Athlon Preseason Poll

[AZGrizFan]

MSU was leading that game 17-14 earlyl in the 4th quarter and was down 21-17 with six minutes to go. I'd hardly say they handled them "with ease", although once NDSU scored at 5:28 on a 38 yard TD run to go up 28-17 it appeared to me that the Bobcats basically quit.

I know, but I'm still surprised that the game was in doubt during the 4th qtr. Looking at them I thought MSU was loaded.

In their last four regular season games (all wins) they won by 2, 3, 14 and 5. In fact, after blowing out EWU 30-7 on Sept 25th, remember they gave up 61 to Sac State (won by 3), 31 to PSU (won by 13) and got blown out by NAU 34-7 before going on the 4-game winning streak to end the year. Their defense gave up an AVERAGE of 26 points during the season...I think that 4 game streak (with 3 very close games included) kind of "hid" some of MSU's defensive issues going into the playoffs....

[easterntennhen]

I believe we are ranked a bit to high for what its worth. With our breaking in a new quarterback and an entirely new defensive backfield I think somewhere around 15th is closer to the mark to start the season. I do see 8 or 9 wins and a playoff berth by seasons end however.

[Trapped in CA]

Southern Illinois (if the school is still open on 10/22).

Just curious what you mean 'cause I didn't find anything online.

http://capitolfax.com/2011/05/24/ruther ... hatsoever/

“Right now we’re using school districts, universities, private companies and health-care providers — we’re using them as our credit card,” said [State Sen. John] Sullivan. “They’re carrying that debt for us.”

Almost one year ago http://www.realclearmarkets.com/article ... 98528.html

http://stateline.org/live/details/story?contentId=20064

[clenz]

Indiana St had a pretty decent season last year. VERY good, considering their usual standard, and where they had come from. And they have a very good QB returning this year.

This is all the further I've gotten in the thread but this needs to be said...INDIANA STATE WAS FREAKING UNDER .500 AGAINST D1 COMPETITION!!!!!

[AZGrizFan]

Indiana St had a pretty decent season last year. VERY good, considering their usual standard, and where they had come from. And they have a very good QB returning this year.

This is all the further I've gotten in the thread but this needs to be said...INDIANA STATE WAS FREAKING UNDER .500 AGAINST D1 COMPETITION!!!!!

Consider the source....

[DJH]

Indiana St had a pretty decent season last year. VERY good, considering their usual standard, and where they had come from. And they have a very good QB returning this year.

This is all the further I've gotten in the thread but this needs to be said...INDIANA STATE WAS FREAKING UNDER .500 AGAINST D1 COMPETITION!!!!!

So what? Do you know exactly how low that program was? That football program was pretty much irreparable just two years ago, but they were a respectable team last year.

[AZGrizFan]

This is all the further I've gotten in the thread but this needs to be said...INDIANA STATE WAS FREAKING UNDER .500 AGAINST D1 COMPETITION!!!!!

So what? Do you know exactly how low that program was? That football program was pretty much irreparable just two years ago, but they were a respectable team last year.

So, by God, they should be in the top 25 because they didn't totally suck last year.

[DJH]

They are just as good as the teams that usually hang around the 20-30 area in the rankings. And they return a lot from that team last year. What is with you people, do you not believe that teams improve from year to year? These are THIS year's rankings, not last years.

[houndawg]

They are just as good as the teams that usually hang around the 20-30 area in the rankings. And they return a lot from that team last year. What is with you people, do you not believe that teams improve from year to year? These are THIS year's rankings, not last years.

I believe what I saw with my own eyes, and that is that ISU, while the most improved team in the nation, was pretty average. The good news is that they only had eight seniors on the roster.

[Dgreenwell]

They are just as good as the teams that usually hang around the 20-30 area in the rankings. And they return a lot from that team last year. What is with you people, do you not believe that teams improve from year to year? These are THIS year's rankings, not last years.

I believe what I saw with my own eyes, and that is that ISU, while the most improved team in the nation, was pretty average. The good news is that they only had eight seniors on the roster.

I am guessing you are talking about the SIU game? We were absolutely terrible that game, I think we were wayyyyy above average offensively but defensively we were learning a new system so hopefully we will see some major improvement...The offense will see alot more carries for former Parade All-American Shakir Bell, alot of our success depends on just how good he will be. As a true freshmen he showed that north-south, 1-cut style we havent had at ISU since our head coach was playing.

[houndawg]

I believe what I saw with my own eyes, and that is that ISU, while the most improved team in the nation, was pretty average. The good news is that they only had eight seniors on the roster.

I am guessing you are talking about the SIU game? We were absolutely terrible that game, I think we were wayyyyy above average offensively but defensively we were learning a new system so hopefully we will see some major improvement...The offense will see alot more carries for former Parade All-American Shakir Bell, alot of our success depends on just how good he will be. As a true freshmen he showed that north-south, 1-cut style we havent had at ISU since our head coach was playing.

Doesn't sound familiar, but somebody had a good day rushing for you as I recall. Dieker had 5 TDs, four passing.

[Dgreenwell]

it was Gates, he had a GREAT game but we didn't have fouch so we got railed.