Modifying my observations a bit based on an additional month's worth of info. By this time next month we'll have a MUCH better picture of how the team stands but it's still speculation season right now, so let's get started.@Wisconsin - On Offense: We will have to win through the air, and that's a problem with unknowns at every position. Unless Dennis Kennedy is back, and Andrew Johnson is as good as advertised, I don't see us scoring bunches of points.On Defense: Can we stop the run? That will determine the outcome more than anything else. PJ Hill is excellent, and he has a solid set of backups. The Badgers have an unknown at QB, with a three-way battle shaping up in camp. It might be good that way, with our secondary getting in a game without being severely tested, while our strengths at the DL and linebacker will be facing most of the attacks.On Special Teams: They lost both their punter and kicker, which bodes very well for our very own nation's top return team with Williams and Jones. Their own return team is pretty good, with their punt returner leading the Big Ten statistically. Igor should be solid, and if we ditch the rugby-punt (PLEASE DITCH THE RUGBY PUNT, COACH!!!), we should have the clear advantage here.Overall: I think we have a slight window for success here, assuming we don't get screwed again. I'll settle for giving them a good scare, but the match ups of their weaknesses versus our strengths at several key points could give us a win, but probably not. This one's a loss, but I will always have hope. Record: 0-1@Syracuse - On Offense: This will be a trench battle, with our experienced O-line against their experienced D-line. Their back seven has one legit player in LB Jake Flaherty, but the rest is a mess. We should rely on the run again, but it should be a bit easier to pass if the pressure is kept off the QB.On Defense: Again, we must stop the run. They have a scrambling QB, which spelled trouble last year, but shouldn't be as big of a problem this year. They have Copley's own Delone Carter, who is coming off of an injury. Again, it's another case of their strengths and weaknesses matching up with ours. Their top WR has been kicked off the team for the season. Pressure the QB, and this should be a cake walk.On Special Teams: They have a great kickoff returner, but their coverage teams are lacking. Most of our points could come from the return game.Overall: This is a game we must win. All the pieces are there to get our second-ever BCS win. It can be done, and it helps that we are being severely overlooked by a team that is likely worse than we are. Record: 1-1Ball State - On Offense: We should be able to burn them on the ground. They gave up over 200 rushing ypg last year, and they lost three starters on the D-line. The passing game just has to work enough to keep them honest.On Defense: Here is the first true test of our secondary, and what a test it will be. Nate Davis is the best QB nobody is talking about. They return all five O-line starters, and they have an excellent receiving corps.On Special Teams: Here is possibly the key to us winning this game, Whenever Ball State scores (and they will score), Williams gets a chance to take one right back. They have one of the nation's best punters, but I don't see him being used that often.Overall: It's a shootout. Davis' offense against William's return team. Any defensive stop we get will be key. Let's hope that with two games under their belt, our secondary is at least serviceable here. I'll say it's a loss, but it may change based on seeing performances against Syracuse. Record: 1-2@Army - On Offense: Army returns only one starter in the defensive back seven (MLB Frank Scappaticci), but makes up for it on the defensive line, which is their biggest strength. It is the first game where we can really see what the passing game can do. With three games behind them, hopefully someone has stepped up.On Defense: Army is slow, and they give up lots of turnovers. But they will show us something our team hasn't played against before: a wishbone offense. We basically need to stop the run.On Special Teams: I can't find anything on them, but I think we hold the advantage here, if last year's game is any indicator.Overall: This is also a must-win game. I don't think we will have too much trouble beyond adapting to the wishbone. Record: 2-2Cincinnati - On Offense: Cinci lacks a pass rush, but they make up for it with a great pair of cornerbacks. They specialize in forcing turnovers, so we'll have to go a little more conservative in this game. They are susceptible to big plays, which Andrew Johnson appears to specialize in.On Defense: It's Brian Kelley's spread offense, which we nearly beat last season with LeFevour at QB, and Cinci doesn't have a QB like that, since it looks increasingly unlikely that Ben Mauk will get a 6th year of eligibility. Still, they have a solid WR corps, so pressure on the QB is the key to this battle.On Special Teams: They have a good punter, but their kicker is terrible. We definitely hold the advantage here.Overall: This is the best chance for a sellout game at the RB this year, due to Cinci's proximity. It's not often we play a BCS team at home. We have a chance here if the crowd gets into it, but a win is not likely here. Record: 2-3Can't State - On Offense: We run the ball right down their throats. No sideways passes, no trick plays that end up in a loss of yards. Just throw/run the ball fowards, and keep pushing.On Defense: Stop Jarvis! Edelman will run as well, and they don't have any standout WRs. With guys like them, we need to get players into the backfield as fast as possible before they disappear.On Special Teams: We win this battle, and our punting is key: trap Jarvis deep, to give us time to get a stop.Overall: We got pretty lucky last year, relying on an endzone interception to win it, but I think we can win this one. Record: 3-3Bowling Green - On Offense: Their Defense is terrible, but they return nine starters, which may or may not be a good thing for us. The plan of attack will depend mostly on whatever BG decides isn't important enough to defend, which is likely going to be the running game.On Defense: Look out. They return almost everyone from an offense that was great last year. Pressuring the QB is critical to stopping them.On Special Teams: The kick return team will be getting a workout in this game. We hold the advantage here.Overall: We play them tough at home. This will be extremely high-scoring, with the outcome decided by field position, which should help us with our great returners. We should win. Record: 4-3@Eastern Michigan - On Offense: They have absolutely no pass-rush, but their secondary is strong, so look for short-yardage passes and an emphasis on the run. They aren't all that good, and we should be fine.On Defense: They have a good dual-threat QB, but not much else. If we can contain him, we can dominate.On Special Teams: Just like we will against everyone else, we will dominate here.Overall: Another must-win game.There is a serious problem if we lose to either EMU, 'Cuse, or Army. Record: 5-3Bye Week #1 - We should come in here on a roll. We will use this week to recover from any injuries.Bye Week #2 - This week should be used to correct any problems with our game plans, and to prepare for the final four games of the regular season.Toledo - On Offense: This looks like another game where the emphasis will be on the running game. They don't have much of a pass rush, so it should allow for the O-line to open up some nice holes.On Defense: Their passing attack is something to watch out for if we can't get pressure on the QB. They have a new RB, and he should be just above average.On Special Teams: They have a great PK guy, and won't hesitate to use him if they are within 40 yards, so turnovers are a must. We hold the edge in the return game, again.Overall: We come into this game rested for two weeks, and we can outscore them. I always like games against Toledo, and this one should be good. Record: 6-3Buffalo - On Offense: Their back seven is weak, so this is a game that can be won with a balanced attack. If we focus too much on one aspect of the attack, we won't fair as well.On Defense: They return most of their offense. It is very balanced, and we had trouble with it last year. Hopefully we have learned how do deal with it.On Special Teams: Once again, advantage: AkronOverall: This is the last game in the Rubber Bowl, and the crowd will be into it. Buffalo had no problem stopping us last year, but hopefully we have a new offensive playbook this time. Revenge will be a factor. Another game we should win. Record 7-3@Ohio - On Offense: We can run right over them. They have a fairly good secondary, but their D-line is bad except for Jameson Hartke. We need to be in shootout mode for this one. They tire out quickly, so the more time we spend on offense, the better chance we have to beat them.On Defense: Kalvin McRae is gone, and they're trying the "QB by committee" approach that got us killed last year. They will focus on the passing game, so we need to pressure the QB. Throw all sorts of weird looks at them, and we should keep them off balance.On Special Teams: McRae was their best player here, too. We got them beat.Overall: We won a shootout last year and ruined their season. They will want revenge, but we can beat them, especially since this game is late in the season, when they traditionally fizzle out. I like our chances. Record: 8-3@Temple - On Offense: Easy, just don't give up turnovers. They return all their starters on defense, but they weren't all that good against us if we didn't screw ourselves over last year.On Defense: Don't collapse in the third quarter. Stop DiMichele; he's injured now but will have plenty of time to recover before we play them.On Special Teams: Don't give up the big return. This is critical. Other than that, we should beat them here.Overall: It's a revenge game. We had it won, but poor play calling killed us. This should be a win. Record: 9-3That does it for the regular season. We finish on a tear and have lots of momentum going into the MAC championship game.This is all assuming that our play calling is competent, and we have at least an average QB. We have the talent, the schedule is fairly favorable, and this is a critical year for the Zips.
