I just hope you guys are right and it's a close one. I am in the mood for a great fball game on fri. Most of you seem to see a close one, I hope you right

RP, you think that X has two advantages, and Trinity has 5, yet you only pick a 3 point victory? Are X's two advantages that large, and Trinity's that marginal? Based on that analysis, I would have expected a larger point spread in T's favor.

RP, you think that X has two advantages, and Trinity has 5, yet you only pick a 3 point victory? Are X's two advantages that large, and Trinity's that marginal? Based on that analysis, I would have expected a larger point spread in T's favor.

 

 

While our QB and WRs may be better, they still have something to prove against a quality this season from my observation. So I wouldn't consider it a drastic advantage.

Trinity 21-20.

 

Coaching: A wash..you can't argue against either coach's success

O-Line: I give X the advantage here, they seem to be in better form to date.

Receivers: T

QB: T

RB's: X...while Tim Phillips is having a monsterous season, Vic and Deuce combined are nasty

D-Line: T

LB's: T

Secondary: I say a wash, but mainly because I haven't seen X's yet, I think that both teams' are suspect in this department right now.

 

Prediction:

 

Trinity - 16

St. Xavier - 13

 

 

Trinity is the mystery team this year. X has played and defeated a bevy of quality teams already, so we know where they stand. Trinity lost to an out of state team, so comparisons on that game are difficult. They also destroyed the rest of the schedule, but those teams were of minimal ability.

I like your analysis to a point. You were spot on regarding coaching. I am not as high on the St. X O-Line as you. The receivers at X are, IMHO, the best in a few years there. (So what, one is tempted to say:D). You are correct at RB and QB. I am unsure of the Trinity defense (MBA performance) and X has been spotty defensively (Highlands performance). The kicking game,as noted, is all Trinity.

 

Prediction:

 

St. Xavier - 28

Trinity - 14

Good luck and no injuries to both teams.

I was just looking at the reported stats for the two teams and saw some interesting things. They've given up and scored roughly the same amount of points. Trinity has given up 427 rushing yards to X's 281. Trinity has given up 475 passing yards to X's 531. Trinity has run for 814 yards to X's 919. Trinity has passed for 657 yards, to X's 520.

 

Nick Petrino is 37-63 (58.9%) for 606 yards, 8TD's and 3 INT's. 1 TD in every 4.6 pass completions. 1 INT in every 21 attempts. YPA is 9.6 and YPC is 16.4.

 

Chris Wade is 17-25 (68%) for 298 yards, 3 TD's and 1 INT. 1 TD in every 8.3 pass completions. 1 INT in every 25 attempts. YPA is 11.9 and YPC is 17.5.

 

Wade obviously doesn't get to pass as much, but I was surprised to see that his numbers were more or less similar to Petrino's. I was also shocked to see Petrino is only completing 59% of his passes.

Wade obviously doesn't get to pass as much, but I was surprised to see that his numbers were more or less similar to Petrino's. I was also shocked to see Petrino is only completing 59% of his passes.

 

It was reported that Nick had a groin problem in the beginning of the season (MBA and Manual). I don't know how or if a groin pull affects a QB’s passing ability, but he does seem more “on” lately. In the last two games he has a 72% completion percentage with 21 yards per catch. More Nick-like if you ask me.

They say that there are other factors that come into play in this rivalry game. I agree let's compare:

 

Coaching: A wash..you can't argue against either coach's success

O-Line: I give X the advantage here, they seem to be in better form to date.

Receivers: T

QB: T

RB's: X...while Tim Phillips is having a monsterous season, Vic and Deuce combined are nasty

D-Line: T

LB's: T

Secondary: I say a wash, but mainly because I haven't seen X's yet, I think that both teams' are suspect in this department right now.

 

With all of that said, it is hard to predict maybe something like 13-10 St. Xavier, BUT that leads us to the kicking game. Normally this is a draw as both schools excel in this department, year in and year out. With that said, at this point, to date, Trinity's kicking game is much, much better.

 

Prediction:

 

Trinity - 16

St. Xavier - 13

 

As far as special teams go: keep in mind X has great return men and are coached very well and might bring the house to block punts.

RP, you think that X has two advantages, and Trinity has 5, yet you only pick a 3 point victory? Are X's two advantages that large, and Trinity's that marginal? Based on that analysis, I would have expected a larger point spread in T's favor.

With X having a better O line and running back core, it certainly can be a bigger factor that our receivers being better.

As far as special teams go: keep in mind X has great return men and are coached very well and might bring the house to block punts.

I thought about that but two things, most of Tydlacka's kicks are touchbacks, and he gets the ball off on punts, and they are high and deep. Both things can nullify a great return man.,

It was reported that Nick had a groin problem in the beginning of the season (MBA and Manual). I don't know how or if a groin pull affects a QB’s passing ability, but he does seem more “on” lately. In the last two games he has a 72% completion percentage with 21 yards per catch. More Nick-like if you ask me.

 

 

Run, that would make sense then, I had forgotten about his injuries. I do wonder though, how much his increased percentage is due to the fact that he's playing Oldham and Southern instead of Manual and MBA. The stats were just surprising to me, because I know he's a better QB than the stats were showing.

Run, that would make sense then, I had forgotten about his injuries. I do wonder though, how much his increased percentage is due to the fact that he's playing Oldham and Southern instead of Manual and MBA. The stats were just surprising to me, because I know he's a better QB than the stats were showing.

 

 

Also a good point. I knew he was injured but I was unsure as to the nature and severity of the injury.

I don't know the extent of the injury or how much it was bothering him, but he threw some bullets last week against Southern. He looked VERY sharp. The offense is looking much better. The one area that needs the most work is picking up the rush by the running backs. That will get better over time, but so far it needs work.

^ that's what shows with the youngsters the most.

With X having a better O line and running back core, it certainly can be a bigger factor that our receivers being better.

I think you are vastly under estimating the strength of the St.X receivers. They are by far the best group in years, maybe ever. They have both size and speed & numbers. I do not see an advantage for T at that position, or on the D-line for sure.I'll give you the kicking game.