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Post by purplestorm on Oct 27, 2014 22:58:09 GMT
Another big game against a big rival where the loser goes to the "house" where the playoffs are concerned. Cowboys are always talented, but have been up and down like us. They have also struggled through some injuries like us, as well. It's hard to get a read on them as one week they almost beat Nebraska and a few weeks later they get stoned by Sam Houston on the road. They handled Abilene Christian at home, even after committing six turnovers. That tells me they're resilient because Abilene is a worthy opponent. They really haven't played any other tough games with Prairie View, Arkansas Tech, UIW and Nicholls State representing four of their five wins. But, be not fooled at their soft schedule and seemed mini-struggle last week in San Antonio because the Pokes will come into Natchitoches ready to play and fully understanding they have a mental edge over us year-in and year-out. The McNeese curse is real and it's up to us to break it. How bad do we want to break it? Hopefully bad enough! At some point that curse will be broken and the worm will turn in our favor. I figure 2014 is as good a year as any, but it won't be easy. Of course, anything worth accomplishing is never easy.
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Post by Cajundemon11 on Oct 28, 2014 0:31:09 GMT
IF we still have our entire starting defensive line out like we did last week, it'll be a long game for us. McNeese will be very successful in the running game and I foresee a similar result to last year where they ran at will. Not a knock on our team, we just have way too many injuries on defense. Along with our all conference corners sitting out, I just don't know…
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Post by purplestorm on Oct 28, 2014 0:39:37 GMT
It's times like these where legendary stories are built. We have to figure it out if we want to win.
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Post by Cajundemon11 on Oct 28, 2014 2:16:56 GMT
Or score 56 points
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Post by purplestorm on Oct 28, 2014 2:27:08 GMT
Ha! Whatever it takes to shake this cloud!!!
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Post by mcneese72 on Oct 28, 2014 16:35:19 GMT
IF we still have our entire starting defensive line out like we did last week, it'll be a long game for us. McNeese will be very successful in the running game and I foresee a similar result to last year where they ran at will. Not a knock on our team, we just have way too many injuries on defense. Along with our all conference corners sitting out, I just don't know… I hope we have some runningbacks healthy to do that running. We were down to two at the end of the UIW game. We, also, held out a lot of starters trying to get them healthy for this week. Hopefully, they will be. If not, it might be a long night for us. Doc
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Post by purplestorm on Oct 28, 2014 21:51:59 GMT
McNeese rested plenty of starters against UIW and I'm sure will come in ready to play. I'm sure you'll have a couple RBs that can tote the rock and a QB that can do the same. Injuries, aside, may the best team "Saturday" win the game.
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Post by Cajundemon11 on Oct 28, 2014 22:47:51 GMT
IF we still have our entire starting defensive line out like we did last week, it'll be a long game for us. McNeese will be very successful in the running game and I foresee a similar result to last year where they ran at will. Not a knock on our team, we just have way too many injuries on defense. Along with our all conference corners sitting out, I just don't know… I hope we have some runningbacks healthy to do that running. We were down to two at the end of the UIW game. We, also, held out a lot of starters trying to get them healthy for this week. Hopefully, they will be. If not, it might be a long night for us. Doc I'd much rather be down a couple RBs than an entire defensive line, but thats just me…Its a real shame because we had a solid team up until a few weeks ago and last week when the injuries started piling up.
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Post by purplestorm on Oct 29, 2014 0:10:29 GMT
McNeese fans seem to be split in their thinking. Some are on the edge thinking they might not win another game. Then there are those who think they're going to wipe the turf with us Saturday night (can't blame them). So, in the end, injuries won't be the storyline ... the final score will be. So, how bad do we want it? Who steps up in the place of those injured? Who sucks it up a bit dinged up and plays a half? We have a good enough team to beat the Cowboys. We usually do most years (not all years, of course as they have owned us). This is simply another step that leads to the top of that hump we talk about getting over. It's either this year ... or we talk for another 364 days about next year. Those are the facts. Let's line up who can play and see what happens.
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Post by Cajundemon11 on Oct 29, 2014 1:50:50 GMT
I get the "next man up" mentality, but at our level its tough to keep saying that when guys that were scout team at the beginning of the season are starting for us. My guess is that we will crowd the box and force Sams or whoever Mcneese has at QB to throw it over the top to beat us, at the same time Claiborne and Rico Albert are out so that strategy is risky.
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Post by purplestorm on Oct 29, 2014 1:58:07 GMT
We still have some playmakers. They have to stop our offense, too.
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Post by roamingpoke on Oct 29, 2014 3:38:47 GMT
I think it boils down to matchups. It always does. If Deon Simon is out or in it will determine if McNeese would try to run straight at NSU (not a good idea if Simon is playing) or try to get to the outside. If Imoan Claiborne is at corner then that most definitely changes things. There is not a lot of mystery here. NSU has players and does well on special teams and owns the best record against an FBS opponent (La Tech) this year. I know we have a different attitude this year than last about the Demons. McNeese has its own issues and needs to define what they want to accomplish as a team. Especially on offense. So, IMO, anything can happen with all the injuries notwithstanding.
Any word on Claiborne or Simon?
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Post by purplestorm on Oct 29, 2014 3:44:41 GMT
They are both listed on the depth chart on the NSU/McNeese game notes. From there, who knows? This game will boil down to the offenses making plays. I expect a shootout. Pardon the pun, since shootouts are something Cowboys enjoy. :-)
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Post by Cajundemon11 on Oct 29, 2014 4:30:38 GMT
I think it boils down to matchups. It always does. If Deon Simon is out or in it will determine if McNeese would try to run straight at NSU (not a good idea if Simon is playing) or try to get to the outside. If Imoan Claiborne is at corner then that most definitely changes things. There is not a lot of mystery here. NSU has players and does well on special teams and owns the best record against an FBS opponent (La Tech) this year. I know we have a different attitude this year than last about the Demons. McNeese has its own issues and needs to define what they want to accomplish as a team. Especially on offense. So, IMO, anything can happen with all the injuries notwithstanding. Any word on Claiborne or Simon? I'm pretty sure they're out this week along with a few other starters. Offense is fully healthy, so we have no excuse on that end...I just worry about size up front facing that big Cowboy line. When you see us take the field on D you'll see what we mean. Literally a freshmen scout team guy is starting at DT.
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Post by purplestorm on Oct 30, 2014 17:45:35 GMT
McNeese fans are cracking me up on their fan forum. I have to admit, they have a good sense of humor. But, they're coming to Natchitoches with the intentions of whipping our entire butts, so we best be prepared!!!
Dress warm and cheer first so we can break this dadgum Cowboy curse!!! Ten years it's been since we've seen a win!!! Time to be bold when facing the blue and gold!!! Don't let off the brakes, there's a lot at stake!!! To send the Cowboys packing, we can't be slacking!!! It's not personal, Pokes, we're just tired of being on the wrong end of the joke!!!
That's all ... for now!!! Drive safe everyone (McNeese and NSU fans). There's a lot more to life than football. However, come 6pm-9pm Saturday, it's game on!!! :-)
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