(07-25-2017 07:32 PM)CMichFan Wrote:  

(07-25-2017 07:22 PM)cmufanatic Wrote:  I still see wmu as mac w favorite. Kills me saying it but their lines are legit and I think they will beat msu. They still have a load of talent offensively with stud rbs and playmakers.

I think BGSU also has a chance to beat MSU this year, but Sparty is really hurting, so that may not mean much. I think Toledo looks like the toughest right now.

WMU looks a lot (on paper) like we did in 2010: loss of most of the receiving corps, loss of record-setting QB, loss of coach, and loss of kicking specialists. The best pass rusher is also gone. They do have a proven stable of backs returning, which we didn't in 2010, and 4/5 of the line (we had that also), but I think WMU takes at least one step back. The MAC West could be pretty wild this season.

It's a tuffy. I SWEAR that we have the best overall team in the MAC West. But like you said; unproven QB, WR's and K. That's a lot.

Coaching...we improved our stable of tacticians. But it's still a transition.

Our defense is STUDLY. So let's take the under and GET IT ON.

(07-26-2017 08:29 AM)Hiller4Hyz09 Wrote:  

(07-25-2017 07:32 PM)CMichFan Wrote:  

(07-25-2017 07:22 PM)cmufanatic Wrote:  I still see wmu as mac w favorite. Kills me saying it but their lines are legit and I think they will beat msu. They still have a load of talent offensively with stud rbs and playmakers.

I think BGSU also has a chance to beat MSU this year, but Sparty is really hurting, so that may not mean much. I think Toledo looks like the toughest right now.

WMU looks a lot (on paper) like we did in 2010: loss of most of the receiving corps, loss of record-setting QB, loss of coach, and loss of kicking specialists. The best pass rusher is also gone. They do have a proven stable of backs returning, which we didn't in 2010, and 4/5 of the line (we had that also), but I think WMU takes at least one step back. The MAC West could be pretty wild this season.

It's a tuffy. I SWEAR that we have the best overall team in the MAC West. But like you said; unproven QB, WR's and K. That's a lot.

Coaching...we improved our stable of tacticians. But it's still a transition.

Our defense is STUDLY. So let's take the under and GET IT ON.

WMU will be different though. There isn't one WR that takes all of the attention from the defense and a QB who can get it to him with accuracy. WMU is now a running team with a great set of backs and a QB who likes to run a bit as well. I see WMU as more of a 2013 NIU team with Lynch in his first campaign. A solid defense, with a coach who fits and is ready to win. USC will be a yucky one, but MSU is for sure beatable considering I think BG has a shot the week before.

I should have looked at their schedule before making a prediction....

Losses could include USC, MSU, Toledo, NIU, CMU, and EMU... thats about it. Akron, Idaho and BSU don't peg me as a threat. At worst WMU would go 6-6. I think they win most of those. 8-4 should be expected, and 10-2 not out of the realm of possibility.

Quote:Losses could include USC, MSU, Toledo, NIU, CMU, and EMU... thats about it. Akron, Idaho and BSU don't peg me as a threat. At worst WMU would go 6-6.

I would switch CMU & Idaho around there. I see Idaho as a threat. Same good QB. Poor D, but they smashed Colorado State in the bowl last year.

CMU's always a threat. But we're to be better than they, and it's At Home -- which is huge in the rivalry. If we had to go on the road to CMU, then that'd be a different story.

But I agree -- WMU at worst, will go 6-6. Personally, I see it around 7-5 -- possibly 8-4, possibly 6-6. New coaches, new QB, new WR set -- but thankfully @Toledo & @NIU are more toward the end of the season where the ducks can be more in a row.

6-6 would be a pretty huge letdown.

I'm still thinking 8-4 (2-2 OOC, 6-2 MAC).

Our passing game doesn't have to be great, it just needs to be adequate (say, middle of the MAC pack) to keep defenses honest so they don't constantly stack the line. But if our QB/WRs struggle to gel and there are a lot of dropped passes and INTs, well, then it could be a big stumble.