(04-02-2015 08:14 PM)bonegreen Wrote:  

(04-02-2015 10:48 AM)pilot172000 Wrote:  I have full confidence in our transfer QB.

Same here.

I don't think Birdsong beats out Holcombe

(04-02-2015 09:14 PM)mufanatehc Wrote:  

(04-02-2015 10:01 AM)FIUFan Wrote:  I think ODU and Marshall to a lesser degree are being over-rated given the loss of their long-time QB's. I mean I don't think that ODU has ever gone into a game without that QB; I'd be very surprised if they don't miss a beat without him. Marshall is a more seasoned program but still needs to transition and I'd say the loss of Cato and Shuler are worth 3-4 wins from the tally. So the Herd should still be good for an 8-9 win season.

WKU with their 6th year Sr. QB is going to be this year's juggernaught and you'll probably need to hang 50 on them to beat 'em.

Marshall was and still is way more than just Cato on offense.

We were the 8th best rushing team in the country last season and had over 3800 yds on the ground. All of our RBs that contributed to that come back this season, including Devon Johnson, who had 1767 yds despite missing all or the majority of 3 games due to injury.

Quite frankly, Johnson was likely the best offensive player in conference last season and will be this season, if not the best player on either side of the ball. The guy is a beast.

Having a QB that can throw makes you a better rushing team since the defense won't load the box on you. That's why wku also had a 1500 yard rusher this year. If your new QB don't figure things out quick, your rushing game always takes a hit.

(04-02-2015 06:58 PM)Fatalisk Wrote:  Which ODU fan says we won't miss a beat with Heinicke?

We're talking about SB Nation's Power Rankings and them putting ODU 6th (which is basically where they finished last year). To have them there would mean their new QB would need to be at least as successful as Heinicke. It is very, very rare for any school to replace a premiere QB with another one in successive seasons; it just doesn't happen (unless you're Ohio St or Oregon). Now ODU may be successful this year if they have the ability to transition to a power offense and control the game that way, however, to expect them to light up the score board through the air this year like they've done in the past is delusional.

(04-02-2015 09:19 PM)wkuhilltopperfan Wrote:  Having a QB that can throw makes you a better rushing team since the defense won't load the box on you. That's why wku also had a 1500 yard rusher this year. If your new QB don't figure things out quick, your rushing game always takes a hit.

Absolutely; if a defense doesn't respect your QB's decision making, ability to throw the ball down field, timing with his receivers, ability to move the pocket and/or run, their going to stack the box and nobodies going to run for nothing (sorry about the double-negative there).

i hope for north texas to win 5 games...

I'm just not sold on Western. Everyone keeps acting like they are the next big thing because Marshall played a craptastic game against them. I think people forget they were only .500 in league play last year. Marshall is still the class of the East until proven otherwise even with losing Cato.

Additional reasoning...

1. Yes, we know they should be very good offensively at least in the passing game. However, a blue print on how to beat them is out there. Several teams showed last year that Doughty can be rendered less effective with pressure. He didn't handle it well last year. It's when teams sit back hoping to contain that he has the ability to just pick a defense apart.

2. They have absolutely no defense at all and as much as the league is offensive minded the teams that have played above average defense continue to be the teams that win their respective divisions. This all but eliminates Western from winning the east. Even if they are dramatically improved defensively that's likely still not enough. Western's defense would need one of the greatest turnarounds in the history of college football to put their team in a position to win a championship. I'm not convinced they will be able to do it.

Conversely, I believe Marshall becomes more of a defensive focused run-first team that does both of those well enough to win the east again.

(04-02-2015 09:14 PM)mufanatehc Wrote:  

(04-02-2015 10:01 AM)FIUFan Wrote:  I think ODU and Marshall to a lesser degree are being over-rated given the loss of their long-time QB's. I mean I don't think that ODU has ever gone into a game without that QB; I'd be very surprised if they don't miss a beat without him. Marshall is a more seasoned program but still needs to transition and I'd say the loss of Cato and Shuler are worth 3-4 wins from the tally. So the Herd should still be good for an 8-9 win season.

WKU with their 6th year Sr. QB is going to be this year's juggernaught and you'll probably need to hang 50 on them to beat 'em.

Marshall was and still is way more than just Cato on offense.

We were the 8th best rushing team in the country last season and had over 3800 yds on the ground. All of our RBs that contributed to that come back this season, including Devon Johnson, who had 1767 yds despite missing all or the majority of 3 games due to injury.

Quite frankly, Johnson was likely the best offensive player in conference last season and will be this season, if not the best player on either side of the ball. The guy is a beast.

You think all of those yard were produced by your backs? When a team's first line of defense is to stop the QB and that QB is a very good dual threat...

it opens up holes for the runners

I'm not saying it's 50 50 or anything like that but stopping the QB first plays a major role in running games

(04-02-2015 08:14 PM)bonegreen Wrote:  

(04-02-2015 10:48 AM)pilot172000 Wrote:  I have full confidence in our transfer QB.

Same here.

I have one simple question for both of you....

why?

(04-03-2015 10:33 AM)WKUYG Wrote:  

(04-02-2015 09:14 PM)mufanatehc Wrote:  

(04-02-2015 10:01 AM)FIUFan Wrote:  I think ODU and Marshall to a lesser degree are being over-rated given the loss of their long-time QB's. I mean I don't think that ODU has ever gone into a game without that QB; I'd be very surprised if they don't miss a beat without him. Marshall is a more seasoned program but still needs to transition and I'd say the loss of Cato and Shuler are worth 3-4 wins from the tally. So the Herd should still be good for an 8-9 win season.

WKU with their 6th year Sr. QB is going to be this year's juggernaught and you'll probably need to hang 50 on them to beat 'em.

Marshall was and still is way more than just Cato on offense.

We were the 8th best rushing team in the country last season and had over 3800 yds on the ground. All of our RBs that contributed to that come back this season, including Devon Johnson, who had 1767 yds despite missing all or the majority of 3 games due to injury.

Quite frankly, Johnson was likely the best offensive player in conference last season and will be this season, if not the best player on either side of the ball. The guy is a beast.

You think all of those yard were produced by your backs? When a team's first line of defense is to stop the QB and that QB is a very good dual threat...

it opens up holes for the runners

I'm not saying it's 50 50 or anything like that but stopping the QB first plays a major role in running games

Even when teams were loading the box against the run, Johnson was still getting 5 yards or more per carry.

He is simply too big/strong for the largely undersized defenses in this league.

(04-03-2015 10:00 AM)ThreeifbyLightning Wrote:  I'm just not sold on Western. Everyone keeps acting like they are the next big thing because Marshall played a craptastic game against them. I think people forget they were only .500 in league play last year. Marshall is still the class of the East until proven otherwise even with losing Cato.

Additional reasoning...

1. Yes, we know they should be very good offensively at least in the passing game. However, a blue print on how to beat them is out there. Several teams showed last year that Doughty can be rendered less effective with pressure. He didn't handle it well last year. It's when teams sit back hoping to contain that he has the ability to just pick a defense apart.

2. They have absolutely no defense at all and as much as the league is offensive minded the teams that have played above average defense continue to be the teams that win their respective divisions. This all but eliminates Western from winning the east. Even if they are dramatically improved defensively that's likely still not enough. Western's defense would need one of the greatest turnarounds in the history of college football to put their team in a position to win a championship. I'm not convinced they will be able to do it.

Conversely, I believe Marshall becomes more of a defensive focused run-first team that does both of those well enough to win the east again.

The defense didn't have to improve at all last year and Western was 3 offensive yards away from 2 more wins. Or just kicked a less than a extra point fgs vs UAB & MUTS

(04-03-2015 10:00 AM)ThreeifbyLightning Wrote:  I'm just not sold on Western. Everyone keeps acting like they are the next big thing because Marshall played a craptastic game against them. I think people forget they were only .500 in league play last year. Marshall is still the class of the East until proven otherwise even with losing Cato.

Marshall must take a few steps backwards next year because they are losing the 4 year dynamic duo and the #8 All-Time leading passer in FBS history. Also don't forget they barely got by UAB, lost to WKU and beat La Tech by 3 all in subsequent weeks to end the season last year. Sure at the end of the season everyone was tired but it appeared the C-USA schools were beginning to figure them out. The road is going to be a whole lot tougher for them next year.

WKU on the other hand scored >45 points in their last 4 games and the only team to slow them down at all last year was La Tech. Could La Tech do that again? sure. But with the same QB coming back for his 6th season, you'd better expect more of the same from that high-powered offense that went 8-5 last year. Do they have an answer for what La Tech did to them last year? I don't know. Will they score like a pinball machine? That's a given.

(04-03-2015 11:44 AM)FIUFan Wrote:  

(04-03-2015 10:00 AM)ThreeifbyLightning Wrote:  I'm just not sold on Western. Everyone keeps acting like they are the next big thing because Marshall played a craptastic game against them. I think people forget they were only .500 in league play last year. Marshall is still the class of the East until proven otherwise even with losing Cato.

Marshall must take a few steps backwards next year because they are losing the 4 year dynamic duo and the #8 All-Time leading passer in FBS history. Also don't forget they barely got by UAB, lost to WKU and beat La Tech by 3 all in subsequent weeks to end the season last year. Sure at the end of the season everyone was tired but it appeared the C-USA schools were beginning to figure them out. The road is going to be a whole lot tougher for them next year.

WKU on the other hand scored >45 points in their last 4 games and the only team to slow them down at all last year was La Tech. Could La Tech do that again? sure. But with the same QB coming back for his 6th season, you'd better expect more of the same from that high-powered offense that went 8-5 last year. Do they have an answer for what La Tech did to them last year? I don't know. Will they score like a pinball machine? That's a given.

You have to look a little deeper than just final scores. If you look at the games where Doughty utterly torched the opposing defenses (Marshall, Middle Tennessee, Bowling Green, Navy, ODU, etc.) all of those teams are either designed to play or intentionally played a lot of soft cover three and four defense.

I completely agree that cumulatively that kid is going to put up ridiculous numbers this season, and granted some teams simply just won't have the man power to bring consistent and productive pressure but the teams that can and did last year established that he can be beaten if not rattled at times. I just don't think you're going to see too many teams dropping eight hoping to keep the ball in front. I believe DC's are going to dial up more pressure to see if they can knock him off rhythm. Some teams will pay for that because they may not have the DB's to cover in man but there are a number of teams in this conference than can do just that.

We shall see. The broader point I was making though is that it's extremely difficult to win a conference championship with a crap defense. And Western's defense is whatever is a notch or two below crap. Collectively, I see these two issues as barriers to a title run.

Charlotte has lost 2 proven, starting LBs (1st and 2nd in tackles last season) and a promising Soph DB in the last few weeks. That defense that has a long way to go, has to go a little further now.

On the offensive side, the QB situation is not settled. Barden (RS Fr) has mono, and McNeill is hurt, leaving just Johnson to take spring snaps, and he wasnt first on the depth chart.

Lots of questions for the 49ers.

(04-03-2015 12:21 PM)ThreeifbyLightning Wrote:  We shall see. The broader point I was making though is that it's extremely difficult to win a conference championship with a crap defense. And Western's defense is whatever is a notch or two below crap. Collectively, I see these two issues as barriers to a title run.

I agree with you that defense wins championships, however looking at the East next year and the teams that were 4-4 or better, I think Marshall will take a step or two back, UAB has disbanded and I've made my points as to why I don't think ODU will compete for the top spot.

Given the 6th year QB and a defense that can't do anything but improve, I really see Marshall and MTSU fighting it out for 2nd (plus they have them both at home this year). Now the CCG game against a stout defense from the West may put an end to their season of glory but it probably won't happen till then.

I know our defense was harsh last year...... Don't expect the same, it was very young and help has been added . If our offense stays anywhere close to what it was and the defense in 7-14 points better ..........who beats us?

(04-03-2015 08:50 PM)wkuhilltopperfan Wrote:  I know our defense was harsh last year...... Don't expect the same, it was very young and help has been added . If our offense stays anywhere close to what it was and the defense in 7-14 points better ..........who beats us?

7-14 points wouldn't have changed our game with yall last season.

(04-02-2015 10:18 AM)BeliefBlazer Wrote:  I'm going to have to ask the UALR fans exactly what the hell I'm supposed to do when all my conference mates are talking football.

You guys should temporarily adopt FIU. They could use the support. You could use a vacation to South Florida. You're used to your football team sucking and low attendance. They're used to not having fans show up at games. It's win/win.

(I kid. Nothing should help make you feel right at home here still more than some attendance smack from Marshall fans.)

(04-03-2015 09:06 PM)inutech Wrote:  

(04-03-2015 08:50 PM)wkuhilltopperfan Wrote:  I know our defense was harsh last year...... Don't expect the same, it was very young and help has been added . If our offense stays anywhere close to what it was and the defense in 7-14 points better ..........who beats us?

7-14 points wouldn't have changed our game with yall last season.

But it would have made us 12-1

Two yrs ago we tried all the off season to tell the ECU bunch about our new D Co-ord and 6 new starters(Rouse and Roberts coming off injuries did not play the yr before) but they had to find out the hard way. Doc said this past week he expects a better DL than last yr for the same reason. Lots of new blood..fair size and exp and some big brand new guys. 8 of 9 back in the secondary with two new ones looking good in spring FB. 5 proven LBs return. Our new QB wont have to be Cato-ish for the Herd to be hard to beat. Its all about recruiting. Johnnys and Joes more than Xs and Os.

I believe we still have more than enough tools to be one of the top teams in C-USA this year, and looks for something around 9-3, with a 10th win coming in our bowl game (hopefully.) I say that because I think the East is going to be far more competitive this year. We all, deservedly, talk about WKU, Marshall and MTSU, but I think FIU is clearly improving and may be a tough out, particularly at their place. Similarly, FAU is recruiting the heck out of South Florida and should be a stronger team. We narrowly beat them by a field goal at their place two years ago and play them in Boca Raton this year. ODU will also be relatively solid, if they find a QB answer.

I think that's all good for the Division, but week in and week out, the East is going to be a tough place to play, in my opinion, with road wins coming at a premium for any of us.