(04-22-2014 02:12 PM)OwlFamily Wrote:  I think FAU has an outside shot at the east title. I was a lil nervous with the coaching change of regresssion, but the atmosphere seems even more energized. We have the talent, its just about putting it all together now.

I love how none of the traditional C-USA teams give FAU any credit at all for next season.

We lost to Marshall by 1 point on a last second field goal. Im looking forward to the rematch.

(04-23-2014 11:46 AM)voss749 Wrote:  

(04-22-2014 02:12 PM)OwlFamily Wrote:  I think FAU has an outside shot at the east title. I was a lil nervous with the coaching change of regresssion, but the atmosphere seems even more energized. We have the talent, its just about putting it all together now.

I love how none of the traditional C-USA teams give FAU any credit at all for next season.

We lost to Marshall by 1 point on a last second field goal. Im looking forward to the rematch.

I think FAU has a legit defense and clearly a tough contender for the east. If only ODU and FAU can trade defenses When not playing us Best of luck FAU.Looking forward to the game at your place.

(04-23-2014 11:46 AM)voss749 Wrote:  

(04-22-2014 02:12 PM)OwlFamily Wrote:  I think FAU has an outside shot at the east title. I was a lil nervous with the coaching change of regresssion, but the atmosphere seems even more energized. We have the talent, its just about putting it all together now.

I love how none of the traditional C-USA teams give FAU any credit at all for next season.

We lost to Marshall by 1 point on a last second field goal. Im looking forward to the rematch.

Marshall's a different team at home.

(04-23-2014 11:46 AM)voss749 Wrote:  

(04-22-2014 02:12 PM)OwlFamily Wrote:  I think FAU has an outside shot at the east title. I was a lil nervous with the coaching change of regresssion, but the atmosphere seems even more energized. We have the talent, its just about putting it all together now.

I love how none of the traditional C-USA teams give FAU any credit at all for next season.

I was glad to see Rice @FIU instead of @FAU. You gave away the game in Houston last year. If FAU had closed out the win over Rice, the West champion would have been either Rice, North Texas, or UTSA at 6-2. The championship game would have been at Marshall, and the entire 2013 season could have changed.

We gave away 3 games last year. Rice, Marshall, and MTSU.

Painful lessons, but ones that needed to be learned. The kids learned how to keep the foot on the gas after those loses and I think the lesson will stick with them.

How I see the East Division, with teams listed in predicted order of finish:

MARSHALL

The Herd is the defending division champion with a ton of talent. Enough said.

FLORIDA ATLANTIC

I was impressed with (1) how close FAU played both Rice and Marshall in those two losses last year, and (2) how strongly the Owls finished the 2013 season. The Owls’ schedule this year is pretty rough early on with games at Nebraska and Alabama. Then into the conference games, the scheduler did FAU no favors with games at Marshall, North Texas and Middle Tennessee. I see the Owls going 5-3 in conference play. I do think FAU has a chance to be the upset winner of the East if they pull upset wins in Denton and Huntington, but the chances would be a lot better if the Owls were playing those games at home. Good luck, Owls.

MIDDLE TENNESSEE

MTSU finished the regular season on a strong note, including the upset win over Marshall. This year, the Raiders get to ease into the season with a home opener against Savannah State before taking on Minnesota on the road. They will best their West Division competition with a home game against USM and road trip to UTEP. Against its East Division competition, MT is fortunate to have FAU and its traditional rival Western Kentucky at home, but they have to go on the road against division favorite Marshall and newcomer ODU. I see the Blue Raiders going 5-3 in conference play and falling short of a division championship. Happy galloping, Blue Raiders.

WESTERN KENTUCKY

The Hilltoppers went 8-4 (4-3 in the Sunbelt) in 2013 with wins over Kentucky, Navy and Army and a strong finish winning their last four games. By selecting Jeff Brohm to replace Bobby Petrino, WKU has likely avoided any significant upheaval due to the coaching change. The Conference crossover schedule is manageable with LA Tech on the road and UTSA and UTEP at home, but division stalwarts Marshall, FAU and Middle Tennessee are all on the road, making it unlikely for the Hilltoppers to make the championship game, despite putting on a good show this year. I see WKU also at 5-3 in conference play. At the risk of upsetting my Southern Mississippi friends – TTT, Hilltoppers!

OLD DOMINION

Though largely successful in its short (five-year) FCS lifetime, ODU now joins the fray in the much more competitive arena of FBS football. Against limited FBS competition last year, the Monarchs beat Idaho and appeared competitive against ECU and Pitt. However, the contrast in abilities was glaringly apparent in the loss to Maryland and downright embarrassing against North Carolina. With the addition of some sterling JUCO help on defense and the return of most of its offense, the Monarchs appear to be better prepared for C-USA play than they were at this time last year. I see the Monarchs with conference wins at home over Middle Tennessee, LA Tech, and FIU and a road win over UTEP. ODU finishes 4-4 in conference and 6-6 overall. GO MONARCHS!

UAB

The Blazers had one conference win last year over FIU. They open conference play this year against the Golden Panthers, and that game may well be their best opportunity for a conference win this year. I wish the Blazers the best this year, and hope they prove me wrong by picking up a few more wins (just not one against ODU). Good luck Blazers!

FLORIDA INTERNATIONAL

The Golden Panthers proved to be more golden than the Golden Eagles of Southern Miss last year as they beat USM for their only win of the season. FIU will not be that fortunate this year as (1) the Golden Eagles should be improved this year, and (2) FIU does not play USM in 2014. I believe the Panthers will be hard pressed to find a conference win this year. Their best hope is likely against UAB, but that game is at Legion Field, so I predict the victory will go to the home team. Best wishes Golden Panthers. I hope you find a conference win, as long as it is not against the Monarchs. Good luck!

(04-23-2014 01:30 PM)ESE84 Wrote:  

(04-23-2014 11:46 AM)voss749 Wrote:  

(04-22-2014 02:12 PM)OwlFamily Wrote:  I think FAU has an outside shot at the east title. I was a lil nervous with the coaching change of regresssion, but the atmosphere seems even more energized. We have the talent, its just about putting it all together now.

I love how none of the traditional C-USA teams give FAU any credit at all for next season.

I was glad to see Rice @FIU instead of @FAU. You gave away the game in Houston last year. If FAU had closed out the win over Rice, the West champion would have been either Rice, North Texas, or UTSA at 6-2. The championship game would have been at Marshall, and the entire 2013 season could have changed.

I am still amazed at being called a traditional
C-USA team. At least I hope that was directed at us.

Believe me, nobody at Rice is ignoring FAU. We'll be ready for you when you come to Houston for the championship game.

(04-21-2014 09:01 AM)loki_the_bubba Wrote:  Very low chance after Rice whips Marshall again, this time in the regular season.

If you get Marshall, better hope you have home field. You don't want any of 'em in Huntington. If they overcome their road inconsistency there's no reason they can't run the table, particularly in conference. They have virtually everybody back including a top 5 nationally quarterback.

If we had Marshall at home, I'd guarantee a win for FAU. But the Herd are so tough at Huntington. Should be a good one.