The start of the season is just around the corner so I wanted to get a thread going on what everyone is expecting from the dawgs this year. From the little I've seen out there, I think most are expecting a bit of a step back this year given the unknowns we have, especially at the most important position. I'm honestly not sure what to think of this year's team. I wasn't able to attend any of the spring ball scrimmages and we don't have a beat writer anymore, so information has been hard to come by on the QB competition and other position group performances. I'm hopeful we will be able to still compete for a playoff spot this year b/c there is a lot of talent on this team despite the unknowns. My predictions for each game are below:
- Week 1: @ BYU - L
- Week 2: @ Austin Peay - W (Very tough game)
- Week 3: vs Incarnate Word - W (Really need this one)
- Week 4: vs SEMO - W (if we drop AP or UIW game this is a must)
- Week 5: @ USD - L
- Week 6: vs Ill St. - W
- Week 7: vs NDSU - L
- Week 8: @ Ind St. - W
- Week 9: @ Mo St. - W
- Week 10: vs Youngstown St. - W (Finally!)
- Week 11: @ SDSU - L
- Week 12: vs Murray St. - W
That would put us at 8-4 (5-3) and given the strength of schedule, for sure a playoff spot. I don't see much of a path to 9 wins (I think it's more likely we have a 6/7 win season than 9). 7 wins might get us in b/c of the strength of schedule, but I wouldn't feel super confident. Overall, I'm cautiously optimistic for this group, especially if the defense can maintain the success from last year (or just not have a big drop off).
I’d be shocked if we win 8 this year. Too many unknowns for me to feel that optimistic, and the schedule is brutal.
I think we struggle in the non-conference, in particular. If we’re 3-1, I’ll be ready to contribute to a statue of Hill outside the stadium.
@saluki44 the non-con is indeed tough, but I don't think 3-1 is that big of an overachievement. BYU is pretty much an L, but we smoked AP last year and they don't return their stud QB. UIW was good last year, but played a terrible schedule so hard to say exactly how good and we get them at home. SEMO should be good again and honestly has me the most worried of the 3 teams, but that's at home as well.
I get the too many unknowns, but I have confidence in Hill to keep the train rolling. If we take a big step back, I'd be pretty concerned.
I see this more as a reset year going in. New QB, mostly new weapons, defense will probably take a step back. Sounds like a bad thing but I really like the talent Hill and his staff are bringing in so maybe this year is a small blip for something special coming.
O line is mostly back the QB transfer is a quality QB should be better this year after a year further removed from injury plus the defensive scheme should be a plug and replace so a blip or down turn would be suprising to me I am guessing 8 or 9 wins and a playoff berth
I really think we are in a really good place in all areas except possibly special teams and D line. Really worried about the D line. We lost all the starters and didn't get any transfers that I know of. Hard to believe you can replace all the starters with reserves and redshirts and be solid. I think the Murray QB transfer may end up doing a good job. He has great size and a good arm. Hope his accuracy improves and his mobility returns to closer to his pre injury freshman year. If the D line ends up not being a huge liability I can see us being a very good team. Our skill positions, O Line, LB's and secondary all have a chance to be pretty darn good!O line is mostly back the QB transfer is a quality QB should be better this year after a year further removed from injury plus the defensive scheme should be a plug and replace so a blip or down turn would be suprising to me I am guessing 8 or 9 wins and a playoff berth
I feel like it's said every year, but it's true...the line play is critical to the overall success of this team. We bring back a ton of experience on the O-line, but run blocking was an issue all year. It's critical with a new QB learning a new system, that we are able to run the ball effectively. We can't put it all on his shoulders this year like we did Baker last year. At least not in the beginning.
I know we lost a lot on the D-line, but that position group rotated quite a bit last year, so it's not like these guys didn't get playing time. I think Reeves is going to be a stud at tackle and Mathis looked like a handful last year at end (although he's pretty young). Dewey Greeene will give us some experience and it looks like Jake Parrella (transfer from Oregon State) has moved to DE. He had to sit out last year but I think he'll be good for us too. We also got a transfer from Indiana State relatively late this year Kris Butler who's got some experience.
On the O-line, we finally get Fesnke eligible and we brought in a couple transfers to add to an already experienced room (Dye and Robarge). Mendiola is also eligible this year (transfer from Cincinatti) so I'm hopeful between the new guys and returners, they can find a group that can move some bodies. We really need them to step up this year.
As an aside, according to Luke Martin, fall camp starts the 31st! Less than two weeks! Can't wait!
O line is mostly back the QB transfer is a quality QB should be better this year after a year further removed from injury plus the defensive scheme should be a plug and replace so a blip or down turn would be suprising to me I am guessing 8 or 9 wins and a playoff berth
I just personally wouldn’t be surprised with 5-7 wins and no playoffs this year with the amount of turnover they’ve had and natural regression from the defense. I’m also not gonna freak out if that happens because I think the last few recruiting/transfer classes have been a step up for the program so I think long-term the future is really bright for Saluki Football.
FCS football has also really been tough to predict year to year even before NIL, the portal, and mass turnover every year. Almost every team is dealing with a new, uncertain roster.
@salukiworld I get that sentiment, although 5 wins would concern me a little bit. 6+ as long as we are competitive in the losses wouldn't raise a big flag for me, but I really think 7 wins is achievable.
It's exciting going into the season knowing our offense is going to look completely different. Felt like we got a little bland the last few years
Went back and looked at last year's preseason predictions on this board and the consensus was six or seven wins and maybe a playoff berth. We got eight wins, including one playoff victory (and easily could have been two). So the trend is one of slight overachievement. Even if that doesn't happen, though, I also see good things beyond this season.
Went back and looked at last year's preseason predictions on this board and the consensus was six or seven wins and maybe a playoff berth. We got eight wins, including one playoff victory (and easily could have been two). So the trend is one of slight overachievement. Even if that doesn't happen, though, I also see good things beyond this season.
" Ladies and Gentleman of the jury, your honor, I rest my case." 🙂
SIU is picked 4th in the MVFC
https://twitter.com/valleyfootball/status/1815462315140989397?s=46&t=7s0hTttieSER8wqRSA0LoA
I see 8 teams fighting for 5 playoff spots. If we finish 4th we're probably in the playoffs. Only bad teams are Murray, MSU and Indiana State.SIU is picked 4th in the MVFC
https://twitter.com/valleyfootball/status/1815462315140989397?s=46&t=7s0hTttieSER8wqRSA0LoA
