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Like I said in other threads, I am relatively newish to the D2/GLIAC/SVSU landscape, so am just trying to find my people that want to talk SVSU football. I noticed there are a few of us on the board, maybe there are some lurking that want to chime in with more dedicated discussion. Maybe this thread dies a slow, painful death, and nobody actually wants to discuss SVSU football, we'll see, but I will try to get us started in case there is interest.
The Cardinals enter this week 2-0 after two pretty impressive victories but enter what looks like a crucial non-conference and even into conference stretch.
The stretch starts with rival Northwood, a program that has been on the rise, made the playoffs last year, has gotten the better of SVSU recently, and started off this year with an absolute thumping of Wayne State. This game is on the road, and a critical early season test.
The next week SVSU travels to Kentucky State, another program seemingly on the rise who made the playoffs last year. Kentucky State has started the season 1-1, handing a beatdown to a weak Central State squad before being on the receiving end of one from middle of the pack FCS Southern.
On paper, SVSU should have a chance to win both of these games and might be a slight favorite in both, though I see the Northwood game as more of a coin flip. Entering conference play 3-1 would probably be acceptable, while 4-0 would be a dream for the first year and a new staff, putting the Cardinals in prime position to chase a playoff bid as the brutal GLIAC slate kicks off.
After a bye week, the Cards have a home date with Davenport, who is off to a nice start to the season and figures to be one of those GLIAC foes competing with SVSU in the "next tier" after the Big 2 of GVSU and Ferris, another critical game for SVSU. They then travel to Ferris, a game they won't be expected to win but is one that is circled on everyone's calendar for obvious reasons.
So how are we feeling so far? What are our expectations moving into this critical stretch?
Personally, I love how the new offense has looked so far and can see the foundation of what could become a dangerous team. For those who have paid close attention for a long time you can correct me if I am wrong, but the game against Texas A&M-Kingsville seemed like the kind of game that SVSU would inexplicably lose under the old regime, leading to 6-5/7-4 type seasons despite SVSU's obvious ability to compete with GVSU and Ferris.
On the other hand the running game stalled out against Kingsville and the defense, while generating a few turnovers, did give up quite a bit of yardage in the game (though much of that was also in garbage time), do we have any concerns there?
Also what is up with the field goal long snapping situation? There have been a handful of snafus already this year in 2 games. That hasn't come back to haunt SVSU yet, but it might in a closer game.
As an aside, I will be attending my first SVSU game in 21 years this weekend at Northwood. Fun to be involved and excited for the rest of the season.
The Cardinals enter this week 2-0 after two pretty impressive victories but enter what looks like a crucial non-conference and even into conference stretch.
The stretch starts with rival Northwood, a program that has been on the rise, made the playoffs last year, has gotten the better of SVSU recently, and started off this year with an absolute thumping of Wayne State. This game is on the road, and a critical early season test.
The next week SVSU travels to Kentucky State, another program seemingly on the rise who made the playoffs last year. Kentucky State has started the season 1-1, handing a beatdown to a weak Central State squad before being on the receiving end of one from middle of the pack FCS Southern.
On paper, SVSU should have a chance to win both of these games and might be a slight favorite in both, though I see the Northwood game as more of a coin flip. Entering conference play 3-1 would probably be acceptable, while 4-0 would be a dream for the first year and a new staff, putting the Cardinals in prime position to chase a playoff bid as the brutal GLIAC slate kicks off.
After a bye week, the Cards have a home date with Davenport, who is off to a nice start to the season and figures to be one of those GLIAC foes competing with SVSU in the "next tier" after the Big 2 of GVSU and Ferris, another critical game for SVSU. They then travel to Ferris, a game they won't be expected to win but is one that is circled on everyone's calendar for obvious reasons.
So how are we feeling so far? What are our expectations moving into this critical stretch?
Personally, I love how the new offense has looked so far and can see the foundation of what could become a dangerous team. For those who have paid close attention for a long time you can correct me if I am wrong, but the game against Texas A&M-Kingsville seemed like the kind of game that SVSU would inexplicably lose under the old regime, leading to 6-5/7-4 type seasons despite SVSU's obvious ability to compete with GVSU and Ferris.
On the other hand the running game stalled out against Kingsville and the defense, while generating a few turnovers, did give up quite a bit of yardage in the game (though much of that was also in garbage time), do we have any concerns there?
Also what is up with the field goal long snapping situation? There have been a handful of snafus already this year in 2 games. That hasn't come back to haunt SVSU yet, but it might in a closer game.
As an aside, I will be attending my first SVSU game in 21 years this weekend at Northwood. Fun to be involved and excited for the rest of the season.