Well I finished evaluating and commenting on other FBS/FCS team signings/commitments, spring ball is right around the corner; hence, it’s time to look back, reflect and kind of gage where your program is heading.

The 18 week FSC schedule concluded with JMU taking the National Title. They finished with a 14-1 overall record and the Bucs will travel to Harrisonburg for the champions home opener. Wanna bet that stadium (one of the largest and best stadiums in the FCS) will be rocking..! Aside from that game, the young Bucs take on an additional 4 more playoff teams (5 teams ranked in the 20, 6 in the top 30).

Well where does that leave the Bucs? We will have to see. They finished ranked 57th in the FCS. They were as high as 56 (25th after week one, but you always toss out the first week as these are normally money games with FBS teams). Samford making the playoffs pushed them down to 57 (I know,,, you beat a ranked team and move up, but that same team played an extra game in the playoffs; hence a lot of teams were moved down).

The Bucs were 2-4 vrs teams with a winning record and 3-2 against teams with losing records. However they were 3-2 in their last 5 games. The worse loss came at the hands of VMI because VMI was ranked much lower than ETSU (Remember we are talking ranking not points). Whereas the worst point loss was to Furman 7-52 (45 points). Rule of thumb – if you are going to lose, lose to higher ranked teams, even if it is a blowout. (losing to lower ranked teams gets coaches fired).

Now then the 57th rank out of 125 FCS teams means they ranked higher than 54% of the FCS nation. Consider they started out at 124 and you can take note of their progress. Whereas back in 2015 they started at 125 and moved all the way up to 118, (yes, it was progress) but I digress… Last year the offence ranked 102 whereas the D finished at 53; hence the power ranking almost split at 82. So the Bucs will open this year as high as 57 or as low as 82.

Based on this year's schedule (again, throw out the first game), this will be a very telling year because darn near the entire schedule is ranked in the top 30 (6 Teams)! When comparing teams, please note that a better record (a’la Harvard at 7-3, or Tennessee Tech at 7-4) doesn't mean they rank higher; both team ranked lower than ETSU (61 and 64 respectively) because of their strength of schedule. You can't rank high if you are playing a lower competition. If ETSU can somehow manage a .500 record this year, they will no doubt climb in the rankings because 6 teams on their schedule are ranked in the top 30. This is actually a pretty good place to be. As an underdog, the pressure is on the other team; thus a .500 record could push you higher than 57.

So, you might want to take note - as you can bet the other SoCon teams are.

This team will be interesting to watch, especially in conference play. There's question marks all over the league, particularly at Chattanooga. I felt like this team played great at times with not a lot of great players, but squandered some chances. Mercer, Furman, and VMI to me still are games they should've had a better showing with. They win even one of those and year two closes with a winning season. It'll be a tough schedule, but you just never know until you get into it what it'll be.

Here are a few more things to think about, at least from my point of view:
I would like to see names on the backs of the jerseys this year. I believe prospective recruits would like that as well.
Do you think our opening game this year will be televised? It's not often a team gets to open a new stadium.
I would also like to hear from other players than just the (very small) handful that get interviewed every day. I understand that the QB is gonna' talk every time, but there has to be more than 4-5 players that can give there perspective. Let's hear from more of them.
The flow of information out of the football program needs a shot in the arm. I appreciate being able to follow them on social media with the video clips that they post, but if this thing is going to roll like I think we all want it too, there has to be MORE information out there. Sometimes you gotta' create your own hype. If you do that, the fans will have to jump on board. This may be going on around campus, but not here in the Knoxville area. Speak up, tweet, hype it up. Some of us are starving for more information, and all we get is this "orange team" garbage shoved down our throats.
Go Bucs.............

(03-22-2017 07:05 AM)bucdad Wrote:  Here are a few more things to think about, at least from my point of view:
I would like to see names on the backs of the jerseys this year. I believe prospective recruits would like that as well.
Do you think our opening game this year will be televised? It's not often a team gets to open a new stadium.
I would also like to hear from other players than just the (very small) handful that get interviewed every day. I understand that the QB is gonna' talk every time, but there has to be more than 4-5 players that can give there perspective. Let's hear from more of them.
The flow of information out of the football program needs a shot in the arm. I appreciate being able to follow them on social media with the video clips that they post, but if this thing is going to roll like I think we all want it too, there has to be MORE information out there. Sometimes you gotta' create your own hype. If you do that, the fans will have to jump on board. This may be going on around campus, but not here in the Knoxville area. Speak up, tweet, hype it up. Some of us are starving for more information, and all we get is this "orange team" garbage shoved down our throats.
Go Bucs.............

The game will probably be on the SoCon Digital Network. No way it gets televised. My advice is to get an Apple TV and have it stream from your phone to it.

All teams usually designate 4-5 players to speak to the media. It is usually only upperclassmen.

I would say coverage will ramp up now that the bball season is winding down. Joe Avento say wrote a couple of articles about spring practice already.

ETSU is going to sneak up on some teams this year. The bucs went 5-6 with mostly sophomores. If you look at some of the other message boards around the league, the Bucs get absolutely no respect, with most picking ETSU at the very bottom of the league again. I think anything less than a winning record this year would be a disappointment. I realize we play one less Division II game, but I think we will be good enough to win some games, and shock some people.

(03-22-2017 11:22 AM)ETSUfan1 Wrote:  ETSU is going to sneak up on some teams this year. The bucs went 5-6 with mostly sophomores. If you look at some of the other message boards around the league, the Bucs get absolutely no respect, with most picking ETSU at the very bottom of the league again. I think anything less than a winning record this year would be a disappointment. I realize we play one less Division II game, but I think we will be good enough to win some games, and shock some people.

I don't know why teams would not start getting worried about us. We won 5 games last year with a still very young team. We have almost everyone back and had one of the best recruiting classes in the SoCon. Couple that with the excitement of a new stadium and I think we have a chance to be a force in the SoCon.

(03-22-2017 12:03 PM)brock20 Wrote:  I don't know why teams would not start getting worried about us. We won 5 games last year with a still very young team. We have almost everyone back and had one of the best recruiting classes in the SoCon. Couple that with the excitement of a new stadium and I think we have a chance to be a force in the SoCon.

This preview ranks 7 of the teams on our schedule in the top 25 (top-ranked JMU and 6 teams from the SoCon).

Southern Pigskin Top 25

Beginning with the JMU game, we play 4 in a row against top 25 teams. We end the regular season playing 3 of our last 4 against other top 25 teams.

I hope we get a big boost from the new recruits and the new stadium, but that schedule has me tempering my expectations.

Bucs won't sneak up on anyone. Do you think W. Carolina and Samford won't be out for redemption and both games are on the road.

The schedule is much tougher than last year. Three of the teams we beat are not on this years schedule and the teams that replaced them are much better.

I feel like 6-5 happens this year, MAYBE 7-4 if they can get Furman and Mercer. I want other teams to continue to show disrespect, and I hope these kids see it, and use it. Starting to see the bulk of the players getting into years three and four in the program, and some nice ball players coming into the fold. I also feel like Chattanooga and Samford will both take a step back. The door is open to compete in the SoCon.

6-5, maybe 7-4 if they can get Furman and Mercer. Wouldn't that be 8-3?

Lover, would you mind listing your 6,7 or 8 wins.

Limestone is a win
JMU is a loss
Citadel - WIN
Mercer - Win
At furman - Loss
At Western - Win
Wofford - Could honestly go either way. Get a lead on them, and they struggle
Robert Morris - Win
VMI - Win
At Samford - Loss/tossup
AT Chattanooga - Loss

I got them to six wins as it sits today. Chattanooga is a mystery, new staff, new philosophies, how will they respond? Samford is the same way, they had a great year last year but could easily come back as crap this year, and Furman is in the same boat with a new staff.
If they catch lightning in a bottle, 8 wins is definitely possible.

(03-25-2017 02:50 PM)Buccaneerlover Wrote:  Limestone is a win
JMU is a loss
Citadel - WIN
Mercer - Win
At furman - Loss
At Western - Win
Wofford - Could honestly go either way. Get a lead on them, and they struggle
Robert Morris - Win
VMI - Win
At Samford - Loss/tossup
AT Chattanooga - Loss

I got them to six wins as it sits today. Chattanooga is a mystery, new staff, new philosophies, how will they respond? Samford is the same way, they had a great year last year but could easily come back as crap this year, and Furman is in the same boat with a new staff.
If they catch lightning in a bottle, 8 wins is definitely possible.

Limestone is a Win
JMU is a Easy win
Citadel - WIN
Mercer - Win
At furman - Win
At Western - Win
Wofford - Win
Robert Morris - Win
VMI - Win
At Samford - Win
AT Chattanooga - Chatt forfeits

I have us at 11-0. We should have scheduled a harder schedule. 2 damn ez

(03-25-2017 09:02 PM)BucFan1244 Wrote:  

(03-25-2017 02:50 PM)Buccaneerlover Wrote:  Limestone is a win
JMU is a loss
Citadel - WIN
Mercer - Win
At furman - Loss
At Western - Win
Wofford - Could honestly go either way. Get a lead on them, and they struggle
Robert Morris - Win
VMI - Win
At Samford - Loss/tossup
AT Chattanooga - Loss

I got them to six wins as it sits today. Chattanooga is a mystery, new staff, new philosophies, how will they respond? Samford is the same way, they had a great year last year but could easily come back as crap this year, and Furman is in the same boat with a new staff.
If they catch lightning in a bottle, 8 wins is definitely possible.

Limestone is a Win
JMU is a Easy win
Citadel - WIN
Mercer - Win
At furman - Win
At Western - Win
Wofford - Win
Robert Morris - Win
VMI - Win
At Samford - Win
AT Chattanooga - Chatt forfeits

I have us at 11-0. We should have scheduled a harder schedule. 2 damn ez

Hey that's the mindset I hope they have. Just beat the piss out of em all. I don't think we'll see that, but stranger things (love that show) have happened.

(03-26-2017 09:44 PM)Buccaneerlover Wrote:  

(03-25-2017 09:02 PM)BucFan1244 Wrote:  

(03-25-2017 02:50 PM)Buccaneerlover Wrote:  Limestone is a win
JMU is a loss
Citadel - WIN
Mercer - Win
At furman - Loss
At Western - Win
Wofford - Could honestly go either way. Get a lead on them, and they struggle
Robert Morris - Win
VMI - Win
At Samford - Loss/tossup
AT Chattanooga - Loss

I got them to six wins as it sits today. Chattanooga is a mystery, new staff, new philosophies, how will they respond? Samford is the same way, they had a great year last year but could easily come back as crap this year, and Furman is in the same boat with a new staff.
If they catch lightning in a bottle, 8 wins is definitely possible.

Limestone is a Win
JMU is a Easy win
Citadel - WIN
Mercer - Win
At furman - Win
At Western - Win
Wofford - Win
Robert Morris - Win
VMI - Win
At Samford - Win
AT Chattanooga - Chatt forfeits

I have us at 11-0. We should have scheduled a harder schedule. 2 damn ez

Hey that's the mindset I hope they have. Just beat the piss out of em all. I don't think we'll see that, but stranger things (love that show) have happened.

Goooood Morning Viet Nam!
I'd like to jump in here with a reality reality break for a second. Perhaps some folks did not fully understand the aforementioned analysis. The fact is ETSU is playing 5 teams who finished in the top 25, not to mention they are one of 5 teams to play the National Camps on the road! Also, there is a chance Mercer can crack the top 25 preseason rankings if South Dakota falls a slot. That would mean ETSU, along with Northern Iowa, would be plaything 6 teams ranked in the top 25; thus, the hardest schedules in the FCS. Form nowhere 3 years ago, to potentially playing the hardest schedule in the FCS – Man! That’s actually very exciting! So, based on what we know, what we’ve seen, and what we studied, I’d like to offer my opinion just for fun.
Limstone – Win
JMU – Loss - double digit loss based on JMS’s home opener as champs and coming off a week one BCS loss.
Citadel – Loss – but a close game (perhaps even leading in the 4th)
Mercer – Win – Bucs find a way to pull it out at home to solidify themselves in the SoCon
Furman – Loss – Bucks flying high come back to earth, still not figuring out Furman
Western – Loss – Sorry, but the Catts had this one marked on the calender all year
Wofford - Loss - It all comes down to the O-Line on this one
RMU – Win – But closer than people think
VMI – Push – This is the hardest one to figure out. Everyone is taking the Bucs, but don’t overlook this 3rd year program vertical revamp
Samfod – Loss – Redemption at home, long travel, late season injuries
Chatt – Loss – need to figure out how to stay strong on the road.

In short, I think 4 wins is the over under. Not that they are a bad team – in fact I see them executing and playing better. I might even give them the WCU game, but lets see how the O-Line holds up from an injury standpoint and new coach. The truth is they still have one more year to grow, but man if they continue to grow the way they are, they may be something special in 2 years.

(03-28-2017 09:59 AM)Spector Wrote:  

(03-26-2017 09:44 PM)Buccaneerlover Wrote:  

(03-25-2017 09:02 PM)BucFan1244 Wrote:  

(03-25-2017 02:50 PM)Buccaneerlover Wrote:  Limestone is a win
JMU is a loss
Citadel - WIN
Mercer - Win
At furman - Loss
At Western - Win
Wofford - Could honestly go either way. Get a lead on them, and they struggle
Robert Morris - Win
VMI - Win
At Samford - Loss/tossup
AT Chattanooga - Loss

I got them to six wins as it sits today. Chattanooga is a mystery, new staff, new philosophies, how will they respond? Samford is the same way, they had a great year last year but could easily come back as crap this year, and Furman is in the same boat with a new staff.
If they catch lightning in a bottle, 8 wins is definitely possible.

Limestone is a Win
JMU is a Easy win
Citadel - WIN
Mercer - Win
At furman - Win
At Western - Win
Wofford - Win
Robert Morris - Win
VMI - Win
At Samford - Win
AT Chattanooga - Chatt forfeits

I have us at 11-0. We should have scheduled a harder schedule. 2 damn ez

Hey that's the mindset I hope they have. Just beat the piss out of em all. I don't think we'll see that, but stranger things (love that show) have happened.

Goooood Morning Viet Nam!
I'd like to jump in here with a reality reality break for a second. Perhaps some folks did not fully understand the aforementioned analysis. The fact is ETSU is playing 5 teams who finished in the top 25, not to mention they are one of 5 teams to play the National Camps on the road! Also, there is a chance Mercer can crack the top 25 preseason rankings if South Dakota falls a slot. That would mean ETSU, along with Northern Iowa, would be plaything 6 teams ranked in the top 25; thus, the hardest schedules in the FCS. Form nowhere 3 years ago, to potentially playing the hardest schedule in the FCS – Man! That’s actually very exciting! So, based on what we know, what we’ve seen, and what we studied, I’d like to offer my opinion just for fun.
Limstone – Win
JMU – Loss - double digit loss based on JMS’s home opener as champs and coming off a week one BCS loss.
Citadel – Loss – but a close game (perhaps even leading in the 4th)
Mercer – Win – Bucs find a way to pull it out at home to solidify themselves in the SoCon
Furman – Loss – Bucks flying high come back to earth, still not figuring out Furman
Western – Loss – Sorry, but the Catts had this one marked on the calender all year
Wofford - Loss - It all comes down to the O-Line on this one
RMU – Win – But closer than people think
VMI – Push – This is the hardest one to figure out. Everyone is taking the Bucs, but don’t overlook this 3rd year program vertical revamp
Samfod – Loss – Redemption at home, long travel, late season injuries
Chatt – Loss – need to figure out how to stay strong on the road.

In short, I think 4 wins is the over under. Not that they are a bad team – in fact I see them executing and playing better. I might even give them the WCU game, but lets see how the O-Line holds up from an injury standpoint and new coach. The truth is they still have one more year to grow, but man if they continue to grow the way they are, they may be something special in 2 years.

And that's what he hope people keep saying about ETSU. Two wins this, two wins that. Another year, these guys are bigger, faster, stronger, more developed, have a quarterback in place. Year three won't be a step back, but I hope EVERYONE takes ETSU lightly.

Limestone - Win
@ JMU - Loss
Citadel - Loss
Mercer - Win
@ Furman - Loss
Robert Morris - Win
@ Western - Win
Wofford - Win
VMI - Win
@ Samford - Loss
@ Chattanooga - Loss

5-1 at home, 1-4 on the road, that's 6-5. Flip one of those road losses into a win and you've got a playoff team on your hands.

I do think we'll do a lot better against the triple option of Wofford & The Citadel this year, just because of a more experienced team. Young players tend to have a really tough time matching up with that offense. That said, the Bulldogs have so much talent back that I don't know if anyone in the league can stop them; they're a dark horse for Frisco, or at least they should be. I have no idea what to make of Chattanooga with all the turnover there, but I can't imagine not getting everything they have on the last weekend of the season, especially if both teams are in playoff consideration.