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dansplaining Online
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2023 Season Preview Thread
Oh shoot it's never to early to start aggregating predictions for the FB season. Bill C at ESPN has the MAC West article out already:

https://www.espn.com/college-football/in...ll-preview

relevant EMU info:
He projects us with 7 wins - second in the division

Is this where EMU's title drought ends? If Toledo indeed stumbles, it feels like EMU is the most likely beneficiary. Lord knows Chris Creighton deserves a ring for the job he's done in Ypsilanti. When he came aboard in 2014, EMU was in the middle of a nearly 30-year bowl drought. The Eagles had won more than four games in a season just once since 1995, and the one time they had done so -- they went 6-6 in 2011, albeit with a pair of FCS wins -- they proceeded to lose 20 of their next 24.

Historically, this has been one of the hardest jobs in FBS, but Creighton, a conference title winner at NAIA's Ottawa, Division III's Wabash and FCS' Drake, had the Eagles bowling by year three. He's produced good offenses (49th in offensive SP+ in 2020) and good defenses (back-to-back top 50s in 2017-18), and his Eagles have had one of the more reliably awesome special teams units in college football for the last three years. They've beaten Rutgers, Purdue, Illinois and, in 2022, Arizona State.

Preseason SP+ rankings for all 133 FBS teams
52dBill Connelly
The job remains hard -- after jumping to 7-6 in 2016, EMU went just 27-30 over the next five seasons. But the Eagles remain competitive in a competitive conference, and they broke another barrier in 2022. They won nine games for just the second time in 48 years as an FBS team, and in their fifth try under Creighton they finally won a bowl game, manhandling San Jose State in the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl. They now have two all-time bowl wins, both, somehow, against SJSU.

To be sure, they benefited from the fact that most of the rest of the West -- NIU, CMU, WMU and Ball State -- took backward steps in 2022. And unlike Toledo, they must replace their starting quarterback (Taylor Powell), plus three-fifths of an excellent offensive line. The defense brings back 11 of the 15 players with 250-plus snaps last season and could benefit from the fact that last year's aggressive, young secondary is now aggressive and experienced. (If not for Toledo's Quinyon Mitchell, I'd be building up corner Kempton Shine as maybe the best in the MAC.) But an ultra-efficient offense was the primary reason for last year's breakthrough, and players like quarterback Austin Smith, wideout Tanner Knue and burly running back Samson Evans will have to raise their respective games to keep EMU in the West's top two.

He also lists his 10 favorite players in the MAC :

RT Brian Dooley, EMU. The Eagles have three strong linemen to replace, but at least they still have the 6-foot-7, 302-pound senior tackle, who allowed just two sacks on his way to second-team all-conference honors last year.

CB Kempton Shine, EMU. This division is loaded with high-upside corners, and Shine is among the best. He picked off one pass, broke up nine more and allowed a paltry 14.8 QBR as primary coverage guy in 2022.

Anniversaries:

In 1983, 40 years ago, Jim Harkema took over at EMU. After a decade of success at Grand Valley State, Harkema took on a program that had gone just 7-44-2 over its previous five seasons. After seven wins in three years, Harkema led EMU to a 6-5 record in 1986, then peaked with a 10-2 run and California Bowl victory -- their only bowl win until 2022 -- in 1987. He is the only EMU coach who's won more games than Chris Creighton during EMU's FBS tenure.
04-07-2023 07:46 AM
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emu steve Offline
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RE: 2023 Season Preview Thread
Glad this isn't about MBB. 'Cause it would be one big IDK.
04-07-2023 08:07 AM
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EagleHawk Offline
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RE: 2023 Season Preview Thread
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?
(This post was last modified: 04-07-2023 09:18 AM by EagleHawk.)
04-07-2023 09:18 AM
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Sellers dweller Offline
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RE: 2023 Season Preview Thread
Along these lines, College Football News has Buffalo winning the east and Toledo winning the west. They have us going 6-6 and 3-5 in the MAC, after starting 5-2 (losses to Minnestoa and CMU) they have us falling apart finsihing 1-4 down the stretch. Frankly I find that pretty much BS. While I do think 6-6 is possible, I don't think so the way the way they have it going. I've said the two things that will make or break this seasons are: 1) can one of the young QBs firmly plant himself as the clear QB1, and 2) can the young potential on the D-line manifest itself on the field. If those things happen I could see a 10 win season and MAC title, if they don't I think there is still enough talent throughout the roster for us to at least go 6-6. If we are good enough to start 5-2 I would think we'd be good enough to at least get back to eight wins.

They project us to Camellia Bowl against South Alabama.
04-08-2023 07:45 AM
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emu79 Offline
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RE: 2023 Season Preview Thread
(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?
04-08-2023 07:57 AM
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Sellers dweller Offline
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RE: 2023 Season Preview Thread
(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?

I'm not as concered with those spots.

For the offensive line, yes we only have two "starters" back, however Rewolinski and Douglas both have started multiple games, and we have recruited well there and just brought in some solid transfers.

At WR, we have Knue and Lassiter back which is a great starting point, and again we have recruited well and brought in some impressive transfers. I've also pointed out before that WR seems to be the spot that, since Creighton has been here, we have random guys pop up and they end up being great players.
04-08-2023 08:24 AM
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emu79 Offline
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RE: 2023 Season Preview Thread
(04-08-2023 08:24 AM)Sellers dweller Wrote:  
(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?

I'm not as concered with those spots.

For the offensive line, yes we only have two "starters" back, however Rewolinski and Douglas both have started multiple games, and we have recruited well there and just brought in some solid transfers.

At WR, we have Knue and Lassiter back which is a great starting point, and again we have recruited well and brought in some impressive transfers. I've also pointed out before that WR seems to be the spot that, since Creighton has been here, we have random guys pop up and they end up being great players.

We shall see.
(This post was last modified: 04-09-2023 07:50 AM by emu79.)
04-08-2023 09:09 AM
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dansplaining Online
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RE: 2023 Season Preview Thread
(04-08-2023 07:45 AM)Sellers dweller Wrote:  Along these lines, College Football News has Buffalo winning the east and Toledo winning the west. They have us going 6-6 and 3-5 in the MAC, after starting 5-2 (losses to Minnestoa and CMU) they have us falling apart finsihing 1-4 down the stretch. Frankly I find that pretty much BS. While I do think 6-6 is possible, I don't think so the way the way they have it going. I've said the two things that will make or break this seasons are: 1) can one of the young QBs firmly plant himself as the clear QB1, and 2) can the young potential on the D-line manifest itself on the field. If those things happen I could see a 10 win season and MAC title, if they don't I think there is still enough talent throughout the roster for us to at least go 6-6. If we are good enough to start 5-2 I would think we'd be good enough to at least get back to eight wins.

They project us to Camellia Bowl against South Alabama.

link?
04-08-2023 12:13 PM
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Sellers dweller Offline
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RE: 2023 Season Preview Thread
(04-08-2023 12:13 PM)dansplaining Wrote:  
(04-08-2023 07:45 AM)Sellers dweller Wrote:  Along these lines, College Football News has Buffalo winning the east and Toledo winning the west. They have us going 6-6 and 3-5 in the MAC, after starting 5-2 (losses to Minnestoa and CMU) they have us falling apart finsihing 1-4 down the stretch. Frankly I find that pretty much BS. While I do think 6-6 is possible, I don't think so the way the way they have it going. I've said the two things that will make or break this seasons are: 1) can one of the young QBs firmly plant himself as the clear QB1, and 2) can the young potential on the D-line manifest itself on the field. If those things happen I could see a 10 win season and MAC title, if they don't I think there is still enough talent throughout the roster for us to at least go 6-6. If we are good enough to start 5-2 I would think we'd be good enough to at least get back to eight wins.

They project us to Camellia Bowl against South Alabama.

link?

Here is the link to their bowl projections.

https://collegefootballnews.com/bowl-pro...023-spring

I can't find the article with the game by game predictions, but there wasn't any info or insight in it, literally just the schedule and W or L next to each game.
04-09-2023 07:22 AM
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emu79 Offline
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RE: 2023 Season Preview Thread
I don't have doubt about the talent level that CC brought in on the OL and WRs. But... we don't currently have a WR coach, we have many new coaches OL play is based on timing and ditto QBs working with new WRs and visa versa. Fortunately many of the newcomers have spring practices to start the process of jelling. Between graduation losses new players and new coaches it be a kinda of constant disruption since the bowl win. Two things should not change: Let Coach Pike call the offensive plays so CC can concentrate on total game management and keep whatever defensive scheme worked the last part of the year which I believe was letting the DBs play man to man coverage vs zone.
04-09-2023 07:54 AM
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Jerry Weaver Offline
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RE: 2023 Season Preview Thread
(04-08-2023 08:24 AM)Sellers dweller Wrote:  
(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?

I'm not as concered with those spots.

For the offensive line, yes we only have two "starters" back, however Rewolinski and Douglas both have started multiple games, and we have recruited well there and just brought in some solid transfers.

At WR, we have Knue and Lassiter back which is a great starting point, and again we have recruited well and brought in some impressive transfers. I've also pointed out before that WR seems to be the spot that, since Creighton has been here, we have random guys pop up and they end up being great players.

Ain't that the truth! Walk-ons, freshman and JUCO's as well. Creighton certainly excels finding WR's. A true great like Quian Williams transferred due to the wealth of talent.
04-09-2023 04:10 PM
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RE: 2023 Season Preview Thread
(04-09-2023 04:10 PM)Jerry Weaver Wrote:  
(04-08-2023 08:24 AM)Sellers dweller Wrote:  
(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?

I'm not as concered with those spots.

For the offensive line, yes we only have two "starters" back, however Rewolinski and Douglas both have started multiple games, and we have recruited well there and just brought in some solid transfers.

At WR, we have Knue and Lassiter back which is a great starting point, and again we have recruited well and brought in some impressive transfers. I've also pointed out before that WR seems to be the spot that, since Creighton has been here, we have random guys pop up and they end up being great players.

Ain't that the truth! Walk-ons, freshman and JUCO's as well. Creighton certainly excels finding WR's. A true great like Quian Williams transferred due to the wealth of talent.

Looks like Quian will be drafted too. If he does, when was the last time a MAC school had four draft picks? Sidy, Chad, Quian, Jose.
04-09-2023 05:20 PM
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RE: 2023 Season Preview Thread
I'm really excited to see what Carter Evans and Melvin Swindle do this season....I was SUPER high on them and this year they finally have experience and size to be difference makers. Those 2 could be huge for us.

Remember we also get Haney back from injury. Our D line could be special.
04-10-2023 03:01 PM
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RE: 2023 Season Preview Thread
(04-10-2023 03:01 PM)steve4840 Wrote:  I'm really excited to see what Carter Evans and Melvin Swindle do this season....I was SUPER high on them and this year they finally have experience and size to be difference makers. Those 2 could be huge for us.

Remember we also get Haney back from injury. Our D line could be special.

We also get Merritt back I believe and redshirt JUCO DT Brown. DE Gaines was hurt for most of the year.
04-11-2023 09:20 AM
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RE: 2023 Season Preview Thread
(04-11-2023 09:20 AM)emu79 Wrote:  
(04-10-2023 03:01 PM)steve4840 Wrote:  I'm really excited to see what Carter Evans and Melvin Swindle do this season....I was SUPER high on them and this year they finally have experience and size to be difference makers. Those 2 could be huge for us.

Remember we also get Haney back from injury. Our D line could be special.

We also get Merritt back I believe and redshirt JUCO DT Brown. DE Gaines was hurt for most of the year.

I'm hearing that with all the healthy returns and the fresh defensive schemes, the defense has been challenging the O-line with some really good looks. Good Spring ball training for both sides of the ball.
(This post was last modified: 04-11-2023 09:33 AM by cidbearit.)
04-11-2023 09:32 AM
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RE: 2023 Season Preview Thread
(04-11-2023 09:32 AM)cidbearit Wrote:  
(04-11-2023 09:20 AM)emu79 Wrote:  
(04-10-2023 03:01 PM)steve4840 Wrote:  I'm really excited to see what Carter Evans and Melvin Swindle do this season....I was SUPER high on them and this year they finally have experience and size to be difference makers. Those 2 could be huge for us.

Remember we also get Haney back from injury. Our D line could be special.

We also get Merritt back I believe and redshirt JUCO DT Brown. DE Gaines was hurt for most of the year.

I'm hearing that with all the healthy returns and the fresh defensive schemes, the defense has been challenging the O-line with some really good looks. Good Spring ball training for both sides of the ball.

A good defense should take some pressure off a new/newish quarterback. I think our defense could be one of the best ones I've seen in a while. The D line looks stout, linebackers are VERY good and our secondary is legit with Cam Smith, Peavey, Scott and Shine.

There's no holes on that side of the ball at all.

We will need to add to the LB room with Sparacio and Kiine leaving next year
04-12-2023 03:27 PM
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RE: 2023 Season Preview Thread
(04-12-2023 03:27 PM)steve4840 Wrote:  
(04-11-2023 09:32 AM)cidbearit Wrote:  
(04-11-2023 09:20 AM)emu79 Wrote:  
(04-10-2023 03:01 PM)steve4840 Wrote:  I'm really excited to see what Carter Evans and Melvin Swindle do this season....I was SUPER high on them and this year they finally have experience and size to be difference makers. Those 2 could be huge for us.

Remember we also get Haney back from injury. Our D line could be special.

We also get Merritt back I believe and redshirt JUCO DT Brown. DE Gaines was hurt for most of the year.

I'm hearing that with all the healthy returns and the fresh defensive schemes, the defense has been challenging the O-line with some really good looks. Good Spring ball training for both sides of the ball.

A good defense should take some pressure off a new/newish quarterback. I think our defense could be one of the best ones I've seen in a while. The D line looks stout, linebackers are VERY good and our secondary is legit with Cam Smith, Peavey, Scott and Shine.

There's no holes on that side of the ball at all.

We will need to add to the LB room with Sparacio and Kiine leaving next year

TRUTH!
04-12-2023 05:53 PM
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RE: 2023 Season Preview Thread
Darius Lassiter and Steven Scheidt are in the tranfer portal. Big losses. Lassiter was poised to breakout at WR.
04-17-2023 04:57 PM
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RE: 2023 Season Preview Thread
(04-17-2023 04:57 PM)EMU03 Wrote:  Darius Lassiter and Steven Scheidt are in the tranfer portal. Big losses. Lassiter was poised to breakout at WR.

Darius is a huge loss. I suspect that a lower P5 program lost a WR to a bigger P5 program. I would bet anything there’s collusion in play here where the lower P5 school has contacted Lassiter. Why else would an all MAC WR leave after a scrimmage because typically only players who don’t plan to be in the top two of the depth chart transfer.

Good luck!
04-17-2023 08:16 PM
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holybovine Offline
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RE: 2023 Season Preview Thread
On3 is projecting Lassiter to go to Toledo or Texas State.

Truly, WTF?!
04-17-2023 11:52 PM
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