Here are four more previews of the MWC games today, no need to worry Ram fans the Colorado State/Colorado preview will be up tonight or tomorrow for the Sunday mathcup.
Ok, really what is there to say, the big news from Nicholls State was their logo they brought out but it was a giant FAIL. The reason, the new logo (which is now pulled) look eerily similar to a Nazi soldier.
On to the game itself, Air Force is finally confirmed Tim Jefferson is the starting quarterback after working on his academics. Look for more of the same from Air Force with running the ball, and this game could get ugly early. We also might see another game where Air Force either does not complete a pass or throws a pass.
Nicholls State was only 3-6 last year and was not really competitive in any games this year in their losses. They averaged 16 points in every defeat, which can be reffered to their offense that averaged just over 100 yards passing yards per game, but their rushing attack was competent by averaging 200 per game with no dominant rusher.
Does this preview really need anything else? Air Force in a land slide.
Great! another FCS vs. FBS squad. However this game has some intrigue, because Weber State made the FCS playoffs, they are coached by Ron McBride who was at Utah prior to Urban Meyer, and they routinely get transfers from Utah, BYU, and Utah State. So, Weber does has some talent on their team.
From the Wyoming side brings in the spread attack brought from former Missouri offensive coordinator Dave Christensen who is now the head coach. Last year Wyoming played musical chairs at quarterback, but this year the starter is hand picked JUCO recruit Robert Benjamin, by Christensen who ran his type of offense.
Look for Karsteen Sween to get some snaps if the game gets out of hand, because he was this close to getting the starting job. The only concern for Wyoming is that their top two wide outs have been suspended for this game with Greg Bolling and Donte Morgan because of violating team rules.
The Poke defense is as good as normal and should be able to stop the Weber State offense, and the defense might actually be better because Christensen has brought toughness to the team that was not present under Cowboy Joe Glenn.
Too bad the Aggies are not any good or this game would be on Fox Sports or something. This game is really a game against two punching bags trying to improve from last years mess. New Mexico has former offensive coordinator Mike Locksley from Illinois, and is bringing his no huddle spread offense.
If teh Lobos are able to pick it up and if QB Donovan Porterie is fully recovered from his knee injury then the Lobo offense has the chance to be dangerous. New Mexico is breaking in new running back AJ Butler who is a star freshman and will get a lot of touches. New Mexico has had seven straight 1,000 yard rushers so that record could be in jeporady with a new back and offense.
Texas A&M has QB Jerrod Johnson who has no Stephen McGee or any other QB breathing over his shoulder. Johnson is a dual threat and if needed will take off and run the ball. Now he is no running threat like Vince Young or Terrelle Pryor but is good enough to make plays, so the Lobo defense needs to keep their assignments or they will get smoked.
The Aggie defense is not the 'Wreckin' Crew' but it should be much improved and has chances to take advantage early on if New Mexico is stumbling in their new offense.
The edge has to go to Texas A&M because Kyle Field is a real home field advantage and the athletes that A&M recruits is better then the Lobos, but this game should be fairly close in the end.
This game is being played despite fires raging in Southern California, and as a very nice gesture any fire fighter and their family can get free tickets which is needed since this game will have a sparse crowd. San Diego State brings in a new staff to San Diego starting with Brady Hoke is coming in from Ball State and also former New Mexico head coach Rocky Long to run the defense.
It is hard to make of the Aztecs because practices have been closed to everyone this fall famp to keep things a secret. The only thing we know about San Diego State is that they will have possibly the best player on the field in QB Ryan Lindley who as a freshman was a passing machine and had a good season despite having a make shift line due to injury. If the Aztec running game gets going then SDSU possibly could make a run and take out UCLA by using LIndley to air it out.
By no means is this game a gimme for UCLA even thought the Aztecs only won two games last year. There is a buzz around San Diego since Marshall Faulk days. As for UCLA they should have a competent QB in Kevin Prince who should be light years ahead from last years team.
To ease into the game UCLA (and SDSU) must establish the run game to help out Kevin Prince in UCLA's situation and with SDSU it will help prevent the Bruins from a full on attack from the linebackers.
UCLA is hurting more on the injury front then SDSU with UCLA missi ng Christian Ramirez and wide receiver Gavin Ketchum, but the wide receiveing corp is deep for UCLA so that injury is not a problem. This game should go to UCLA by about 10 points or so, but San Diego State will be much more better then last year.