I just picked up the first preview I've seen, from the Sporting News. TSN predicts the Rockets will finish second in the MAC West, behind Western Michigan. Huskies predicted to finish third.

BG picked to win the East.

Bowl projection for UT - Camellia Bowl. Edit: Projected bowl opponent for the Rockets is Georgia Southern.

I just bought the preview this afternoon and am still going through it. I'll post other things from it soon.

Still waiting for the other previews (Athlon, Lindy's, etc.). Haven't seen them where I live.

Only Rocket picked for the Sporting News All-MAC team was Kareem Hunt (also identified as the "most elusive RB" in the conference).

Hardest hitter - Trent Voss

TSN's "Bottom line" for the Rockets: "If the issues are sorted out at quarterback, the Rockets can enjoy another special season."

RangerRocket prediction:

We end the nearly 10-year drought and win the MAC West, and then the MAC!!!

(05-26-2015 02:44 PM)RangerRocket Wrote:  RangerRocket prediction:

We end the nearly 10-year drought and win the MAC West, and then the MAC!!!

I like that better. Do you have a preview magazine ready to go?

(05-26-2015 02:54 PM)cnyrocketfan Wrote:  

(05-26-2015 02:44 PM)RangerRocket Wrote:  RangerRocket prediction:

We end the nearly 10-year drought and win the MAC West, and then the MAC!!!

I like that better. Do you have a preview magazine ready to go?

I have to leave that up to New Mexico Rocket :-)

Seems to be too soon to start our 2015 opponents thread, but here's a little of what TSN has to say about UT's non-conference opponents.

Stony Brook picked to finish 9th (out of 12) in the Colonial, but "count on physical and aggressive play" from that squad.

Arkansas picked to finish fourth in the SEC West and projected for the Music City Bowl.

Iowa State picked to finish 9th in the Big 12. TSN says "this could be a make-or-break season" for the Iowa State coach.

Arkansas State picked to finish 4th in the Sun Belt and to go to the Cure Bowl. This must be a new bowl, though I have a hard time keeping track of all of them.

Oh, and Arkansas is 15th in the TSN preseason top 25.

That will make UT's win over the Razorbacks even better.

(05-26-2015 02:44 PM)RangerRocket Wrote:  RangerRocket prediction:

We end the nearly 10-year drought and win the MAC West, and then the MAC!!!

Don't believe anything you read in these magazines, the proof is in the pudding, this years team will excel, and you can take that to the bank. Don't worry about WMU.

(05-26-2015 02:41 PM)cnyrocketfan Wrote:  TSN's "Bottom line" for the Rockets: "If the issues are sorted out at quarterback, the Rockets can enjoy another special season."

It's always about the quarterback. We don't know who it will be or how good, and BG has a quarterback that led them to a MAC title.

I think that the Rockets had a better chance of winning the MAC either of the past two seasons that they will have this year. I would not entirely rule out a chance at taking the MAC this year but I would not bet on it. To win this year IMO will require a major improvement in the D to offset to what I expect to be a major step back on offense due to a new offensive line that is unproven as a unit and which I think will be a bigger factor than most people expect. OTOH I do expect the D will be improved this year, but I am not sure that it will it be improved enough to carry the team. I also expect a step back with the kicking game which was a big defensive weapon (teams usually started on the 25 not around the 40 or 45 like they did several years ago) as well as an offensive weapon.

I see UT finally breaking a 5 game losing streak against NIU (which probably cost them at least 2 MACC, maybe more) but also breaking the 5 game winning streak against BG. Although WMU is at home, I see the Rockets losing that one as well IF WMU finally learns how to play a complete game without shooting themselves in the foot, usually multiple times in what seems like every big game they play.

As far as OCC goes, I definitely see a loss at Arkansas and probably against Iowa State at home because although UT may be the better team in that game they no longer seem to be able to pull out a win against P5 teams which they were able to do even in some of Stutz's worst years.

So my fearless prediction would be a highly respectable 8-4 season with a bowl bid, but still a bridesmaid and not a bride when it comes to a MACC.

I expect Athlon to have something like "wideout Julious Brown will be the primary target for returning starter Gene Swick". They're my favorite for insights like that.

(05-26-2015 03:34 PM)DetroitRocket Wrote:  

(05-26-2015 02:41 PM)cnyrocketfan Wrote:  TSN's "Bottom line" for the Rockets: "If the issues are sorted out at quarterback, the Rockets can enjoy another special season."

It's always about the quarterback. We don't know who it will be or how good, and BG has a quarterback that led them to a MAC title.

But not past the Rockets.

(05-26-2015 04:54 PM)H2Oville Rocket Wrote:  I expect Athlon to have something like "wideout Julious Brown will be the primary target for returning starter Gene Swick". They're my favorite for insights like that.

Athlon Picks UT to beat BGSU for the MACC. They have UT going to the Boca Raton Bowl against ECU.

Lindy's picks BGSU to win their 3rd straight MAC Championship"(Very credible magazine)."

IMO idk how a rocket fan can expect anything worse than a 1 or 2 loss season and a MACC. With niu and western at home and a very favorable oocs the sky is the limit for this squad. With the exception of the o-line everyone and every scheme is returning better than the year before and the one before that. I am usually a bit optimistic but when do we draw the line on pessimism? This squad dominated the Mac last season (other than one game without a quarterback) and put up valiant efforts against ooc opponents. With Ely under center, the best player in the Mac taking the ball from him on runs, and an only improving defense on the other side of the ball an undefeated year is not out of the question and a 1 or 2 loss would be a favorable bet. Go rockets

CB- With two returning seniors that sat out all of last season (Cole played 1/2 games?) plus a transfer... pushes everyone who played last year to a backup or competing role for a starting spot. CB being the weakest part of the D last season, has to be encouraging from the prediction standpoint in 2015.
S- Relatively stable with last years players back.
LB- Last years group was very talented, but Murdock who lost the starting spot from 2013 is still on this team. With the young Jalen Coleman paired with him, it'd be crazy to think Toledo will be weak at LB. They will be slower than Junior and Ray if I had to guess tho.
DE- Trent Voss could be DPOY good.
DL- If the DL didn't give other OL's enough trouble last season... They're baaack..
_____________________________________________________________
OL- We all know Toledo lost more than enough to call this a rebuilding year up front. But a quick passing scheme, and good backs will minimize the damage other offenses would be set back from.
RB- Has there ever been a RB core as good as this one in the MAC, ever!???
WR- We lost two possession receivers, one being a talented athlete who could help out at the QB position. With Wilcher and Jones we will have speed in the slot. Thompson could be taking the role of Olack (prediction), and Russel re-breaking out would make this group as good as last years group. There is a new Freshman ready to make a splash on the scene as well being the make or break player for a ++ season.
TE- Same dudes just stronger and hopefully faster.
QB- A little older and all battle tested. No question Toledo will have an all MAC QB if said player plays 12 games!
______________________________________________________________
Schedule- Easier OOC, tougher in conference.... I understand WMU and NIU will be at home, but look where WMU came from last year. What if BSU has that type of a breakout? BG will be better if their QB is healthy... Kent will be better... I doubt it will be scary for Rocket fans because we are good as well... But the MAC will be pretty good in comparison to other G5's. What teams will be worse this year than in 2014? CMU?
I've got us pegged at 10-2 to be safe. 12-0 is nearly impossible for C-USA teams with no one the schedule. Arkansas, WMU, NIU, BG, ISU will be our toughest games in order. Win 3 of those and we will be in Detroit in December.
______________________________________________________________
P- same guys fighting for the position. One year older should mean an increase in the slightest to be modest. We can't be worse than 13th in the MAC.
K- I hate to say it but no matter who is kicking balls for UT, they will not eclipse JD's consistency and strength. This part of our game will need to be consistent. If they make PAT's and are good inside 35, I'll be happy.
______________________________________________________________

Why not pick UT to win the west again? NIU will be in our way again, but if they have a QB injury, which they seem to evade year after year... we could pound em for once.

(05-26-2015 11:23 PM)UofToledoFans Wrote:  CB- With two returning seniors that sat out all of last season (Cole played 1/2 games?) plus a transfer... pushes everyone who played last year to a backup or competing role for a starting spot. CB being the weakest part of the D last season, has to be encouraging from the prediction standpoint in 2015.
S- Relatively stable with last years players back.
LB- Last years group was very talented, but Murdock who lost the starting spot from 2013 is still on this team. With the young Jalen Coleman paired with him, it'd be crazy to think Toledo will be weak at LB. They will be slower than Junior and Ray if I had to guess tho.
DE- Trent Voss could be DPOY good.
DL- If the DL didn't give other OL's enough trouble last season... They're baaack..
_____________________________________________________________
OL- We all know Toledo lost more than enough to call this a rebuilding year up front. But a quick passing scheme, and good backs will minimize the damage other offenses would be set back from.
RB- Has there ever been a RB core as good as this one in the MAC, ever!???
WR- We lost two possession receivers, one being a talented athlete who could help out at the QB position. With Wilcher and Jones we will have speed in the slot. Thompson could be taking the role of Olack (prediction), and Russel re-breaking out would make this group as good as last years group. There is a new Freshman ready to make a splash on the scene as well being the make or break player for a ++ season.
TE- Same dudes just stronger and hopefully faster.
QB- A little older and all battle tested. No question Toledo will have an all MAC QB if said player plays 12 games!
______________________________________________________________
Schedule- Easier OOC, tougher in conference.... I understand WMU and NIU will be at home, but look where WMU came from last year. What if BSU has that type of a breakout? BG will be better if their QB is healthy... Kent will be better... I doubt it will be scary for Rocket fans because we are good as well... But the MAC will be pretty good in comparison to other G5's. What teams will be worse this year than in 2014? CMU?
I've got us pegged at 10-2 to be safe. 12-0 is nearly impossible for C-USA teams with no one the schedule. Arkansas, WMU, NIU, BG, ISU will be our toughest games in order. Win 3 of those and we will be in Detroit in December.
______________________________________________________________
P- same guys fighting for the position. One year older should mean an increase in the slightest to be modest. We can't be worse than 13th in the MAC.
K- I hate to say it but no matter who is kicking balls for UT, they will not eclipse JD's consistency and strength. This part of our game will need to be consistent. If they make PAT's and are good inside 35, I'll be happy.
______________________________________________________________

Why not pick UT to win the west again? NIU will be in our way again, but if they have a QB injury, which they seem to evade year after year... we could pound em for once.

Go watch Landry's video's. He's a 4.4 WR with about a 40" vertical. Stick him, Jones, Russell, and Zmolik/Roberts/Riley-who in the MAC can cover that group?

yeah, Landry looked like the best recruit in the class on video. the o line will need time. i am worried about them early against arkansas, etc... and I think the inexperience there (individually and as a unit) will insure we don't sniff an upset. however, i think there is good talent in the program at o line and the 2 transfers add some experience, so i think we will be ok there by midseason assuming we are fairly healthy.

i really hope they give julien a shot at the punter role. we got outplayed at that spot last year and julien has a great leg. i know there are some concerns about his consistency, but the guy we had last year was inconsistent and rarely boomed anything. plus, julien will be a trick play threat every time we punt.

(05-26-2015 11:23 PM)UofToledoFans Wrote:  CB- With two returning seniors that sat out all of last season (Cole played 1/2 games?) plus a transfer... pushes everyone who played last year to a backup or competing role for a starting spot. CB being the weakest part of the D last season, has to be encouraging from the prediction standpoint in 2015.
S- Relatively stable with last years players back.
LB- Last years group was very talented, but Murdock who lost the starting spot from 2013 is still on this team. With the young Jalen Coleman paired with him, it'd be crazy to think Toledo will be weak at LB. They will be slower than Junior and Ray if I had to guess tho.
DE- Trent Voss could be DPOY good.
DL- If the DL didn't give other OL's enough trouble last season... They're baaack..
_____________________________________________________________
OL- We all know Toledo lost more than enough to call this a rebuilding year up front. But a quick passing scheme, and good backs will minimize the damage other offenses would be set back from.
RB- Has there ever been a RB core as good as this one in the MAC, ever!???
WR- We lost two possession receivers, one being a talented athlete who could help out at the QB position. With Wilcher and Jones we will have speed in the slot. Thompson could be taking the role of Olack (prediction), and Russel re-breaking out would make this group as good as last years group. There is a new Freshman ready to make a splash on the scene as well being the make or break player for a ++ season.
TE- Same dudes just stronger and hopefully faster.
QB- A little older and all battle tested. No question Toledo will have an all MAC QB if said player plays 12 games!
______________________________________________________________
Schedule- Easier OOC, tougher in conference.... I understand WMU and NIU will be at home, but look where WMU came from last year. What if BSU has that type of a breakout? BG will be better if their QB is healthy... Kent will be better... I doubt it will be scary for Rocket fans because we are good as well... But the MAC will be pretty good in comparison to other G5's. What teams will be worse this year than in 2014? CMU?
I've got us pegged at 10-2 to be safe. 12-0 is nearly impossible for C-USA teams with no one the schedule. Arkansas, WMU, NIU, BG, ISU will be our toughest games in order. Win 3 of those and we will be in Detroit in December.
______________________________________________________________
P- same guys fighting for the position. One year older should mean an increase in the slightest to be modest. We can't be worse than 13th in the MAC.
K- I hate to say it but no matter who is kicking balls for UT, they will not eclipse JD's consistency and strength. This part of our game will need to be consistent. If they make PAT's and are good inside 35, I'll be happy.
______________________________________________________________

Why not pick UT to win the west again? NIU will be in our way again, but if they have a QB injury, which they seem to evade year after year... we could pound em for once.

RB-The "Baby Backs" come close.......

(05-27-2015 09:03 AM)Terry Wrote:  

(05-26-2015 11:23 PM)UofToledoFans Wrote:  CB- With two returning seniors that sat out all of last season (Cole played 1/2 games?) plus a transfer... pushes everyone who played last year to a backup or competing role for a starting spot. CB being the weakest part of the D last season, has to be encouraging from the prediction standpoint in 2015.
S- Relatively stable with last years players back.
LB- Last years group was very talented, but Murdock who lost the starting spot from 2013 is still on this team. With the young Jalen Coleman paired with him, it'd be crazy to think Toledo will be weak at LB. They will be slower than Junior and Ray if I had to guess tho.
DE- Trent Voss could be DPOY good.
DL- If the DL didn't give other OL's enough trouble last season... They're baaack..
_____________________________________________________________
OL- We all know Toledo lost more than enough to call this a rebuilding year up front. But a quick passing scheme, and good backs will minimize the damage other offenses would be set back from.
RB- Has there ever been a RB core as good as this one in the MAC, ever!???
WR- We lost two possession receivers, one being a talented athlete who could help out at the QB position. With Wilcher and Jones we will have speed in the slot. Thompson could be taking the role of Olack (prediction), and Russel re-breaking out would make this group as good as last years group. There is a new Freshman ready to make a splash on the scene as well being the make or break player for a ++ season.
TE- Same dudes just stronger and hopefully faster.
QB- A little older and all battle tested. No question Toledo will have an all MAC QB if said player plays 12 games!
______________________________________________________________
Schedule- Easier OOC, tougher in conference.... I understand WMU and NIU will be at home, but look where WMU came from last year. What if BSU has that type of a breakout? BG will be better if their QB is healthy... Kent will be better... I doubt it will be scary for Rocket fans because we are good as well... But the MAC will be pretty good in comparison to other G5's. What teams will be worse this year than in 2014? CMU?
I've got us pegged at 10-2 to be safe. 12-0 is nearly impossible for C-USA teams with no one the schedule. Arkansas, WMU, NIU, BG, ISU will be our toughest games in order. Win 3 of those and we will be in Detroit in December.
______________________________________________________________
P- same guys fighting for the position. One year older should mean an increase in the slightest to be modest. We can't be worse than 13th in the MAC.
K- I hate to say it but no matter who is kicking balls for UT, they will not eclipse JD's consistency and strength. This part of our game will need to be consistent. If they make PAT's and are good inside 35, I'll be happy.
______________________________________________________________

Why not pick UT to win the west again? NIU will be in our way again, but if they have a QB injury, which they seem to evade year after year... we could pound em for once.

RB-The "Baby Backs" come close.......

Only to be forever sullied......