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Post by Cap'n Cattitude on Oct 3, 2021 18:09:53 GMT -6
A new opponent this week at a new venue. The Colonels, like ACU, are 3-2. Their losses are to Louisville and Indiana State. They average 312 ypg compared to ACU 410 ypg (est. UCA stats not up yet). They give up 389 ypg while we give up about 300 ypg. (Even with UCA’s 550) The EKU schedule is rated slightly more difficult. The stat that really jumps out is that they have 9(!) interceptions including 3(!!) pick 6’s.
We probably should be favored but the Colonels seem to find a way to win with good defense and adequate offense.
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Post by kjmike1956 on Oct 3, 2021 18:29:23 GMT -6
I still think we beat Lamar, Tarleton St. and hopefully EKU or Jacksonville St. to get a winning record for the season which was my goal for the year. This game is a tossup to me.
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Post by Outsider on Oct 3, 2021 18:34:23 GMT -6
It all depends on how the team and coaches handle last night.
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Post by acutrackfan on Oct 4, 2021 16:06:29 GMT -6
If ACU pulls off the upset in Richmond, the ‘Cats can still have a good season. I pick EKU over ACU 31-24, but this will be the game that tells us if ACU can bounce back from adversity. I truly hope we pull off the upset.
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Post by fgcolonel on Oct 4, 2021 16:13:25 GMT -6
A new opponent this week at a new venue. The Colonels, like ACU, are 3-2. Their losses are to Louisville and Indiana State. They average 312 ypg compared to ACU 410 ypg (est. UCA stats not up yet). They give up 389 ypg while we give up about 300 ypg. (Even with UCA’s 550) The EKU schedule is rated slightly more difficult. The stat that really jumps out is that they have 9(!) interceptions including 3(!!) pick 6’s. We probably should be favored but the Colonels seem to find a way to win with good defense and adequate offense. Actually EKU is 6.5 fav. but that does not matter. It is close enough to not make much of a difference. Looking forward to hosting you guys at the Kidd this Saturday. Be happy to answer any question you may have about our team, the school, the town of Richmond or the game in general. Any of you guys gonna make the trip to the Bluegrass? should be one heck of a game,
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Post by Cap'n Cattitude on Oct 4, 2021 18:28:12 GMT -6
A new opponent this week at a new venue. The Colonels, like ACU, are 3-2. Their losses are to Louisville and Indiana State. They average 312 ypg compared to ACU 410 ypg (est. UCA stats not up yet). They give up 389 ypg while we give up about 300 ypg. (Even with UCA’s 550) The EKU schedule is rated slightly more difficult. The stat that really jumps out is that they have 9(!) interceptions including 3(!!) pick 6’s. We probably should be favored but the Colonels seem to find a way to win with good defense and adequate offense. Actually EKU is 6.5 fav. but that does not matter. It is close enough to not make much of a difference. Looking forward to hosting you guys at the Kidd this Saturday. Be happy to answer any question you may have about our team, the school, the town of Richmond or the game in general. Any of you guys gonna make the trip to the Bluegrass? should be one heck of a game, Hey Colonel, thanks for joining us. We are looking forward to this weekend. Looks like a good match up. Just for our purposes I use the Massey composite ratings rather than the betting lines which move with the money. Not surprised that EKU is favored by more. Wish I could be at the game. Have a son in law from KY but I don’t hold that against him. We would love to hear you talk about your team. We will try to answer your questions as well.
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Post by rc on Oct 4, 2021 19:03:34 GMT -6
Happy you found us Colonel. We don't know much about your team but I can share the obvious about us. We have a really fine freshman quarterback. He could be a real factor. We are pretty deep at running back. the questions are our receivers and our young linemen. The OL should develop in time to be a real asset. As you likely know, our MBB team beat a highly ranked U of Texas in the NCAA tournament and basketball will be back this year and maybe stronger. What is your bulletin board so we can learn about you?
Bottom line for me is I enjoy ACU playing other teams around the country and we are excited to come visit you.
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Post by fgcolonel on Oct 5, 2021 9:10:39 GMT -6
Tell you what I can about our team. Last year was Coach Wells first year. Tough year to start. We were 3-6. with losses to three FBS schools, West Virginia, Marshall and Troy. Troy beat us on last minute drive. We split with Central Arkansas, both winning at home. Lost to SFA and Houston Baptist with #3 QB taking most of snaps. #1 played sparingly late with injury. Then handled Western Carolina without a lot of problems ending the season. We were hit pretty hard late in season by Covid. Really rough season for new coach. We are a different team this year. Picked up some talented transfers but still learning to play together. Lots of Freshmen, We have a 4th year Soph QB. Worked out because of Injuries to ALL QBs his Freshman he got too play in final three games without giving up redshirt. Last year was a covid year so technically he is still redshirt Soph. He went out with a shoulder in the UCA game and missed most of balance of season. Back this year and has played very well. His back up is Auburn transfer Cord Sandburg. Cord is 26 year old senior Grad. that played a few years of MLB in the Phillys org before going to Auburn. #3 is Freshman. O-line is made up of tranfers and youngers guys learning to play together. Good size and improving every week . Our Stud RB opted out out last year and did not return. We have struggled with run game with but did better last week. Maybe starting to come around Our #2 from last year is our with preseason injury DA'JOUN HEWITT , a late RS freshman transfer from Purdue is carrying most of the load. Couple talented guys behind him but all true Freshman. Very talented at WR but VERY young and have had trouble keeping them all healthy. As a whole Offense is improving every week. Just a lot of new faces trying to learn a new system under fire. Defense is without a doubt our strong point. Big talented DL. would like to be a little longer at the edges but getting there. Although we lost a really good Sam linebacker for the season against Indiana St. we are still strong there, Jr. Matthew Jackson was pre season. on All American and playing up to accolades D backs are pretty strong, quick but injuries have caused us to "mix and Match" safeties and corners but they have preformed well. I think 6 ints and three pic 6. Although we have good talent in Kickers, Special teams have hurt us this year. Two Special teams turnovers in Indiana state game and Blocked put in End Zone for TD against Austin Peay. Kicker usually kicks into end Zone and is honest threat anything inside 55 yrs. Hit a 48 yard into strong wind last week. Perfect on PATs. I realize this is pretty vague but only have so much room, be glad to answer any questions. Check us out at www.maroon-nation.com/forum/
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Post by bogeyman on Oct 5, 2021 12:15:33 GMT -6
Had marked EKU and Jacksonville St as possible road trips before the summer but life happens. Would really like for us to play a complete game vs the Colonels just to keep it close. I still think we will beat Lamar and Tarleton will be a toss up. Will 4 or 5 wins be enough to "keep the hounds at bay?" I think not but I really hate to see the turnover that comes with a new staff. Why don't we win 6-7 to get things going forward?
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Post by kjmike1956 on Oct 5, 2021 13:14:58 GMT -6
Had marked EKU and Jacksonville St as possible road trips before the summer but life happens. Would really like for us to play a complete game vs the Colonels just to keep it close. I still think we will beat Lamar and Tarleton will be a toss up. Will 4 or 5 wins be enough to "keep the hounds at bay?" I think not but I really hate to see the turnover that comes with a new staff. Why don't we win 6-7 to get things going forward? I already booked hotel for Jacksonville St. EKU is the only game of the year my wife will not see in person. I too am pretty confident in five wins. Six or seven wins would be great. The team has improved from last year. I am not sure a coaching change will occur if six wins is not met. As previously stated in another thread, can ACU afford to let go a coaching staff that is still under contract while they are not in the best financial shape.
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Post by mavsman53 on Oct 5, 2021 13:26:22 GMT -6
KJMike, I am not sure I am following your statement-"I am not sure a coaching change will occur if six wins is not met."
So if we win less than 6 games, you don't think there will be a coaching change?
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Post by kjmike1956 on Oct 5, 2021 14:16:54 GMT -6
KJMike, I am not sure I am following your statement-"I am not sure a coaching change will occur if six wins is not met." So if we win less than 6 games, you don't think there will be a coaching change? I think six wins will assure another season for the coaches., but I do not necessarily believe that five wins will result in the coaches being let go.
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Post by fgcolonel on Oct 5, 2021 14:31:51 GMT -6
If ACU pulls off the upset in Richmond, the ‘Cats can still have a good season. I pick EKU over ACU 31-24, but this will be the game that tells us if ACU can bounce back from adversity. I truly hope we pull off the upset. If you guys beat us the Colonel nation will be some of your biggest supporters the rest of the year. Hope you have a winning season WITH a lose to us. BTW... EKU is much better game day atmosphere JSU just ask any Colonel
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Post by rc on Oct 5, 2021 18:39:47 GMT -6
Colonel, thanks for the great analysis of your team. I will be watching on ESPN+ and hope we have a game both teams feel pretty good about. ACU has a long history of quality sports teams and is about 5th or 6th in the nation in the most national championships -- but until recently these have been NAIA and Div II. Since moving to Div I, we have tended to field a great basketball team and last year a conference championship baseball team. Football has lagged in its development. In general we are very sports minded for a school of 5,000 students. It will be an exciting trip to come your way and experience a broader view of competition. Looking at EKU's academic departments I like to check out the sciences. Your site shows an impressive geological and geophysical bent, especially for Kentucky. Very interesting stuff.
One thing I like to point out about ACU is it is a heavy weight scientific university with over 40 years of Department of Energy funding (and Atomic Energy Commission before that) and working in our National Labs on key projects like the deep neutrino Dune initiative. We are currently leading in the development of new, safer, nuclear reactors. We play well above our weight in physics, engineering, chemistry, etc., and have other fine academic departments. We are very highly ranked nationally by US News and World Reports. So a critique might be that we sort of expect respectful performance in anything we do -- hence anxiety, wanting a winning football team. Regardless, your description of the Colonel Nation is appreciated. We are glad to get to know you.
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Post by ybp80 on Oct 6, 2021 21:07:35 GMT -6
We’ll be in New York City on Saturday visiting our daughter and, sadly, I’m sure I won’t be able to watch the game. You guys pull out a win for me and we’ll see you guys at Homecoming next weekend.
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