State -25.5 vs EKU

[confucius say]

Not that I encourage gambling, but interested in the line. Thoughts?

[HoopsDawg]

They lost the opener last year by 53 to Cincinnati. UK only won by 11. Honestly, if we don't cover, 4 wins is the ceiling.

I think we are going to score. The big concern is Hutzler. We have no idea if he's a competent DC.

[StateDawg44]

The big concern is Hutzler. We have no idea if he's a competent DC.

This is one of the biggest question marks I have going into the season.

I really hope he does well and has us competitive. But, we haven't been very successful rolling the dice on an unproven coach lately.

[msstate7]

This is one of the biggest question marks I have going into the season.

I really hope he does well and has us competitive. But, we haven't been very successful rolling the dice on an unproven coach lately.

The HC is also unproven

[FISHDAWG]

The HC is also unproven

Did he hire an OC or is he calling the offense himself?

[confucius say]

Calling himself

[CaptainObvious]

They lost the opener last year by 53 to Cincinnati. UK only won by 11. Honestly, if we don't cover, 4 wins is the ceiling.

I think we are going to score. The big concern is Hutzler. We have no idea if he's a competent DC.

I thought it was more about Jimmies and Joes, not Xs and Os! If they hit the field through the smoke without tripping over each other, tied their shoes and buckled their chin straps, and don't pick their own players on traps and crossing passes, they should be able to make a tackle here and there. What more could you want out of a DC?

[StarkVegasSteve]

Whatever the over is I'd probably take it. Lebby wants to score points and our defense has question marks all over it. This has 62-35 type game written all over it

[TaleofTwoDogs]

If the team trips in the smoke coming out of the tunnel you knoooow it's going to be a long day.........

[Hot Rock]

I thought it was more about Jimmies and Joes, not Xs and Os! If they hit the field through the smoke without tripping over each other, tied their shoes and buckled their chin straps, and don't pick their own players on traps and crossing passes, they should be able to make a tackle here and there. What more could you want out of a DC?

Well, actually develop a game plan for each opponent and prepare your defense for what they see from week to week. How about that for starts.

[MagicDawg]

State -25.5 vs EKU

This kind of line gives me PTSD.

[PMDawg]

Not that I encourage gambling, but interested in the line. Thoughts?

With a new coach, new offensive scheme, and a green DC, I would take the points. EKU got drilled by Cincinnati last year, but every other game was either a win or a close loss. They even played Kentucky tight. Now, granted, I have no idea how much they return from last year, but they were competitive. Seems like good work by the coaching staff.

ETA: Just a quick google search indicates they made a few coaching changes, but kept the HC (year 5) and all 3 coordinators. So, still a solid staff. They have a new QB replacing a 5 year starter (Western Ill transfer). They had 2 RBs last year that split time, and one transferred out. The one that remains rushed for over 700 yards and had 4 TDs last year. They seem to feel like they are "stacked" at WR and TE. The DL has 10 guys they feel like can play, with 5 returning who have played a "ton" of snaps. ILB seems to be a weak spot for them, but OLB returns a lot and added transfer depth. CBs were bad last year, and may be again this year. Safety is a strength for them. They gave up a lot of big plays on defense last year.

We obviously out-talent them everywhere, and should be able to cover the spread, but for reasons mentioned above, it could be a risky bet. Too many unknowns. Personally, I would advise finding a better game with more knowns to bet on. But, if I had to bet it, I would probably lean towards taking the points. Caveat - If their new QB is bad, or we can pressure him, it could get ugly for them.

[StarkVegasSteve]

With a new coach, new offensive scheme, and a green DC, I would take the points. EKU got drilled by Cincinnati last year, but every other game was either a win or a close loss. They even played Kentucky tight. Now, granted, I have no idea how much they return from last year, but they were competitive. Seems like good work by the coaching staff.

ETA: Just a quick google search indicates they made a few coaching changes, but kept the HC (year 5) and all 3 coordinators. So, still a solid staff. They have a new QB replacing a 5 year starter (Western Ill transfer). They had 2 RBs last year that split time, and one transferred out. The one that remains rushed for over 700 yards and had 4 TDs last year. They seem to feel like they are "stacked" at WR and TE. The DL has 10 guys they feel like can play, with 5 returning who have played a "ton" of snaps. ILB seems to be a weak spot for them, but OLB returns a lot and added transfer depth. CBs were bad last year, and may be again this year. Safety is a strength for them. They gave up a lot of big plays on defense last year.

We obviously out-talent them everywhere, and should be able to cover the spread, but for reasons mentioned above, it could be a risky bet. Too many unknowns. Personally, I would advise finding a better game with more knowns to bet on. But, if I had to bet it, I would probably lean towards taking the points. Caveat - If their new QB is bad, or we can pressure him, it could get ugly for them.

Keeping their D Coordinator as well as having 5 guys returning who played a "ton" of snaps on a D that allowed pts in bunches last year bodes pretty well for us.

[EKU_fan]

EKU Alum/fan here and y'all should easily cover this line. We had one of the worst defenses in the FCS the last 2 years and the DC continues to keep his job.

[PMDawg]

Keeping their D Coordinator as well as having 5 guys returning who played a "ton" of snaps on a D that allowed pts in bunches last year bodes pretty well for us.

True, but again, we have new coaches and players everywhere. Just hard to know. I won't be surprised if we blow them out and cover by 2 or more TDs. So, I'll reiterate - find a different game to bet on.

[Pancho]

Hello brother, We hope to look competent in all phases for 4 quarters. Nobody really know what to expect.

[Bdawg]

Whatever the over is I'd probably take it. Lebby wants to score points and our defense has question marks all over it. This has 62-35 type game written all over it

We give up 35, then we are in deep dookie this year!!

[KOdawg1]

A 35-10 type victory, and I'll be concerned.

[Homedawg]

Whatever the over is I'd probably take it. Lebby wants to score points and our defense has question marks all over it. This has 62-35 type game written all over it

Our defense isn't going to be good but we aren't giving up 35.

[civildawg]

We give up 35 to EKU, Hutzler should be fired as soon as the clock strikes 0