LZIp

Jatavis graded as the 26th best LB here. http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2752307-nfl1000-ranking-the-top-inside-linebackers-of-2017-season

Yeah....hiring a coach who has had prior experience in the MAC, by far the most postseason success in the conference the last decade, great recruiting ties, and also had the recent benefit of a learning opportunity on one of the biggest stages just has "disaster written all over it".

Are you saying that talent isn't being utilized? Please elaborate.

It is what it is, Skip. Just have to deal with this season. 3 returning players from last year's team, which are made up of 1 starter and 2 bench players. Some KD defenders like to point out that he only took "2 bench players"...well there is no denying that we sure could use them and that they would probably start on this years team...and our bench player from last year is our best player. Lack of depth and an overabundance of youth.

u.g.l.y.

Ivey and Utomi have been on the bench for quite a while.

first 2 baskets, over 14 minutes in.

Kostelace of all people scores our first basket of the game...nearly 13 minutes in. Geez.

Get it together! Our leaders in Ivey and Utomi couldn't look more lackadaisical.

I believe Lebron attended this game at least the past 2 years. His schedule would seem to fit again...

GT never fails to disappoint.

Not very easy, but better than @ Toledo and @ WMU I suppose. EMU is losing Roback so that helps with that game some. CMU loses Morris. NIU will challenge for the MAC West.

Khalil Mack, Eric Fisher, TY Hilton, Blake Bortles, TJ Watt, Dede Westbrook.

Kendal Briles (OC) was hired away from FAU to Houston. I predict a BIG dip in offensive production by FAU next season if the offense reverts to anything like it was when Kiffin was at Tenn/USC/Bama.

Elijah McGuire

Josh Davis is having a ridiculous game.

what the hell Poke

That was a rough first half. Based on the season so far, I have a hard time believing the 2nd will be better.

I noticed both Patton and one of the walk-ons got time before Cotton. The big boys from WMU are causing problems.

Tracker is updated to include Arslanian as a scholly player. Per a source close to the team, he was a "blueshirt" commit last year. Estimating 10 scholarships left over now for 2018. Quick reminder on what the different "shirts" mean as well. https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/ncaaf/recruiting/2016/01/31/college-football-recruiting-redshirt-greenshirt-grayshirt-blueshirt/79603750/ Zips Football Scholarship Chart.xlsx

I think all 3 P5 teams will be a long shot to beat next season. Northwestern is going to finish the season ranked in the teens. We all know ISU is on the come up. Nebraska is probably the weakest (and NIU did just beat them this season), but they made a home run hire in Scott Frost, who just led UCF to an undefeated season and bowl win over Auburn. We shouldn't get too worked up by the starting OOC 1-3 next season. Last year's OOC was tough, this is tougher. Like skip, my calendar is marked vs Illinois in 2019.

Welcome back Keener. Go Zips.

i saw those as well B&G. I was wondering if it was the players moving on of the coaches that decided they didn't want to honor Haynes' offers for them?

I will admit that Getsy in the future is intriguing to me. Him going from GB WR coach to Miss St OC for a few years aligns almost too perfect if Bowden can't continue to elevate. Players love coaches who have been in the NFL. I will add, in what I have read (not very much), it seems like it is mostly just a title rather than regular OC duties for now. Moorhead is supposedly calling plays. https://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/ncaafb/luke-getsy-to-be-hired-as-mississippi-states-offensive-coordinator-and-wide-receivers-coach/ar-BBHqd9l

Well it seems that it was just an extension and not a raise, so I don't know what there is really to make a stink about considering a football coach would have to be employed regardless. But I'd never put anything past the mass of crybabies out there. Bowden's contract puts him at the bottom of the MAC. The only coach lower is Leipold in Buffalo. Haynes' was a whole $88 annually lower. I would imagine Sean Lewis' contract is higher. Looking at his contract and what he's done with the program thus far, its been quite a bargain just for him to takes us from horrible to average/slightly above average MAC program. If he could take us to a true contender in the next few years..... https://projects.newsday.com/databases/long-island/college-football-coaches-salaries-contracts/?where=conference=MAC&order=2017_guaranteed_pay_DESC&offset=0