(07-07-2016 06:15 PM)ericsaid Wrote:  

(07-07-2016 02:37 PM)SpeedkingATL Wrote:  They have App at 8-4 and 6-2 which I would consider a disappointment. They have App losing at GS and ULL which will both be tough road games so I see their reasoning (don't necessarily agree). App's had ULL's number so far but I would expect them to rebound some this year after last years unexplainable disaster. GS vs App on a Thursday Night after both teams play road games thousands of miles away will be a challenge for both, especially App on the road. I personally will be surprised if any Belt team goes undefeated this year...just too much balance with what should be improved ULL, TSU, Idaho, Troy and GSU among others. Idaho and NMSU may have a little incentive in their last year on board the Belt train too. And GS's schedule is an absolute bear from a logistics and travel standpoint.

ULL's descent was far from unexplained. If you watched the games then you could see that they simply couldn't get off of the field on third downs. The year prior they had Ringo who is one of the best DT's i've seen App play and they lost Terrance Broadway.

If they don't have someone to replace those two, I don't see a leap this year back to the successful team they had become over the 4 years prior.

Ringo and Hamilton... And we got zero pressure on the QB... We brought in 4 juco DL/OLB to hopefully help with that problem. We also lost Alonzo Harris who was the big bruiser that helped control the clock on offense and opened up things outside for McGuire... We will have 2 similar type backs this year That we didn't have last year.

I like the idea of being bowl worthy for the first time since 2009. I just hate the predicted loss to UNLV.

When we make our preseason predictions I predict Idaho will be ten or eleven for most fans .

Despite Idaho being the most experienced team in the conference.
Having a good line ,WR and QB and the defensive coordinator going into year two.
I expect Idaho to challenge for the conference title and possibly win eight or nine games.

(07-08-2016 11:35 AM)Louisiana99 Wrote:  

(07-07-2016 06:15 PM)ericsaid Wrote:  

(07-07-2016 02:37 PM)SpeedkingATL Wrote:  They have App at 8-4 and 6-2 which I would consider a disappointment. They have App losing at GS and ULL which will both be tough road games so I see their reasoning (don't necessarily agree). App's had ULL's number so far but I would expect them to rebound some this year after last years unexplainable disaster. GS vs App on a Thursday Night after both teams play road games thousands of miles away will be a challenge for both, especially App on the road. I personally will be surprised if any Belt team goes undefeated this year...just too much balance with what should be improved ULL, TSU, Idaho, Troy and GSU among others. Idaho and NMSU may have a little incentive in their last year on board the Belt train too. And GS's schedule is an absolute bear from a logistics and travel standpoint.

ULL's descent was far from unexplained. If you watched the games then you could see that they simply couldn't get off of the field on third downs. The year prior they had Ringo who is one of the best DT's i've seen App play and they lost Terrance Broadway.

If they don't have someone to replace those two, I don't see a leap this year back to the successful team they had become over the 4 years prior.

Ringo and Hamilton... And we got zero pressure on the QB... We brought in 4 juco DL/OLB to hopefully help with that problem. We also lost Alonzo Harris who was the big bruiser that helped control the clock on offense and opened up things outside for McGuire... We will have 2 similar type backs this year That we didn't have last year.

I think that is one point that almost all teams take for granted. Getting off of the field or having a hole clogging group of defensive tackles can make all of the difference in the world. Vernon Butler from LA Tech went in the first round because he is disruptive and against a team with a QB like Freddi Knighten, that came in handy.

The four consecutive bowls came in large part due to defensive line play and a QB who didn't lose the game.