2023 Season

[94zipgrad]

 

[Akron1]

https://www.hustlebelt.com/2023/7/29/23786032/akron-zips-football-positional-previews-quarterbacks-receivers-running-backs-tight-ends-2023

[catdaddyp]

On 7/28/2023 at 12:57 PM, catdaddyp said:

2023 MAC Predictions:

 

EAST

OHIO = 8-4 (7-1)

AKRON = 8-4 (6-2)

MIAMI = 8-4 (6-2)

BUFFALO = 7-5 (4-4)

BOWLING GREEN = 2-10 (1-7)

KENT STATE = 1-11 (0-8)

 

WEST

TOLEDO = 9-3 (6-2)

EMU = 7-5 (4-4)

NIU = 6-6 (4-4)

BSU = 5-7 (4-4)

CMU = 5-7 (4-4)

WMU = 3-7 (2-6)

 

 

I’ll probably be way off on some of these, but just going through the schedules these are the results I finished with. What does everyone else think?

EAST

OHIO = 8-4 (7-1)

AKRON = 8-4 (6-2)

MIAMI = 8-4 (6-2)

BUFFALO = 7-5 (4-4)

BOWLING GREEN = 2-10 (1-7)

KENT STATE = 1-11 (0-8)

 

WEST

TOLEDO = 9-3 (6-2)

EMU = 7-5 (4-4)

NIU = 6-6 (4-4)

BSU = 6-6 (4-4)

CMU = 5-7 (4-4)

WMU = 3-7 (2-6)

 

Making a slight edit here and saying Ball State gets a 6th win as well, giving the MAC 8 bowl teams. Seems high but I think there is very little separation in the West, outside of Toledo at the top and WMU at the bottom. NIU could have another tough year if Lombardi isn’t healthy, so just assuming he will be in these standings. In the East I think there is a pretty big drop off from the top four to the bottom two. Maybe Bowling Green surprises again? Although I have a hard time envisioning that. Especially after so many situations went their way last year.

[MangoZip]

Does Joe open up summer camp practices to the public? 

[catdaddyp]

On 7/31/2023 at 6:40 AM, MangoZip said:

Does Joe open up summer camp practices to the public? 

I reached out and the official answer I was given is that there will be no open practices during fall camp. No definitive answer on when the roster would be updated, except would likely be early on during camp.

Edited August 1, 2023 by catdaddyp

[dirtyolcrowe]

On 7/30/2023 at 7:17 AM, catdaddyp said:

EAST

OHIO = 8-4 (7-1)

AKRON = 8-4 (6-2)

MIAMI = 8-4 (6-2)

BUFFALO = 7-5 (4-4)

BOWLING GREEN = 2-10 (1-7)

KENT STATE = 1-11 (0-8)

 

WEST

TOLEDO = 9-3 (6-2)

EMU = 7-5 (4-4)

NIU = 6-6 (4-4)

BSU = 6-6 (4-4)

CMU = 5-7 (4-4)

WMU = 3-7 (2-6)

 

Making a slight edit here and saying Ball State gets a 6th win as well, giving the MAC 8 bowl teams. Seems high but I think there is very little separation in the West, outside of Toledo at the top and WMU at the bottom. NIU could have another tough year if Lombardi isn’t healthy, so just assuming he will be in these standings. In the East I think there is a pretty big drop off from the top four to the bottom two. Maybe Bowling Green surprises again? Although I have a hard time envisioning that. Especially after so many situations went their way last year.

We are ranked 129 out of 133 DI teams.   Let’s get to .500 first.   8-4. Child please.   Indiana is 86 and Kentucky is 28.  Temple is 116.  Let’s walk before we run. 

[catdaddyp]

2 minutes ago, dirtyolcrowe said:

We are ranked 129 out of 133 DI teams.   Let’s get to .500 first.   8-4. Child please.   Indiana is 86 and Kentucky is 28.  Temple is 116.  Let’s walk before we run. 

Guess we should pack it all up and go home because some arbitrary ranking says this team won’t be any good? 

 

NIU can go from 0-6 to 9-5 and Akron can’t make the same type of leap? 

 

Come on out and pay a little attention to what’s happening with this program. I’ve made more than enough posts on why this team could majorly outperform this year. I’ve also given similar situations to other programs. It’s fine to disagree, but next time how about give a little more depth into why you disagree before giving a preseason ranking that most likely goes 99% off the win/loss record of last year.

[dirtyolcrowe]

56 minutes ago, catdaddyp said:

Guess we should pack it all up and go home because some arbitrary ranking says this team won’t be any good? 

 

NIU can go from 0-6 to 9-5 and Akron can’t make the same type of leap? 

 

Come on out and pay a little attention to what’s happening with this program. I’ve made more than enough posts on why this team could majorly outperform this year. I’ve also given similar situations to other programs. It’s fine to disagree, but next time how about give a little more depth into why you disagree before giving a preseason ranking that most likely goes 99% off the win/loss record of last year.

They won 2 games last year.  Really were outclassed at MSU and Tennessee.    Yet you say they are going to win 8 games.  6 in the MAC.   No way.   Be happy with .500 and building this program instead of a flash in the pan.   

[MarkWiley]

26 minutes ago, dirtyolcrowe said:

They won 2 games last year.  Really were outclassed at MSU and Tennessee.    Yet you say they are going to win 8 games.  6 in the MAC.   No way.   Be happy with .500 and building this program instead of a flash in the pan.   

[Blue & Gold]

 

[catdaddyp]

31 minutes ago, dirtyolcrowe said:

They won 2 games last year.  Really were outclassed at MSU and Tennessee.    Yet you say they are going to win 8 games.  6 in the MAC.   No way.   Be happy with .500 and building this program instead of a flash in the pan.   

Of course last year’s team was outclassed by Tennessee and MSU. Most teams were outclassed by Tennessee regardless of level. Turnarounds usually take 5-6 games for things to really start clicking, just FYI. 

 

As much as I’d love a P5 win, I’m not counting on Kentucky or Indiana. I am counting Morgan State and Temple (although I think the Temple matchup will be very close.) Not sure how many games you watched last year, but we lost 4 conference games by 7 points or less. Only Ohio and Miami ran away from us. I bring that up to show this team was not far off even with a less talented roster than our opponents. Last year’s team had a clear deficit in the run game, pass rush, and at cornerback. The portal has changed the landscape of college football and this staff has used it as well as anyone at the G5 level, while also bringing in a strong HS/JUCO class. If those positions have been shored up like I think they have, then this will be one exciting season.
 

This team will have just as much depth as any team in the MAC this year. We compare at every position except the OL and DL,  but those should be much improved over last year. Flash in the pan? Doubtful. 
 

Believe it. Or not. Might want to pay just a little closer attention to what’s happening with this program though.

 

[dirtyolcrowe]

29 minutes ago, catdaddyp said:

Of course last year’s team was outclassed by Tennessee and MSU. Most teams were outclassed by Tennessee regardless of level. Turnarounds usually take 5-6 games for things to really start clicking, just FYI. 

 

As much as I’d love a P5 win, I’m not counting on Kentucky or Indiana. I am counting Morgan State and Temple (although I think the Temple matchup will be very close.) Not sure how many games you watched last year, but we lost 4 conference games by 7 points or less. Only Ohio and Miami ran away from us. I bring that up to show this team was not far off even with a less talented roster than our opponents. Last year’s team had a clear deficit in the run game, pass rush, and at cornerback. The portal has changed the landscape of college football and this staff has used it as well as anyone at the G5 level, while also bringing in a strong HS/JUCO class. If those positions have been shored up like I think they have, then this will be one exciting season.
 

This team will have just as much depth as any team in the MAC this year. We compare at every position except the OL and DL,  but those should be much improved over last year. Flash in the pan? Doubtful. 
 

Believe it. Or not. Might want to pay just a little closer attention to what’s happening with this program though.

 

I’ll pay attention when the 4th qtr ends after each game.  And look for a W or L.  Maybe there will be a M there for you know like a MORAL victory man!!!  

[catdaddyp]

13 minutes ago, dirtyolcrowe said:

I’ll pay attention when the 4th qtr ends after each game.  And look for a W or L.  Maybe there will be a M there for you know like a MORAL victory man!!!  

You lost me there. Sounds like I’ve been having a discussion with someone that doesn’t even watch the games. Enough time wasted. Carry on.

Edited August 1, 2023 by catdaddyp

[dirtyolcrowe]

20 minutes ago, catdaddyp said:

You lost me there. Sounds like I’ve been having a discussion with someone that doesn’t even watch the games. Enough time wasted. Carry on.

Just win baby!!!   You don’t win?  You don’t get time.  

[72 Roo]

There were losses last year, but if you went to the games and watched how they improved you saw the the foundations for wins were being established. That was clear for all to see.  Build the foundation and the wins will come. Joe and staff have righted the culture and added better talent, talent equal or better than our opponents. Our coaching is better than the rest of the MAC. The wins are coming regardless of what you believe. 

[LoyalZIP]

1 hour ago, catdaddyp said:

You lost me there. Sounds like I’ve been having a discussion with someone that doesn’t even watch the games. Enough time wasted. Carry on.

The trolls use some pretty enticing bait sometimes, don’t kick yourself. While I’m not quite at 8-4 myself, everything you’ve said this off-season is spot on. A month from tomorrow is a massive day for this program, I cannot wait. 

[taylormade28]

OK guys please help me out, why isn't it a place that we can buy the players jerseys? I see other schools allow  you to buy team jerseys on fanatics.

[Captain Kangaroo]

48 minutes ago, taylormade28 said:

OK guys please help me out, why isn't it a place that we can buy the players jerseys? I see other schools allow  you to buy team jerseys on fanatics.

Call These people  and tell them exactly what you want. They will make you a kick ass jersey for a reasonable price. Way better than Fanatics.

[taylormade28]

Thanks I'll be getting my #12 ready for the defensive side of the ball

[Let'sGoZips94]

For those keeping track, the sportsbooks are favorite Akron to have 4+ wins. 

 

On 5/24, the Over 3.5 wins was -105 on FanDuel. 

 

Over 3.5 wins is now -162.

[Akron1]

Reminder...

Registration for the Football Kick-Off Reception!

Sunday, August 20 4:00-6:00pm

5th Floor InfoCision Stadium

https://host.nxt.blackbaud.com/registration-form/?formId=5e6e5d18-96a4-4303-90aa-ea5aaa63a4c2&envId=p-UMe-qg1RCU-VaHO2Nu8s5A

[catdaddyp]

 

[catdaddyp]

1 hour ago, catdaddyp said:

 

Not going to lie, getting a kick out of all JoeMo’s 🤫 tweets lately.

[Kangaroo Craig]

Five wins at best (4-4) in MAC. OL and DL are improved, but still below average compared to the rest of the league and w/o much depth IMO.

[Blue & Gold]

2 hours ago, catdaddyp said:

 

Lingard taking a leadership role right out of the gate 👀🔥🔥