This past season FAU did the unthinkable and lost every single conference game. Since it's the off season, and my dreams of an NCAA Tournament bid are fading by the day, I have a question. Which team, if any, is most likely to put up the goose egg next season?

I would say the only team next year with the potential to would be South Alabama, simply because we have no idea how they match up with the rest of us.

I do not see anyone facing that though.

(02-05-2012 05:20 PM)chiefsfan Wrote:  I would say the only team next year with the potential to would be South Alabama, simply because we have no idea how they match up with the rest of us.

I do not see anyone facing that though.

Technically, I don't believe South Alabama will be in the conference next year, and will be officially labeled as an independent team. They will be in a transitional phase, but still play a full conference schedule. In 2013 they will officially join the Sun Belt for football.

FAU

(02-06-2012 12:23 AM)GoBigRed26 Wrote:  

(02-05-2012 05:20 PM)chiefsfan Wrote:  I would say the only team next year with the potential to would be South Alabama, simply because we have no idea how they match up with the rest of us.

I do not see anyone facing that though.

Technically, I don't believe South Alabama will be in the conference next year, and will be officially labeled as an independent team. They will be in a transitional phase, but still play a full conference schedule. In 2013 they will officially join the Sun Belt for football.

Sort of a hybrid since games against USA will count in conference standings. USA is not eligible for the title but I think would still be considered part of the conference.

(02-06-2012 09:09 AM)fiuindc Wrote:  FAU

Possible but not probable.

You have to remember that EVERYTHING you knew about FAU's football team is changing. There will be no film and the predictablilty of FAU's offense will be gone.

That alone will probably garner us a wins.

I dont think that Coach Pelini can turn this thing around with 5-7 wins, but there is enough talent on the team to get 3-5.

I still have to pick FAU.

I think last year's FAU team was one of the worst to ever play in the Belt.

I'm basing part of that on the fact that Troy curb stomped your asses and we were AWFUL last year.

(02-06-2012 12:24 PM)Paul of Troy Wrote:  I still have to pick FAU.

I think last year's FAU team was one of the worst to ever play in the Belt.

I'm basing part of that on the fact that Troy curb stomped your asses and we were AWFUL last year.

The same argument can be made using Middle as well.

(02-06-2012 12:33 PM)MTPiKapp Wrote:  

(02-06-2012 12:24 PM)Paul of Troy Wrote:  I still have to pick FAU.

I think last year's FAU team was one of the worst to ever play in the Belt.

I'm basing part of that on the fact that Troy curb stomped your asses and we were AWFUL last year.

The same argument can be made using Middle as well.

Except that was actually a close game.

(02-06-2012 12:35 PM)Paul of Troy Wrote:  

(02-06-2012 12:33 PM)MTPiKapp Wrote:  

(02-06-2012 12:24 PM)Paul of Troy Wrote:  I still have to pick FAU.

I think last year's FAU team was one of the worst to ever play in the Belt.

I'm basing part of that on the fact that Troy curb stomped your asses and we were AWFUL last year.

The same argument can be made using Middle as well.

Except that was actually a close game.

No, Middle in place of Troy. FAU was our only league win and we beat them by 24.

(02-06-2012 12:45 PM)MTPiKapp Wrote:  

(02-06-2012 12:35 PM)Paul of Troy Wrote:  

(02-06-2012 12:33 PM)MTPiKapp Wrote:  

(02-06-2012 12:24 PM)Paul of Troy Wrote:  I still have to pick FAU.

I think last year's FAU team was one of the worst to ever play in the Belt.

I'm basing part of that on the fact that Troy curb stomped your asses and we were AWFUL last year.

The same argument can be made using Middle as well.

Except that was actually a close game.

No, Middle in place of Troy. FAU was our only league win and we beat them by 24.

Oh....well that makes sense. Forgive my slowness...

(02-06-2012 12:48 PM)Paul of Troy Wrote:  

(02-06-2012 12:45 PM)MTPiKapp Wrote:  

(02-06-2012 12:35 PM)Paul of Troy Wrote:  

(02-06-2012 12:33 PM)MTPiKapp Wrote:  

(02-06-2012 12:24 PM)Paul of Troy Wrote:  I still have to pick FAU.

I think last year's FAU team was one of the worst to ever play in the Belt.

I'm basing part of that on the fact that Troy curb stomped your asses and we were AWFUL last year.

The same argument can be made using Middle as well.

Except that was actually a close game.

No, Middle in place of Troy. FAU was our only league win and we beat them by 24.

Oh....well that makes sense. Forgive my slowness...

Day after the Super Bowl, everyone gets a mulligan...

(02-06-2012 12:49 PM)MTPiKapp Wrote:  

(02-06-2012 12:48 PM)Paul of Troy Wrote:  

(02-06-2012 12:45 PM)MTPiKapp Wrote:  

(02-06-2012 12:35 PM)Paul of Troy Wrote:  

(02-06-2012 12:33 PM)MTPiKapp Wrote:  The same argument can be made using Middle as well.

Except that was actually a close game.

No, Middle in place of Troy. FAU was our only league win and we beat them by 24.

Oh....well that makes sense. Forgive my slowness...

Day after the Super Bowl, everyone gets a mulligan...

To be safe, allow me another 24 hours on top of that...

Last years team was VERY hot and cold. And unfortunately the Cold was VERY cold and the Hot was only Luke Warm.

We played Auburn and the Cajuns hard, and even had a shot at another win against a very good Cajun team last year.

After losing those two games, and the Coaching staff knowing it was in Lame duck mode, i dont think there wasy any heart in thier games (Except for Alfred Morris, that kid just never quit.). The only motivation was to NOT go 0-12 and once they got that done against UAB, (who had just knoced off USM the week before, I thought they were going to obliterate us.) there was non fire at all left for ULM.

Hope springs eternal, and from everything I've heard about what Coach Pelini and staff are doing I have high hopes. I will take 3-5 wins next year as solid improvement. Especially considering that FAU is finally playing a FCS (or lower I think) team in Wagner next year for a stadium opener.

Having watched a lot of bad teams over the years I think you need a perfect storm to go 0 fer.

1. Don't have to be the least talented team (it helps) but usually it is an average to a bit below average starting 22 with a few really good good players but little depth.

2. You have to have a coach that the players have lost faith in or never had faith in. If the coach can screw up discipline by treating some players unfairly (note smart coaches rarely treat all players the same, they understand different guys respond differently so they motivate, encourage and discipline differently) the disparity really helps create division.

3. You need the right schedule. Early road money game, home games vs top conference teams, road games agaist teams evenly matched against, that can get you on a slide in a hurry. Merely losing the expected road money game(s) won't do it but if you lose close or get ripped at home by the conference leader and lose a close one on the road against a team you had a chance to steal one against you can go into a horrible tailspin.

Look at the Owls last year. Opened with three expected losses (Florida, Michigan State, Auburn). Lost by three on the road to the Cajuns and followed by losing by 14 at UNT. Probably went into the season thinking they had a shot of splitting that road trip. Come home for WKU had probably penciled the stadium opener as a win and the Toppers were 1-4 having edged MTSU. Once that game was lost it was pretty much over.