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 

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Top 5 Favorite Jackrabbit Football Players

Image
Remember the great scene from "The Sandlot" where Benny wakes up to the ghost of Babe Ruth coming out of his closet?  If you remember, the boys from the sandlot were in a pickle.  A signed Babe Ruth baseball had been hit over the fence and into a junkyard that was roamed by a giant dog named "The Beast" and an old grouchy man who instructed the dog to eat intruders (or so the legend said) lived alone.  Anyways, the best part of the dream scene is Babe Ruth's advice to Benny, "Hero's get remembered, but legends never die." Who are the legends of Jackrabbit football?  What plays and contribution did they make that stand out?  I had this discussion on Twitter on my personal account a few months ago, but I decided I wanted to bring it to the blog.  We can debate all day who the BEST Jackrabbits are, but who are your FAVORITE Jackrabbits of all time?  Who are the legendary players to you?  I've been closely following the Jacks since the fa
Read more

What's Cookin': Dessert

Image
Alright, another year of Jackrabbit football is upon us. We are celebrating at Jackrabbit Illustrated, this our 5th season covering the team.  The players who we first covered as freshmen are now redshirt seniors. We hope you are as excited as us for this upcoming season. Chef Tim, a culinary instructor at Mitchell Tech and contributing writer, has some fun recipes for you this season.  He has committed to doing one a week. I have nothing but faith that he will get them turned in! We start the season celebrating with celebrations. Here are some fun baked goods that will lead to the healthy start to the season; Cherry-Chocolate Chunk Cookies ½ Cup All-Purpose Flour ¼ Cup Quick-Cooking Oats ½ Teaspoon baking Soda Pinch of Salt 2 tbs butter, melted and cooled 1/3 cup brown sugar 1 large egg 1 tsp vanilla Extract 2 oz semisweet chocolate 1/3 cup dried cherries 1) Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Spray large baking sheet with nonstick spray. 2) Combine Flour, Oats, baking soda, and salt in a
Read more

Guide to Fort Collins

Image
The Jackrabbit games about FBS teams are always fun.  It is a chance to take in a different town and watch the team prove themselves against a foe who is one classification higher.  This year the Jacks aren't playing a Power 5 team but are playing a Great 5 team, Colorado State.  We have a guest contributor today, Jackrabbit legend Austin Sumner.  Austin was the starting QB from 2011 to 2014.  .  Below are some of his recommendations for Fort Collins. Jacks Fans! I’m looking forward to seeing many of you Labor Day weekend as the Jacks take on Colorado State. I’ve lived here in Fort Collins for the last 6 years. Here are some recommendations for those visiting for the big game: Breweries – New Belgium and Odell Brewing Co (most popular) are great places to kill some time and enjoy some of the finest craft beers. Or keep it classy at the Anheuser-Busch brewery and grab yourself a Busch Light. Here is a list of the rest in town: Fort Collins Breweries | Local Colorado Craft Beer (visi
Read more