Way to early to talk Akron but I need a thread for my Akron comments.

After Akron beat Howard I believe 41 - 0 in the opener I assumed they were good (or at least 35 points better then us ). Howard isn't exactly the 'Beast of the East' (but a bison is a beast, correct?).

I watched their game vs. PSU (and that game could have been a lot different then 21 - 3. Better game then the score).

And then yesterday's impressive win at Pitt. Only bad game was Marshall. I watched part of it before turning it off. Downer for the Zips.

This team might be the best of the (weak) MAC East. Their schedule including PSU, Marshall and Pitt made a winning OOC record unlikely (Marshall is a very good G5 team).

As a side note, I've watched Western play a few times (e.g., Purdue, Va Tech, etc.) and they are a very young team which is improving and isn't a bad team at all (their QB, Terrell, looked much improved over week 1 vs. Purdue). Their RB, Franklin, didn't get a lot of carries yesterday but still looks like a beast. He won't face any Va Tech defenses within the MAC. He'll put up 150 - 200 rush yards vs. some MAC defenses. He is that good. BTW, their star WR, Davis, did not play yesterday because of injury. (they're saving him for CMU. Lucky Central. Lol.)

CMU has pulled a nice upset. NIU and UT are top MAC teams. (I didn't watch the CMU game last night and see how Rawls played).

We play a few 'weak sisters' in October, but Akron and the MAC West will be tough.

Our best hopes for wins might be Buffalo, UMass, and Ball State. Don't sleep on Western. Folks can talk 2013, but this is 2014. WMU will do well in the MAC and maybe finish up with 4 or 5 wins on the season (2 OOC + maybe 3 MAC Ws).

UMass looked really good at Vanderbilt. They had that game and let it slip away. Ball State had Iowa beat in Iowa City--I actually turned it off thinking it was over, only to find out later that Iowa pulled off an improbable win and Buffalo completely destroyed us last season. Steve, I'm not seeing any wins on the remaining schedule.

Marshall is a really good team with one of the nation's top QB's in Cato, experts are saying they could be playing in a major bowl come bowl season, so Akron getting beat by them is no big surprise. I don't know what the point spread is going to be, but Akron has to be favored by at least 21, I would say.

(09-28-2014 07:04 PM)Bob Wickersham Wrote:  UMass looked really good at Vanderbilt. They had that game and let it slip away. Ball State had Iowa beat in Iowa City--I actually turned it off thinking it was over, only to find out later that Iowa pulled off an improbable win and Buffalo completely destroyed us last season. Steve, I'm not seeing any wins on the remaining schedule.

Marshall is a really good team with one of the nation's top QB's in Cato, experts are saying they could be playing in a major bowl come bowl season, so Akron getting beat by them is no big surprise. I don't know what the point spread is going to be, but Akron has to be favored by at least 21, I would say.

Good guess!! It is 21. I wouldn't have thought that high.

Marshall, BTW, is 18 over ODU. As you indicate, Marshall (and ECU, etc.) are very, very good teams. They can play with all but the top dozen teams. I watched E. Carolina dominate Va. Tech two weeks ago.

One line which is interesting is Western went from a 12.5 point underdog to 9 vs. Toledo. Makes sense to me. Toledo is no Va Tech.

There is a site, vegasinsider.com, which has college lines.

I haven't been following Buffalo but they are no where near what they were last year. They lost to Army the 2nd week.

Changes to depth chart...Bolden starts, Bell #2, Roback is nowhere to be found.

Thornton at RG, Allison at C.

If you listen to the press conference DeBoer and Creighton state that Roback will be out for several weeks, they say injury but if you watch their facial expressions and how uncomfortable they are talking about it; seems like there is more to the story. DeBoer actually didn't know how to answer the question; he seems flustered and looks to Creighton (which isn't unusual Creighton is the final word) but after looking uncomfortable and then deferring to Creighton, Deboer stares at the table. I know that coaches don't like to give information on injuries but the whole sequence is uncomfortable to watch. If you get a chance watch the press conference and starting at the 07:45 - 08:10 mark, take a look at what I'm talking about, it comes across really odd.

Quote:CMU has pulled a nice upset. NIU and UT are top MAC teams. (I didn't watch the CMU game last night and see how Rawls played).

CMU did pull a nice upset. But Toledo handled them just fine @Toledo, with Rawls & their star WR back. CMU wasn't impressive, given Toledo's D not being a Wall.

CMU, IMO, will turn out OK & challenging at best this year.

NIU & UT are the top MAC teams, with Akron having the ability to beat anyone with their D (if their O doesn't struggle too much), and BGSU the same with their O (if their D doesn't struggle too much).

I would put it at:
- NIU
- Toledo
- Akron
- BGSU
- Buffalo, CMU, Ohio
- BSU, WMU
- Miami-OH, UMass
- Kent St
- EMU

With each slot right behind the other, with no big gaps in-between... and by season's end, it shuffling somewhat.

(09-29-2014 11:49 PM)toddjnsn Wrote:  

Quote:CMU has pulled a nice upset. NIU and UT are top MAC teams. (I didn't watch the CMU game last night and see how Rawls played).

CMU did pull a nice upset. But Toledo handled them just fine @Toledo, with Rawls & their star WR back. CMU wasn't impressive, given Toledo's D not being a Wall.

CMU, IMO, will turn out OK & challenging at best this year.

NIU & UT are the top MAC teams, with Akron having the ability to beat anyone with their D (if their O doesn't struggle too much), and BGSU the same with their O (if their D doesn't struggle too much).

I would put it at:
- NIU
- Toledo
- Akron
- BGSU
- Buffalo, CMU, Ohio
- BSU, WMU
- Miami-OH, UMass
- Kent St
- EMU

With each slot right behind the other, with no big gaps in-between... and by season's end, it shuffling somewhat.

I'm pretty much with you, but see it more as three tiers:

1). NIU, Toledo, Akron and BG competing to win their divisions.

2). UB, CMU, Ohio, BSU, WMU with a bowl team or two arising from that grouping. I'm least sold on UB. WMU is my possible surprise team.

3). Four teams which are struggling. Miami, UMass and Kent have the advantage of playing each other so there are a few wins there for someone to pick up. UMass is the only struggling MAC team EMU will play and the Minuteman have played better then expected.

The only good thing for EMU is that I don't see NIU, UT, Akron, etc. as 'world beaters.' I don't see a top 25 or top 40 team in this group.

Allison at center is scary, Creel, Hurcombe and Wylie and perhaps Hansen look to be out. Again Kent Collins hasn't played one down this year, neither has two guys who started as freshmen Derric Williams and David Pulliam- re Williams and Pulliam is CC redshirting these guys this year or sitting them out so they can transfer? Or are they suspended? This year's roster is really apparently not the roster available to play every game. The tipping point to me is the blow outs at Florida and MSU and still some of these guys don't play?! What's up with that CC? Honestly if Bell is the future QB of this program its in bigger trouble than it appears. If the coaching staff has decided Roback doesn't fit why not be honest about and let him transfer? Also Armstrong a true freshmen at OL has moved up apparently due to injuries on the OL.

Also it appears that Kenny Jones has disappeared from the two deeps, McFarlane has been replaced by JUCO Clay Dawson on the depth chart. Hansen is okay to play per game conference call.

Dear Friends,
Just think what this board has turned into after four games. We are 1-3 at this point in the season. Most believed that the best we would be is 2-2, so why is there all this crying and complaining, and second guessing? Please don't say well we were embarrassed by Florida and Michigan State. Did you really think it was going to be much different?
We have a coach, with a different way of operating then some of you think, but this constant complaining after only four games regardless of the record, is really over the top. The vast majority of the people on this site did not think we were going to do much this year. Going as far to say that we need a new stadium, or renovation of the stadium, to make Eastern a winner is, in my opinion, just dumb. Sure we need new lights, and maybe a make over of the press box, but a new stadium....no.

Ok Ken, should we wait til after Akron blows out EMU to get concerned?

Not only do I think EMU will lose their remaining games, I believe they could get blown out in ALL of them. UMass really impresses me with their competitiveness.

(09-30-2014 06:33 AM)emu79 Wrote:  Allison at center is scary, Creel, Hurcombe and Wylie and perhaps Hansen look to be out. Again Kent Collins hasn't played one down this year, neither has two guys who started as freshmen Derric Williams and David Pulliam- re Williams and Pulliam is CC redshirting these guys this year or sitting them out so they can transfer? Or are they suspended? This year's roster is really apparently not the roster available to play every game. The tipping point to me is the blow outs at Florida and MSU and still some of these guys don't play?! What's up with that CC? Honestly if Bell is the future QB of this program its in bigger trouble than it appears. If the coaching staff has decided Roback doesn't fit why not be honest about and let him transfer? Also Armstrong a true freshmen at OL has moved up apparently due to injuries on the OL.

What I find interesting is what Charlie Strong is doing at Texas.

He is drug testing the hell out of his players and many are sitting.

I don't know exactly what CC is doing but I wouldn't be surprised.

Dear Bob,
You and the others of your ilk here, are totally missing what I have tried to point out. You had no expectations for this season. Now all of a sudden the sky is falling. You can't have it both ways. If this season ends up being a bust record wise, it is what most people here were thinking to begin with. So what is so different?
Did you go back and check Coach Bowden's (pay to win) first year record at Akron? Well it was a sterling 1-11. Eastern May end up that way this year, but let's see how it plays out.

(09-30-2014 08:26 AM)emu steve Wrote:  

(09-30-2014 06:33 AM)emu79 Wrote:  Allison at center is scary, Creel, Hurcombe and Wylie and perhaps Hansen look to be out. Again Kent Collins hasn't played one down this year, neither has two guys who started as freshmen Derric Williams and David Pulliam- re Williams and Pulliam is CC redshirting these guys this year or sitting them out so they can transfer? Or are they suspended? This year's roster is really apparently not the roster available to play every game. The tipping point to me is the blow outs at Florida and MSU and still some of these guys don't play?! What's up with that CC? Honestly if Bell is the future QB of this program its in bigger trouble than it appears. If the coaching staff has decided Roback doesn't fit why not be honest about and let him transfer? Also Armstrong a true freshmen at OL has moved up apparently due to injuries on the OL.

What I find interesting is what Charlie Strong is doing at Texas.

He is drug testing the hell out of his players and many are sitting.

I don't know exactly what CC is doing but I wouldn't be surprised.

That is an interesting theory Steve. Maybe some a the Echo should follow up on it, that might explain the departure of players like Swann and Alford-again I say MIGHT. There could be other reasons.

(09-30-2014 09:36 AM)emu79 Wrote:  

(09-30-2014 08:26 AM)emu steve Wrote:  

(09-30-2014 06:33 AM)emu79 Wrote:  Allison at center is scary, Creel, Hurcombe and Wylie and perhaps Hansen look to be out. Again Kent Collins hasn't played one down this year, neither has two guys who started as freshmen Derric Williams and David Pulliam- re Williams and Pulliam is CC redshirting these guys this year or sitting them out so they can transfer? Or are they suspended? This year's roster is really apparently not the roster available to play every game. The tipping point to me is the blow outs at Florida and MSU and still some of these guys don't play?! What's up with that CC? Honestly if Bell is the future QB of this program its in bigger trouble than it appears. If the coaching staff has decided Roback doesn't fit why not be honest about and let him transfer? Also Armstrong a true freshmen at OL has moved up apparently due to injuries on the OL.

What I find interesting is what Charlie Strong is doing at Texas.

He is drug testing the hell out of his players and many are sitting.

I don't know exactly what CC is doing but I wouldn't be surprised.

That is an interesting theory Steve. Maybe some a the Echo should follow up on it, that might explain the departure of players like Swann and Alford-again I say MIGHT. There could be other reasons.

I wouldn't be surprised and I'm surprised no one went looking.

Like if Strong did it, might other new coaches do it.

BTW, I believe EagleSam said Alford had a career ending injury. Too bad for the young man.

(09-29-2014 11:49 PM)toddjnsn Wrote:  

Quote:CMU has pulled a nice upset. NIU and UT are top MAC teams. (I didn't watch the CMU game last night and see how Rawls played).

CMU did pull a nice upset. But Toledo handled them just fine @Toledo, with Rawls & their star WR back. CMU wasn't impressive, given Toledo's D not being a Wall.

CMU, IMO, will turn out OK & challenging at best this year.

NIU & UT are the top MAC teams, with Akron having the ability to beat anyone with their D (if their O doesn't struggle too much), and BGSU the same with their O (if their D doesn't struggle too much).

I would put it at:
- NIU
- Toledo
- Akron
- BGSU
- Buffalo, CMU, Ohio
- BSU, WMU
- Miami-OH, UMass
- Kent St
- EMU

With each slot right behind the other, with no big gaps in-between... and by season's end, it shuffling somewhat.

Are you guys really that hot on Buffalo? I haven't been impressed with them. Lost against a regressing Army team, and had trouble with a limited scholarship FCS Duquesne at home. 2 FCS wins and a W over Miami. I think this week will give us a better look at where UB is this year.

(09-30-2014 09:11 AM)Ken Barna Wrote:  Dear Bob,
You and the others of your ilk here, are totally missing what I have tried to point out. You had no expectations for this season. Now all of a sudden the sky is falling. You can't have it both ways. If this season ends up being a bust record wise, it is what most people here were thinking to begin with. So what is so different?
Did you go back and check Coach Bowden's (pay to win) first year record at Akron? Well it was a sterling 1-11. Eastern May end up that way this year, but let's see how it plays out.

Oh Ken! You are only looking at the end result! True most of us thought we'd only have 2 wins by now (we only have 1) it is how we are arriving at the result that is pissing off and EMBARRASSING alums. Morgan St was a disaster, we knew we would lose to unranked Florida, but 65-0???! MSU was the worst performance in our school's history, and Akron is going to be a bloodbath.

This staff is not passing the DI eyeball test, in my opinion.

Dear Bob,
Maybe the players are the ones that are not passing the eyeball test? If you recall, after I attended and reported on the first coaches luncheon, that Coach Creighton came very close to saying; "You can't make chicken salad out of chicken s...t". Speaking about the overall talent on Eastern's team. Now if he and his staff aren't up to snuff for Division One football, then why would that kind of comment come out? I think it speaks volumes of recognizing what talent is, and what kinds of talent are needed for recruiting. This is going to take some time. The sky is falling approach that you and others have taken this early into season one is just ridiculous.

(10-01-2014 07:57 AM)Ken Barna Wrote:  Dear Bob,
Maybe the players are the ones that are not passing the eyeball test? If you recall, after I attended and reported on the first coaches luncheon, that Coach Creighton came very close to saying; "You can't make chicken salad out of chicken s...t". Speaking about the overall talent on Eastern's team. Now if he and his staff aren't up to snuff for Division One football, then why would that kind of comment come out? I think it speaks volumes of recognizing what talent is, and what kinds of talent are needed for recruiting. This is going to take some time. The sky is falling approach that you and others have taken this early into season one is just ridiculous.

Ken, I understand the thrust of what you are saying and basically agree.

Where I (and maybe Bob, but he can speak for himself) digress is that EMU needs to make a total, complete commitment to football to get this turned around. Kind of a "Marshall Plan" to rebuilt EMU FB.

1). I'm saying maybe 500K to the football budget for salaries, etc. to bring in the BEST G5 assistant coaches possible and more reasonable/winnable OOC schedules.

2). $10, 20 or 30M in facilities, etc.

3). CC does NEED to be LAUDED for getting the students involved and his dynamic approach to being the face of the program.

IF we get #1 and 2 done, along with CC's efforts (#3), EMU can rise.

Wishing alone will get nothing much done...

Perfectly stated, Steve. We all want the same thing: a winning program.