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https://www.hustlebelt.com/2017/7/5/1591...-preseason

That's cute.

Its not that far fetched. I would have us slotted at 2, I have no idea what the qb situation is going to be like. I am not that high on flacco or was. If fleck left us with more at qb We would be favorites to repeat in the mac.

At least he acknowledges in the CMU portion of the write up that he's ranked EMU too high.

(07-06-2017 05:58 PM)rsswmu Wrote:  Its not that far fetched. I would have us slotted at 2, I have no idea what the qb situation is going to be like. I am not that high on flacco or was. If fleck left us with more at qb We would be favorites to repeat in the mac.

Its not so much that we were left with nothing, but that we have no idea what we have.

I think we have an excellent opportunity to win the MAC again. Should be WMU or Toledo. I'm hoping EMU isn't much better than it was last year, but Toledo and EMU both have good qb's returning, which is a big advantage. It isn't completely unusual in the MAC for a newbie QB to become an instant star though, so we may get that this year. Honestly, we have the best QB in the history of our school, who has been a solid QB coach, as our head coach. And I am kind of excited about our new OC. These things bring some promise as far as I am concerned. Add to that the fact the our receivers, while young, are supposedly pretty talented. If our defense isn't not just good, but absolutely terrific, I will be very disappointed. We had a great defense last year, and have virtually the same very talented players back.

I think we have a decent likelihood of repeating. We need to make it through the first two weeks without significant injuries, and without being demoralized. If we play even reasonably competitive on the long and tiring USC road trip, and could somehow beat MSU (which I still think will be a monumental task, and a big upset on the road, with B10 officials I assume), we could have a fantastic season, and everyone will be saying "Fleck who?". On the other hand, if we get off to a bad start, and don't play like an elite MAC team l during league play, we could lose a lot of program momentum.

Western should be picked first. Our offensive line is Big Ten caliber, running backs the best in the conference. I'm not diminishing replacing the WR's and the QB, but our defense is one of the 3 best in the league as well. Toledo's D was junk last year, and they lost a couple of their best players. Western should be able to pound the ball down their throat. What everyone just doesn't seem to notice is that Toledo is also replacing 6 guys on offense.

Stop being whimps everybody. Expect this program to continue to win MAC championships.

WMU and Toledo should be the favorites IMO.

I do agree with the writer that EMU is the dark horse in the West and has the ability to make some noise.

No idea what to expect with NIU this year. CMU and Ball State will battle for last place.

(07-06-2017 04:10 PM)Luckeyone Wrote:  https://www.hustlebelt.com/2017/7/5/1591...-preseason

From the author: "I didn’t really put a whole lot of thought and analysis into it."

(07-06-2017 07:51 PM)Stampede your face!! Wrote:  What everyone just doesn't seem to notice is that Toledo is also replacing 6 guys on offense.

And two of those six are TE Michael Roberts (a stud last season - and a Lion now) and all-everything RB Kareem Hunt. Swanson is good, but he's no Hunt. I'm shocked these losses seemed to get overlooked in what I've read about Toledo.

As for us, my 2017 expectations are aligned with yours.

Quote:That's cute.

No! I'M cute! (That's what mamma-says) ... That aside...

I'd put us battling with Toledo for 1st place, but certainly EMU will be too. Will Rod Carey bring NIU to dreamland again? Absolutely not. BUT, he could bring them to a higher notch to battle for 1st, too. There's no clear front-runner, that's for sure.

We're going to smash Toledo in Time of Possession, and win 24-10. Thank you again, Mr. Phillips; what a career!

(07-06-2017 04:10 PM)Luckeyone Wrote:  https://www.hustlebelt.com/2017/7/5/1591...-preseason

Fair prediction.

Too many unknowns with an entirely new coaching staff and unproven QB & receivers.

There will be transition hic-ups, but I am confident they will be minimal and worked out prior to conference play.

As long as WMU is in the championship mix and playing meaningful games in November, I will be pleased.

(07-07-2017 07:49 AM)GullLake Wrote:  

(07-06-2017 04:10 PM)Luckeyone Wrote:  https://www.hustlebelt.com/2017/7/5/1591...-preseason

Fair prediction.

Too many unknowns with an entirely new coaching staff and unproven QB & receivers.

There will be transition hic-ups, but I am confident they will be minimal and worked out prior to conference play.

As long as WMU is in the championship mix and playing meaningful games in November, I will be pleased.

I agree with these sentiments.

Interesting that the top 3 QBs EMU's Roback, Toledo's Woodside, and from the East Miami's Gagland are playing on the top three MAC teams.

(07-07-2017 02:45 PM)Luckeyone Wrote:  Interesting that the top 3 QBs EMU's Roback, Toledo's Woodside, and from the East Miami's Gagland are playing on the top three MAC teams.

Just a coincidence I'm sure.

I think if NIU finds a QB they will be back in the thick of the MAC West race. I don't think Graham can get them there but if Santacaterina or Childers show promise we'll have a chance.

Until a team in the West shows it can stop Western's running game, I am not that worried. Johns isn't a dummy. He will make those teams stop the ground game. And they won't.

(07-07-2017 05:59 PM)Stampede your face!! Wrote:  Until a team in the West shows it can stop Western's running game, I am not that worried. Johns isn't a dummy. He will make those teams stop the ground game. And they won't.

NIU had the top MAC rushing game last season. Would that logic apply to them?

(07-07-2017 06:16 PM)Rabid Squirrel Wrote:  

(07-07-2017 05:59 PM)Stampede your face!! Wrote:  Until a team in the West shows it can stop Western's running game, I am not that worried. Johns isn't a dummy. He will make those teams stop the ground game. And they won't.

NIU had the top MAC rushing game last season. Would that logic apply to them?

The key to a real soul-crushing, grinditout, time of possession rushing attack...from what I saw last year...is a smart as hell QB who can convert with his legs on 4th down.

I believe WMU will have that by the time conference play is in full swing.

Unless we can pass the ball when we want, and are able to keep defensive coordinators guessing by throwing on run downs enough that they don't pack the box, we won't be able to run as well as we would like.