Michael Calabrese

UNLV’s defense is dog water. One of the leakiest teams in America when it comes to letting up big plays. The good offenses in this league have had their way with the Rebs defense. And we get Ali-ha-dough, hot as a pistol, three passing TDs in five straight games. They just put up 38 on San Diego State, the best defense in this conference by a country mile. They’re healthy than they’ve been earlier in the season, particularly at WR, and that bye week was perfectly timed because now they can prepare further for the logistics and game prep. It’s a simplier road trip in that it’s less than 6 hours air time, and no long bus ride. And Timmy has figured out the Main Land this year with two outright wins already. The key in this game, in my opinion is containing Colandrea. He’s capable of 100 on the ground and a TD or two, but he’s also a stick of dynamite outside the pocket, uncorking deep passes. Hawaii has a comp for Colandrea and that was Bryson Barnes. They held to him to a QBR of 27.7 and 64 yards on the ground. It’s going to require a few upsets for them to get into the MWC title game, but the fact that they’re alive is giving this team juice, when a lot of teams around the country have nothing to play for. A win here and the program’s first 10 win season in six years is on the table.

Mike Uremovich has a recipe for being a pest. The Cardinals are outside the top 100 in plays per game and seconds between plays. 24th most run heavy team in the country. They should be getting Qua Ashley back, according to Uremovich presser yesterday. That’s a big addition to a running game that needs him. He had breakout games against New Hampshire and Akron this year, he’s the key. You can’t throw on Toledo this year, so getting anything it the run game is key. Wazzu used a similar formula, including the QB run game. They got to 162 yards on the ground, 74 coming from Zevi Eckhaus. And let’s not forget this is Candle as a favorite. 11-9 ATS at home in MAC play despite being the top dog for years. Lookahead spot with CMU and a spot in the title game potentially on the line next week.

Only five teams run more often than the Cocks. Cam Cook is a god among men. He continues to lead the nation in rushing yards, broken tackles and yards after contact at the G5 level. Top 3 nationally in all three stats. Can FIU stop him? No, they can’t. 117th in line yards, 121st in stuff rate. He’ll get to the second level and make them pay. I’ll lay the points.

Duck call 🦆 @Joshua_Nunn

I want a bite of the “For Who? For What?” Apple. That’s where we’re at right now with LSU. Interim Head Coach in Frank WIlson They already got to bowl eligibility Can’t compete for a league title Backup QBs are seeing the field This late season G5/FCS game used to be a staple

2023 - Ga State - 14 points 2022 - UAB - 10 points 2021 - UL Monroe - 14 points 2018 - Rice - 10 points 2015 - Western Kentucky - 20 points Some teams are pyschotic about being these teams down, LSU has not been that. Which brings us to Western and Rodney Tisdale Jr. 3 Starts 3 Wins 9 Touchdowns / 3 Ints 337 Total Yards Per Game And the run game has come alive because of the offensive balance, and Tisdale’s legs. Rick Bowie has what he needs QB, weapons wise to find the endzone twice here agaisnt an LSU defense that is good but not great, struggles to rush the passer (93rd) and gave up ten points to SE Louisiana with their second stringers in back in September.

Here’s your Spartan status update. Bowl eligiblity is now out of reach. Walker Eget who was cooking was pulled from his last start after starting the game 11-for-23 for 74 yards and three picks. Danny Scudero is thinking transfer portal. Aztecs due to the log jam of 4-2 teams behind them, need to keep winning to ensure a trip to the Mountain West title game. This defense has been lights out all season, but at Snapdragon Stadium, they’ve been special. They’ve allowed just 7.6 ppg at home, including matchups against bowl bound Cal and Boise State. The offense has shifted to a higher usage rate of Lucky Sutton. 23 carries per game across his last four games, helping them play keep away while playing at the slowest pace in the Mountain West (124th nationally).

Final stat dump, SDSU pass D: 9th in coverage, 2nd in Passing Success Rate, 40th in HAVOC.