"Bottom line. We need a win"

This is OUR house!

The quote in the title above is what Head Coach Norries Wilson had to say in an interview with the Columbia Spectator this week about tomorrow's Homecoming game against Princeton.

Obviously, he couldn't be more right.

Columbia is clearly improved from the disappointing 1-9 team from a year ago. The Lions now have the semblance of a running game, a better defense against the run, and Shane Kelly has been performing extremely well as a runner and a passer. But this still very young team is still not over the hump. They come into this game after losing two games they could have won, and they need to start doing the things that turn close losses into wins.

Princeton provides the perfect test for this talented Columbia team, because the Tigers are a very well-disciplined and well-coached veteran team that seems to do more with less in the talent department. Obviously there are some very talented players, but that's not their strong suit.

This is Homecoming, and Columbia has not won a Homecoming game since 2000. We want and need a big crowd, (Princeton fans are certainly welcome too... where were they in 2006 when the vistors side of the stadium was totally empty), and a full 60 minites of focused football.


Here's how Columbia can win:


1) Keep Culbreath under 100

Jordan Culbreath is a good runner, but I'm not sure he's 1,000 yard material. While Columbia has done a better job against the run, they're still not there yet. There was no reason why Towson's previously anemic running game should have done so well at so many key moments in last Saturday's game. Princeton's bench is remarkably thin at tailback right now, so the Lions should be able to key on Culbreath and see if he can beat them. If he's healthy, this will be a big test for freshman nose guard Owen Fraser who was impressive against the run up the middle against Fordham in week one. Another defensive lineman who needs a big game is Phil Mitchell, who has yet to show what he really can do this season. On the other end is Lou Miller, who has done very well so far in 2008, and he needs to make the most of his matchup with undersized Tiger right tackle Mark Paski.

Princeton has other weapons like big-play wide receiver Will Thanheiser, but somehow I don't see deep passing plays being the Lions biggest problem. The Tigers will try to beat Columbia inside with Culbreath and with short passes and runs from QB Brian Anderson.


2) Stretch the Field

On offense, the Lions have stretched the field pretty nicely. But when they run in between the tackles, they're still not getting the results they need. I wouldn't recommend trying that against a Princeton front seven that thrives on defending the inside. Kelly's ability to run to the outside on option keepers could be a key weapon, as is Columbia's new-found prowess at executing the screen to either Austin Knowlin or Zack Kourouma. I also like sending Ray Rangel in motion before the snap and pitching it to him as he streaks to the outside.

If M.A. Olawale makes some cameos like he did in week one, he could be our best inside running attacks on QB draws. I'm not sure why Olawale didn't get into the game against Towson, but the rain and the strong performance by Kelly may have had something to do with that.


3) Set Knowlin Loose


Success running the ball to the outside should start to wear the Princeton corners thin and hopefully give the Lion receivers an edge on deep routes at other points of the game. With Mike Stephens emerging as a receiving threat, it's time for Knowlin to show what he can do. Austin has three career receiving TD's along with 12 receptions and 207 yards in his two previous games against the Tigers. He's been relatively quiet the first two games this season with the exception of his big 56-yard TD catch and run in week 1 against Fordham. Princeton's secondary is very green and has not truly been tested yet.


4) Wrap Guys Up

It will do no good if the Lions break through the initial blocks and get to the ball carriers in the backfield, only to let them get away from a sure tackle. That still happens too often for this defense and the QB Anderson will make Columbia pay dearly if they do that again tomorrow. Getting more of a crowd to the ball carrier will help, but sometimes the first guy just needs to take care of business by himself.


5) Be Aggressive on Special Teams

The "do no harm" approach on kickoffs works about as well as the "prevent defense" in the NFL, which seems to prevent nothing but wins. There are some real speedsters on this team like starting sophomore corner Calvin Otis and freshman Anthony Maddox who can get down field in a hurry and make a difference on kick coverage. Both did just that on a few kicks this season and that needs to be more consistent.