So how do you think your team will do this year?

BSmack · Post by **BSmack** » Thu Aug 11, 2016 2:34 pm

I'm looking forward to the Cuse this year. Not expecting miracles, just hoping that Baber's Baylor style offense doesn't come with Baylor style raping.

Screw_Michigan · Post by **Screw_Michigan** » Thu Aug 11, 2016 3:33 pm

Papa Willie wrote:Auburn:

09/03/16 vs. Clemson - Lose
09/10/16 vs. Arkansas State - Win
09/17/16 vs. Texas A&M - Lose
09/24/16 vs. LSU - Lose
10/01/16 vs. Louisiana-Monroe - Win
10/08/16 at Mississippi State - Lose
10/22/16 vs. Arkansas - Lose
10/29/16 at Ole Miss - Lose*****
11/05/16 vs. Vanderbilt - Win
11/12/16 at Georgia - Lose
11/19/16 vs. Alabama A&M - Win
11/26/16 at Alabama - Lose

4-8

***** - Malzahn's last game

Zero offense. Starting a WR for RB and using a 4th string as his backup. No WR's, and starting White, which means they're going to want to pass more in a non-passing offense. Gus won't adapt.

Outlook - fucked

Ah, Auburn back in the toilet. Everything is right with the world.

MgoBlue-LightSpecial · Fri Aug 12, 2016 2:06 am

Michigan State is breaking in a new QB this year, so any time that happens it is hard to predict how the season will play out. But for the most part, Dantonio's staff has a good track record of developing quarterbacks so I'm not too concerned. By all accounts, fifth year senior Tyler O'Connor will get the nod. He is your prototypical drop back style passer well suited for MSU's system, but he also has some athleticism and shiftiness to his game. The staff used him on a lot of designed runs as part of their game plan to beat Ohio State in the Shoe last year, since the weather was shit and didn't allow for much of an aerial attack.

MSU is deep at the RB position but inexperienced along the o-line, so I'm not quite sure what to expect from the running game. WRs are also young, but talented. Very good group of TEs.

Defensively, MSU should be very good in the back end. Most publications I've read have the Spartans' LB corps second only to Alabama's. Much of the secondary was injured last year, and those guys are back healthy and ready to go. Outside of DT Malik McDowell -- who's a bonafide stud -- I'm a little concerned about the defensive line, especially the end positions and overall depth. Young and unproven players will need to step up. They do have a couple grad transfers coming in so I hope those guys are ready to step in and ball. McDowell will command a lot of double teams so that should free up others to do some work.

I see MSU's floor as 8-4 and ceiling as 11-1. It all boils down to what they get out of the QB position, the o and d lines which are question marks at this point, injuries, and just the way the ball bounces in close games.

Overall, the state of the program is in a very good place. Dantonio has done wonders with lower rated recruiting classes, but now he is starting to haul in some top 15-20ish classes, so it will be interesting to see what he can do going forward. I don't put a ton of stock into recruiting rankings as I think that shit exists mostly to sell subscriptions to fans, but there's something to it.

Once the university completes the giant Sparty statue overlooking the stadium, I think that'll draw the eye of more recruits.

Mikey · Post by **Mikey** » Fri Aug 12, 2016 4:35 pm

MgoBlue-LightSpecial wrote:
Once the university completes the giant Sparty statue overlooking the stadium, I think that'll draw the eye of more recruits.

I heard there was a lot of buggery going on in Sparta. This and "300" pretty much confirm that.

The Seer · Post by **The Seer** » Fri Aug 12, 2016 9:49 pm

On paper this should be a better year for the Bruins. Nice returning QB, loser OC sent to aTm, tons of depth on D, and a somewhat favorable schedule (non SEC rules apply)......

MiketheangrydrunkenCUfan · Mon Aug 15, 2016 8:35 am

Probably shitty. Hopefully mediocre. Floor is 3-9, ceiling is 6-6. Maybe we get a favorable bowl matchup and finish with a winning season for the first time in way too long. A fella can dream, right?

Dinsdale · Post by **Dinsdale** » Mon Aug 15, 2016 2:55 pm

Mike -- I just took a gander at CU's schedule.

They might beat Colorado State.

Will beat Idaho State.

Will probably beat Oregon State.

And sorry, man, but I just don't see any other wins there. Bad time to be on an extended "rebuilding effort" in the PAC -- shit's getting deep here Out West.

Go Coogs' · Post by **Go Coogs'** » Tue Aug 16, 2016 8:38 pm

I think Greg Ward and that UofH offense needs to have a banner season if they want to match last season's win total. The o-line introduces three new starters, but all had playing time last season (with the exception of right tackle) due to a myriad of injuries, so I'm not too worried about their abilities to protect Ward. Two new RBs behind him with a lot of talent in power/speed guy Duke Catalon (4 star transfer from Texas) who will get the bulk of the carries and nobody knows who stands behind him on the depth chart. It seems nobody has rightfully taken the job in their August practices thus far. At WR they have three returning rotation guys who all have experience, but Chance Allen is going to have to fill some big shoes with the loss of Demarcus Ayers to the NFL. Allen is a big bodied 6'3" 215) guy who I saw improve consistently with good control and more crisp route running over the course of the season. He caught 56 balls last year as a first year transfer from Oregon. I'd love to see that catch total increase to 70 considering his size and strength to win 50-50 balls thrown his way. Someone who can take pressure off Allen is first year transfer Ra'Shaad Sample from Oklahoma State. He's gonna needs some time to get acclimated to the offense, but if he improves like Allen did midway through the year, then the sting of losing Ayers a year early won't be so bad. But this offense is all predicated on Greg Ward's ability to make others look foolish with his jaw-dropping athleticism. Ward needs to be upright and firing on all cylinders all season long. There is no substitute for the guy.

On defense everyone will be watching the secondary. Travon Stewart, Adrian McDonald, and William Jackson III were straight up criminals in the secondary with their ball hawking skills the last three seasons. Sure, these guys would get burned from time to time but they were a turnover machine. Houston created 43, 31, and 35 turnovers over the past three seasons which was a product of their very aggressive style. McDonald and Stewart were absolute drive killers and just had a nose for getting picks and strips. Losing all three of those guys is impossible to replace in regards to production. I'm not sure if the style of play is going to be changed with three new guys in the secondary, but the turnover numbers are going to take a hit no doubt. The best part of this team (I can't believe I'm saying this) is the front seven. They are loaded with playmakers starting with Steven Taylor at the OLB position. He is a beast with very good pass rushing skills and he can cover. Of course it helps that he has helps with pre-season all-conference DE Cameron Malveaux and DT BJ Singleton. And I haven't even talked about true frosh 5-star Ed Oliver who absolutely dominated the Under Armour game back in January. He was the first to lose his blue stripe on his helmet, meaning he's still impressive among the big boys and is no longer considered fresh meat. This front seven could be the best UofH has ever fielded since the Bill Yeoman days. This group will have to be special to mask the inexperience in the secondary. They will have to put pressure on opposing QBs early and often if Houston wants to match last season's success. It's a tall task, but this font seven unit is deep and capable of pulling it off.

They're going to be good, but not 13-1 good. Losses to OU and Cincy early but they figure it out after that.

10-2. They will be in a an absolute dog fight for a chance at a major bowl.

Left Seater · Post by **Left Seater** » Tue Aug 16, 2016 9:07 pm

Are you able to keep your coach after a 10-2 season?

Go Coogs' · Post by **Go Coogs'** » Wed Aug 17, 2016 3:54 am

Left Seater wrote:Are you able to keep your coach after a 10-2 season?

I don't know. Too many variables at this point. I'd say no if Strong keeps his job at UT and Houston gets the nod to go to a power 5.

I mean, I don't think aTm is a real threat because their current situation (debt) wouldn't allow them to buy out Herman's contract after one year. Honestly, what glorious job is out there ready for the taking if Strong gets to keep his job?

I don't think Herman wants a fringe powerhouse gig. I think he wants one of the top ten jobs in the country. He'll be content with building something special here until the right gig presents itself. I kind of see a little bit of Chris Peterson/Gary Patterson in Herman in wanting to make a Houston a household name like those guys did with Boise and TCU.

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Carson · Post by **Carson** » Wed Aug 17, 2016 6:26 am

Les Miles is walking on thin ice at LSU.

They're looking, and Houston is right next door...

MgoBlue-LightSpecial · Wed Aug 17, 2016 10:56 am

Carson wrote:Les Miles is walking on thin ice at LSU.

Seems like those "hot seat" rumors have quieted down lately. I was thinking Herman may end up on your team, actually. Unless Houston goes to the B12, like Coogs mentioned, then things get interesting.

txangler74 · Post by **txangler74** » Thu Aug 18, 2016 2:47 am

SMU

09/03/16 at North Texas - win
09/10/16 at Baylor - lose
09/17/16 vs. Liberty - win
09/23/16 vs. TCU - lose
10/01/16 at Temple - lose
10/07/16 at Tulsa - win
10/22/16 vs. Houston - lose
10/29/16 at Tulane - win
11/05/16 vs. Memphis - lose
11/12/16 at East Caroline - lose
11/19/16 vs. South Florida - win
11/26/16 vs. Navy - lose

Heart says 7-6 with a bowl win (if this happens Morris will be coaching at aTm next season)
Gut says 4-8 or 5-7.... need more depth!

Go Coogs' · Post by **Go Coogs'** » Thu Aug 18, 2016 12:52 pm

Carson wrote:Les Miles is walking on thin ice at LSU.

They're looking, and Houston is right next door...

Isn't LSU on a tight budget like aTm? Not sure if they can afford the buyout either.

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MgoBlue-LightSpecial · Thu Aug 18, 2016 1:08 pm

Hey Coogs, how do all the UT fans down there feel about being the 4th or 5th best program in their own state? That's gotta be rough.

Left Seater · Post by **Left Seater** » Thu Aug 18, 2016 2:31 pm

Most of them wouldn't want to be Baylor right about now. Especially seeing as how the latest Baylor arrest post Briles was a cast off from Texas.

Some Texas fans are saying this Frosh QB is the next Colt McCoy and are predicting 8 plus wins. The more realistic fans are wondering if Strong wins enough games this season to get to come back for another year when they should legitimately challenge for the conf title.

Goober McTuber · Post by **Goober McTuber** » Thu Aug 18, 2016 3:01 pm

Wisky's got 5 opponents that are in the pre-season top 15. They'll beat one of those but also lose to a team they should beat. 7-5.

MgoBlue-LightSpecial · Thu Aug 18, 2016 3:44 pm

I figured you were being pessimistic, but after taking a peak at Wisco's schedule, I would have to agree with your assessment. That six-game consecutive stretch of MSU/Mich/OSU/Iowa/Nebraska/Northwestern is pretty rough.

Goober McTuber · Post by **Goober McTuber** » Thu Aug 18, 2016 3:46 pm

On top of all that, we lost Joel Stave.

Go Coogs' · Post by **Go Coogs'** » Thu Aug 18, 2016 8:00 pm

MgoBlue-LightSpecial wrote:Hey Coogs, how do all the UT fans down there feel about being the 4th or 5th best program in their own state? That's gotta be rough.

It's been a minute since they've been relevant, but I keep hearing they finally have a QB as Lefty pointed out. I'm their biggest cheerleader because their success hinges on Herman staying here another season or two.

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King Crimson · Post by **King Crimson** » Tue Aug 23, 2016 7:27 pm

anything less than the last 4 will disappoint most OU fans but reality....

table is set for a big run...win through october, good to go..lot of O backfield experience with Mayfield, Perine, Mixon....not real go to guy at WR. lose a lot at LB in the great mike stoops scheme (which quelled some of my cynicism last year), no seniors on the OL.

@#15 houston
louisiana monroe in norman
#6 ohio state in norman
@ #13 tcu (patterson wants a real qb for this one)
texas in dallas (stoops has been kinda shit in this one the last 2-3 years....after landry jones was scoring 60 on them in the late mack era)
ksu in norman (snyder has a voodoo doll sometimes for bobby...enough to be afraid)

with preseason "ranked" Baylor and OSU in norman and @Tech (where weird crap happens sometimes)..

i can't pick wins and losses....

i don't think this OU team is better than Clemson or Bama or a couple other teams that may include Ohio State. Houston may beat them....but they could trick their way into like last year. has to beat texas, got kind of a dodge the last two years because his teams won the Sugar Bowl and made the "Final Four". still lost to Texas. that can't be. horns can't be down forever.....they are best manageable when they think they are great but are just pretty good.

as long as Mayfield stays healthy, i say 11-2/10-3 ish. undefeated is possible, but i won't pick it

Delaware Dave · Post by **Delaware Dave** » Thu Aug 25, 2016 1:09 am

Southern Miss should easily get bowl eligible but if they can pick up a win first game against Kentucky and not get blown the hell out against LSU, I'll be happy.

MiketheangrydrunkenCUfan · Sat Aug 27, 2016 9:23 am

Dinsdale wrote:Mike -- I just took a gander at CU's schedule.

They might beat Colorado State.

Will beat Idaho State.

Will probably beat Oregon State.

And sorry, man, but I just don't see any other wins there. Bad time to be on an extended "rebuilding effort" in the PAC -- shit's getting deep here Out West.

You're probably right. Maybe a 3-9 floor is being too generous, but having watched damn near every snap of the Mac 2.0 era, I really do feel like they're trending in the right direction, even if it isn't reflected in the W-L column. Five of their eight losses last year were by one score. They have to turn the corner eventually, right? I'll concede that a 2-10 season is certainly within the realm of possibility, but that'd almost assuredly result in Mac getting fired and Leavitt taking over, which might actually be the best thing for the program in the long term.

The three games you noted are must-wins at a bare minimum. Road games at Michigan, Oregon, Stanford and SC are practically guaranteed losses. That leaves the following marginally winnable games:

ASU
UCLA (beware the Thursday night home 'dog)
@UA
Wazzou
Utah

With four of those five games in Boulder, if I put on my rose-colored glasses, it's not that crazy to think they could eke out two or three of them. I'm not saying it's anywhere close to a sure thing. Like I said, I see 6-6 as their ceiling. I'd be happy with 5-7 as long as they're competitive in most of the losses. Anything less than that and Mac might be on the way out. At that point, why not just hand the program over to Leavitt and see what he can do? I don't think they made him the highest paid assistant coach in school history just to send him packing along with Mac. I think he's been the contingency plan since the day he was hired.

I'd much rather see them show marked improvement this year under Mac, but I'm not sure I could support bringing him back if we only post 3-4 wins again. We're fucking Colorado, for Christ's sake! Enough is enough! We're an all-time top 25 program that should be an all-time top 20 program. We're the third-winningest team in the Pac-12. It's well beyond time that we start playing like it again.

King Crimson · Post by **King Crimson** » Tue Aug 30, 2016 10:21 am

Mike: i like McIntyre mostly but I'm not sure he survives to next year given the mood among fans i know.....i think he coaches the season but wins about 4-5 and then Rick George hires someone who pleases the increasingly insane donors and makes his ass-cutting reputation. MM was the kind of guy they should have hired after Hawkins and before the train wreck Embree. losing Davis Webb was rough and kind of weak move from the kid imo. not like Cal is going to be "all that" either. Buffs are way overdue for a good thing to happen and i think that might have been the thing to turn the corner. but ya know, 5 star Conor Wood was pretty shit, too. who knew?

not sure about Dinsdale's claim things are getting deep or that good in the Pac. i see a lot of 7-8 win teams that are OK but nothing special outside Stanford. UO is not Mariota or Chip Kelly good (Helfrich was a weak in house hire), USC is a mystery/coaching vacuum right now....not sold on UCLA ever. UW has been horrible to so-so at best for 20 years but we act like they are something. the Arizona schools are a kind of a weird mediocre constant. outside Stanford and UO before Helfrich, i've been pretty unimpressed by the Pac in both football and basketball since Colorado joined and USC stopped cheating....top to bottom.

how many new QB's in the Pac? let's see how that pans before we call it super nifty hey Dins?

Killian · Post by **Killian** » Tue Aug 30, 2016 2:32 pm

@Texas - Win
Nevada - Win
MSU - Win
Duke - Win
Syracuse - Win
@NCSt - Win
Stanford - Win
Miami - Loss
Navy - Win
Army - Win
VaTech - Win
@USC - Loss

Gets into a big bowl, gets matched up with whatever SEC team was on the bubble and ND gets it's doors blown off. Lather, rinse, repeat.

L45B · Post by **L45B** » Tue Aug 30, 2016 3:59 pm

Damn Killian, that's a killer *non-conference schedule right there.

*You guys are in the ACC now, right?

Dinsdale · Post by **Dinsdale** » Tue Aug 30, 2016 4:13 pm

King Crimson wrote:(Helfrich was a weak in house hire)... UO before Helfrich

Yeah. No way that guy could ever take a team to the Championship Game.

Killian · Post by **Killian** » Tue Aug 30, 2016 4:30 pm

L45B wrote:Damn Killian, that's a killer *non-conference schedule right there.

*You guys are in the ACC now, right?

Defacto ACC member. My guess is they will be full members within 10 years.

King Crimson · Post by **King Crimson** » Tue Aug 30, 2016 6:01 pm

Dinsdale wrote:
King Crimson wrote:(Helfrich was a weak in house hire)... UO before Helfrich
Yeah. No way that guy could ever take a team to the Championship Game.

with Chip's guys. and Mariota.

is Helfrich going to be in the championship game in 5 years? i bet you he's the OC at some place like Fresno or San Jose State.

Mikey · Post by **Mikey** » Thu Sep 01, 2016 12:01 am

Stanford is, as usual, an enigma before the start of the season. The polls have them at #7 and #8. The PAC12 press corps picks them to win the conference, yet ESPN's FPI has them at #21 behind USC, UCLA and Washington. The FPI also has them projected to win 7.4 games, as underdogs to USC at home and UCLA, Washington, Notre Dame, Arizona and Oregon on the road and only 8.3% chance of winning the conference.

My take?

They probably have more offensive talent starting the season than they've had in my memory. They're deep at RB (McCaffrey, Bryce Love and Cameron Scarlett), WR and TE. I wouldn't be surprised to see Trenton Irwin (former 5 star true soph at WR) and/or Dalton Schultz (JR TE) have a breakout season. The two areas of perceived weakness are the line and QB. They're only returning two starters on the line, but they've always been able to reload there. They have to replace a four year starter at QB with one of two (or three) who have basically no game experience. But Burns (who was named the starter) and Chryst are both big (6'5", 235-240) talented, highly recruited kids with strong arms. The freshman (KJ Costello) may actually turn out to be the best of the three. The fact that Shaw has had a hard time choosing could actually be a good sign. I'm not all that worried. After all, I think there have been a few NC's won recently with first year starting QB's.

On defense, the line is deeper than last year. The backfield is loaded with talent. They lost some good linebackers but there's talent there too.

The schedule is brutal up front. After the first game on Friday against KSU they have a bye week and then four top 20 teams (plus Wazzu) in the next five weeks, with UCLA, Washington and Notre Dame on the road. If they can get through that stretch with one or no losses, they could run the table. Not predicting that, but it could happen. I think UCLA and Washington are overrated at this point. Stanford has beaten UCLA something like 85 straight games in a row and I don't see a loss there. Notre Dame is the toughest in that stretch but a loss there (especially a close one) wouldn't necessarily close the door to the playoffs. And then, of course, there's @Oregon. Pretty sure the Ducks will be about 5-4 by then and struggling for relevance.

Prediction:

KSU - Win
USC - Win
@UCLA - Win
@Washington - Win
Washington State - Win
@Notre Dame - Loss
Colorado - Win
@Arizona - Win
Oregon State - Win
@Oregon - Win
@Kal - Win
Rice - Win

OK this is wishful thinking. We have historically had problems with Oregon and Washington but those are definitely winnable games.
I think we'll learn a lot on Friday night. Haven't done too well against purple Wildcats lately.

Mikey · Post by **Mikey** » Thu Sep 01, 2016 11:03 pm

Always the optimist.

King Crimson · Post by **King Crimson** » Fri Sep 02, 2016 1:17 am

Mikey wrote:
I think we'll learn a lot on Friday night. Haven't done too well against purple Wildcats lately.

hard to know with KState and Snyder. athlon picks KSU 8 in the Big XII....but they should be better than last year's 6-7 team getting two QB's and DB's back from injury. a game Stanford should win....and Darth's hate of real OOC games....he may throw this on purpose so he doesn't have to play another. he'd rather be playing the Leathernecks of Western Illinois on his fast turf at home every week until conference play starts. but, i've come around and sort of like the guy. he's a had a couple teams even in this 2nd phase were great to watch. inventive on offense, no turnovers, forcing turnovers, the weird blocking and tackling thing we used to think were important....special teams scores....few penalties. in the end....they had to play someone with much better players who didn't beat themselves...but they won 9 games with 5 win talent.

I'd go Stanford 38-20 in this one. they'll have better athletes at almost every position.

Dinsdale · Post by **Dinsdale** » Fri Sep 02, 2016 6:45 pm

Hey, Schmickedy.

I really have no idea who will win the South. So very wide open. I could see USC winning it, or finishing 5th. On paper, UCLA seems tohave the most talent... but they also have Mora, who never saw a big game he couldn't lose.

Utah lost some defense, but they always do, and are still likely sneaky-good.

Zona and ASU have gradually been getting better.

Seems like any of the 5 could win the division (sorry to set off a drinking bender, Mike), and with one misstep, could end up 5th.

I still hear some barking and mewling from the folks to my north, but puh-leez -- it's still Oregon and Stanford's division to lose. The Seattle and Pullman dipshits have been celebrating the death of the Ducks for a few years now -- and are still getting owned (although the Cougs broke their streak due to a QB injury, and no backup).

The Seer · Post by **The Seer** » Sat Sep 03, 2016 3:53 pm

Dinsdale wrote: On paper, UCLA seems to have the most talent... but they also have Mora, who never saw a big game he couldn't lose.

I'd love to take issue with that statement. But I can't. :|

Also, Stanford had to be proud that the KSU fans made more noise in their opener than the home team.

Dinsdale · Post by **Dinsdale** » Sat Sep 03, 2016 4:37 pm

Like Stanford's home stadium isn't a ghost town for every other game?

Speaking of -- Stanford's O_Line looked like complete garbage last night. They better get that tightened up, or they'll become Stanford again in a big hurry.

Mikey · Post by **Mikey** » Sat Sep 03, 2016 8:45 pm

Dinsdale wrote:Like Stanford's home stadium isn't a ghost town for every other game?

Speaking of -- Stanford's O_Line looked like complete garbage last night. They better get that tightened up, or they'll become Stanford again in a big hurry.

That was painful to watch. Second half I was starting to have deja vu from last year's opener. But...a w is a w and they have two weeks to get the kinks worked out before the Condoms come to town.

On the bright side:
McCaffrey was McCaffrey. When he had some room. The punt return that was called back was the highlight of the game.
Burns played well when given a chance. Completed his first 10 throws including a nice TD to Rector.
The defense was solid with 8 sacks and 2 int's. A few things need work like not letting the QB escape when under pressure.
Special teams played well. Punting averaged 46 yards with 2 inside the 5 yard line. Ukropina made his only FG try at 50 yards.

On the not so bright side:
The O line needs to get their shit together.
Part of the O line's problem was the play calling. Not too much imagination there. Sort of like last year against Northwestern. I think Shaw's brain gets rusty in the summer.

I can't and won't even try to defend the local fan base. I grew up there but moved away long before it became Silicon Valley. It's a completely different place. I guess Chinese and Indian H1B workers and other neck beard types just aren't that into football.

Like I said, it's a W. Not impressive, but at least we're not Oklahoma.

Mikey · Post by **Mikey** » Sat Sep 03, 2016 10:11 pm

UCLA looking pretty damn soft right now. The way their O line is playing Rosen may not last until the Stanford game.

Mikey · Post by **Mikey** » Sat Sep 03, 2016 11:11 pm

UCLame tied now.

Too bad I gotta run...

BSmack · Post by **BSmack** » Sun Sep 18, 2016 3:39 am

Syracuse is about where I hoped they would be. They suck on defense but bring some excitement to the table. The reality is that recruiting is paramount. They just don't have the horses right now.

Carson · Post by **Carson** » Mon Sep 26, 2016 7:13 am

MgoBlue-LightSpecial wrote:
Carson wrote:Les Miles is walking on thin ice at LSU.
Seems like those "hot seat" rumors have quieted down lately. I was thinking Herman may end up on your team, actually. Unless Houston goes to the B12, like Coogs mentioned, then things get interesting.

You were saying?