CAA Preview

[Col Hogan]

9....count 'em 9...returning starters, and only 6 are seniors...

Two juniors elected co-captains...and the senior QB is not...

We open with William & Mary, and play at the Big House...

Oh yea, it's gonna be a fun year in Amherst...

[FCS Update]

9....count 'em 9...returning starters, and only 6 are seniors...

Two juniors elected co-captains...and the senior QB is not...

We open with William & Mary, and play at the Big House...

Oh yea, it's gonna be a fun year in Amherst...

UMass has a tough schedule, but could definitely end up with a few more wins. Returning starters and seniors aren't always they answer.

[bandl]

FCSU, you mind showing us your game by game picks? I'm honestly not seeing your JMU analysis. I don't think they will win the conference or even their division, but I also don't see them tanking like you say. I think they'll be the third, probably fourth, CAA team in the tourney. They ended the season pretty strong with 4 wins (all 4 of those teams on the schedule again this year, BTW). Yeah, they probably lose to UD this year, but I don't see them losing to Towson/Maine/UMass. Add in Morehead State as a win, Liberty as a game they SHOULD win (although they could very well lose that game), and then I honestly don't see any FCS team that is guaranteed a victory over JMU so I'm chalking up a .500 split for their other CAA games. To boot, they also don't have a QB controversy going into the season like they did last season (last I heard, anyways).

Anyways, I think if you lay out your game by game picks we can all get a better grasp on your prediction.

[andy7171]

Good thoughts guys. I think Maine and Towson both are good for a few "surprise" wins, but it's just hard to pick which ones those might be.

The thing is, Towson pretty much sucked last year (sorry andy) - Maine was at least pretty decent. Not sure why you have Maine taking such a step backwards - it wasn't like they played Hofstra and Northeastern 3 times each last year.

Saying we sucked last year is being nice.

[bandl]

The thing is, Towson pretty much sucked last year (sorry andy) - Maine was at least pretty decent. Not sure why you have Maine taking such a step backwards - it wasn't like they played Hofstra and Northeastern 3 times each last year.

Saying we sucked last year is being nice.

You were.....well.....at least you gave it your darndest.

[Col Hogan]

9....count 'em 9...returning starters, and only 6 are seniors...

Two juniors elected co-captains...and the senior QB is not...

We open with William & Mary, and play at the Big House...

Oh yea, it's gonna be a fun year in Amherst...

UMass has a tough schedule, but could definitely end up with a few more wins. Returning starters and seniors aren't always they answer.

Are you trying to talk me off the edge???

Coach Morris says we don't have a #1 QB going into this Sunday when practice starts...we have Kyle Havens, who last year looked like a deer staring into headlights...we have a Sophmore JC transfer who arrived at the campus yesterday...and a true freshman who was damn good in High School...but I doubt is ready for FCS-level play yet...

We have running backs...but I doubt that's enough in the CAA...we have to replace Vlad Ducasse on the O-line...

And I don't feel much luv or confidence radiating towards Coach Morris from the Minuteman faithful...(right or wrong, he's not motivating the fans very much...)

We'll see...

[KAUMASS]

UMass has a tough schedule, but could definitely end up with a few more wins. Returning starters and seniors aren't always they answer.

Are you trying to talk me off the edge???

Coach Morris says we don't have a #1 QB going into this Sunday when practice starts...we have Kyle Havens, who last year looked like a deer staring into headlights...we have a Sophmore JC transfer who arrived at the campus yesterday...and a true freshman who was damn good in High School...but I doubt is ready for FCS-level play yet...

We have running backs...but I doubt that's enough in the CAA...we have to replace Vlad Ducasse on the O-line...

And I don't feel much luv or confidence radiating towards Coach Morris from the Minuteman faithful...(right or wrong, he's not motivating the fans very much...)

We'll see...

Morris would be better off not interviewing..he doesn't come off well with one line re-hearsed answers. 5-6 last year with all that talent-I'll give him some slack for all the untimely turnovers we had last year. We will get a measuring stick for the season against W/M the first game of the year, and we definately will find out what kind of coach Morris is this season. If he can win and have a decent year of 7-4 this year, he keeps his job and he will have my support. I've been on the fence ever since he was hired.

[Col Hogan]

Are you trying to talk me off the edge???

Coach Morris says we don't have a #1 QB going into this Sunday when practice starts...we have Kyle Havens, who last year looked like a deer staring into headlights...we have a Sophmore JC transfer who arrived at the campus yesterday...and a true freshman who was damn good in High School...but I doubt is ready for FCS-level play yet...

We have running backs...but I doubt that's enough in the CAA...we have to replace Vlad Ducasse on the O-line...

And I don't feel much luv or confidence radiating towards Coach Morris from the Minuteman faithful...(right or wrong, he's not motivating the fans very much...)

We'll see...

Morris would be better off not interviewing..he doesn't come off well with one line re-hearsed answers. 5-6 last year with all that talent-I'll give him some slack for all the untimely turnovers we had last year. We will get a measuring stick for the season against W/M the first game of the year, and we definately will find out what kind of coach Morris is this season. If he can win and have a decent year of 7-4 this year, he keeps his job and he will have my support. I've been on the fence ever since he was hired.

We'll see...I'll most likely make the game at Towson to see first hand how good...or bad...the Minutemen will be this year...

And I'll get to the game at JMU...

But my hopes are not too high...

[mcveyrl]

FCSU, you mind showing us your game by game picks? I'm honestly not seeing your JMU analysis. I don't think they will win the conference or even their division, but I also don't see them tanking like you say. I think they'll be the third, probably fourth, CAA team in the tourney. They ended the season pretty strong with 4 wins (all 4 of those teams on the schedule again this year, BTW). Yeah, they probably lose to UD this year, but I don't see them losing to Towson/Maine/UMass. Add in Morehead State as a win, Liberty as a game they SHOULD win (although they could very well lose that game), and then I honestly don't see any FCS team that is guaranteed a victory over JMU so I'm chalking up a .500 split for their other CAA games. To boot, they also don't have a QB controversy going into the season like they did last season (last I heard, anyways).

Anyways, I think if you lay out your game by game picks we can all get a better grasp on your prediction.

I agree with this lady (although there's no more divisions, ma'am).

I'm not going to write off your prediction as awful or anything, but a little bit more breakdown would be nice.

[bandl]

FCSU, you mind showing us your game by game picks? I'm honestly not seeing your JMU analysis. I don't think they will win the conference or even their division, but I also don't see them tanking like you say. I think they'll be the third, probably fourth, CAA team in the tourney. They ended the season pretty strong with 4 wins (all 4 of those teams on the schedule again this year, BTW). Yeah, they probably lose to UD this year, but I don't see them losing to Towson/Maine/UMass. Add in Morehead State as a win, Liberty as a game they SHOULD win (although they could very well lose that game), and then I honestly don't see any FCS team that is guaranteed a victory over JMU so I'm chalking up a .500 split for their other CAA games. To boot, they also don't have a QB controversy going into the season like they did last season (last I heard, anyways).

Anyways, I think if you lay out your game by game picks we can all get a better grasp on your prediction.

I agree with this hunkahunka burnin' love (although there's no more divisions, ma'am).

I'm not going to write off your prediction as awful or anything, but a little bit more breakdown would be nice.

Dammit...I forgot....

[yorkcountyUNHfan]

9-2, 7-1 CAA would meam UNH would have to be 5-1 after 6 games, @Maine vRichmond back to back will be a tall task.
4-1 the rest of the way would include 2 of 3 @JMU, W&M and @Vill again not easy.
And I won't beleive UMass is down until some time after 10/23

We will see soon enough...I CAN'T WAIT!


Sat Sep. 4 Central Conn. St.
Sat Sep. 11 at Pittsburgh
Sat Sep. 18 at Rhode Island *
Sat Sep. 25 Lehigh
Sat Oct. 2 at Maine *
Sat Oct. 9 Richmond *
Sat Oct. 16 at James Madison *
Sat Oct. 23 Massachusetts *
Sat Nov. 6 William & Mary *
Sat Nov. 13 at Villanova *
Sat Nov. 20 Towson *

[mcveyrl]

I agree with this coin purse (although there's no more divisions, ma'am).

I'm not going to write off your prediction as awful or anything, but a little bit more breakdown would be nice.

Dammit...I forgot....

That's alright, you're excused.

By the way, his prediction has us beating Liberty (or Va. Tech) - 2-1 OOC. That would surely be reflected in the Big South preview....

[andy7171]

Morris would be better off not interviewing..he doesn't come off well with one line re-hearsed answers. 5-6 last year with all that talent-I'll give him some slack for all the untimely turnovers we had last year. We will get a measuring stick for the season against W/M the first game of the year, and we definately will find out what kind of coach Morris is this season. If he can win and have a decent year of 7-4 this year, he keeps his job and he will have my support. I've been on the fence ever since he was hired.

We'll see...I'll most likely make the game at Towson to see first hand how good...or bad...the Minutemen will be this year...

And I'll get to the game at JMU...

But my hopes are not too high...

Hey if you do make it up, let me know!

It's a night game (7pm) in early October, should be fun!

[MaineBlackBear]

What do you think about the upcoming season?

We return almost our whole team, and we get worse..... I think we could have a great year, it seems we are very under the radar apparently..

[FCS Update]

FCSU, you mind showing us your game by game picks? I'm honestly not seeing your JMU analysis. I don't think they will win the conference or even their division, but I also don't see them tanking like you say. I think they'll be the third, probably fourth, CAA team in the tourney. They ended the season pretty strong with 4 wins (all 4 of those teams on the schedule again this year, BTW). Yeah, they probably lose to UD this year, but I don't see them losing to Towson/Maine/UMass. Add in Morehead State as a win, Liberty as a game they SHOULD win (although they could very well lose that game), and then I honestly don't see any FCS team that is guaranteed a victory over JMU so I'm chalking up a .500 split for their other CAA games. To boot, they also don't have a QB controversy going into the season like they did last season (last I heard, anyways).

Anyways, I think if you lay out your game by game picks we can all get a better grasp on your prediction.

Hey bandl, I didn't keep my game by game picks. I chose not to post them because it would start a million arguments over individual games. On the MVFC preview I used JMU last year as an example of how close you can be on the field, but still have a "bad" record. I got a lot of guff for continuing to vote for JMU towards the end of the season, but to me, they were a Top 25 team who lost a couple close ones.

I wouldn't bet against JMU in any of their games this year. This is just they way my predictions fell. The CAA was tough with UD, UNH, Nova, JMU, W&M, and Richmond. Anytime they played each other it was a hard pick.

[FCS Update]

FCSU, you mind showing us your game by game picks? I'm honestly not seeing your JMU analysis. I don't think they will win the conference or even their division, but I also don't see them tanking like you say. I think they'll be the third, probably fourth, CAA team in the tourney. They ended the season pretty strong with 4 wins (all 4 of those teams on the schedule again this year, BTW). Yeah, they probably lose to UD this year, but I don't see them losing to Towson/Maine/UMass. Add in Morehead State as a win, Liberty as a game they SHOULD win (although they could very well lose that game), and then I honestly don't see any FCS team that is guaranteed a victory over JMU so I'm chalking up a .500 split for their other CAA games. To boot, they also don't have a QB controversy going into the season like they did last season (last I heard, anyways).

Anyways, I think if you lay out your game by game picks we can all get a better grasp on your prediction.

I agree with this lady (although there's no more divisions, ma'am).

I'm not going to write off your prediction as awful or anything, but a little bit more breakdown would be nice.

I usually try to go more in depth on the discussion threads. Reading my comments on the threads is the best way to see more reasoning. I obviously am not a paid member of the press and this is something I do out of my enjoyment of the nation FCS scene.

I'm a guy who has watched FCS football for 20+ years, sees at least 3 games a week, and enjoys following the boards.

I don't do breakdowns of returning starters or upperclassmen, but I try to be mindful of what teams bring back and lose. In the CAA last year I saw more of W&M, UNH, and Nova than anyone, but I'm always following scores when I can't be watching.

[FCS Update]

What do you think about the upcoming season?

We return almost our whole team, and we get worse..... I think we could have a great year, it seems we are very under the radar apparently..

You'd be surprised at the number of teams that return a lot and still lose as many or more games than the year before. You're still in a tough conference. I'm not ruling Maine out, but this was the way I saw things shaking out. There was probably a few games I could've coin flipped.

[BDKJMU]

With all due respect, you're semi clueless about the CAA:

1/2 the teams you have about right, although I'd flip Nova to 7-1 (Nova wouldstill finish 9-2) and UD to 6-2.

Maine at 1-7? WAY to low here, as others have already pointed out. Are you kidding? They were 4-4 last season, return I think 16 starters, + Turcott, who was a pre season AA pick before being lost all season before the 1st game to injury. They lost @ UNH by 3, return far more than UNH does, yet you have UNH at 7-1 and Maine @ 1-7

JMU. Too low. Haven't had a losing season since 02'. Not saying will make the playoffs, but too much talent for a losing record, esp since QB won't be a handicap like it was last season.

-W&M at 7-1. Too high. That would be better than last yr's 6-2. Even IF they are as good as last season, they have a tougher CAA schedule in:
-the fact that the team they miss is Towson.
-they must have pissed off the scheduling gods getting sent to New England 3 times (@ Maine, @ UMass, @ UNH). Most CAA South teams get one of those tips a season, at most 2.
-their last 5 weeks is UD, @ UNC, @ UNH, @ JMU, UR
-plus they getting a I-A win this season.
Oh yeah, and they won't be quite as good as last season.

-UNH at 7-1? Too high. They don't get the benefit of playing in the weaker CAA North anymore, and they don't have a cupcake I-A this season, and lost about 1/2 their starters.

-UMass. Too high. They lost over 1/2 their starters, and 7 of them were 1st-3rd team all CAA- Ducasse, Miles, Cruz, Nelson, Zardas, plus a couple of DLs. A few of them got AA. They finished 5-6/3-5, and you have them better in CAA play at 4-4, when they won't be as good.

I'll save this thread to revisit in Nov so we can laugh at some of your ridiculous predictions....

[FCS Update]

There's a difference between being clueless and having a difference of opinion. I'm completely aware of what teams did last year and who returns. I'm sorry I don't just go along with the standard predictions. This is the way I feel that games will finish this year. Some of the games will be closely contested and will go the other way. Maine could very easily end up 4-4 or so in the CAA. I just didn't pick em that way.

It's funny that you say with all due respect, but end by saying that you'll keep this thread so you can laugh. You won't need to. I would be glad to be wrong on any of these predictions. Anyone who makes any predictions is risking being wrong.

James Madison had the talent to be a playoff team last year but ended up 6-5, so you of all people should know things don't always go as planned.

With all due respect, you're semi clueless about the CAA:

1/2 the teams you have about right, although I'd flip Nova to 7-1 (Nova wouldstill finish 9-2) and UD to 6-2.

Maine at 1-7? WAY to low here, as others have already pointed out. Are you kidding? They were 4-4 last season, return I think 16 starters, + Turcott, who was a pre season AA pick before being lost all season before the 1st game to injury. They lost @ UNH by 3, return far more than UNH does, yet you have UNH at 7-1 and Maine @ 1-7

JMU. Too low. Haven't had a losing season since 02'. Not saying will make the playoffs, but too much talent for a losing record, esp since QB won't be a handicap like it was last season.

W&M at 7-1. Too high. That would be better than last yr's 6-2. Even IF they are as good as last season, they have a tougher CAA schedule in:
-the fact that the team they miss is Towson.
-they must have pissed off the scheduling gods getting sent to New England 3 times (@ Maine, @ UMass, @ UNH). Most CAA South teams get one of those tips a season, at most 2.
-their last 5 weeks is UD, @ UNH, @ UNH, @ JMU, UR
-plus they getting a I-A win this season.
Oh yeah, and they won't be quite as good as last season.

UNH. Too high. They don't get the benefit of playing in the weaker CAA North anymore, and they don't have a cupcake I-A this season, and lost about 1/2 their starters.

UMass. Too high. They lost over 1/2 their starters, and 7 of them were 1st-3rd team all CAA- Ducasse, Miles, Cruz, Nelson, Zardas, plus a couple of DLs. A few of them got AA. They finished 5-6/3-5, and you have them better in CAA play at 4-4, when they won't be as good.

I'll save this thread to revisit in Nov so we can laugh at some of your ridiculous predictions....

[BDKJMU]

There's a difference between being clueless and having a difference of opinion. I'm completely aware of what teams did last year and who returns. I'm sorry I don't just go along with the standard predictions. This is the way I feel that games will finish this year. Some of the games will be closely contested and will go the other way. Maine could very easily end up 4-4 or so in the CAA. I just didn't pick em that way.

It's funny that you say with all due respect, but end by saying that you'll keep this thread so you can laugh. You won't need to. I would be glad to be wrong on any of these predictions. Anyone who makes any predictions is risking being wrong.

James Madison had the talent to be a playoff team last year but ended up 6-5, so you of all people should know things don't always go as planned.

With all due respect, you're semi clueless about the CAA:

1/2 the teams you have about right, although I'd flip Nova to 7-1 (Nova wouldstill finish 9-2) and UD to 6-2.

Maine at 1-7? WAY to low here, as others have already pointed out. Are you kidding? They were 4-4 last season, return I think 16 starters, + Turcott, who was a pre season AA pick before being lost all season before the 1st game to injury. They lost @ UNH by 3, return far more than UNH does, yet you have UNH at 7-1 and Maine @ 1-7

JMU. Too low. Haven't had a losing season since 02'. Not saying will make the playoffs, but too much talent for a losing record, esp since QB won't be a handicap like it was last season.

W&M at 7-1. Too high. That would be better than last yr's 6-2. Even IF they are as good as last season, they have a tougher CAA schedule in:
-the fact that the team they miss is Towson.
-they must have pissed off the scheduling gods getting sent to New England 3 times (@ Maine, @ UMass, @ UNH). Most CAA South teams get one of those tips a season, at most 2.
-their last 5 weeks is UD, @ UNH, @ UNH, @ JMU, UR
-plus they getting a I-A win this season.
Oh yeah, and they won't be quite as good as last season.

UNH. Too high. They don't get the benefit of playing in the weaker CAA North anymore, and they don't have a cupcake I-A this season, and lost about 1/2 their starters.

UMass. Too high. They lost over 1/2 their starters, and 7 of them were 1st-3rd team all CAA- Ducasse, Miles, Cruz, Nelson, Zardas, plus a couple of DLs. A few of them got AA. They finished 5-6/3-5, and you have them better in CAA play at 4-4, when they won't be as good.

I'll save this thread to revisit in Nov so we can laugh at some of your ridiculous predictions....

I said "semi", because I think you're about right with half the teams. That's what happens when you try to make predictions about most/all conferences. Unless someone has a full time job covering I-AA (yes, I'm one of the holdouts for using "FCS"), they are going to be semi to totally clueless about the conferences other the one they primarily focus on. If I tried to make predictions about any other conference outside the CAA I would be semi to totally clueless and at the end of the season I would just look silly.

*Couple of typos I edited on last post: said last 5 W&M games was UD, @UNH, @UNH, @ JMU, UR. That should have been UD, @UNC, @UNH, @ JMU, UR.

[MaineBlackBear]

Maine at 1-7? WAY to low here, as others have already pointed out. Are you kidding? They were 4-4 last season, return I think 16 starters, + Turcotte, who was a pre season AA pick before being lost all season before the 1st game to injury. They lost @ UNH by 3, return far more than UNH does, yet you have UNH at 7-1 and Maine @ 1-7

[FCS Update]

There's a difference between being clueless and having a difference of opinion. I'm completely aware of what teams did last year and who returns. I'm sorry I don't just go along with the standard predictions. This is the way I feel that games will finish this year. Some of the games will be closely contested and will go the other way. Maine could very easily end up 4-4 or so in the CAA. I just didn't pick em that way.

It's funny that you say with all due respect, but end by saying that you'll keep this thread so you can laugh. You won't need to. I would be glad to be wrong on any of these predictions. Anyone who makes any predictions is risking being wrong.

James Madison had the talent to be a playoff team last year but ended up 6-5, so you of all people should know things don't always go as planned.

I said "semi", because I think you're about right with half the teams. That's what happens when you try to make predictions about most/all conferences. Unless someone has a full time job covering I-AA (yes, I'm one of the holdouts for using "FCS"), they are going to be semi to totally clueless about the conferences other the one they primarily focus on. If I tried to make predictions about any other conference outside the CAA I would be semi to totally clueless and at the end of the season I would just look silly.

*Couple of typos I edited on last post: said last 5 W&M games was UD, @UNH, @UNH, @ JMU, UR. That should have been UD, @UNC, @UNH, @ JMU, UR.

The CAA is one of the easiest conferences to follow. Most of their games are available online for free. You're right though, a fan of a team in the conference should probably know more than I do about the conference since I try to follow all of FCS. I don't think I'm too far off base. Maybe on records, but not in standings. We'll have to wait and see, but I am willing to eat crow when necesarry.

[BDKJMU]

I said "semi", because I think you're about right with half the teams. That's what happens when you try to make predictions about most/all conferences. Unless someone has a full time job covering I-AA (yes, I'm one of the holdouts for using "FCS"), they are going to be semi to totally clueless about the conferences other the one they primarily focus on. If I tried to make predictions about any other conference outside the CAA I would be semi to totally clueless and at the end of the season I would just look silly.

*Couple of typos I edited on last post: said last 5 W&M games was UD, @UNH, @UNH, @ JMU, UR. That should have been UD, @UNC, @UNH, @ JMU, UR.

The CAA is one of the easiest conferences to follow. Most of their games are available online for free. You're right though, a fan of a team in the conference should probably know more than I do about the conference since I try to follow all of FCS. I don't think I'm too far off base. Maybe on records, but not in standings. We'll have to wait and see, but I am willing to eat crow when necesarry.

Understood. Like I said, not being your full time job, trying to cover every league enough to do decent predictions for all of them is an impossible task. Better to focus on your own team's conference instead of being a semi jack of all trades, master of none so to speak. Heck, Dave Coulson looked semi clueless in his predictions of every conference when it was his full time job.

Yep, we'll revisit this thread in Nov.

*Edit: Jeez, my earlier criticism is tame compared to what some of the MVFC posters said about your MVFC picks.

[BDKJMU]

Maine at 1-7? WAY to low here, as others have already pointed out. Are you kidding? They were 4-4 last season, return I think 16 starters, + Turcotte, who was a pre season AA pick before being lost all season before the 1st game to injury. They lost @ UNH by 3, return far more than UNH does, yet you have UNH at 7-1 and Maine @ 1-7

Plus, I forgot to add in addition to the above Who did Maine blow to get the CAA schedule they got?
-W&M, UNH, Nova and JMU for their 4 home games. Thats 4 of their 5 toughest CAA opponents. In addition to UD on the road, get the likely 3 weakest CAA teams, URI, UMass, and Towson on the road (granted all in a row with a bye week).
-Plus their toughest I-AA OOC, Albany, at home to boot, with the weaker Monmouth on the road.
-Plus, one of the 9 CAA vs I-A games, Maine @ Cuse is probably one of the 2 winnable ones (other being Nova @ Temple), although odds are against.

With what Maine did last yr, has coming back, and the way the schedule sets up, it would be nuts to predict them at 1-7 CAA. They'd have to lose half their starters for that to happen...

[Col Hogan]

With what Maine did last yr, has coming back, and the way the schedule sets up, it would be nuts to predict them at 1-7 CAA. They'd have to lose half their starters for that to happen...

If mainejeff was here, he might says something like this: Cosgrove is still coach, so anything an happen