I've read most of the threads. I've read the excuses. I've read the smack. As someone who has covered this league since it's inception, I'll say this was one heck of a year for the Sun Belt. I'm ecstatic that JMU, ODU, Marshall and USM are in the league. Here are my thoughts on some things.

1. I was right. Let's start there. I started a thread back in August asking who was being the most undervalued. I said it was JMU and most folks disagreed with me. I don't know if they're the best team in the league (I really like Troy a lot), but they were, at worst, the second best team. Congrats to the Dukes

2. Waivers: I understand JMU has applied for a waiver. It might have a puncher's chance considering we're going to have at least two teams that are 5-7 or 6-6 with two FCS wins. I do NOT expect them to get the waiver, however.

Meanwhile, App also has a punchers chance if they ask for a waiver. Army, if they beat Navy, would be put in that category as well. Otherwise, two 5-7 schools are going to get in. They are Rice and UNLV. (APR decides that.)

3. I thought CCU played as uninspired as any team I've seen in a while. And, while the absence of McCall really hurt, he doesn't play defense. I don't think CCU cared much about this game. They just had no fight in them...at all. I also think JMU wins even if McCall is healthy and the division was on the line. The Dukes are just better, in my opinion.

And, if there are folks who insist McCall would have made that big a difference, then it means Jamey Chadwell should not be considered for a P5 job.

4. The Sun Belt honors an Offensive POY, a Defensive POY and an overall POY. More often than not, three different players are honored. I'm convinced Centeio and Martial are two of the three. Centeio gets my vote for POY. The question is, will McCall or Laborn get an OPY? It's possible, and also possible that one player (either Centeio or Martial) win two.

5. Congratulations to the league. Seven bowl eligible teams is pretty impressive.

6. When the league's best and most bitter rivalry is played for bowl eligibility and it goes to double overtime and has over 1,000 yards in offense, it qualifies as the Game of the Year. Thanks for the entertainment, App and GS.

7. Sumrall gets my vote as Coach of the Year.

I guess we can start speculating who is going where for bowls. And, of course, who is going to win the Championship next Saturday in Troy AL.

(Sorry, have to say it.)

8. GS fans were right about our offensive transition and the rest of the world was wrong.

(11-27-2022 11:44 AM)BirdofParadise Wrote:  I've read most of the threads. I've read the excuses. I've read the smack. As someone who has covered this league since it's inception, I'll say this was one heck of a year for the Sun Belt. I'm ecstatic that JMU, ODU, Marshall and USM are in the league. Here are my thoughts on some things.

1. I was right. Let's start there. I started a thread back in August asking who was being the most undervalued. I said it was JMU and most folks disagreed with me. I don't know if they're the best team in the league (I really like Troy a lot), but they were, at worst, the second best team. Congrats to the Dukes

2. Waivers: I understand JMU has applied for a waiver. It might have a puncher's chance considering we're going to have at least two teams that are 5-7 or 6-6 with two FCS wins. I do NOT expect them to get the waiver, however.

Meanwhile, App also has a punchers chance if they ask for a waiver. Army, if they beat Navy, would be put in that category as well. Otherwise, two 5-7 schools are going to get in. They are Rice and UNLV. (APR decides that.)

3. I thought CCU played as uninspired as any team I've seen in a while. And, while the absence of McCall really hurt, he doesn't play defense. I don't think CCU cared much about this game. They just had no fight in them...at all. I also think JMU wins even if McCall is healthy and the division was on the line. The Dukes are just better, in my opinion.

And, if there are folks who insist McCall would have made that big a difference, then it means Jamey Chadwell should not be considered for a P5 job.

4. The Sun Belt honors an Offensive POY, a Defensive POY and an overall POY. More often than not, three different players are honored. I'm convinced Centeio and Martial are two of the three. Centeio gets my vote for POY. The question is, will McCall or Laborn get an OPY? It's possible, and also possible that one player (either Centeio or Martial) win two.

5. Congratulations to the league. Seven bowl eligible teams is pretty impressive.

6. When the league's best and most bitter rivalry is played for bowl eligibility and it goes to double overtime and has over 1,000 yards in offense, it qualifies as the Game of the Year. Thanks for the entertainment, App and GS.

7. Sumrall gets my vote as Coach of the Year.

I guess we can start speculating who is going where for bowls. And, of course, who is going to win the Championship next Saturday in Troy AL.

What are the chances App asks for a waiver?

(11-27-2022 11:44 AM)BirdofParadise Wrote:  3. I thought CCU played as uninspired as any team I've seen in a while. And, while the absence of McCall really hurt, he doesn't play defense. I don't think CCU cared much about this game. They just had no fight in them...at all. I also think JMU wins even if McCall is healthy and the division was on the line. The Dukes are just better, in my opinion.

And, if there are folks who insist McCall would have made that big a difference, then it means Jamey Chadwell should not be considered for a P5 job.

The most disappointing thing. For anybody that knows how that looks it was pretty apparent the team was unmotivated. We still had a lot to play for but our coaches didn't get the team ready. That leaves a sour taste more than anything going into the CCG.

Sure, a McCall led offense would've probably scored more than 7 points but with that effort, Coastal would've still loss convincingly. JMU is a good team, that was ready, and had something to prove on Saturday. Without matched intensity, that game wasn't going to be in Coastal's favor from the onset.

After Coastal got down a little they threw the towel. Coaches did as well. I really don't like that. If that's going to be a thing, I don't even want Chadwell and staff leading our program. They can certainly take that somewhere else.

1) jmu has not asked for a bowl waiver this year and are not going to. They considered doing so if we went undefeated but once we lost to GS that idea went away. We are going to ask for a waiver of the 2nd transition year next year in order to be eligible for everything.

2) coastal unmotivated yesterday? That’s just laughable. We whipped there ass so bad, to say it was because of some intangible motivation is BS.

(11-27-2022 12:22 PM)TealNation Wrote:  

(11-27-2022 11:44 AM)BirdofParadise Wrote:  3. I thought CCU played as uninspired as any team I've seen in a while. And, while the absence of McCall really hurt, he doesn't play defense. I don't think CCU cared much about this game. They just had no fight in them...at all. I also think JMU wins even if McCall is healthy and the division was on the line. The Dukes are just better, in my opinion.

And, if there are folks who insist McCall would have made that big a difference, then it means Jamey Chadwell should not be considered for a P5 job.

The most disappointing thing. For anybody that knows how that looks it was pretty apparent the team was unmotivated. We still had a lot to play for but our coaches didn't get the team ready. That leaves a sour taste more than anything going into the CCG.

Sure, a McCall led offense would've probably scored more than 7 points but with that effort, Coastal would've still loss convincingly. JMU is a good team, that was ready, and had something to prove on Saturday. Without matched intensity, that game wasn't going to be in Coastal's favor from the onset.

After Coastal got down a little they threw the towel. Coaches did as well. I really don't like that. If that's going to be a thing, I don't even want Chadwell and staff leading our program. They can certainly take that somewhere else.

I get what you are saying and somewhat agree, But I do think we basically started sitting starters either that were a little banged up or to prevent them from getting hurt. JMU was playing physical as it was their last game. I think we realized that a win but losing key starters would be more detrimental - or even worse losing key guys and still losing in a closer game. For example, I don't think Jerrod Clark played at all the second half. He was getting double teamed the whole time and so I think they decided it wasn't worth guys like him getting hurt.

Was it the right or wrong decision? I guess we'll see next week.

(11-27-2022 12:10 PM)Yosef181 Wrote:  

(11-27-2022 11:44 AM)BirdofParadise Wrote:  I've read most of the threads. I've read the excuses. I've read the smack. As someone who has covered this league since it's inception, I'll say this was one heck of a year for the Sun Belt. I'm ecstatic that JMU, ODU, Marshall and USM are in the league. Here are my thoughts on some things.

1. I was right. Let's start there. I started a thread back in August asking who was being the most undervalued. I said it was JMU and most folks disagreed with me. I don't know if they're the best team in the league (I really like Troy a lot), but they were, at worst, the second best team. Congrats to the Dukes

2. Waivers: I understand JMU has applied for a waiver. It might have a puncher's chance considering we're going to have at least two teams that are 5-7 or 6-6 with two FCS wins. I do NOT expect them to get the waiver, however.

Meanwhile, App also has a punchers chance if they ask for a waiver. Army, if they beat Navy, would be put in that category as well. Otherwise, two 5-7 schools are going to get in. They are Rice and UNLV. (APR decides that.)

3. I thought CCU played as uninspired as any team I've seen in a while. And, while the absence of McCall really hurt, he doesn't play defense. I don't think CCU cared much about this game. They just had no fight in them...at all. I also think JMU wins even if McCall is healthy and the division was on the line. The Dukes are just better, in my opinion.

And, if there are folks who insist McCall would have made that big a difference, then it means Jamey Chadwell should not be considered for a P5 job.

4. The Sun Belt honors an Offensive POY, a Defensive POY and an overall POY. More often than not, three different players are honored. I'm convinced Centeio and Martial are two of the three. Centeio gets my vote for POY. The question is, will McCall or Laborn get an OPY? It's possible, and also possible that one player (either Centeio or Martial) win two.

5. Congratulations to the league. Seven bowl eligible teams is pretty impressive.

6. When the league's best and most bitter rivalry is played for bowl eligibility and it goes to double overtime and has over 1,000 yards in offense, it qualifies as the Game of the Year. Thanks for the entertainment, App and GS.

7. Sumrall gets my vote as Coach of the Year.

I guess we can start speculating who is going where for bowls. And, of course, who is going to win the Championship next Saturday in Troy AL.

What are the chances App asks for a waiver?

I don't think so. Per Brett Mcmurphy the 5-7 APR teams get in before App. There are currently 79 bowl eligible teams with 82 spots to fill.

(11-27-2022 12:32 PM)rokamortis Wrote:  

(11-27-2022 12:22 PM)TealNation Wrote:  

(11-27-2022 11:44 AM)BirdofParadise Wrote:  3. I thought CCU played as uninspired as any team I've seen in a while. And, while the absence of McCall really hurt, he doesn't play defense. I don't think CCU cared much about this game. They just had no fight in them...at all. I also think JMU wins even if McCall is healthy and the division was on the line. The Dukes are just better, in my opinion.

And, if there are folks who insist McCall would have made that big a difference, then it means Jamey Chadwell should not be considered for a P5 job.

The most disappointing thing. For anybody that knows how that looks it was pretty apparent the team was unmotivated. We still had a lot to play for but our coaches didn't get the team ready. That leaves a sour taste more than anything going into the CCG.

Sure, a McCall led offense would've probably scored more than 7 points but with that effort, Coastal would've still loss convincingly. JMU is a good team, that was ready, and had something to prove on Saturday. Without matched intensity, that game wasn't going to be in Coastal's favor from the onset.

After Coastal got down a little they threw the towel. Coaches did as well. I really don't like that. If that's going to be a thing, I don't even want Chadwell and staff leading our program. They can certainly take that somewhere else.

I get what you are saying and somewhat agree, But I do think we basically started sitting starters either that were a little banged up or to prevent them from getting hurt. JMU was playing physical as it was their last game. I think we realized that a win but losing key starters would be more detrimental - or even worse losing key guys and still losing in a closer game. For example, I don't think Jerrod Clark played at all the second half. He was getting double teamed the whole time and so I think they decided it wasn't worth guys like him getting hurt.

Was it the right or wrong decision? I guess we'll see next week.

If a Southern Miss coaching staff went into a game with 1 loss and a Top 25 ranking and made playing time and strategy decisions based upon "someone could get hurt," I'd want the whole lot of them fired before kickoff.

Is Coastal not going to practice this week just to be on the safe side?

(11-27-2022 12:32 PM)rokamortis Wrote:  

(11-27-2022 12:22 PM)TealNation Wrote:  

(11-27-2022 11:44 AM)BirdofParadise Wrote:  3. I thought CCU played as uninspired as any team I've seen in a while. And, while the absence of McCall really hurt, he doesn't play defense. I don't think CCU cared much about this game. They just had no fight in them...at all. I also think JMU wins even if McCall is healthy and the division was on the line. The Dukes are just better, in my opinion.

And, if there are folks who insist McCall would have made that big a difference, then it means Jamey Chadwell should not be considered for a P5 job.

The most disappointing thing. For anybody that knows how that looks it was pretty apparent the team was unmotivated. We still had a lot to play for but our coaches didn't get the team ready. That leaves a sour taste more than anything going into the CCG.

Sure, a McCall led offense would've probably scored more than 7 points but with that effort, Coastal would've still loss convincingly. JMU is a good team, that was ready, and had something to prove on Saturday. Without matched intensity, that game wasn't going to be in Coastal's favor from the onset.

After Coastal got down a little they threw the towel. Coaches did as well. I really don't like that. If that's going to be a thing, I don't even want Chadwell and staff leading our program. They can certainly take that somewhere else.

I get what you are saying and somewhat agree, But I do think we basically started sitting starters either that were a little banged up or to prevent them from getting hurt. JMU was playing physical as it was their last game. I think we realized that a win but losing key starters would be more detrimental - or even worse losing key guys and still losing in a closer game. For example, I don't think Jerrod Clark played at all the second half. He was getting double teamed the whole time and so I think they decided it wasn't worth guys like him getting hurt.

Was it the right or wrong decision? I guess we'll see next week.

We were in a battle not only for home field advantage, but a national respect and we did our program and the conference a disservice in the manner we prepared and played on yesterday.

I just hope it was worth it next week.

(11-27-2022 12:46 PM)HarborPointe Wrote:  

(11-27-2022 12:32 PM)rokamortis Wrote:  

(11-27-2022 12:22 PM)TealNation Wrote:  

(11-27-2022 11:44 AM)BirdofParadise Wrote:  3. I thought CCU played as uninspired as any team I've seen in a while. And, while the absence of McCall really hurt, he doesn't play defense. I don't think CCU cared much about this game. They just had no fight in them...at all. I also think JMU wins even if McCall is healthy and the division was on the line. The Dukes are just better, in my opinion.

And, if there are folks who insist McCall would have made that big a difference, then it means Jamey Chadwell should not be considered for a P5 job.

The most disappointing thing. For anybody that knows how that looks it was pretty apparent the team was unmotivated. We still had a lot to play for but our coaches didn't get the team ready. That leaves a sour taste more than anything going into the CCG.

Sure, a McCall led offense would've probably scored more than 7 points but with that effort, Coastal would've still loss convincingly. JMU is a good team, that was ready, and had something to prove on Saturday. Without matched intensity, that game wasn't going to be in Coastal's favor from the onset.

After Coastal got down a little they threw the towel. Coaches did as well. I really don't like that. If that's going to be a thing, I don't even want Chadwell and staff leading our program. They can certainly take that somewhere else.

I get what you are saying and somewhat agree, But I do think we basically started sitting starters either that were a little banged up or to prevent them from getting hurt. JMU was playing physical as it was their last game. I think we realized that a win but losing key starters would be more detrimental - or even worse losing key guys and still losing in a closer game. For example, I don't think Jerrod Clark played at all the second half. He was getting double teamed the whole time and so I think they decided it wasn't worth guys like him getting hurt.

Was it the right or wrong decision? I guess we'll see next week.

If a Southern Miss coaching staff went into a game with 1 loss and a Top 25 ranking and made playing time and strategy decisions based upon "someone could get hurt," I'd want the whole lot of them fired before kickoff.

Is Coastal not going to practice this week just to be on the safe side?

100%!

That might be the worst take/theory I’ve ever heard in my life considering the circumstances. Taking an L in the name of preventing injury is asinine.

(11-27-2022 05:08 PM)Big Buds Wrote:  

(11-27-2022 12:46 PM)HarborPointe Wrote:  

(11-27-2022 12:32 PM)rokamortis Wrote:  

(11-27-2022 12:22 PM)TealNation Wrote:  

(11-27-2022 11:44 AM)BirdofParadise Wrote:  3. I thought CCU played as uninspired as any team I've seen in a while. And, while the absence of McCall really hurt, he doesn't play defense. I don't think CCU cared much about this game. They just had no fight in them...at all. I also think JMU wins even if McCall is healthy and the division was on the line. The Dukes are just better, in my opinion.

And, if there are folks who insist McCall would have made that big a difference, then it means Jamey Chadwell should not be considered for a P5 job.

The most disappointing thing. For anybody that knows how that looks it was pretty apparent the team was unmotivated. We still had a lot to play for but our coaches didn't get the team ready. That leaves a sour taste more than anything going into the CCG.

Sure, a McCall led offense would've probably scored more than 7 points but with that effort, Coastal would've still loss convincingly. JMU is a good team, that was ready, and had something to prove on Saturday. Without matched intensity, that game wasn't going to be in Coastal's favor from the onset.

After Coastal got down a little they threw the towel. Coaches did as well. I really don't like that. If that's going to be a thing, I don't even want Chadwell and staff leading our program. They can certainly take that somewhere else.

I get what you are saying and somewhat agree, But I do think we basically started sitting starters either that were a little banged up or to prevent them from getting hurt. JMU was playing physical as it was their last game. I think we realized that a win but losing key starters would be more detrimental - or even worse losing key guys and still losing in a closer game. For example, I don't think Jerrod Clark played at all the second half. He was getting double teamed the whole time and so I think they decided it wasn't worth guys like him getting hurt.

Was it the right or wrong decision? I guess we'll see next week.

If a Southern Miss coaching staff went into a game with 1 loss and a Top 25 ranking and made playing time and strategy decisions based upon "someone could get hurt," I'd want the whole lot of them fired before kickoff.

Is Coastal not going to practice this week just to be on the safe side?

100%!

That might be the worst take/theory I’ve ever heard in my life considering the circumstances. Taking an L in the name of preventing injury is asinine.

But they didn’t take an L in the name of preventing injury. They came to play, but got outcoached and outplayed. The game started out slow and CC players were doing a lot of shyt talking and waving bye bye to the crowd when they got the lead. Then the tide turned, JMU got on a roll and curb stomped them. If any player was pulled to prevent injury it was only long after they were getting thumped. And the players having a lot to say earlier on? Their jovial attitude changed and got nasty as they went back in the locker room after the game.

Next year is gonna be awesome

(11-27-2022 12:32 PM)rokamortis Wrote:  

(11-27-2022 12:22 PM)TealNation Wrote:  

(11-27-2022 11:44 AM)BirdofParadise Wrote:  3. I thought CCU played as uninspired as any team I've seen in a while. And, while the absence of McCall really hurt, he doesn't play defense. I don't think CCU cared much about this game. They just had no fight in them...at all. I also think JMU wins even if McCall is healthy and the division was on the line. The Dukes are just better, in my opinion.

And, if there are folks who insist McCall would have made that big a difference, then it means Jamey Chadwell should not be considered for a P5 job.

The most disappointing thing. For anybody that knows how that looks it was pretty apparent the team was unmotivated. We still had a lot to play for but our coaches didn't get the team ready. That leaves a sour taste more than anything going into the CCG.

Sure, a McCall led offense would've probably scored more than 7 points but with that effort, Coastal would've still loss convincingly. JMU is a good team, that was ready, and had something to prove on Saturday. Without matched intensity, that game wasn't going to be in Coastal's favor from the onset.

After Coastal got down a little they threw the towel. Coaches did as well. I really don't like that. If that's going to be a thing, I don't even want Chadwell and staff leading our program. They can certainly take that somewhere else.

I get what you are saying and somewhat agree, But I do think we basically started sitting starters either that were a little banged up or to prevent them from getting hurt. JMU was playing physical as it was their last game. I think we realized that a win but losing key starters would be more detrimental - or even worse losing key guys and still losing in a closer game. For example, I don't think Jerrod Clark played at all the second half. He was getting double teamed the whole time and so I think they decided it wasn't worth guys like him getting hurt.

Was it the right or wrong decision? I guess we'll see next week.

This is so Coastal culture. Sounds exactly like 2020. Trying to back out of playing Troy because someone could get hurt, and Louisiana having more rest. The game don't count, etc. They didn't win another game that season. Its a switch you can't try to flip off and on.

I really hate seeing the “the QB doesn’t play defense” argument. Obviously going 3 and out consistently puts extra pressure on a defense. McCall ran the offense efficiently, which gave his defense a chance to catch their breath and make adjustments. I’m not saying he would have helped them win, but I would bet my house it’s a closer game with a guy like him running the offense.

(11-27-2022 12:46 PM)HarborPointe Wrote:  

(11-27-2022 12:32 PM)rokamortis Wrote:  

(11-27-2022 12:22 PM)TealNation Wrote:  

(11-27-2022 11:44 AM)BirdofParadise Wrote:  3. I thought CCU played as uninspired as any team I've seen in a while. And, while the absence of McCall really hurt, he doesn't play defense. I don't think CCU cared much about this game. They just had no fight in them...at all. I also think JMU wins even if McCall is healthy and the division was on the line. The Dukes are just better, in my opinion.

And, if there are folks who insist McCall would have made that big a difference, then it means Jamey Chadwell should not be considered for a P5 job.

The most disappointing thing. For anybody that knows how that looks it was pretty apparent the team was unmotivated. We still had a lot to play for but our coaches didn't get the team ready. That leaves a sour taste more than anything going into the CCG.

Sure, a McCall led offense would've probably scored more than 7 points but with that effort, Coastal would've still loss convincingly. JMU is a good team, that was ready, and had something to prove on Saturday. Without matched intensity, that game wasn't going to be in Coastal's favor from the onset.

After Coastal got down a little they threw the towel. Coaches did as well. I really don't like that. If that's going to be a thing, I don't even want Chadwell and staff leading our program. They can certainly take that somewhere else.

I get what you are saying and somewhat agree, But I do think we basically started sitting starters either that were a little banged up or to prevent them from getting hurt. JMU was playing physical as it was their last game. I think we realized that a win but losing key starters would be more detrimental - or even worse losing key guys and still losing in a closer game. For example, I don't think Jerrod Clark played at all the second half. He was getting double teamed the whole time and so I think they decided it wasn't worth guys like him getting hurt.

Was it the right or wrong decision? I guess we'll see next week.

If a Southern Miss coaching staff went into a game with 1 loss and a Top 25 ranking and made playing time and strategy decisions based upon "someone could get hurt," I'd want the whole lot of them fired before kickoff.

Is Coastal not going to practice this week just to be on the safe side?

XACLY!

they do play football on a football field with pads, helmets, and all, Ja?!

I'm loadin' up on Troy!

(11-27-2022 06:30 PM)bcp_jmu Wrote:  Next year is gonna be awesome

Next year is going to be a lot different for sure.

Troy should eat CC alive.

(11-28-2022 01:53 AM)Longhorn Wrote:  Troy should eat CC alive.

Especially if they decide to rest even more for the bowl game…

(11-28-2022 07:00 AM)Polish Hammer Wrote:  

(11-28-2022 01:53 AM)Longhorn Wrote:  Troy should eat CC alive.

Especially if they decide to rest even more for the bowl game…

Yeah, “that’s the ticket! ” (said in the voice of Jon Lovitz).

CC has gotta start working on its excuses early. There’s no time for delay.