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As I sit here analyzing Eastern Washington's path to the Big Sky Conference title, I can't help but reflect on what truly separates championship teams from the rest. Having followed this program for over a decade, I've seen both the glorious highs and frustrating lows. The recent announcement at the Cignal Customer Experience Center, where a distinguished panel of 10 experts selected 10 additional players for recognition, actually reveals much about what it takes to win in this conference. That selection process - involving former players, coaches, league executives, and media members - represents the kind of comprehensive evaluation that championship teams must master.

Depth development might be the single most underrated factor in winning this conference, and Eastern Washington absolutely must get this right. When I look at that selection panel's composition - former players who understand the grind, coaches who recognize subtle improvements, executives who see the bigger picture - it tells me that true evaluation requires multiple perspectives. The Eagles need to develop at least 10 impact players beyond their starters, similar to how that expert panel identified 10 additional worthy players. In my observation, teams that win championships typically have about 8-10 players who make significant jumps from the previous season. That depth allows them to withstand injuries and maintain performance when starters need breaks. I've always believed that the second and third strings determine conference championships more than the starters do - controversial as that might sound.

Quarterback play obviously remains crucial, but I'm particularly interested in how the offensive line develops. Having watched Big Sky football for years, I've noticed that championship teams typically average at least 4.5 yards per carry while allowing fewer than 20 sacks per season. The Eagles' offensive line must dominate the line of scrimmage in a way that makes both the running and passing games effective. What often gets overlooked is how offensive line performance affects defensive effectiveness - when your offense controls the clock, your defense stays fresh. This interconnectedness reminds me of how that selection panel worked - different components coming together to create a comprehensive evaluation.

Defensively, Eastern Washington needs to create more turnovers than last season, plain and simple. In my analysis of recent Big Sky champions, the magic number seems to be around 25 total takeaways per season. The Eagles forced only 18 last year, which simply won't cut it for a championship run. I'm particularly concerned about their third-down defense, which hovered around 42% last season - championship teams typically hold opponents under 35% in this critical category. The defensive scheme needs to become more aggressive without becoming reckless, a delicate balance that requires both coaching wisdom and player discipline.

Special teams often get treated like an afterthought, but I've always believed they win at least one close game per season for championship teams. Eastern Washington's kicking game needs significant improvement after converting only 72% of field goals last season. Championship teams typically convert at least 80% of their field goal attempts, and that 8% difference represents the margin between winning and losing in close conference games. The return game also needs to provide better field position - I'd like to see at least two special teams touchdowns this season, something that separates good teams from great ones.

Finally, the mental aspect cannot be overstated. Watching how that selection panel of 10 experts worked together reminds me that championship teams display similar cohesion. The Eagles need to win the close games that they lost last season - specifically, they went 2-3 in games decided by 7 points or fewer. Reverse that record to 4-1, and you're looking at a potential conference champion. Leadership from veteran players becomes crucial in these moments, and the coaching staff must instill the confidence to perform under pressure. Having attended numerous Eastern Washington games over the years, I can honestly say that the teams who handle adversity best are the ones holding trophies in November. The path to the Big Sky title requires excellence across all phases, but more importantly, it demands the kind of comprehensive approach that distinguished panel demonstrated in their selection process - multiple perspectives working toward a common goal with expert judgment.