From ESPN insider:
"Western Michigan Broncos
47.0 percent likelihood to win out (up from 20.7 percent last week)
In what was supposed to be one of the toughest games remaining on Western Michigan's schedule, the Broncos went on the road and crushed Central Michigan by 39 points. Alongside Houston, the Broncos are now a major threat to run the table and could be a surprise Group of 5 selection for a major bowl game at season's end if Houston doesn't claim that spot. Western Michigan's biggest obstacle in the regular season is a game against Toledo in late November. Between now and then, our projection model gives the Broncos a 90 percent win likelihood or better in every game."
(10-03-2016 08:04 AM)CardersCrew Wrote: [ -> ]From ESPN insider:
"Western Michigan Broncos
47.0 percent likelihood to win out (up from 20.7 percent last week)
In what was supposed to be one of the toughest games remaining on Western Michigan's schedule, the Broncos went on the road and crushed Central Michigan by 39 points. Alongside Houston, the Broncos are now a major threat to run the table and could be a surprise Group of 5 selection for a major bowl game at season's end if Houston doesn't claim that spot. Western Michigan's biggest obstacle in the regular season is a game against Toledo in late November. Between now and then, our projection model gives the Broncos a 90 percent win likelihood or better in every game."
I am as excited as anyone about the Broncos this season, however, there are too many tough teams and tough games ahead of WMU for fans to be thinking "undefeated" season after the first MAC win.
The CMU game was outstanding. If WMU plays like that, yes, it will likely go undefeated. However, we all know that is not going to happen. There will be a bad game or two. There will be mistakes. There will be highly motivated and well-coached opponents. This is college football.
No remaining game is a "gimme," not even EMU (which looks reasonably tough and often "brings it" for games against WMU and CMU). NIU is NIU. Time to snap the losing streak, and it will not be easy given the distractions of Homecoming week. Akron is a very l-o-n-g drive and an easy team to overlook.
One game at a time, Broncos. Savor the season and the game/food in front of you. Dessert will come in due time....
It won't be easy but I think our "single game season" philosophy had been serving us well so far.
The projections certainly are good:
![[Image: SsSHUym.jpg]](http://i.imgur.com/SsSHUym.jpg)
One game at time and hope to stay healthy. GO BRONCOS!!!
Long way to go. 1-2 key injuries can derail the whole season. That's been a long time WMU curse too.
Quote:Long way to go. 1-2 key injuries can derail the whole season. That's been a long time WMU curse too.
I agree. Injuries, and also the ball not bouncing our way -- and having to deal with (gasp) turnovers that we will give up at the wrong place, wrong time, etc.. and offenses getting hot and exposing our holes, etc. We have a target on our back. We're an improved 8W team. I think a little reality is necessary for end-of-season expectations.
- NIU : Probably the LAST 1-4 team anyone would want to play in the country. Winning streak on us, Maddie at QB bringing life to their O -- look out.
- @Akron: Fear the 'roo. They're good. They Crushed Marshall and went toe-to-toe with App State who did the same with Tennessee
- EMU: Fired up with nothing to lose. They're better. Overlooking them and luck against us -- don't expect stomps even if we're not on-point 'cause it's EMU. They have a vote to be ranked.
- @BSU: About the same as EMU at home, maybe a little tougher. BSU's dangerous, but vulnerable.
- Toledo: Our toughest team on schedule, and probably 11-1 when we play them, and close to being ranked if not barely ranked at this point. And they want revenge.
Still a lot of ball to be played. We Still have to EARN it.
(10-03-2016 12:52 PM)toddjnsn Wrote: [ -> ]Quote:Long way to go. 1-2 key injuries can derail the whole season. That's been a long time WMU curse too.
I agree. Injuries, and also the ball not bouncing our way -- and having to deal with (gasp) turnovers that we will give up at the wrong place, wrong time, etc.. and offenses getting hot and exposing our holes, etc. We have a target on our back. We're an improved 8W team. I think a little reality is necessary for end-of-season expectations.
- NIU : Probably the LAST 1-4 team anyone would want to play in the country. Winning streak on us, Maddie at QB bringing life to their O -- look out.
- @Akron: Fear the 'roo. They're good. They Crushed Marshall and went toe-to-toe with App State who did the same with Tennessee
- EMU: Fired up with nothing to lose. They're better. Overlooking them and luck against us -- don't expect stomps even if we're not on-point 'cause it's EMU. They have a vote to be ranked.
- @BSU: About the same as EMU at home, maybe a little tougher. BSU's dangerous, but vulnerable.
- Toledo: Our toughest team on schedule, and probably 11-1 when we play them, and close to being ranked if not barely ranked at this point. And they want revenge.
Still a lot of ball to be played. We Still have to EARN it.
"Still a lot of ball to be played. We Still have to EARN it."
Nice post!
And it continues this Saturday with a 6:30 p.m. kick-off and plenty of time for a few brats and brews before. Weather looks to be perfect.
Savor it, my friends.
Enjoy the ride! This is a special season.
49-10. 2-0 in the Big Ten, 1-0 in the MAC. Ranked 25th in the Nation, ahead of MSU. Perfect football weather. East Campus changing leaves on trees. The smell of grilled food. Cold Bells (or Arcadia) beer.The view from Heritage (East) Hall. The cannon after touchdowns. The Bronco Fight Song...whoa, just whoa!
(10-03-2016 12:52 PM)toddjnsn Wrote: [ -> ]Quote:Long way to go. 1-2 key injuries can derail the whole season. That's been a long time WMU curse too.
I agree. Injuries, and also the ball not bouncing our way -- and having to deal with (gasp) turnovers that we will give up at the wrong place, wrong time, etc.. and offenses getting hot and exposing our holes, etc. We have a target on our back. We're an improved 8W team. I think a little reality is necessary for end-of-season expectations.
- NIU : Probably the LAST 1-4 team anyone would want to play in the country. Winning streak on us, Maddie at QB bringing life to their O -- look out.
- @Akron: Fear the 'roo. They're good. They Crushed Marshall and went toe-to-toe with App State who did the same with Tennessee
- EMU: Fired up with nothing to lose. They're better. Overlooking them and luck against us -- don't expect stomps even if we're not on-point 'cause it's EMU. They have a vote to be ranked.
- @BSU: About the same as EMU at home, maybe a little tougher. BSU's dangerous, but vulnerable.
- Toledo: Our toughest team on schedule, and probably 11-1 when we play them, and close to being ranked if not barely ranked at this point. And they want revenge.
Still a lot of ball to be played. We Still have to EARN it.
Exactly Todd. I hear a lot of people thinking that we don't play anyone until Toledo and it's a given that we are undefeated in that game. The only "gimmes" I see are UB and KSU, but those can easily turn into trap games. I think we will be challenged in every single one of those games you've listed.
If they come out and punch NIU in the mouth and win by 21+ I will change my tune, but they've had our number so many times. When you've seen SOB so many years, it's hard to believe that at some point they won't implode. This is MACtion, anything can happen.
TBH I was more afraid of being upset by Akron/Ball St then CMU.
Quote:TBH I was more afraid of being upset by Akron/Ball St then CMU.
I wasn't. I mean, I see @Akron, and to some extent @BSU as potential sleeper games that we could potentially lose. Especially Akron. We're not used to being King Dingaling. People can say what they want about "one game season" -- but just like Zack said at the press conference that the rivalry didn't mean much in preparation, it's just another team, another game to fully prepare for etc -- that's not it in reality. It's just a mentality to aim to keep focused on, which is good. But in the end, it soaks in. You can't ignore we're ranked, talk-of-the-town, the new mid-major darling, etc.
It's going to be HARD to get to 11-0, let alone 12-0. And to have to beat (likely) Akron AGAIN not in Kalamazoo *if* we were to go 12-0 after beating a very potential 10-1 Toledo team.
LONG way to go.
(10-04-2016 11:25 AM)toddjnsn Wrote: [ -> ]Quote:TBH I was more afraid of being upset by Akron/Ball St then CMU.
I wasn't. I mean, I see @Akron, and to some extent @BSU as potential sleeper games that we could potentially lose. Especially Akron. We're not used to being King Dingaling. People can say what they want about "one game season" -- but just like Zack said at the press conference that the rivalry didn't mean much in preparation, it's just another team, another game to fully prepare for etc -- that's not it in reality. It's just a mentality to aim to keep focused on, which is good. But in the end, it soaks in. You can't ignore we're ranked, talk-of-the-town, the new mid-major darling, etc.
It's going to be HARD to get to 11-0, let alone 12-0. And to have to beat (likely) Akron AGAIN not in Kalamazoo *if* we were to go 12-0 after beating a very potential 10-1 Toledo team.
LONG way to go.
True. I would think that
IF we get to the point where we are playing Akron a 2nd time, it will be a very different environment. Our state, more of our fans, less travel, etc. Aside from familiarity, I don't know if that would create much of a disadvantage for us.
Let's just go unbeaten this week.
Beat NIU!