Okay, we've had two years of nothing to show in the program except close games that we lose. We just lost a great college WR and PK.
So can this team turn it around this year and start winning MAC games?

To me, the defense even without Bracey and Smith at DB will keep us in games along with Zach Johnson's leg punting wise. The problem is our defense could be dominant but it spends too much time on the field because our offense is 3 and out.

To me the key whether we win this year or not is the running game and I don't mean at QB. We are not blessed with game breaking receivers most of our guys to be polite are possession type receivers who prosper only if we can keep the defense honest with a runnning game. In fact I not asking we return to a high scoring offense, but would make me happy is sustained drives by the offense even if its 3 yards and a cloud of dust. Our lack of running game means more passing and more turnovers. Our offense needs to CONTROL the ball more. A good RB running attack would take pressure off our QB to do running plays because our RB aren't good enough. This all requires a major shift change on Genyk's part and hopefully the new OC can get him there.

The only other key I can think of is staying healthy we have a brutal non conference schedule and the injuries can pile up quickly. Depth at certain positions is still an issue.

Anyone else have an opinion?

huroncowboy Wrote:We are not blessed with game breaking receivers most of our guys to be polite are possession type receivers who prosper only if we can keep the defense honest with a runnning game.

Possession receivers? Gage and Stone are the team's top two returning wideouts and are definitely speed options. Lewis would be considered a possession guy... if he could possess the ball.

I agree about the running game.

i'm a toledo fan, but think eastern could surprise a bit this year. they have one of the better front sevens in the mac defensively and a lot of vets in that group. if you can control the line of scrimmage you generally win the game and eastern is capable of doing that defensively, while they should be able to hold their own on the o-line. this is pretty much a make or break year for genyk and the staff so I'd expect their energy to be high. on the downside eastern is nowhere near as deep as toledo, northern or western so health will be a key

Ice,

I don't think our WRs scare anybody. Canada did when he was around because he was doubled on the coverage alot of times. He did scare alot of MAC secondary coaches. Even if we had WRs that scared people our QBs going to show progress this year and get the ball to them?

Another comment about getting a dominant running game, hopefully it reduces the turnover ratio. Our QBs had a horrible ratio last year most of the time because they were forced to pass since we never established a running game outside of the QB-and both of them were injured.

I have always felt that EMU under Genyk is not far off from being in the thick of the MAC west race. I think the key is to get some momentum going. Two years ago after the big win at Kelly Shorts they go down to Toledo and get bombed 30-3. Last year after the Toledo game they lose a couple of heartbreakers. If EMU could just sustain some level of success they could clear the mental hurdles that hold this program back. A 3 game winning streak could be a cure all IMHO.

Genyck has an option year left on his contract and it would be very difficult for a coaching change should he not fair well thie season.

I think Schmitt at QB and the new offensive coordinator are keys to the season. I fuly expect the defense to step up and be the best we've had over the last sevweral years but we need to move the ball on offense, too many 3 and outs the last few seasons. There has to be a running back and receiver on the roster that steps up. I'm thinking Gage and Fox at WR and perhaps Blevins at RB. We'll see soon enough!

Never said the receivers were scary, just that they were speed receivers, not possession types, haha. That means they can run faster than they can jump, catch the ball and move the chains that way. Schmitt will have to be able to throw the slant in order to get the ball to those named above.

Ice,

Maybe you're right and I hope you are that Gage and Stone will emerge this year. Gage is quite an athlete no doubt about that but whether WR is his preferred position is something we could debate.

We've got training camp coming up and as Dennis puts it the starting positions are up for grabs, its a matter of who wants them badly enough.

And it is nice that Genyk does have some options at several of the positions.