[RagingTireFire]

The VMI thing makes sense. They were terrible last year, but with a new coach, you never know what could happen. They have some decent talent but it did not translate into wins for whatever reason.

With a new coaching staff, things may be totally different.

Look at Liberty a few years ago. 1-10 one year and then 6-5 the next year? A new staff could make a big difference. VMI underachieved last year and I believe they have they talent to beat out the likes of Presby and CSU and Stoney Brook. That's why I put them in 4th place. Its not non-sense.

VMI only replaced the head coach and the defensive coordinator. Everyone else is still there. Further, the coach they had last year was only in his 2nd year there so, in essence, they're rebuilding for the third straight year. A new staff could make a difference but VMI's needs go way beyond coaching. I would submit that VMI actually overachieved in 2007 by winning that second game.

[SuperJon]

I see those 2 pretty even and it's at GW.

Here's why I see CCU winning: G-W is a passing team. They spread the ball out and sling it around. Coastal's weakness is against the run. They're not bad against the pass. That's why I see Coastal winning.

[Schfourteenteen]

VMI doesnt even have all the schollys availiable. How good can they be? Not in a bad way its just that program has no chance of contending for anything, even if it is 4th in the conference.

As for Coastal, a new QB will make them a better team. I like their backup HB too, so well just see how it all pans out

[ToTheLeft]

I see those 2 pretty even and it's at GW.

Here's why I see CCU winning: G-W is a passing team. They spread the ball out and sling it around. Coastal's weakness is against the run. They're not bad against the pass. That's why I see Coastal winning.

Well then why are you worried about us against CCU, other than the fact that it is in Conway?

We have proven that we can win on the beach (albeit it was against CSU), and we have proven we can handle CCU. I mean, if we are gonna lose one in conference, it would be against them, but why are we so concerned?

I kinda mean this as a real question. I understand that CCU has a new QB, but they lost Bowling Ball and 'Rome... They have that quick running back that earned fresh of the week against us, but what should we really be concerned about? Are they improved from last year? It seems like they are losing and gaining, and I'm not sure where to put them.

[jcmanson]

I think Coastal will be about where they were last year. If we played them at home I would have it as a definite win. It falls in a tough place on the schedule too, right after Youngstown St.

[kiltsareitchy07]

1. LU
2. PC
3. Coastal
4. Stony Brook
5. GW
6. CSU
7. VMI

[SuperJon]

Well then why are you worried about us against CCU, other than the fact that it is in Conway?

We have proven that we can win on the beach (albeit it was against CSU), and we have proven we can handle CCU. I mean, if we are gonna lose one in conference, it would be against them, but why are we so concerned?

I kinda mean this as a real question. I understand that CCU has a new QB, but they lost Bowling Ball and 'Rome... They have that quick running back that earned fresh of the week against us, but what should we really be concerned about? Are they improved from last year? It seems like they are losing and gaining, and I'm not sure where to put them.

I've seen what can happen at the beach at night, especially if the students show up. It's a VERY hard place to play. The game is on grass and not turf, and very well could be our first game on grass of the year (not sure what YSU has). Also, you didn't get a chance to see Coastal in 06. When they have a dual threat QB, their offense is very good. It's designed to have someone that can run the ball back there.

[jcmanson]

YSU has turf:

Twice the playing surface has been replaced, most recently in 2002. That summer, SprinTurf, was installed making the school only one of five FCS schools to play on the syntethic surface. The replacement removed the AstroTurf that was in place since 1991.

http://www.ysu.edu/sports/facilities/st ... tadium.htm

[bigsmooth]

1. LU
2. Coastal
3. GW
4. stonybrook
5. CSU
6. PC
7. VMI

[ATrain]

1. LU
2. PC
3. Coastal
4. Stony Brook
5. GW
6. CSU
7. VMI

[RagingTireFire]

1. LU
2. PC
3. Coastal
4. Stony Brook
5. GW
6. CSU
7. VMI

indeed.

Seriously, Gardner-Webb 5th?! If they had any fans, they'd be outraged!

[Chris Lang]

Folks ... PC shouldn't be included in this. Games against them don't count in the standings and they aren't playing everybody in the conference next year (no game against Stony Brook).

[SuperJon]

It's more fun with them in the mix, especially when their fans think they'll be the second best team in the league.

[Chris Lang]

Fair enough.

[jcmanson]

It's more fun with them in the mix, especially when their fans think they'll be the second best team in the league.

[phoenix]

I don't see PC beating VMI this year. The Blue Hosers are going to be facing some seriously PO'd Keydets. If VMI loses every other game this year, they're going to be ready for Presby.

I'd love to see PC clobber them again this year, but I don't think it will be that easy.

[coolhandluke]

I don't see PC beating VMI this year. The Blue Hosers are going to be facing some seriously PO'd Keydets. If VMI loses every other game this year, they're going to be ready for Presby.

I'd love to see PC clobber them again this year, but I don't think it will be that easy.

I think that Keydets will be ticked off just enough to win a couple of games next year. All the people on here seem to think there is no chance they will win any games at all.

[SuperJon]

Why would their level of "ticked-off-ness" have any more of an effect this year than last?

[coolhandluke]

because I heard a couple of them cried last year after losing to us. It takes alot to make a cadet cry. haha. I dunno, I just think they are going to surprise some people.

[SuperJon]

Are you just guessing or is there anything that makes you think that?

[JDUB]

1. LU
2. Coastal
3. GW
4. Stony Brook (just b/c everyone else did, i know nothing about them)
5. PC
6. CSU
7. VMI

I think now that PC has a year under their belts, they will be slightly better. I still expect CSU and VMI to be horrible.
Biggest game of the year is obviously coastal. That one needs circled on the calendar.
GW at their place is no big deal. They have no fans. I think Coastal will handle them pretty easily.

Bottom line, Big South Championship game is played on the beach this year. Hope our boys show up ready, because it ain't gonna be easy

[coolhandluke]

Are you just guessing or is there anything that makes you think that?

Like I have already said...

It may true that they are still gonna suck...

But I think they have a team with talent that hasn't panned out. A new coach and defensive co could help turn their team around. Also, when you all the teams in the big south are expecting them to suck, they could easily get overlooked by a couple of teams. Any of these factors could lead to them picking up a few unexpected wins next year.

[RagingTireFire]

because I heard a couple of them cried last year after losing to us. It takes alot to make a cadet cry.

If I gave up 70 to the vacation Bible school down the road, I might cry too. I wonder how hard they cried after Citadel put another 70 on them a week later.

[Schfourteenteen]

But I think they have a team with talent that hasn't panned out.

...very debatable

[olldflame]

Very debatable indeed. Talent is ALWAYS going to be a problem at VMI because of all the other factors involved in finding someone who will SURVIVE there, let alone fit in. Top notch academics, military discipline and athletic talent don't often come in the same package, so either they settle for lesser athletes or they take a shot at kids who have the talent, but end up not cutting it in other ways and leave (either voluntarily or not). Not too many of those though, because they have other choices. Any success any military school has is going to be because they overcome a talent deficit with discipline, conditioning, coaching, and utilizing an offensive scheme opponents aren't used to.