I am a little bored so I decided to do my own breakdown of the strengths of our opponents this year.
Texas - What more needs to be said they will probably be ranked in the preseason top 5 on all polls and the return one of the most exciting QB's in the country. Their defense also returns 9 starters but with Vince Young they will get less publicity than the offense.
Eastern Michigan - Last year they ranked in the top 20 for their offense and this year should be no different. They return a solid QB, a running back who rushed for over 800 yards in a spread offense, and a WR who is on every watch list of players you haven't heard of but will by the end of the year.
Northwestern State - The are the defending Southland Conference champion and return the Southland player of the year in QB Vinson, a former Baylor transfer. They the running back who had a great game against us last year but they do return Shelton Sampson who has put up a lot of yardage while splitting time for most of his career.
Central Florida - They have no where to go but up. Finishing as the only team in D-1A last year without a win but with several close calls. They were very young last year and they have enough returning players to be a pretty good team this year if the peices fall into place for head coach George O'Leary
Florida Atlantic - They will be in a year of rebuilding because of the loss of a lot of Sr's who had been together sense the school first began its football program. They do return one of the best corners in the sunbelt in Willie Hughley who potentially could be all sun belt and they return a Sr QB Danny Embick who wasn't a starter last year but got plenty of playing time so don't be surprised if they pull off a few big vicitories because with the talent in south florida the rebuilding should not take that long.
Arkansas State - They return a veteran QB in Noce and the best running game in the conference outside of North Texas led by RB Antonio Warren. Last year they were inconsistent and almost pulled off the upset at Memphis and had several close conference games. With more conssitent play from Noce and the running game they will be a big player in the sunbelt race.
Middle Tenn. - They always seem to be picked as the team to take down North Texas for the sunbelt crown but have underacheived a lot the last few years. With the best returning QB in the sunbelt Clint Marks and a team loaded with experience this team should have a very big year. Look for their passing game to be ranked in the top 20 by the end of the year. They are my pick to win the conference, even though my heart wants me to pick UL.
Troy - One week we play the best passing team in the conference and the very next for homecoming we play the worst offense in the conference. They are loaded on defense once again though and should have the best defensive unit in the conference.
North Texas - They have won every sunbelt conference title so until someone beats them they are the favorite to win it again. One of best running games in the country with 2 NCAA rushing champions. They will be yougn and inexperienced but with the talent that they have at RB they will be a tough team to beat.
Florida International - Played us tough last year and this year they return a lot of starters. Will probably be at the bottom of the sunbelt but they will have enough talent to play with any team in the sunbelt and maybe pull off an upset or 2.
ULM - They return 17 starters and Brandon Guillory a former WR turned DE. He is in the same mold as Damarcus Ware the 1st roud pick from Troy and he will be in opponents backfields all year long. He is my pick for the defensive player of the year and they also return a lot of talent on the offensive side of the ball. Jyles their all everything QB will be a threat with his feet and his arm and with a big target like Quillen at WR he should have a big year. This is my most anticipated game, espicially after the way we lost to them last year.
Well this was my breakdown of our schedule. Let me know what ya'll think.
2005 Football Schedule
Originally Posted by NewsCopy
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