Rice, North Texas, Middle TN and especially FAU on your really good wins today!

While Tulsa has improved after their awful first week's performance, I think that Rice is clearly the team to beat in the West.

North Texas: what can I say... beating a well-coached Ball State squad (Lembo IS a very, very good coach) who is coming off of a bowl year speaks volumes about the direction your program is heading in.

Raiders. you have a lot to be proud of and our game in Muffreesboro (sp?) is going to be huge.

The MU-Ohio game is still unfolding but right now I would still have to say that ECU is the best team in the East. We lost today to a GREAT VPI defense and it appears that we are improving our D. Bud Foster just simply knows how to stop spread offenses. I'll be glad when he retires because we will be playing them for a long time to come...

The ECU/Raiders game will be a test for my Pirates, for sure. Before anyone asks, the Marshall game will be huge as well. It's going to be a tight race in the east.

Finally, Owls... I picked you to win and you came through! Good job! Pelini is going to take you places, for sure. GREAT WIN!

You can add UTEP to that win post. They beat Enemas U. 42-21. That makes 5 teams that won from cusa.

(09-14-2013 10:22 PM)olliebaba Wrote:  You can add UTEP to that win post. They beat Enemas U. 42-21. That makes 5 teams that won from cusa.

Good job! Although I should admit that I like Doug Martin. The man has ___ that clank for taking the Enemas U job and as far as people go, he's a good guy. I've had the pleasure of meeting him on a few occasions...

How do you feel about your new coach?

(09-14-2013 10:20 PM)Ned Low Wrote:  Rice, North Texas, Middle TN and especially FAU on your really good wins today!

While Tulsa has improved after their awful first week's performance, I think that Rice is clearly the team to beat in the West.

North Texas: what can I say... beating a well-coached Ball State squad (Lembo IS a very, very good coach) who is coming off of a bowl year speaks volumes about the direction your program is heading in.

Raiders. you have a lot to be proud of and our game in Muffreesboro (sp?) is going to be huge.

The MU-Ohio game is still unfolding but right now I would still have to say that ECU is the best team in the East. We lost today to a GREAT VPI defense and it appears that we are improving our D. Bud Foster just simply knows how to stop spread offenses. I'll be glad when he retires because we will be playing them for a long time to come...

The ECU/Raiders game will be a test for my Pirates, for sure. Before anyone asks, the Marshall game will be huge as well. It's going to be a tight race in the east.

Finally, Owls... I picked you to win and you came through! Good job! Pelini is going to take you places, for sure. GREAT WIN!

I'm not sure Marshall is the 2nd best team in the east the game against MTSU will decide that.

(09-14-2013 10:24 PM)Ned Low Wrote:  

(09-14-2013 10:22 PM)olliebaba Wrote:  You can add UTEP to that win post. They beat Enemas U. 42-21. That makes 5 teams that won from cusa.

Good job! Although I should admit that I like Doug Martin. The man has ___ that clank for taking the Enemas U job and as far as people go, he's a good guy. I've had the pleasure of meeting him on a few occasions...

How do you feel about your new coach?

I think Kugler will get things turned around. Our defense is a liability and will be all season. Still, we had to hire a new DC after the spring, so we're really far behind. I think we're a year away. Our offense should be solid with Showers leading the way.

BTW, I like Doug Martin too.

(09-14-2013 10:27 PM)THE NC Herd Fan Wrote:  

(09-14-2013 10:20 PM)Ned Low Wrote:  Rice, North Texas, Middle TN and especially FAU on your really good wins today!

While Tulsa has improved after their awful first week's performance, I think that Rice is clearly the team to beat in the West.

North Texas: what can I say... beating a well-coached Ball State squad (Lembo IS a very, very good coach) who is coming off of a bowl year speaks volumes about the direction your program is heading in.

Raiders. you have a lot to be proud of and our game in Muffreesboro (sp?) is going to be huge.

The MU-Ohio game is still unfolding but right now I would still have to say that ECU is the best team in the East. We lost today to a GREAT VPI defense and it appears that we are improving our D. Bud Foster just simply knows how to stop spread offenses. I'll be glad when he retires because we will be playing them for a long time to come...

The ECU/Raiders game will be a test for my Pirates, for sure. Before anyone asks, the Marshall game will be huge as well. It's going to be a tight race in the east.

Finally, Owls... I picked you to win and you came through! Good job! Pelini is going to take you places, for sure. GREAT WIN!

I'm not sure Marshall is the 2nd best team in the east the game against MTSU will decide that.

In my preseason prediction I had Marshall finishing 3rd in the East behind USM. At this point it looks like USM is going to have problems again, but it looks like the pick might still stand; because MTSU looks to be better than Marshall

Add UTEP to that list.

AFter last night, I don't think any game is a given. If you can't protect the football, it's nearly impossible to win a game. First up, though is VT. and they forced at least two turnovers in intercepting Shane Carden, who is one of our premier quarterbacks. (Not sure why. I didn't see the game, unfortunately.) But I did see every minute of the Marshall game, and there were problems all over the place:

1. Zero defense against slant patterns
2. No real pressure on the quarterback.
3. Marshall was its own worst enemy with penalties, fumbles, and a late interception.
4. Cato did not seem in command last night, and his long ball was nearly non-existant (or Ohio was that good on defense).
5. Why didn't Heater bring more heat?
6. I'm surprised they didn't bring in Vick more. We were buffaloed by his quickness.
7. Solich, who is an exceptional coach, out-coached Doc all over the place.

This was a decent week for C-USA. We have to like the two AAC wins, even if they came against Bottom Ten teams. North Texas is bringing it! SMWho? Rice took care of business against an AQ program, even if that was Kansas. C-USA is playing overall at a level similar to the AAC (minus Louisville) and the MWC (minus Fresno State).

(09-14-2013 10:20 PM)Ned Low Wrote:  Finally, Owls... I picked you to win and you came through! Good job! Pelini is going to take you places, for sure. GREAT WIN!

Thank you!

This was a big game and win on many levels.

Its against a instate team that helps with recruiting.

It came before the 1st home game of the year which should energize the students and others for the home game attendance.

We found our QB, he was shaky at the start but did settle down. He played not great, but good enough to win.

Our defense continues to impress me, they are fast, strong and hit with pop. We'er also getting pressure on the QB's which we havent done in years.

I am very hopeful after this game. MTSU will be a HUGE game for both schools next week.

(09-14-2013 10:24 PM)Ned Low Wrote:  

(09-14-2013 10:22 PM)olliebaba Wrote:  You can add UTEP to that win post. They beat Enemas U. 42-21. That makes 5 teams that won from cusa.

Good job! Although I should admit that I like Doug Martin. The man has ___ that clank for taking the Enemas U job and as far as people go, he's a good guy. I've had the pleasure of meeting him on a few occasions...

How do you feel about your new coach?

I like Martin too even if he did insult us in his post game interview. He said that it's not so bad to lose to someone that you expect to lose to but it's gut wrenching losing to someone that you should have beaten. He didn't look at the stats after the game otherwise he would have stayed quiet. Afterall, we've only beaten them 5 times in a row.

As for Kugler this is his first year and I love his style. He's a disciplinarian and doesn't take any huff from his players unlike his predecessor. He's a smash mouth type of coach which we need. He's doing alright for his first year. I just wish he'd go after some of those big, tough, southern boys for our d and o lines.

A belated thanks, Ned Low

Murfreesboro...classy post and thanks. I really look forward to Oct. 5th