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Villanova Ranked 4th in FCS Preseason Poll

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I agree with Pudge's analysis of FBS s FCS level players and if it were just a skills competition the outcome wouldn't be in doubt. I am really concerned about overall coaching though. And whether this gets treated like a game or a scrimmage.
 
Hopefully less talk of "win the day" and more actual "win the game". I do expect our lines to be too much for them during the course of the game, but I've watched Nova hold their own in recent years against the likes of Syracuse and BC to know Talley has a good program and will have them prepared and competitive the entire game.
 
freescooter said:
........And whether this gets treated like a game or a scrimmage.
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Diaco's on the clock. He subs like the crazy man he was last season he won't make it out of the season with his job. I really don't think that's likely, but I do think we are going to have our hands full with Nova - big time.
 
TyroneShoo said:
How is the Husky D Line? Nova returns some good sized starters.
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A strength of the defense. Lots of big bodies.
 
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Duncan Idaho said:
What happened at Richmond, Ty?
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10-9 in slop test on the road against a team ranked 13 in FCS. Missed extra point. Nova's glaring weakness was their kicking game. See The syracuse game. I hope they addressed that need.
Uconn really has had high level FCS talent. So, it should be a good game if Uconn can figure out how to score.
 
Palatine said:
If we get decent QB play we will win handily.

Of course, we haven't had decent QB play in a while. I, however, remain optimistic we will improve at QB this year.
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I'm far more concerned with what the quality of our offensive line play will be (and believe that whether we win or lose will be decided there).
 
Duncan Idaho said:
Tough to run against up the middle. Your Qb ran for 1200 yds. Lots of stuff outside?
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Nova QB John Robertson is a talented QB for sure. He doesn't possess a cannon arm, but is very accurate in the spread offense that Nova deploys. He looks like Dennis the Menace, but he'll tear your heart out through the air or on the ground. His running is by design and is definitely part of every game plan. Nova has question marks at RB/WR/TE as they lost key players at those positions along with 2 All-CAA performers on the OL.

I think they are going to be tough defensively where they return 9 starters including FCS tackling machine in MLB Don Cherry (from Trumbull, CT incidentally) Nova plays a 3-3-5 and will go 6-3 250, 6-4 280, 6-7 270 up front.

A very good FCS team is Villanova. They had Syracuse beat last year if they didn't shank a 30 yard FG at the end of regulation and lose in double OT 27-26. Achilles heal is the kicker at Nova. The inability to count on even a successful extra point changed how the staff handled obvious FG opportunities. All 3 losses had missed kicks that were crucial in the losses.

Depth is always a concern where 85 schollies (22 more than Villanova) can take its toll.

Bottom line: there are easier games than FCS #4 Villanova. Is what it is, but no excuses for a FBS home team to not find a way over an FCS team. No matter how good that FCS team may appear to be.
 
3-3-5, Yuck! So a little on the light side, I know this would confuse a DeLeone OL. Is it a stack? Do they have a good SS?
 
Duncan Idaho said:
3-3-5, Yuck! So a little on the light side, I know this would confuse a DeLeone OL. Is it a stack? Do they have a good SS?
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It is a 3-3-5 stack base concept. Strong safeties are proven FCS vets in Cam McCurry & Matt McCann. LBs & Secondary are deep & experienced. The Nova offense has gotten most of the publicity at this level, but I think the defense will be pretty good given it's veteran and experienced look.

Robertson can be a handful, but they lost some very solid offense in RB Monaghai (in Eagles camp), Leading WR Poppy Livers, & TE Ernest Pettway (in Chiefs camp). They have some big bodies on OL, but they will be trying to replace 2 All CAA performers.

Not a easy FCS opponent on paper.
 
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Uconn will purposely lose causing dissension in the Nova camp. They will then push for D1 Football and cause the basketball team to take a back seat which will then cause the Big East to fall apart when Nova drops back to a .500 team. Which in turn will allow the AAC to pick up Nova G-Town and St johns also Marquette for fun... also to annoy Seton Hall.
 
Villanova Ranked 2nd by Lindy's, Anthlon has them at #4

http://www.vuhoops.com/villanova-fo...ks-villanova-football-second-in-fcs-preseason

Alabama based Lindy's a well respected football magazine picked Cats 2 behind all winning No Dakota St.

Here is what one Nova fan said about the ranking:

"My fear is that national publications are overly impressed because Cats are led by the best QB and best LB in the country. Nova lost a lot of offense. Two very good lineman and a super RB. All three were in NFL camps with Kowalski being signed as an under drafted free agent by the Packers. Lost the QB of the secondary. How do you replace these super players?"
 
BugsyCT said:
The line on this game should be interesting - can easily see us being underdogs.
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I fully expect to be underdogs. Figure Villanova -2
 
There would be no coming back from a L to Nova by our casual fanbase. They will read/listen to the outrage (and jokes) over losing to another FCS team and will write the team off for good. That means season ticket holders only for the entire season. The good news: we can pick our seat location on a game-by-game basis!
 
Dooley said:
There would be no coming back from a L to Nova by our casual fanbase. They will read/listen to the outrage (and jokes) over losing to another FCS team and will write the team off for good. That means season ticket holders only for the entire season. The good news: we can pick our seat location on a game-by-game basis!
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The casual fan is there for the tailgate. I refuse to call doomsday before September 1 regardless of the outcome. Silly.
 
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J187Money said:
The casual fan is there for the tailgate. I refuse to call doomsday before September 1 regardless of the outcome. Silly.
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Just pointing out the obvious. Call me Cap'n Obvious.
 
That would be something, eh? B1G fans all over will be forced to have to defend our losses to Nova, Army and SMU. I would be interested to read/hear their take since I would be too exhausted to come up with any more excuses.
 
Villanova has some marquee FCS talent coming back, but they have a huge ? in their run game with 2 All -Conference OLinemen graduating & will be relying on a back up RB that will be coming back from injuries. The QB is very capable & can beat you with legs or arm. He's a 1100 yard rusher & 2800 yard passer.

I think they will be a challenge on defense as they return 8-9 starters including Buchanan trophy runner up LB Don Cherry. Their kicking game was a liability all last season.

I'd expect a very competitive game that may come down to the final possession. They are as close to a FBS team as you will find this side North Dakota State in the FCS. Just ask Syracuse (survived in double OT 27-26 & BC who won 24-14 after trailing if you don't believe.)
 
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If the QB is weapon #1 then I would hope we can at least take away his running and make someone else beat us. Bottom line is if we can't start putting up numbers and get some posession time decent teams will find a way to score eventually. That has to change.
 
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huskymedic said:
Guessing the crystal ball predicting the success of each program for 2015 was on the fritz back in 2012 when the game was scheduled.
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Villanova was 2-9 in 2011 & 8-4 in 2012 playing an FCS schedule. I'm sure no one gave a second thought to scheduling any FCS opponent back then anyway.
 
I doubt we'll be underdogs. It rarely happens. And rightly so. What is scary though is we've fallen so far that it is a toss up type game. This program has totally fallen of a cliff since Edsall left. We need an Edsall type coach again I think and I'm hoping we have one. But so far I'm not seeing it.
 
ASweet3781 said:
Why schedule a 1-AA opponent who you would be an underdog to?
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I don't think we expected to be this bad when we scheduled Nova for this game, several years ago... HOWEVER, I gotta feeling we'll be a little better than what folks think.. and I predict we'll win this game.. Our play up front will be the difference maker.. I'm calling now...
 
freescooter said:
I doubt we'll be underdogs. It rarely happens. And rightly so. What is scary though is we've fallen so far that it is a toss up type game. This program has totally fallen of a cliff since Edsall left. We need an Edsall type coach again I think and I'm hoping we have one. But so far I'm not seeing it.
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Scooter, Keep calm, the Cavalry is Coming!

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