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My thoughts (listened to the game for the first 3 Quarters on the radio):

1.)We didn't look THAT great vs Michigan St. We had a lot of dropped passes and couldn't stop their run. We also had many blown opportunities.
GA Southern was also playing a VERY GOOD West Virginia team.
People were underestimating GA Southern and overestimating WMU.

2.)GA Southern and Air Force would whoop most MAC schools. Top to bottom I do think the MAC is behind the other G5 Conferences with the exception of Northern Illinois who's been down these past couple years and are still sweeping their Big 10 schedules. Keep in mind AFA has to compete vs Boise St for first in the MountWest.
We were very lucky to have played Idaho last season. Most MAC schools would whoop them. Probably many FCS teams too. That really helped us overcome the 1-11 season. We were able to finish out of conference 2-2.

3.)Not surprised we couldn't stop GA S's offense, but we should've put up more points then we did. We play in the high-offense MAC. Where is the Terrell we saw vs Michigan St and had that 75% passing last year?

4.) We need a kicker BAD!

5.) I was hoping we'd finish 2-2 OOC and beat 1 of UT and NIU for an 8-4 record.
It's still early, but now I'm really doubting 6-6. Sounds like we're already banged up and it'll only get worse after Ohio St. A loss vs CMU, and we're doomed.
It's like we're taking a step backward this season. This season was supposed to set us up for an easy 2016 schedule, kind of the next step in the 'process' after an 'average' 8-5 season last year. Hate to say it, but starting Saturday Fleck has really got to start showing the team is making progress.

I've been on board with his hiring since Day 1 but if this is just another mediocre/bad season like it already is, Fleck's last year could be next year and not for the reasons we were saying this off-season.
He's had 2 years. 1 year good. 1 year bad. If this year is bad too, I think in 2013 fans were thinking we'd be at that next step. 2012 I could understand but not 2015.

(09-14-2015 06:59 PM)Bronco14 Wrote:  My thoughts (listened to the game for the first 3 Quarters on the radio):

1.)We didn't look THAT great vs Michigan St. We had a lot of dropped passes and couldn't stop their run. We also had many blown opportunities.
GA Southern was also playing a VERY GOOD West Virginia team.
People were underestimating GA Southern and overestimating WMU.

2.)GA Southern and Air Force would whoop most MAC schools. Top to bottom I do think the MAC is behind the other G5 Conferences with the exception of Northern Illinois who's been down these past couple years and are still sweeping their Big 10 schedules. Keep in mind AFA has to compete vs Boise St for first in the MountWest.
We were very lucky to have played Idaho last season. Most MAC schools would whoop them. Probably many FCS teams too. That really helped us overcome the 1-11 season. We were able to finish out of conference 2-2.

3.)Not surprised we couldn't stop GA S's offense, but we should've put up more points then we did. We play in the high-offense MAC. Where is the Terrell we saw vs Michigan St and had that 75% passing last year?

4.) We need a kicker BAD!

5.) I was hoping we'd finish 2-2 OOC and beat 1 of UT and NIU for an 8-4 record.
It's still early, but now I'm really doubting 6-6. Sounds like we're already banged up and it'll only get worse after Ohio St. A loss vs CMU, and we're doomed.
It's like we're taking a step backward this season. This season was supposed to set us up for an easy 2016 schedule, kind of the next step in the 'process' after an 'average' 8-5 season last year. Hate to say it, but starting Saturday Fleck has really got to start showing the team is making progress.

I've been on board with his hiring since Day 1 but if this is just another mediocre/bad season like it already is, Fleck's last year could be next year and not for the reasons we were saying this off-season.
He's had 2 years. 1 year good. 1 year bad. If this year is bad too, I think in 2013 fans were thinking we'd be at that next step. 2012 I could understand but not 2015.

Response to your points:

1 - Had MORE drops in teh Ga Southern game too... Braverman must be wearing the wrong gloves these last few games... he makes crazy catches and drops the easy ones... That will end sooner than later. Plus.. Davis left early in the GSU game... no idea why... or whats going on there.

2 - Yes... you are correct. Ga Southern is a MUCH better team than the one we discussed losing big to WVA... not many teams are going to beat them this year... not many at all.

3 - We had a RASH of unfortunate issues that start with dropped balls, hitting the ref resulting in an interception... and lack of OL play... Losing Davis early (as mentioned earlier)... likely didn't help us much. We also were playing on REAL grass... which for anyone who understands turf... and speed... and cutting ability.... playing on real turf after a torrential downpour just before the game... is not the same as the turf we practice on... Guys were prancing around on that stuff like they were princesses... Ga Southern runs... and runs... and runs... They got us moving on defense, and kept us moving... and ran around us.... easy to gain speed on that stuff when NOBODY is in front of you...

4 - I believe we signed one of the best kickers in the nation for next years class... Not sure if he's there now... or if he's coming in for 2016. I just know we have one that's going to hopefully make us better in that department. (hope he sticks around).

5 - I still think we will beat one of the Toledo/NIU contests... but will probably lose one other MAC game we didn't anticipate... like Ohio... or EMU for gods sakes... just because that cement stable of blandness seems to get in our eyes...

Liberty played WVA better than GAS did. Wonder if Liberty would drub us.

As for the wet turf, didn't GAS play on the same turf? They looked like they were on hockey skates as they glided by us

Speaking of coaches who get too much credit. Chip Kelly just lost

Hey guys! Echoing comments from other Eagle fans and also looking forward to making the trip. Was thinking about catching the Cubs on Friday if they're at home and was wondering if your home games are usually day or evening. Good luck the rest of the way.

FYI, it looks like our AD coming from Kent State opened some MAC scheduling. We have UMass and Kent State following our series with y'all.

(09-14-2015 09:17 PM)Eagles Cliff Wrote:  Hey guys! Echoing comments from other Eagle fans and also looking forward to making the trip. Was thinking about catching the Cubs on Friday if they're at home and was wondering if your home games are usually day or evening.

Historically, the vast majority of early-season (September) WMU home games have been night games (usually 7 P.M. starts).

(09-14-2015 09:17 PM)Eagles Cliff Wrote:  Hey guys! Echoing comments from other Eagle fans and also looking forward to making the trip. Was thinking about catching the Cubs on Friday if they're at home and was wondering if your home games are usually day or evening. Good luck the rest of the way.

FYI, it looks like our AD coming from Kent State opened some MAC scheduling. We have UMass and Kent State following our series with y'all.

More win's for you.

(09-14-2015 10:58 PM)rtletterman Wrote:  

(09-14-2015 09:17 PM)Eagles Cliff Wrote:  Hey guys! Echoing comments from other Eagle fans and also looking forward to making the trip. Was thinking about catching the Cubs on Friday if they're at home and was wondering if your home games are usually day or evening. Good luck the rest of the way.

FYI, it looks like our AD coming from Kent State opened some MAC scheduling. We have UMass and Kent State following our series with y'all.

More win's for you.

UMass has really sucked it up for a while. Back in 1998, we were undefeated with second year head coach Paul Johnson (Ga Tech) heading into the NC game against UMass. 8 turnovers later, UMass won the game. We got our revenge at home the following year when our Adrian Peterson (Chicago Bears) rushed for 333 yards.

I had UMass as my dark horse MAC East winner this season. They lost several very close games last year, a couple against P5 opponents. I thought they'd perform better vs Colorado last weekend.

(09-15-2015 10:10 AM)Motown Bronco Wrote:  I had UMass as my dark horse MAC East winner this season. They lost several very close games last year, a couple against P5 opponents. I thought they'd perform better vs Colorado last weekend.

I also thought UMass would compete for the MAC East title, and they still could. But they performed terribly against a bad Colorado team. And Bowling Green is better than the rest of the MAC East combined. I still think the Minutemen will win some games, but I'm not sure how far they will go in their last season in the MAC.

Quote:I had UMass as my dark horse MAC East winner this season.

Yeah, I figured they would be a dark horse to challenge Ohio for the #2 spot, and possibly Akron. I was surprised that they got pummeled by Colorado. Especially when losing to Hawaii and not being able to score.

But Hawaii may be a Lot better than everyone anticipated. Their D more than held their own @Ohio-State for 3 full quarters, impressively. And they shut down Colorado who ran up the score on UMass. Not that I would assume UMass would be tough to score against, but wow. I think both Hawaii & Colorado are better-than-anticipated this year.

With that said, if UMass was to be the dark-horse, it would have still been a closer game. Plus, they had an extra week to review Colorado, and not vice versa.

I see BGSU winning the MAC East with Matt Johnson. I see Akron having a good D, but not enough O to make a bowl this year. I see UMass having some wins, but falling short of getting into a bowl (but maybe .500?). I guess the upside is that that's better than them leaving the MAC at 7-5 or better... and would only make the MAC's decision to let them go be a good one.

(09-14-2015 09:09 PM)Chipdip2 Wrote:  Liberty played WVA better than GAS did. Wonder if Liberty would drub us.

As for the wet turf, didn't GAS play on the same turf? They looked like they were on hockey skates as they glided by us

Speaking of coaches who get too much credit. Chip Kelly just lost

The field was dry, other than maybe dampness like you would see on an artificial field after a rain.

We have a very advanced drainage system. It handled Hurricane Hugo raining on it during a game with no visible water accumulation on the playing surface while the sidelines were ankle deep. That game is affectionately known as the Hugo Bowl among our fanbase.

Background story: http://gseagles.com/news/2013/9/19/FB_0919131326.aspx



I think just the fact that it was grass can make a difference. We are the only natural turf playing surface in the Sun Belt, although next year we'll be moving to an artificial surface.

Yeah modern fields have great drainage systems.

We actually have a creek running under our stadium and even in a downpour it doesn't flood the field.