3 Matchups to Watch: USD

Photo by Abby Fullenkamp

Well the game is just a day away.  I've received a fair amount of heat for my predicted score, a ten point SDSU victory.  After watching three USD games, I think that it will be tight.  USD is not a bad team.  Their defense played GREAT against WIU last week in a game that Western really really need to win.  Their offense is capable but mistake prone.  If they put it together again, it will be a close game.

3 Matchups to Watch
1. Jackrabbit defense vs. Austin Simmons
At the start of the season Coyote fans were quick to tell anyone that would listen that Simmons was Chris Streveler 2.0.  Simmons has been okay and has played very well the past two weeks. The Jacks haven't been great against mobile quarterbacks and Simmons certainly brings that dimension to the game.  If the Jacks can limit his impact on the ground and make it just a passer, they will win.

2. Evan Greeneway vs. Darin Greenfield
Greenfield is a pain but Greeneway has been great in 2018.  Greenfield has good speed off the edge and can be very disruptive in the passing game.  In 2017, Greenfield had a sack and 2 quarterback hits.  Greeneway probably provides a little more consistency than the previous left tackle Charlie Harmon.  If Greeneway shuts out Greenfield he should get a steak dinner from Taryn. 

3. Cade Johnson vs. USD's secondary
Johnson has gone over 100 receiving yards in 6 games this year and has really blown up the last four weeks.  The USD secondary has at times struggled in 2018 with consistency and maintaining their assignment.  The Jackrabbit offense is so complicated and requires defenses to choose if they want to stop the run or take away the deep ball.  I expect the Jacks to come out and assert themselves in the run game again this week.  I think Johnson scores a couple easy touchdowns over the top as the Coyotes do not have a cornerback who can run with him stride for stride or play him straight up.

Again, this is going to be a close game.  Rivalry games are supposed to be close.  The cold weather may limit some of the offensive fireworks we are used to seeing but it sure didn't seem to slow the Jacks down vs. Missouri State or Southern Illinois.  We'll see what happens on Saturday but I'm still maintaining that we'll see a Jackrabbit victory 34-24. 

Go Jacks!
Matt 

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