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I figure we should get a thread going to discuss the 2011 MVFC this off-season to keep us interested in FCS ball! Last year their was just utter chaos in this league on each and every week. Favorites were losing more often than the underdogs it seemed midway thru the conference schedule.

Looking ahead to 2011, name the three teams you believe have the best chance to make the playoffs next season based on their 2010 performances. Any sleeper teams?

UNI, NDSU, and YSU. In that order.

I'll name four in any order:
-North Dakota State: They've improved quite a bit the past two seasons. They are developing into the power they were in Division 2. Unique facilities and solid recruits. Expect a solid, hard-nosed football team in Fargo.

-Northern Iowa: They absolutely own the MVFC, but have done nothing in the playoffs. This thread is about the MVFC's best and when that is being discussed, UNI is always in the discussion. QB and offense had some growing pains, but should become prolific next year.

-Indiana State: Their defense, along with SDSU's, was pretty much the only one to shut down YSU's prolific offense. Their QB is the one of best I've seen at the FCS level in at least 5 years.... Yes I think he can be as good as Flacco. Playoffs and Indiana State are a very real possibility next year. Would not be surprised to see them win the league.

-Youngstown State: Had an offense that could beat anyone in the FCS, but had a defense that could lose to just about everyone as well. OL may average over 300 this year with 325, 330 JUCO transfers on board. The defense filled with true and redshirt freshmen should be improved. YSU lost 4 conference games in the final 2 minutes of each of those games last year, 3 of those were to the MVFC's playoff teams... shaking my head!

Gotta pick NDSU, Ind St., and UNI. I think that SDSU can make a run but I want to make sure I eliminate all homerism. But they are bringing back almost all of their offensive line, as well as a lot of this years team. It all depends on wether TOB or someone else steps up at QB.

Thumper 76 wrote:Gotta pick NDSU, Ind St., and UNI. I think that SDSU can make a run but I want to make sure I eliminate all homerism. But they are bringing back almost all of their offensive line, as well as a lot of this years team. It all depends on wether TOB or someone else steps up at QB.

I'm going with SIU, NDSU, SDSU. The Dakota teams were the only ones that impressed me in conference play.

SDSU had a tough schedule this year, playing your first game at Delaware when it is their second game is a tough way to start the season. I believe that SDSU would have given them a much better game if it were their second game too, and would have been a tough out in the playoffs.

NDSU found themselves after an ugly start and have that offensive line working now, I could run for 1,000 yards behind them next year.


SIU had a down year this but bring back the entire two deep offensive line, three starting DBs, and three All-Americans who missed form several games to the whole season last year, along with ten starters from the MVC leader in total defense. The question marks are QB and WR. Nick Hill's little brother transferred from NIU and more FBS QBs are scheduled to visit.

Picking Ind. St. over WIU?
Interesting...

WIU2013 wrote:Picking Ind. St. over WIU?
Interesting...

Barr got you into the playoffs. He is gone now. Don't get me wrong, I was vastly impressed by WIU, but with his departure and the departure of Senatus, I see you guys taking a few steps back.

houndawg wrote:

Thumper 76 wrote:Gotta pick NDSU, Ind St., and UNI. I think that SDSU can make a run but I want to make sure I eliminate all homerism. But they are bringing back almost all of their offensive line, as well as a lot of this years team. It all depends on wether TOB or someone else steps up at QB.

I'm going with SIU, NDSU, SDSU. The Dakota teams were the only ones that impressed me in conference play.

SDSU had a tough schedule this year, playing your first game at Delaware when it is their second game is a tough way to start the season. I believe that SDSU would have given them a much better game if it were their second game too, and would have been a tough out in the playoffs.

NDSU found themselves after an ugly start and have that offensive line working now, I could run for 1,000 yards behind them next year.


SIU had a down year this but bring back the entire two deep offensive line, three starting DBs, and three All-Americans who missed form several games to the whole season last year, along with ten starters from the MVC leader in total defense. The question marks are QB and WR. Nick Hill's little brother transferred from NIU and more FBS QBs are scheduled to visit.

SDSU has a terrible QB, and lost their RB.

Do you really believe that UNI is not one of the 3 best teams in the conference?.

guinzone wrote:Barr got you into the playoffs. He is gone now. Don't get me wrong, I was vastly impressed by WIU, but with his departure and the departure of Senatus, I see you guys taking a few steps back.

I agree, without Barr this was maybe a five win team with no playoffs of course. However, you could say that about a lot of teams led by a senior QB. There are still two outstanding running backs with good depth at WR, and the secondary will start to grow up. If Will Lunt or somebody else in-house is starting next fall there could be trouble, but I don't see that happening. Word has it a JUCO QB will sign here and compete for the job. From what I've seen he has all the physical attributes of Barr, expect he's a righty. If he can do the job expect another repeat of the 40-7 beatdown of the Syc's next year.

By the way, were you at the YSU-WIU game by chance last fall? I'll never forget the look of all the YSU fans after Senatus made the Crabtree-esque play to win the game. That play made him a legend around here.

WIU2013 wrote:

guinzone wrote:Barr got you into the playoffs. He is gone now. Don't get me wrong, I was vastly impressed by WIU, but with his departure and the departure of Senatus, I see you guys taking a few steps back.

I agree, without Barr this was maybe a five win team with no playoffs of course. However, you could say that about a lot of teams led by a senior QB. There are still two outstanding running backs with good depth at WR, and the secondary will start to grow up. If Will Lunt or somebody else in-house is starting next fall there could be trouble, but I don't see that happening. Word has it a JUCO QB will sign here and compete for the job. From what I've seen he has all the physical attributes of Barr, expect he's a righty. If he can do the job expect another repeat of the 40-7 beatdown of the Syc's next year.

By the way, were you at the YSU-WIU game by chance last fall? I'll never forget the look of all the YSU fans after Senatus made the Crabtree-esque play to win the game. That play made him a legend around here.

It was on the NBC affiliate in Youngstown. I still believe his foot was out of bounds, but by that point it was only a matter of time before the Leathernecks scored to win it.

DJH wrote:

houndawg wrote:

I'm going with SIU, NDSU, SDSU. The Dakota teams were the only ones that impressed me in conference play.

SDSU had a tough schedule this year, playing your first game at Delaware when it is their second game is a tough way to start the season. I believe that SDSU would have given them a much better game if it were their second game too, and would have been a tough out in the playoffs.

NDSU found themselves after an ugly start and have that offensive line working now, I could run for 1,000 yards behind them next year.


SIU had a down year this but bring back the entire two deep offensive line, three starting DBs, and three All-Americans who missed form several games to the whole season last year, along with ten starters from the MVC leader in total defense. The question marks are QB and WR. Nick Hill's little brother transferred from NIU and more FBS QBs are scheduled to visit.

SDSU has a terrible QB, and lost their RB.

Do you really believe that UNI is not one of the 3 best teams in the conference?.

Different question.


I don't think the cats were anywhere nearly as dominant in the conference this year as they have been in the past, obviously so in the preseason, and their playoff game was obviously a disappointment. Rennie was exposed badly at QB and will be much easier to defend now that the world knows he can barely throw a hail Mary 50 yds. in the air.

I could have gone with NDSU, SDSU and UNI, but I went homer because I know what we're bringing back, and we own UNI.

UNI brings back 4 offensive lineman, a QB who has had a year of D1 ball now, all of the running backs plus two of the top recruits in last years RB class that redshirted. Add to that the 2 RB's that UNI signed for this coming year (the top 2 in the state of Iowa I believe) and UNI's offense should be completely loaded.


Now think about how many players UNI's offense brought back for this past season....1 running back, 2 WR, and 2 TE's....yep that was it and we still won the conference.

On defense UNI returns pretty much everyone except Jamar Thompson at LB.

houndawg wrote:

DJH wrote:


SDSU has a terrible QB, and lost their RB.

Do you really believe that UNI is not one of the 3 best teams in the conference?.

Different question.


I don't think the cats were anywhere nearly as dominant in the conference this year as they have been in the past, obviously so in the preseason, and their playoff game was obviously a disappointment. Rennie was exposed badly at QB and will be much easier to defend now that the world knows he can barely throw a hail Mary 50 yds. in the air.

I could have gone with NDSU, SDSU and UNI, but I went homer because I know what we're bringing back, and we own UNI.

No shit we weren't dominant. It was supposed to be a rebuilding year and we still finished in 1st. Next year was supposed to be the year that we would be a really good team again. We bring back virtually everyone.

I'll ask you again, do you really believe that UNI is not one of the top THREE teams in the conference?....

DJH wrote:

houndawg wrote:
Different question.


I don't think the cats were anywhere nearly as dominant in the conference this year as they have been in the past, obviously so in the preseason, and their playoff game was obviously a disappointment. Rennie was exposed badly at QB and will be much easier to defend now that the world knows he can barely throw a hail Mary 50 yds. in the air.

I could have gone with NDSU, SDSU and UNI, but I went homer because I know what we're bringing back, and we own UNI.

No **** we weren't dominant. It was supposed to be a rebuilding year and we still finished in 1st. Next year was supposed to be the year that we would be a really good team again. We bring back virtually everyone.

I'll ask you again, do you really believe that UNI is not one of the top THREE teams in the conference?....

Well, definitely top four......

lol

You wanna bet?

Hey Clenz, is Jamar Thompson that small LB you guys had? I think he went about 210Lbs, but he is a hell of a player if that is him.

DJH wrote:

houndawg wrote:
Different question.


I don't think the cats were anywhere nearly as dominant in the conference this year as they have been in the past, obviously so in the preseason, and their playoff game was obviously a disappointment. Rennie was exposed badly at QB and will be much easier to defend now that the world knows he can barely throw a hail Mary 50 yds. in the air.

I could have gone with NDSU, SDSU and UNI, but I went homer because I know what we're bringing back, and we own UNI.

No **** we weren't dominant. It was supposed to be a rebuilding year and we still finished in 1st. Next year was supposed to be the year that we would be a really good team again. We bring back virtually everyone.

I'll ask you again, do you really believe that UNI is not one of the top THREE teams in the conference?....

Well, both Dakotas beat us and we beat you............just sayin'........

You gonna keep dodging that question or what?

DJH wrote:You gonna keep dodging that question or what?

Top four, DJ, maybe sub YSU for SDSU since you're right about SDSU losing Minnett - -------

NDSU, SIU, YSU

DJH wrote:I'll ask you again, do you really believe that UNI is not one of the top THREE teams in the conference?....

Depends on the offensive playcalling. (both what the coach(es) call in, and how the player(s) analyze the options that present themselves on the field)

JayJ79 wrote:

DJH wrote:I'll ask you again, do you really believe that UNI is not one of the top THREE teams in the conference?....

Depends on the offensive playcalling. (both what the coach(es) call in, and how the player(s) analyze the options that present themselves on the field)

what hell are you talking about?....

houndawg wrote:

DJH wrote:You gonna keep dodging that question or what?

Top four, DJ, maybe sub YSU for SDSU since you're right about SDSU losing Minnett - -------

NDSU, SIU, YSU

You are truly delusional if you don't think UNI is not one of the top 3 teams. They are more likely the best team in the conference, than not being in the top three.

How many times has UNI ever finished outside the top 3 anyway? It can't be too often.

Just honestly think about for a bit, howndawger, and if you want to make it interesting I'm all for it.

DJH wrote:

houndawg wrote:
Top four, DJ, maybe sub YSU for SDSU since you're right about SDSU losing Minnett - -------

NDSU, SIU, YSU

You are truly delusional if you don't think UNI is not one of the top 3 teams. They are more likely the best team in the conference, than not being in the top three.

How many times has UNI ever finished outside the top 3 anyway? It can't be too often.

Just honestly think about for a bit, howndawger, and if you want to make it interesting I'm all for it.

Good points DJ.

Having SIU in the Dome is huge this year.

We own that second rate cow barn.....

houndawg wrote:We own that second rate cow barn.....

No argument here Dawg, UNI sucks. The only way we can beat you is to play you in the Dome.