(04-04-2014 01:27 PM)chiefsfan Wrote:  

(04-04-2014 01:23 PM)Tom in Lazybrook Wrote:  

(04-04-2014 12:58 PM)chiefsfan Wrote:  

(04-04-2014 12:47 PM)Trojan Possum Wrote:  Why do people think USA is going to be a pushover this year? I'm expecting a hard fought game in Mobile this year for TROY...

I think Troy has the bigger adjustment to make this year truthfully. USA's schedule is not as favorable as a few others, which is why I think some believe they may fall a bit.

We won 6 games last year. I think that if you look at our schedule

@App, GaSo, GaSt, Troy, @ULL, @Ark State, @Idaho, Tex State should provide us with 6 games where we would be either favored or even money. Is it impossible that we don't stumble, no. 6 wins assumes we hold serve at home and win at App and Idaho. Not seeing much crazy with that prediction. Then we have our OOC schedule (@Kent, Navy, Miss State, @So Carolina). We should beat Kent and should have a decent shot with Navy.

So, I'm thinking 7 to 8 wins and 5 to 6 conference wins plus a bowl would be the most likely outcome. A good season would be 6-2 in conference and 8-4 overall. And while I don't think we'll be favored in Lafayette or Jonesboro or against Mississippi State at home, none of those games would be 'end the world' upsets.

That assumes 3 road wins. But I think we can pull that one off. And beat Troy.

A 6-2 conference record would guarantee a 3rd place finish, which is where the most optimistic punters are predicting. A 5-3 record would probably get us there too.

Our schedule does us no favors. But it is manageable.

Yeah, no way you guys are favored against ULL or ASU unless things change significantly before the game is played.

Getting Texas State and Troy at home is a big help for the Jags, but ultimately its going to come down to whether or not they can win in the two hardest places in the SBC to win.

I don't think ANYONE is predicting USA to win the conference next year. I'm assuming we lose both those games.