Just one week away, so thought I'd get discussion going. I'm excited for a Saturday night game to open the season.
They went 10-3 in the Southland last season. Beat SFA in the first round of the playoffs before losing a competitive game to #1 Sam Houston.
They were picked 2nd in the Southland this season and 14th overall in the FCS.
Needless to say, this is a huge game, especially given the touch schedule we have to start the season (SEMO, @Northwestern, NDSU, @ILSU, @MSU).
Knowing nothing about them aside from what I mentioned above, I expect this will be a tough game for us.
Anyone have any thoughts?
They have a new head coach and QB. Both went to Washington State this offseason.
Their new head coach came over from UCF where he was co-offensive coordinator for Gus Malzahn.
Cameron Ward was their star QB last year. Now it's probably Lindsey Scott Jr. who transferred from Nicholls State. He had 2083 passing yards and 16 passing touchdowns and ran for 990 yards and nine touchdowns.
They have a new head coach and QB. Both went to Washington State this offseason.
Their new head coach came over from UCF where he was co-offensive coordinator for Gus Malzahn.
Cameron Ward was their star QB last year. Now it's probably Lindsey Scott Jr. who transferred from Nicholls State. He had 2083 passing yards and 16 passing touchdowns and ran for 990 yards and nine touchdowns.
Yeah Scott Jr. may not be as talented as Ward, but he averaged 190 passing yards and 90 rushing yards per game...he's the very definition of a dual threat QB. UIW also has better weapons for him (Taylor Grimes is a stud), so I expect those numbers will be just as good if not better this year. Our defense is going to have their hands full, which means the offense is going to have to show up. Makes me nervous that we are going to be missing Avante and possibly Hartrup and as of yet, we've not seen Baker really excel with his other options.
Baker is a gamer, but yeah, shorthanded at receiver. Going to be a tough game. Just hope they're ready.
March on triumphantly!
Here's a bit of a scouting report on UIW I found on Nevada's site. https://mwwire.com/2022/08/01/nevada-football-first-look-at-the-incarnate-word-cardinals/
I'm not sayin' -- I'm just sayin'!
Looks like rain a possibility all weekend in San Antonio. Not a great feeling about game 1. Short-handed on the outside, OL thats yet to gel, and unknowns after Baker.
Possible that Hartrup misses the opener according to Dent. Getting a win with our top two wrs down would be quite a feat against a top 15 team.
Most fan predictions I've read on FCS message boards have us winning. That surprises me a little, given it's a road game and all the uncertainty we have on defense.
Would be a big boost to the season. I'm excited for it.
Weather looks decent at kickoff. I almost think this is a pick’em game. I see slight edge to home team in this matchup. I feel good about the pieces Hill brought in on the defensive side. They seemed to have a good camp as a unit. Still comes down to DLine getting pressure and then containing a good athletic QB.
Offense is getting better and could be short handed. Hopefully Hartrup or Cox will play. Preferably both.
we will hang 40 on them, because THAT IS WHAT WE DO!
I like the doggies in a close game. Their QB isn't as good as last year's. They led the Southland in pre-season ALLCon picks, however, including this QB. Hopefully we can run on them.
Weather looks like 35 - 50% chance of a thunderstorm Saturday night.
Weather looks decent at kickoff. I almost think this is a pick’em game. I see slight edge to home team in this matchup. I feel good about the pieces Hill brought in on the defensive side. They seemed to have a good camp as a unit. Still comes down to DLine getting pressure and then containing a good athletic QB.
Offense is getting better and could be short handed. Hopefully Hartrup or Cox will play. Preferably both.
My understanding is that Cox is out until week 4 regardless. Hartrup is the only one I think that has a shot, but if that means him possibly re-injuring his hamstring, I'd rather him sit one or two at the beginning of the year than lose him for 4-6 weeks in the meat of conference season.
