Eastern Washington has an exciting football season ahead

Even though I may not be in Cheney when Eastern Washington University football is kicked off, I am really excited for this season.

College football season is the best time of the year in sports and I look forward to it every year. Nothing beats those Saturdays where you just watch football all day long.

Last season stung a little bit as EWU barely missed the playoffs and the University of Tennessee had their worst football year. But this is a fresh start for both teams.

I can’t wait for the first Eastern game as they take on Central Washington University on Sept. 1. Not only will this be a good local game as CWU is only a couple hours away, but my brother will also be attending Central this fall. I have already been talking smack since they announced the game months ago.

I think playing the Wildcats is a better fit for EWU this year instead of traveling to Texas Tech for an opening game. Plus, it seems to always be more fun when you open your season own your own (red) turf.

But the game I have circled on my calendar is definitely the Eastern and Washington State University matchup. I traveled to Pullman last time the Eagles stomped on Martin Stadium and it was the best game ever. I hope to see a repeat of the triumph and I do think EWU has what it takes. I mean it is only the Cougars.

I haven’t even gotten to the Big Sky matchups yet and that is where the real excitement is.

EWU was recently chosen to finish first overall in the Big Sky by both the coaches and media polls. This marked the first time since 2014 that Eastern had been picked No. 1 in both.

I think it will be very interesting with the University of Idaho returning to the league and the Eagles will definitely be put to the test on Oct. 27 when the Vandals visit Cheney.

Idaho will be coming in with a chip on their shoulder after being dropped back down to FCS play and I think it will make for a heck of a game. Hopefully it will make up for not having Montana on the schedule this year.

I hope it also helps Eastern Washington that there are four Big Sky games that will be played on the Inferno. I have faith that the fans will fill up the stadium and give the Eagles a true home field advantage this year.

Missing the playoffs last year really did suck and I hope that it will give motivation to everyone on the team to work hard for a berth this season.

I know that we will have a solid senior quarterback – Gage Gubrud – under center and hopefully the rest of the seniors will also step up to lead the Eags to victory. I know I will be proudly cheering them on all the way from Knoxville, Tenn.

Grace Pohl can be reached at grace@cheneyfreepress.com.