If ECU beats Townson by only 11pts there will be an online melt down by our fans

I would be disappointed if our defense gave up 20pts to Townson in a close game scenario. If we grind them down and are up by 21+ pts and Ruff pulls the starters for the Florida game then I would not be surprised to see Townson score 20pts.

I am guessing Benkert will look comfortable vs Townson and the Offense will move the ball especially with the OLine and stable of RB's I would like to see us score early and open up the playbook to allow Benkert to throw downfield bombs. If he looks uncomfortable vs Townson and it is a close game then I will pack extra booze for the game against Florida in the Swamp because that will be a really long night

Early First week AAC games prediction thread.

UCF vs FIU - UCF 38 FIU 20

UCONN vs Villanova - Uconn 21 Villanova 20

Tulane vs Duke - Duke 27 Tulane 17

SMU vs Baylor - Baylor 52 SMU 21

Navy vs Colgate - Navy 42 Colgate 21

Temple vs Penn St. - Penn State 28 Temple 17

Tulsa vs FAU - Tulsa 28 FAU 27

ECU vs Towson - ECU 38 Townson 14

Cincy vs Alabama A&M - Cincinnati 59 Alabama A&M 20

USF vs Florida A&M - South Florida 24 Florida A&M 7

Memphis vs Missouri st. - Memphis 38 Missouri state 14

Houston vs Tenn Tech. - Houston 42 Tennessee Tech 14

(08-08-2015 05:03 PM)Purplehook Wrote:  Houston vs Tenn Tech. - Houston takes care of Tenn. Tech 28-14

So is Houston worse than last year or Tenn Tech better than most of the AAC?
28 points scored? Only 3 AAC team held us to under 28 last year and 2 of those were 24 and 27 points. So Tenn Tech has a better defense than most of the AAC last year.

14 points against? Maybe... But UH held 3 AAC opponents under 14 points last year. And another scored 17.

I think you'll see a much higher difference than 14 points. We had 7 regular season wins last year. Houston only had 1 win in single digits. On average the wins were by 23.5 points. So if you're predicting a win, make it a big win.

(08-08-2015 05:03 PM)Purplehook Wrote:  USF vs Florida A&M - South Florida struggles early and wins ugly 24-21.

This is so funny, thanks for the laugh.

Last time USF played FAMU, we scored 70 points and had over 700 yards of offense.

The talent discrepancy is as large as any game that any AAC team will play in this year.

FAMU is a very bad FCS team. USF should be able to just show up and rout FAMU based on talent edge alone.

If your prediction come true, Taggart will be fired immediately.

USF will win this game by about 35 points...at least. And that doesn't guarantee a good year by USF either, it's just that this game is so lopsided.

Western Carolina would route this team 9 times out of 10.

FAMU lost to Coastal Carolina last year 48-3, who was actually a decent FCS team last year for perspective.

As a fan of both FBS and FCS these early season games intrigue me...

UCF 31 FIU 16 - A workman like start for UCF

Villanova 27 UConn 17 - Villanova has the better coach and QB. They're simply better....

Duke 24 Tulane 13 - I'll take Cutcliffe to have his team very well prepared for the opener....

Baylor 66 SMU 24 - The Bears know they have to kill teams in the OOC.....

Navy 45 Colgate 24 - Colgate is usually a pretty good FCS team but have struggled the last two years. They were picked 3rd in PL so improvement is expected. They'll battle....

Penn State 24 Temple 20 - I desperately want to take Temple but I can't see us making the one two big plays on offense that's needed to win....

FAU 30 Tulsa 27 - The Owls killed Tulsa last year. This one will be closer but I'll still go with FAU.

ECU 38 Towson 24 - I'd be a little nervous about this game if I was Pirate fan. Ambrose has restocked Towson with some really good transfers. The Tigers might be one of the most dangerous teams in FCS. They'll bounce back after a mess of a 2014 season. The question is just how much....

Cincinnati 56 Alabama A&M 13 - This will be ugly

USF 37 FAMU 20 - The Bulls should be able to pull away from a middling Rattler team...

Memphis 52 Missouri State 20 - While the MVFC is a nasty FCS conference (NDSU, UNI, Illinois State, YSU, SDSU etc.) the Bears are a bottom dweller with little punch...

Houston 41 Tenn Tech 20 - The Cougars should have no problem with a ho-hum OVC team....

(08-09-2015 10:31 AM)ShoreBuc Wrote:  If ECU beats Townson by only 11pts there will be an online melt down by our fans

I would be disappointed if our defense gave up 20pts to Townson in a close game scenario. If we grind them down and are up by 21+ pts and Ruff pulls the starters for the Florida game then I would not be surprised to see Townson score 20pts.

I am guessing Benkert will look comfortable vs Townson and the Offense will move the ball especially with the OLine and stable of RB's I would like to see us score early and open up the playbook to allow Benkert to throw downfield bombs. If he looks uncomfortable vs Townson and it is a close game then I will pack extra booze for the game against Florida in the Swamp because that will be a really long night

Ambrose is a cocky ass coach who will have his team ready to play and believing they'll win. Especially after how last year went. They went down to LSU a few years ago and gave the Tigers fits. They also recently beat UConn en-route to a FCS Finals appearance. Given the fact the Pirates will be breaking in several fresh faces I'd expect a few headaches during the game. Towson is really a wildcard right now in the CAA and FCS overall.

UCF vs FIU - UCF 38 FIU 17. UCF is just a lot better than FIU all around.

UConn vs Villanova - UConn 17, Villanova 14. Very nervous about this one. 'Nova could win. But I think UConn gets it done on last second FG. Diaco will turn it around at UConn in a year or 2.

Tulane vs Duke - Duke 35 Tulane 24. Tulane plays inspired ball for a half, but in the end Duke just too much for the Green Wave

SMU vs Baylor - Baylor 48 - SMU 28. SMU will score this year, but no where near to the level of Baylor.

Navy vs Colgate - Navy 55, Colgate 17. No way Colgate can stop Navy's triple option. Navy runs wild.

Temple vs Penn St. - Penn St. 31 Temple 21. Another close one, but Penn St pulls away in 4th.

Tulsa vs FAU - FAU28, Tulsa 24. Sorry Tulsa, I think FAU is just a tad better.

ECU vs Towson - ECU 31 Towson 21. Towson is a good program, and ECU has new personnel. Tied at the half before ECU pulls away in second half.

Cincinnati vs Alabama A&M - Cincinnati 62, Alabama A&M 10. Cincy routs this team by about a hundred...well almost. No contest, little more than a scrimmage.

USF vs Florida A&M - USF 52, FAMU 13. High tempo spread will score this year...at for a week against this patsy. Total mismatch.

Memphis vs Missouri st. - Memphis 55, Mo St 17. Another total mismatch. Nothing else to say.

Houston vs Tenn Tech. - Houston 48, TT 10 (not Texas Tech, but Tennessee Tech!) Greg Ward and Co. are unstoppable in this one. So out of hand they call off the dogs late.

(08-10-2015 10:43 AM)BullsFanInTX Wrote:  UCF vs FIU - UCF 38 FIU 17. UCF is just a lot better than FIU all around.

UConn vs Villanova - UConn 17, Villanova 14. Very nervous about this one. 'Nova could win. But I think UConn gets it done on last second FG. Diaco will turn it around at UConn in a year or 2.

Tulane vs Duke - Duke 35 Tulane 24. Tulane plays inspired ball for a half, but in the end Duke just too much for the Green Wave

SMU vs Baylor - Baylor 48 - SMU 28. SMU will score this year, but no where near to the level of Baylor.

Navy vs Colgate - Navy 55, Colgate 17. No way Colgate can stop Navy's triple option. Navy runs wild.

Temple vs Penn St. - Penn St. 31 Temple 21. Another close one, but Penn St pulls away in 4th.

Tulsa vs FAU - FAU28, Tulsa 24. Sorry Tulsa, I think FAU is just a tad better.

ECU vs Towson - ECU 31 Towson 21. Towson is a good program, and ECU has new personnel. Tied at the half before ECU pulls away in second half.

Cincinnati vs Alabama A&M - Cincinnati 62, Alabama A&M 10. Cincy routs this team by about a hundred...well almost. No contest, little more than a scrimmage.

USF vs Florida A&M - USF 52, FAMU 13. High tempo spread will score this year...at for a week against this patsy. Total mismatch.

Memphis vs Missouri st. - Memphis 55, Mo St 17. Another total mismatch. Nothing else to say.

Houston vs Tenn Tech. - Houston 48, TT 10 (not Texas Tech, but Tennessee Tech!) Greg Ward and Co. are unstoppable in this one. So out of hand they call off the dogs late.

I'd say this is analysis is almost identical to mine except may a bigger spread for ECU. I think USF comes out of the box and smashes FAMU.

(08-09-2015 10:08 PM)TUowl06 Wrote:  

(08-09-2015 10:31 AM)ShoreBuc Wrote:  If ECU beats Townson by only 11pts there will be an online melt down by our fans

I would be disappointed if our defense gave up 20pts to Townson in a close game scenario. If we grind them down and are up by 21+ pts and Ruff pulls the starters for the Florida game then I would not be surprised to see Townson score 20pts.

I am guessing Benkert will look comfortable vs Townson and the Offense will move the ball especially with the OLine and stable of RB's I would like to see us score early and open up the playbook to allow Benkert to throw downfield bombs. If he looks uncomfortable vs Townson and it is a close game then I will pack extra booze for the game against Florida in the Swamp because that will be a really long night

Ambrose is a cocky ass coach who will have his team ready to play and believing they'll win. Especially after how last year went. They went down to LSU a few years ago and gave the Tigers fits. They also recently beat UConn en-route to a FCS Finals appearance. Given the fact the Pirates will be breaking in several fresh faces I'd expect a few headaches during the game. Towson is really a wildcard right now in the CAA and FCS overall.

The only real fresh face we're breaking in is the QB position. People really need to learn more about ECU's team this year.

UCF 31 FIU 14 - Considerable mismatch, but in-state underdogs have a tendency to punch above their weight class.

UCONN 21 Villanova 17 - Huskies have more talent and the optimism that a new season brings.

Duke 34 Tulane 16 - Cutcliffe is building a formidable ACC program and won't be slowed by an improving Tulane team

Baylor 51 SMU 13 - Yikes.

Navy 48 Colgate 10 - Over by half-time, then it's all hands on deck for the Naval bench.

Penn State 27 Temple 16 - Great, exciting game that gets away late from the smaller Owls

FAU 28 Tulsa 20 - Coin flip, as Tulsa should be much improved with a new staff and veteran QB, but FAU's experience will provide the edge

ECU 34 Towson State 13 - Pirates have too much talent and tradition to allow an outmatched squad go the distance.

Cincy 54 Alabama A&M 15 - Over by half, then it's time for young Bearcubs to gain some experience

USF 29 Florida A&M 13 - Relatively easy for the Bulls, and a solid way to open the season.

Memphis 48 Missouri State 16 - Tigers light em up early, then quickly rein it back in to keep from displaying too much playbook to Kansas.

Houston 45 Tennessee Tech 13 - Maybe takes a quarter to get a new Coog style in gear, but will eventually put the screws to an outmatched FCS team.

Because all of the other games seem pretty obvious,

I really doubt the TU offense has trouble scoring points against FAU this time. Last season, the game was played in a downpour and our best players had arguably their worst games. (Keevan Lucas dropped a ton of balls) Also, FAU sent a couple of guys to the NFL (An LB & a WR/Athlete)

If Monty gets his offense installed and Evans really understanding his progressions, Tulsa should pull away. Tulsa's defense will be hard pressed to be as bad as they were last season.

FIU vs. UCF

Villanova vs. Connecticut

Duke vs. Tulane

Baylor vs. SMU

Colgate vs. Navy

Penn State vs. Temple

FAU vs. Tulsa

Towson vs. East Carolina

Alabama A&M vs. Cincinnati

Florida A&M vs. South Florida

Missouri State vs. Memphis

Tennessee Tech vs. Houston

(08-10-2015 01:52 PM)Carolina_Low_Country Wrote:  FIU vs. UCF

Villanova vs. Connecticut

Duke vs. Tulane

Baylor vs. SMU

Colgate vs. Navy

Penn State vs. Temple - upset potential, but not confident in temples offense beating penn states defense.

FAU vs. Tulsa

Towson vs. East Carolina

Alabama A&M vs. Cincinnati

Florida A&M vs. South Florida

Missouri State vs. Memphis

Tennessee Tech vs. Houston

Always preferred this method. Predicting scores requires a certain omniscient arrogance that unsettles me.

I added my changes.

UCF 31 FIU 12 - UCF will come out prepared.

UConn 20 Villanova 14 - UConn can't, and won't, take anyone for granted.

Duke 42 Tulane 10 - Check out Duke's recruiting. Now they have the talent to go with the coaching.

Baylor 66 SMU 17 - Agree that Baylor needs to run up the points.

Navy 31 Colgate 7 - No contest.

Penn State 30 Temple 20 - Temple shows up on offense. But the state ag school grinds it out in the end.

FAU 30 Tulsa 27

ECU 21 Towson 20 - ECU comes out over-confident against a solid FCS team.

Cincinnati 51 Alabama A&M 7 - Cinci will also be looking to run up scores.

USF 24 FAMU 14 - USF will not be clicking, but it won't matter.

Memphis 42 Missouri State 14 - No contest.

Houston 41 Tenn Tech 20

(08-10-2015 04:45 PM)Enriquillo Wrote:  UCF 31 FIU 12 - UCF will come out prepared.

UConn 20 Villanova 14 - UConn can't, and won't, take anyone for granted.

Duke 42 Tulane 10 - Check out Duke's recruiting. Now they have the talent to go with the coaching.

Baylor 66 SMU 17 - Agree that Baylor needs to run up the points.

Navy 31 Colgate 7 - No contest.

Penn State 30 Temple 20 - Temple shows up on offense. But the state ag school grinds it out in the end.

FAU 30 Tulsa 27

ECU 21 Towson 20 - ECU comes out over-confident against a solid FCS team.

Cincinnati 51 Alabama A&M 7 - Cinci will also be looking to run up scores.

USF 24 FAMU 14 - USF will not be clicking, but it won't matter.

Memphis 42 Missouri State 14 - No contest.

Houston 41 Tenn Tech 20

Do you realize the whole coaching staff would be on the hot seat? That would nearly ruin the season and the fanbase would be in a frenzy. I'm still not sure how a 4-8 FCS team from last year with no real answer at QB is all of a sudden supposed to take down a top tier G5 team with top 50 talent?

(08-10-2015 04:49 PM)NBPirate Wrote:  

(08-10-2015 04:45 PM)Enriquillo Wrote:  UCF 31 FIU 12 - UCF will come out prepared.

UConn 20 Villanova 14 - UConn can't, and won't, take anyone for granted.

Duke 42 Tulane 10 - Check out Duke's recruiting. Now they have the talent to go with the coaching.

Baylor 66 SMU 17 - Agree that Baylor needs to run up the points.

Navy 31 Colgate 7 - No contest.

Penn State 30 Temple 20 - Temple shows up on offense. But the state ag school grinds it out in the end.

FAU 30 Tulsa 27

ECU 21 Towson 20 - ECU comes out over-confident against a solid FCS team.

Cincinnati 51 Alabama A&M 7 - Cinci will also be looking to run up scores.

USF 24 FAMU 14 - USF will not be clicking, but it won't matter.

Memphis 42 Missouri State 14 - No contest.

Houston 41 Tenn Tech 20

Do you realize the whole coaching staff would be on the hot seat? That would nearly ruin the season and the fanbase would be in a frenzy. I'm still not sure how a 4-8 FCS team from last year with no real answer at QB is all of a sudden supposed to take down a top tier G5 team with top 50 talent?

Just relax...I am not sure why people get so worked up about people's preseason predictions. On paper ECU actually has a more experienced team coming into this season than last season. Sure we have to replace a 3 year starter at QB but we do run a QB friendly offense and have good experience at oline, receiver, and running back. I really feel like we will be able to lean on the run game a little more this season which should help out our new starting QB.

We will get solid play from our front seven on defense and I expect a big jump in the secondary play.

If our offense can just manage the ball and not have a lot of turnovers we should be fine and I would not be surprised if make some waves in the conference race.

FIU vs. UCF

Villanova vs. Connecticut (tossup)

Duke vs. Tulane

Baylor vs. SMU

Colgate vs. Navy

Penn State vs. Temple

FAU vs. Tulsa (tossup)

Towson vs. East Carolina

Alabama A&M vs. Cincinnati

Florida A&M vs. South Florida

Missouri State vs. Memphis

Tennessee Tech vs. Houston

(08-08-2015 05:12 PM)pesik Wrote:  if our fcs games are even remotely that close..expect a horrible year for the AAC

id honestly fire taggart on the spot if they only beat Florida A&M by 3...

but really you have us playing alot of close games with some bad fcs teams

Well it's better than LOSING to Bad FCS teams. Remember last season and the season before? USF was down 4 or 5 td's in the 4th quarter to a team worse than this seasons Florida A&M team. BTW, why hasn't Florida A&M pulled the trigger on moving to FBS yet? They were all set to go 10 years ago....what's the hold up? Cheers!

(08-10-2015 08:34 PM)billybobby777 Wrote:  

(08-08-2015 05:12 PM)pesik Wrote:  if our fcs games are even remotely that close..expect a horrible year for the AAC

id honestly fire taggart on the spot if they only beat Florida A&M by 3...

but really you have us playing alot of close games with some bad fcs teams

Well it's better than LOSING to Bad FCS teams. Remember last season and the season before? USF was down 4 or 5 td's in the 4th quarter to a team worse than this seasons Florida A&M team. BTW, why hasn't Florida A&M pulled the trigger on moving to FBS yet? They were all set to go 10 years ago....what's the hold up? Cheers!

florida a&m was 3-9 last year with no fbs games

western carolina was 7-5 with 2 fbs games (bama and usf)

i think your mixing florida a&m with someone else

Memphis 77-0 Missouri State