Good luck!

Not that I'd vote for them, but shouldn't Buffalo be on the list too??

Where's Akron, too?

Does their omission mean the Bulls and Zips have bolted for CUSA?

Buffalo should probably be on the list. I don't think it will be a surprise if Akron does very well, at least not for me.

I voted for EMU though. I really think they will be much improved. Just not sure if they can get by any WMU, UT, BGSU, and NIU. I do think they can get by BSU and CMU though and end up in 5th in the West. Anything higher would be a surprise and they are definitely capable.

axeme Wrote:Where's Akron, too?

My guess is that they don't qualify for "Sleeper" status?

If Cribbs is back, do the Flashes also become ineligible as such?

As for a real sleeper, I'll go with Eastern...no real reason, but hey, why not?

I promise you UCF will suprise some people. Maybe not win the MAC, but we'll suprise people at the turnaround we have from last year.

The Knight Time Wrote:I promise you UCF will suprise some people. Maybe not win the MAC, but we'll suprise people at the turnaround we have from last year.

Nobody knows what to expect from UCF, so I guess you could say they will be a surprise whether they do well, or end up looking like last year. UCF reminds me of UNLV the last few years. Tons of talent, but they just don't seem to get it done on the field consistenly enough.

Obviously UCF played pretty good in 2002, but 2003 is the season that makes me think of UNLV and the talent they have. The past couple of years UNLV should have competed for the MWC title, but they just haven't got it together.

UCF may get past the hump with a new coach and better discipline this fall.

The one thing I'm learning from listening to the players is that they are SO happy to have some discipline.
They are happy that someone is making them work hard and is expecting results.
They are happy that the new coach refuses to accept excuses.

I'll tell you, I never again want to hear the phrase, "player's coach."

If O'Leary doesn't do great things this year, it'll only be because he inherited the team he has.

Hmmmmm.....a bit of Zook?

Fortunately for O'Leary, he's not following a Spurrier type (not by a long shot).

Ni

UCF has bigtime QB problems. Good at the rb position but the QB is problematic, bigtime. See them struggling.
WMU seems to have just lost control from the top. Good talent but program seems to be fading from atop. EMU not a chance. BSU and Ohio would be my sleepers although OU would be a bigtime pick

In this list, I would argue UCF. They have some talent and now have above average coaching. I would also add Akron as a sleeper - wouldn't be unthinkable for them to win the East.

I voted for EMU and also think UCF.

My guess that EMU's greatest problem, besides a laid back coach, was at QB. From what I hear, QB is a much improved position with transfer Matt Bohnet.

If the QB is solid, heaven knows that Sherrell is as good a RB as there is in the MAC.

The Knight Time Wrote:I promise you UCF will suprise some people. Maybe not win the MAC, but we'll suprise people at the turnaround we have from last year.

I voted for Eastern over UCF because (atleast myself) I wouldn't be surprised if UCF does well. They have the players and now they have the coach. No offense to you Knight Time but I expect nothing less than good things out of UCF.

Watch out for Central. They had some talent last season, and now have a coach who will know how to use it. They'll need to stay healthy, because they aren't very deep, but if they do they should be tough.

Oddball Wrote:Watch out for Central. They had some talent last season, and now have a coach who will know how to use it. They'll need to stay healthy, because they aren't very deep, but if they do they should be tough.

My chips are on the Chips.

I expect to see a dramatic turnaround at UCF with the new coaching staff.

I voted for UCF. FB is too good in Fla and a new staff will turn around an under-performing program. They won't win it , but they will be much better !!

I voted WMU. They have some talent and just need to put it together. I'm not so sure Darnell is really the guy to do it - it's all been downhill for WMU since he tried to strongarm UNC for their head job.

CMU could surprise, but IMO, after WMU, UCF definitely has the best athletes of this group. The question is - do they overcome the Florida showman's attitude and get back to hard work and grinding that wins football games, or do they stay on the try-to-be-flashy-at-all-costs attitude. IMO, it'll take O'Leary more than one spring to get the right message across considering what he has to work with.

HuskieDan Wrote:I voted WMU. They have some talent and just need to put it together. I'm not so sure Darnell is really the guy to do it - it's all been downhill for WMU since he tried to strongarm UNC for their head job.

Well at least Darnell doesn't have to worry about getting a BCS job anymore.

Quote:Well at least Darnell doesn't have to worry about getting a BCS job anymore.

That's not entirely true, however. I'm pretty sure someone would take him as a DC again. :D