The Pressure Is On – Play Big or Go Home!

This weekend the Bobcats face a major test in Conway, Arkansas. This is a test that the Bobcats have failed in their past two tries. We remember the secondary problems in 2007 (no matter how we try to forget), and the butter fingers of Karrington Bush in 2008.

The UCA Bears have been very strong the past few years, but this season it looks like it’s time for the Bobcats to step up and get a ‘W’ from the Bears. Gone is the era of UCA QB Nathan Brown and in his place Head Coach Clint Conque has positioned Senior Robbie Park to lead the team. Park does not come close to the skill and passing accuracy of Nathan Brown, but has earned his spot as a starter through his game management.

If the Bobcat defense can put pressure on the QB, I see him making many short dump passes that Joe Bell and Joplo Bartu will gobble up and allow only minimal gain. The real problem I see for the Bobcat defense going into this game is their rushing defense. I predict that the Bears will run more than pass against the Cats this Saturday. Brent Grimes will have a field day against us unless we get some good Run D.

Last week against Southeastern Louisiana, the Bears did not manage to get much pressure on the SELA Quarterback. For us Bobcat fans, looking at last Saturday’s performance of the Bobcat Offensive Line, you have to like what you see.

The one player that could put a damper on that however is All-American DE for UCA, Larry Hart. He plays with the same energy and speed as Travis Houston, but with a little bit more weight behind him. The Bobcat offensive line needs to keep an eye on him at all times, otherwise BG will be going down quickly and often. I have faith though that the Bobcats won’t be “coming off the high of beating SFA” as so many doubters like to put it, but rather that the Bobcats smell blood and want to finish the first part of a three-part job.

The pressure is on at the end of the season to make the playoffs and the only way we can get a shot at them is if we win out. Even then, it’s not a guarantee. For now, all we can hope is that Coach Wright and his staff are preparing the Bobcats to go to Conway and get a win. We’ve known all season what the offense is capable of, but after the SFA game we now know what the defense is capable of too.

To win the game the Bobcats have to play solid defense and avoid any costly penalties or turnovers in the redzone on offense. Do that and the Texas State football team will have 4 game winning streak on their hands.

My Breakdown and Prediction for Central Arkansas

The Bears of Central Arkansas have been a major thorn in the side of the Bobcats for the past two years.  The 2007 season game in Conway was an embarrassment and in the 2008 game, the Bobcats just couldn’t hold on to the ball long enough to win the game.  A few too many fumbles and a dominating rushing offense by the Bears took the Bobcats by surprise who were expecting an aerial assault at the hands of Nathan Brown.  With Brown now graduated, the man chosen to fill his shoes is Senior Robbie Park.  Park has looked good early in the season, performing well OOC, including a big win over FBS foe Western Kentucky.

As for defense, well the Bears are stacked.  With six Bears selected to First Teams Defense for the All-SLC Football Team, expect low scoring games out of Bears’ opponents this season.  The Bears return nine of the team’s top ten tacklers on last year’s squad, including Senior Defensive End Larry Hart.  The Bobcats will have a lot to contend with in Hart, last year he was tagged an All-American and also earned the 2008 Southland Conference Defensive Player of the Year award.  At this point in the season though, the winner of this game will probably be whichever team has stayed healthy and is in a rhythm.  Besides KB right now the Cats have a good rhythm going.

Prediction: 28-23 victory for whichever team has the ball bounce their way that day.

Maximum Bobcat

max@bobcatfans.com