Football Preview For 2009 (this is long so bear with me)

Let's try not to end up like this man and HIS empire

Pictured above is the Archduke himself, Franz Ferdinand. He was the heir to the Habsburg Throne of Austria-Hungary. 4 years after his death on June 28th, 1914, Austria-Hungary ceased to exist after many years of steady decline. 91 years after the demise of that empire, Idaho State's football program is seemingly heading down the same path of non-existence. Replacing France, Italy, Britain and Czarist Russia are Oklahoma, Arizona State, Weber State and Montana. A powerful host of enemies that might serve as the fatal knockout blow to ISU Bengal football. ISU is currently sporting a 6-28 record since 2006 and is in dire straits (with the terrible economy and a fuming population in Pocatello). Like Austria-Hungary, ISU has not done anything of real value since 1982 (the last time we were in the playoffs). The Big Sky Championship earlier this decade was shared with Montana and Montana State; ISU was 1 game away from the playoffs. Since that high of 8-4, ISU has declined slowly to become the laughing stock of the Big Sky. And this year will be the biggest test; this season will test the resolve and heart of this team. So let's look at this team's challenges this year and what needs to be done (in my opinion) to not become another Austria-Hungary (sans countless ethnic divisions, of course).

9/5 @ Arizona State--This game sees ISU taking on another PAC-10 opponent, this time a program with some actual tradition. Corvallis has nothing on the wacky atmosphere at Tempe, the old site of the Fiesta Bowl. The Sun Devils are coached by Dennis Erickson, who is a bit of a journeyman (but knows how to build winners; he won a title with Miami and actually built Idaho into a good program back in the 80's). ISU actually has a bit of experience with him; the Bengals played against his Vandals team back in 2006 and lost by 3 (on several questionable calls, no doubt an attempt by I-U to save some dignity). However almost all those players are gone. Not that it matters. ASU will most likely get a good warm-up and roll over ISU (and the best punching bag in recent memory, Rudy Carpenter, is gone. Seriously, you could sack that guy all you wanted and he just kept coming back for more).

9/12 @ Oklahoma--I pointed this out in an earlier post. The only thing ISU can do in this game is hope to decleat Sam Bradford and REALLY ruin the Sooners' season. Actually, ISU can do a few things in this game. Big 12 defenses are nothing to be afraid of, because all of them seem to like watching the offense light up the scoreboards. The past few years have seen the Sooners put up (pardon the French) in-fucking-credible offensive numbers, the kind you see in basketball games and NCAA Football video games. ISU should put a few touchdowns on Oklahoma, but don't expect anything here. It's going to be worse than Tannenberg. And we're the Russian Army playing right into the Imperial German army's entrenched defensive positions.

9/19 @ Weber State--As if this month of September isn't rough enough, Franz Ferdinand's ghost is leading us straight to the defending conference champion's lair in Ogden. Weber State has almost everyone back from last year and considering the numbers Weber State put up on us, that's not a pleasant prospect. ISU can put up a fight, provided the first two games didn't totally wreck our football team (like the way Alexsei Brusilov wrecked the Austro-Hungarians with the Brusilov Offensives). It's going to be very difficult, but ISU can pull off an incredible upset and make this a rivalry.

9/26 vs CWU--Coach Zamberlin's old haunt and gig comes to Pocatello, where ISU can do 1 of 2 things. The Bengals could win this and go 3-0 all-time against CWU and get some morale back, or totally blow it in front of a dangerously small crowd and potentially derail the season. This would also make October a matter of life-or-death. ISU wins this one, but should be on guard because CWU is a good D-2 team and has the potential of being another North Dakota.

10/03 vs Eastern Washington--ISU should put up a very good fight here. EWU is on NCAA probation and despite having key players back, this season is probably going to be worthless to the Eagles. ISU played EWU very tough last year in Cheney; almost pulling off an upset but losing late in the 4th quarter. I say ISU wins this but it will take some serious effort.

10/10 @ Sacramento State--CSUS is angrier than the Romanian minorities in Transylvania. ISU's lone win last year was this game in a dramatic overtime victory on a 16 yard run on 3rd down by Kenyon Blue. ISU should also win this game and hopefully in regulation.

10/17 vs Northern Colorado--ISU wins this, because NC, even with their win in Greeley last year, is still adjusting to the Big Sky (hence the 8th place rankings). This is big for ISU because a win here plus hopeful wins over CSUS, EWU, and CWU would get 4 wins (and God willing a win over Weber nets us 5). ISU could realistically be sporting a 4-3 record by this time (we can pray), but a 3-4 record wouldn't be a disaster either (but not as good as we want it to be).

10/24 @ NAU--ISU HAS to win this game. NAU has had some great run defenses and very good athletes but has not been able to capitalize on this (they somehow squander it every year. It could make a grown man cry sometimes). ISU's record in the J. Walkup Skydome isn't the best but this is crucial and a must-win for the Bengals.

10/31 @ MSU--Montana State/Idaho State games have usually been pretty good. If it weren't for horrible play calling all season, ISU could very well have taken it to MSU, and 2 years ago ISU played MSU very tough in Bozeman before bowing out. This is another must-win for ISU and hopefully the Bengals can pull off some trickery for the treat of getting a win in Bozeman and close out October on a good note (if the month has been bad) or a great note (if ISU runs the table and become worldbeaters).

11/7 vs Montana--Ahhhhh! Hell Day! ISU-Montana games, for reasons more mysterious than Earle Bruce's firing, have been very close, hotly contested games. Montana, although ranked #1 in the conference polls and the runner-up for D-1AA, has lost a LOT of personnel, and in key positions too. The eternal optimist in me says, by the Grace of God and Imperial Germany, we win in a barnburner. This is ISU's best chance for the upset of the decade (because Montana, we all know, will be ranked in November. No question).

11/14 vs Portland State--The Elvis Guy returns to Pocatello to try and avenge the incredible collapse of the 2007 season, where PSU had the lead and the Bengal defense forced fumbles left and right to return them for TD's and the 38-30 win. This game is winnable because it's at home and ISU, provided they conquer October, could end the season at a 5-7 or a 6-6 record. (we all want a 7-5 but I don't see that happening. Of course if it does, I'm going to be damned euphoric).

So ISU, judging by the schedule, will most likely live or die in October. September has one winnable game, a potential upset, and two complete slaughterings. November only has 2 games because of the lack of a bye week this season. ISU should be much better this season with a desperately needed overhaul on offense and a new, kick-ass mentality on defense. Look for the Bengals to run the ball a little more and to actually--GASP!!!--pass downfield more. Russell Hill has the experience in the system and 2 years under his belt but the masses are clamoring for Kyle Blum, who has athleticism and a rocket-powered arm (Russell Hill has the potential of being a Rudy Carpenter. That is, somebody who has been playing for 4-5 years and never gets anything accomplished other than being a defense's favorite target). The defense should be more aggressive with the 4-3 and hopefully we'll see some blitzes ala' Hutier tactics. ISU cannot afford to nosedive into catastrophe. Support is already at dangerous levels and the discontent is very audible, if not downright abrasive. Another horrible season and we'll be hearing the calls for axing the program to save money and dignity. In these financially uncertain times, it's a distinct possibility.


This is what we should aim for. Don't go for the book, think like a Prussian!