SBC FOOTBALL '08

[CajunNation]

Last year's preview:https://forumeus.com/sh...d.php?t=14083


This year's preview:

1) FLORIDA ATLANTIC OWLS

It will be an upset if FAU doesn't repeat as SBC champions. Nobody returns more starters than the Owls. Florida Atlantic went 8-5 with 4 of those losses to BCS programs.

Rusty Smith returns after one of the best years in SBC history with 32 TD's/9 int's for 3,688 yards. Cortez Gent returns as maybe the best WR in the league. Charles Pierre returns as the most underrated RB in the SBC. As if that wasn't enough, DiIvory Edgecomb returns as the SBC leader in all-purpose yardage.

Florida Atlantic can score from anywhere, anytime.

They get Troy at home. They only have 12 Seniors on the roster with most of them not playing anyway. The Owls will be in the forefront of this league for the forseeable future. They have overtaken Troy as the Top Dog in the SBC. Schnelly has the Florida Atlantic football program running on all cylinders. Top-25 team.



2) ULM WARHAWKS

The Warhawks are the best of the rest. They finished last season going 6 and 2 in their last 8 games with wins over league champ FAU and Alabama. I said, ALABAMA.

Saavy, veteran QB Kimson Lancaster returns. A nice O-line along with very talented WR's Lagregory Sapp and Darrell McNeal return. The only question mark for ULM is finding a decent replacement for league rushing champ Calvin Dawson.

On defense, the Warhawks always play tough. They were 2nd in the league last season at giving up only 23 points per game in conference. A good defense was solidified in the offseason by the signings of three 3-star JC Defensive lineman.

If ULM can find a RB before SBC play starts with 4 of the first 5 SBC games at home including FAU and Troy, the Warhawks will be tough to beat.




3) TROY TROJANS

Yes, Troy has lost their MVP QB, their top RB, and their top 2 WR's. But, that is not what Troy is about.

The Troy Trojans play defense, and they mean it. They gave up only a league leading 15 points/game in SBC play last season. In the era of wide open offenses, that is miniscule.

The Trojans return more lettermen(52) than anybody else in the SBC. Between that and their defense, as long as Blakeney is there, the talent level of Troy will always put them near the top of the league.




4) MIDDLE TENNESSEE BLUE RAIDERS

Everything was going great for MT last season. They had just won 5 of 6 with the only loss in that time frame a 2 point nailbiter to Virginia. Then, they get manhandled by Louisiana and embarrassed on national TV losing 45-7 to Troy.

But, the Raiders found their future along the way. His name is Dwight Dasher. Dasher is the #3 returner in pass efficeincy and the #5 returning rusher in the SBC. That's one heck of a debut.

He's gonna need some help as MT returns fewer starters and lettermen than anybody else in the SBC. With a turnover in players this big, Stockstill will have to "coach 'em up" big time to contend for the title. With a talent like Dasher, it is not impossible.



5) ARKANSAS STATE RED WOLVES

A-State fans must have been feeling a little deja-vu last season. Start out strong. Finish poorly. That's A-State football. ASU started out with a controversial 8 point loss to TEXAS and wins over SMU and Memphis. Later, they finish going 2-6 with 3 SBC losses by a 20 point avg.

If these last 2 seasons haven't caused Steve Roberts to lose the rest of his hair, this season will. The Wolves are the only SBC school to return a top 3 QB and RB in Corey Leonard and Reggie Arnold. Arnold is a load, leading the SBC with a 6.5 yard/carry avg.

Here's the bad news. ASU was decimated by graduation, particularly on defense, with only 11 starters returning for the whole team. Then, they finish in the SBC this season with 4 of the last 5 SBC games on the road. Gonna be tough.



6) LOUISIANA RAGIN CAJUNS

I almost copied my preview from last year for the Cajuns and pasted it here. Nothing has changed.

How can a team that can run it right down your throat, be last in time of possession, by a wide margin? It's because their defense can't get off of the field.

-second to last in red zone defense
-second to last in rush defense
-second to last in pass efficiency defense
-second to last in opponnents 1st downs
-last in opponnents 4th down conversion
-last in opponnents 3rd down conversion

Once again, one of the nation's best rushing attacks will be wasted unless UL finds a way to stop somebody, anybody. To make things worse, Louisiana lost their 3 best defensive players to graduation. Ouch.

The massive rushing attack of Michael Desormeaux and Tyrell Fenroy can't do it by themselves. UL's passing game was non-existent as they were second to last in pass efficiency.

To compete in this league, you must have at least a little balance. As of now, the Cajuns don't have it.




7) FIU GOLDEN PANTHERS

Mario Cristobal took over an FIU program that was floundering. They scored an anemic 115 points in '06. Last season looked like it was headed for a similar result. But, with 4 games left, the Golden Panthers started to fight back. They scored 113 points in those 4 games alone for an avg. of 28 points per game including a 38-19 beat down of North texas.

Cristobal has righted the ship. With a new stadium for the Panthers to prowl in and 51 returning lettermen, FIU will win a few this year.



8) NORTH TEXAS MEAN GREEN

WHAT was that?

Where do I begin?

Let me put it this way. UNT came within a dozen points of breaking the Cajuns' dubious record from 1997 giving up an astounding 541 points. If it weren't for the mercy of Bob Stoops, Oklahoma would have literally hung 100 on them instead of the 79 they did. Navy added a 74 point effort. Arkansas had a 66 point offering as well.

Nice.

I'll say this. North Texas sure can pitch and catch it.

Perhaps someone should remind Todd "Do you know who I am?" Dodge that football requires you to actually field a defensive unit. Otherwise, Wonderboy will soon be back in a lead role in a Thursday night pep rally at some uppity high school in north Texas, again.




If you would like to leave a comment or question after Sunday, I'll be in Destin....decompressing for a week.

[KACajun]

What incoming frosh will have the most impact this season? Ruiz, Odom, Benoit, Dean, Osbourne, Richard, Bentley or someone else? This is an important year for many reasons (possible conference realignment, Bustle's job) and I think that these 6 players listed will not only see the field this year but contribute significantly. I think Osbourne will be the gem of the class, kid is huge and plays with a chip on his shoulder!!!

[zephyr]

_ Last year's preview:https://forumeus.com/sh...d.php?t=14083


This year's preview:

1) FLORIDA ATLANTIC OWLS

It will be an upset if FAU doesn't repeat as SBC champions. Nobody returns more starters than the Owls. Florida Atlantic went 8-5 with 4 of those losses to BCS programs.

Rusty Smith returns after one of the best years in SBC history with 32 TD's/9 int's for 3,688 yards. Cortez Gent returns as maybe the best WR in the league. Charles Pierre returns as the most underrated RB in the SBC. As if that wasn't enough, DiIvory Edgecomb returns as the SBC leader in all-purpose yardage.


Sorry but I can not put ULm ahead of Troy. Troy has the PROGRAM thing figured out. I am just not as big on FAU as many. Granted, they had a nice season but I think Troy would beat them 8 out of 10. Doesn't matter as they did what they had to. I just remember being at the FAU game and seeing us run all over them and score that final TD with about 40 seconds or so. If our D was not worse than a 5A high school team, they never would have gotten where they did. To me, that did not look like a top 25 team or an overwhelming conference champ. I would still put FAU and Troy amongst the top with everybody else after.

Florida Atlantic can score from anywhere, anytime.

They get Troy at home. They only have 12 Seniors on the roster with most of them not playing anyway. The Owls will be in the forefront of this league for the forseeable future. They have overtaken Troy as the Top Dog in the SBC. Schnelly has the Florida Atlantic football program running on all cylinders. Top-25 team.



2) ULM WARHAWKS

The Warhawks are the best of the rest. They finished last season going 6 and 2 in their last 8 games with wins over league champ FAU and Alabama. I said, ALABAMA.

Saavy, veteran QB Kimson Lancaster returns. A nice O-line along with very talented WR's Lagregory Sapp and Darrell McNeal return. The only question mark for ULM is finding a decent replacement for league rushing champ Calvin Dawson.

On defense, the Warhawks always play tough. They were 2nd in the league last season at giving up only 23 points per game in conference. A good defense was solidified in the offseason by the signings of three 3-star JC Defensive lineman.

If ULM can find a RB before SBC play starts with 4 of the first 5 SBC games at home including FAU and Troy, the Warhawks will be tough to beat.




3) TROY TROJANS

Yes, Troy has lost their MVP QB, their top RB, and their top 2 WR's. But, that is not what Troy is about.

The Troy Trojans play defense, and they mean it. They gave up only a league leading 15 points/game in SBC play last season. In the era of wide open offenses, that is miniscule.

The Trojans return more lettermen(52) than anybody else in the SBC. Between that and their defense, as long as Blakeney is there, the talent level of Troy will always put them near the top of the league.




4) MIDDLE TENNESSEE BLUE RAIDERS

Everything was going great for MT last season. They had just won 5 of 6 with the only loss in that time frame a 2 point nailbiter to Virginia. Then, they get manhandled by Louisiana and embarrassed on national TV losing 45-7 to Troy.

But, the Raiders found their future along the way. His name is Dwight Dasher. Dasher is the #3 returner in pass efficeincy and the #5 returning rusher in the SBC. That's one heck of a debut.

He's gonna need some help as MT returns fewer starters and lettermen than anybody else in the SBC. With a turnover in players this big, Stockstill will have to "coach 'em up" big time to contend for the title. With a talent like Dasher, it is not impossible.



5) ARKANSAS STATE RED WOLVES

A-State fans must have been feeling a little deja-vu last season. Start out strong. Finish poorly. That's A-State football. ASU started out with a controversial 8 point loss to TEXAS and wins over SMU and Memphis. Later, they finish going 2-6 with 3 SBC losses by a 20 point avg.

If these last 2 seasons haven't caused Steve Roberts to lose the rest of his hair, this season will. The Wolves are the only SBC school to return a top 3 QB and RB in Corey Leonard and Reggie Arnold. Arnold is a load, leading the SBC with a 6.5 yard/carry avg.

Here's the bad news. ASU was decimated by graduation, particularly on defense, with only 11 starters returning for the whole team. Then, they finish in the SBC this season with 4 of the last 5 SBC games on the road. Gonna be tough.



6) LOUISIANA RAGIN CAJUNS

I almost copied my preview from last year for the Cajuns and pasted it here. Nothing has changed.

How can a team that can run it right down your throat, be last in time of possession, by a wide margin? It's because their defense can't get off of the field.

-second to last in red zone defense
-second to last in rush defense
-second to last in pass efficiency defense
-second to last in opponnents 1st downs
-last in opponnents 4th down conversion
-last in opponnents 3rd down conversion

Once again, one of the nation's best rushing attacks will be wasted unless UL finds a way to stop somebody, anybody. To make things worse, Louisiana lost their 3 best defensive players to graduation. Ouch.

The massive rushing attack of Michael Desormeaux and Tyrell Fenroy can't do it by themselves. UL's passing game was non-existent as they were second to last in pass efficiency.

To compete in this league, you must have at least a little balance. As of now, the Cajuns don't have it.




7) FIU GOLDEN PANTHERS

Mario Cristobal took over an FIU program that was floundering. They scored an anemic 115 points in '06. Last season looked like it was headed for a similar result. But, with 4 games left, the Golden Panthers started to fight back. They scored 113 points in those 4 games alone for an avg. of 28 points per game including a 38-19 beat down of North texas.

Cristobal has righted the ship. With a new stadium for the Panthers to prowl in and 51 returning lettermen, FIU will win a few this year.



8) NORTH TEXAS MEAN GREEN

WHAT was that?

Where do I begin?

Let me put it this way. UNT came within a dozen points of breaking the Cajuns' dubious record from 1997 giving up an astounding 541 points. If it weren't for the mercy of Bob Stoops, Oklahoma would have literally hung 100 on them instead of the 79 they did. Navy added a 74 point effort. Arkansas had a 66 point offering as well.

Nice.

I'll say this. North Texas sure can pitch and catch it.

Perhaps someone should remind Todd "Do you know who I am?" Dodge that football requires you to actually field a defensive unit. Otherwise, Wonderboy will soon be back in a lead role in a Thursday night pep rally at some uppity high school in north Texas, again.




If you would like to leave a comment or question after Sunday, I'll be in Destin....decompressing for a week.

_

[zephyr]

_ What incoming frosh will have the most impact this season? Ruiz, Odom, Benoit, Dean, Osbourne, Richard, Bentley or someone else? This is an important year for many reasons (possible conference realignment, Bustle's job) and I think that these 6 players listed will not only see the field this year but contribute significantly. I think Osbourne will be the gem of the class, kid is huge and plays with a chip on his shoulder!!! _

I think that all of these guys will contribute equally at their respective positions. Ruiz and Odom will start at some point and if our line doesn't get healthier, we will lean on them all year. I love Richard on D. The coaches are high on him and say he is a character guy. Dean will probably have the biggest impact just because he will be called to do the most early. He will have to start unless Adams has a great offseason. We need great DT play as I think our DE's will be much better than people think. Also, Bentley has been impressive according to the coaches and he will play a ton. If he can translate to the field what he has shown, he will certainly help our D secondary. I'm not sure about Osborne. I'm just not sure how he will translate to changing positions. I think another possible gem is the TE out of Florida that we got late. His highlight reel was awesome and he decomitted from FAU late to us. He will give us the athleticism we have never had at the position assuming the normal factors. I'm a bit sketchy on his name but he was truly impressive.

[CajunNation]

I think that all of these guys will contribute equally at their respective positions. Ruiz and Odom will start at some point and if our line doesn't get healthier, we will lean on them all year. I love Richard on D. The coaches are high on him and say he is a character guy. Dean will probably have the biggest impact just because he will be called to do the most early. He will have to start unless Adams has a great offseason. We need great DT play as I think our DE's will be much better than people think. Also, Bentley has been impressive according to the coaches and he will play a ton. If he can translate to the field what he has shown, he will certainly help our D secondary. I'm not sure about Osborne. I'm just not sure how he will translate to changing positions. I think another possible gem is the TE out of Florida that we got late. His highlight reel was awesome and he decomitted from FAU late to us. He will give us the athleticism we have never had at the position assuming the normal factors. I'm a bit sketchy on his name but he was truly impressive.

Our fortunes on defense will be told by these 3 guys,

DT Seth Adams
DT LaQuincy Williams
LB Fred Davis

If they can plug up that middle, it will free up these guys to MAKE PLAYS:

DE Richardson
DE Cook
LB Zanders
LB Fleming
SS Keyes

This whole season, and Bustle's future IMHO, completely revolves around our ability to get all "bowed up" and plug that middle and then, sending the the above 5 on as many stunts and blitzes we can.

We need to attack, all day.

Because if we sit back and "read and react" or "bend but don't break", we are going to get shredded.

[Just1More]

_ Our fortunes on defense will be told by these 3 guys,

DT Seth Adams
DT LaQuincy Williams
LB Fred Davis

If they can plug up that middle, it will free up these guys to MAKE PLAYS:

DE Richardson
DE Cook
LB Zanders
LB Fleming
SS Keyes

This whole season, and Bustle's future IMHO, completely revolves around our ability to get all "bowed up" and plug that middle and then, sending the the above 5 on as many stunts and blitzes we can.

We need to attack, all day.

Because if we sit back and "read and react" or "bend but don't break", we are going to get shredded. _

Completely agree. Personally, I think the single worst consequence of starting our seasons with powerhouse schools, other than getting hung with an L right out of the gate, is the mental affect is has on our defense. I think our offense gets demoralized, but bounces back. I think our defensive players start mentally shifting, each man to his own, in a less aggressive read and react mode (regardless of coaching), due to the initial hype they feel starting the season, then the shock effect from our opening games.

Obviously, I'm grasping at why our so-called attack style defense did not matriculate onto the field last year. I don't need to be told that we had to adjust because we were out-manned. That is equivalent to waving the white flag.

Our coaches have to get it out of their heads that we field a defensive squad that their knowledgable coaching skills can emulate others in this sport and come out on the better side of the matchup. We are destined to be risk takers until we own the recruiting and coaching advantage over our foes.

I'm sick of playing "let's do it again and see what happens..." year in and year out. The change of fate isn't going to happen by stacking our chips up next to "theirs" and just playing by the book (on defense). Of course, I think the only way UL is going to change the permanent landscape of UL football is through a massive overhaul in private funding. But, since this upcoming year doesn't have that base to shove from, it is time to shore up the middle as much as humanly possible, but engage a bloodthirsty assassin or two on every down (cloaked in a veil of football defensive alignment disguises). IMHO

[RaginFan2]

Completely agree. Personally, I think the single worst consequence of starting our seasons with powerhouse schools, other than getting hung with an L right out of the gate, is the mental affect is has on our defense. I think our offense gets demoralized, but bounces back. I think our defensive players start mentally shifting, each man to his own, in a less aggressive read and react mode (regardless of coaching), due to the initial hype they feel starting the season, then the shock effect from our opening games.

Obviously, I'm grasping at why our so-called attack style defense did not matriculate onto the field last year. I don't need to be told that we had to adjust because we were out-manned. That is equivalent to waving the white flag.

Our coaches have to get it out of their heads that we field a defensive squad that their knowledgable coaching skills can emulate others in this sport and come out on the better side of the matchup. We are destined to be risk takers until we own the recruiting and coaching advantage over our foes.

I'm sick of playing "let's do it again and see what happens..." year in and year out. The change of fate isn't going to happen by stacking our chips up next to "theirs" and just playing by the book (on defense). Of course, I think the only way UL is going to change the permanent landscape of UL football is through a massive overhaul in private funding. But, since this upcoming year doesn't have that base to shove from, it is time to shore up the middle as much as humanly possible, but engage a bloodthirsty assassin or two on every down (cloaked in a veil of football defensive alignment disguises). IMHO

I like the way you think!

[CajunNation]

Completely agree. Personally, I think the single worst consequence of starting our seasons with powerhouse schools, other than getting hung with an L right out of the gate, is the mental affect is has on our defense.

The argument that playing BCS programs kills your chances at success is not backed up by facts.

Florida Atlantic played 5 BCS games last season. They won the league. They have played 13 BCS games in the last 3 years and have progressively won more games each year.

Troy has played 7 BCS games in the last 2 years and have been SBC Co-Champions each season.

ULM has played 7 BCS games in the last 2 years, and have been 2nd each season in the SBC in terms of points given up per game in league play.

We have played 5 BCS games in the last 3 years. Nobody has played fewer BCS games than us over this time frame. Yet, we steadily get worse on defense.

[Just1More]

_ The argument that playing BCS programs kills your chances at success is not backed up by facts.

Florida Atlantic played 5 BCS games last season. They won the league. They have played 13 BCS games in the last 3 years and have progressively won more games each year.

Troy has played 7 BCS games in the last 2 years and have been SBC Co-Champions each season.

ULM has played 7 BCS games in the last 2 years, and have been 2nd each season in the SBC in terms of points given up per game in league play.

We have played 5 BCS games in the last 3 years. Nobody has played fewer BCS games than us over this time frame. Yet, we steadily get worse on defense. _

I'm not indicting the playing of BCS schools, nor even the playing of them back to back to start the season. I want to eventually adopt the mindset "anyone, anytime, anywhere". I simply have no answers for why this program did not engage and sustain the attack defense we bragged about in preseason. I was completely sold on it. If we were preparing the season with this "attacking style"... what happened to it? Did the coaches abandon it? My comment was that perhaps, in OUR program, our defense gets rattled over getting dominated in these BCS games and falls back to a "try not to let them run wild on us... spread out and only give up 10 yards at a clip... maybe they'll trip on their own shoelaces... I sure hope our offense stays on the field for more than one set of downs and lets me sit on my azz a little longer... hey that cheerleader's kind of cute."

If your DL cannot control the line of scrimmage, thru overwhelming ability, then you have to stunt and take risks... it is pretty much that simple. I also think a defense should basically operate mentally, for the duration of the game, like hell on earth. I like Ricky... but I do not like his mild clapping and butt patting method of Saturday gametime warfare.

As for Troy, quite simply, they are a better football program than UL. Defensively, they are exceptional for the SBC. They get solid recruits and are a very well coached defense. As for ULM, they are an enigma. They have less reasons to be successful, IMO, than UL.

Perhaps my observation that our defense seems to "revert" to read and react has nothing to do with the powerhouse school schedule. It could be that our DC changed his tune and we played more "don't get burned" over "let's kick their azz". Regardless, I will give our defense a free pass this year for a few blown coverages over this dull "bend but don't break" abortion that I saw last year.

I do not think I'm wrong in saying that if we do not take more risks on defense... we will not turn the tide. This is not a "stay the course" year. We are not in a building on momentum year... a return to glory year... we are in a desperate battle to have a winning season at all costs year.

[CajunNation]

I'm not indicting the playing of BCS schools, nor even the playing of them back to back to start the season. I want to eventually adopt the mindset "anyone, anytime, anywhere". I simply have no answers for why this program did not engage and sustain the attack defense we bragged about in preseason. I was completely sold on it. If we were preparing the season with this "attacking style"... what happened to it? Did the coaches abandon it?

OK, I get whwere your coming from now.

And, to answer your question, I believe the answer is YES. They did abandon it.

We did attack a lot early on. The problem we were having was that even though we were blitzing, we could not put any pressure whatsoever, and the oppossing offenses were ripping us apart down the middle.

In order to blitz successfully, you must have a good gameplan and the right players to carry out that plan. I love Burkhalter's work ethic and attitude, but the guy would just get swallowed up most of the time by the O-line when he blitzed.

Perhaps, we need more zone blitzes with the SS and OLB more in the action as oppossed to the MLB.

[Just1More]

In order to blitz successfully, you must have a good gameplan and the right players to carry out that plan. I love Burkhalter's work ethic and attitude, but the guy would just get swallowed up most of the time by the O-line when he blitzed.

Perhaps, we need more zone blitzes with the SS and OLB more in the action as oppossed to the MLB. _

I never really caught on last year who and from what position we were stunting and blitzing. The overall effect was no penetration and no pressure on the opposing QB. Our LBs are decent run stop LBs, but struggled to assist our secondary in pass coverage. We seemed to lack any speed/technique for getting into the backfield, so we were basically handcuffed. We were manhandled at the line, and left people wide open over the middle all year long. It was as if the decision was made we couldn't dominate from any position on the field, so we opted to fall back to a super conservative "try not to get burned" defense.

In light of the situation (a make or break year) I would prefer we maintain the attack style, whatever that takes (continuous substituting, whatever), and see where the cards fall. I just do not want to see a basic prevent defense again this year. We can't prevent anything... so how about we interrupt something!

[zephyr]

_ I never really caught on last year who and from what position we were stunting and blitzing. The overall effect was no penetration and no pressure on the opposing QB. Our LBs are decent run stop LBs, but struggled to assist our secondary in pass coverage. We seemed to lack any speed/technique for getting into the backfield, so we were basically handcuffed. We were manhandled at the line, and left people wide open over the middle all year long. It was as if the decision was made we couldn't dominate from any position on the field, so we opted to fall back to a super conservative "try not to get burned" defense.

In light of the situation (a make or break year) I would prefer we maintain the attack style, whatever that takes (continuous substituting, whatever), and see where the cards fall. I just do not want to see a basic prevent defense again this year. We can't prevent anything... so how about we interrupt something! _

I think you're correct. It never seemed like we committed to attacking the line from any particular angle. Its almost like our LB or DB would just kind of try to run through the line or expected a huge hole to open. If you aren't committed to something, you aren't going to do it as purposefully and I believe they were thinking more than reacting.