Read the transcript for today's chat on the extended portion of this post.

 

Oct 23 2014, 12:00 PM

Jim:It's a rainy Thursday - a great time to chat about Eastern sports!

Oct 23 2014, 12:01 PM

Jim:And not just football - the mens basketball team is picked second by the coaches and third by the media on the Big Sky poll released this morning.

Oct 23 2014, 12:02 PM

Jim:The men and women will hold a special Eagle Madness event tonight at Reese Court - I will be there, then catching a flight to Arizona in the morning - I love this job!

Oct 23 2014, 12:03 PM

Jim:I also want to give a shout-out to my friend and big Eagle fan Dave, who's celebrating his 60th birthday this weekend - by watching the NAU game with friends!

Oct 23 2014, 12:04 PM

Guest6523: Sounds like our injury bug is starting solve itself.Who this week and what about the future

Oct 23 2014, 12:05 PM

Jim:Hello - Yes, RB Quincy Forte and WR Cory Mitchell are expected back this week, and both looked great at practice on Tuesday. Safety Todd Raynes might return as well.

Oct 23 2014, 12:06 PM

Guest6523: How about D line upperclassmen?

Oct 23 2014, 12:07 PM

Jim:On the other hand, DE John Goldwire is injured again, now with a shoulder. And Evan Day is still out. I addressed some of those issues yesterday in my story on the D-line.

Oct 23 2014, 12:08 PM

Jim:For what it's worth, this has been my designated "trap" game for the Eagles almost since Day One.

Oct 23 2014, 12:09 PM

Guest6523: I also have had concerns about this one.

Oct 23 2014, 12:09 PM

Jim:A tough road venue against a team that went 10-3 last year and 7-1 in the Big Sky. ... the altitude issues that WILL affect a few players ... NAU's experience in close games this year.

Oct 23 2014, 12:11 PM

Jim:I actually thought the offense regressed a bit from West's first start (at SUU) to last week. UNC's front seven and schemes and something to do with that - thoughts?

Oct 23 2014, 12:12 PM

Jim:I also thing Forte's return makes a big difference this week; the other backs don't have his cutback ability. Plus, NAU is giving up 205 yards a game on the ground.

Oct 23 2014, 12:14 PM

Jim:So ... how about that basketball team. Picked to finish 2nd/3rd in the Big Sky. I picked them second, behind Weber State.

Oct 23 2014, 12:14 PM

Jim:C'mon, don't be shy out there.

Oct 23 2014, 12:17 PM

Jim:Football topic: What areas are a priority for the Eagles to clean up in the stretch drive of the regular season?

Oct 23 2014, 12:19 PM

Jim:My top three: 1) The pass rush - seven last week against UNC gives them 16 on the year, which is still barely average; 2) Penalties - they've averaging 73 yards a game, which ranks 99th in FCS; and red-zone defense (115th in FCS, with opponents converting 92 percent into TDs or FGs).

Oct 23 2014, 12:19 PM

Guest6523: I have been impressed with all areas of ST and O line. D line is very young, LB are slow in my opinion and DB inexperienced

Oct 23 2014, 12:20 PM

Jim:Agreed with all of the above.

Oct 23 2014, 12:21 PM

Guest6523: Looks like it is just us, and I don't follow Basketball

Oct 23 2014, 12:22 PM

Jim:Great ... so what is everyone doing on a rainy Thursday, blowing out their sprinklers?

Oct 23 2014, 12:23 PM

Jim:OK, let's focus ... Here's a poll. How many games does Eastern win, out of its last four?

Oct 23 2014, 12:24 PM

Jim:That would be @NAU, home vs. N. Dak, home vs. Montana and @ PSU

Oct 23 2014, 12:25 PM

Jim:I'm assuming that Adams will be back for Montana, so I say 4-0.

Oct 23 2014, 12:27 PM

Jim:That would mean a probable #2 seed for the playoffs, and home field throughout, but let's not get ahead of ourselves.

Oct 23 2014, 12:28 PM

Guest6523: If we play hungry, we should be 4 and 0 but my gut says we have a loss. If so would that mean #2 is down the drain?

Oct 23 2014, 12:30 PM

Jim:Depending on other top teams (NDSU, New Hampshire, Villanova, Coastal Carolina, Jax St.) I think a second loss drops EWU a couple of spots.

Oct 23 2014, 12:30 PM

Jim:As you may recall, the Eags were #3 last year, but hosted throughout because #6 Towson won its quarterfinal at Eastern Illinois.

Oct 23 2014, 12:30 PM

Guest3172: I have been concerned about NAU, but I have to say I watched the NAU v PSU game last week and they don't look all that great.

Oct 23 2014, 12:31 PM

Jim:They needed an epic, 83-yard drive to pull out that one. They certainly miss Bauman.

Oct 23 2014, 12:31 PM

Guest4825: We get 4. NAU has not been lights out, UND can't move the ball, UM @ home with VA back, an PSU is a mess.

Oct 23 2014, 12:32 PM

Jim:There you go. The biggest obstacle to 4-0 is Montana's defense, which has been amazing so far. Adams had better be back for that one.

Oct 23 2014, 12:32 PM

Guest3172: This is definitely a different team without VA. West is a great talent and very poised in the pocket, but VA adds a spark to the offense

Oct 23 2014, 12:33 PM

Guest6523: I just needed to show some concern and the board lights up

Oct 23 2014, 12:33 PM

Jim:Thanks - I'd love to offer a gift for that!

Oct 23 2014, 12:33 PM

Guest4825: I can also see concerns with all 4 games

Oct 23 2014, 12:33 PM

Jim:Three of them, anyway - ND doesn't scare me.

Oct 23 2014, 12:34 PM

Guest4757: The win over Montana St. looks huge now with no well they are playing.

Oct 23 2014, 12:34 PM

Guest4757: oops, how well I mean

Oct 23 2014, 12:34 PM

Guest3172: hopefully VA can be back for the Montana St game.

Oct 23 2014, 12:35 PM

Jim:As a fan, you have to lament that it didn't count in the BSC standings. MSU and UM are still perfect in the Sky.

Oct 23 2014, 12:35 PM

Guest4825: both Montana and MSU struggled a bit with UND. I think a case can be made they are a lot better then UNC. They are playing pretty good D right now.

Oct 23 2014, 12:36 PM

Jim:Interestingly, ND has given up the fewest points in conference games (63), but also scored the fewest (57).

Oct 23 2014, 12:36 PM

Guest3172: Montana State pummeled UC Davis

Oct 23 2014, 12:36 PM

Jim:77-37, and they took a knee at the end inside the 20

Oct 23 2014, 12:37 PM

Jim:Dakota Prukop is amazing, I've seen him.

Oct 23 2014, 12:37 PM

Guest4825: MSU and ISU and MSU UM are going to be interesting games.

Oct 23 2014, 12:38 PM

Jim:UM is at Cal Poly this week - this will be very interesting

Oct 23 2014, 12:39 PM

Guest4825: Yes, Poly seems to have things going in the right direction after an ugly start to the year.

Oct 23 2014, 12:39 PM

Guest3172: Eastern obviously controls their destiny as we approach the end and the playoffs. We may find ourselves watching the UM v MSU game this year with great interest.

Oct 23 2014, 12:40 PM

Jim:Certainly you will if EWU drops a game in the interim.

Oct 23 2014, 12:40 PM

Guest4825: How big of role will Forte and Mitchell play this week? Limited?

Oct 23 2014, 12:42 PM

Jim:More than limited, I think. They coaches and trainers have been ultra-cautious with Forte's shoulder injury, wanting him 100 percent for the stretch drive. His carries this week? I'm guessing 12-15, then more from there.

Oct 23 2014, 12:42 PM

Guest3172: Will EWU block a punt this week? 3 weeks in a row I believe

Oct 23 2014, 12:43 PM

Jim:Amazing, isn't it. Baldwin said this week that he's never been part of something like that. He was pretty classy on Tuesday, crediting special teams coach Jeff Schmedding with the wrinkle that got the block vs. UNC.

Oct 23 2014, 12:43 PM

Guest6523: I think the SP teams will be very disappointed if they don't make a big play each week. Fake Punts, Blocked punts. I say we are going to run 1 back this week

Oct 23 2014, 12:45 PM

Jim:KR returns have been a slight disappointment; of course, Hill and Mitchell have been hurt. Kupp has been OK on punt returns - no muffs - but is averaging only 6.2 yards per return.

Oct 23 2014, 12:45 PM

Guest4825: Brown and Moore have been playing great. Spread the wealth.

Oct 23 2014, 12:46 PM

Jim:Brown, and especially Moore have been up-the-middle guys, and rarely getting involved in the passing game. Forte adds the outside dimension.

Oct 23 2014, 12:46 PM

Guest3172: The Eagles bring excitement to SP play that is for sure.

Oct 23 2014, 12:47 PM

Guest4825: Shaq is due to pop one as well!

Oct 23 2014, 12:47 PM

Jim:And no terrible plays yet on special teams. McNannay needs to get some deeper kickoffs, though.

Oct 23 2014, 12:49 PM

Jim:The best stat of the year: EWU's offense is practically perfect in the red zone, with just two end-of-game kneeldowns.

Oct 23 2014, 12:50 PM

Guest3172: That is impressive

Oct 23 2014, 12:50 PM

Guest3172: How has the D faired in the red zone?

Oct 23 2014, 12:52 PM

Jim:Not so well, giving up scores on 23 of 25 chances (although 6 of those are FGs).

Oct 23 2014, 12:54 PM

Guest3172: That could use some improvement.

Oct 23 2014, 12:54 PM

Jim:They rank 115th of 121 teams in FCS.

Oct 23 2014, 12:55 PM

Guest4825: Ouch! I feel like the Defense has been coming around, although the last two offenses have not been great. How does NAU compare?

Oct 23 2014, 12:56 PM

Jim:NAU's offense is strong in the red zone, ranked 12th in FCS (91.3 percent). Their defense is mediocre at 86 percent (tied for 92nd).

Oct 23 2014, 12:57 PM

Jim:In other words, both defenses have struggled in the red zone.

Oct 23 2014, 12:57 PM

Jim:NAU is also losing the turnover battle - they're minus-4, while EWU has pulled to even after being in the minus all season.

Oct 23 2014, 12:58 PM

Jim:Anything else before I resume my feature on an Eastern player - who happens to be from Spokane?

Oct 23 2014, 12:58 PM

Guest6523: EWU escape by 5! Thanks again Jim for breaking up the week between Eags games

Oct 23 2014, 12:58 PM

Guest3172: Which high school?

Oct 23 2014, 12:59 PM

Jim:Shadle Park, but that gives it away, now doesn't it!

Oct 23 2014, 12:59 PM

Jim:Prediction time: EWU 37, NAU 27

Oct 23 2014, 12:59 PM

Guest3172: EWU will win, but a close game and I will go with EWU 28, NAU 23

Oct 23 2014, 12:59 PM

Guest4825: Eags by 14. D plays well and the three headed monster at RB rolls in Flagstaff.

Oct 23 2014, 12:59 PM

Guest3172: jake?

Oct 23 2014, 12:59 PM

Jim:That's right - look for it Friday.

Oct 23 2014, 12:59 PM

Jim:Thanks, everyone! We'll do it again next week! Certainly you will if EWU drops a game in the interim.

 

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