mslacatfan wrote:gtapp wrote:Doc3kgt wrote:Lets breathe some life into this place and generate a little discussion. Which 3 BSC teams do you think will be the top 3 to start off the season, and why?
1. MSU - Call me a homer, but what is not to like about this team? Prukop returns with more experience with a veteran O-line. Maybe a hiccup or two with the new o-line coach, but you have to think with the experience and time those guys have spent in the trenches together that they will be dominant this year. Receivers and running backs are DEEP. Very excited to see how opposing teams deal with Sandland. Biggest question mark is obviously the defense and the secondary. Following the spring ball coverage from Colter et al,
it seems that the D has found renewed vigor and aggression under Ioane. I think it is safe to say that the defense will be better this year, it will be interesting to see just how much. Furthermore, after listening to all of Colter's interviews, I must say that we have some kick @ss coaches.
2. EWU - From what I have read about their scrimmages, it looks like their offense is still going strong, even without VA. Sounds like they have 3 capable QBs that all had a big day during their last scrimmage. Talk on their forum would suggest that their defense is improved as well, but like MSU, it will be interesting to see how much improved. We all know Baldwin is a hell of a coach and EWU is a hell of a program. I expect them to be right up in the mix for BSC champs.
3. ISU / CP - Kramer has it going on over there in Idaho. If they can find a capable replacement for Arias they will be a formidable team this year. I think their stud receiver Magnum (sp?) is back which will be huge. We play them in Holt this year (already requested that game off of work
) which could be a VERY good game. Not really sure how ISU's spring camp went, but talk on the forum is very optimistic. Sounds like they have hopes of going undefeated this year (besides the Boise game).
I am throwing Cal Poly in the mix at the third spot. Chris Brown is back under center and we all know what they are capable of. CP is more of wild card in my opinion, but I think they have what it takes to be in the mix this year.
Not sure how. We lost 9 starters off of a bad defense. The guys coming in are unknown so yes, they could be better or worse. The point is we don't know so how can the D be considered better at this point. It is hard not to believe that we won't be better at DT and safety. We were pretty bad at DE last year so I would hope we would be better. We will not be as good at LB or CB. Anything is possible but after spring ball I see um, EWU, NAU, Cal Poly and ISU being good. I see us somewhere between 2 and 6 in the BSC. A lot can change in 4 months.
Dude, last year the cats D was ranked in like the bottom 5 of the entire country... there is no place to go but up.
I keep waiting for it, but one of these years GTAPP is going to post a "glass is half FULL" comment... and it is going to be glorious!
We've gone over this about a hundred times-Cats may have been in the bottom 5 in the conference (PSU, SSU, and Davis were all substantially worse, and UNC and SUU were probably worse), but thats not really the point...
So the rankings:
1 Toss up: MSU or EWU MSU was one dropped completion (or offensive 4th down conversion) away from beating EWU & 1 play from beating Poly last year. Win those 2 plays on offense, and the Cats have a seed, 1st round bye, probably a playoff win against a cupcake. As far as the D goes: last year we started 2 true Fr at DE, a converted DE at DT, and Champ had to keep pads on hand in case there was another injury. If for no other reason, the D will be far better because there's depth this year.
EWU was probably the most underrated D in the conference last year. They allowed the 3nd fewest points per drive of anyone in the BSC. They lost some playmakers on both sides of the ball, but they've got a great history of reloading. (And, yes, they will be just fine at QB) I only give the nod to MSU because EWU starts the season with Oregon, Northern Iowa, and MSU. That's a 50-50 shot of starting the season 0-3. Plus, games against Poly, ISU, and UM. Its going to be a stretch for the Eagles to get to even 8 wins...
MSU has the easiest non-conference schedule in the league next year-East Tennessee and Ft Lewis (plus EWU), and a pretty easy conference schedule.
3-4 Poly/ISU Poly whupped UM last year, and had a solid win over the Cats. They've been right on the cusp of the playoffs of into the first round several years in a row now, and they don't lose much off their 2014 team. Poly starts the season with AZ State, Northern Iowa, and MSU.
5 Griz: I say this with trepidation-but I just don't see a team with a new QB & new HC making it through their schedule-Griz will probably be 4-6 point dogs in all three of their first games (NDSU, Poly, and Liberty) and finish at ISU at MSU and vs EWU.
4-3 ISU Whoever said they weren't a contender is smoking something. They will have the best RB and 2nd best WR in the BSC and a really solid O-line (maybe better than ours) They were also really underrated on D last year- #2 in the conference in points per drive. They are probably better overall than EWU, but QB is a total mystery. No way they make the playoffs though-2 games against FBS teams and one D-2. They would need to run the table against UM, MSU and EWU.
But like someone said, a whole lot can happen in 3 months. Looking forward to the season!
