Can we do better than #53 on the field this year?

http://csnbbs.com/thread-687788.html

Pretty well written. I personally think we will win the division, and take down everyone in our path...but sure 53rd is a nice starting point.

Mizzou will be a test but 20 point underdogs have won before, and UC is just as good as BG, BSU, and NIU (IMO). NIU and BSU lose key positions like the Rockets, and like us are toss ups on offense. If I had to pick two losses I'd say Mizzou and BG. But that would mean a rematch in the MACC vs. BG, where we could beat them.

UC has a very good defensive front 7. Gunner Kiel threw for something like 300yds with accuracy in the first half of the Bearcats' Spring game.
The guy is a NFL type QB.They will take it deep on the Rockets. Let's hope the UT Defense is ready.

BEAT NIU!!!

Considering how the Rockets finished lasted year and given the graduation losses (which I believe look worse on paper than they really are), I think the #53 ranking is fair. We have shown no ability to beat NIU in the past four years and although we have beat BG for 4 years straight, they are in fact the MAC Champs, so until proved otherwise, they deserve to be ranked higher than UT as well.

However, I said after the spring game that I thought, experience not withstanding, we would see an upgrade at both QB and WR this season. The snaps from center were a problem in the spring game, but hopefully will not be a problem by this fall. The RB position should be just fine despite the loss of Fluellen (who was lost much of the season last year anyway). Despite the major loss of Jayrone Elliot, hopefully the D will also be much improved this year. We also have one of the very best kickers in the country which is an advantage that can not be overstated.

Hence if this team can avoid injuries and bad luck in general, IMO this team has the talent and the schedule to potentially make this a very memorable ---top 20 type--season. Hopefully with the changes in coaching personnel and assignments along with the experience gained over yet another year, the game day coaching and play calling will also be improved . If all of these factors come together this could be a truly special year. However, it is extremely rare for all these factors to converge at the same time and it is extremely difficult to get up for every game week after week after week so maximum potential is rarely achieved. I also thought that the 2011 team also had the potential to be a very, very special team as well but bad luck and a few coaching lapses converged to make that team fall well short of its potential.

This is the best shot since 2011 (and probably better than next year will be) at winning the MAC West and anything less than that this year will be a disappointment.

I remember reading about four years ago that the niu players and coaches were talking it up about making Toledo it's rivalry game. And the response was they are not our rivals. After seeing the results for the past four years I thing someone needs to rethink that. If someone takes that stance against you. Well my friend you had better be ready to play. You cannot take it as if they are just blowing steam. They are coming at you with everything they have. By the way I think Hunt will run wild this year 1800yrds. GO ROCKETS!

(07-17-2014 07:08 PM)Babes boy Wrote:  I remember reading about four years ago that the niu players and coaches were talking it up about making Toledo it's rivalry game. And the response was they are not our rivals. After seeing the results for the past four years I thing someone needs to rethink that. If someone takes that stance against you. Well my friend you had better be ready to play. You cannot take it as if they are just blowing steam. They are coming at you with everything they have. By the way I think Hunt will run wild this year 1800yrds. GO ROCKETS!

1300-1400yd would be good if the 2nd RB is around 800-900yds.
Need alot of trips to the end zone.

53 sounds right until Toledo proves it can consistently beat good teams. The offensive line and running backs are known strengths. We'll see about the QB and WRs. I thought Ely looked awesome in the spring. The defense has a lot of individual star power, but they need to put it together as a unit. To be fair, injuries at the linebacker position did not help. Toledo has one of the best kickers in college football. Missouri is the marque game, but Mauk is a very talented QB, going up against Toledo's secondary scheme of standing 10-15 yards off of the line. That was easy pickings last year for Ball St and NIU. Toledo and the coaching staff need to prove themselves this year.

I think the season hinges on the growth and accountability of the coaching staff...

Is Ely pronounced like our legend Chuck 'Ealey' or like 'Eli'?

Just curious how your guys QB battle has been like up to this point? Looking forward to another competitive year in the West!

(07-19-2014 11:15 AM)HuskieJWN Wrote:  Just curious how your guys QB battle has been like up to this point? Looking forward to another competitive year in the West!

There really isn't a whole lot to go on just yet. Ely, the transfer from Alabama, had a strong spring game. He showed great poise in the pocket, had a great accuracy over the middle with a lot of zip on the ball, seemed to be able to scan the field, threw the ball away when the play wasn't there, and threw a great touch pass with a strong breeze at his back. Woodside had a terrible day. I think he was intercepted 3 times. However, it was the spring game. They used split squads, and Ely seemed to be getting much better protection than Woodside. So, the battle for the top spot will start in August. Toledo opens with New Hampshire, so I'm sure both quarterbacks will get an equal look in that game, especially if the race is tight through August.

Ely as in Ealy

(07-20-2014 09:16 AM)falconplucker Wrote:  

(07-19-2014 11:15 AM)HuskieJWN Wrote:  Just curious how your guys QB battle has been like up to this point? Looking forward to another competitive year in the West!

There really isn't a whole lot to go on just yet. Ely, the transfer from Alabama, had a strong spring game. He showed great poise in the pocket, had a great accuracy over the middle with a lot of zip on the ball, seemed to be able to scan the field, threw the ball away when the play wasn't there, and threw a great touch pass with a strong breeze at his back. Woodside had a terrible day. I think he was intercepted 3 times. However, it was the spring game. They used split squads, and Ely seemed to be getting much better protection than Woodside. So, the battle for the top spot will start in August. Toledo opens with New Hampshire, so I'm sure both quarterbacks will get an equal look in that game, especially if the race is tight through August.

Thanks for the info. I know there wasn't a whole lot of info, should have clarified by asking about spring ball and who was looking like the clubhouse leader.

Didn't Toledo play New Hampshire two or three years ago?

It looks like the non-conference schedule is solid, should go 2-2 or 3-1, I'd expect with a chance for 4-0.

Do you like the non-conference against ISU that late in the year?

IMO, I like the non-conference schedule. It seems balanced. We did play New Hampshire a few years ago. They are a top 4 FCS school in some publications. Their offense was a little pesky last time, but their defense could not match up. I know they have a good QB, talented running backs, and 1,000 yard receiver. Missouri will be tough. They have a great QB and Toledo's wait for an offense to make a mistake scheme, where the corners play off the line could lead to a long day. Toledo played well against them last year for about 2 and half quarters, then the defensive line seemed gassed (although it was 100 degrees on the field at game time). Toledo will have to have consistent play in the passing game, to loosen up the Missouri D and give the defense a rest. I'm expecting to see a different Cincinnati than in years past. Tubberville is not just there to make the Bearcats his final coaching spot. They had a solid defense last year, and he still fired the defensive coordinator. Iowa State is supposed to finish near the bottom of the Big 12. It probably just depends on injuries, how well Toledo comes together, and how focused Iowa State can be against a perceived smaller opponent at that point. 3-1 would be great. I would say 2-2 or 1-3 would be more likely. But you never know....

How does NIU look post Lynch? Presbyterian should not be much of a challenge, but then three road non-conference games at Northwestern, UNLV, and Arkansas. I know NIU has their offensive line returning.

(07-20-2014 11:09 AM)HuskieJWN Wrote:  Do you like the non-conference against ISU that late in the year?

I dislike that it will be their homecoming ham in an already tough environment. But hopefully they are as bad as everyone thinks this year

(07-20-2014 11:09 AM)HuskieJWN Wrote:  

(07-20-2014 09:16 AM)falconplucker Wrote:  

(07-19-2014 11:15 AM)HuskieJWN Wrote:  Just curious how your guys QB battle has been like up to this point? Looking forward to another competitive year in the West!

There really isn't a whole lot to go on just yet. Ely, the transfer from Alabama, had a strong spring game. He showed great poise in the pocket, had a great accuracy over the middle with a lot of zip on the ball, seemed to be able to scan the field, threw the ball away when the play wasn't there, and threw a great touch pass with a strong breeze at his back. Woodside had a terrible day. I think he was intercepted 3 times. However, it was the spring game. They used split squads, and Ely seemed to be getting much better protection than Woodside. So, the battle for the top spot will start in August. Toledo opens with New Hampshire, so I'm sure both quarterbacks will get an equal look in that game, especially if the race is tight through August.

Thanks for the info. I know there wasn't a whole lot of info, should have clarified by asking about spring ball and who was looking like the clubhouse leader.

Didn't Toledo play New Hampshire two or three years ago?

It looks like the non-conference schedule is solid, should go 2-2 or 3-1, I'd expect with a chance for 4-0.

Do you like the non-conference against ISU that late in the year?

No clear leader. I heard Ely lost the job to McCaron at Alabama the last week of August, so he knows the feeling. I expect a great Fall to get ready for the season.

We played them in 2011 and whooped on em 58-20somethin. UNH made the playoffs that year, but I think this year they are expected to have their best team in quite some time. We don't want to look past them to Mizzou, but we shouldn't considering it's a home opener.

ISU has lost to a ton of non conference teams in the past seasons, but have shown spurts of good play. Their defense will be aweful though. I expect a win by a score. I'm happy we aren't going there in early September. ISU is hot early on. It'll be an awesome atmosphere. Toledo will be battle tested coming into MAC play. Sadly that hasn't meant a ton when taking on BSU or NIU the past few seasons.

(07-20-2014 12:01 PM)falconplucker Wrote:  IMO, I like the non-conference schedule. It seems balanced. We did play New Hampshire a few years ago. They are a top 4 FCS school in some publications. Their offense was a little pesky last time, but their defense could not match up. I know they have a good QB, talented running backs, and 1,000 yard receiver. Missouri will be tough. They have a great QB and Toledo's wait for an offense to make a mistake scheme, where the corners play off the line could lead to a long day. Toledo played well against them last year for about 2 and half quarters, then the defensive line seemed gassed (although it was 100 degrees on the field at game time). Toledo will have to have consistent play in the passing game, to loosen up the Missouri D and give the defense a rest. I'm expecting to see a different Cincinnati than in years past. Tubberville is not just there to make the Bearcats his final coaching spot. They had a solid defense last year, and he still fired the defensive coordinator. Iowa State is supposed to finish near the bottom of the Big 12. It probably just depends on injuries, how well Toledo comes together, and how focused Iowa State can be against a perceived smaller opponent at that point. 3-1 would be great. I would say 2-2 or 1-3 would be more likely. But you never know....

How does NIU look post Lynch? Presbyterian should not be much of a challenge, but then three road non-conference games at Northwestern, UNLV, and Arkansas. I know NIU has their offensive line returning.

Offensively, I think they take a slight hit. Obviously Lynch was awesome and did a lot for this team, but they return 9 starters and a guy that rotated on the line. They also have Akeem Daniels coming off a medical redshirt to complement Stingily. As long as the replacement isn't a turnover machine, they will average around 30 points a game.

Defense, I'm not really sure. Half starters gone, half coming back. I expect them to struggle against the run but have a decent pass rush. They will probably be middle of the pack in the MAC, enough to keep the huskies in contention.

At QB it seems that nothing was sorted out in the spring season. There isn't a clubhouse leader and there isn't a definite guy that it won't be. Luckily, he won't be asked to over exert himself too much with all the skill position players coming back and a versatile guy like Daniels that can run and catch to add back.

I expect the Huskies to beat UNLV and Presbyterian. While I don't think Arkansas and Northwestern will be great teams, it's still tough to play the AQ teams on the road, especially with a raw QB. I kind of think they will go 3-1, and lose a close one to Arkansas, but at worst they need to walk away 2-2 going into conference play.

NIU's offense returns 9 starters? I don't like the sound of that. It would be great for NIU and the MAC to win those games against the P5 schools. Toledo will certainly try their best to help out the conference.

I really like our OOC. We're capable of going 4-0 if our coaching staff has improved and also if we have a good leader at QB. I love that the first 4 of our 5 games are at home in the beautiful fall weather. Mizzou at home is just awesome, I hope our city can really rally behind our team that game. The atmosphere for that should be great. Playing at Cinci is nice because it's a winnable game and easy travel distance. I like the Iowa St. matchup because again, it's a winnable game. I'm also really looking forward to watching a game there since a lot of people are talking up their atmosphere.

We're so close to game day!

Hey, quit knocking Presbyterians! We're tough.