(07-30-2012 10:02 PM)Blazer4Life14 Wrote:  I'm interested in seeing who finishes 4th-8th, the teams are all pretty even.

Unlike C-USA, who has a "ruling class" of three programs, followed by a group of peons who exist to provide them with in-Conference wins.

1) Louisiana
2) Arkansas State
3) North Texas
4) FIU
5) Troy
6) ULM
7) WKU
8) MTSU
9) FAU
10) USA

1. WKU
2. FIU
3. ASU
4. UL
5. Troy
6. UNT
7. ULM
8. MT
9. FAU
10. USA

(07-30-2012 11:50 PM)ntmeangreen11 Wrote:  1. WKU
2. FIU
3. ASU
4. UL
5. Troy
6. UNT
7. ULM
8. MT
9. FAU
10. USA

1-7 ??????????

1. WKU
2. FIU
3. UL
4. ASU
5. ULM
6. Troy
7. NT
8. MTSU
9.FAU
10 USA

I see 3 distinct tiers in the conference this year:

Championship contenders:

1. FIU - Conference's best D
2. ASU - best QB, many other pieces returning
3. UL - Hudspeth has things rolling.

Good, but just not good enough to be in the top group (although they have enough talent that, with breaks, could end up higher).

4. Troy - too much talent to have another bad year, last year was alot of bad luck.
5. MT - see Troy
6. ULM - many returning starters, but don't have the talent to reach the upper group.
7. WKU - Rainey was a generational talent for WKU, Jakes sucks, the D is decent, they won't be sneaking up on anyone this year though.

Too many issues to finish higher:

8. NT - one foot out the door, only 2nd year of a major rebuilding project.
9. FAU- Pelini has alot of work to do, low on talent
10. USA - start up will take some lumps this year

Here it is fans, read it and weep:

1. Arkansas State
2. Louisiana (toss up)
2. Troy (toss up)
4. FIU
5. Louisiana-Monroe
6. Western Kentucky
7. Middle Tenn.
8. North Texas
9. South Alabama
10. FAU

(07-31-2012 07:35 AM)RaiderDoug Wrote:  I see 3 distinct tiers in the conference this year:

Championship contenders:

1. FIU - Conference's best D
2. ASU - best QB, many other pieces returning
3. UL - Hudspeth has things rolling.

Good, but just not good enough to be in the top group (although they have enough talent that, with breaks, could end up higher).

4. Troy - too much talent to have another bad year, last year was alot of bad luck.
5. MT - see Troy
6. ULM - many returning starters, but don't have the talent to reach the upper group.
7. WKU - Rainey was a generational talent for WKU, Jakes sucks, the D is decent, they won't be sneaking up on anyone this year though.

Too many issues to finish higher:

8. NT - one foot out the door, only 2nd year of a major rebuilding project.
9. FAU- Pelini has alot of work to do, low on talent
10. USA - start up will take some lumps this year

Interesting that you feel ULM, who will add better talent to a defense that ranked #22 overall and has one of the top QB's and running games in the league, does not have the talent to reach the upper group. Have you looked at our roster and returning numbers? And before you try to down talk our QB's 2,300 yards passing, please understand that he played with a cracked sternum. Also, do you realize that our returning RB's had some of the highest avg. yards per rush in the league?

(07-31-2012 08:04 AM)bluephi1914 Wrote:  Interesting that you feel ULM, who will add better talent to a defense that ranked #22 overall and has one of the top QB's and running games in the league, does not have the talent to reach the upper group. Have you looked at our roster and returning numbers? And before you try to down talk our QB's 2,300 yards passing, please understand that he played with a cracked sternum. Also, do you realize that our returning RB's had some of the highest avg. yards per rush in the league?

ULM always seems to be good, but not good enough. I just don't see them as consistent enough to win enough games to end up in the top group.

I inferred that the middle group is rather interchangeable. I just don't see ULM as part of the top group, but they could end up there, and I wouldn't be surprised.

They just don't have someone I really like to put them in the top 3 - like FIU's monster D, ASU's Alpin, or like UL has Hudspeth.

I'm not going to predict an order of finish.....yet. But I am going to give a few thoughts on the teams.

ASU--Aplin is a stud. He's got great receivers. Someone needs to take over at running back, where ASU wasn't great last year. Defensive losses will be harder to replace than other teams, mainly because the guys they lost were so good.

FAU--Their God-awful offense will be replaced by the spread. FAU had some athletes on defense last year. If Pellini has someone at QB that can run his new offense, these guys might be better than you think.

FIU--Is there life after TY? FIU won't be explosive offensively with that guy gone, but their defense will be rock solid. I understand why their picked to win the whole thing.

UL- Was this team as good as their record indicated last year? A lot of moons lined up for the Cajuns a season ago. They have an advantage playing FIU, ASU and WKU at home. They've got the league's best kicking game, which prognosticators overlook when making predictions. With all respect to Aplin, I wouldn't trade Gautier for anyone in this league.

ULM--Browning is a stud. So are the running backs. ULM needs to have a receiver show up who can stretch the field. Leonard is very good at WR. ULM lost some impact guys defensively but they'll be ok there. Want to know why ULM never seems to get over the hump. Look to the kicking game, which is rarely even adequate. Last year it was the worst I've seen in a long time. Even improvement will make them average at best in that facet of the game.

MT- Losing virtually all of your running backs can lead you to a 2-10 record, even if your quarterback is pretty good...and Kilgore is. If MT is going to be better, that defense better get better in a hurry. Wasn't impressed with their kicking game last year, either.

NT--Lossess on defense won't be offset by that offense, which is pretty pedestrian. When your best weapon is your punter, that's not really a good thing.

USA--Welcome to the FBS

Troy--Under value them at your own risk. Last year was probably just a blip on the radar screen. Expect the defense to be a lot better and the receiving corps now has more experience (if they're eligible). Kicking game is pretty solid. They'll be there at the end.

WKU--Loss of Rainey will obviously hurt. WKU needs WRs to step up in a big way. If Jakes isn't consistent to make up for the loss of Rainey, it won't be pretty. Gotta find a placekicker. Defense is 2nd best in the Sun Belt, which will cover up some sins.

#1...Troy.
#2...Louisiana.
#3...FIU
#4...Arkansas State
#5...WKU
#6...MTSU
#7...North Texas
#8...FAU
#9...ULM
#10..USA

(07-31-2012 09:08 AM)BirdofParadise Wrote:  I'm not going to predict an order of finish.....yet. But I am going to give a few thoughts on the teams.


FAU--Their God-awful offense will be replaced by the spread. FAU had some athletes on defense last year. If Pellini has someone at QB that can run his new offense, these guys might be better than you think.

It is confirmed that Melvin German III (We've taken to calling him MGIII) a very good JUCO spread QB is on campus and has qualified for FAU.

We have also picked up a couple of JUCO WR's as well.

Im drinking more Kool-Aid ATM, the team seems to have a new attitude with the new staff. We MIGHT surprise a few especailly because there isnt a whole lot of info or documentation on what FAU's offense will look like.

(07-31-2012 09:46 AM)OwlFamily Wrote:  

(07-31-2012 09:08 AM)BirdofParadise Wrote:  I'm not going to predict an order of finish.....yet. But I am going to give a few thoughts on the teams.


FAU--Their God-awful offense will be replaced by the spread. FAU had some athletes on defense last year. If Pellini has someone at QB that can run his new offense, these guys might be better than you think.

It is confirmed that Melvin German III (We've taken to calling him MGIII) a very good JUCO spread QB is on campus and has qualified for FAU.

We have also picked up a couple of JUCO WR's as well.

Im drinking more Kool-Aid ATM, the team seems to have a new attitude with the new staff. We MIGHT surprise a few especailly because there isnt a whole lot of info or documentation on what FAU's offense will look like.

We're all drinking the kool-aid at TON, but either many on this board don't know about all JuCo pick ups, or they think that with them we'll go winless in the SBC. I just can't see us going winless in conference play with MG3 at the helm.

(07-31-2012 09:17 AM)cajunhawk Wrote:  #1...Troy.
#2...Louisiana.
#3...FIU
#4...Arkansas State
#5...WKU
#6...MTSU
#7...North Texas
#8...FAU
#9...ULM
#10..USA

I am surprised that many of you have Troy in the top 3. Then again, Troy has long-tenured coach that has proven himself over the years. My belief is that Troy was always a step above the rest of the SBC, and the conference has truly caught up. Me thinks:

1) stAte - best QB, great talent, new coach and thus unknown or unseen schemes. Always concerns me.
2) UL - I was very impressed with the offense and the coaching. very good talent. good RB. Don't recall the defense, but I believe played well last year.
2a) FIU - should be a good to great defense with plenty of depth. Good kicker and punter. good coaching. Worried about the offense but have a good to great O-line with very good RBs. Let's hope the WRs turn out and play well. Tough to replace "the man" Hilton.

4) Troy - won't stay down too long. Coaching and long term stability.
5) WKU - was last year a fluke? Is this coach for real? We shall see.
6) UNT - This program won't stay down too long. Is this the year?
7) ULM - Don't know, just a guess. Altough all the rest are guesses too.
8) FAU - see # 7.
9) MT - see # 7.
10) USA - Truly I don't know the first thing about the program. So I will apologize if they surprise and win a couple.

This being said, this is the Sun Belt where change is the only thing you can count on. Would not be shocked if the bottom is on top, or if ULM wins the whole thing.

I will ask all of you one question: What is the one thing you are keeping your eye on? I am going to be watching FAU!! Will there be a short re-birth or will they go into bottom dweller status for a few years?

(07-30-2012 10:23 PM)Burn the Horse Wrote:  

(07-30-2012 10:02 PM)Blazer4Life14 Wrote:  I'm interested in seeing who finishes 4th-8th, the teams are all pretty even.

Unlike C-USA, who has a "ruling class" of three programs, followed by a group of peons who exist to provide them with in-Conference wins.

Alrighty.

(07-31-2012 06:59 AM)GreekTopper Wrote:  1. WKU
2. FIU
3. UL
4. ASU
5. ULM
6. Troy
7. NT
8. MTSU
9.FAU
10 USA

(07-31-2012 09:17 AM)cajunhawk Wrote:  #1...Troy.
#2...Louisiana.
#3...FIU
#4...Arkansas State
#5...WKU
#6...MTSU
#7...North Texas
#8...FAU
#9...ULM
#10..USA

(07-31-2012 09:08 AM)BirdofParadise Wrote:  I'm not going to predict an order of finish.....yet. But I am going to give a few thoughts on the teams.

ASU--Aplin is a stud. He's got great receivers. Someone needs to take over at running back, where ASU wasn't great last year. Defensive losses will be harder to replace than other teams, mainly because the guys they lost were so good.

FAU--Their God-awful offense will be replaced by the spread. FAU had some athletes on defense last year. If Pellini has someone at QB that can run his new offense, these guys might be better than you think.

FIU--Is there life after TY? FIU won't be explosive offensively with that guy gone, but their defense will be rock solid. I understand why their picked to win the whole thing.

UL- Was this team as good as their record indicated last year? A lot of moons lined up for the Cajuns a season ago. They have an advantage playing FIU, ASU and WKU at home. They've got the league's best kicking game, which prognosticators overlook when making predictions. With all respect to Aplin, I wouldn't trade Gautier for anyone in this league.

ULM--Browning is a stud. So are the running backs. ULM needs to have a receiver show up who can stretch the field. Leonard is very good at WR. ULM lost some impact guys defensively but they'll be ok there. Want to know why ULM never seems to get over the hump. Look to the kicking game, which is rarely even adequate. Last year it was the worst I've seen in a long time. Even improvement will make them average at best in that facet of the game.

MT- Losing virtually all of your running backs can lead you to a 2-10 record, even if your quarterback is pretty good...and Kilgore is. If MT is going to be better, that defense better get better in a hurry. Wasn't impressed with their kicking game last year, either.

NT--Lossess on defense won't be offset by that offense, which is pretty pedestrian. When your best weapon is your punter, that's not really a good thing.

USA--Welcome to the FBS

Troy--Under value them at your own risk. Last year was probably just a blip on the radar screen. Expect the defense to be a lot better and the receiving corps now has more experience (if they're eligible). Kicking game is pretty solid. They'll be there at the end.

WKU--Loss of Rainey will obviously hurt. WKU needs WRs to step up in a big way. If Jakes isn't consistent to make up for the loss of Rainey, it won't be pretty. Gotta find a placekicker. Defense is 2nd best in the Sun Belt, which will cover up some sins.

Bluephi it was 2400 yards actually and some change

(07-31-2012 01:52 AM)TexasWarhawkBrother Wrote:  

(07-30-2012 11:50 PM)ntmeangreen11 Wrote:  1. WKU
2. FIU
3. ASU
4. UL
5. Troy
6. UNT
7. ULM
8. MT
9. FAU
10. USA

1-7 ??????????

I don't get it. Great post though.

(07-31-2012 03:18 PM)ntmeangreen11 Wrote:  

(07-31-2012 01:52 AM)TexasWarhawkBrother Wrote:  

(07-30-2012 11:50 PM)ntmeangreen11 Wrote:  1. WKU
2. FIU
3. ASU
4. UL
5. Troy
6. UNT
7. ULM
8. MT
9. FAU
10. USA

1-7 ??????????

I don't get it. Great post though.

I was saying 1-7 could change the 8-10 spots can stay the same