( 2 Votes )
Contrary to what Joe Scalzo wrote in his column today, [Thanks to a gutsy call on fourth-and-goal with two minutes remaining, the Panthers rallied for a 21-17 win Saturday in a game that officially ended the Penguins’ playoff hopes], Youngstown State is very much alive for an at-large playoff bid. However YSU's path to a potential at-large playoff spot is arguably the toughest in the country. Next Saturday the Penguin's playoff hopes ultimately ride on whether or not they are able to upset the #1 team in the country, the North Dakota State Bison, in the FargoDome.
Prior to the start of the season, I predicted North Dakota State would win the Missouri Valley Football Conference and went on to say they had an outside shot at a National Title this year. The 9-0 Bison are two wins away from going into the playoffs with an undefeated record and the #1 overall seed. Although I predicted the Bison to have a great season this year, I figured they would stumble at least once, if not twice on the year. To their credit, they have not suffered a setback on the 2011 campaign and have outscored their opponents by double digits in seven of their nine wins.
Anyone who thinks the Penguins don't stand a chance in this contest need to think again. Youngstown State's worst conference loss under Coach Wolford was by ten points, 30-20, at South Dakota State last season. Since then, the defense has improved drastically and the offense continues to put up big numbers. I antipicate another war next Saturday in the FargoDome and expect the Penguins to leave it all out on the field.
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06 November 2011
Prior to the start of the season, I predicted North Dakota State would win the Missouri Valley Football Conference and went on to say they had an outside shot at a National Title this year. The 9-0 Bison are two wins away from going into the playoffs with an undefeated record and the #1 overall seed. Although I predicted the Bison to have a great season this year, I figured they would stumble at least once, if not twice on the year. To their credit, they have not suffered a setback on the 2011 campaign and have outscored their opponents by double digits in seven of their nine wins.
Unlike our struggles against Northern Iowa, Youngstown State has done quite well against the Bison since they joined the conference in the 2008 season. In 2008, Youngstown State knocked off the then #4 Bison at home 32-24. A year later in the FargoDome, YSU stormed back from a 35-24 fourth quarter deficit to defeat the Bison 39-35 with :22 seconds remaining in what would eventually be Jon Heacock's final game as YSU Head Coach. Last season at Stambaugh Stadium the Bison took a page from Youngstown State's playbook. After Stephen Blose connected on a 38 yard field goal with :51 seconds remaining, North Dakota State had a huge return out to their own 45 yard line. Two plays later Jose Mohler connected with Justin Howard on a 45 yard touchdown pass to give the Bison a 34-29 edge, just :17 seconds after the Penguins took the lead.
This season the Bison have improved, but so have the Penguins. YSU, which finished 3-8 last season, has already improved their win total by two games this season and should finish no worse than 6-5 on the campaign, a three game improvement from last season. YSU's three conference losses this year were by two to ranked Indiana State, seven to South Dakota State, and four to #6 Northern Iowa.
Statistically speaking, this game next week is quite similar from the game yesterday in the UNI Dome. North Dakota State has a tremendous defense, while Youngstown State has a tremendous offense. By all accounts, this has the makings to be one of North Dakota State's toughest games on the year, even though they are playing at home.
Anyone who thinks the Penguins don't stand a chance in this contest need to think again. Youngstown State's worst conference loss under Coach Wolford was by ten points, 30-20, at South Dakota State last season. Since then, the defense has improved drastically and the offense continues to put up big numbers. I antipicate another war next Saturday in the FargoDome and expect the Penguins to leave it all out on the field.
In a tweet last night, Kurt Hess wrote the following, "I [gotta] 60 minute meeting with the number one team in the country next Saturday. #bisonhunt" Jamaine Cook may have summed it up best though stating, "Through the midst of it all our goals are still in front of us and we need to just stay humble and HUNGRY."
Jamaine Cook is right, the Penguins goal of reaching the playoffs this year is still out in front of them and a win on Saturday against the #1 team in the nation will go a long way in getting this program back in the playoffs for the first time since 2006. Not only does that win improve our playoff resume, but it strengthens our resume against Illinois State and Indiana State, two teams that I predict will also finish 7-4 on the year.
If the Penguins can get the upset Saturday:
Youngstown State: Wins over #1 North Dakota State, #17 Illinois State
Illinois State: A win over ranked Indiana State (They could still beat Northern Iowa, guaranteeing them a playoff spot, but I don't predict it to happen)
Indiana State: A win over FBS Western Kentucky.
Comments
I hope the players take note of your observations. I think we have a 65-70% shot of making the playoffs if we can knock off the #1 team in the country.
Nice article and go penguins!
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