Every year, Bill Connelly over at SBNation does in depth previews of every FBS team. It can get a little down in the weeds statistically but overall they are easily the best researched mid major previews I've seen from a national outlet.
He goes conference by conference and started the MAC today with Kent State. Some interesting stuff- never realized just how inept that program has been historically.
https://www.sbnation.com/college-footbal...views-2018
The only MAC team to beat Kent's MAC champions in 1972 - WMU, 13-12 at Kent.
WMU Broncopilot.... COA grad?
(03-12-2018 03:08 PM)Fthechips Wrote: [ -> ]WMU Broncopilot.... COA grad?
2012.
Ball State preview is up:
https://www.sbnation.com/college-footbal...ule-roster
I knew BSU was killed by injuries last year (even more than us) but I didn't realize just how bad it was till reading this. If they stay healthy that's gonna be a tricky trip to Muncie.
(03-13-2018 02:37 PM)wmubroncopilot Wrote: [ -> ] (03-12-2018 03:08 PM)Fthechips Wrote: [ -> ]WMU Broncopilot.... COA grad?
2012.
Ball State preview is up: https://www.sbnation.com/college-footbal...ule-roster
I knew BSU was killed by injuries last year (even more than us) but I didn't realize just how bad it was till reading this. If they stay healthy that's gonna be a tricky trip to Muncie.
PM Sent.
Bill just released his WMU analysis
Pretty much what we saw, a passing game that lost all footing when Wassink went down. He sounded pretty confident we’ll be better than the 6-6 numerical prediction barring another year of injuries.
I thought the defensive analysis was interesting, we are missing a great pass rushing threat right now to really make this defense stand out. I think Najee Clayton supercharges this defense (who was not mentioned in the prediction), or if one of our DEs really steps up.
In summary, our offense should be better if everyone stays healthy, but it's kind of a bleak picture for our defensive front 7.
Najee Clayton should help prevent too much dropoff at LB. Grace and Spears are athletic. LBs should be okay.
We need guys to step up on the line, especially at DT. I feel like we're undersized at DE and inexperienced at DT. If Finley, Aguirre and Williams can all stay healthy, that would be a step forward.
Also, Bill Connelly's projected MAC 2018 S&P+ rankings:
49 Toledo
68 Ohio
69 Northern Illinois
82 Miami (OH)
87 Western Michigan
93 Buffalo
96 Eastern Michigan
97 Bowling Green
116 Central Michigan
117 Ball State
119 Akron
127 Kent State
This isn't the predicted order of finish in the MAC. S&P+ projections are a mix of 3 factors: recent history, returning production, and recruiting.
We need to score points, lots of points, to win games next season. We'll probably lose if our offense puts less than 42 points on the board, because our front 7 on Defense will be gassed by the middle of the 3rd Quarter.
(03-20-2018 08:40 PM)BroncoPhilly Wrote: [ -> ]We need to score points, lots of points, to win games next season. We'll probably lose if our offense puts less than 42 points on the board, because our front 7 on Defense will be gassed by the middle of the 3rd Quarter.
If they can stay relatively healthy I think the front 7 on defense is going to surprise a lot of fans this season.
Front 7 was adapting to change from 3-4 to 4-3 last fall.
Got to believe they'll be better second year in system.
(03-20-2018 09:19 AM)GullLake Wrote: [ -> ] (03-20-2018 09:06 AM)Fthechips Wrote: [ -> ]Bill just released his WMU analysis
Here is a link:
https://www.sbnation.com/college-footbal...ule-roster
Very positive preview, although I hope we are a nudge better than his projected 6 wins.
He really pushes the viewpoint that when a successful MAC team changes coaches, they fall right into the cellar. Sure, it happens (BGSU recently), although I didn't think it was a 'given.' NIU and Toledo have avoided it with coaching changes.
We need to be aggressive, but responsible, on both sides of the ball. We have talent (a ton of it by MAC standards), and if we keep the pedal to the metal, we will score on offense and get turnovers on defense. Will we make some mistakes, and turn over the ball ourselves; or get beaten on defense now and then? Yes we will. But the aggressive teams, particularly those with talent, end up on the positive end far more than the passive teams.
I like Wassink. I think he has good ability and will be great if he is consistently put in situations to be successful. Passive predictability will kill the poor kid if we don't change out philosophy from last year. Our receivers will flourish if they are able to get in a groove, catch balls when defenses aren't knowing we are going to be passing, and have a QB who is able to throw accurate passes because he has time to throw without three biggies in the process of pulling him down.
We have every reason to have a tremendous season, and to win the MAC; but we did last year as well. If you are predicting our record though, understand that, just like last season, we will have injuries, and will lose key players throughout the year. That is football, and it is never an excuse, because (1) it happens to every team, and (2) depth at every position is a imperative component to having a good "TEAM".
Our schedule really couldn't be better this season. We have Michigan, which will be a very difficult challenge, and I don't expect a win, but at least it is a quick and easy road trip, and wont leave us exhausted like that USC game last year (I think we would have played way better against MSU but for the USC trip the week before). Syracuse is a very winnable opener, which is at home, and if we have a solid team which is ready to play, I do expect us to win. We have both Toledo and NIU at home. If we do not have a great year this season I will have no optimism whatsoever for any future with Lester as our head man. He got his pass last year, but if he continues to try and force square pegs in round holes he shouldn't be a head coach. Time will tell.
I was very discouraged to read the Mlive article where Lester basically said he felt like a spectator last season since he wasn't calling plays. That leads me to believe he does not posses the leadership qualities to be a head coach and maybe his ceiling is coordinator. Time will tell, hoping Wassink takes a huge step forward and the Defense can limit big plays and create turnovers.
Most MAC teams losing very good QBs to graduation struggle. I don't see Toledo the favorite in MAC West. They lost a lot of offense and a bad QB showing in their bowl game showed how delicate they could be in 2018
(03-21-2018 09:51 AM)BuickBronco Wrote: [ -> ]Most MAC teams losing very good QBs to graduation struggle. I don't see Toledo the favorite in MAC West. They lost a lot of offense and a bad QB showing in their bowl game showed how delicate they concos.uld be in 2018
Don't count on it. This will be a better Rocket team than in 2017. This is not a comment
on the Broncos. You all have better insight into your program.
(03-21-2018 08:11 AM)Motown Bronco Wrote: [ -> ]He really pushes the viewpoint that when a successful MAC team changes coaches, they fall right into the cellar. Sure, it happens (BGSU recently), although I didn't think it was a 'given.' NIU and Toledo have avoided it with coaching changes.
NIU and UT promoted from within the "family" which helped them with continuity.
The others hired from outside for most part and saw the fall off Connelly highlights (see: Enos, Dan).
(03-21-2018 10:25 AM)Boca Rocket Wrote: [ -> ] (03-21-2018 09:51 AM)BuickBronco Wrote: [ -> ]Most MAC teams losing very good QBs to graduation struggle. I don't see Toledo the favorite in MAC West. They lost a lot of offense and a bad QB showing in their bowl game showed how delicate they concos.uld be in 2018
Don't count on it. This will be a better Rocket team than in 2017. This is not a comment
on the Broncos. You all have better insight into your program.
Could be but if Rockets are going with QB Mitchell Guadagni they mirror the 2017 Broncos. Little if any experience. Guadagni threw one pass in '17. Did Toledo bring in another QB besides the freshman kid from Florida?