..I hope I'm right !!
Title: Re: Mid Week Predictions for Ill State
Post by: ValleyTalk on November 07, 2014, 09:50:52 AM
As I alluded to on another message board, we have won 6 of our last 7 MVFC road games. The lone loss in that span coming on a last second field goal to UNI last year, a game we all know we should have won.

In addition, the last 2 meetings in Normal ended on a sour note. In Wolf's first year we lost on a Hail Mary pass with .7 seconds remaining to the Redbirds 41-39. I remember sitting in a parking lot waiting to leave my car thinking we were going to win and that happened. It was the story of our season that year. Then two years ago we led 28-7 and led into the 4th quarter 28-21, before losing 35-28. That was a game where we went ultra conservative in the 2nd half and it cost us as we could not get a stop on defense.

I expect a similar type affair this year, but the X factor is the fact our defense has played very well this year. I like how our defense sets up against their QB, Indiana transfer Tre Robinson, a dual threat QB. Robinson is completing just 53% of his passes this year and he has 8 interceptions as well. He is quicker and better than MSU's Kierra Harris, but he is a similar type QB. If we can have a game plan like we had against Harris, which is to stop the QB from rushing and forcing him into passing, I think we will be successful.

This has the makings to be a great one.

YSU 28
ILSU 24
Title: Re: Mid Week Predictions for Ill State
Post by: HappyPenguin on November 07, 2014, 10:18:37 AM
I'd be interested to see Travis Williams shadow this QB. I know he has the athleticism to shut him down.

Hopefully we come up with something good. Sounds like crowding the box wouldn't hurt if he's that inaccurate.
Title: Re: Mid Week Predictions for Ill State
Post by: IAA Fan on November 07, 2014, 10:45:40 AM
I am convinced that the struggles we have with S Dakota played a factor in last season's final 3 games. I think that the coaches studied that game. The difference is that UNI, SDSU and NDSU were much stronger teams than USD; so where USD collapsed in the second half, those other three teams did not. I hope this does not hold true again for these final games. USD stayed strong on D until Q4 this year. On O they did not have much for most of the second half.

Am I just being paranoid?
Title: Re: Mid Week Predictions for Ill State
Post by: ValleyTalk on November 07, 2014, 11:19:45 AM
The difference is that UNI, SDSU and NDSU were much stronger teams than USD; so where USD collapsed in the second half, those other three teams did not.

Am I just being paranoid?
The answer to your question is yes.

To my next point, I was in Vermillion for that game and you have it all wrong. USD did not "collapse" in the 2nd half. USD led at one point 27-19, but that was their biggest lead of the 2nd half. After they fell behind 31-27, they scored a TD with 2:14 left to take a 34-31 lead. So please do explain to me how they collapsed in the 2nd half??????
Title: Re: Mid Week Predictions for Ill State
Post by: IAA Fan on November 07, 2014, 11:44:40 AM
It is just that it happened two-years running, but the USD game followed our collapse in 2012 ...so I see your point Valley. I remember that we had the bad second half in 2012 against USD.
Title: Re: Mid Week Predictions for Ill State
Post by: OleYSUfan on November 07, 2014, 01:19:03 PM
Somehow we seem to have inopportune events that are game changers; for example:
* Blocked punts
* fumbles
* dropped passes on a critical 3rd downs
* a penalty at a critical time ie. a TD called back

If, we force some ISU turnovers and play without any ridiculous mistakes, we will prevail. My gut feeling, the score will be:

YSU   31
ISU   21

GO Penguins   
Title: Re: Mid Week Predictions for Ill State
Post by: penguinpower on November 07, 2014, 01:41:50 PM
It is just that it happened two-years running, but the USD game followed our collapse in 2012 ...so I see your point Valley. I remember that we had the bad second half in 2012 against USD.

We wore them down and they were on the brink.  When we completed that long TD pass it broke their backs.  Then we rolled.
Title: Re: Mid Week Predictions for Ill State
Post by: seanbryan3 on November 07, 2014, 02:47:50 PM
It is just that it happened two-years running, but the USD game followed our collapse in 2012 ...so I see your point Valley. I remember that we had the bad second half in 2012 against USD.

Agreed. Need to win
Title: Re: Mid Week Predictions for Ill State
Post by: ysufan0505 on November 07, 2014, 04:25:48 PM
I'd be interested to see Travis Williams shadow this QB. I know he has the athleticism to shut him down.

Hopefully we come up with something good. Sounds like crowding the box wouldn't hurt if he's that inaccurate.

Good post. I would really like to see Travis on the field more. So much athletic ability, just needs to cut down on the mental mistakes.