(03-06-2015 01:29 PM)YNot Wrote:  

(03-06-2015 02:06 AM)Hokie Mark Wrote:  Group of Five teams that could grab the CFP's automatic berth to an access bowl…
•Boise State
•BYU (not eligible for Golden Ticket but could snag major bowl as independent same way as Notre Dame)
•UCF
•Cincinnati
•Houston

With BYU ineligible, that means 3/4 of the front-runners are in ONE conference.

LINK: http://www.cbssports.com/collegefootball...ty-is-real

Yeah, you absolutely have to include Memphis. If you extend it to the top 10, you also need to include Navy and ECU. Here's how I see the race for G5 Access Bowl bid:

1) Boise st.
2) Cincinnati
3) UCF
4) Memphis
5) Houston
6) Utah St.
7) Navy
8) ECU
9) Colorado St.
10) N. Illinois

Unfortunately, I see the AAC knocking each other off again. Someone has to lose between UCF/Cinci and Houston/Memphis. Navy and ECU will cause problems for some teams. It is hard to see any of these four going 4-0 OOC. I will say a two loss team should be in the running if Boise doesn't run away with the MWC or NIU doesn't go 12-1 or 13-0.

(03-06-2015 01:29 PM)YNot Wrote:  

(03-06-2015 02:06 AM)Hokie Mark Wrote:  Group of Five teams that could grab the CFP's automatic berth to an access bowl…
•Boise State
•BYU (not eligible for Golden Ticket but could snag major bowl as independent same way as Notre Dame)
•UCF
•Cincinnati
•Houston

With BYU ineligible, that means 3/4 of the front-runners are in ONE conference.

LINK: http://www.cbssports.com/collegefootball...ty-is-real

Yeah, you absolutely have to include Memphis. If you extend it to the top 10, you also need to include Navy and ECU. Here's how I see the race for G5 Access Bowl bid:

1) Boise st.
2) Cincinnati
3) UCF
4) Memphis
5) Houston
6) Utah St.
7) Navy
8) ECU
9) Colorado St.
10) N. Illinois

ucf cant be that high, i wouldnt even have them top 10, they graduate the entire defense from a defensive team, and lose a ton of the best plaers from a suspect offense

you have to include Ga southern just because they could run to the Sunbelt again,

id remove colorado state and ecu too (sorry)

WKU's offense could be one of the best in the nation if not the best, if they have a respectable not horrific defense they'll be top 5

im not that familar with Western michigan but ive heard a lot of talk about them on paper expecting to have a major year

and marshall would be lower in my list but id add them just because their schedule is a joke again and their non-q's give them a huge recruiting advantage over their league. they also return their rb who had 1800yds rushing, if their new qbis even half way decent they'll be atleast a 9 win team

(03-06-2015 02:47 PM)SuperFlyBCat Wrote:  

(03-06-2015 12:08 PM)Hokie Mark Wrote:  Houston seems to be getting a lot of love nationally... are the Cougars supposed to be that good?

Houston has talent and Herman is a really smart guy.

Houston did win 6 of 8 after the QB change. The last 4 losses were by an average of slightly less than 7 points.

Levine had a recent history of close losses (an inexplicable losses) with 8 of the 10 losses over the last 2 years being by less than 10 points. UH was 3-8 over the last 2 years in games decided by <10 points. If the new head coach, can get over that hump, it would make a huge impact on UH's record.

(03-06-2015 09:31 AM)rosewater Wrote:  

(03-06-2015 09:26 AM)uhmump95 Wrote:  I would have listed Memphis before Houston and UCF. All Memphis needs is for the new guys on defense to step up and they are in business. I expect Memphis's offense to be better.

I can see Memphis having a similar season as this past year's cincy team. Very strong offense with a porous defense that improves. I believe the odd man out will be UCF. They lose too much and I am not confident in their quarterback.

I agree with you. Memphis defense should be a bit better than the Bearcats defense through the 1st half of last season. UCF has lost a lot of starters...

(03-06-2015 03:07 PM)BlueGoldTU Wrote:  

(03-06-2015 01:49 PM)BearcatMan Wrote:  

(03-06-2015 12:25 PM)Ramen_Tiger Wrote:  

(03-06-2015 09:44 AM)BearcatMan Wrote:  

(03-06-2015 09:31 AM)rosewater Wrote:  I can see Memphis having a similar season as this past year's cincy team. Very strong offense with a porous defense that improves. I believe the odd man out will be UCF. They lose too much and I am not confident in their quarterback.

That's probably why they're holding off. The only game I was completely impressed by Memphis' offense was against us (and that's not saying much). They were a team with a solid offense and a fantastic defense last year that they relied on heavily, now that much of that defense is gone, people just don't know how the transition will work. The only reason why Cincinnati is on there is because they know our offense will be fine and also that our defense can't possibly get any worse.

Regardless, can't wait until September 24th, already have my hotel booked for the long weekend! Hope to see some of you guys out on Beale

You weren't impressed in the 9 other games. Especially the BYU game?

They looked very good in a few games, but those games were against traffic cones (much like UC's defense). BYU gave up nearly 100 points to Boise and Nevada earlier that year and let Virginia and Cal score in the 30's, that score and offensive performance in general, especially given that it happened in a double overtime game, doesn't really impress me. Like I said, you all were solid offensively just not markedly 'great'. Fortunately this is a conference that being average in one platoon and great in another means you'll win 8-10 games every year, at least in its current state. You had an elite defense and a solid offense, there is no problem with that, as proven by your season last year, we had one of the best offenses and worst defenses in the country last year, and did right about the same...that's just how this conference is right now with Tulsa, USF, and Tulane being as down as they are and Rhule showing a shocking level of hatred towards offense at Temple.

I'll be shocked if Tulsa doesn't sneak up and shock many this year. We return most of our players and finally have a coach that know offense. But we will sit back and take your critique of Tulsa albeit it will be short lived.

You have to admit though, you were down last year, about as down as you've been in the last decade. Downs have ups, so I wholly expect you guys to make it back soon, you just are what is fresh in everyone's minds until you prove them wrong (ie. Memphis last season).

Why can't BYU get an access bid?

(03-06-2015 05:51 PM)NewEnglandBull Wrote:  Why can't BYU get an access bid?

Because, contractually, they are not part of the Group of 5 conferences (AAC, MWC, C-USA, MAC, Sun Belt).

They can still earn a bid into a New Year's 6 bowl game (ie, Fiesta, Cotton, or Peach), but they cannot get there via the spot reserved for the best champion from the Group of 5.

(03-06-2015 03:21 PM)msm96wolf Wrote:  

(03-06-2015 01:29 PM)YNot Wrote:  

(03-06-2015 02:06 AM)Hokie Mark Wrote:  Group of Five teams that could grab the CFP's automatic berth to an access bowl…
•Boise State
•BYU (not eligible for Golden Ticket but could snag major bowl as independent same way as Notre Dame)
•UCF
•Cincinnati
•Houston

With BYU ineligible, that means 3/4 of the front-runners are in ONE conference.

LINK: http://www.cbssports.com/collegefootball...ty-is-real

Yeah, you absolutely have to include Memphis. If you extend it to the top 10, you also need to include Navy and ECU. Here's how I see the race for G5 Access Bowl bid:

1) Boise st.
2) Cincinnati
3) UCF
4) Memphis
5) Houston
6) Utah St.
7) Navy
8) ECU
9) Colorado St.
10) N. Illinois

Unfortunately, I see the AAC knocking each other off again. Someone has to lose between UCF/Cinci and Houston/Memphis. Navy and ECU will cause problems for some teams. It is hard to see any of these four going 4-0 OOC. I will say a two loss team should be in the running if Boise doesn't run away with the MWC or NIU doesn't go 12-1 or 13-0.

I completely agree. There aren't going to be many automatic wins in this conference this year.

(03-06-2015 12:08 PM)Hokie Mark Wrote:  Houston seems to be getting a lot of love nationally... are the Cougars supposed to be that good?

Think UNC but for the American. UH/UNC often get most of their recognition before the season starts but tend to fizzle out as the season goes on. Its always their year(or next)/sleeping giant situation.

(03-06-2015 11:18 PM)Piratelife4me Wrote:  

(03-06-2015 12:08 PM)Hokie Mark Wrote:  Houston seems to be getting a lot of love nationally... are the Cougars supposed to be that good?

Think UNC but for the American. UH/UNC often get most of their recognition before the season starts but tend to fizzle out as the season goes on. Its always their year(or next)/sleeping giant situation.

^this guy

when'when's the last time ECU finished top 25...oh right, thought so

(03-06-2015 03:21 PM)msm96wolf Wrote:  

(03-06-2015 01:29 PM)YNot Wrote:  

(03-06-2015 02:06 AM)Hokie Mark Wrote:  Group of Five teams that could grab the CFP's automatic berth to an access bowl…
•Boise State
•BYU (not eligible for Golden Ticket but could snag major bowl as independent same way as Notre Dame)
•UCF
•Cincinnati
•Houston

With BYU ineligible, that means 3/4 of the front-runners are in ONE conference.

LINK: http://www.cbssports.com/collegefootball...ty-is-real

Yeah, you absolutely have to include Memphis. If you extend it to the top 10, you also need to include Navy and ECU. Here's how I see the race for G5 Access Bowl bid:

1) Boise st.
2) Cincinnati
3) UCF
4) Memphis
5) Houston
6) Utah St.
7) Navy
8) ECU
9) Colorado St.
10) N. Illinois

Unfortunately, I see the AAC knocking each other off again. Someone has to lose between UCF/Cinci and Houston/Memphis. Navy and ECU will cause problems for some teams. It is hard to see any of these four going 4-0 OOC. I will say a two loss team should be in the running if Boise doesn't run away with the MWC or NIU doesn't go 12-1 or 13-0.

Exactly

I bet Boise wouldn't dominate the AAC like they do the mwc.

(03-06-2015 11:32 PM)pesik Wrote:  

(03-06-2015 11:18 PM)Piratelife4me Wrote:  

(03-06-2015 12:08 PM)Hokie Mark Wrote:  Houston seems to be getting a lot of love nationally... are the Cougars supposed to be that good?

Think UNC but for the American. UH/UNC often get most of their recognition before the season starts but tend to fizzle out as the season goes on. Its always their year(or next)/sleeping giant situation.

^this guy

when'when's the last time ECU finished top 25...oh right, thought so

ECU has never finished top 25?

(03-06-2015 11:32 PM)pesik Wrote:  

(03-06-2015 11:18 PM)Piratelife4me Wrote:  

(03-06-2015 12:08 PM)Hokie Mark Wrote:  Houston seems to be getting a lot of love nationally... are the Cougars supposed to be that good?

Think UNC but for the American. UH/UNC often get most of their recognition before the season starts but tend to fizzle out as the season goes on. Its always their year(or next)/sleeping giant situation.

^this guy

when'when's the last time ECU finished top 25...oh right, thought so

Yep, its been a while since ECU finished the year ranked. But this was about preseason rankings and expectations leading into next year.

IDK, Since 1990 both both(see what I did there) teams have finished in the top 25 twice and won 2 conference championships. Granted Neither school is lighting the world on fire. The difference is the media/coaches never expect much out of ECU(Message board warriors do not equal coaches/media). On the other hand Houston always seems to not quite live up to the preseason billing.

(03-07-2015 12:38 AM)Piratelife4me Wrote:  

(03-06-2015 11:32 PM)pesik Wrote:  

(03-06-2015 11:18 PM)Piratelife4me Wrote:  

(03-06-2015 12:08 PM)Hokie Mark Wrote:  Houston seems to be getting a lot of love nationally... are the Cougars supposed to be that good?

Think UNC but for the American. UH/UNC often get most of their recognition before the season starts but tend to fizzle out as the season goes on. Its always their year(or next)/sleeping giant situation.

^this guy

when'when's the last time ECU finished top 25...oh right, thought so

Yep, its been a while since ECU finished the year ranked. But this was about preseason rankings and expectations leading into next year.

IDK, Since 1990 both both(see what I did there) teams have finished in the top 25 twice and won 2 conference championships. Granted Neither school is lighting the world on fire. The difference is the media/coaches never expect much out of ECU(Message board warriors do not equal coaches/media). On the other hand Houston always seems to not quite live up to the preseason billing.

UH was picked to be 3rd in the media poll and the consensus of all the major polls last year and tied for 4th. Not too far off. ECU was picked to finish 4th and tied for 4th.

(03-06-2015 04:48 PM)NTXCoog Wrote:  

(03-06-2015 02:47 PM)SuperFlyBCat Wrote:  

(03-06-2015 12:08 PM)Hokie Mark Wrote:  Houston seems to be getting a lot of love nationally... are the Cougars supposed to be that good?

Houston has talent and Herman is a really smart guy.

Houston did win 6 of 8 after the QB change. The last 4 losses were by an average of slightly less than 7 points.

Levine had a recent history of close losses (an inexplicable losses) with 8 of the 10 losses over the last 2 years being by less than 10 points. UH was 3-8 over the last 2 years in games decided by <10 points. If the new head coach, can get over that hump, it would make a huge impact on UH's record.

Clarification... UH was 3-8, but Levine was 2-8. He didn't coach the bowl win.

(03-06-2015 02:06 AM)Hokie Mark Wrote:  Group of Five teams that could grab the CFP's automatic berth to an access bowl…
•Boise State
•BYU (not eligible for Golden Ticket but could snag major bowl as independent same way as Notre Dame)
•UCF
•Cincinnati
•Houston

With BYU ineligible, that means 3/4 of the front-runners are in ONE conference.

LINK: http://www.cbssports.com/collegefootball...ty-is-real

Just like this past year...that's one of the main reasons why Boise State went crawling back to the MWC, i.e. much easier road to get BCS and now P5 bid.

AAC top teams will just beat each other up...champ will probably have at least 1 loss (maybe more), while Boise can just cruise most years in the much weaker MWC..

(03-06-2015 12:08 PM)Hokie Mark Wrote:  Houston seems to be getting a lot of love nationally...

Really?

In what sport?