Definitely a lot of question marks going into this season, but I’m also intrigued to see how competitive The Dawgs are going to be this year.
Definitely a lot of question marks going into this season, but I’m also intrigued to see how competitive The Dawgs are going to be this year.
Me too. I'm cautiously optimistic. I think they have the talent to be competitive, but they need a lot of new pieces to come together. They don't really have many gimme games (Murray State, Indian State, and Western...ISU may not be a gimme but I put it here b/c it's a home game).
Glad they hung on to Jules. Would not be surprised to see him get some NFL looks down the line.
Definitely a lot of question marks going into this season, but I’m also intrigued to see how competitive The Dawgs are going to be this year.
Me too. I'm cautiously optimistic. I think they have the talent to be competitive, but they need a lot of new pieces to come together. They don't really have many gimme games (Murray State, Indian State, and Western...ISU may not be a gimme but I put it here b/c it's a home game).
Last year NIU was the worst they've been in years, squeaking by awful EIU for one of their three wins. We can win that game.
APSU was 7 - 1 against FCS teams but I think their QB is gone.
SEMO has their QB back and their tough RB Geno Hess. Tough game at their place.
Mo State has a lot of turnover and their good QB is gone.
USD lost their QB Carson Camp to Sac. State.
There's definitely an opportunity to win 7 or more games with this schedule.
We don't play the Redturds this year.
APSU
NIU
SEMO ?
MoSt
MuSt
WIU
USD
InSU
While we certainly lost some key pieces from last years team, we gained some solid players from the portal. When viewing the schedule, I whole heartedly agree with you that 7 wins is a strong possibility.
I must admit that being unprepared for game 1, starting the season 0-2, and losing our last four wavered my confidence in the coaching staff. The Northwestern victory was outstanding, and the five game winning streak was exciting, but you can't end the season like that. I am hoping the new staff members can improve things, and a playoff win can be had in Bakers last season.
GO DAWGS!!!
Speaking of the NFL, some folks last year mentioned Beau Branyan as being a potential draft pick. Was he picked up by anyone? He certainly had the size and strength.
I was surprised when he declared for the NFL draft. No way did he have a shot at getting drafted - or even a free agent invite. I did think he had a chance to get a FA invite from a CFL team. I did not see his name come across for even this.Speaking of the NFL, some folks last year mentioned Beau Branyan as being a potential draft pick. Was he picked up by anyone? He certainly had the size and strength.
I'm not sayin' -- I'm just sayin'!
Considering the transfer portal, NIU may have a completely different look and be much more competitive this season, so I’m hoping SIU doesn’t overlook them.
Athlonsports.com has us predicted for a at-large bid: https://athlonsports.com/college-football/projecting-fcs-playoff-qualifiers-in-2023
I'm not sayin' -- I'm just sayin'!
Athlonsports.com has us predicted for a at-large bid: https://athlonsports.com/college-football/projecting-fcs-playoff-qualifiers-in-2023
Four of our opponents are on that list - SDSU, NDSU, APSU, SEMO. He has four on that list from the MVFC - SDSU, NDSU, UND, and SIU, but no N. Iowa, YSU, or ISU.
UNI plays a tough schedule, but I would not be a bit surprised to see them win 7 or more. Their 6'5" QB transfer from Michigan State - Theo Day - is back. He was 1st team All-Conf. last season. Threw 5 TD passes against us last year. We don't play them this year.
Youngstown plays at Ohio State!! Nice payday but I think their odds of winning are poor. 😀 OSU's 3rd string should get a lot of playing time. President Tressel should have nixed that one.
Athlonsports.com has us predicted for a at-large bid: https://athlonsports.com/college-football/projecting-fcs-playoff-qualifiers-in-2023
Four of our opponents are on that list - SDSU, NDSU, APSU, SEMO. He has four on that list from the MVFC - SDSU, NDSU, UND, and SIU, but no N. Iowa, YSU, or ISU.
UNI plays a tough schedule, but I would not be a bit surprised to see them win 7 or more. Their 6'5" QB transfer from Michigan State - Theo Day - is back. He was 1st team All-Conf. last season. Threw 5 TD passes against us last year. We don't play them this year.
Youngstown plays at Ohio State!! Nice payday but I think their odds of winning are poor. 😀 OSU's 3rd string should get a lot of playing time. President Tressel should have nixed that one.
I noticed that too! Add in the FBS buy game vs NIU (they were bad last year, but this isn't a UMass FBS game) and that makes for a very difficult schedule. We certainly don't schedule cupcakes in the non-con to pad our wins like other schools (*cough* ISU red). Ready for fall camp to get going!
I thought Theo Day was one of the most impressive QB’s I’ve seen against SIU recently. Surprised he didn’t go FBS after last year. The Panthers are already well-coached and a QB like Day probably puts them over the top.
I thought Theo Day was one of the most impressive QB’s I’ve seen against SIU recently. Surprised he didn’t go FBS after last year. The Panthers are already well-coached and a QB like Day probably puts them over the top.
I absolutely agree that Day was/is impressive. Unfortunately he made our pretty decent secondary look bad last year. UNI is well coached, and I am glad we don't play them this year. The SEMO QB if I remember correctly was pretty good too. Redturd QB was highly touted coming from Minnesota but did not perform to those expectations.
Athlonsports.com has us predicted for a at-large bid: https://athlonsports.com/college-football/projecting-fcs-playoff-qualifiers-in-2023
A playoff appearance and a win would be quite nice. I must admit however, that my expectations have dwindled some after last years end of season collapse. As some folks have pointed out, our non-conference is challenging. We absolutely can not start the season 0-2 or worse yet 0-3 with the MVFC schedule remaining.
Considering the transfer portal, NIU may have a completely different look and be much more competitive this season, so I’m hoping SIU doesn’t overlook them.
This may be a possibility. However, even when NIU football was strong, it has always been a competitive game between the two schools, and narrow margins of victory. Baker and team dominated BIG Northwestern last year, and if we don't give up three touchdowns to K state early we win that one as well in 2021. K state was top 25 and went on to play in a major bowl game.
I would expect a large contingent of Salukis in DeKalb for this one. I'll be making the drive over, and hope to meet some of the die-hard Saluki fans who frequent this board.
GO DAWGS!!!
