(05-28-2023 05:16 PM)RamyEMU Wrote:  

(05-28-2023 07:59 AM)Luckeyone Wrote:  I believe if we had Marcelo Johnson and Darius Lassiter at left tackle and WR returning respectively then EMU would hold a slight edge over Toledo to win the west. Our once overstocked WR room is now depleted and we lack experience on the left side of the OL. Toledo has reloaded and I don’t see any signs of weakness from them.

Finally, defense wins championships - and on paper our EMU defense should be very strong.

What about this wide receiver? Can he make an impact as a freshman?
https://twitter.com/mwood110/status/1662837372906553345

Good call Ramy. I haven't seen an incoming recruit in recent memory with as much confidence as him. I truly feel he is a game changer. I'm as high on him as I was Melvin Swindle who I think will have a break out year.

Watch out for him to burn bis redshirt next year if he can make plays. He will be poised to be a stud his RS frosh year in a room losing Knue

We have an excellent group of running backs. We could see more triple option running plays with Smith at QB. The only question is our OL are they geared for a power run game?

(06-07-2023 04:36 AM)emu79 Wrote:  We have an excellent group of running backs. We could see more triple option running plays with Smith at QB. The only question is our OL are they geared for a power run game?

Granted it's not the same O-Line as last year, but I know last season the O-Line was chomping at the bit to see the run game step up. I have no doubt these guys will be just as hungry this year. And even though 2 of the 5 (Counting Dimitri as experienced) will be new this year on the left side, I fully anticipate this squad will impress.

(06-07-2023 03:19 PM)cidbearit Wrote:  

(06-07-2023 04:36 AM)emu79 Wrote:  We have an excellent group of running backs. We could see more triple option running plays with Smith at QB. The only question is our OL are they geared for a power run game?

Granted it's not the same O-Line as last year, but I know last season the O-Line was chomping at the bit to see the run game step up. I have no doubt these guys will be just as hungry this year. And even though 2 of the 5 (Counting Dimitri as experienced) will be new this year on the left side, I fully anticipate this squad will impress.

I believe if Johnson were at left tackle, we could make an argument that our OL has the potential to be best in MAC. Howie and Dooley are both All MAC players but can we get some synchronicity with the new left side now??

I do believe our D can be top 4 in the conference. With both DTs returning and adding Merritt plus adding Haney to DE who is better than Trueman, we only need for someone to step into Jose’s shoes. Carter Evans and Sterling Miles should be able to increase overall DE production. Defense wins championships.

(06-07-2023 03:19 PM)cidbearit Wrote:  

(06-07-2023 04:36 AM)emu79 Wrote:  We have an excellent group of running backs. We could see more triple option running plays with Smith at QB. The only question is our OL are they geared for a power run game?

Granted it's not the same O-Line as last year, but I know last season the O-Line was chomping at the bit to see the run game step up. I have no doubt these guys will be just as hungry this year. And even though 2 of the 5 (Counting Dimitri as experienced) will be new this year on the left side, I fully anticipate this squad will impress.

Good to hear! I expect more wildcat formations as well. If we can run consistently we can dominate the time of possession.

Dear emu79,
Just make sure you don't ask that question in front of Coach Creighton. HA-HA.

(06-08-2023 08:44 AM)Ken Barna Wrote:  Dear emu79,
Just make sure you don't ask that question in front of Coach Creighton. HA-HA.

Ken I may ask him.

https://twitter.com/thevannzee/status/16...06051?s=20

https://theathletic.com/4792259/2023/08/...standings/

Chris Vanninni just posted his MAC preview. He actually cares about our little conference.

Eastern Michigan
After years of consistent success under head coach Chris Creighton, the Eagles finally broke through with a nine-win season last year, tied for the most wins in a season in program history. Only a loss to Toledo cost them a spot in the MAC championship game. Now entering Creighton’s 10th season, it’s been a remarkable run of success for a program that was long among the worst in the country. Austin Smith, who led EMU to a win over Arizona State last year, should take over at quarterback, and second-team All-MAC running back Samson Evans (1,166 rushing yards) will lead the offense. An influx of transfer receivers could help, but the offensive line needs to be rebuilt. The defense will have to generate a better pass rush to help a strong secondary. EMU plays Toledo on the road this year, but if enough one-score games go their way again, the Eagles could make another run at a division title.

Game 1 has to be a statement game. We need to win by several touchdowns and get the 2's some work to know what we have. Howard has talent, but I expect to see a dominant defensive performance. Austin Smith should have a break out game and most importantly take this game to build up a ton of confidence. I'm calling a 49-17 win

(08-24-2023 09:46 PM)steve4840 Wrote:  Game 1 has to be a statement game. We need to win by several touchdowns and get the 2's some work to know what we have. Howard has talent, but I expect to see a dominant defensive performance. Austin Smith should have a break out game and most importantly take this game to build up a ton of confidence. I'm calling a 49-17 win

Howard is better than the HU team which last visited.

I'm not sold on our quarterbacks game. Defense should be rock solid.

I'll go EMU 31 Howard 14.

Minnesota blew out Nebraska with a last second field goal /s. I think a big emotional win for them is what most of us wanted. They have a long week to prepare, but they didn't look too good tonight. Needed 3 ints to make it happen. I'm not willing to hazard a prediction, but the jolly roger should definitely be on the bus next week just in case. Howard first.

(08-31-2023 11:54 PM)Ypsitownie Wrote:  Minnesota blew out Nebraska with a last second field goal /s. I think a big emotional win for them is what most of us wanted. They have a long week to prepare, but they didn't look too good tonight. Needed 3 ints to make it happen. I'm not willing to hazard a prediction, but the jolly roger should definitely be on the bus next week just in case. Howard first.

They did not look impressive at all. I thought their defense looked almost overly aggressive and Nebraska was able to take advantage of that and run for 181 yards. Their leading rusher was their QB, so between Smith, Evans, and Jackson I think we should be able to find some success on the ground. Nothing about Minnesota really stood out on either side of the ball (other then coming up with four turnovers); they only rushed for 55 yards and and their QB didn't look good. Take care of the ball and we might have a chance.

I agree with you on them winning actually being a good thing for us. They won't be desperate for a win, and remember the week after they play us they travel down to to play Heisman candidate/future top 5 NFL pick Drake Maye and nationally ranked North Carolina. Could be very easy for them to overlook a MAC school sandwiched between Nebraska and North Carolina. I just wish it was a noon game instead of being at night, I think those sleepy noon start games work more in favor for teams trying to pull off an upset on the road.

(08-31-2023 11:54 PM)Ypsitownie Wrote:  Minnesota blew out Nebraska with a last second field goal /s. I think a big emotional win for them is what most of us wanted. They have a long week to prepare, but they didn't look too good tonight. Needed 3 ints to make it happen. I'm not willing to hazard a prediction, but the jolly roger should definitely be on the bus next week just in case. Howard first.

Minnesota will be looking at EMU the same way a MAC team looks at an FCS team. It's a chance to get a win and work on developing depth. I'm sure their fans are looking forward to a blowout next week.

Howard first.

(09-01-2023 06:37 AM)Sellers dweller Wrote:  

(08-31-2023 11:54 PM)Ypsitownie Wrote:  Minnesota blew out Nebraska with a last second field goal /s. I think a big emotional win for them is what most of us wanted. They have a long week to prepare, but they didn't look too good tonight. Needed 3 ints to make it happen. I'm not willing to hazard a prediction, but the jolly roger should definitely be on the bus next week just in case. Howard first.

They did not look impressive at all. I thought their defense looked almost overly aggressive and Nebraska was able to take advantage of that and run for 181 yards. Their leading rusher was their QB, so between Smith, Evans, and Jackson I think we should be able to find some success on the ground. Nothing about Minnesota really stood out on either side of the ball (other then coming up with four turnovers); they only rushed for 55 yards and and their QB didn't look good. Take care of the ball and we might have a chance.

I agree with you on them winning actually being a good thing for us. They won't be desperate for a win, and remember the week after they play us they travel down to to play Heisman candidate/future top 5 NFL pick Drake Maye and nationally ranked North Carolina. Could be very easy for them to overlook a MAC school sandwiched between Nebraska and North Carolina. I just wish it was a noon game instead of being at night, I think those sleepy noon start games work more in favor for teams trying to pull off an upset on the road.

I agree Sellers, I thoguht Minnesota looked terrible. Will be a tough match up but I look forward to that game

I think the MAC boils down to two groups: Toledo and Ohio have the best QBs and sit alone in group 1. The rest of the MAC are so evenly paired the group 2 teams could finish undefeated against other group 2 teams or lose all of them.

Toledo
Ohio

BGSU
Miami
NIU
EMU
CMU
WMU
Akron
Kent St
Ball St
Buffalo

(08-25-2023 06:13 AM)emu steve Wrote:  

(08-24-2023 09:46 PM)steve4840 Wrote:  Game 1 has to be a statement game. We need to win by several touchdowns and get the 2's some work to know what we have. Howard has talent, but I expect to see a dominant defensive performance. Austin Smith should have a break out game and most importantly take this game to build up a ton of confidence. I'm calling a 49-17 win

Howard is better than the HU team which last visited.

I'm not sold on our quarterbacks game. Defense should be rock solid.

I'll go EMU 31 Howard 14.

Neat I flagged our QB problem. We do not have the very experienced QB. He is still green.

Smith may become a good MAC QB but he needs a lot of experience and work.

(04-08-2023 07:57 AM)emu79 Wrote:  

(04-07-2023 09:18 AM)EagleHawk Wrote:  Biggest questions for this team will be the QB play. Assume Austin Smith will be the starter, can he continue his improvement over last season?

Second question is who will step up on the DL. Ramirez leaves a huge hole, who will step up and replace his production?

I will add a third and fourth:

How will our offensive line perform with so many newcomers?

We lost some consistent talent at WR? Who wins the three or four main slots?

Gee, seems we identified the potential problems back in APRIL...