EWU sports chat Nov. 20 (noon)
Read the transcript from this chat in the extended post.
Nov 20 2014, 11:58 AM
Jim: OK, let's talk Eastern sports. It's been two weeks - I can feel the pent-up energy!
Nov 20 2014, 12:01 PM
Ewu-guest1: Just wanted to thank you for the outstanding coverage this season. Amazing job as always, Jim.
Nov 20 2014, 12:02 PM
Jim: You're quite welcome. As I've said before, I actually get paid for doing this!
Nov 20 2014, 12:02 PM
Joemon: Have you heard if Evan Day is out for the year or is there a chance he plays in the playoffs?
Nov 20 2014, 12:03 PM
Jim: Sad to say, there seems little chance that Evan will play after suffering an ACL tear back in spring. He seems pretty upbeat - I don't know whether he'll try for a sixth year.
Nov 20 2014, 12:03 PM
Joemon: Also curious if the coaches will keep Forte out this week to give him another week of healing?
Nov 20 2014, 12:04 PM
Jim: Yes, Joemon, that's a good question. I have to admit, I've been poor at guessing from one week to the next whether Forte will see action. I believe he'll get a few carries this week.
Nov 20 2014, 12:04 PM
Guest8232: Ditto on outstanding coverage... However you are not done yet my friend. Will we continue to have chat as we enter the playoffs?
Nov 20 2014, 12:05 PM
Jim: Thanks, and yes, we definitely will chat through the end of the playoffs!
Nov 20 2014, 12:06 PM
Jim: Warmup question: Who considers this a true rivalry game, or is it just contrived?
Nov 20 2014, 12:07 PM
Jim: I asked Eastern linebacker Cody McCarthy that question, and he didn't think it was a rivalry at all.
Nov 20 2014, 12:07 PM
Joemon: Somewhat contrived, Montana is the the rivalry
Nov 20 2014, 12:08 PM
Ewu-guest1: A little contrived, probably to get some fan support in Portland. The Vikings sure are the ugly step-child in Oregon football.
Nov 20 2014, 12:08 PM
Jim: And MSU, to a lesser extent. EWU and PSU are 350 miles apart, for one thing, and PSU isn't very good at football.
Nov 20 2014, 12:09 PM
Jim: I grew up in Portland, but went to Oregon. That stepchild is getting uglier every year - 803 tickets sold for the PSU-NAU game last month.
Nov 20 2014, 12:09 PM
Joemon: I'll be curious to see if Portland State will be up for this game considering the distractions of late and they are down to a 3rd string quarterback, I think EWU may put it to them this week [Delete]
Nov 20 2014, 12:10 PM
Jim: You would think so, but I thought that the last two years (EWU won 41-34 in 2012 and 42-41 last year.)
Nov 20 2014, 12:10 PM
Guest8232: Assuming we do what we should... do you feel we will be one of the top 4 seats?
Nov 20 2014, 12:12 PM
Jim: I think so. Trouble is, who do they leapfrog? Probably not NDSU. Two big games this week: #2 Coastal Carolina faces a strong Liberty team; and #1 New Hampshire plays rival Maine.
Nov 20 2014, 12:13 PM
Jim: I think Eastern will jump ahead of #4 Jacksonville State; then, if forms holds, they will meet again in the quarterfinals. And that would be in Cheney - again!
Nov 20 2014, 12:13 PM
Ewu-guest1: Wow..... that's pretty sad, especially given the facilities they have.... no wonder it always looks so empty on TV
Nov 20 2014, 12:13 PM
Guest4957: Portland State seems to play EWU tough and I would have to say last years game was probably one of the best games I have watched in a long time...especially the last couple of minutes.
Nov 20 2014, 12:13 PM
Joemon: We should, but the top 6 are very close in abilities
Nov 20 2014, 12:14 PM
Jim: By the way, I will be in Cheney for the selection show Sunday morning, tweeting away. Follow me at @srjimallen
Nov 20 2014, 12:14 PM
Jim: You also can catch the FCS show at 8 a.m. on ESPNU.
Nov 20 2014, 12:15 PM
Ewu-guest1: Playoff selection announcements televised on ESPN?
Nov 20 2014, 12:15 PM
Ewu-guest1: beat me to it!!
Nov 20 2014, 12:15 PM
Jim: Sorry, my timing is off!
Nov 20 2014, 12:16 PM
Jim: I'm looking forward to the selection show, especially how Eastern's resume will stack up in the mind of the committee.
Nov 20 2014, 12:16 PM
Guest7131: I'll be the first to ask ... Will Beau go to Montana?
Nov 20 2014, 12:16 PM
Ewu-guest1: I'll be the first to answer - ha ha.... doubt it!!
Nov 20 2014, 12:17 PM
Jim: Sorry, I don't spread rumors. That's why they have fan forums!
Nov 20 2014, 12:18 PM
Jim: That said, I wouldn't be surprised if UM put out feelers, and Baldwin gave them a listen.
Nov 20 2014, 12:19 PM
Jim: On the other hand, Baldwin has two daughters here, and I think his next move will be upward (FBS offensive coordinator?) rather than a move that's just a little better than lateral.
Nov 20 2014, 12:19 PM
Guest7131: How about Paul Wulff to Montana???
Nov 20 2014, 12:19 PM
Jim: That would be interesting - haven't heard that one!
Nov 20 2014, 12:19 PM
Guest4957: Wulff would be a good fit
Nov 20 2014, 12:20 PM
Joemon: I'm sure Baldwin will listen and maybe use as a bit of leverage. Its part of the business. But I doubt he would leave
Nov 20 2014, 12:21 PM
Jim: IMO, the Eastern coaches are underpaid, given what they've produced on the field. I will be that if you take total staff salary and divide by wins, they're the biggest bargain in FCS.
Nov 20 2014, 12:21 PM
Guest7131: Have you noticed if Vernon is without a limp yet?
Nov 20 2014, 12:22 PM
Jim: I watched Vernon on Monday and he looked great no discernible limp. He told me he feels "95 percent."
Nov 20 2014, 12:22 PM
Jim: In short, the Eagles are the healthiest they've been since before the UW game on Sept. 6
Nov 20 2014, 12:22 PM
Joemon: Do you know if the DL is healthy. I noticed a couple of the freshman backups were not suited the last game ( I think I saw them not suited)
Nov 20 2014, 12:23 PM
Jim: Quite healthy, although everyone's a little dinged up - this bye week came at a perfect time, I think
Nov 20 2014, 12:23 PM
Guest4957: Are the outside compensation agreements with shoe companies etc that great at the FCS level?
Nov 20 2014, 12:24 PM
Jim: Nope. The compensation difference between FCS to FBS is practically the Grand Canyon. When NDSU coach Craig Bohl went to Wyoming, his salary and compensation more than doubled (and Wyoming is an FBS bottom-feeder).
Nov 20 2014, 12:24 PM
Guest7131: Kupp seemed to have hurt an ankle at the end against Montana ... Is he OK now?
Nov 20 2014, 12:24 PM
Jim: He's fine
Nov 20 2014, 12:24 PM
Guest8232: I for one hope the best for Beau. He has continued the tradition of great EWU football coaches. It would hurt bad if he were to take Griz job. I think he has better opportunities if he wants the move and take those daughter's to very dangerous places
Nov 20 2014, 12:25 PM
Jim: Well said!
Nov 20 2014, 12:26 PM
Jim: Switching gears, who's worried about the PSU game? That's a very good O-line, and their defense has stuffed Eastern's running game three years running.
Nov 20 2014, 12:26 PM
Guest7131: Keep seeing rumors that Pease, the UW offensive coordinator and former Griz player, is interested in Montana. If that's the case, could you see Beau going to UW as offensive coordinator? That seems like a better fit for him.
Nov 20 2014, 12:27 PM
Jim: Yeah, I heard that one too. If I were an Eagle fan, that's the scenario I would fear the most. Baldwin is a Tacoma native with big West Side recruiting connections. Thoughts?
Nov 20 2014, 12:28 PM
Guest8232: PSU always plays us tough. Not sure why. May be last game for coaching staff. We just have to take care of business.
Nov 20 2014, 12:28 PM
Joemon: I think PSU will score some but I think the DL will handle their OL and our offense will score at will....
Nov 20 2014, 12:28 PM
Ewu-guest1: EWU O-line is probably the best it's been, so run game should be somewhat less stuffed this time around.
Nov 20 2014, 12:28 PM
Guest7131: I'm guessing Peterson was impressed when we destroyed their defense this year...
Nov 20 2014, 12:28 PM
Jim: That too!
Nov 20 2014, 12:29 PM
Jim: As a Duck, I wouldn't like it either!
Nov 20 2014, 12:29 PM
Guest4957: Peterson and Baldwin would seem to be a good fit
Nov 20 2014, 12:30 PM
Jim: As always, a few dominoes would have to fall for that to happen, so let's see what the Griz do in the meantime.
Nov 20 2014, 12:30 PM
Guest4957: I really sense the basketball team will have a similar issue with Hayford very soon
Nov 20 2014, 12:31 PM
Jim: Doubt it. He just got a raise and a four-year deal, and he needs to have a big season.
Nov 20 2014, 12:31 PM
Guest7131: Is there someone on our fb staff that seems like a natural fit to take over if Baldwin does leave?
Nov 20 2014, 12:33 PM
Jim: Wow, you've toppled another domino! I think O-line coach Aaron Best would be a good fit, but I don't know how good of a play-caller he would be (assuming he would take that role). Baldwin is an elite play-caller, IMO, and that's a huge reason for Eastern's success.
Nov 20 2014, 12:33 PM
Ewu-guest1: As a Duck, you'll be an Eagle for just one game next fall, won't you, Jim?
Nov 20 2014, 12:33 PM
Jim: I'm just a lowly journalist.
Nov 20 2014, 12:33 PM
Guest7131: Would we ever hire back Kramer?
Nov 20 2014, 12:34 PM
Jim: As Norman Chad would say, "Pay the man, Shirley." I never thought of that - he left here on good terms, and he's done an amazing job at ISU.
Nov 20 2014, 12:34 PM
Guest2323: I'm very concerned about PSU. They will be playing with nothing to lose and seniors can go out with a win. If weather is really wet it would favor PSU I would think. Are you going Jim and do you know what the weather is suppose to like and what the score will be?
Nov 20 2014, 12:35 PM
Jim: The weather forecast calls for rain (growing up in that town, I hardly hard to look that one up!)
Nov 20 2014, 12:36 PM
Jim: And, yes, I'm flying to Portland tomorrow morning, returning the next day.
Nov 20 2014, 12:36 PM
Jim: A score prediction? Stick around
Nov 20 2014, 12:36 PM
Guest7131: Or Wulff?
Nov 20 2014, 12:36 PM
Joemon: Folks, Baldwin is not going anywhere this year. Next year, maybe a different story
Nov 20 2014, 12:36 PM
Guest5171: I've been impressed with Kendrick Bourne. Is he just buried behind other talent? Think he will get the ball a little more in front of his hometown this weekend?
Nov 20 2014, 12:38 PM
Jim: Bourne is practically a starter now. He's a tremendous player.
Nov 20 2014, 12:38 PM
Guest8232: KB is great. Was at coaches show a few weeks ago and has a great attitude. We just have so much talent at receiver
Nov 20 2014, 12:39 PM
Guest2323: Do you think PSU Football will still be around in 3-4 years?
Nov 20 2014, 12:41 PM
Jim: Tough question. Football is such an afterthought at PSU. On a typical gameday Saturday in the Willamette Valley, I-5 is chock-full of Ducks and/or Beavers heading south from Portland. Nobody watches PSU, which plays in what amounts to a soccer stadium.
Nov 20 2014, 12:42 PM
Jim: See my story from this morning: Last winter, the school ordered the football program to be self-sufficient, and they've done it by playing games this year at Oregon State AND Washington State. That's pretty tough on the W-L record - and the players.
Nov 20 2014, 12:42 PM
Guest8232: If Beau goes, Beau goes and we just do what we have done in the past. Let's enjoy this great season until what ever happens happens
Nov 20 2014, 12:43 PM
Jim: Good attitude. Sometimes we get ahead of ourselves and forget to live in the moment.
Nov 20 2014, 12:43 PM
Guest2323: I'd take that stadium in a heart beat!!! Didn't they get administration alert they must become self sufficient?
Nov 20 2014, 12:44 PM
Jim: It's a nice venue. I have to admit, that as a teenager, I used to go there with friends and watch the Portland Timbers.
Nov 20 2014, 12:45 PM
Jim: Just like Spokane, the Portland sports market is quite splintered: UO, OSU, Blazers, Timbers, Winter Hawks, Seahawks, etc. The difference is winning - and PSU isn't.
Nov 20 2014, 12:45 PM
Guest2323: If MSU beats the Griz Sat. do you think only two BSC teams make it to the playoffs? Who would be the third team in that case?
Nov 20 2014, 12:46 PM
Jim: I was just about to bring that one up. You'd think that a Montana win puts three BSC teams in the playoffs; otherwise, it's just EWU and MSU.
Nov 20 2014, 12:47 PM
Jim: On the other hand, I saw one "expert" bracket that has EWU, UM, MSU and ISU in the playoffs. Sorry, but 8-4 while playing Simon Fraser and Black Hills isn't going to cut it.
Nov 20 2014, 12:47 PM
Guest8232: If Griz win, do both Mont. Schools make playoff? Big Sky get 3 or 4?
Nov 20 2014, 12:47 PM
Jim: For sure, and that would be three.
Nov 20 2014, 12:47 PM
Guest5171: Making my first trip to Providence Park tomorrow, any pointers?
Nov 20 2014, 12:48 PM
Jim: Bring a rain poncho. And if you have time, check out Powell's books store; it's just a few blocks away; some good restaurants in the area, but some shady characters too on Burnside.
Nov 20 2014, 12:49 PM
Jim: Do folks feel comfy rooting for the Griz, since a win over MSU could give Eastern an undisputed BSC title?
Nov 20 2014, 12:50 PM
Joemon: Since I am from Bozeman, I always root for the cats except when they play EWU. Plus if MSU wins and Idaho State wins ISU may have a chance
Nov 20 2014, 12:51 PM
Jim: ISU did play two patsies, but lost @Utah, @Utah State, @EWU (by 3) and @MSU (by 5). That's another Sunday morning drama.
Nov 20 2014, 12:52 PM
Jim: Did I mention that I'll be Tweeting the details on Selection Sunday?
Nov 20 2014, 12:52 PM
Guest2323: I'll be a Griz fan no question. Gives us the BSC crown and three BSC teams in the playoffs.
Nov 20 2014, 12:52 PM
Jim: That's always good for the conference.
Nov 20 2014, 12:52 PM
Guest5171: I could root for the Griz in that scenario, but I'd still feel oogey. EWU already beat them.
Nov 20 2014, 12:53 PM
Jim: Six minutes left: What seed would you prefer: 3,4,5 or 6?
Nov 20 2014, 12:53 PM
Eagles: Any truth in this Baldwin to Montana rumor?
Nov 20 2014, 12:54 PM
Jim: It's just a rumor - fans like to do that.
Nov 20 2014, 12:54 PM
Guest2323: Whatever seed keeps us away from going to Fargo as a possibility.
Nov 20 2014, 12:54 PM
Joemon: 3 - but I think they will be a 4
Nov 20 2014, 12:55 PM
Jim: If UNH and CC win, I would think they would hold the top two spots. The iffy team, I think, is Jax State. I believe they fall to 5, with NDSU at 3 and EWU at 4.
Nov 20 2014, 12:55 PM
Ewu-guest1: Ditto on the stay out of the Fargo dome
Nov 20 2014, 12:55 PM
Guest8232: Joemon is right we are a 4 seat.
Nov 20 2014, 12:56 PM
Guest2323: Jim, I'll be following your tweets for the selection and the will you be tweeting during PSU game?
Nov 20 2014, 12:56 PM
Jim: Yes to both - thanks!
Nov 20 2014, 12:56 PM
Eagles: Don't care which seed we get. I'm not scared of our teaming playing any team out there. We can beat them all.
Nov 20 2014, 12:56 PM
Jim: There you go!
Nov 20 2014, 12:57 PM
Jim: My prediction is a 4 seed - that means a home quarterfinal with Jax State, followed by a semifinal at New Hampshire.
Nov 20 2014, 12:57 PM
Eagles: Thanks Jim. Gotta run. Go Eags!
Nov 20 2014, 12:57 PM
Ewu-guest1: Not scared of any team either, just a rabid dislike for all things "Bizon".
Nov 20 2014, 12:57 PM
Guest8232: 45-10.
Nov 20 2014, 12:57 PM
Jim: That's a PSU prediction, I imagine.
Nov 20 2014, 12:57 PM
Jim: Here's mine: Eastern 44, PSU 23
Nov 20 2014, 12:57 PM
Joemon: 54-28
Nov 20 2014, 12:58 PM
Jim: I'm a bit lower because of the weather forecast.
Nov 20 2014, 12:59 PM
Joemon: It will be warmer compared to the last couple of weeks so I think they'll get 54
Nov 20 2014, 12:59 PM
Jim: Thanks, everyone, we'll do it again in two weeks (assuming Eastern wins Friday).
