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I can't wait for our MAC schedule to start. I think all (most?) of us are pleasantly surprised with how we've looked up to this point. There are even fantasies of bowl eligibility floating around out there...

A month ago, many were expecting a couple of MAC wins at most. My expectations have changed - not just because of how we've played, but having had five weeks to keep an eye on our MAC brethren up to this point.

It's going to take a lot for us to get to bowl eligibility and beyond. At this point, here's how I'd rank our MAC opponents from Step 1 (most likely Bronco victory) to 8 (least likely):

Step 1: EMU
Not going to say too much here in an attempt to keep all three EMU fans at bay. Yep, we've lost three straight to them. Yep, that's completely unacceptable. And this is at home. To me, this may be PJ's only real "must win" on the MAC schedule (though we all expect more than this).

Step 2: at Miami
This one's on the road, and Miami has been playing hard to this point. So did we most of last season, and we were still bad. Miami is bad now. If some of you want to add this to PJ's "must-win" list, you wouldn't hear opposition from me.

Step 3: Ohio
I see three toss-up games on our MAC schedule. This is one of them - and the only one of the three we get at home. Need to TCOB here if we have serious aspirations of hitting six wins.

Step 4: at Ball State
The only time I've watched BSU this year was the game at Iowa. I saw most of that game, and they looked pretty solid defensively - until the collapse at the end. Then they followed that up by losing to Indiana State. I respect Lembo, but I see this as a very winnable game for us.

Step 5: at CMU
With this game coming later in the season, who knows where both teams will be mentally at that point - as we've already seen, a lot can change in a month when it comes to expectations. As some have said here, better teams than this Bronco team have gone to Mount Pleasant and lost. CMU will probably be favored to win, but there's no reason to think we don't have a shot at a mild upset here. (It is my hope that this will be the last time for a while that CMU is the favorite in this game...)

Step 6: at BGSU
A month ago, I would have said no way do we have a shot in this one. I still don't see a W at this point, but if there's one thing we've learned after a month of football, we have an offense - and BG has no defense. If nothing else, this one should be a shootout, and anything can happen in a shootout.

Step 7: Toledo
I'm really excited to see how we do against the Rockets at Saturday. I have a hard time seeing this one not be a shootout. Toledo's offense is impressive - they haven't seemed to miss a beat despite serious injuries - and I'm not sure how we'll slow them. I do think we have a chance to keep up with them on the scoreboard, though. (I really hope we get a good crowd for this game. I expect us to give Toledo a heck of a fight).

Step 8: NIU
Like the game at CMU, hard to say at this point where both teams will be mentally in late November. I also think we have a chance to be competitive here, especially with the game being at Waldo. At this point, I still see this as the toughest MAC game on our schedule, followed closely by Toledo.

Can you tell I'm ready for MAC play?

(10-01-2014 02:20 PM)The Colonel Wrote:  I can't wait for our MAC schedule to start. I think all (most?) of us are pleasantly surprised with how we've looked up to this point. There are even fantasies of bowl eligibility floating around out there...

A month ago, many were expecting a couple of MAC wins at most. My expectations have changed - not just because of how we've played, but having had five weeks to keep an eye on our MAC brethren up to this point.

It's going to take a lot for us to get to bowl eligibility and beyond. At this point, here's how I'd rank our MAC opponents from Step 1 (most likely Bronco victory) to 8 (least likely):

Step 1: EMU
Not going to say too much here in an attempt to keep all three EMU fans at bay. Yep, we've lost three straight to them. Yep, that's completely unacceptable. And this is at home. To me, this may be PJ's only real "must win" on the MAC schedule (though we all expect more than this).

Step 2: at Miami
This one's on the road, and Miami has been playing hard to this point. So did we most of last season, and we were still bad. Miami is bad now. If some of you want to add this to PJ's "must-win" list, you wouldn't hear opposition from me.

Step 3: Ohio
I see three toss-up games on our MAC schedule. This is one of them - and the only one of the three we get at home. Need to TCOB here if we have serious aspirations of hitting six wins.

Step 4: at Ball State
The only time I've watched BSU this year was the game at Iowa. I saw most of that game, and they looked pretty solid defensively - until the collapse at the end. Then they followed that up by losing to Indiana State. I respect Lembo, but I see this as a very winnable game for us.

Step 5: at CMU
With this game coming later in the season, who knows where both teams will be mentally at that point - as we've already seen, a lot can change in a month when it comes to expectations. As some have said here, better teams than this Bronco team have gone to Mount Pleasant and lost. CMU will probably be favored to win, but there's no reason to think we don't have a shot at a mild upset here. (It is my hope that this will be the last time for a while that CMU is the favorite in this game...)

Step 6: at BGSU
A month ago, I would have said no way do we have a shot in this one. I still don't see a W at this point, but if there's one thing we've learned after a month of football, we have an offense - and BG has no defense. If nothing else, this one should be a shootout, and anything can happen in a shootout.

Step 7: Toledo
I'm really excited to see how we do against the Rockets at Saturday. I have a hard time seeing this one not be a shootout. Toledo's offense is impressive - they haven't seemed to miss a beat despite serious injuries - and I'm not sure how we'll slow them. I do think we have a chance to keep up with them on the scoreboard, though. (I really hope we get a good crowd for this game. I expect us to give Toledo a heck of a fight).

Step 8: NIU
Like the game at CMU, hard to say at this point where both teams will be mentally in late November. I also think we have a chance to be competitive here, especially with the game being at Waldo. At this point, I still see this as the toughest MAC game on our schedule, followed closely by Toledo.

Can you tell I'm ready for MAC play?

Nice work... At this point my iPhone is not a desirable response tool but couldn't wait to give props to this breakdown. ( wether I agree or disagree )

You are making 4 more wins look very doable; I like it!!!

Nice work. I only have one question: Who is ranked higher, a Colonel or a General?

(10-01-2014 05:34 PM)texasbronco1 Wrote:  Nice work. I only have one question: Who is ranked higher, a Colonel or a General?

Having only posted 5 times, I'd say thegeneral.

There's also a Major amongst us.

But obviously general is the highest.

Quote:I only have one question: Who is ranked higher, a Colonel or a General?

Ahhhh! Trick question! It's the Real Admiral. Or maybe that's the highest-ranking move you can put on a girl on a wild night.

Quote:Step 2: at Miami
This one's on the road, and Miami has been playing hard to this point. So did we most of last season, and we were still bad. Miami is bad now. If some of you want to add this to PJ's "must-win" list, you wouldn't hear opposition from me.

I see this as our "Trap" game, kinda. We're "supposed to win" -- but Miami-OH gave Marshall a fight, as well as Cinci. They had little to no O against UM -- but Morris & Gardner don't play D, so UM's D is among one of the better Ds around... but they also lost to a D1AA, and gave up a Lot of points in their loss to Buffalo, although it was a fight much through it. They are finding their way, and they are Not as lost as we were last year. The team can't see this as a "okay, we'll win this one, check...." concept in the back of their minds. It's at Miami -- which isn't easy.

Quote:Step 3: Ohio
I see three toss-up games on our MAC schedule. This is one of them - and the only one of the three we get at home. Need to TCOB here if we have serious aspirations of hitting six wins.

They seem to have a decent D, with their O slouching. Our D is skitzophrenic. But since it's at home, I'm about as comfortable with this as playing @Miami.

Quote:Step 4: at Ball State
The only time I've watched BSU this year was the game at Iowa. I saw most of that game, and they looked pretty solid defensively - until the collapse at the end. Then they followed that up by losing to Indiana State. I respect Lembo, but I see this as a very winnable game for us.

We have to hope Lembo & BSU doesn't find some good ground by the time we roll into Muncie. They have a good running game, but still anemic on O. Their D can step up, though. Barring BSU's QB finding his way -- I see this all coming down to how good WE are, and how well WE roll together as a team at this point.

Quote:Step 5: at CMU
With this game coming later in the season, who knows where both teams will be mentally at that point - as we've already seen, a lot can change in a month when it comes to expectations. As some have said here, better teams than this Bronco team have gone to Mount Pleasant and lost. CMU will probably be favored to win, but there's no reason to think we don't have a shot at a mild upset here. (It is my hope that this will be the last time for a while that CMU is the favorite in this game...)

Problem: We rarely ever win in Mt Pleasant. Remember when we were ranked #26, and all we needed was to win @CMU, when they were pathetic, but we choked like Reggie Miller's expression x 100? I don't think CMU is as dangerous at home anymore to other teams as they used to be. I really don't. BUT, to us? Yeah, it's still there. If we play the in-rhythm CMU team that stomped Purdue? We'll get Stomped there -- no question. If we play the CMU team that with Rawls & Davis still couldn't rack up points on Toledo as much as you thought and only seemed marginally better than they were before those guys weren't playing? We'll have a fighting chance to keep the game close -- that's all I can realistically ask for.

Quote:Step 6: at BGSU
A month ago, I would have said no way do we have a shot in this one. I still don't see a W at this point, but if there's one thing we've learned after a month of football, we have an offense - and BG has no defense. If nothing else, this one should be a shootout, and anything can happen in a shootout.

This is basically going to be a "repeat" of playing @Purdue, in my mind. They'll score a lot, and we won't have probs scoring on them. Can we make up for that game by winning this one? Not likely. We'd have to "Morris" the QB. Our O can score points, but we Can be stopped. If we lose the turnover battle in this, we lose the game. If we win the turnover battle -- lookout -- dogfight, and a shot at beating them.

Quote:Step 7: Toledo
I'm really excited to see how we do against the Rockets at Saturday. I have a hard time seeing this one not be a shootout. Toledo's offense is impressive - they haven't seemed to miss a beat despite serious injuries - and I'm not sure how we'll slow them. I do think we have a chance to keep up with them on the scoreboard, though. (I really hope we get a good crowd for this game. I expect us to give Toledo a heck of a fight).

Toledo looked impressive against CMU. And we're not Buffalo or Ohio that they'd overlook. They're cumming to Kzoo and are squarely focused on us. If Franklin can move the ball decently well, and Terrell throws the ball well (Toledo's good against the run; BAD against the pass) without throwing INTs -- it very well may be a shoot-out. If our secondary doesn't shore up -- Toledo will get into the 40s.

Quote:Step 8: NIU
Like the game at CMU, hard to say at this point where both teams will be mentally in late November. I also think we have a chance to be competitive here, especially with the game being at Waldo. At this point, I still see this as the toughest MAC game on our schedule, followed closely by Toledo.

You can pass on them. They have a good running D, and are well-balanced. Less chance of winning vs Toledo because NIU is a more grounded team. No possibility of winning? Oh, you never know. Last game of the season. But it's looked upon one of those games where you hope to execute well, beat the Spread, and make them Earn the victory.

(10-01-2014 05:34 PM)texasbronco1 Wrote:  Nice work. I only have one question: Who is ranked higher, a Colonel or a General?

I always salute higher rank - especially with five career posts. Well, make that six...

(10-01-2014 05:58 PM)toddjnsn Wrote:  

Quote:I only have one question: Who is ranked higher, a Colonel or a General?

Ahhhh! Trick question! It's the Real Admiral. Or maybe that's the highest-ranking move you can put on a girl on a wild night.

Quote:Step 2: at Miami
This one's on the road, and Miami has been playing hard to this point. So did we most of last season, and we were still bad. Miami is bad now. If some of you want to add this to PJ's "must-win" list, you wouldn't hear opposition from me.

I see this as our "Trap" game, kinda. We're "supposed to win" -- but Miami-OH gave Marshall a fight, as well as Cinci. They had little to no O against UM -- but Morris & Gardner don't play D, so UM's D is among one of the better Ds around... but they also lost to a D1AA, and gave up a Lot of points in their loss to Buffalo, although it was a fight much through it. They are finding their way, and they are Not as lost as we were last year. The team can't see this as a "okay, we'll win this one, check...." concept in the back of their minds. It's at Miami -- which isn't easy.

Quote:Step 3: Ohio
I see three toss-up games on our MAC schedule. This is one of them - and the only one of the three we get at home. Need to TCOB here if we have serious aspirations of hitting six wins.

They seem to have a decent D, with their O slouching. Our D is skitzophrenic. But since it's at home, I'm about as comfortable with this as playing @Miami.

Quote:Step 4: at Ball State
The only time I've watched BSU this year was the game at Iowa. I saw most of that game, and they looked pretty solid defensively - until the collapse at the end. Then they followed that up by losing to Indiana State. I respect Lembo, but I see this as a very winnable game for us.

We have to hope Lembo & BSU doesn't find some good ground by the time we roll into Muncie. They have a good running game, but still anemic on O. Their D can step up, though. Barring BSU's QB finding his way -- I see this all coming down to how good WE are, and how well WE roll together as a team at this point.

Quote:Step 5: at CMU
With this game coming later in the season, who knows where both teams will be mentally at that point - as we've already seen, a lot can change in a month when it comes to expectations. As some have said here, better teams than this Bronco team have gone to Mount Pleasant and lost. CMU will probably be favored to win, but there's no reason to think we don't have a shot at a mild upset here. (It is my hope that this will be the last time for a while that CMU is the favorite in this game...)

Problem: We rarely ever win in Mt Pleasant. Remember when we were ranked #26, and all we needed was to win @CMU, when they were pathetic, but we choked like Reggie Miller's expression x 100? I don't think CMU is as dangerous at home anymore to other teams as they used to be. I really don't. BUT, to us? Yeah, it's still there. If we play the in-rhythm CMU team that stomped Purdue? We'll get Stomped there -- no question. If we play the CMU team that with Rawls & Davis still couldn't rack up points on Toledo as much as you thought and only seemed marginally better than they were before those guys weren't playing? We'll have a fighting chance to keep the game close -- that's all I can realistically ask for.

Quote:Step 6: at BGSU
A month ago, I would have said no way do we have a shot in this one. I still don't see a W at this point, but if there's one thing we've learned after a month of football, we have an offense - and BG has no defense. If nothing else, this one should be a shootout, and anything can happen in a shootout.

This is basically going to be a "repeat" of playing @Purdue, in my mind. They'll score a lot, and we won't have probs scoring on them. Can we make up for that game by winning this one? Not likely. We'd have to "Morris" the QB. Our O can score points, but we Can be stopped. If we lose the turnover battle in this, we lose the game. If we win the turnover battle -- lookout -- dogfight, and a shot at beating them.

Quote:Step 7: Toledo
I'm really excited to see how we do against the Rockets at Saturday. I have a hard time seeing this one not be a shootout. Toledo's offense is impressive - they haven't seemed to miss a beat despite serious injuries - and I'm not sure how we'll slow them. I do think we have a chance to keep up with them on the scoreboard, though. (I really hope we get a good crowd for this game. I expect us to give Toledo a heck of a fight).

Toledo looked impressive against CMU. And we're not Buffalo or Ohio that they'd overlook. They're cumming to Kzoo and are squarely focused on us. If Franklin can move the ball decently well, and Terrell throws the ball well (Toledo's good against the run; BAD against the pass) without throwing INTs -- it very well may be a shoot-out. If our secondary doesn't shore up -- Toledo will get into the 40s.

Quote:Step 8: NIU
Like the game at CMU, hard to say at this point where both teams will be mentally in late November. I also think we have a chance to be competitive here, especially with the game being at Waldo. At this point, I still see this as the toughest MAC game on our schedule, followed closely by Toledo.

You can pass on them. They have a good running D, and are well-balanced. Less chance of winning vs Toledo because NIU is a more grounded team. No possibility of winning? Oh, you never know. Last game of the season. But it's looked upon one of those games where you hope to execute well, beat the Spread, and make them Earn the victory.

Crap! Not only do I love the Rear Admiral comment, but I agree with almost everything else you said, Todd. It’s a sign of the Apocalypse. Either I forgot to take my medication, or you started taking yours

Quote:Crap! Not only do I love the Rear Admiral comment, but I agree with almost everything else you said, Todd. It’s a sign of the Apocalypse. Either I forgot to take my medication, or you started taking yours

But does my medication give me a felony, or a misdemeanor?? I'm confused! I better take my meds...

(10-02-2014 12:32 PM)toddjnsn Wrote:  

Quote:Crap! Not only do I love the Rear Admiral comment, but I agree with almost everything else you said, Todd. It’s a sign of the Apocalypse. Either I forgot to take my medication, or you started taking yours

But does my medication give me a felony, or a misdemeanor?? I'm confused! I better take my meds...

Per statute, it depends on the "schedule" of drug, and if you are possessing or using. But don’t tell me you swallowed the pills, but then regurgitated them, and thus aren’t guilty. lol.

(10-02-2014 01:01 PM)brovol Wrote:  

(10-02-2014 12:32 PM)toddjnsn Wrote:  

Quote:Crap! Not only do I love the Rear Admiral comment, but I agree with almost everything else you said, Todd. It’s a sign of the Apocalypse. Either I forgot to take my medication, or you started taking yours

But does my medication give me a felony, or a misdemeanor?? I'm confused! I better take my meds...

Per statute, it depends on the "schedule" of drug, and if you are possessing or using. But don’t tell me you swallowed the pills, but then regurgitated them, and thus aren’t guilty. lol.

I think that is the "I tried it but didn't inhale defense". Weak and stupid.

Quote:Per statute, it depends on the "schedule" of drug, and if you are possessing or using. But don’t tell me you swallowed the pills, but then regurgitated them, and thus aren’t guilty. lol.

But what if I take in the drug, chew it up, but regurgitate it into the mouth of someone else -- like a mamma bird feeding her young? Is that a "high court" felony -- a hyBird? Or just plain weird?

(10-02-2014 03:58 PM)toddjnsn Wrote:  

Quote:Per statute, it depends on the "schedule" of drug, and if you are possessing or using. But don’t tell me you swallowed the pills, but then regurgitated them, and thus aren’t guilty. lol.

But what if I take in the drug, chew it up, but regurgitate it into the mouth of someone else -- like a mamma bird feeding her young? Is that a "high court" felony -- a Hybrid? Or just plain weird?

Pretty much anything you do is weird, Todd. And I mean that in the kindest way possible.

Quote:Pretty much anything you do is weird, Todd. And I mean that in the kindest way possible.

If we beat Toledo -- I will do whatever, whenever -- Yes, like a freshman girl pretending she doesn't do bad stuff but wants to for the sake of the Mac West (or at least I think that's what she's thinking).