They are rowing the boat.....a lame slogan last year, but not so much in 2014. PJ has this program headed in the right direction. I had this as an automatic win for our final game.....not anymore. Recruiting, positive MOJO are alive and well in Kalamazoo.

I wish I could argue with you, but you are right. Based off what NIU has done the last several weeks, I think they will be lucky to win this game. I have not paid a lot of attention to the whole P.J. thing, but the way he bolted on the O.C. job with NIU was completely low class. I understand he found a better opportunity both financially and probably for his career, but there is something to be said for a man keeping his word. I'm sure the kids he is recruiting could give 2 sh$ts about his bailing on his commitment to NIU, but eventually that set of values will catch up with him.

(10-25-2014 11:58 PM)Cowboy95 Wrote:  I wish I could argue with you, but you are right. Based off what NIU has done the last several weeks, I think they will be lucky to win this game. I have not paid a lot of attention to the whole P.J. thing, but the way he bolted on the O.C. job with NIU was completely low class. I understand he found a better opportunity both financially and probably for his career, but there is something to be said for a man keeping his word. I'm sure the kids he is recruiting could give 2 sh$ts about his bailing on his commitment to NIU, but eventually that set of values will catch up with him.

Fair commentary but we live in a world now of little employer/employee loyalty..just the truth..

and yes, WMU..wow... I know the MAC is down but crazy impressive turnaround... they lost to a mid range FCS team last year.... and now, I saw the game vs VA Tech and they looked like they belonged on the same field....

Quote:I have not paid a lot of attention to the whole P.J. thing, but the way he bolted on the O.C. job with NIU was completely low class.

It was. BUT, to be fair -- he wasn't ready for it. Going to low-end P5 Rutgers to be a WR coach over being OC for a good-level G5? It wasn't a step Up. It'd be hard to believe a WR coach at a mid-level Big East place is going to bring really any more $$ than OC at an upper-tier mid-major -- and it's not better on a resume. I honestly think he's all about himself BUT was actually making a better decision for himself AND NIU. He wasn't even ready to be HC last year. He was never an OC or DC coordinator ANYWHERE (except for a day with NIU; doesn't count)!

Quote:I know the MAC is down but crazy impressive turnaround... they lost to a mid range FCS team last year

Oh, Nicholls State -- they were a LOW LOW level FCS team last year. They ended up improving to roughly mid-range that year... the year before that, all they had was a win against a D2 team. It was SO odd that we only lost to Michigan State by 13 on our 1st game, but then everything fell apart, including that one. Our only win was against UMass, where UMass went for 2 for the win (not the tie), and their receiver dropped an easy pass -- so we won by default.

We were improving at the end of the year -- being a tough fight for the bottom-end of the MAC, but yes -- it's Surprising that we (WMU) turned it around so much.

Quote:.a lame slogan last year, but not so much in 2014. PJ has this program headed in the right direction. I had this as an automatic win for our final game.....not anymore. Recruiting, positive MOJO are alive and well in Kalamazoo.

It was only lame because we were 1-11. Any pumped-up attitude or new slogan will look completely stupid when you can't win any games. But what did PJ Fleck do when everyone was laughing at him? He just rowed the boat. Oh, the irony. :)

Coaching, corralling, and making the most out of a team, IMO, is a game of checkers, not chess. He sets an example on how it's much about attitude when you have decent recruits.

WMU is for real this year -- but I still think it's our transition year. We're just lucky the MAC itself is in transition, too, so we'll now be going bowling at (what I predict) of 7-5.

The NIU game is going to be tough. I predict a loss to NIU, and @CMU (we never win there; but CMU just lost Rawls their RB for the season apparently), and wins against EMU & @Miami.

It wouldn't shock me if WMU beat NIU, but NIU I think is going to have their ducks in the row by season's end in that final game. I think it will be a true test for Carey as a HC -- to see how good he is. It's not a gimmie-game for ANY MAC team -- even if the MAC were better this year.

(10-25-2014 11:58 PM)Cowboy95 Wrote:  I wish I could argue with you, but you are right. Based off what NIU has done the last several weeks, I think they will be lucky to win this game. I have not paid a lot of attention to the whole P.J. thing, but the way he bolted on the O.C. job with NIU was completely low class. I understand he found a better opportunity both financially and probably for his career, but there is something to be said for a man keeping his word. I'm sure the kids he is recruiting could give 2 sh$ts about his bailing on his commitment to NIU, but eventually that set of values will catch up with him.

You don't always get to choose the timing of opportunities, I hold nothing against him for taking advantage of a better opportunity for him. And we were fine offensively last year after he left.

I can't see NIU beating Toledo or WMU with the way we defend the pass against decent passing games, and our inability to pass / keep drives alive on third down. Barring a bunch of turnovers or mistakes, Toledo and WMU will do the same thing to us that CMU did.

No, we need you guys to beat Toledo! :)

Hopefully Carey gets the team to run on all cylinders by that game. If NIU & BGSU beats Toledo, it's wide open for WMU (and unfortunately CMU).

Just waiting for the hire PJ comments to start!

(10-26-2014 01:43 PM)HUSKIEFOOTBALLFAN Wrote:  Just waiting for the hire PJ comments to start!

That ship has rowed, never going to happen.

(10-26-2014 01:38 PM)HuskieJoe Wrote:  I can't see NIU beating Toledo or WMU with the way we defend the pass against decent passing games, and our inability to pass / keep drives alive on third down. Barring a bunch of turnovers or mistakes, Toledo and WMU will do the same thing to us that CMU did.

Yep.

(10-26-2014 02:08 PM)bikechuck Wrote:  

(10-26-2014 01:43 PM)HUSKIEFOOTBALLFAN Wrote:  Just waiting for the hire PJ comments to start!

That ship has rowed, never going to happen.

PJ is looking to move up, not end up at NIU. Even if NIU wanted him, he's looking upward.

If NIU somehow (and this is unrealistic) got a huge dump in finances from some big donor, and they were going to make a move to try and be picked up by a P5 -- by expanding the stadium to 42k, and doing tons of advertising -- and would pay a Head Coach 1 million a year -- PJ would jump ship here in WMU and go to his roots at NIU.

Coaches will move from the MAC -> upper-tier G5 teams. But that would require NIU to grow AWFULLY QUICK to a top-end Mountain West or ACC venue in fans, attendance, etc.

(10-26-2014 01:38 PM)HuskieJoe Wrote:  I can't see NIU beating Toledo or WMU with the way we defend the pass against decent passing games, and our inability to pass / keep drives alive on third down. Barring a bunch of turnovers or mistakes, Toledo and WMU will do the same thing to us that CMU did.

If we do not begin playing better we will struggle at Ball State. Pete Lembo is an excellent coach and his team has been improving as the season has progressed. Us, not so much.

(10-26-2014 05:16 PM)bikechuck Wrote:  

(10-26-2014 01:38 PM)HuskieJoe Wrote:  I can't see NIU beating Toledo or WMU with the way we defend the pass against decent passing games, and our inability to pass / keep drives alive on third down. Barring a bunch of turnovers or mistakes, Toledo and WMU will do the same thing to us that CMU did.

If we do not begin playing better we will struggle at Ball State. Pete Lembo is an overrated coach and his team has been pretty mediocre all year.

Fixed

If CMU RB ran all over us

WMU has a better RB

Fleck will be an SEC, or ACC coach in the next 5 years

If he has meteoric rise next year it could be a lot sooner although I think the BIG 10 is more likely.

Fleck will be an SEC, or ACC coach in the next 5 years
[/quote]

^

(10-26-2014 06:42 PM)COHUSKIE Wrote:  Fleck will be an SEC, or ACC coach in the next 5 years

^
[/quote]

I'll bet you a full expense week bowl game trip if you take this bet


I will bet you he goes to power 5 conference in the next 5 years

Quote:I will bet you he goes to power 5 conference in the next 5 years

In the WMU forum, we've been batting this around. Some people are scared that if we win out, he's leaving (yeah, right). That would put him 10-14 in 2 years. With no prior head coaching or even coordinator experience on ANY level including high school.

Next year, we have a Tough Schedule: MSU, @Ohio State, @GA-Southern (a G5 POWER), @Toledo, @NIU, and probably a not so easy MAC East game away. We'll be 7-5 at best, as we'll lose 3 of our OOC games, and win just our D1AA.

In 2016, that's "the year" we believe may be a breakout. We have @NW, @Illinois (why don't you guys ever play them? scratching head), GA-Southern... then Toledo & NIU at home. That's where we could feasibly have 10+ wins, and win the MAC. If so, PJ may go.

IMO, it will take knocking off a B1G + winning the West more than once to hired away. I could see it happening in 5 years.

Thing is, if he's just "good" but we level off being the "2nd best in the West" every year, but still take out an Illini or NW once in a while -- while being Consistent (which we didn't have under Cubit) -- he may go to an AAC team.

Right after 2016 year -- Earliest.

(10-26-2014 07:36 PM)toddjnsn Wrote:  

Quote:I will bet you he goes to power 5 conference in the next 5 years

In the WMU forum, we've been batting this around. Some people are scared that if we win out, he's leaving (yeah, right). That would put him 10-14 in 2 years. With no prior head coaching or even coordinator experience on ANY level including high school.

Next year, we have a Tough Schedule: MSU, @Ohio State, @GA-Southern (a G5 POWER), @Toledo, @NIU, and probably a not so easy MAC East game away. We'll be 7-5 at best, as we'll lose 3 of our OOC games, and win just our D1AA.

In 2016, that's "the year" we believe may be a breakout. We have @NW, @Illinois (why don't you guys ever play them? scratching head), GA-Southern... then Toledo & NIU at home. That's where we could feasibly have 10+ wins, and win the MAC. If so, PJ may go.

IMO, it will take knocking off a B1G + winning the West more than once to hired away. I could see it happening in 5 years.

Thing is, if he's just "good" but we level off being the "2nd best in the West" every year, but still take out an Illini or NW once in a while -- while being Consistent (which we didn't have under Cubit) -- he may go to an AAC team.

Right after 2016 year -- Earliest.

Fleck will be gone sooner rather than later. He's a hot young coach that can recruit and sells himself really well. You've got him for one more year at most I think (unless the wheels fall off and I don't see that happening).