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Kind of shocking IMO the author ranks us #4 on this list:

http://www.sbnation.com/college-football...utah-state

(02-19-2015 12:05 AM)The Colonel Wrote:  Kind of shocking IMO the author ranks us #4 on this list:

http://www.sbnation.com/college-football...utah-state

Wow that's a lot of love for the Broncos..WMU had a nice rebound year from 1-11 but I think the team is still a work in progress. The impressive recruiting classes back to back seems to be the basis of the optimism. They look good on paper and need to back it up with wins over NIU and Toledo in 2015, Im thinking WMU doesn't really hit its stride until the 2016-17 seasons.

(02-19-2015 10:51 AM)goldsworth Wrote:  

(02-19-2015 12:05 AM)The Colonel Wrote:  Kind of shocking IMO the author ranks us #4 on this list:

http://www.sbnation.com/college-football...utah-state

Wow that's a lot of love for the Broncos..WMU had a nice rebound year from 1-11 but I think the team is still a work in progress. The impressive recruiting classes back to back seems to be the basis of the optimism. They look good on paper and need to back it up with wins over NIU and Toledo in 2015, Im thinking WMU doesn't really hit its stride until the 2016-17 seasons.

Agreed Goldsworth. Might I add winning the Michigan MAC Trophy will be important too. Also, notice that Georgia Southern is on that list. That will not be an easy game on our schedule.

10-2 before MACC and bowl games.

Problem with Pre-Season rankings like this and FPI on earlier thread is can't account for injuries, which matter a lot in MAC because most teams lack quality depth, and teams that have a "breakout" player who makes them better than they were on paper.

They are right. Far "too soon" Like the direction, but I wouldn't have us in the top 10. And definitely have to have an idea of who is hurt after spring ball.

Wow, us #4, Marshall #5. Yikes.

I can see that if our rate of improvement rises like it did from 2013->2014. But I wouldn't expect that. We have to play MSU, @OSU, and two teams on that Top 10 list next year on the road (@NIU, @GA-Southern).

IMO, I'd put us around #7 at the highest, #12 at the lowest, as far as Expectations go. We turned the corner -- but how much further down the track are we going to get this upcoming year? That's the real question. We can't expect Toledo to be riddled with as much injuries as last year, and although NIU's complete-dominance days seem to be set aside, last year was still a re-building year for them and they're going to be better this year. Add to the fact that the MAC East can only be on it's way up -- we're going to have a trying year next year.

It would be sweet to see us shine through and play Marshall in a bowl game. IF we do, I'm going to that game... and I'm coming back with a burned Marshall flag. :)

Get ready for an exciting ride. This Coach and the culture he is building are phenomenal. The excitement is spreading around the football community.

Kalamazoo has a proven history of being willing to jump on a winning bandwagon. Start calling about locking in your tickets very soon. Good seats are going to be hard to get.

If you want to catch the progress of the team, I've heard spring practices are going to be open to the public. Can't wait to get a glimpse of this emerging powerhouse team.

(02-19-2015 07:23 PM)Dirty Ernie Wrote:  Get ready for an exciting ride. This Coach and the culture he is building are phenomenal. The excitement is spreading around the football community.

Kalamazoo has a proven history of being willing to jump on a winning bandwagon. Start calling about locking in your tickets very soon. Good seats are going to be hard to get.

If you want to catch the progress of the team, I've heard spring practices are going to be open to the public. Can't wait to get a glimpse of this emerging powerhouse team.

Can't agree more....**** is happening and it's happening now! Pay attention now because it's coming quick. The boat has left the dock and not far away from full steam ahead... For spring practice , call ahead for no hassle entry. Wince is a top notch guy and will accommodate most. Can't agree more Ernie...tickets may actually be tough to get at least in the preferred seating area's. Getting way too pumped for the season to start...RTB

(02-19-2015 09:09 PM)Dci007 Wrote:  

(02-19-2015 07:23 PM)Dirty Ernie Wrote:  Get ready for an exciting ride. This Coach and the culture he is building are phenomenal. The excitement is spreading around the football community.

Kalamazoo has a proven history of being willing to jump on a winning bandwagon. Start calling about locking in your tickets very soon. Good seats are going to be hard to get.

If you want to catch the progress of the team, I've heard spring practices are going to be open to the public. Can't wait to get a glimpse of this emerging powerhouse team.

Can't agree more....**** is happening and it's happening now! Pay attention now because it's coming quick. The boat has left the dock and not far away from full steam ahead... For spring practice , call ahead for no hassle entry. Wince is a top notch guy and will accommodate most. Can't agree more Ernie...tickets may actually be tough to get at least in the preferred seating area's. Getting way too pumped for the season to start...RTB

Do you happen to know Wince's #? I'd like to get that in my speed dial.

(02-19-2015 11:55 AM)WesternSkillet Wrote:  Also, notice that Georgia Southern is on that list. That will not be an easy game on our schedule.

I didn't realize before reading that column that Georgia Southern has games at West Virginia and at Georgia. West Virginia may not be on the same level as MSU, OSU, and Georgia, but they're staring at two likely nonconference losses just as we are. That game is going to be HUGE for both teams - the loser of that game most likely will be 1-3 heading into conference play.

That #4 spot is nice, but means little (if anything) in reality. Even if we were to somehow:
- win at Georgia Southern
- win at NIU
- win at Toledo
- run the table in the MAC and win the MACC

...we'd still most likely be 11-2. No G5 team is getting an Access Bowl spot with two losses, even if those losses come against two Top 10 teams. The only prayer next year's team has at an Access Bowl shot would be to do all of the above, beat MSU, and play OSU reasonably tough (or, of course, beat them). And while I love the direction the program is heading, all of that just isn't happening next year.

Having said that, if we have another similarly solid season in 2015, could the author make a case for us around that spot in 2016 or 2017? Possibly, with the nonconference schedules softening up. It would certainly be a much more realistic prediction.

One thing I do think the author got right is that it's going to be harder for a MAC team - whoever it is - to get an Access Bowl spot over a Mountain West or American team with no losses or one loss. Even getting in over a C-USA team would be tougher at this point considering C-USA's bowl successes this past season.

Don't get too hyped up just yet.

Interesting how we think the "experts" are smart when they rate us high.

Remember, once is a fluke, twice is a coincidence, three times is a trend.

We've been down this road (high expectations based on previous season) before.

The schedule is daunting, and only thing current regime has won is Michigan MAC championship once out of two years.

(02-20-2015 12:13 AM)The Colonel Wrote:  

(02-19-2015 11:55 AM)WesternSkillet Wrote:  Also, notice that Georgia Southern is on that list. That will not be an easy game on our schedule.

I didn't realize before reading that column that Georgia Southern has games at West Virginia and at Georgia. West Virginia may not be on the same level as MSU, OSU, and Georgia, but they're staring at two likely nonconference losses just as we are. That game is going to be HUGE for both teams - the loser of that game most likely will be 1-3 heading into conference play.

That #4 spot is nice, but means little (if anything) in reality. Even if we were to somehow:
- win at Georgia Southern
- win at NIU
- win at Toledo
- run the table in the MAC and win the MACC

...we'd still most likely be 11-2. No G5 team is getting an Access Bowl spot with two losses, even if those losses come against two Top 10 teams. The only prayer next year's team has at an Access Bowl shot would be to do all of the above, beat MSU, and play OSU reasonably tough (or, of course, beat them). And while I love the direction the program is heading, all of that just isn't happening next year.

Having said that, if we have another similarly solid season in 2015, could the author make a case for us around that spot in 2016 or 2017? Possibly, with the nonconference schedules softening up. It would certainly be a much more realistic prediction.

One thing I do think the author got right is that it's going to be harder for a MAC team - whoever it is - to get an Access Bowl spot over a Mountain West or American team with no losses or one loss. Even getting in over a C-USA team would be tougher at this point considering C-USA's bowl successes this past season.

Dang, Colonel. If we beat MSU then the Ohio State game or possible Access Bowl selection are irrelevant. We beat MSU when they are top 10 I will just lie down, die, and go to heaven. It's that simple.

(02-20-2015 01:59 PM)Dirty Ernie Wrote:  We beat MSU when they are top 10 I will just lie down, die, and go to heaven. It's that simple.

Unfortunately for us, George Perles is no longer MSU coach.

But hey - CMU beat Spartans in '09 in East Lansing. Maybe we can do the same in Waldo this Fall!

(02-20-2015 05:29 PM)MajorHoople Wrote:  

(02-20-2015 01:59 PM)Dirty Ernie Wrote:  We beat MSU when they are top 10 I will just lie down, die, and go to heaven. It's that simple.

Unfortunately for us, George Perles is no longer MSU coach.

But hey - CMU beat Spartans in '09 in East Lansing. Maybe we can do the same in Waldo this Fall!

EVERYBODY SETTLE DOWN!

Quote:Even if we were to somehow:
- win at Georgia Southern
- win at NIU
- win at Toledo
- run the table in the MAC and win the MACC

Which would be fantasy land... I'm dreaming... I'm excited... hold on, let me get the lotion and the kleenex, while I put it on pause...

Quote:..we'd still most likely be 11-2. No G5 team is getting an Access Bowl spot with two losses, even if those losses come against two Top 10 teams.

I beg to differ. Boise State lost to a G5 team (Air Force) and a P5 team (9-3 Ole Miss). They were 11-2 and went to the BCS Bowl.

Quote:The only prayer next year's team has at an Access Bowl shot would be to do all of the above, beat MSU, and play OSU reasonably tough (or, of course, beat them). And while I love the direction the program is heading, all of that just isn't happening next year.

Not so fast. I would say this (again, it's STILL fantasy-land)...

- Lose to MSU at home by 14 (play tough game, like PJ's opener @MSU in '13)
- Lose solidly to @OSU but put up a decent fight within it (lots of boat-rowing comments throughout the game; not a blowout until OSU runs up score at end)

- Beat @GA-Southern who goes undefeated in Sun Belt & Beats a P5 (10-2 regular season)
- Beat @NIU who ends up 10-2 regular season (they beat @BC, give OSU a fight)
- Beat @Toledo who ends up 9-3 regular season (they beat Iowa State, Ark State who's good in Sun Belt; lose to NIU, WMU, @Arkansas)
- Beat Bowling Green who ends up 7-5/8-4 winning MAC East (they beat Memphis, @Purdue)
- Beat rest of MAC including an improved BSU team who knocks out a P5, and an Ohio team who does the same
- Win MACC beating BGSU again

- Boise loses to Nevada/Fresno/San Diego State in MW Champ Game @ 11-2 (Can't go to BCS; didn't win conference)

SO basically I'm saying: An 11-2 MAC team with a Tough Schedule like ours will go -- as long as Boise gets 3 losses or loses their Conf Champ game (and an AAC team doesn't match up as well).

Nice analysys, Todd.

It occurs to me what a rare, rare, opportunity this MSU home game is.

I guess I knew that already, but it really sunk in this morning.

(02-20-2015 01:59 PM)Dirty Ernie Wrote:  Dang, Colonel. If we beat MSU then the Ohio State game or possible Access Bowl selection are irrelevant. We beat MSU when they are top 10 I will just lie down, die, and go to heaven. It's that simple.

Amen to this, Ernie!

(02-20-2015 05:29 PM)MajorHoople Wrote:  But hey - CMU beat Spartans in '09 in East Lansing. Maybe we can do the same in Waldo this Fall!

That was a veteran, loaded CMU team led by a stud senior QB up against an MSU team that IIRC finished 6-7 that year. Not taking anything away from CMU - they played great and deserved that win - but our Waldo game will be a very different scenario. We won't be nearly as experienced as that CMU team was - and obviously, the MSU program has reached a much higher level at this point.

It's still too early for a large-scale MSU breakdown, but I do think we have a slim chance. We'll have to play a near-perfect game, and we have to put up points. Last night's hockey game is a good example: when a top-tier team comes to our house, we have to be able to score/keep up with them. Do that, and the crowd remains amped up and momentum stays on our side. When MSU went to Mount Pleasant and routed the Chips three years ago, they jumped on them early and didn't let up. We have to avoid that scenario at all costs.

MSU is much more talented than us, but the fact that it is the first game of the season could work to our advantage in some ways. Offensively, MSU has a lot of talent waiting in the wings, but they do have to replace their best skill position players at RB (Lankford) and WR (Lippett), both of whom have graduated. No question about MSU's defensive talent, but at least with Narduzzi moving on to Pitt, we will be catching them in transition. And while I don't see MSU as openly dismissive of us, you can't tell me that a number of their guys won't be looking past us to their home opener against Oregon the following week.

(02-21-2015 02:15 AM)toddjnsn Wrote:  I beg to differ. Boise State lost to a G5 team (Air Force) and a P5 team (9-3 Ole Miss). They were 11-2 and went to the BCS Bowl.

Good point. I can't really argue that, except to say:

- Time will tell, but I think last season was the rare case where a two-loss G5 team gets to an Access Bowl. Most years, there's going to be a more deserving unbeaten or one-loss team. If Marshall hadn't lost to WKU, they probably would've gotten the Access Bowl bid. (I agree with your point about strength of schedule, though, and I'm glad that two-loss Boise got the bid instead of one-loss Marshall for that reason.)

- Boise probably gets - and based on what they've accomplished recently, deserves - more "benefit of the doubt" than any other G5 school. A two-loss Boise will likely still be given strong consideration for an Access Bowl. A two-loss WMU, Georgia Southern, Lafayette, etc. won't receive that same respect or treatment.

Quote:- Boise probably gets - and based on what they've accomplished recently, deserves - more "benefit of the doubt" than any other G5 school. A two-loss Boise will likely still be given strong consideration for an Access Bowl. A two-loss WMU, Georgia Southern, Lafayette, etc. won't receive that same respect or treatment.

I think with SoS, WMU would get the nod over a Sun-Belt team. Even with an even SoS, I think WMU would as the MAC is seen as tougher than the Sun Belt. Plus, we have a conference championship -- they don't. So the extra win will put any relatively even mid-major over a Sun Belt champ -- so I don't think we have to worry about that. We would be like a Boise (the 'other' Broncos) in comparison to a Sun Belt, if we won the MAC.

Now, I agree -- with Boise or an AAC champ -- they'll get the nod over us in a close-tie. And I agree, this past year was an odd one. A down year for the mid-majors compared to last years. But with the AAC being stripped of their better teams, I would say that improves other mid-majors' chances from here on out. The real elephant in the room is Boise. I WOULD rather see Boise go @11-2 than another mid-major school other than ourselves who has an even record almost all the time, because in the end, I DO want to see the best mid-major go. A MAC team I would give more leeway, as long as they're About as good as the top mid-major (Boise). I don't at all want to see a 21+ point beat-down in an Access Bowl.

With that said, I think there are good chances that Boise can lose a MW game. They won't go undefeated every year in conference play. Maybe every other year; at best, 2 out of 3 years. So IMO, it won't be 'down' to see Boise going 11-2. IMO, that'll be expected, although along with that, they'll have a good P5 win and a P5 loss -- and a tough conference competitor loss. The best we can hope for is them losing the MWC Championship game when us, NIU, or Toledo is having a (no pun intended) rocket season.

That's why I would like to see bowl-playoffs not just for the National Championship, but for other 'tournament' crowns as seen in college basketball. Having a P5 playoff, minus the actual best going to the Access Bowl, would be pretty sweet. A 4 team playoff of the best of the rest. So last year it would have been:

(1) Marshall vs (4) NIU
(2) Colorado St vs (3) Memphis