Quote:MWC just has SDSU. Boise already has a loss after choking away the Wash St. game.

Boise's not out of it. It was @Wash-St + if Wash-St does well and Boise beats SDSU twice giving them their only two losses -- they're definitely in the mix.

I agree with others that there won't be a 0L team. If Toledo beats Miami-FL, MAYBE them -- but Toledo tends not to be rock-solid on wins thru a whole season, even if they are the better team, so I wouldn't expect that at all. BUT an undefeated Toledo team would be right in there with 1L Boise. And above Boise if NIU beats SDSU (not expecting that), and Ohio rolls thru only losing to Toledo twice (not expecting that so much either).

I don't expect EMU to be a contender for undefeated. They didn't impress me so much with their 1st win, although both games showed me their D can play. I think they can beat anyone in the MAC, but at the same time, I'd bet my virginity that they can't go 13-0.

And I don't see an AAC team going undefeated, beating up on each other. But South Florida, with 1L will probably get it unless SDSU goes undefeated and beats NIU where NIU wins out the rest of the way. But South Florida has a new coach. They looked good against Illinois, though, despite their 1st two games not that impressive for a G5-Champ. So I wouldn't bank on them winning the AAC with only 1L (but could happen).

I really thought WKU had it this year. Now I'm sure the Ball State game is a loss. Any Cardinal fans have any input?

It certainly is SDSU's to lose. They got past the hard part of their schedule and will be favorites rest of the way out.

Quote:I really thought WKU had it this year. Now I'm sure the Ball State game is a loss. Any Cardinal fans have any input?

When I saw WKU beat FCS team EKU by less than half the estimated point spread -- and see Purdue, 1st game with WKU's former coach go toe-to-toe with Louisville, my ears perked.

Then after Illinois solidly beat WKU, while Ball State was beating Illinois for a solid part of the game, but lost when missing a long FG at the end -- (and a special teams TD saved Illinois' ass) -- I realized that WKU's success was REALLY riding on their former HC, after Purdue *PASTED* Ohio like they Certainly not would have done the year prior.

In our weekly picks -- I, including a couple others I believe, picked Ball State to upset WKU (7pt favorites). Certainly WKU can win the game. Both played Illinois and played them differently, and WKU has been picked to win 3 out of their 3 games by Vegas, only winning 1 -- and very much losing against the spread in all 3. BUT, with a new coach -- things can start turning around at any point, and Ball State's not some P5 team or G5 powerhouse. But they have a great running game + good QB, and their D isn't that bad.

Personally, I'd call it a coin-flip game.

#21 USF, considered frontrunner for Access bowl, is playing on ESPN. I don't think there are more than a few thousand in attendance.

You've probably got some here and there still dealing with hurricane damage. But still, surprised how empty the place is.

(09-21-2017 07:02 PM)Motown Bronco Wrote:  #21 USF, considered frontrunner for Access bowl, is playing on ESPN. I don't think there are more than a few thousand in attendance.

You've probably got some here and there still dealing with hurricane damage. But still, surprised how empty the place is.

Makes me wonder how many people will be at the Toledo/ Miami game.

(09-21-2017 07:02 PM)Motown Bronco Wrote:  #21 USF, considered frontrunner for Access bowl, is playing on ESPN. I don't think there are more than a few thousand in attendance.

You've probably got some here and there still dealing with hurricane damage. But still, surprised how empty the place is.

I think with USF's weak schedule, it is going to end being SDSU's spot to lose. SDSU wins out, they are in.

#1 Negative Nancy AKA BKTopper: WKU is stilla decent program and at home early season on a saturday night. i would put my money on you against a middle of the pack MAC team that loses lots of close games. That said, Ball St is pretty good. Not super deep. Not too spectacular anywhere, but has some well coached guys who do their job and a qb who is pretty versatile and fun to watch. If WKU plays poorly they will lose. If they bring it I would pick them to win by a score.

#2 SDSU has the WMU 2016 schedule. Play a weak P5 team and a pretty good (but not great) P5 team early. Have the other tough team in your conference schedule at home and a home crowd advantage in the conf champ game. The hitch is SDSU is kind of a grind it out team that plays a lot of close games. they are capable of losing to an average team on a bad night or with some unlucky bounces.

#3 USF doesn't have a weak schedule buts lucks into getting it's fairly tough games all at home. 1 early road game was cancelled. they opened the year a week early (not sure how that works) so they get an extra bye week (while most college teams have 1, USF gets 3 this year). plus, an 8 day game week and a 9 day game week. and play in the weaker division of the AAC. Strong team that plays a bit sloppy. They will need to beat 3 good AAC West teams (Tulsa, Houston, Div Champ) to stay undefeated. Their schedule is back loaded so we'll see if they are healthy and sharp late season. Oh, and they never had a reliable big fan base and usually play in oversized stadiums.

(09-21-2017 07:02 PM)Motown Bronco Wrote:  #21 USF, considered frontrunner for Access bowl, is playing on ESPN. I don't think there are more than a few thousand in attendance.

You've probably got some here and there still dealing with hurricane damage. But still, surprised how empty the place is.

Not really. The Tampa area was basically spared any real damage and power has been back for most people for at least a week now. People aren't showing because they simply do not care.

(09-22-2017 03:23 AM)pono Wrote:  #1 Negative Nancy AKA BKTopper: WKU is stilla decent program and at home early season on a saturday night. i would put my money on you against a middle of the pack MAC team that loses lots of close games. That said, Ball St is pretty good. Not super deep. Not too spectacular anywhere, but has some well coached guys who do their job and a qb who is pretty versatile and fun to watch. If WKU plays poorly they will lose. If they bring it I would pick them to win by a score.

#2 SDSU has the WMU 2016 schedule. Play a weak P5 team and a pretty good (but not great) P5 team early. Have the other tough team in your conference schedule at home and a home crowd advantage in the conf champ game. The hitch is SDSU is kind of a grind it out team that plays a lot of close games. they are capable of losing to an average team on a bad night or with some unlucky bounces.

#3 USF doesn't have a weak schedule buts lucks into getting it's fairly tough games all at home. 1 early road game was cancelled. they opened the year a week early (not sure how that works) so they get an extra bye week (while most college teams have 1, USF gets 3 this year). plus, an 8 day game week and a 9 day game week. and play in the weaker division of the AAC. Strong team that plays a bit sloppy. They will need to beat 3 good AAC West teams (Tulsa, Houston, Div Champ) to stay undefeated. Their schedule is back loaded so we'll see if they are healthy and sharp late season. Oh, and they never had a reliable big fan base and usually play in oversized stadiums.

#4 Toledo. Very good team.

#5 EMU. The Cinderella team of the 21st century. Lol. I'm waiting for a sportscaster who watched those meteorologists ("once in a 100 years hurricanes.') say EMU could be a once in a 100 year turnaround/surprise team... P.S. I'm just having fun. The fantasy ends when EMU loses their first 2017 game, hopefully not tomorrow.

(09-21-2017 07:38 PM)utpotts Wrote:  

(09-21-2017 07:02 PM)Motown Bronco Wrote:  #21 USF, considered frontrunner for Access bowl, is playing on ESPN. I don't think there are more than a few thousand in attendance.

You've probably got some here and there still dealing with hurricane damage. But still, surprised how empty the place is.

Makes me wonder how many people will be at the Toledo/ Miami game.

Around 40,000-50,000. The fact that the Dolphins are out of town again, this time to play the Jets. combined with the Canes not playing for a couple of weeks makes this game kind of special down here. Tickets are reasonable.The few Toledo fans I've talked to are bringing a lot of people with them.

Quote:I think with USF's weak schedule, it is going to end being SDSU's spot to lose. SDSU wins out, they are in.

USF has the easiest path within the AAC among the AAC + non-tough OOC + ranked highest at the start -- so it both helps & hurts. SDSU I think still has a weaker in-conference schedule, and if Stanford tanks this year, yikes. I don't think it's SDSU's to lose -- but if they go undefeated, USF will need to be undefeated to beat them unless USF's Dominant while SDSU is pulling squeakers left & right. And Boise's losing at Home vs Virginia right now at the half. In a nutshell, I don't see SDSU clearly out of the woods being undefeated by itself.

Quote:#4 Toledo. Very good team.

Toledo has an honest chance. They need MAC West Bro NIU to take out SDSU, and SDSU to then win the MW in very solid fashion + the AAC to beat up on each other with the winner being 2L... while Miami-FL still does well in the ACC, and WMU wins out rest of the way, and Toledo beats them in the final regular season game for the MAC West crown, to then play 9-10W Ohio, and beat them again. Sounds complicated, but basically -- but realistically possible IF undefeated, although not incredibly probable, of course.

Quote:#5 EMU. The Cinderella team of the 21st century. Lol. I'm waiting for a sportscaster who watched those meteorologists ("once in a 100 years hurricanes.') say EMU could be a once in a 100 year turnaround/surprise team...

And there's been a lot of hurricanes. :) It would be sweet to see, although, there's no way in hell that'll happen. If EMU wins out -- they most likely won't go. However, I'm sure ESPN owning so many bowls will slide them in a great G5 vs G5 matchup (like NIU vs Marshall a few years back), or possibly P5 matchup if the cards fall into place. And if they DO win out -- which I would bet just about anything they don't -- I will honestly shave my hair-down-there to say "EMU", and have someone in a gay bar take a photo for proof. THAT is how sure I am. :)

Toledo doesnt need that much... MAC west to have 4 bowl teams. And Miami to be a top25 team. Thats about it... But beating Miami of course. That should be the best win of any G5er unless Stanford wins out.

stanford has no shot in hell to win out. Miami is a bit of a question mark. Lot of talent and a good defense but no proven balance on offense and already short 2 games and a bunch of practice time due to the hurricane.

Quote:That should be the best win of any G5er unless Stanford wins out.

Won't happen. However, if we want to go theoretical, if Rutgers wins the B1G, and EMU goes undefeated -- unless the AAC has an undefeated team -- heck yeah.

But yes, Toledo -- beat Miami-FL. You do that -- you're in the running.

NIU just beat Nebraska, and sit at 2-1. If we win out the cards don't have to stack up that oddly for us to be in the pole position....

(09-23-2017 12:26 PM)NIUfilmmaker Wrote:  NIU just beat Nebraska, and sit at 2-1. If we win out the cards don't have to stack up that oddly for us to be in the pole position....

You would need Nebraska to completely turn their season around and probably win the Big 10, which will be tough for them.

(09-23-2017 12:26 PM)NIUfilmmaker Wrote:  NIU just beat Nebraska, and sit at 2-1. If we win out the cards don't have to stack up that oddly for us to be in the pole position....

A lot of stars would have to align in other G5 conferences. Even last year's undefeated Bronco team wasn't 100% certain of a NY6 bowl until Temple knocked off Navy in the final week.

(09-24-2017 10:47 AM)Motown Bronco Wrote:  

(09-23-2017 12:26 PM)NIUfilmmaker Wrote:  NIU just beat Nebraska, and sit at 2-1. If we win out the cards don't have to stack up that oddly for us to be in the pole position....

A lot of stars would have to align in other G5 conferences. Even last year's undefeated Bronco team wasn't 100% certain of a NY6 bowl until Temple knocked off Navy in the final week.

Yeah the only way the MAC could get a one-loss team to the NY6 bowl would be if we were able to pull out almost all our close losses to the P5 or decent G5 teams - BC (NIU), Illinois (Ball State), UC/Marshall (Miami), and Army (UB). Plus also win another game or two where the MAC team wasn't that close (e.g. OU against Purdue). And even then we'd probably need most of the AAC and MWC to lose at least two games.

(09-22-2017 05:00 PM)Boca Rocket Wrote:  

(09-21-2017 07:38 PM)utpotts Wrote:  

(09-21-2017 07:02 PM)Motown Bronco Wrote:  #21 USF, considered frontrunner for Access bowl, is playing on ESPN. I don't think there are more than a few thousand in attendance.

You've probably got some here and there still dealing with hurricane damage. But still, surprised how empty the place is.

Makes me wonder how many people will be at the Toledo/ Miami game.

Around 40,000-50,000. The fact that the Dolphins are out of town again, this time to play the Jets. combined with the Canes not playing for a couple of weeks makes this game kind of special down here. Tickets are reasonable.The few Toledo fans I've talked to are bringing a lot of people with them.

Attendance was 49,367. Good guess by me. There were a bunch of tailgaters that paid for parking and didn't go to the game.