I posted this in another thread, but thought it would go well here. I think IP is correct is in his prediction of all offense & last man standing wins. However, I think we have the ability to win by a rather large margin here.
They have 3 good runners. They use the WR, just as we do. The number is their rank in conference.
4. Marvon Sanders, Illinois St.
8. Ashton Leggett, Illinois St.
19. Lechein Neblett, Illinois St.
We have to get some penetration to stop that WR from running on us. We have to stay with Leggett all the time. Last year, we would let him go after the play fake & then they would dump the ball to him after we let him get wide opened. Remember last year Leggett would take the toss very far back and build up a head of steam" against us.
6. Julian Burton, Missouri St.
Seems to be gifted in kick returns ...averaging over 21.
Clearly we need to contain. The first two game we have been FAR FAR better in coverage this season than last. However, our kicks are not were we want them so far in 2011.
QB: Matt Brown
We know he is good. He throws more TD's than anyone in the conference. Yet still has a passer rating over 170 ...so far. He will test our secondary. He throws to everyone. He uses Sander and Walker equally.
On the other side of the ball they have a pair of good linebackers ... Howe and Davis.
They bring on lots of pressure. ILS has 5 of the top-10 in tackles-for-loss in the conference. Granted it is early, but that is impressive. 7 different redbirds have sacks in just 2-games. They lead the conference in both categories. Rushers have not had success against them so far. I do not feel they have faced the depth that we have back their as of yet. Try that 2-back set we used last week & force them to bring a line-backer forward.
They have weaknesses ...they are:
Pass efficiency is not great,
They have forced 3 fumbles, but have given up 1-more.
Their secondary is quite suspect. Hess needs to keep it under control, and wait for his opportunities, and think there will be plenty.
All this being said, I suspect coach M will let the offense run out of the throw to confuse those dbacks.