Huskie Outsider

First down: Will the Huskies be able to slow down the high-powered Calgary offense?
Ryan: The Dinos offense returns a lot of starters and has some firepower. If the Huskies offense can control the ball on offense and give the defense some rest, the Dogs should be able to slow them down. I still expect Calgary to put up some points though.
Dallas: If they can minimize mistakes, yes. They won’t be able to shut the Dinos down, but they can limit the damage if each player knows his role and executes well. If there is any defence in the CIS who can stop the Dinos, it’s coach Carleton’s crew.
Tom: The Huskies should be able to slow down the Dinos offense, but we won’t stop them. They’re very good and they’ll score points.
Jon: If the Huskies have any hopes of slowing down the Dinos high powered offense, it will all come down to whether they can keep QB Erik Glavic from burning them with his legs and athleticism. In last year’s Canada West Final, Glavic made something out of nothing several times, routinely beating the rush and getting the first down when there was no other option for him. The Huskies need to contain him, but that is easier said than done.
Second down: Will the Dinos be able to slow down the Huskies offense?
Tom: The Dinosaurs’ secondary will, I believe, be a little better in defending the pass this season. That said, the Huskies’ offense has a lot of weapons and, like the Dinos, we’ll be able to move the ball and score.
Jon: The Dinos will be able to slow down the Huskies offense if they can keep them from establishing a running game with Jeff Hassler, Ben Coakwell and others. The Huskies passing game should be able to put up points, but without a running attack they could be forced into too many 2nd and long situations and become one-dimensional.
Dallas: Again, they won’t shut them down, but depending on the schemes they throw the Huskies way, they can minimize the damage. A lot will be riding on the status of linebacker Andrea Bonaventura – the Dinos lose their quarterback on defence without him in there.
Ryan: I expect the Huskies to put up some points, but they will be playing the toughest defense in CanadaWest. With some ball control and a strong running game, the Huskies should be able to move the ball. They’ll need sixes not threes though.

Third down: Is this game a preview of the CanadaWest final?
Dallas: It’s likely a preview of the two teams who will be there, but don’t read too much into the final outcome. The results of this game could be completely reversed the next time these teams meet, while both teams will surely have evolved come the second week of November.
Jon: I know I’m definitely not the only one that believes these two teams the best in the conference and arguably the country. On paper, it’s the safest prediction but we know that it’s never a guarantee. Unless UBC or Regina pulls off an upset which tends to happen every few years, expect these two teams to battle for #1 come mid November.
Ryan: I am penciling in these two teams to be in the Hardy Cup as of today. But the season has just begun and a lot of things can happen. Putting on the pads and playing an eight game schedule then winning a playoff game is what gets you to the Hardy Cup. If the Huskies and Dinos play to their potential and don’t suffer many injuries, its a good bet that they will be there in the end.
Tom: I’m not ready to say that this game is a preview of the Hardy Cup. There is an entire regular season to play yet. Both of these teams will evolve over the season, and perhaps another CW team will emerge and contend as well.

Filed under: Three Downs Tagged: | coakwell, hassler, threedowns