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Cave_Johnson
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Or the University of South Alabama. Couldn't decide between the current thread title and "Week 10 @ a bunch of Jags". Anyway USA is coming into this game off a bye after giving Texas State their first FBS and conference win of the season two weeks ago. I gotta say, the Jags are probably the most difficult team to figure out in the Sun Belt. They had an impressive early season win against current MWC West division leader San Diego State, but have since gone 1-3 with their only win being Troy. Statistically they are very similar to Idaho in the points conceded and points scored departments. Idaho's offense has been better yardage wise, but USA's defense has definitely had the better year so far.
As long as we're on the subject of Idaho's defense......what the fuck? No really. What. The. Fuck. They started off the season poorly against good teams in Ohio, USC, Georgia Southern, and Arkansas State but performed well short handed against Troy, ULM, and NMSU in the first half. But that second half against NMSU? Wow. They were uninspired, tired, and out of position for 29 minutes and 53 seconds of that half. That's what happens when you don't finish the game after you get a lead. Not all of the blame goes to the players, the coaches deserve their fair share as well. I just don't understand how you give up a 23 point lead. I know Petrino has said they've been taking some pointers from the Seahawks on defense, but damn. Didn't think they'd catch the choking bug from them. That was just terrible to watch. I would have rather let a rhino empty the contents of its bowels down my throat than watch the second half of that NMSU game again. I'd rather go on a date with Bill Cosby. I'd rather watch the NBA.......okay maybe not. Still, how do you score 48 and lose? Especially to the worst team in FBS. Wait...if you lose to the worst team in FBS does that make you the worst team in FBS? Idaho certainly has the worst defense.
The Vandal offense on the other hand has been really solid since the Troy game. Elijaah Penny is averaging 188 rushing yards, 217 offensive yards, and 1.5 TD's a game over the last two weeks. A lot of credit goes to the offensive line here as well, they are easily one of the largest lines in the Sun Belt and are starting to impose their will on opposing defenses. Matt Linehan is also coming off back to back 300+ yard passing performances, the last of which came without Dezmon "Special Ed" Epps. Callen Hightower filled in nicely for Epps against NMSU going for 10 receptions and over 100 yards. They really didn't miss Dez as much as I thought they would. If Hightower, Boston, and Cowan can pick up the pace, Epps' absence won't be much of an issue going forward.
To injuries/suspensions.......oh boy. Epps is obviously out this week, and they'll still be pretty thin in the secondary with Jordan and Grabski out. Armond Hawkins did return at safety last week but looked like absolute garbage so no real help there. Idaho could also be without DT Tueni Leupeamanu who went out of the NMSU with some sort of leg injury. LB Marc Millan will also sit out due to a league suspension for basically being a huge piece of shit. Should be a 3 game suspension for him IMO. Kaden Ellis, Khalin Smith, and Chris Edwards are going to have to step up this week. Basically what I'm trying to say is this defense is hurting....bad. Once the Aggies started coming at Idaho with a fast paced offense and allowed their QB to scramble a bit, it was game over. South Alabama doesn't have a beast running back like Larry Rose III but if their coaching staff is smart at all they'll know how to attack this depleted defense. Idaho's D may perform moderately well in the first half, but they will get gassed in the second if the Vandals don't control the clock with Penny and keep USA's offense off the field.
Prediction: USA won in convincing fashion in Moscow last year 34-10. They lost a lot of talent on offense this off season, but got quite a few new transfers after UAB's football program collapsed. They've had trouble getting things rolling on offense in a lot of games this season, but the best remedy for a struggling offense is a heavy dose of the Idaho Vandal D. I already mentioned that Idaho's key is to establish the run, not get behind early, and control time of possession. If they do that this is a winnable game. I don't think they will though. I'm expecting them to get behind early and for this to become a shoot out, exactly what they don't want with a tired, thin defense.
Final Score:
USA 45
Idaho 37
As long as we're on the subject of Idaho's defense......what the fuck? No really. What. The. Fuck. They started off the season poorly against good teams in Ohio, USC, Georgia Southern, and Arkansas State but performed well short handed against Troy, ULM, and NMSU in the first half. But that second half against NMSU? Wow. They were uninspired, tired, and out of position for 29 minutes and 53 seconds of that half. That's what happens when you don't finish the game after you get a lead. Not all of the blame goes to the players, the coaches deserve their fair share as well. I just don't understand how you give up a 23 point lead. I know Petrino has said they've been taking some pointers from the Seahawks on defense, but damn. Didn't think they'd catch the choking bug from them. That was just terrible to watch. I would have rather let a rhino empty the contents of its bowels down my throat than watch the second half of that NMSU game again. I'd rather go on a date with Bill Cosby. I'd rather watch the NBA.......okay maybe not. Still, how do you score 48 and lose? Especially to the worst team in FBS. Wait...if you lose to the worst team in FBS does that make you the worst team in FBS? Idaho certainly has the worst defense.
The Vandal offense on the other hand has been really solid since the Troy game. Elijaah Penny is averaging 188 rushing yards, 217 offensive yards, and 1.5 TD's a game over the last two weeks. A lot of credit goes to the offensive line here as well, they are easily one of the largest lines in the Sun Belt and are starting to impose their will on opposing defenses. Matt Linehan is also coming off back to back 300+ yard passing performances, the last of which came without Dezmon "Special Ed" Epps. Callen Hightower filled in nicely for Epps against NMSU going for 10 receptions and over 100 yards. They really didn't miss Dez as much as I thought they would. If Hightower, Boston, and Cowan can pick up the pace, Epps' absence won't be much of an issue going forward.
To injuries/suspensions.......oh boy. Epps is obviously out this week, and they'll still be pretty thin in the secondary with Jordan and Grabski out. Armond Hawkins did return at safety last week but looked like absolute garbage so no real help there. Idaho could also be without DT Tueni Leupeamanu who went out of the NMSU with some sort of leg injury. LB Marc Millan will also sit out due to a league suspension for basically being a huge piece of shit. Should be a 3 game suspension for him IMO. Kaden Ellis, Khalin Smith, and Chris Edwards are going to have to step up this week. Basically what I'm trying to say is this defense is hurting....bad. Once the Aggies started coming at Idaho with a fast paced offense and allowed their QB to scramble a bit, it was game over. South Alabama doesn't have a beast running back like Larry Rose III but if their coaching staff is smart at all they'll know how to attack this depleted defense. Idaho's D may perform moderately well in the first half, but they will get gassed in the second if the Vandals don't control the clock with Penny and keep USA's offense off the field.
Prediction: USA won in convincing fashion in Moscow last year 34-10. They lost a lot of talent on offense this off season, but got quite a few new transfers after UAB's football program collapsed. They've had trouble getting things rolling on offense in a lot of games this season, but the best remedy for a struggling offense is a heavy dose of the Idaho Vandal D. I already mentioned that Idaho's key is to establish the run, not get behind early, and control time of possession. If they do that this is a winnable game. I don't think they will though. I'm expecting them to get behind early and for this to become a shoot out, exactly what they don't want with a tired, thin defense.
Final Score:
USA 45
Idaho 37
