From ESPN's Graham Watson's blog.
While I'm certainly no expert on what the other conference teams are doing, I find several issues in her analysis that I'd nitpick. She has four categories regarding their shots at a bowl game:
- Count On It
- Most Likely
- Outside Shot
- Better Luck Next Year
From my uninformed place, I'd remove Ohio and KSU from the "Count on it" category and place Ohio in the Most Likely and KSU in the Outside Shot category. Remember that OU didn't play either CMU or WMU in the regular season last year. They did beat NIU but have lost some of their offensive firepower. OU does have a good defense but offensive Q. remain.
Toledo in Most Likely? Nah - not until they show some progress under Beckman. They've got talent but are still suffering the uneven lapses in play so common in the late Amstutz era. Great win over Colorado, get blown out by the Broncos - both on their home field. I think they'll be better overall this year and would place them in the outside shot category.
I think she slotted CMU and WMU correctly and was spot on regarding Temple and NIU.
Early Look At The MAC Bowl Picture
Thoughts?
I think the west is more wide open than suggested here.
But I would rank them as Outside Shot.
Temple is the only Count on It
Toledo's recruiting class, and Austin Dantin's experience gained, along with Eric Page makes Toledo real dangerous. I have a feeling that they take 2nd in the West behind Northern Illinois. And WMU and CMU fight it out for 3rd. Next year could be a big year for the Broncos, Carder will have a year under his belt, our offense will have a lot of experience, and it will presumably be the 2nd year in an aggressive defense for a lot of guys that will return next year as well.
You mean this year isn't even "next year"?
And you are predicting we'll finish behind teams whose coaches are in their third (Kill) and second (Beckman) years at their schools?
Something's wrong with that picture.
(05-15-2010 09:44 AM)MajorHoople Wrote: [ -> ]You mean this year isn't even "next year"?
And you are predicting we'll finish behind teams whose coaches are in their third (Kill) and second (Beckman) years at their schools?
Something's wrong with that picture.
we dont have a QB who is capable of leading us to 5 wins.
(05-16-2010 02:43 PM)WMU69 Wrote: [ -> ]we dont have a QB who is capable of leading us to 5 wins.
How can that be?
(05-16-2010 02:43 PM)WMU69 Wrote: [ -> ]we dont have a QB who is capable of leading us to 5 wins.
you mean we don't have an offensive line that is capable of leading us to 5 wins.
Also agree that there is something wrong with this picture.
Toledo game will determine the whole rest of the season.
By most reports, our offensive line shouldn't be a problem area this year, why do you think that, Enough?
I don't want to predict W & L this season but here is how I see it.
Offensive line = Unproven but experienced
QB = Inexperienced but has a lot of potential.
WR = Should be the bright spot of team if the Carder can/has the time to get them the ball.
RB = Great opportunity for them to step up and have a great year with the new commitment to the run. West is a big loss but one that we should be able to replace with the players we have.
Defensive line = Huge area of concern
Linebackers = Greater depth than last year but we will miss Pritchard. We need someone to step up big time and be the leader.
Secondary = Concern with the CB's but the safeties should be a strength.
Overall I think both the offense and defense have the potential to be more affective than last year based on the new direction with the run and the aggressive defensive philosophy.
My hope is that we will all be pleasantly surprised and that we keep our expectations for W's in check.
(05-18-2010 07:26 AM)MajorHoople Wrote: [ -> ] (05-16-2010 02:43 PM)WMU69 Wrote: [ -> ]we dont have a QB who is capable of leading us to 5 wins.
How can that be?
he has no game experience, its going to take time for Carder to be effective.
I agree there's no substitute for experience, but Cubit is supposed to be an offensive swami and QB guru, not to mention having Junior coaching them.
It's always an interplay, but when I look at the schedule itself, I'm really thinking 5 wins might be a reasonable goal. I've got a hard time seeing where more wins might come from.
The West is WIDE open. there is no favorite. Your QB? .... He should be okay from game 1. I am still shocked at the 2009 Broncos. CMU is taking a step back....thats GOOD!
(05-22-2010 03:39 PM)NIU05 Wrote: [ -> ]The West is WIDE open. there is no favorite. Your QB? .... He should be okay from game 1. I am still shocked at the 2009 Broncos. CMU is taking a step back....thats GOOD!
everyone says that every year. but what happens? they win win win win. you have to face the facts, in terms of football they are better program then we are. and they have owned us the past 4 years.
Detroit News' WMU-MSU prediction:
Quote:Sept. 4, vs. Western Michigan
The Spartans destroyed the Broncos 49-14 last year in East Lansing, and that's when WMU had star quarterback Tim Hiller. This will be more of the same with the Spartans taking care of an inexperienced quarterback quickly.
Look for the Spartans to take a 28-point halftime lead and give backup quarterback Andrew Maxwell and the freshmen running backs some extended work during the final two quarters.
• Pick: MSU 42, WMU 14
http://www.detnews.com/article/20100522/...y-over-U-M
(05-22-2010 03:53 PM)WMU69 Wrote: [ -> ] (05-22-2010 03:39 PM)NIU05 Wrote: [ -> ]The West is WIDE open. there is no favorite. Your QB? .... He should be okay from game 1. I am still shocked at the 2009 Broncos. CMU is taking a step back....thats GOOD!
everyone says that every year. but what happens? they win win win win. you have to face the facts, in terms of football they are better program then we are. and they have owned us the past 4 years.
They have owned us in their house since it opened in 1973.
(05-23-2010 01:59 PM)steer Wrote: [ -> ] (05-22-2010 03:53 PM)WMU69 Wrote: [ -> ] (05-22-2010 03:39 PM)NIU05 Wrote: [ -> ]The West is WIDE open. there is no favorite. Your QB? .... He should be okay from game 1. I am still shocked at the 2009 Broncos. CMU is taking a step back....thats GOOD!
everyone says that every year. but what happens? they win win win win. you have to face the facts, in terms of football they are better program then we are. and they have owned us the past 4 years.
They have owned us in their house since it opened in 1973.
Actually we won at Kelly-Shorts in '73 and it opened in November '72.
Yes its a very impressive football factory up there. They have been good for 4 years after being lousy for the previous 10. Its impossible to stay on top in this conference because of coaching turnover we see it all the time. You can't turn over your staff and lose the best player in the history of your program and expect to stay lucky enough to win the West with 8 wins again.
Yeah, why would I put Northern Illinois ahead of Western? I mean the amount of years a coach has been there is the predictor for a teams success. Oh wait...Northern Illinois finished above us last year in Kill's 2nd year.
Yes, something is wrong with that picture. Maybe our coach isn't as good as we think?
(05-15-2010 09:44 AM)MajorHoople Wrote: [ -> ]You mean this year isn't even "next year"?
And you are predicting we'll finish behind teams whose coaches are in their third (Kill) and second (Beckman) years at their schools?
Something's wrong with that picture.
(05-25-2010 03:29 PM)Stampede your face!! Wrote: [ -> ]Maybe our coach isn't as good as we think?
Which begs the question - how good do we think he is?