Game 3 of the Night - Season 141
Previous GotN Prediction: N/A
Result: N/A
Intro/comments/match-up: Between preparing for a couple of games and getting ready for recruiting and watching too much basketball, the "smart dog" ran out of time to put together a GotN feature. Still busy tonight, but I'm getting the game out first.
There are a few games worthy of being featured tonight, but I try to go with games between undefeated teams, especially this early in the season. That being said, a review of the games came up with an interesting match-up with North Dakota State going to Pennsylvania to take on East Stroudsburg.
Team: North Dakota State
Coach: Zharkins # of Seasons: 5
Roster Breakdown:
Seniors: 14
Juniors: 10
Sophomores: 11
Freshmen: 15
Offensive Formations: Shotgun
Defensive Formations: 3-4, Nickel
Key Wins: 47-0 over Kentucky Wesleyan
Losses: N/A
Comments: Coach Zharkins made his impact at North Dakota St known last season in winning the conference title for just the second time in school history. Playoffs ended a little short with a second round loss to conference rival Humboldt State. These two teams should have some great battles if both coaches stay in place. Before landing the 5th ranked class for the Bisons per Guess Reports, Coach Zharkins was doing what he could recruiting with limited vision. He stayed with it and was well rewarded. As for the Bison's offense, it is throw the ball and then throw the ball some more. If one QB gets tire, he has another one that can play, and then another one after that with two red-shirt seniors and a red-shirt junior. With that leadership, teams are going to have a hard time keeping the score from reaching 40 or higher. On defense the team looks good playing the nickel. When the team go to the 3-4, two sophomore linebackers move into the lineup. Best chance is for a team to run the ball against them to get into their bench and keep the offense on the sidelines.
Team: East Stroudsburg
Coach: Munchnugget # of Seasons: 1
Roster Breakdown:
Seniors: 12
Juniors: 6
Sophomores: 13
Freshmen: 19
Offensive Formations: Shotgun
Defensive Formations: 3-4
Key Wins: N/A
Losses: N/A
Comments: After ten seasons at Tarleton State, Coach Munchnugget moved to the highly competitive PSAC. East Stroudsburg was coached by darryljones2 for four seasons before SIM took over last season. With Coach Munchnugget choosing to run the shotgun formation he will get the benefit of the players learning that formation under the previous coach. Coach has some good pieces to work with on offense but has to start two freshmen OL with three other freshmen being the backups. On defense, team looks good at defensive back with two seniors and two red-shirt sophomores. On the other hand, linebacker has one freshman starting with three others backing them up.
Tonight's Prediction: With this interesting battle of the shotguns taking place, the aerial display should result in a 95-70 advantage for North Dakota State...that is for pass attempts. Final score will still have the Bisons winning 63 - 17 due to their better depth and not having to rely on freshmen.