The unofficial online home for fans of the Western Michigan University Broncos. Part of Collegiate Sports Nation (CSN).

MAC West title - anything less is a disappointment and were on the road to mediocre Ville

MAC West title - anything less is a disappointment and were on the road to mediocre Ville

(01-17-2017 09:16 PM)backinkazoo Wrote:  MAC West title - anything less is a disappointment and were on the road to mediocre Ville

That would be turdville

After seeing our defensive staff changes... I'd be happy if we go .500.

2016 was like crack cocaine to long-time Bronco fans. Of course we'll want to achieve that same high again.

But it's not as black and white as "win the MACC or the season's a failure," much less having a Top 25 team going to an NY6 bowl.

Having relevant games deep into November is the true reflection of success, even if there are some years where you don't win the whole enchilada.

If, over the next 4 years, Lester averages 8-9 wins and gets to the MACC even twice, I'd consider that successful.

According to Mel Kiper we were the most overrated team in Top 25 last year because not only did we not beat another team in Top 25, we didn't beat any of the other sixteen that received votes either.

That noted powerhouse Georgia State gave Wisconsin as tough a game as we did - in Madison.

As witnessed by OOC and bowl records, it was not a banner year for MAC.

Who knows at this point how the MAC will be this Fall? Or Idaho? Or for that matter MSU?

Point is it's not a static situation, it's fluid from year-to-year. Sometimes your team may be improved from the previous season and not equal the record (or vice-versa).

(01-18-2017 08:32 AM)MajorHoople Wrote:  According to Mel Kiper we were the most overrated team in Top 25 last year because not only did we not beat another team in Top 25, we didn't beat any of the other sixteen that received votes either.

That noted powerhouse Georgia State gave Wisconsin as tough a game as we did - in Madison.

As witnessed by OOC and bowl records, it was not a banner year for MAC.

Who knows at this point how the MAC will be this Fall? Or Idaho? Or for that matter MSU?

Point is it's not a static situation, it's fluid from year-to-year. Sometimes your team may be improved from the previous season and not equal the record (or vice-versa).

100% absolutely spot on. Also I know everyone is freaking out about some of the defensive hires, but they have all gotten jobs(most even P5 jobs) in the last 4 years. They all hopefully have evolved and learned and grown just like Lester. Lets give them a chance.

(01-18-2017 08:37 AM)Chibronco Wrote:  

(01-18-2017 08:32 AM)MajorHoople Wrote:  According to Mel Kiper we were the most overrated team in Top 25 last year because not only did we not beat another team in Top 25, we didn't beat any of the other sixteen that received votes either.

That noted powerhouse Georgia State gave Wisconsin as tough a game as we did - in Madison.

As witnessed by OOC and bowl records, it was not a banner year for MAC.

Who knows at this point how the MAC will be this Fall? Or Idaho? Or for that matter MSU?

Point is it's not a static situation, it's fluid from year-to-year. Sometimes your team may be improved from the previous season and not equal the record (or vice-versa).

100% absolutely spot on. Also I know everyone is freaking out about some of the defensive hires, but they have all gotten jobs(most even P5 jobs) in the last 4 years. They all hopefully have evolved and learned and grown just like Lester. Lets give them a chance.

At the end of the day we have to 'give them a chance', or change our allegiances. It's Tim Lester's program now, he can hire the folks he thinks he works best with. We as fans will let him know if we're satisfied.

Who knows... maybe this team is ripe for a shake up... Its quite possible that after hitting such highs last year that they need to get rattled a little to make sure they are continuing to change their best... This challenge is just one of the next steps towards improvement in all areas on and off the field...

Next year might be tough in the W/L record... but a necessary step towards the next phase of WMU football... I am trying to be positive... but some of these hires are just head shakers...

(01-17-2017 08:19 PM)flushtheherd Wrote:  I figure we pull a standard Cubit year... blown out by USC, scare MSU, too close against Idaho. Win half our MAC contests and the WGner game and miss a bowl with 5 wins.

I think worst case scenario this year is like a standard PJ year. Lose at least 2 of our OC games, win enough MAC games to be in the hunt, but lose a big one to either NIU or Toledo and not make the MACC. I'm expecting a MAC W championship though, we have the pieces on D and on the O-line / RB. Hopefully we will have an improved passing game (not relying on 1 player most of the time) I think we'll see success.

My expectations for next year are gonna be somewhat high. Considering we have more than half of our Defensive starters coming back after having an outstanding year. The Defense has a lot of experience facing against B1G comp, playing in the MACC, and competing in a New Year's 6 Bowl. I expect a lot from the D.

On the offensive end, I expect a strong running game with Jamauri, Jarvion, and Bellomy. Most of our offensive line is coming back and great blocking TE Ernesberger. The only thing I am a little shook on is our WRs and obviously finding the right QB.

I expect good comp in the MAC next year. EMU, NIU, TOLEDO, MIAMI(OH)

Prediction:
9-3?
8-4?
MAC W Title?





Sent from my Moto G (4) using CSNbbs mobile app

We were lucky this season, the only major injury we had was Ferguson breaking his ankle and that was in nearly our last game. Avoiding injuries as a lot to do with success.

Bogan nursed an ankle injury much of the season, but we were deep at RB so it didn't hurt us as much as it could have.

Fleck was lucky, no question. We had NIU and Toledo at Waldo, we had CMU at Mt. Pee in a down year for them, we had 5th year seniors Terrell and Davis, our two Big 10 games were to lower rated teams in that conference, we avoided injuries, we got breaks on turning the ball over.

You have to have some luck to go 13-0.

(01-18-2017 02:07 PM)BroncoPhilly Wrote:  We were lucky this season, the only major injury we had was Ferguson breaking his ankle and that was in nearly our last game. Avoiding injuries as a lot to do with success.

Bogan nursed an ankle injury much of the season, but we were deep at RB so it didn't hurt us as much as it could have.

Fleck was lucky, no question. We had NIU and Toledo at Waldo, we had CMU at Mt. Pee in a down year for them, we had 5th year seniors Terrell and Davis, our two Big 10 games were to lower rated teams in that conference, we avoided injuries, we got breaks on turning the ball over.

You have to have some luck to go 13-0.

We also caught quite a few breaks in the other G5 games that gave us the leg up for the NY6... the optics looking back dull things a bit... but it was still a GREAT YEAR!

With each of Lester's hires my expectations for 2017 take an additional hit. When it appeared the defensive staff would remain intact, I thought we had a real chance of winning 9 games and would have been disappointed with 8 wins. The defensive continuity would have been a huge factor in utilizing the amount of talent on this team.

Now that Lester is bringing back buddies from the Cubit regime, the kids will have to learn all new schemes. No matter the talent level, that causes a drop off. I am now putting us at 6-6 or 7-5 in the regular season...at the very best.

(01-18-2017 04:42 PM)Gobroncos95 Wrote:  With each of Lester's hires my expectations for 2017 take an additional hit. When it appeared the defensive staff would remain intact, I thought we had a real chance of winning 9 games and would have been disappointed with 8 wins. The defensive continuity would have been a huge factor in utilizing the amount of talent on this team.

Now that Lester is bringing back buddies from the Cubit regime, the kids will have to learn all new schemes. No matter the talent level, that causes a drop off. I am now putting us at 6-6 or 7-5 in the regular season...at the very best.

Perhaps, but Lester isn't going to get any mulligan seasons. Expectations are big for next season, if we sluff off to 7-5 or 6-6 he's going to face the heat early and often. He knows that so I hope it's guiding his actions in his staff selections. That's what was driving many of us to recommend hiring Pinkham as DC or co-DC. It's working well right now, so why change it?

The greatest advantage of retaining Pinkham would be the keep the rapport with current players and serve as a link with the new staff.

If Beauregard thought "continuity" was the most important thing for the program now, she would've hired Ciarroca or Pinkham.

Obviously she didn't.

If Fleck was planning on being here this year he would've played Flacco and-or Wassink more than he did (very little) last season.

Time to move on. What's past is past.

(01-18-2017 07:13 PM)MajorHoople Wrote:  If Beauregard thought "continuity" was the most important thing for the program now, she would've hired Ciarroca or Pinkham.

Obviously she didn't.

If Fleck was planning on being here this year he would've played Flacco and-or Wassink more than he did (very little) last season.

Time to move on. What's past is past.

Exactly. Let's hope we can continue the upswing of community support...

(01-18-2017 07:13 PM)MajorHoople Wrote:  If Fleck was planning on being here this year he would've played Flacco and-or Wassink more than he did (very little) last season.

Or some of the other receivers.

I expect us to win more than we lose (8-4 is a good season), beat Central and Eastern, and go to a bowl game.

I expect us to contend for MAC-West championship.

The schedule is tougher than last year's, we will be everybody's target this year, breaking in a new QB, and there is always a transition period with new head coach-staff.