Overall-

The Lions face another tough team and probably the best team so far, the 11th ranked Sacramento State Hornets at Ernest Hawkins Field at Memorial Stadium. It will be the second straight home game and for the first time, Sac State leaves the Golden State to visit the Blackland Prairies after the Hornets picked up their first win over the year over Nicholls State, 34-7, who are 1-2 with both losses to Group of 5 FBS squads San Jose State and Fresno State. The fact that these schools are opponents are no coincidence. As most of you know, the PAC 12 has been blown up by these super power conferences that have destroyed great regional rivalries and instead of Power 5, it is now Power 4 with bloated conferences in the Big 12, The SEC, the ACC, and Big 10. Sac State is looking to join the FBS conference along with California schools that are currently in the Mountain West conference, but right now, that is all talk and no substance. Injuries have hit the Hornets hard at Quarterback, offensive line, and the entire defense. Despite all of that, the Hornets faced off against someone closer to their weight class and drubbed them, so lets look at what faces who and what.

Lion Offense Vs. Hornet Defense-

Last week, the Lions scored the second most points they have in two years, only the 41 they scored on McNeese last year was more, and right now, the Hornets are giving up a lot of points, 31 per game to be exact, along with 357 yards per game, but the strength lies in their running defense. After back to back to games of one part of the offense being effective and the other being impotent, its hard to tell which part of the offense is going to be effective. Ron Peace throws for 460 yards and three touchdowns 2 weeks ago, only to throw for 152 yards and 4 picks. The running game finally showed up, only to fumble, but when the line was stretched thin, the Lions were able to run the ball, but I believe that in order to have any chance, the Lions need to run the ball and work with a longer passing game rather than a short passing game. Believe it or not, this might be one of the better running games the Hornets have faced. The Lion passing game is a Jekell/Hyde situation right now, which one will show up? The Hornets have given up a lot of yards via the air and a lot of points.

Lion Defense VS Hornet Offense-

Sac State scores and scores a lot. 411 yards per game and 29 points per game. The Lion defense has played very well against a stretch of good opponents. The amount of points scored against the Lions is not an accurate portrayal of how well they are playing, most of the points scored last week and many before are due to offensive turnovers and mistakes. The one that cannot happen is the Lion defense be hung out to dry yet again because the offense is too busy turning the ball over. If that does not happen, the Lion defense is facing probably their second best offense as they face off against a QB they are not familiar with in Carson Conklin. The RS-FR from Yorba Linda, California threw for 264 yards in last weeks win over Nicholls. If the Lion D-Line can do what they have done all year which is to get pressure on the Quarterback, this could be their biggest trump card into forcing Sac State into being a running team and forcing a young QB into pressure situations against an experienced defense with 3 All-American candidates.

Special teams-

The Lions specialists in Mitch McGarry, Aiden Martin, and Luke Jackson are all in stride and doing their jobs, but last week the kickoff coverage left something to be desired. Punting was overall solid and coverage was solid as well, but the best part is the fact it looks like we have a place kicking game again with good trajectory.

Questions-

1. Who runs the offense….Peace or E-Rod?
2. Can the Lion offense keep running the ball?
3. Please cut down on the turnovers.
4. Will the Lion defense be able to slow down a high scoring Hornet offense?
5. Does the coverage on kickoff improve?