The unofficial online home for fans of the Western Michigan University Broncos. Part of Collegiate Sports Nation (CSN).

Has us Pre-Season ranked no. 39, says we "could go 12-0."

They're right, we could. Our Broncos have the talent and a more favorable schedule. 12-0 isn't outside the realm of possibilities.

That being said, I don't expect 12-0. Injuries happen, and if we lose Terrell or Davis...oh boy. Also, we have an easier schedule this year but we still play two B1G teams on the road, a solid Georgia Southern team, CMU on the road, NIU and Toledo are always tough. I can't see us getting through all of that unscathed. But there's a very real chance of hitting at least double-digits.

(07-13-2016 08:27 AM)ColinApocalypse Wrote:  They're right, we could. Our Broncos have the talent and a more favorable schedule. 12-0 isn't outside the realm of possibilities.

That being said, I don't expect 12-0. Injuries happen, and if we lose Terrell or Davis...oh boy. Also, we have an easier schedule this year but we still play two B1G teams on the road, a solid Georgia Southern team, CMU on the road, NIU and Toledo are always tough. I can't see us getting through all of that unscathed. But there's a very real chance of hitting at least double-digits.

Agreed.

I like the optimism from CFN. There is not a game on the schedule WMU can't win, unlike last year.

However, it is difficult and rare for any team, from any conference, at any division level, to go undefeated (see the NIU team that went to the BCS Bowl...it lost to a bad Iowa team opening game, likewise Stanford @ NU last season). While it would be thrilling, it would be expecting too much.

Every team, no matter how good or well coached, has several "bad" games throughout the season where they play worse then capable of.

I will be happy if WMU makes it to the MAC Championship Game and beats CMU. That is my expectation, good or bad. Anything else, is welcomed gravy.

Win the MAC Championship and I will do cartwheels around campus.

(07-13-2016 08:18 AM)MajorHoople Wrote:  Has us Pre-Season ranked no. 39, says we "could go 12-0."

Just a bit of inconsistent logic on their part. If WMU goes 12-0 they'll be ranked much higher than #39. So if they think WMU is going 12-0 then rank WMU 8th or so in preseason rankings. No way in hell a D1 team goes 12-0 and is ranked #39.

(07-13-2016 08:57 AM)BCBronco Wrote:  

(07-13-2016 08:18 AM)MajorHoople Wrote:  Has us Pre-Season ranked no. 39, says we "could go 12-0."

Just a bit of inconsistent logic on their part. If WMU goes 12-0 they'll be ranked much higher than #39. So if they think WMU is going 12-0 then rank WMU 8th or so in preseason rankings. No way in hell a D1 team goes 12-0 and is ranked #39.

They said it's a possibility, not that the Broncos will for sure be undefeated.

Matt Breida and GaSo are going to roll over us offensively. Hopefully we can do the same and make it a game.

(07-13-2016 12:08 PM)Hiller4Hyz09 Wrote:  Matt Breida and GaSo are going to roll over us offensively. Hopefully we can do the same and make it a game.

GaSo has a new coaching staff and new secondary. They might run all over us, but we're going to throw all over them.

Gonna be a fun one.

Orlando Sentinel has us at 44

(07-13-2016 12:14 PM)ColinApocalypse Wrote:  

(07-13-2016 12:08 PM)Hiller4Hyz09 Wrote:  Matt Breida and GaSo are going to roll over us offensively. Hopefully we can do the same and make it a game.

GaSo has a new coaching staff and new secondary. They might run all over us, but we're going to throw all over them.

Gonna be a fun one.

Confuse "new" for "worse" at your own risk...




Ok fine, we are a bit concerned too.

(08-02-2016 01:22 PM)TrueBlueAlum Wrote:  

(07-13-2016 12:14 PM)ColinApocalypse Wrote:  

(07-13-2016 12:08 PM)Hiller4Hyz09 Wrote:  Matt Breida and GaSo are going to roll over us offensively. Hopefully we can do the same and make it a game.

GaSo has a new coaching staff and new secondary. They might run all over us, but we're going to throw all over them.

Gonna be a fun one.

Confuse "new" for "worse" at your own risk...




Ok fine, we are a bit concerned too.

After what happened last year, I'm not underestimating the Eagles in any way.

I don't think we can go 12-0, at least not without divine intervention. The MAC is way too competitive, and never can any game be taken for granted. I think we should be solid, and I hope the best team in the MAC, but I would be delighted if we win 10 games. Northwestern is favored against us, and I am not sure we wont be the Vegas underdog at Illinois. GSU trashed our defense last year, and nothing that has happened since then leads me to believe we will be so much better on defense this year that the same offense won't score big again. Toledo and NIU are always tough on us, and CMU will be decent this year, with the game in Mt P. We are way more likely to lose 5 games than we are to go 12-0.

If we do go 12-0 though I will buy the first round of beers (and probably a few after that), because all of us, the Fleckies and the DeFleckatiers, are all going out and getting drunk! And none of us Bronco Stampede regulars are opting out.

Quote:I don't think we can go 12-0, at least not without divine intervention.

I wouldn't say it'd require divine intervention (Jesus only cares about Notre Dame anyway) -- I would have said that with last year's schedule. This year, Each game is winnable without being any real shakeup at all -- no bigger of an upset than us beating #25 @Toledo last year. Problem is, as you say, the MAC is way too competitive, as we have @CMU who is going to be at least as good last year with a better coach than Enos for expectations, and @NW, @Illinois, and GA-Southern. Not to mention Toledo & NIU.

But any good level of expectation to win them all? We need a solid, proven D for that to be truly considered. We will not have that. That, plus obvious potential for injuries and such makes going undefeated a long shot. Basically, requiring few injuries + great D coming out of seemingly nowhere -- all while no other MAC team rising to the occasion, punching NW in the mouth early 1st game, and a decent breeze of the wind blowing at our backs as we ride the momentum.

Quote:We are way more likely to lose 5 games than we are to go 12-0.

- @CMU, @NW, @Illinois, Toledo, GA-Southern, NIU
- @Akron, Buffalo, @BSU
- @Kent, EMU, NCC[FCS]

Going 1-5 in that tough slate of 6 would probably mean losing to one of the next 6 too, but assuming we go 2-4 in the tough slate and just lose a heart-breaker to Akron/Buff/BSU, it's still 7-5. I would agree, a better chance of close games lost on that front than going 12-0.

But I will say it's roughly the same as going 6-6. But if I had to bet on 6-6 vs 12-0 if either were to happen -- slight edge to 6-6 (going 1-3 OOC; 5-3 Conf [loses: @CMU, Tol, NIU]), factoring in injury potential.