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Thanks, happy to do it. I think the offense could be really good this year. If Poffenbarger plays as well as I think he can, he’ll be a candidate. I’d be surprised if Mason and Williams weren’t selected at WR. There’s a chance both Patrick and Gant will be worthy, but neither make it if snaps are split fairly evenly. In that situation they wouldn’t have the same amount of opportunities as some of the other backs in the conference. Lyons and Jones are probably the best candidates along the OL. I think the collective parts of the defense will make it solid, but I’m not sure if we’ll have that many standouts this year. I like Hull at DT, but for some reason even when we’ve had strong DT play in the past, our players have been passed over. Then at DB, White at CB and David at safety could be candidates it if they can stay healthy.

that's an even worse idea

This upcoming season is the last year of the agreement. Will be curious to see if there's an extension announcement over the summer. If not, it's likely over after this season. Quite frankly, I wouldn't hate to see it end. I don't know how much it benefits either conference as the top matchups have typically been lopsided NET wise. It would be better if they expanded it to include other mid major conferences to put more big fish in the pond. The goal should be for the top matchups to be Q1/high-end Q2 opportunities and that isn't happening enough.

Let me break this down for you. We are very clearly a tier or two or three above csu and ysu. We're all fighting for scraps when it comes to support and fanbase after the big dogs like OSU, and maybe competing for some recruits here or there though I'd like to think we're recruiting a different tier than them as well. Playing them home and home legitimatizes them in the eyes of the local crowd and puts us a little more on the same tier in their eyes. Not to mention if we happen to lose once or twice. It's just not worth that, there's more to lose than gain by scheduling away games there

Bowden's Greenheads kick off on Saturday in Iowa. In their first two TAL seasons, the Iowa Woo (yes, Woo) have gone 2-8 and 4-5 (including playoffs), so probably an average opponent to see what's what for the expansion team. Almost assuredly, I'll be the only one here taking a peek haha (but that's more because I've followed indoor football for 26 years now). They've done a...reasonably poor job...of getting roster information out, but Monroe's defensive coordinator is a guy (James Shiver) who's been involved in indoor football coaching on and off since 2001. So, Bowden will at least have coaches that have worked with the walls before. Though Shiver was always an offensive coach indoors, but whatever. With the caveat that Iowa hasn't always produced stellar broadcasts, the game can be seen on YouTube on the TAL channel. Link below (though I think they embed on here)

I like this. I'd go as far as to say "giving the P4s the middle finger" is the only path mid majors can take.

Something like this would probably work best as an early-season MTE. If the top mid-majors can no longer get into tournaments that now only accept high-majors, then mid-majors should create their own versions of events like the Battle 4 Atlantis or the Maui Invitational.

Create an event based on the winningest programs in the last X amount of years. Call it the Mid Major Blue Bloods or something like that. Year to year doesn't matter when it's programs people care about. The issue with the MAC/Sun Belt Challenge is outside of James Madison, Marshall, and MAYBE a couple other programs, fans don't care about the Sun Belt. Same with Sun Belt fans about most MAC programs. I don't know what the exact solution is, but giving the P4s the middle finger is the best path the mid majors can take.

From a purely selfish perspective, I'd like to attend away games at CSU or YSU. I'm not going to to Wright State or Marshall for a game. That being said, I trust the staff to figure out what is best for the program. They know a hell of an lot more than us when it comes to scheduling and the impact it can have on the program. As such, I have to assume there are valid reasons certain teams are not on the regular season schedule.

@catdaddyp thanks for all the position reviews. What players (all positions), if any, do you feel have potential to receive any All MAC recognition this year?

Xavier will play at Akron on October 24 https://goxavier.com/sports/mens-soccer/schedule

More highlights 🤯

Things are moving fast.......in the transfer portal Top Drawer soccer is reporting some moves....that impact the zips Zips have added a GK from Italy....Francesca Tricarico from Biola University in La Mirada, CA in the year before that, the zips new addition to the GK corps....led Iowa Western JC to a national title transfers out Josh Bartels to Fairleigh Dickinson GK Lincoln McCarty to UNC Asheville Angel Lopez leaves after one semester and goes to South Carolina https://www.topdrawersoccer.com/college-soccer-articles/mens-division-i-may-transfer-tracker_aid55916 https://athletics.biola.edu/sports/mens-soccer/roster/francesco-tricarico/8711