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As I sit down to analyze Eastern Washington University Eagles' upcoming football season, I can't help but reflect on how much the selection committee process reminds me of that Cignal Customer Experience Center panel we heard about last month. You know, the one where 10 experts from various backgrounds - former players, coaches, executives, and media members - gathered to deliberate on those additional player selections. That kind of comprehensive evaluation is exactly what we need to apply when looking at EWU's prospects this year.

Having followed college football for over fifteen years, I've seen how programs rise and fall based on their strategic approach. For the Eagles to succeed this season, they need to focus on five crucial elements that go beyond just raw talent. First and foremost, the quarterback situation needs stabilization - we're looking at probably 3,200 passing yards minimum if we want to compete for the conference title. The offensive line must protect better than last year's 28 sacks allowed. What many fans don't realize is that offensive consistency often determines 60% of a team's success in this conference.

The defensive scheme needs significant tweaking too. Last season's 34.2 points allowed per game simply won't cut it if we're serious about championship aspirations. I'd personally love to see more aggressive blitz packages, maybe increasing from last season's 22% blitz rate to somewhere around 35%. The secondary has to create more turnovers - we only managed 9 interceptions last year, which placed us in the bottom quarter of the conference.

Special teams often get overlooked, but in close games, they make all the difference. Our field goal percentage of 72% needs to jump to at least 85% to be competitive in those nail-biting fourth quarters. The return game could use some fresh legs too - maybe one of those players from that Cignal selection panel would've spotted a gem we're missing.

Player development is where I think EWU can really shine. The coaching staff needs to identify at least 5 players who can make the jump from rotational pieces to genuine starters. I'm particularly excited about the sophomore class - there are 3 players there who could become all-conference selections with proper coaching.

Team chemistry might be the most underrated factor. From what I've observed, teams that bond off the field typically perform 20% better in close games. The leadership council should include representatives from each position group, creating that same diverse perspective approach we saw with that 10-member panel at Cignal. They understood that multiple viewpoints create better decisions, and football teams operate no differently.

Ultimately, success this season hinges on executing these five areas while maintaining the program's identity. The Eagles have the potential to surprise people, but they can't afford to overlook any of these components. If they can implement even 80% of what I've outlined here, we could be looking at a 9-win season rather than repeating last year's 6-6 disappointment. The foundation is there - now it's about building upon it with smart, strategic decisions across all facets of the program.