09-29-2005, 09:35 PM
I am actually feeling much better about the Fresno game after 24 hours reflection. Of course the team has to take it a game at a time, but I do not.----looking ahead, here is the way I see it.
1) Fresno is probably the best team we will see all year--even if we make a bowl
2) Cochran got a full game under his belt under pretty adverse circumstances and stacked up pretty well all things considered----for comparison, look at that unfortunate Cincy frosh QB last night --5 intercepts? If Bruce is not 100.00% for Eastern, I would prefer to see Clint have another shot against Eastern---an experienced QB would be BIG for next year (of course, this assumes Clint beats out Summers, Goolsby, etc for next fall).
3) Even if we went undefeated this year we would not have made a big splash in the polls anyway-- because: the MAC had a terrible year, and therefore, unlike 2003, we would get no credit for MAC wins and, secondly, we played no ranked team (tho Fresno may be yet) or BCS team ----so we were going nowhere anyway. Next year our schedule is a bit more promising, and maybe the MAC will be bit better--a big run next year will get more credit than one this year.
4) Nobody in the MAC appears to be playing consistently good defense and ours, while not yet overpowering, is vastly improved over last year---so we have a real shot. Obviously there not much room for error and none of these games are gimmes---but all are winable.
My guess is that if we can beat Northern at home, which should be possible, then we can lose at BG (which I fully expect to do--particularly if it "doesn't matter") In fact if we beat NIU, we can even lose one other MAC game if it is not to Eastern or Central (a loss to either Eastern or Central would be OK too if they end up with 3 MAC losses )
This will put us into the MACC where we would have a great chance for a win. Recent history would suggest we lose the Bowl--but who knows.
There is still a lot of football left in this season.
1) Fresno is probably the best team we will see all year--even if we make a bowl
2) Cochran got a full game under his belt under pretty adverse circumstances and stacked up pretty well all things considered----for comparison, look at that unfortunate Cincy frosh QB last night --5 intercepts? If Bruce is not 100.00% for Eastern, I would prefer to see Clint have another shot against Eastern---an experienced QB would be BIG for next year (of course, this assumes Clint beats out Summers, Goolsby, etc for next fall).
3) Even if we went undefeated this year we would not have made a big splash in the polls anyway-- because: the MAC had a terrible year, and therefore, unlike 2003, we would get no credit for MAC wins and, secondly, we played no ranked team (tho Fresno may be yet) or BCS team ----so we were going nowhere anyway. Next year our schedule is a bit more promising, and maybe the MAC will be bit better--a big run next year will get more credit than one this year.
4) Nobody in the MAC appears to be playing consistently good defense and ours, while not yet overpowering, is vastly improved over last year---so we have a real shot. Obviously there not much room for error and none of these games are gimmes---but all are winable.
My guess is that if we can beat Northern at home, which should be possible, then we can lose at BG (which I fully expect to do--particularly if it "doesn't matter") In fact if we beat NIU, we can even lose one other MAC game if it is not to Eastern or Central (a loss to either Eastern or Central would be OK too if they end up with 3 MAC losses )
This will put us into the MACC where we would have a great chance for a win. Recent history would suggest we lose the Bowl--but who knows.
There is still a lot of football left in this season.