CSNbbs

Who do you think will win and why?

CMU is flat out loaded, I think.

also need a 'most disappointing' team ballot.

I say Ball State.

I picked NIU. I don't know why, exactly. Call it a hunch.

WMU.... It should be their "turn". Great QB and a solid program. CMU is loaded at the SKILLS, but the OLINE & Dbs will be their undoing....Expect CMU to be upset a couple of times.... .. Dark horse Toledo.

Quote:CMU is loaded at the SKILLS, but the OLINE & Dbs will be their undoing...

The OL is a concern at the tackle spots and in terms of experienced depth. However, we have had sufficient talent in recent years to overcome injuries, as we proved last season. We beat Indiana with about 2 starters in the lineup up front, and that in front of a less-mobile QB (Brunner) than LeFevour. I expect there will be an adjustment period, which could hurt us versus Arizona and MSU, but I also anticipate the OL will come together just fine before conference play.

DBs - We had injuries at almost every spot last fall -- RB (top two and two backups), WR, TE, QB, and OL. We were largely able to weather those losses, although we certainly missed a couple of our best wideouts in the MCB in December. However, last season, we had seven season-ending injuries in the secondary alone. That left us with very little on the back-end, as EMU and Ball State both proved in the last regular-season games. If the law of averages is to be believed we're due for a little better luck this season. In addition to which, a couple of the new DBs could be better talent than anyone already on the roster.

CMU will definitely be in the conference race. We'll host Akron, Toledo, and NIU. Buffalo and Ball State lost a lot of personnel last season, much more than CMU did, and EMU is a meaningful game this season (Homecoming), not an end-of-season afterthought. The Eagles should get our undivided attention for the first time in the last three years this season. The most dangerous game, the one that IMHO will determine whether or not CMU wins the West, will be at Kalamazoo on 10/17.

I don't know the West as well as the east but I would have to say CMU with the best returing QB in the MAC has got to be the favorite. CMU has also had some very impressive recruiting classes in the past couple of seasons that should keep them afloat.

NIU should be another bowl bound team along with WMU again.

The bowl eligible teams next year for the MAC are going to be NIU, WMU, CMU, Temple and Buffalo.

Temple to Eagle Bank
Buffalo to International
WMU to MCB
CMU to GMAC
NIU to Texas

Should be about right.

Apparently, Ball State is going to surprise a lot of people. Better not sell them short.

(05-18-2009 10:30 PM)LongtimeFan Wrote: [ -> ]Apparently, Ball State is going to surprise a lot of people. Better not sell them short.

Without Dante, Brady, or Nate?

A poor finish in a bowl game like BSU is usually a harbringer of poor football the next season....

(05-18-2009 10:34 PM)Airport KC Wrote: [ -> ]

(05-18-2009 10:30 PM)LongtimeFan Wrote: [ -> ]Apparently, Ball State is going to surprise a lot of people. Better not sell them short.

Without Dante, Brady, or Nate?

A poor finish in a bowl game like BSU is usually a harbringer of poor football the next season....

Airport, a poor finish in a bowl game has 0 to do with next season. It's called losing the coach that brought you into the program (as a player) and a disappointing loss in the MAC champeenship game.

I think Central gets it done again.

I pick ABBA to win it all!







(A)ntonio (B)rown and (B)ryan (A)nderson!

(05-18-2009 10:34 PM)Airport KC Wrote: [ -> ]

(05-18-2009 10:30 PM)LongtimeFan Wrote: [ -> ]Apparently, Ball State is going to surprise a lot of people. Better not sell them short.

Without Dante, Brady, or Nate?

A poor finish in a bowl game like BSU is usually a harbringer of poor football the next season....

Dante didn't play a single down in the MAC last year. Neither did Brady. Look for a much improved defense and an offense that still has a lot of weapons. Can't wait for the season to begin.

I think its CMU. They brought in alot of recruits to help the defense.

I think the most improved team in the MAC will be EMU. I think Andy Schmitt is the most overlooked QB in the MAC and once again will have an experienced WR/RB/ and OL to work with. I'm thinking a more balanced run/pass and ball control offense in the works. I think the young defensive line of last year will improve with some JUCO competition and depth will take pressure off DBs and LBs. Our DB backfield have some injuries last year but I think will decent. We have two LBs back but need to address Holtzclaw's departure. If Zach Johnson can return to form as punter of his first two years at EMU that will help the defense. Lastly I think English will shape this team up fundemental wise.

(05-20-2009 04:18 AM)emu79 Wrote: [ -> ]I think its CMU. They brought in alot of recruits to help the defense.

I think the most improved team in the MAC will be EMU. I think Andy Schmitt is the most overlooked QB in the MAC and once again will have an experienced WR/RB/ and OL to work with. I'm thinking a more balanced run/pass and ball control offense in the works. I think the young defensive line of last year will improve with some JUCO competition and depth will take pressure off DBs and LBs. Our DB backfield have some injuries last year but I think will decent. We have two LBs back but need to address Holtzclaw's departure. If Zach Johnson can return to form as punter of his first two years at EMU that will help the defense. Lastly I think English will shape this team up fundemental wise.

..... agree on Schmitt .... he can play....

I pick WMU to win it all just like I do every pre-season.

(05-20-2009 01:55 PM)Arrohead Wrote: [ -> ]I pick WMU to win it all just like I do every pre-season.

I think WMU gets over the hump this year. I'm going with the Broncos.

(05-20-2009 04:18 AM)emu79 Wrote: [ -> ]I think its CMU. They brought in alot of recruits to help the defense.

I think the most improved team in the MAC will be EMU. I think Andy Schmitt is the most overlooked QB in the MAC and once again will have an experienced WR/RB/ and OL to work with. I'm thinking a more balanced run/pass and ball control offense in the works. I think the young defensive line of last year will improve with some JUCO competition and depth will take pressure off DBs and LBs. Our DB backfield have some injuries last year but I think will decent. We have two LBs back but need to address Holtzclaw's departure. If Zach Johnson can return to form as punter of his first two years at EMU that will help the defense. Lastly I think English will shape this team up fundemental wise.

Toledo will be the MAC's most improved team. I agree Andy ranks right up with MAC's best QB's.

If we win the division, we'll have to do it with very young WR and DB corps.