A look at SDSU

[delt4cy]

I'm getting so pumped for Thursday but I have heard very little about our opponent. I thought it might be a good idea to get a thread started on this.

Here is a link to the Jack Rabbitt season outlook: 2008 SDSU Football Season Outlook - GoJacks.com—Official Web Site of South Dakota State Athletics

Updated depth chart follows the brief 2008 outlook in the PDF file.

1. They lost a very good G and LT on the line. - D-Line needs to absolutely set the tone. A good rush from Taylor and Parker will be key.
2. They will be very green in the secondary, lose 3 starters. (Arnaud and Bates need to take advantage and mesh with the receivers early)
3. They will be featuring a new RB. - We need to stuff the run from the start and control the lines.

Any input or analysis? Superbunny do you have an updated depth chart? Any input of your own?

 

[Al_4_State]

I was on their fansite earlier today and was somewhat surprised by their optimism. I realize that from the outside looking, we look pretty weak, and obviously they're donning some blue and gold glasses, but the majority of their fans anticipate victory. Not sure what to think. On paper, there is no way in hell we should lose this game, but based on our tradition of absolutely crapping against "weak" opponents, this game has scared me for a long time. I'm hoping we go out, stomp the hell out of them, and put that crap to rest. Is it thursday yet?

 

[cyfan15]

Here's what I've come up with on South Dakota State after a little bit of research. If this looks familiar to anyone, it's because I posted it on another site last week.

Overview: The Jackrabbits have 18 players from the state of Iowa on their roster, including a couple from Ames and one from Huxley. This is their first year in the Missouri Valley Football Conference (new name for the Gateway), and they are picked to finish sixth out of nine teams.

Likely Starters (returning starters in bold)
QB Ryan Berry SR 6-3 205
RB Kyle Minett SO 5-10 205
WR JaRon Harris SR 6-1 200
WR Glen Fox JR 6-2 200
WR Mike Steffen JR 6-4 200
TE Colin Cochart SO 6-5 235
TE Luke Greving SR 6-4 225
LT Casey Knips JR 6-8 300
LG Nick Flesner SR 6-3 285
C Kevin Robling SR 6-3 270
RG Nate Koskovich JR 6-4 320
RT Casey Bender JR 6-6 285

DE Jason Nobling SR 6-6 240
DT Eric Schroeder SR 6-4 280
NT Brian Fischer SO 6-2 255
DE Danny Batten JR 6-4 250
WLB Jimmy Rogers JR 5-10 200
MLB Chris Johnson JR 6-2 230
SLB Derek Domino SO 6-3 210
LCB General Parnell SO 5-11 185
SS Conrad Kjerstad SO 6-0 200
FS Brock Campbell SR 6-2 218
RCB Cole Brodie SO 5-10 185

K Kyle Harris FR 6-2 185
P Dean Priddy SO 6-3 205

Tidbits: A poster on a South Dakota State board attended a scrimmage Saturday where it was mostly 1s vs. 1s. According to him, the offense pretty much moved the ball up and down the field at will. The experienced defensive line held the running game in check for the most part, but the defense couldn't stop the pass.

Final Thoughts: Realistically, this is probably the worst team we've played in a few years, at least since Illinois State in 2005 and possibly since Tennessee Tech in 2002. However, after what happened last year we can't afford to take anyone lightly. I think with our size advantage in the trenches and better overall athleticism, this should be a fairly comfortable win. Also, they have two freshmen competing for the kicking job just like us, so no advantage there for them.

A couple things that concern me are their quarterback and kick returner. The QB is a senior who had a pretty decent season last year. The kick returner, Adam Monke, averaged 26.2 yards per return last year and had a 91 yard return for a touchdown. Hopefully our coverage has improved this year. Also, we can't forget that this team beat a pretty good North Dakota State team last season, giving them their only loss of the year. The Jackrabbits won their last five games of the season and seven of their last eight. Still, with their losses to graduation and our talent advantage, we would have to play pretty poorly to lose.

 

[mcnemat]

we better beat them by 50!!!!

 

[AnkCyclone was SL Cyclone]

60 would be OK too!

 

[CycloneErik]

Kill da wabbit!!!!

 

[Istate]

Here's my quick read on things:

I think we should be able to dominate SDSU's defensive line. Their preseason depth chart goes 240, 285, 255, 240. That isn't very big by BCS standards, and I highly doubt they sport the athletes in those positions to compensate for their lack of size. Thus, JJ and Rob should have great nights. The one thing that I think we'll see alot of is run blitzes. They will walk safeties up and send different LB's (undersized lb's) to the abc gaps all night to confuse our relatively green OL.

In the passing game, I think we'll see much of the same. They won't generate pressure with their front four (oh god, I hope not) so we'll see a number of differentz blitz schemes hoping to make an unproven QB and WR corps beat them. I guess this is one of two areas that scare me heading into the game. If they can confuse the young line or bait Bates (ha, ha) or Arnaud into some misreads, we could see the turnovers that haunted us early last year. If we end up with 3+ turnovers in the passing game (Int's or Qb fumbles), this game could be too close for comfort. Purely on paper, their back seven look athletic so this could be their savior.

Defensively, I almost see a mirror image. I can't imagine a scenario where they have success running the ball. I'm trying to think back to that UNI game in the dome a couple of years ago. They may run a similar scheme to us which I think bodes well for our front seven reading keys and making plays. A few trick plays could work (and will be tried) if our young guys try to get too aggressive. With smitty in the middle, Taylor and Parker/Lyle pushing on the ends, they just won't have the lanes they need.

My biggest concern heading into the game is their passing game. Yes, they are breaking in some new faces, but we haven't exactly been world beaters against the pass recently. Their passing scheme has confused UNI allowing some huge plays. If we can't generate pass rush again, they could dink and dunk us all night with the occaissional big plays. Chris Brown won't be ready, and we're starting two new LB's on the outside.

With that being said, I'll be disappointed if this isn't a 24+ point victory. We aren't in a position to get 'caught' off-guard. We've not proven that we're better than anyone yet (we will). Our kids will be in the game from snap one, and our size/talent advantages should be more than enough to offset any new player nerves. We will see our bumps, but I think we pull away in the 2nd half.

 

[IcSyU]

Chris Smith

Chris Brown or Jesse Smith or am I missing something?

 

[delt4cy]

Does anybody have a link to their forum site? I like to the lurk on the competitors message boards every once in a while.

I think a 21+ point win (hopefully more) would be a huge confidence booster and give us great momentum heading into the coming weeks.

Less than that and I will be happy, but a little unsure of how the season will unfold. I want us to start quick and I trust that Chizik will make that happen.

 

[Al_4_State]

Does anybody have a link to their forum site? I like to the lurk on the competitors message boards every once in a while.

I think a 21+ point win (hopefully more) would be a huge confidence booster and give us great momentum heading into the coming weeks.

Less than that and I will be happy, but a little unsure of how the season will unfold. I want us to start quick and I trust that Chizik will make that happen.

Jackrabbit Football - SDSUFans.com Forum

a confident lot...

 

[mwitt]

I'm cautiously optimistic. That's the best I can do until I see us play.

 

[stepha4]

They're rated in the "1 AA" poll........16th or 19th I think........I'd rather play a lousy D 1 team than SDSU........the thing that's scary about them(IE UNI last year) is that they're used to winning and if it's a game in the 4th quarter....they expect to make plays to win. UNLV by contrast, will be expecting to screw up and lose. GO STATE.

 

[SUPERBUNNY]

I'm getting so pumped for Thursday but I have heard very little about our opponent. I thought it might be a good idea to get a thread started on this.

Here is a link to the Jack Rabbitt season outlook: 2008 SDSU Football Season Outlook - GoJacks.com—Official Web Site of South Dakota State Athletics

Updated depth chart follows the brief 2008 outlook in the PDF file.

1. They lost a very good G and LT on the line. - D-Line needs to absolutely set the tone. A good rush from Taylor and Parker will be key.
2. They will be very green in the secondary, lose 3 starters. (Arnaud and Bates need to take advantage and mesh with the receivers early)
3. They will be featuring a new RB. - We need to stuff the run from the start and control the lines.

Any input or analysis? Superbunny do you have an updated depth chart? Any input of your own?

I have looked but they don't have a published depth chart. Not sure if it's just us or if most FCS teams don't do it.

The above analysis is pretty accurate. The thing that has happened here over the last three years is that the talent of the players has risen a great deal and along with the increase in scholarships to the full 63. We did replace a lot of good players but those filling their spots may be as good if not better from an athleticism standpoint. Our strength is definitely in the skill positions. Kyle Minete will actually be an upgrade at running back. The questions for SDSU are on the D-line and backfield. A talented but unproven bunch will be making their first start at ISU. Also, we have a new kicker which is always unsettling.

One thing SDSU can do is move the ball and score points! We have been a good offensive team for years and feature a very balanced attack. Also, if it's close at the end, our team has some real success pulling games out. That is the thing that ISU has to worry about!

SDSU fans are very interested in how we will stack up. We have had very slow starts to the season the last few years and I know that they are trying to change that. Our fans are optimistic that we have a chance to win Thursday night.

You never know what is going to happen in the first game of the year but ISU has a whole lot more to lose in this game. I think the Jacks are going to play loose.

Good luck to both!

SUPERBUNNY

 

[cyclonejk]

I am a big fan of SDSU and follow them very closely. I graduated from SDSU and my brother was a four year starter for the Jacks, which is why I follow SDSU very closely. Here is my thoughts:

1. SDSU lost a ton of top quality seniors last year. Mitch Erickson (denver Broncos, All American), Chris Wagner (Oakland Raiders), Corey Koenig, Preston Crumly, Justin Kubesh, Tyler Koch (All American), and Brock Gentile, and kicker Parker Douglas (broke all of Adam Vinatieri's records). That is alot of experience to lose because most of them started for 4 straight years at SDSU. The only experienced position on the team is the defensive line. Of all the players on the SDSU roster, the only players that could play at ISU are DT Eric Schroeder (absolute beast) and WR Jaron Harris. I just think losing too much experience will hurt SDSU badly. The secondary is so green with 3 new starters.

2. SDSU is going to come into ISU, with 49,000 fans, and there eyes are going to get very large with amazement. They are walking into an atmosphere that they are not used to and they could become intimidated. There largest attendences are 15,000 fans. Thats why ISU has fans need to be loud, cuz the atmosphere alone could kill SDSU before the game starts.

I simply dont see SDSU coming in and winning. I think if ISU doesnt jump out early on them, then ISU could be in trouble. Im guessing SDSU will calm down after halftime and probably play alot better in the 2nd half. Those are just my thoughts from an ISU and SDSU fan. Im still sticking with my prediction of 34-17 ISU.

 

[cyclonejk]

I have looked but they don't have a published depth chart. Not sure if it's just us or if most FCS teams don't do it.

The above analysis is pretty accurate. The thing that has happened here over the last three years is that the talent of the players has risen a great deal and along with the increase in scholarships to the full 63. We did replace a lot of good players but those filling their spots may be as good if not better from an athleticism standpoint. Our strength is definitely in the skill positions. Kyle Minete will actually be an upgrade at running back. The questions for SDSU are on the D-line and backfield. A talented but unproven bunch will be making their first start at ISU. Also, we have a new kicker which is always unsettling.

One thing SDSU can do is move the ball and score points! We have been a good offensive team for years and feature a very balanced attack. Also, if it's close at the end, our team has some real success pulling games out. That is the thing that ISU has to worry about!

SDSU fans are very interested in how we will stack up. We have had very slow starts to the season the last few years and I know that they are trying to change that. Our fans are optimistic that we have a chance to win Thursday night.

You never know what is going to happen in the first game of the year but ISU has a whole lot more to lose in this game. I think the Jacks are going to play loose.

Good luck to both!

SUPERBUNNY

I dont know if I would say Kyle Minnett is going to be an instant upgrade over Cory Koenig. Cory had nearly 1300 yards rushing with 15 TD's last year and is probably considered in the top 5 of best running backs in SDSU history.

That is correct though that SDSU does start the season out super slow.

 

[Aclone]

Also, if it's close at the end, our team has some real success pulling games out. That is the thing that ISU has to worry about!

No, I don't think they're going to be worrying. :biggrin:

Good luck to your guys!

 

[cycloneworld]

If we can continue momentum we had at the end of last year, this game shouldn't be close.

If we come out like last year (which I don't expect), then there might be reason to worry. But getting beat by the #1 1AA last year is one thing...losing to a team that is predicted to finish 6th in their conference in 1AA is another.

 

[Flag Guy]

I'd like to say we have nothing to worry about, but I am still haunted by the last few minutes of the Toledo game :no:


Hopefully the team will look more like they did at the end of the season, if thats the case we have a lot less to worry about.... but I'm laying off the Kool-aid for now. Still hung over from drinking too much of it last year :no:


That said, I'll allow myself to believe we'll be better of than we were last year. Go Cyclones! :biggrin:

 

[BryceC]

I am actually really happy that Toledo game was on the radio last year. It was a lot easier to take without having to actually see it.

 

[DanCyn]

I am actually really happy that Toledo game was on the radio last year. It was a lot easier to take without having to actually see it.

I agree. Its a whole lot easier to throw a radio - and a lot less expensive - than it is to throw a TV.