Here's the upcoming schedule:
September 5- Alabama A&M
September 12- Temple
September 19- @Miami-Ohio
September 24- @Memphis
October 1-Miami (FL)
October 16- @BYU
October 24- UConn
October 31- UCF
November 7- @Houston
November 14- Tulsa
November 20- @USF
November 28- @ECU

Pick em'. What's your guess for how the (REGULAR) season turns out. Go ahead and pick the Conference Championship Game if you want as well.

(05-26-2015 05:57 PM)BearcatJerry Wrote:  Here's the upcoming schedule:
September 5- Alabama A&M
September 12- Temple
September 19- @Miami-Ohio
September 24- @Memphis
October 1- Miami (FL)
October 16- @BYU
October 24- UConn
October 31- UCF
November 7- @Houston
November 14- Tulsa
November 20- @USF
November 28- @ECU

Pick em'. What's your guess for how the (REGULAR) season turns out. Go ahead and pick the Conference Championship Game if you want as well.

So here's my picks:
September 5- Alabama A&M UC WIN...(1-0)
September 12- Temple UC WIN...(2-0)
September 19- @Miami-Ohio UC WIN...(3-0)
September 24- @Memphis UC loss...(3-1)
October 1- Miami (FL) UC WIN...(4-1)
October 16- @BYU UC loss... (4-2)
October 24- UConn UC WIN...(5-2)
October 31- UCF UC WIN...(6-2)
November 7- @Houston UC WIN...(7-2)
November 14- Tulsa UC WIN... (8-2)
November 20- @USF UC WIN... (9-2)
November 28- @ECU UC loss...(9-3)

A couple of games have me worried... The Miami (FL) game could go either way. I'll take the "homer" pick of UC at home. The USF game late in the season is hard to call right now because we don't know what USF will have going or not; that could be a hard trip as well. The road trips to Memphis, BYU, and ECU are going to be difficult.

Win - September 5- Alabama A&M
Win - September 12- Temple
Win - September 19- @Miami-Ohio
September 24- @Memphis
October 1-Miami (FL)
October 16- @BYU
Win - October 24- UConn
October 31- UCF
November 7- @Houston
Win - November 14- Tulsa
Win - November 20- @USF
November 28- @ECU

I see us 6-6. That is six almost certain wins and six games that can go either way.

So, overall record somewhere between 6-6 and 12-0.

Seems to feel like 9-3 may be about right. Worse if injuries or bad luck strikes. Much better if good health and a nice streak of luck are our teammates.

Win - September 5- Alabama A&M
Win - September 12- Temple
Win - September 19- @Miami-Ohio
Win-September 24- @Memphis
Win-October 1-Miami (FL)
Loss-October 16- @BYU
Win - October 24- UConn
Win-October 31- UCF
Loss-November 7- @Houston
Win - November 14- Tulsa
Win - November 20- @USF
Win-November 28- @ECU

Temple could be an early challenge
We will outlast Memphis in a shootout
BYU at BYU is too much quarterback
UCF/USF cannot keep up on offense
Houston worries me. Experienced qb and skill people
ECU should be a pushover. Lose everything.

(05-26-2015 05:57 PM)BearcatJerry Wrote:  Here's the upcoming schedule:
September 5- Alabama A&M
September 12- Temple
September 19- @Miami-Ohio
September 24- @Memphis
October 1-Miami (FL)
October 16- @BYU
October 24- UConn
October 31- UCF
November 7- @Houston
November 14- Tulsa
November 20- @USF
November 28- @ECU

Pick em'. What's your guess for how the (REGULAR) season turns out. Go ahead and pick the Conference Championship Game if you want as well.

potential losses:
@Memphis
@BYU
@UH
@USF -they always give us fits


There isn't a team on the schedule we can't beat. But I see the above four teams as the teams that have at least a 50/50 shot at beating UC. Everyone else on the schedule except our opener can beat us, but I don't see them with a 50/50 or greater shot at beating us.

BTW Vegas has our win total at 7.5.

If I'm a betting man, and I'm not, I would definitely bet against this as I think we will win at least 8 games barring catastrophic injuries to key positions.

(05-26-2015 07:43 PM)Bearcats#1 Wrote:  BTW Vegas has our win total at 7.5.

If I'm a betting man, and I'm not, I would definitely bet against this as I think we will win at least 8 games barring catastrophic injuries to key positions.

Vegas is probably right on the money. We don't normally beat big name teams. So Miami (FL) and BYU are close to lock losses. Big challenges for this coaching staff against UCF, @Memphis, @Houston and @ECU. 7 to 8 wins is most likely.

(05-26-2015 08:01 PM)Billy_Bearcat Wrote:  

(05-26-2015 07:43 PM)Bearcats#1 Wrote:  BTW Vegas has our win total at 7.5.

If I'm a betting man, and I'm not, I would definitely bet against this as I think we will win at least 8 games barring catastrophic injuries to key positions.

Vegas is probably right on the money. We don't normally beat big name teams. So Miami (FL) and BYU are close to lock losses. Big challenges for this coaching staff against UCF, @Memphis, @Houston and @ECU. 7 to 8 wins is most likely.

I see the BYU/Miami as win one/lose one.

I am concerned about @UH and @Memphis.

We have serious issues on special teams and our D line. That's a big deal. 8-4.

(05-26-2015 08:01 PM)Billy_Bearcat Wrote:  

(05-26-2015 07:43 PM)Bearcats#1 Wrote:  BTW Vegas has our win total at 7.5.

If I'm a betting man, and I'm not, I would definitely bet against this as I think we will win at least 8 games barring catastrophic injuries to key positions.

Vegas is probably right on the money. We don't normally beat big name teams. So Miami (FL) and BYU are close to lock losses. Big challenges for this coaching staff against UCF, @Memphis, @Houston and @ECU. 7 to 8 wins is most likely.

Yep right on the money as in they set that to get equal amounts bet on each side.we are a stone cold lock to be above that number. Miami FL a lock to beat us at the Nip? Give me a break, but then again you are always so damn optimistic.

September 5 - Alabama A&M WIN 55-3
September 12- Temple LOSS 21-24
September 19- @Miami-Ohio WIN 45-10
September 24- @Memphis WIN 38-35
October 1-Miami (FL) LOSS 31-40
October 16- @BYU WIN 45-37
October 24- UConn WIN 49-17
October 31- UCF WIN 34-24
November 7- @Houston WIN 37-34
November 14- Tulsa WIN 42-7
November 20- @USF WIN 27-17
November 28- @ECU WIN 37-31

Predicting the loss against Temple because of a combination of our recent early-season struggles, the fact that Temple returns almost everyone from a fantastic defense, and the hangover effect from the Nippert opener. Predicting the loss against Miami (FL) because they should be the most talented team on our schedule by a fair margin.

I really, really want to come out and say 12-0... but as others mentioned, the defensive line and special teams issues are just too much to feel confident about. In all honesty, my brain is telling me 9-3, but I'll go with my heart and say 10-2.

(05-26-2015 08:01 PM)Billy_Bearcat Wrote:  

(05-26-2015 07:43 PM)Bearcats#1 Wrote:  BTW Vegas has our win total at 7.5.

If I'm a betting man, and I'm not, I would definitely bet against this as I think we will win at least 8 games barring catastrophic injuries to key positions.

Vegas is probably right on the money. We don't normally beat big name teams. So Miami (FL) and BYU are close to lock losses. Big challenges for this coaching staff against UCF, @Memphis, @Houston and @ECU. 7 to 8 wins is most likely.

With this schedule and this roster 7-8 wins would be a an epic dumpster fire of a season.

(05-27-2015 05:40 AM)rath v2.0 Wrote:  

(05-26-2015 08:01 PM)Billy_Bearcat Wrote:  

(05-26-2015 07:43 PM)Bearcats#1 Wrote:  BTW Vegas has our win total at 7.5.

If I'm a betting man, and I'm not, I would definitely bet against this as I think we will win at least 8 games barring catastrophic injuries to key positions.

Vegas is probably right on the money. We don't normally beat big name teams. So Miami (FL) and BYU are close to lock losses. Big challenges for this coaching staff against UCF, @Memphis, @Houston and @ECU. 7 to 8 wins is most likely.

With this schedule and this roster 7-8 wins would be a an epic dumpster fire of a season.

Yep, I'm with you there as well. I think all told, 4 losses including the post-season would be our floor this year (9-4 or 10-4 if we win the CCG), then again, the last time we returned a ton of people on offense and next to no one on defense...well, no one needs to be reminded about 2010...

I only expected about 6 wins heading into 2010 since it was a new staff transition year and the holes on the roster. There were some great discussion threads around here in August of 2010 regarding wild expectations after the Orange and Sugar bowls.

Only winning 7-8 this year in this conference with what we have coming back in year #3 of this staff would be worse than 2010 in a lot of ways.

(05-27-2015 05:53 AM)BearcatMan Wrote:  

(05-27-2015 05:40 AM)rath v2.0 Wrote:  

(05-26-2015 08:01 PM)Billy_Bearcat Wrote:  

(05-26-2015 07:43 PM)Bearcats#1 Wrote:  BTW Vegas has our win total at 7.5.

If I'm a betting man, and I'm not, I would definitely bet against this as I think we will win at least 8 games barring catastrophic injuries to key positions.

Vegas is probably right on the money. We don't normally beat big name teams. So Miami (FL) and BYU are close to lock losses. Big challenges for this coaching staff against UCF, @Memphis, @Houston and @ECU. 7 to 8 wins is most likely.

With this schedule and this roster 7-8 wins would be a an epic dumpster fire of a season.

Yep, I'm with you there as well. I think all told, 4 losses including the post-season would be our floor this year (9-4 or 10-4 if we win the CCG), then again, the last time we returned a ton of people on offense and next to no one on defense...well, no one needs to be reminded about 2010...

Do you remember the 2010 spring game. The offense scored on the defense at will. The setback was a surprise for me. No one predicted the complete collapse. On an ESPn prediction show, one of the commentators had us winning the Big East.

The 2010 team had a ton of injuries as well. Vidal Hazelton missed the entire season after one series, Zach Collaros played with a serious injury most of the season, Pead was out a few games, JK missed a couple games, Dominuque Battle and a few others were out as well.

The other thing about 2010 was the absurd turnover margin, stupid penalties and other mental errors. The team shot itself in the foot so many times.

(05-27-2015 06:39 AM)rosewater Wrote:  

(05-27-2015 05:53 AM)BearcatMan Wrote:  

(05-27-2015 05:40 AM)rath v2.0 Wrote:  

(05-26-2015 08:01 PM)Billy_Bearcat Wrote:  

(05-26-2015 07:43 PM)Bearcats#1 Wrote:  BTW Vegas has our win total at 7.5.

If I'm a betting man, and I'm not, I would definitely bet against this as I think we will win at least 8 games barring catastrophic injuries to key positions.

Vegas is probably right on the money. We don't normally beat big name teams. So Miami (FL) and BYU are close to lock losses. Big challenges for this coaching staff against UCF, @Memphis, @Houston and @ECU. 7 to 8 wins is most likely.

With this schedule and this roster 7-8 wins would be a an epic dumpster fire of a season.

Yep, I'm with you there as well. I think all told, 4 losses including the post-season would be our floor this year (9-4 or 10-4 if we win the CCG), then again, the last time we returned a ton of people on offense and next to no one on defense...well, no one needs to be reminded about 2010...

Do you remember the 2010 spring game. The offense scored on the defense at will. The setback was a surprise for me. No one predicted the complete collapse. On an ESPn prediction show, one of the commentators had us winning the Big East.

At that spring game I told the two buddies I was with that we were going to have problems specifically because of the defense. There were plenty of area high schools that could've put 30 on that team.

(05-27-2015 07:00 AM)CliftonAve Wrote:  The 2010 team had a ton of injuries as well. Vidal Hazelton missed the entire season after one series, Zach Collaros played with a serious injury most of the season, Pead was out a few games, JK missed a couple games, Dominuque Battle and a few others were out as well.

The other thing about 2010 was the absurd turnover margin, stupid penalties and other mental errors. The team shot itself in the foot so many times.

That's the biggest thing I don't miss about CBJ teams, they were some of the most undisciplined teams, both tactically and penalty-wise, that I've seen this side of the late 80's Miami teams. Say what you will about the in-game coaching and adjustments, but at least Tubs' teams don't get penalized a lot.

I failed to put up specific predictions:

September 5 - Alabama A&M WIN
September 12- Temple WIN
September 19- @Miami-Ohio WIN
September 24- @Memphis WIN
October 1-Miami (FL) LOSS
October 16- @BYU LOSS
October 24- UConn WIN
October 31- UCF WIN
November 7- @Houston LOSS
November 14- Tulsa WIN
November 20- @USF WIN
November 28- @ECU LOSS

8-4. Reasoning:

- Special teams. We lost a very good kickoff specialist, our kicker is still very young, and our punting situation is a disaster. These things cost you in close games. I'm an old school football guy and I place a lot of value on field position. Punters are weapons.

- D Line. The DTs were not good last year and it cost us. We couldn't get much pressure without blitzing, and blitzing puts too much on the secondary. Maybe I'm a pessimist, but I don't see any improvement in this area.

When the O doesn't play it's best, we will lose because of these two factors. The offense cannot be expected to perform it's best every week, especially if we have injuries at the QB position (which we always do).

(05-26-2015 07:43 PM)Bearcats#1 Wrote:  BTW Vegas has our win total at 7.5.

If I'm a betting man, and I'm not, I would definitely bet against this as I think we will win at least 8 games barring catastrophic injuries to key positions.

I went looking for the Vegas line... That's what got me thinking about this subject. The "Bleacher Report" article I found literally had EVERYONE ELSE (all 127 other FBS schools) listed...but somehow missed UC in the whole thing.

So I refused to link it here.
(Screw Bleacher Report)