Season prediction for the Mean Green by The Fake Lonnie Finch. Posted on the Mean Green board. Fire away !
...but, I'm ready to make my 2011 season prediction anyway. Sue me.
Game #1 - @ FIU: Win. 1-0
In 2007, FUI had a new coach and we had a new coach. Now, in 2011, FUI has that same coach and we have a different coach. But, it's not that we just have a new head coach. We have a new defensive coordinator. And, we have a real special teams coach who wears pants for the special teams. FUI has excellent special teams, but our new coach will teach our guys to pants them.
Game #2 - HOUSTON: Lose. 1-1
This is the first home game at the new stadium. Houston has a surgically repaired QB and return their leading rusher and receiver. It will be too much. Just too much to ask of us.
Game #3 - @ Alabama: Lose. 1-2
Alabama is the same team as the Crimson Tide.
Game #4 - INDIANA: Win. 2-2
QB, gone. Top rusher, gone. Two of top three WRs, gone. I'm not really upset and crying about their losses. They are young and on the road for this one, their first game outside of Indiana with their new head coach and new offensive players. The only thing that won't be new to them is losing a game.
Game #5 - @ Tulsa: Lose. 2-3
Tulsa made a huge mistake by elevating Bill Blankenship to head coach after Todd Graham left for Pitt. But, there is enough talent returning on both sides of the ball - especially from a young 2010 defense that went on the road and beat Notre Dame - that even having Blankenship on the sideline won't hurt them in some games. However, I do feel there is a strong chance of a UNT "upset" here for head coaching reason alone.
Game #6 - FAU: Win. 3-3
Howard Schnellenberger is old, but rich; so, this loss to UNT won't really weigh on him too terribly much personally. His FAU team underachieved last year, and I think he may finally be on his last coaching legs at the age of 77. I really think this is his farewell tour. If not, FAU fans - all 16 of them - are going to have to get used to being upstaged annually by FIU in conference.
Game #7 - @ Lousiiana: Win. 4-3
I'm not really sold on ULL's pick for new head coach. Forgot his name already, didn't you? Mark Hudspeth. Yes, that Mark Hudpseth. The former Mississippi State pass game coordinator. He also coached a Division II team. To say that our hire was light years better than his is an understatement - it's like Obi Wan Kenobi versus the Stormtroopers asking Luke Skywalker questions in Tatooine.
Game #8 - ULM: Win. 5-3
I think at this point, being 3-0 and conference and having the new stadium will start to kick in. Our roll continues here. I like Todd Berry. But, look...they fired a coach who was better. Thankfully.
Game #9 - @ Arkansas State: Win. 6-3
They have a relatively new head coach who led them to a 4-8 record last year, and return Ryan Aplin, as good QB. But, really...they barely beat us last year (24-19) at a point when we were playing Chase Bain at QB. We were down to our third center and had injuries all around, and they still had to hang on to beat us. Dunbar racked them for 105 yards...Baine for 80! I'm sure our new coaching staff can handle this opposing group of coaches. I think about new DC Clint Bowen in these types of match ups.
Game #10 - @ Troy: Lose. 6-4
Troy is who we think they are - a team that recruits like an SEC team. Until someone truly knocks them out, they are the kings of the hill in the Sun Belt.
Game #11 - WESTERN KENTUCKY: Win. 7-4
This is a young team. I like their head coach. I just don't think WKU has the horses. We beat them last year with a terribly injury-riddled team on the road. I don't think their coach or coaching staff has the upside ours does.
Game #12 - MTSU: Win. 8-4
The Blue Raiders were as loaded as a Sun Belt team could get in 2010 and couldn't seal the deal. Part scandal and part choke, they'll be younger in 2011. We beat them last year on the road, and will do so again in 2011 to clinch the Sun Belt from Troy, who I predict will choke away their final game of 2011 on the road at Arkansas State to finish 6-2 in the Belt...one game behind our 7-1 mark.
Game #13 - NEW ORLEANS BOWL
Don't know who we play, and don't care if we win. I'll just be glad we're going back again!
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