(07-29-2014 10:10 AM)ECUGrad07 Wrote:  

(07-29-2014 08:16 AM)HartfordHusky Wrote:  It's gonna be sweet when UConn finishes in the top half of the leauge and goes bowling.

Yep, and I expect that to happen somewhere around 2018ish.

The media picked us to finish first last year in the CUSA... So I guess that means we should finish 1st this year?

I like the fact that people are sleeping on Tulsa though. Can't wait to see some teams get sucker punched after letting their guard down.

(07-29-2014 08:18 AM)CliftonAve Wrote:  

(07-29-2014 08:00 AM)ECUGrad07 Wrote:  Was the Cincy/UNC bowl game just an aberration? I will admit I didn't watch many UC games last year, but I did watch the bowl game... and from THAT game, I can't understand the fairly unanimous selection of UC @ #1. We all have bad games (see ECU vs Marshall last year) so I can understand that.

A couple things stood out from that game... UC's offensive line was without 3-4 players for that game (including a couple 1st team all conference performers). Second, a major downfall in that game for the Bearcats was the performance of their special teams. UC gave up a punt return for a TD, gave up a bunch of other long returns, shanked a bunch of punts, missed some field goals, etc. Special teams was a huge factor in the outcome of that performance. When you constantly give your opponent great field position you are not going to win games that often.

Re: UNC-- I know you ECU guys like to flash the final score of your game earlier in the season with the Tar Heels, but that was a different UNC team that played in the Belk Bowl. They got significantly better after they switched QB's mid-season.

On a final note, the prior season generally does not reflect how teams are ranked in a pre-season poll (although it is a factor). Writers also look at what the teams return (in this case UC has 16 returning starters v. ECU 11) and schedule.

I don't think UNC got trememendously better because of Quise Williams last year. In fact, I think the only reason he had any success was because of the lack of film on him. He really isn't all he's hyped up to be (and he didn't get all too much hype), and UNC has a RS Freshman QB that I think will be starting by the end of this year.

UNC got better from when they played us because they learned how to use Ryan Switzer as a scat back. Hell, when we played UNC he wasn't even returning their kicks, I think AJ Blue was.

I was at the Belk Bowl, and I'll tell you first hand. UC lost that game because of the lack of discipline on defense and special teams. Your offense was flat out screwed over multiple times in that 2nd half. It was my first look at UC in a long time and I my jaw almost hit the floor.

(07-29-2014 07:24 AM)Piratelife4me Wrote:  Official write up from American.org

1.Cincy-(17)-311
2.UCF-(7)-296
3.UH -(6)-268
4.ECU-262
5.SMU-158
6.USF-157
7.Memphis- 133
8.Temple- 105
9.Uconn- 98
Tulane-98
11.Tulsa-94

ECU must have received quite a few 2nd place votes because UH is only 6 points ahead but has 6 1st place votes while ECU has 0. Also, ECU is much closer in total points to #1 Cincy (49 behind) than it is to the team right behind us, SMU (104 point gap).

But I'm glad that ECU received 0 1st place votes because such a perceived slight can be a motivating factor. "No one thinks ECU is going to win it this year." The media poll was heavily Big East centric last year and in that same vein, the newcomers appear to be a little undervalued again this year.

Why are all uconn fans so high on uconn? I know they played Michigan close, and ended the year with 3 wins. But you guys got absolutely smacked by the 3 best teams in the league. Beating Temple, Rutgers, and Memphis is nice but it wouldn't exactly fill me up with confidence. Not to mention 2 were home games and the 3rd was in Philly in front of one of the most apathetic football fan bases right now.

When do they do the coaches poll?

(07-29-2014 10:29 AM)EastCarolinaU. Wrote:  Why are all uconn fans so high on uconn? I know they played Michigan close, and ended the year with 3 wins. But you guys got absolutely smacked by the 3 best teams in the league. Beating Temple, Rutgers, and Memphis is nice but it wouldn't exactly fill me up with confidence. Not to mention 2 were home games and the 3rd was in Philly in front of one of the most apathetic football fan bases right now.

I am not a UConn fan but my guess is their fans are very excited about having a new coach. They absolutely hated Paul Pasquloni and felt he set the program back a few years. The optimism is the belief that Diaco will take them to the next level.

(07-29-2014 07:24 AM)Piratelife4me Wrote:  Official write up from American.org

1.Cincy-(17)-311
2.UCF-(7)-296
3.UH -(6)-268
4.ECU-262
5.SMU-158
6.USF-157
7.Memphis- 133
8.Temple- 105
9.Uconn- 98
Tulane-98
11.Tulsa-94

Big gap between the top 4 and the bottom 7, but not a lot of separation within those tiers. I'm surprised to see SMU and USF so high.

I can see USF as a much better team this year. Coaches make great strides in their sophomore year. Heavens, last year their offense could not even get off on the right count.

(07-29-2014 10:37 AM)CliftonAve Wrote:  

(07-29-2014 10:29 AM)EastCarolinaU. Wrote:  Why are all uconn fans so high on uconn? I know they played Michigan close, and ended the year with 3 wins. But you guys got absolutely smacked by the 3 best teams in the league. Beating Temple, Rutgers, and Memphis is nice but it wouldn't exactly fill me up with confidence. Not to mention 2 were home games and the 3rd was in Philly in front of one of the most apathetic football fan bases right now.

I am not a UConn fan but my guess is their fans are very excited about having a new coach. They absolutely hated Paul Pasquloni and felt he set the program back a few years. The optimism is the belief that Diaco will take them to the next level.

I forgive anyone for not following UConn football outside of the old BE, but before PP, we were quite a solid program. We expect that we can get back to that relatively quickly. We are not used to being a bottom feeder and we don't accept that position. We have had good players the last 3 years but the coaches sucked. I put way more blame on the staff than the players. We trust our guys will respond to the new leadership.

(07-29-2014 10:21 AM)PiratePanther189 Wrote:  

(07-29-2014 08:18 AM)CliftonAve Wrote:  

(07-29-2014 08:00 AM)ECUGrad07 Wrote:  Was the Cincy/UNC bowl game just an aberration? I will admit I didn't watch many UC games last year, but I did watch the bowl game... and from THAT game, I can't understand the fairly unanimous selection of UC @ #1. We all have bad games (see ECU vs Marshall last year) so I can understand that.

A couple things stood out from that game... UC's offensive line was without 3-4 players for that game (including a couple 1st team all conference performers). Second, a major downfall in that game for the Bearcats was the performance of their special teams. UC gave up a punt return for a TD, gave up a bunch of other long returns, shanked a bunch of punts, missed some field goals, etc. Special teams was a huge factor in the outcome of that performance. When you constantly give your opponent great field position you are not going to win games that often.

Re: UNC-- I know you ECU guys like to flash the final score of your game earlier in the season with the Tar Heels, but that was a different UNC team that played in the Belk Bowl. They got significantly better after they switched QB's mid-season.

On a final note, the prior season generally does not reflect how teams are ranked in a pre-season poll (although it is a factor). Writers also look at what the teams return (in this case UC has 16 returning starters v. ECU 11) and schedule.

I don't think UNC got trememendously better because of Quise Williams last year. In fact, I think the only reason he had any success was because of the lack of film on him. He really isn't all he's hyped up to be (and he didn't get all too much hype), and UNC has a RS Freshman QB that I think will be starting by the end of this year.

UNC got better from when they played us because they learned how to use Ryan Switzer as a scat back. Hell, when we played UNC he wasn't even returning their kicks, I think AJ Blue was.

I was at the Belk Bowl, and I'll tell you first hand. UC lost that game because of the lack of discipline on defense and special teams. Your offense was flat out screwed over multiple times in that 2nd half. It was my first look at UC in a long time and I my jaw almost hit the floor.

We (Cincy) were bad in the Belk Bowl. We were injured and undisciplined and I have no idea what was done in the extra practices; however, we have not talked about ECU and their bowl bid. I was totally unimpressed by the performance against the Bobcats. The Bobcats were fourth in the Mac. A close victory against a so so Mac team does not inspire confidence.

(07-29-2014 10:52 AM)HartfordHusky Wrote:  

(07-29-2014 10:37 AM)CliftonAve Wrote:  

(07-29-2014 10:29 AM)EastCarolinaU. Wrote:  Why are all uconn fans so high on uconn? I know they played Michigan close, and ended the year with 3 wins. But you guys got absolutely smacked by the 3 best teams in the league. Beating Temple, Rutgers, and Memphis is nice but it wouldn't exactly fill me up with confidence. Not to mention 2 were home games and the 3rd was in Philly in front of one of the most apathetic football fan bases right now.

I am not a UConn fan but my guess is their fans are very excited about having a new coach. They absolutely hated Paul Pasquloni and felt he set the program back a few years. The optimism is the belief that Diaco will take them to the next level.

I forgive anyone for not following UConn football outside of the old BE, but before PP, we were quite a solid program. We expect that we can get back to that relatively quickly. We are not used to being a bottom feeder and we don't accept that position. We have had good players the last 3 years but the coaches sucked. I put way more blame on the staff than the players. We trust our guys will respond to the new leadership.

I cannot stress this enough, but as a fan of the sport not a rival fan, PLEASE temper your expectations of Bob Diaco.

(07-29-2014 08:00 AM)ECUGrad07 Wrote:  Was the Cincy/UNC bowl game just an aberration? I will admit I didn't watch many UC games last year, but I did watch the bowl game... and from THAT game, I can't understand the fairly unanimous selection of UC @ #1. We all have bad games (see ECU vs Marshall last year) so I can understand that.

I think it boils down to one thing. There are four perceived contenders (UCF, Houston, Cincy, and ECU). We all play two games against the other.

UCF: @ECU, @Houston
ECU: @Cincy, UCF
Houston: @Cincy, UCF
Cincy: ECU, Houston

UCF has the hardest route, ECU/Houston easier, Cincy the easiest.

If we do beat the last four teams we are ranked higher or upset a SMU or USF that puts memphis in a great position for a bowl. Can't wait for the actually season though!


Posted from my mobile device using the CSNbbs App

(07-29-2014 10:52 AM)HartfordHusky Wrote:  

(07-29-2014 10:37 AM)CliftonAve Wrote:  

(07-29-2014 10:29 AM)EastCarolinaU. Wrote:  Why are all uconn fans so high on uconn? I know they played Michigan close, and ended the year with 3 wins. But you guys got absolutely smacked by the 3 best teams in the league. Beating Temple, Rutgers, and Memphis is nice but it wouldn't exactly fill me up with confidence. Not to mention 2 were home games and the 3rd was in Philly in front of one of the most apathetic football fan bases right now.

I am not a UConn fan but my guess is their fans are very excited about having a new coach. They absolutely hated Paul Pasquloni and felt he set the program back a few years. The optimism is the belief that Diaco will take them to the next level.

I forgive anyone for not following UConn football outside of the old BE, but before PP, we were quite a solid program. We expect that we can get back to that relatively quickly. We are not used to being a bottom feeder and we don't accept that position. We have had good players the last 3 years but the coaches sucked. I put way more blame on the staff than the players. We trust our guys will respond to the new leadership.

I agree. UConn was a very solid program in the old BE. Some of the newbies don't realize this. The UConn of before PP would have ground most of these teams into powder.

(07-29-2014 11:26 AM)BearcatMan Wrote:  

(07-29-2014 10:52 AM)HartfordHusky Wrote:  

(07-29-2014 10:37 AM)CliftonAve Wrote:  

(07-29-2014 10:29 AM)EastCarolinaU. Wrote:  Why are all uconn fans so high on uconn? I know they played Michigan close, and ended the year with 3 wins. But you guys got absolutely smacked by the 3 best teams in the league. Beating Temple, Rutgers, and Memphis is nice but it wouldn't exactly fill me up with confidence. Not to mention 2 were home games and the 3rd was in Philly in front of one of the most apathetic football fan bases right now.

I am not a UConn fan but my guess is their fans are very excited about having a new coach. They absolutely hated Paul Pasquloni and felt he set the program back a few years. The optimism is the belief that Diaco will take them to the next level.

I forgive anyone for not following UConn football outside of the old BE, but before PP, we were quite a solid program. We expect that we can get back to that relatively quickly. We are not used to being a bottom feeder and we don't accept that position. We have had good players the last 3 years but the coaches sucked. I put way more blame on the staff than the players. We trust our guys will respond to the new leadership.

I cannot stress this enough, but as a fan of the sport not a rival fan, PLEASE temper your expectations of Bob Diaco.

A million times this. I am not a fan of Diaco. For the good of the conference I hope he does well, but I won't be betting on it.

(07-29-2014 12:06 PM)BullsFanInTX Wrote:  

(07-29-2014 10:52 AM)HartfordHusky Wrote:  

(07-29-2014 10:37 AM)CliftonAve Wrote:  

(07-29-2014 10:29 AM)EastCarolinaU. Wrote:  Why are all uconn fans so high on uconn? I know they played Michigan close, and ended the year with 3 wins. But you guys got absolutely smacked by the 3 best teams in the league. Beating Temple, Rutgers, and Memphis is nice but it wouldn't exactly fill me up with confidence. Not to mention 2 were home games and the 3rd was in Philly in front of one of the most apathetic football fan bases right now.

I am not a UConn fan but my guess is their fans are very excited about having a new coach. They absolutely hated Paul Pasquloni and felt he set the program back a few years. The optimism is the belief that Diaco will take them to the next level.

I forgive anyone for not following UConn football outside of the old BE, but before PP, we were quite a solid program. We expect that we can get back to that relatively quickly. We are not used to being a bottom feeder and we don't accept that position. We have had good players the last 3 years but the coaches sucked. I put way more blame on the staff than the players. We trust our guys will respond to the new leadership.

I agree. UConn was a very solid program in the old BE. Some of the newbies don't realize this. The UConn of before PP would have ground most of these teams into powder.

Thank you.

(07-29-2014 10:54 AM)rosewater Wrote:  

(07-29-2014 10:21 AM)PiratePanther189 Wrote:  

(07-29-2014 08:18 AM)CliftonAve Wrote:  

(07-29-2014 08:00 AM)ECUGrad07 Wrote:  Was the Cincy/UNC bowl game just an aberration? I will admit I didn't watch many UC games last year, but I did watch the bowl game... and from THAT game, I can't understand the fairly unanimous selection of UC @ #1. We all have bad games (see ECU vs Marshall last year) so I can understand that.

A couple things stood out from that game... UC's offensive line was without 3-4 players for that game (including a couple 1st team all conference performers). Second, a major downfall in that game for the Bearcats was the performance of their special teams. UC gave up a punt return for a TD, gave up a bunch of other long returns, shanked a bunch of punts, missed some field goals, etc. Special teams was a huge factor in the outcome of that performance. When you constantly give your opponent great field position you are not going to win games that often.

Re: UNC-- I know you ECU guys like to flash the final score of your game earlier in the season with the Tar Heels, but that was a different UNC team that played in the Belk Bowl. They got significantly better after they switched QB's mid-season.

On a final note, the prior season generally does not reflect how teams are ranked in a pre-season poll (although it is a factor). Writers also look at what the teams return (in this case UC has 16 returning starters v. ECU 11) and schedule.

I don't think UNC got trememendously better because of Quise Williams last year. In fact, I think the only reason he had any success was because of the lack of film on him. He really isn't all he's hyped up to be (and he didn't get all too much hype), and UNC has a RS Freshman QB that I think will be starting by the end of this year.

UNC got better from when they played us because they learned how to use Ryan Switzer as a scat back. Hell, when we played UNC he wasn't even returning their kicks, I think AJ Blue was.

I was at the Belk Bowl, and I'll tell you first hand. UC lost that game because of the lack of discipline on defense and special teams. Your offense was flat out screwed over multiple times in that 2nd half. It was my first look at UC in a long time and I my jaw almost hit the floor.

We (Cincy) were bad in the Belk Bowl. We were injured and undisciplined and I have no idea what was done in the extra practices; however, we have not talked about ECU and their bowl bid. I was totally unimpressed by the performance against the Bobcats. The Bobcats were fourth in the Mac. A close victory against a so so Mac team does not inspire confidence.

Close??? We beat them by 17 points…It took a little while to get our offense going but we controlled that game from the outset. Game was never really in doubt, the Bobcats came ready to play which is a credit to their great head coach.

(07-29-2014 12:06 PM)BullsFanInTX Wrote:  

(07-29-2014 10:52 AM)HartfordHusky Wrote:  

(07-29-2014 10:37 AM)CliftonAve Wrote:  

(07-29-2014 10:29 AM)EastCarolinaU. Wrote:  Why are all uconn fans so high on uconn? I know they played Michigan close, and ended the year with 3 wins. But you guys got absolutely smacked by the 3 best teams in the league. Beating Temple, Rutgers, and Memphis is nice but it wouldn't exactly fill me up with confidence. Not to mention 2 were home games and the 3rd was in Philly in front of one of the most apathetic football fan bases right now.

I am not a UConn fan but my guess is their fans are very excited about having a new coach. They absolutely hated Paul Pasquloni and felt he set the program back a few years. The optimism is the belief that Diaco will take them to the next level.

I forgive anyone for not following UConn football outside of the old BE, but before PP, we were quite a solid program. We expect that we can get back to that relatively quickly. We are not used to being a bottom feeder and we don't accept that position. We have had good players the last 3 years but the coaches sucked. I put way more blame on the staff than the players. We trust our guys will respond to the new leadership.

I agree. UConn was a very solid program in the old BE. Some of the newbies don't realize this. The UConn of before PP would have ground most of these teams into powder.

They did have a good run there for a couple of years. Not unusual for teams a few years after they move up from FCS. Those transition years of signing a ton of players usually equates to a solid team when those classes come to age.

(07-29-2014 01:15 PM)ECU-DMB Fanatic Wrote:  

(07-29-2014 10:54 AM)rosewater Wrote:  

(07-29-2014 10:21 AM)PiratePanther189 Wrote:  

(07-29-2014 08:18 AM)CliftonAve Wrote:  

(07-29-2014 08:00 AM)ECUGrad07 Wrote:  Was the Cincy/UNC bowl game just an aberration? I will admit I didn't watch many UC games last year, but I did watch the bowl game... and from THAT game, I can't understand the fairly unanimous selection of UC @ #1. We all have bad games (see ECU vs Marshall last year) so I can understand that.

A couple things stood out from that game... UC's offensive line was without 3-4 players for that game (including a couple 1st team all conference performers). Second, a major downfall in that game for the Bearcats was the performance of their special teams. UC gave up a punt return for a TD, gave up a bunch of other long returns, shanked a bunch of punts, missed some field goals, etc. Special teams was a huge factor in the outcome of that performance. When you constantly give your opponent great field position you are not going to win games that often.

Re: UNC-- I know you ECU guys like to flash the final score of your game earlier in the season with the Tar Heels, but that was a different UNC team that played in the Belk Bowl. They got significantly better after they switched QB's mid-season.

On a final note, the prior season generally does not reflect how teams are ranked in a pre-season poll (although it is a factor). Writers also look at what the teams return (in this case UC has 16 returning starters v. ECU 11) and schedule.

I don't think UNC got trememendously better because of Quise Williams last year. In fact, I think the only reason he had any success was because of the lack of film on him. He really isn't all he's hyped up to be (and he didn't get all too much hype), and UNC has a RS Freshman QB that I think will be starting by the end of this year.

UNC got better from when they played us because they learned how to use Ryan Switzer as a scat back. Hell, when we played UNC he wasn't even returning their kicks, I think AJ Blue was.

I was at the Belk Bowl, and I'll tell you first hand. UC lost that game because of the lack of discipline on defense and special teams. Your offense was flat out screwed over multiple times in that 2nd half. It was my first look at UC in a long time and I my jaw almost hit the floor.

We (Cincy) were bad in the Belk Bowl. We were injured and undisciplined and I have no idea what was done in the extra practices; however, we have not talked about ECU and their bowl bid. I was totally unimpressed by the performance against the Bobcats. The Bobcats were fourth in the Mac. A close victory against a so so Mac team does not inspire confidence.

Close??? We beat them by 17 points…It took a little while to get our offense going but we controlled that game from the outset. Game was never really in doubt, the Bobcats came ready to play which is a credit to their great head coach.

He's just making fun of the ECU posters who seem to think the only barometer for UC's program was the bowl game against UNC. Most of the teams who have played us in the last 7 years have a different impression...

(07-29-2014 01:21 PM)stxrunner Wrote:  

(07-29-2014 01:15 PM)ECU-DMB Fanatic Wrote:  

(07-29-2014 10:54 AM)rosewater Wrote:  

(07-29-2014 10:21 AM)PiratePanther189 Wrote:  

(07-29-2014 08:18 AM)CliftonAve Wrote:  A couple things stood out from that game... UC's offensive line was without 3-4 players for that game (including a couple 1st team all conference performers). Second, a major downfall in that game for the Bearcats was the performance of their special teams. UC gave up a punt return for a TD, gave up a bunch of other long returns, shanked a bunch of punts, missed some field goals, etc. Special teams was a huge factor in the outcome of that performance. When you constantly give your opponent great field position you are not going to win games that often.

Re: UNC-- I know you ECU guys like to flash the final score of your game earlier in the season with the Tar Heels, but that was a different UNC team that played in the Belk Bowl. They got significantly better after they switched QB's mid-season.

On a final note, the prior season generally does not reflect how teams are ranked in a pre-season poll (although it is a factor). Writers also look at what the teams return (in this case UC has 16 returning starters v. ECU 11) and schedule.

I don't think UNC got trememendously better because of Quise Williams last year. In fact, I think the only reason he had any success was because of the lack of film on him. He really isn't all he's hyped up to be (and he didn't get all too much hype), and UNC has a RS Freshman QB that I think will be starting by the end of this year.

UNC got better from when they played us because they learned how to use Ryan Switzer as a scat back. Hell, when we played UNC he wasn't even returning their kicks, I think AJ Blue was.

I was at the Belk Bowl, and I'll tell you first hand. UC lost that game because of the lack of discipline on defense and special teams. Your offense was flat out screwed over multiple times in that 2nd half. It was my first look at UC in a long time and I my jaw almost hit the floor.

We (Cincy) were bad in the Belk Bowl. We were injured and undisciplined and I have no idea what was done in the extra practices; however, we have not talked about ECU and their bowl bid. I was totally unimpressed by the performance against the Bobcats. The Bobcats were fourth in the Mac. A close victory against a so so Mac team does not inspire confidence.

Close??? We beat them by 17 points…It took a little while to get our offense going but we controlled that game from the outset. Game was never really in doubt, the Bobcats came ready to play which is a credit to their great head coach.

He's just making fun of the ECU posters who seem to think the only barometer for UC's program was the bowl game against UNC. Most of the teams who have played us in the last 7 years have a different impression...

I really do not see much on the field difference between the teams in the top half of the league. It will be a battle to win the league and I would not be surprised to see the league champion have at least two losses.

We (ECU) do have more than our fair share of delusion fans but heck might as well have fun with it I guess and have unconditional optimism. Wish I was as confident about our team as others. I withhold judgement on this ECU team until I see how the secondary and oline comes together.