My concern in our game against Auburn isn't so much our offense but our defense. I don't think our defense will be bad this season, but I just don't anticipate us getting much pressure on Stidham, and if we cant get pressure on him he's going to throw for 400 yards.

ULM +27 @ Memphis
Arizona State -24 vs NMSU
Nebraska -16 vs Ark St
Auburn -35 vs GS
UGA -13.5 vs App
Troy +12.5 @ Boise

G5 cover of the week - WYO +12 @ Iowa.

(08-14-2017 02:48 PM)slycat Wrote:  I expect TXST to blowout HBU by at least 30

It's going to be the only game we're favored in all season. I think Texas State will try to make a "statement" (which is silly, but not the point).

We win this one BIG.

(08-14-2017 07:29 PM)Saint3333 Wrote:  ULM +27 @ Memphis
Arizona State -24 vs NMSU
Nebraska -16 vs Ark St
Auburn -35 vs GS
UGA -13.5 vs App
Troy +12.5 @ Boise

G5 cover of the week - WYO +12 @ Iowa.

Auburn is not going to pound GS that bad. Even if they could (which they can), the GS offense will keep them off the field. The key to the game will be catching Auburn out of lane and being ball control bullies. 35 points is way too high and I'm tempted to toss a few bucks at this one.

(08-14-2017 12:51 PM)chiefsfan Wrote:  

(08-14-2017 12:34 PM)Golota Wrote:  

(08-14-2017 10:55 AM)EigenEagle Wrote:  Oh come on, if you're going to describe the dream weekend for the Sun Belt you might as well let ULM win.

Yep it's not like we haven't upset people opening weekend.

I might actually go to that game. But then I worry you guys will get killed and I'll waste my money.

I'll be there. I honestly don't think we'll get killed. Could use all the support we can get in the Liberty Bowl!

(08-14-2017 07:29 PM)Saint3333 Wrote:  ULM +27 @ Memphis
Arizona State -24 vs NMSU
Nebraska -16 vs Ark St
Auburn -35 vs GS
UGA -13.5 vs App
Troy +12.5 @ Boise

G5 cover of the week - WYO +12 @ Iowa.

If I'm betting (need to find a bookie) my first hundred will be on Georgia Southern. My second will be with A-State. The ONLY reason GS could lose this bad is that Auburn has more days to plan for the triple option with it being the first game of the season.

(08-14-2017 07:43 PM)TroyFootball05 Wrote:  

(08-14-2017 07:29 PM)Saint3333 Wrote:  ULM +27 @ Memphis
Arizona State -24 vs NMSU
Nebraska -16 vs Ark St
Auburn -35 vs GS
UGA -13.5 vs App
Troy +12.5 @ Boise

G5 cover of the week - WYO +12 @ Iowa.

Auburn is not going to pound GS that bad. Even if they could (which they can), the GS offense will keep them off the field. The key to the game will be catching Auburn out of lane and being ball control bullies. 35 points is way too high and I'm tempted to toss a few bucks at this one.

I agree. I'm not calling for an upset, but if the option is even partially effective, it's all but impossible to win by 35. Just a couple of breakdowns can easily lead to a touchdown or two and if GS is making the right reads, even great defensive execution isn't going to stop a handful of first downs and a couple of sustained drives.

When GS is running its offense well - even when the points aren't there - opponents are only going to get 7-8 possessions in an entire game. And while Auburn should have a dangerous offense, I don't see them scoring touchdowns on more than 75% of their drives.

So one or twin gS scores and an option game that has a few good drives should make that 35 hard to cover for Auburn.

Tenn St @ GSU - GSU by 28
Sacramento St @ Idaho - Idaho by 28
ULM @ Memphis - Memphis by 14
NMSU @ Arizona St - ASU by 28
Troy @ Boise St - Troy by 3
App @ Georgia - Georgia by 14
UMass @ Coastal - Coastal by 3
SE LA @ ULL - ULL by 28
Houston Baptist @ Texas St - TX St by 30
USA @ Ole Miss - Ole Miss by 10
GS @ Auburn - Not picking this one
stAte @ Nebraska - Nebraska by 21

I'm not picking on the FCS matchups, but of the bigger match ups, I really don't see a good week for the SBC.
Memphis by 20
Arizona State by 20
Boise by 3
Georiga by 14
Ole Miss by 20
Auburn by 20
Nebraska by 14
Coastal by 1

Sorry folks, but the only "big win" for the SBC in week 1 will be Coastal beating UMASS

(08-14-2017 02:13 PM)Golota Wrote:  

(08-14-2017 12:51 PM)chiefsfan Wrote:  

(08-14-2017 12:34 PM)Golota Wrote:  

(08-14-2017 10:55 AM)EigenEagle Wrote:  Oh come on, if you're going to describe the dream weekend for the Sun Belt you might as well let ULM win.

Yep it's not like we haven't upset people opening weekend.

I might actually go to that game. But then I worry you guys will get killed and I'll waste my money.

That might happen too! Will be on the sidelines for free. Just costing me a trip to Nashville with my wife.

My work is going to have me within a mile or so of the Liberty Bowl that Thursday. It's tempting to go sneak out and watch. Probably will come down to how bored I am that particular day.

I don't put money up often, but that GS-Auburn line is very tempting.

If you go let me know. We will have an RV out there tailgating. I saw they have $5 tickets at Kroger I believe. So at least you wouldn't be out much if we don't hold up our end of the deal. Never know in a first game of the year how it will go.

(08-16-2017 08:48 AM)BurlingtonApp Wrote:  I don't put money up often, but that GS-Auburn line is very tempting.

Was just talking about this with a buddy. That line seems crazy but after what happened at West Virginia a few years ago I'll never bet on an opening game in my life. In hindsight there are probably reasons for the 44-0 beatdown that I don't see being an issue in this game, BUT you never know.

I'll dwell deeper when we're within grasp of the start of the season, but I'll do some quick hits...

Thursday Aug 31

Tennessee State @ Georgia State
Not a game the Panthers should take too lightly, but I would assume the excitement of the first game at new digs along with Shawn Elliot's debut should be enough emotional boost to get the 'W'. 35-17 GaState

Sacramento State @ Idaho
Vandals send a strong message to both the 'Belt and the Big Sky. 49-20 Vandals

Louisiana Monroe @ Memphis
Wouldn't surprise me if ULM snuck up on Memphis and made this a game, but Tigers pull it out in the end. 38-27 UM

New Mexico State @ Arizona State
Larry Rose once again tries to carry the team to the improbable upset, but defense won't be able to slow down the Sun Devils. 52-24 Zona State



Saturday Sep 2

Troy @ Boise State
Trojans put up an admirable fight but Boise will be too strong at home. 40-28 BSU

Appalachian State @ Georgia
Same as previously stated: Mountaineers make it entertaining early but the Georgia depth and athleticism pulls away in the third. 41-27 UGA

UMass @ Coastal Carolina
My upset pick up the week (which really shouldn't be that big of an upset) but I wouldn't be surprised to see most have Umass favored. 24-21 CCU

Southeastern Louisiana @ Louisiana
SELA makes it a surprisingly competitive game after the first but Cajuns are able to grind away from there for the nice season opening win. 52-28 Cajuns

Houston Baptist @ Texas State
Texas State will have many challenging hurdles in the 2017 season but Houston Baptist won't be one of them. Huskies are still a very young, inexperienced FCS program. 56-20 TXST

South Alabama @ Ole Miss
It's REALLY tempting to take the Jags in as the next big upset for week 1, but no way Matt Luke lets the Rebels overlook USA. 38-27 Ole Miss

Georgia Southern @ Auburn
If this game were a little bit further along in the season when the Eagles have had a chance to refine the option game, it would be once again tempting to pick Southern as an upset favorite. But since it's not, Southern struggles to get the option game going and Auburn bombs away. 55-21 Auburn

Arkansas State @ Nebraska
Many think this is the Red Wolves best chance to score an upset victory since facing Missouri in 2015; the lacking experience at O-Line and possibly not having former Alabama DT Dee Liner anchoring the Defensive line has me believing the upset won't happen in Lincoln. 45-23 Nebraska

Bump.

Week 1 Predictions:
Thursday
Tennessee State @ Georgia State
Tennessee State is a decent FCS team, meaning this matchup is probably closer than some think. Panthers defense will carry them to victory here.
State 20-7

Sacramento State @ Idaho
CSS's defense is bad. I expect Idaho will be able to score points here.
Idaho 31-10

ULM @ Memphis
Not buying into the Memphis hype, but I think they have a lot of trouble with ULM. As I have said before I was never that impressed with Matt Viator at McNeese, but hope he proves me wrong.
Memphis State 28-14

New Mexico State @ Arizona State
I expect Arizona State to struggle more this year and NMSU will make a decent game of it.
AzSU 34-17

Saturday

Troy at Boise State
If you're looking at this from the point of view of the conference and not your team, this is the game of the week. I think Troy gets the win the smurf turf.
Trojans 31-28

App State at Georgia
As I've said before, UGA's defense is legit. Their offense is questionable and App should be able to have the Dawggies questioning the Smart hire.
ABAC North 28-7

UMass at Coastal Carolina
I still like the Jamey Chadwell-Mickey Matthews duo here. Teal turf starts out undefeated.
Chants 24-20

Southeastern Louisiana @ UL
Luckily for the Cajuns, SELA won't be able to pick up where the left off last year, or this one would be way too close for comfort.
Cajuns 27-17

Houston Baptist @ Texas State
Houston Baptist has won 8 games in the last 3 seasons. Bobcats win, and get a confidence boost.
34-14 Texas State

Georgia Southern @ Auburn
Auburn has a new OC and a QB that hasn't taken a college snap since 2015. Don't buy into the hype, they'll lose 3 or 4 this year. Game could get interesting if we get a fast start on offense and all the coaching shake-ups have fixed things up. My guess is Auburn pulls away after half and bares enough of their offense to make Dabo Swinny happy.
Auburn 38-17

South Alabama @ Ole Miss
Ole Miss crumbled toward the end of last year, being the only SEC team to not make a bowl game. With how South has been able to play in big games, this has "upset" written all over it.
Ole Miss 28-20

Arkansas State @ Nebraska
First game of the year, how will the new offensive line play?
Nebraska 33-14

I'll take all the home teams this week. Though some P5 upsets would be pretty awesome.

Thursday Aug 31

Tennessee State @ Georgia State (GSU)

Sacramento State @ Idaho (Idaho)

Louisiana Monroe @ Memphis (Memphis)


New Mexico State @ Arizona State (ASU)


Saturday Sep 2

Troy @ Boise State (Boise)


Appalachian State @ Georgia (UGA)


UMass @ Coastal Carolina (Coastal)


Southeastern Louisiana @ Louisiana (Cajuns)


Houston Baptist @ Texas State (Texas State better win)


South Alabama @ Ole Miss (Ole Miss)


Georgia Southern @ Auburn (Auburnt)


Arkansas State @ Nebraska (Nebraska)

Auburn line is telling. GS better buckle up - it could get rough.

I hate that people even think we could lose to HBU. We crushed our FCS team last year and they were better than HBU and we are better than last year.

Ah yes, its that time again

Tennessee State at Georgia State: A sparking crowd of 17,000 shows up at Turner Field to take in this Thursday Night affair. 16,324 of them leave at halftime once the TSU band finishes performing. Georgia State 28 Tennessee State 7

Sacramento State at Idaho: The thing that makes me kind of sad is that I can't say for certain if this is a guarantee or year 1 of a home and home for Idaho. Either way, Idaho 42 Sacramento State 14

UL Monroe at Memphis: Fans in attendance will be treated to the lovely site of 200 or so grown men taking a bath on the football field. Rain keeps this game close: Memphis 24 ULM 14

New Mexico State at Arizona State: Aggies have a capable offense now with the QB situation appearing to be worked out and some guy named Rose at RB. If only they didn't have to play defense... Arizona State 52 New Mexico State 27

Troy at Boise State: The only sure thing about this game is that Troy fans will leave with a headache after staring at the smurf turf for 3 hours. Much like an eclipse, that blue monstrosity can only be seen with the naked eye for so long. Boise State 27 Troy 21`

Appalachian State at Georgia: I know a lot of people think this game will be close, but Seminole Indian says App is the 7th most talented team in the Sun Belt, so unfortunately they stand no chance at a win, probably shouldn't be on the same field. I also have beach front property in Kentucky I am selling after the game. Georgia 35 App State 24

UMass at Coastal Carolina: Coastal Carolina Football: Providing the Sun Belt's answer to "Why did the Chicken REALLY cross the road" since 2017. Curious to see what the Coastal offense looks like under Chadwell. Coastal 38 UMass 35

Southeastern Louisiana at Louisiana: Otherwise known as the World's Largest Crawfish Broil. Cajuns 31 SELA 14

Houston Baptist at Texas State: If the Bobcats somehow found a way to lose here, we might have to do welfare checks on a few of their fans. The good news is I have a better chance at getting elected President than HBU beating Texas State. President Chiefsfan...that does have a nice ring to it. Texas State 49 Houston Baptist 3

South Alabama at Ole Miss: You know...Ole Miss was once coached by Hugh Freeze....he actually coached Arkansas State once too. Does everyone remember that? Crazy Story huh? Ole Miss 38 South Alabama 17

Georgia Southern at Auburn: No...I don't see the Eagles willing this game. Auburn's good, and Gus likes Brownie points. That being said, I am curious to see what Tyson Summers has learned between year 1 and year 2. Auburn 49 GS 14

Arkansas State at Nebraska: For Ericsaid's sake...Nebraska better win. If AState somehow figured this out...his head might just explode. Fortunately, his head is safe, for now... Nebraska 34 Arkansas State 21

(08-28-2017 07:28 AM)EigenEagle Wrote:  Bump.

Week 1 Predictions:
Thursday
Tennessee State @ Georgia State
Tennessee State is a decent FCS team, meaning this matchup is probably closer than some think. Panthers defense will carry them to victory here.
State 20-7

Sacramento State @ Idaho
CSS's defense is bad. I expect Idaho will be able to score points here.
Idaho 31-10

ULM @ Memphis
Not buying into the Memphis hype, but I think they have a lot of trouble with ULM. As I have said before I was never that impressed with Matt Viator at McNeese, but hope he proves me wrong.
Memphis State 28-14

New Mexico State @ Arizona State
I expect Arizona State to struggle more this year and NMSU will make a decent game of it.
AzSU 34-17

Saturday

Troy at Boise State
If you're looking at this from the point of view of the conference and not your team, this is the game of the week. I think Troy gets the win the smurf turf.
Trojans 31-28

App State at Georgia
As I've said before, UGA's defense is legit. Their offense is questionable and App should be able to have the Dawggies questioning the Smart hire.
ABAC North 28-7

UMass at Coastal Carolina
I still like the Jamey Chadwell-Mickey Matthews duo here. Teal turf starts out undefeated.
Chants 24-20

Southeastern Louisiana @ UL
Luckily for the Cajuns, SELA won't be able to pick up where the left off last year, or this one would be way too close for comfort.
Cajuns 27-17

Houston Baptist @ Texas State
Houston Baptist has won 8 games in the last 3 seasons. Bobcats win, and get a confidence boost.
34-14 Texas State

Georgia Southern @ Auburn
Auburn has a new OC and a QB that hasn't taken a college snap since 2015. Don't buy into the hype, they'll lose 3 or 4 this year. Game could get interesting if we get a fast start on offense and all the coaching shake-ups have fixed things up. My guess is Auburn pulls away after half and bares enough of their offense to make Dabo Swinny happy.
Auburn 38-17

South Alabama @ Ole Miss
Ole Miss crumbled toward the end of last year, being the only SEC team to not make a bowl game. With how South has been able to play in big games, this has "upset" written all over it.
Ole Miss 28-20

Arkansas State @ Nebraska
First game of the year, how will the new offensive line play?
Nebraska 33-14

As far as A-State they will probably get some weaknesses "exposed" over the next two weeks, but I'm certain the OL will not be at the top of the list.

In fact their OL is probably as talented, and deep as their DL.

Their DC said in the paper today that it is the best they have had in four years, and has made their defense better, because their QB's have had time to get the passes off (something I doubt another team on their schedule will be saying) and they are much better running the ball.

My impression is they feel they match up very well against Nebraska's DL, and physically might just be able to line up and flat out physically beat them.