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"Way too early football predictions: EMU" - Hustle Belt
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FrankAnderson Online
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"Way too early football predictions: EMU" - Hustle Belt
http://www.hustlebelt.com/mac-football/2...tions-2016

Alex Alvarado has us going 6-6 (3-1 OOC, 3-5 MAC).

I think we're lucky to get the OOC we have. With nearly any other schedule, I don't think we'd have a chance to get to 6 wins. But, we take CUSA and Mountain West teams that truly under-performed last year (3 FBS wins between them, and a loss to EMU) plus a bad FCS team. We've talked multiple times on here about how taking a beating in the early-going of the season takes a serious toll on the team in the latter half of the year. Getting 2 or 3 wins before we get into MAC play could [hopefully] work wonders for the team's confidence and work ethic.

I'm not making any predictions myself yet, but I do believe that having the out of conference schedule we've got this year is a blessing.
(This post was last modified: 03-28-2016 04:20 PM by FrankAnderson.)
03-28-2016 04:12 PM
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FrankAnderson Online
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RE: "Way too early football predictions: EMU" - Hustle Belt
And our MAC schedule isn't easy. At WMU this year, plus our crossover games include at BGSU (defending champs) and at Ohio. Luckily, we've got Miami and CMU coming to us to balance this out some.

All the reason more getting some confidence and productivity out of the non-conference games could mean so much.
(This post was last modified: 03-28-2016 04:20 PM by FrankAnderson.)
03-28-2016 04:16 PM
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EagleTough Offline
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RE: "Way too early football predictions: EMU" - Hustle Belt
Very tough MAC schedule, including 3 of the first 4 on the road, against BG, Toledo (home), Ohio & WMU. Last 3 are on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Tuesday.

Who the heck came up with this nightmare?

Also love how this writer starts filling out the roster. Mentions Figueroa, who is obviously gone. If anything, we need some of the younger, hungrier, more athletic guys to step up and move some of these slower footed 'veterans' to the sideline. If the 2 deep stands pat from last year, I'll take that as a bad sign.

Getting that 6th win at home against Central to finish the regular season would be a huge step forward.
(This post was last modified: 03-28-2016 04:56 PM by EagleTough.)
03-28-2016 04:45 PM
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emu79 Offline
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RE: "Way too early football predictions: EMU" - Hustle Belt
If they give the effort against lsu and didn't back down or the cmu game and do this every game then 6 wins may be doable I
My prediction is 4 wins
03-28-2016 05:02 PM
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EagleSam Offline
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RE: "Way too early football predictions: EMU" - Hustle Belt
I think 6 is a bit of a dream until we prove we can compete with the rest of the conference on a regular basis. CMU was the only conference game last season where I felt like we had a chance to win. We will need to see a TON of growth on defense before I could consider this a bowl-eligible team. It could happen pretty quickly during the season, and I'll gladly eat my crow, but I have a very hard time predicting anymore than 3-4 wins.
03-28-2016 05:14 PM
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EAGLE KING Offline
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"Way too early football predictions: EMU" - Hustle Belt
Was anyone at or have some info from the practice at Ford Field today?
03-28-2016 05:38 PM
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Luckeyone Offline
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RE: "Way too early football predictions: EMU" - Hustle Belt
We absolutely must have 5 wins this season. This is the only way that we can gain trusts of future recruits that the program is heading in the right direction. Four wins may gain minimal trust but two or three wins will not cut it. At some point, you have to win.

I predict 5 wins this season and a break out year by four star quartback Brogran Roback.
03-28-2016 07:36 PM
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emu79 Offline
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RE: "Way too early football predictions: EMU" - Hustle Belt
(03-28-2016 05:14 PM)EagleSam Wrote:  I think 6 is a bit of a dream until we prove we can compete with the rest of the conference on a regular basis. CMU was the only conference game last season where I felt like we had a chance to win. We will need to see a TON of growth on defense before I could consider this a bowl-eligible team. It could happen pretty quickly during the season, and I'll gladly eat my crow, but I have a very hard time predicting anymore than 3-4 wins.

Actually Ball State game was pretty competitive. Its hard moving up in the MAC standings but the two conference games we have a shot at winning are CMU and Ball State. The defense has been so bad the past few years it has no where to go but up, I think we'll miss Darius Jackson more than is admitted at RB, can Vann carry that load for an entire season? I hope so because what's behind him is not tested game wise. Lets see with Lewis gone its Turner, Banham, Erickson and ? The only pure RB in this last class was Parker. Not worried about the OL if we can avoid injuries. Ditto TE, (did you see Tuttle weight this year compared to last?), we have one WR in Daugherty, who takes the other slots? Davis, Stone or the redshirt frosh? Need to improve the WR position and make it more productive. I do like the switch to 4-2-5 and we've add some DL depth.
03-29-2016 07:40 AM
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EAGLE KING Offline
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"Way too early football predictions: EMU" - Hustle Belt
(03-29-2016 07:40 AM)emu79 Wrote:  
(03-28-2016 05:14 PM)EagleSam Wrote:  I think 6 is a bit of a dream until we prove we can compete with the rest of the conference on a regular basis. CMU was the only conference game last season where I felt like we had a chance to win. We will need to see a TON of growth on defense before I could consider this a bowl-eligible team. It could happen pretty quickly during the season, and I'll gladly eat my crow, but I have a very hard time predicting anymore than 3-4 wins.

Actually Ball State game was pretty competitive. Its hard moving up in the MAC standings but the two conference games we have a shot at winning are CMU and Ball State. The defense has been so bad the past few years it has no where to go but up, I think we'll miss Darius Jackson more than is admitted at RB, can Vann carry that load for an entire season? I hope so because what's behind him is not tested game wise. Lets see with Lewis gone its Turner, Banham, Erickson and ? The only pure RB in this last class was Parker. Not worried about the OL if we can avoid injuries. Ditto TE, (did you see Tuttle weight this year compared to last?), we have one WR in Daugherty, who takes the other slots? Davis, Stone or the redshirt frosh? Need to improve the WR position and make it more productive. I do like the switch to 4-2-5 and we've add some DL depth.

I think Snelling and Collins will contribute at WR.
03-29-2016 07:44 AM
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RE: "Way too early football predictions: EMU" - Hustle Belt
(03-29-2016 07:40 AM)emu79 Wrote:  
(03-28-2016 05:14 PM)EagleSam Wrote:  I think 6 is a bit of a dream until we prove we can compete with the rest of the conference on a regular basis. CMU was the only conference game last season where I felt like we had a chance to win. We will need to see a TON of growth on defense before I could consider this a bowl-eligible team. It could happen pretty quickly during the season, and I'll gladly eat my crow, but I have a very hard time predicting anymore than 3-4 wins.

Actually Ball State game was pretty competitive. Its hard moving up in the MAC standings but the two conference games we have a shot at winning are CMU and Ball State. The defense has been so bad the past few years it has no where to go but up, I think we'll miss Darius Jackson more than is admitted at RB, can Vann carry that load for an entire season? I hope so because what's behind him is not tested game wise. Lets see with Lewis gone its Turner, Banham, Erickson and ? The only pure RB in this last class was Parker. Not worried about the OL if we can avoid injuries. Ditto TE, (did you see Tuttle weight this year compared to last?), we have one WR in Daugherty, who takes the other slots? Davis, Stone or the redshirt frosh? Need to improve the WR position and make it more productive. I do like the switch to 4-2-5 and we've add some DL depth.

What about Miami at home?

Collins, Snelling & Aristilde should step up at WR, maybe even the true frosh Wilkes. To your point, we only really had 1 WR last year. Would also like to see the RB's more involved in the passing to take some pressure off Roback. Early last year they used DJ very effectively in the passing game, but that part of the offense basically disappeared the second half of the season for some reason. Turner and Eriksen have talent, and Parker would be a nightmare on flair passes or screens out in the open field.

The offense showed some flashes last year but never really seemed to get into a consistent rhythm. No reason we shouldn't improve with a Senior OL, veteran QB, and returning OC.
03-29-2016 09:05 AM
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emu79 Offline
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RE: "Way too early football predictions: EMU" - Hustle Belt
(03-29-2016 09:05 AM)EagleTough Wrote:  
(03-29-2016 07:40 AM)emu79 Wrote:  
(03-28-2016 05:14 PM)EagleSam Wrote:  I think 6 is a bit of a dream until we prove we can compete with the rest of the conference on a regular basis. CMU was the only conference game last season where I felt like we had a chance to win. We will need to see a TON of growth on defense before I could consider this a bowl-eligible team. It could happen pretty quickly during the season, and I'll gladly eat my crow, but I have a very hard time predicting anymore than 3-4 wins.

Actually Ball State game was pretty competitive. Its hard moving up in the MAC standings but the two conference games we have a shot at winning are CMU and Ball State. The defense has been so bad the past few years it has no where to go but up, I think we'll miss Darius Jackson more than is admitted at RB, can Vann carry that load for an entire season? I hope so because what's behind him is not tested game wise. Lets see with Lewis gone its Turner, Banham, Erickson and ? The only pure RB in this last class was Parker. Not worried about the OL if we can avoid injuries. Ditto TE, (did you see Tuttle weight this year compared to last?), we have one WR in Daugherty, who takes the other slots? Davis, Stone or the redshirt frosh? Need to improve the WR position and make it more productive. I do like the switch to 4-2-5 and we've add some DL depth.

What about Miami at home?

Collins, Snelling & Aristilde should step up at WR, maybe even the true frosh Wilkes. To your point, we only really had 1 WR last year. Would also like to see the RB's more involved in the passing to take some pressure off Roback. Early last year they used DJ very effectively in the passing game, but that part of the offense basically disappeared the second half of the season for some reason. Turner and Eriksen have talent, and Parker would be a nightmare on flair passes or screens out in the open field.

The offense showed some flashes last year but never really seemed to get into a consistent rhythm. No reason we shouldn't improve with a Senior OL, veteran QB, and returning OC.

I like Parker, worried about his durability. Where does Sexton play RB or WR? Banham might work coming out as a WR from the RB slot.
(This post was last modified: 03-29-2016 09:28 AM by emu79.)
03-29-2016 09:27 AM
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EagleSam Offline
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RE: "Way too early football predictions: EMU" - Hustle Belt
I forgot about the Ball State game (funny, seeing as that was the only game I went to). That one was squarely on the coaches. Darius busted off a long TD run, and then only had one carry the rest of the game. Inexcusable. Creighton had Roback throwing on all three downs when we were up by 10 points in the 2nd half. That was a game we totally should've won.

Running back is the least of my worries. Someone will step up. I think Vann is a potential All-MAC player, but we need a solid compliment. One of the other young guys will fill the hole nicely.

My concerns are almost squarely on the defense. We had a hard time executing any ground game plan last season because we always seemed to be chasing a big lead early. If the D can get off the field, it means more chances for us to run it down their throats and to have Roback mix in some play action. It's a big "if", but I'm encouraged by some of the posts from EagleTough saying that Neathery's defense is night and day from last year.
03-29-2016 10:13 AM
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RE: "Way too early football predictions: EMU" - Hustle Belt
(03-29-2016 10:13 AM)EagleSam Wrote:  I forgot about the Ball State game (funny, seeing as that was the only game I went to). That one was squarely on the coaches. Darius busted off a long TD run, and then only had one carry the rest of the game. Inexcusable. Creighton had Roback throwing on all three downs when we were up by 10 points in the 2nd half. That was a game we totally should've won.

Running back is the least of my worries. Someone will step up. I think Vann is a potential All-MAC player, but we need a solid compliment. One of the other young guys will fill the hole nicely.

My concerns are almost squarely on the defense. We had a hard time executing any ground game plan last season because we always seemed to be chasing a big lead early. If the D can get off the field, it means more chances for us to run it down their throats and to have Roback mix in some play action. It's a big "if", but I'm encouraged by some of the posts from EagleTough saying that Neathery's defense is night and day from last year.

Again, the proof will be in the execution, but we obviously have nowhere to go but up. Positive signs include:

4 man front with more beef inside.
Healthy returning O'Connor (hopefully) & Harris
More depth with Crosby, Keels, Smith Jr, & Dawson
More speed and athleticism (especially when all the new DB's show up)
Players like & respect the new guys...Neathery & Bullough & Reed
D coaches are demanding better execution, effort, and accountability
Neathery has a history of success at the D1 level even without 3 & 4 star guys
His run defense has been especially good

If I had to guess, the horrid run D from last year has been discussed ad nauseam by Creighton and Neathery, and there will be a huge emphasis to try to take that element away from our opponents, and force them to do other things.

......or maybe I'm just hopelessly optimistic 03-shhhh
03-29-2016 11:06 AM
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emu79 Offline
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RE: "Way too early football predictions: EMU" - Hustle Belt
One area to keep in mind is special teams, we have Barnes who is a better than average punter, Daugherty to return kicks, Houston for punts (although why???) hopefully improved tackling translates to special teams. The only question mark is at PK lacking game experience and in pressure situations. Again we have some proven talent in this area. Oh and Renius on kickoffs and getting us touchbacks on kickoffs.
03-29-2016 12:34 PM
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RE: "Way too early football predictions: EMU" - Hustle Belt
04-04-2016 11:37 AM
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RE: "Way too early football predictions: EMU" - Hustle Belt
(04-04-2016 11:37 AM)EAGLE KING Wrote:  http://www.sbnation.com/college-football...ule-roster

A good preview.

If you only read one prognostication all year, make it this one. Bill Connelly is one of the best in using analytics in college football, and he gives each FBS (including us) a lot of attention.

He's bullish on continued improvement on offense and a modestly improved secondary, barring major injuries. He sees potential for an improved rush defense, but it's more questionable than any other spot on the roster. Luckily, we've also added late-signees to help up front.

He finds us winning 4.0 games this year. After mentioning a little bit of luck and overachieving at a few positions could push us closer to 5/6 wins, he ends the piece with: "I really, really want to predict that. Don't you? Aside from New Mexico State's, there is not a more long-suffering fanbase in FBS than EMU's, and every fanbase deserves happiness occasionally."
(This post was last modified: 04-04-2016 12:42 PM by FrankAnderson.)
04-04-2016 12:42 PM
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RE: "Way too early football predictions: EMU" - Hustle Belt
(04-04-2016 12:42 PM)FrankAnderson Wrote:  
(04-04-2016 11:37 AM)EAGLE KING Wrote:  http://www.sbnation.com/college-football...ule-roster

A good preview.

If you only read one prognostication all year, make it this one. Bill Connelly is one of the best in using analytics in college football, and he gives each FBS (including us) a lot of attention.

He's bullish on continued improvement on offense and a modestly improved secondary, barring major injuries. He sees potential for an improved rush defense, but it's more questionable than any other spot on the roster. Luckily, we've also added late-signees to help up front.

He finds us winning 4.0 games this year. After mentioning a little bit of luck and overachieving at a few positions could push us closer to 5/6 wins, he ends the piece with: "I really, really want to predict that. Don't you? Aside from New Mexico State's, there is not a more long-suffering fanbase in FBS than EMU's, and every fanbase deserves happiness occasionally."

A ton of analytics, but a ton of misinformation, and flawed analysis, if he had actually watched us play last year.
04-04-2016 05:04 PM
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