@McMurphyESPN: AAC preseason media poll:
Cincinnati
UCF,
Houston
ECU
SMU
USF
Memphis
Temple
UCONN
Tulane
Tulsa

Hmm...I think Tulane finishes better than next to last. Not sure who I would put there though.

smu is the real shocker here...will be curious to see the coaches poll

(07-29-2014 12:05 AM)ncbeta Wrote:  Hmm...I think Tulane finishes better than next to last. Not sure who I would put there though.

It will take longer for Tulane to earn respect, because of how long we were down for.

I think we beat Memphis, Temple, and UConn at home, and i think we get Tulsa on the road to finish 4-4. We'll go 2-2 outside of the league to finish 6-6. 2016 is our breakout year where we will contend.

(07-29-2014 12:17 AM)OUGwave Wrote:  

(07-29-2014 12:05 AM)ncbeta Wrote:  Hmm...I think Tulane finishes better than next to last. Not sure who I would put there though.

It will take longer for Tulane to earn respect, because of how long we were down for.

Fully agree with both of the above posts.

Quote:I think we beat Memphis, Temple, and UConn at home, and i think we get Tulsa on the road to finish 4-4. We'll go 2-2 outside of the league to finish 6-6.

Of course, I'm hoping we can steal one or two in addition to that. But I admit, that (6-6) seems like the most likely scenario at this point.

Houston (11-1, access bowl)
Cincy
UCF
ECU
SMU
Tulane
Memphis
USF
Temple
UConn
Tulsa

Just my guess...

(07-29-2014 12:01 AM)True Bearcat Wrote:  @McMurphyESPN: AAC preseason media poll:

Cincinnati
UCF,
Houston
ECU
SMU
USF
Memphis
Temple
UCONN
Tulane
Tulsa

ECU is in the catbird seat...as #4 last year (UCF) won the conf.

2013 preseason media poll: (actual conf record and place)

Louisville (2nd, 7-1)
Cincinnati (3rd, 6-2)
Rutgers (tied for 6th, 3-5, ok, everyone can laugh at that one)
UCF (1st, 8-0, conf champs, BCS bowl champs)
USF (8th, 2-6)
Houston (4th, 5-3)
UCONN (tied for 6th, 3-5)
SMU (5th, 4-4)
Temple (tied for last place, 1-7)
Memphis (tied for last place, 1-7)

Official write up from American.org

1.Cincy-(17)-311
2.UCF-(7)-296
3.UH -(6)-268
4.ECU-262
5.SMU-158
6.USF-157
7.Memphis- 133
8.Temple- 105
9.Uconn- 98
Tulane-98
11.Tulsa-94

ECU = 0 first place votes, for the first time I agree with the media.

(07-29-2014 07:33 AM)AirRaid Wrote:  ECU = 0 first place votes, for the first time I agree with the media.

haha I hear ya, could not even get a homer vote.

Was the Cincy/UNC bowl game just an aberration? I will admit I didn't watch many UC games last year, but I did watch the bowl game... and from THAT game, I can't understand the fairly unanimous selection of UC @ #1. We all have bad games (see ECU vs Marshall last year) so I can understand that.

It's gonna be sweet when UConn finishes in the top half of the leauge and goes bowling.

(07-29-2014 08:00 AM)ECUGrad07 Wrote:  Was the Cincy/UNC bowl game just an aberration? I will admit I didn't watch many UC games last year, but I did watch the bowl game... and from THAT game, I can't understand the fairly unanimous selection of UC @ #1. We all have bad games (see ECU vs Marshall last year) so I can understand that.

A couple things stood out from that game... UC's offensive line was without 3-4 players for that game (including a couple 1st team all conference performers). Second, a major downfall in that game for the Bearcats was the performance of their special teams. UC gave up a punt return for a TD, gave up a bunch of other long returns, shanked a bunch of punts, missed some field goals, etc. Special teams was a huge factor in the outcome of that performance. When you constantly give your opponent great field position you are not going to win games that often.

Re: UNC-- I know you ECU guys like to flash the final score of your game earlier in the season with the Tar Heels, but that was a different UNC team that played in the Belk Bowl. They got significantly better after they switched QB's mid-season.

On a final note, the prior season generally does not reflect how teams are ranked in a pre-season poll (although it is a factor). Writers also look at what the teams return (in this case UC has 16 returning starters v. ECU 11) and schedule.

(07-29-2014 08:00 AM)ECUGrad07 Wrote:  Was the Cincy/UNC bowl game just an aberration? I will admit I didn't watch many UC games last year, but I did watch the bowl game... and from THAT game, I can't understand the fairly unanimous selection of UC @ #1. We all have bad games (see ECU vs Marshall last year) so I can understand that.

things to note is UC did give up multiple special teams touchdowns.

and i have a theory on the UNC game (just a theory)..i dont think it was aberration but the fact that they got down early..cincy was good in close game and especially good and holding leads.

UC ran a psuedo spread last year. which mostly revolved around short to mid-range passes and a secondary offense which was whenever they had a good enough lead to run out the clock (even if its early-ish in the game).

UC had big plays last year but it wasn't ever forced, the objective was just to dissect you short-mid range and if a big play happen it happens

i think in the UNC game the special team tds got them down early and they needed big plays to get back into the game and started forcing it which they weren't very good at.

just a theory of mine, but it really just could be an aberration they were a very up and down team last year.

i also think this poll might be a vote of confidence in gunner kiel despite never playing down. the hype train isnt here yet for him but its getting there. cbssports named him the highest draftable sophomore qb in their draft big board despite never playing a down

The media poll is fun, but it doesnt matter. I just like it because it signals the season is nigh.

That SMU team is pretty out of place from what most people have been saying.

Last time we were picked to win we went 4-8...get ready folks.

Greg Harrell @Cats_Tix_Greg
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@Tommy_G I actually looked that up earlier this AM. Preseason pick (since 08): 5, 3, 3, 5, 4, 2.... Actual finish? 1, 1, 7, 1, 1, 3 .

(07-29-2014 08:16 AM)HartfordHusky Wrote:  It's gonna be sweet when UConn finishes in the top half of the leauge and goes bowling.

When? In a couple season?

(07-29-2014 08:16 AM)HartfordHusky Wrote:  It's gonna be sweet when UConn finishes in the top half of the leauge and goes bowling.

Yep, and I expect that to happen somewhere around 2018ish.