(06-29-2020 11:09 AM)george14 Wrote:  

(06-27-2020 02:47 PM)ColinApocalypse Wrote:  I dunno, I think I was being fair. I am biased as a WMU fan, it's kind of impossible not to be. Quarterback IS a big question mark though, you have to admit. Dormady and Lazarro are gone, Moore (1143 yds, 57%, 5 TDs, 4 INTs, 190 YPG in 2019) is suspended for half the season, and the younger guys are complete unknowns. Brock was an FCS freshman AA, which is an impressive accolade, but what did he go on to do? His career stats just aren't great. 3,885 yds, 54%, 24 TDs, 23 INTs, 185 YPG. And that was against FCS competition.

I'm aware that there's talent on offense. No argument there. But there are also question marks and depth concern. OL is a smaller question mark. You can't lose 3 starters and 3 backups and expect not to miss a beat.

DBs might be a another smaller question mark. We don't really know yet. We know that Jamison and Braswell are gone. McKinnie-Harper is probably gone, and Edwards' status is up in the air?

I'm sure I'm not going to convince you of anything. We're all biased toward our team (and against our rivals). I would just temper the expectations that a lot of CMU faithful have of CMU just walking into the MAC championship game this season.

Maybe I'm in the minority, but I don't think many CMU fans think we are going to walk into the MACCG. In the West, you guys beat us and BSU was a tough game. I do think TOL will struggle and obviously NIU will with all the transfers leaving. EMU is always overrated to me; they lose close games and their fans often claim they "could be 8-4 with the right bounces".

Our secondary lost Jamison and Braswell, but they are both players who can easily be replaced. Neither of them were All-MAC type players. Braswell was not a full time starter. As I said we have transfers from P5 programs that will fill in nicely along with young guys who played a lot last year. Harper is the big question mark. If he is gone that will sting. But you are correct, there are always question marks with new players.

As for QB play, we were very average in the MAC when it came to passing. Of course QB play matters, but that was not something I put a ton of stock into because we had a strong run game and return a ton of receiving talent. Neither Dormady or Moore were particularly great, so I have faith we will see someone step in and perform at a similar level. Definitely not expecting outstanding play there.

Our defense will be better than last year, without question. The players we return heavily outweigh the few we lose. Adesanya is really the only top dog we lose. Our OL returns 2 starters from 2019, 1 starter from 2018, and quite a few guys who saw a lot of action last year. Also not something I am concerned about.

The biggest concern (for me) is replacing Ward. He was a dynamic player receiving and running. We have Lewis who was similar to Ward, but our backups are not as proven. Nichols will be the #2 guy and I am high on him, but he isn't proven.

As long as our QB isn't a turnover machine, I see us winning 8 games again. I know people love to make fun of McElwain, but the guy has won COY in 3 conferences. Not sure how many times that has been done in FBS. It's his second year with us and obviously he and his staff were capable of turning it around completely. No reason to believe he won't improve the team more. But I expect the MAC to be tough again.

Mac is sleazy by reputation for sure, but his performance last year was astonishing. I see nothing but a better record this year for CMU, he is that good.

(06-30-2020 10:35 AM)Bronco14 Wrote:  Pre-season magazines I've seen in the stores predicting Toledo & Central Michigan in West, Buffalo & Miami in East.

Lots of publications have UB guys rated highly in the G5 at several positions. CMU as well. Obviously Crum has some.buzz at KSU.