The Other Guys Part 2

Discussion in 'NFL Writer's Block' started by JEMicklos, Aug 13, 2013.

  1. JEMicklos

    JEMicklos Captain

    We already covered Air Force, Army, Connecticut, Florida Atlantic, Florida International, Hawaii, and Houston. Now it is time to finish with seven more schools that honestly don't a chance to play for the National Championship, but will have fans that care no matter where they play.

    View attachment 55710

    Louisiana-Monroe Warhawks


    The Louisiana-Monroe Warhawks stunned the college football world last season. They began the season by upsetting #8 Arkansas 34-31 in overtime. Unfortunately, they lost to Auburn 31-28 in overtime, lost to Baylor 47-42, and got thrashed by Ohio 45-14 in the AdvoCare v100 Independence Bowl. Can the Warhawks roll over the momentum?

    [ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wNmRBIO-Q-w]UL-Monroe and Kolton Browning Stun #8 Arkansas with Overtime TD - YouTube[/ame]

    Offense


    The offense returns eight starters from last season. Senior quarterback Kolton Browning is back for a fourth year as the starter. Senior Jyruss Edwards is back to lead the running game. Seniors Je’Ron Hamm and Tavarese Maye will be leaned on in the receiving game with the graduation of Brent Leonard. The offensive line returns four starters. The running game must improve to give this offense more balance.

    Defense


    The defense returns seven starters. Junior Joey Gautney is the only returning starter on the line. Junior Ray Stovall is the lone returning starter at linebacker. The secondary returns all five starters. This secondary was bad last season. That must change this season. By the way, can we nominate this team for the most colorful first names? Kolton, Jyruss, Je’Ron, Tavarese, Harley, Demiere, Kentarius, Rob’Donovan, and Cordero are all starters. Not even going to look at the rest of the roster after that lineup, Rob’Donovan.

    End Result


    The Warhawks schedule will not be easy. They will have to travel to Oklahoma, Wake Forest, Baylor, Troy on a Thursday night, and Louisiana. They do get to host Western Kentucky on a Thursday night and Arkansas State. If the Warhawks secondary can improve, they could finish 10-2. If the secondary does not improve and the running game struggles, they could finish 7-5.

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    Navy Midshipmen


    The Navy Midshipmen finished 8-5 last year with the highlights being the sweep of Air Force and Army for the Commander-in Chief’s trophy. The lows were the 50-10 thrashing at the hands of Notre Dame in Dublin, Ireland and the 62-28 blowout loss to Arizona State in the Kraft Fight Hunger Bowl. Can the Midshipmen improve on last season and push themselves into the rankings?

    Offense


    The Midshipmen return six starters on offense. Sophomore Keenan Reynolds returns at quarterback. Noah Copeland returns at fullback. Junior Geoffrey Whiteside and senior Darius Staten will be the starting slotbacks. Senior Shawn Lynch is back to lead the receiving corps. The offensive line returns three starters, but none of the left side. As with most triple option teams, Navy did not air it out too much last season. I don’t anticipate that changing.

    Defense


    The defense returns seven starters. Senior defensive end Evan Palelei is the only returning starter in the line. Juniors Jordan Drake and Cody Peterson are the only returning starting linebackers. The secondary returns three starters. This defense had a miserable time trying to stop the run. that must change.

    [ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_RocWehsbZ0]2012 Navy Football Highlights vs Army - YouTube[/ame]

    End Result


    The Midshipmen’s schedule doesn’t look too daunting. They travel to Indiana, Notre Dame, and San Jose State. They get to host Air Force and Pittsburgh with the annual contest against Army in Philadelphia. If the defense can improve from last season, they could finish 10-2. If the defense continues to struggle though, they could finish 7-5.

    View attachment 55712

    Ohio Bobcats


    The Ohio Bobcats started last season 7-0 with a 24-14 upset at Penn State. Then injuries caught up to them and they finished the year losing four of their last five. They did manage to end the season on a high note by blowing out Louisiana-Monroe 45-14 AdvoCare v100 Independence Bowl. Will the Bobcats look like the team that started the year 7-0 or the team that finished the year 9-4?

    Offense


    The Bobcats return six starters on offense. Senior Tyler Tettleton is back once again at quarterback. Senior Beau Blankenship will lead the ground attack. Senior Donte Foster will be the leader of the receiving corps. The offensive line returns both starting tackles. The interior of the offensive line will have to be ready to play for this offense to succeed.

    Defense


    The defense returns two starters from last season, none of them on the defensive line. Senior Keith Moore is the only starting linebacker returning. Junior free safety Josh Kristoff is the only returnee of the secondary. With so many new starters this year, will the defense that was average at best last season take a step back?

    [ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EAzG4th_PEc]100-Yard Kickoff Return - YouTube[/ame]

    End Result


    The Bobcats schedule looks to be relatively easy with the season opener at Louisville looking like the toughest contest. If the Bobcats defense can come together quickly, they could finish 11-1. If the defense takes a step back, they could finish 9-3. Either way, the Bobcats should represent the MAC’s Eastern Division in Detroit.

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    San Diego State Aztecs


    The San Diego State Aztecs finished 9-4 last season. The highlight of their season was the 21-19 victory at Boise State. They finished the year with a disappointing 23-6 loss to BYU in the San Diego County Credit Union Poinsettia Bowl. Can San Diego State repeat as co-Mountain West champs?

    Offense


    The Aztecs return seven starters on offense this year. Junior quarterback Adam Dingwell returns this year. Junior running back Adam Muema returns this year and is the favorite to be the top running back in the Mountain West. Senior Colin Lockett will be the leader of this receiving corps. The offensive line returns three starters but will be replacing the whole right side. The passing attack mist improve to provide more stability to this offense.

    Defense


    The defense returns nine starters this year. The whole defensive line and linebacking corps are returning every starter. The secondary returns three starters but will be replacing both cornerbacks. The Aztecs struggled against the pass at times last season. That much improve for them to compete for the Mountain West championship.

    [ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HFQH66qrB5M]SDSU beats Nevada in Overtime Thriller - CBS - YouTube[/ame]

    End Result


    The Aztecs schedule will not be easy. They will travel to Ohio State, Air Force on a Thursday night, and San Jose State. They will host Oregon State, Fresno State, and Boise State. If the Aztecs If the Aztecs passing game can improve, they could finish 8-4. If the passing game proves to be a liability once again, they could finish 6-6.

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    South Florida Bulls


    The South Florida Bulls had a miserable season last year. They finished 3-9 for the worst record in school history. The season cost head coach Skip Holtz his job. The Bulls tagged Western Kentucky head coach Willie Taggart to replace him. Taggart has ties to the Tampa Bay area being from Bradenton, Florida. Can Taggart turn around the Bulls?

    Offense


    The Bulls return four starters on offense. Senior Bobby Eveld will take over at quarterback this year. Senior Marcus Shaw will lead the running game. Junior Andre Davis returns to lead the receiving corps. The offensive line returns three starters, but will be replacing both starting guards. USF was near the bottom in points per game last year. That put a real strain on the defense to hold teams to under twenty points.

    Defense


    The defense returns seven starters this year. Two defensive lineman return this year. Two starting linebackers return. Both starting safeties return. The secondary will have to replace both starting corners. Redshirt defensive end Aaron Lynch is the player to watch on the defense. Lynch transferred in from Notre Dame last season. He will be relied on to get after the quarterback and live up to the billing of being a highly touted high school prospect.

    [ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E5jCFYSQgzE]OFFICIAL USF FOOTBALL HIGHLIGHT vs NEVADA 2012 - YouTube[/ame]

    End Result


    The Bulls schedule will test them. They travel to Michigan State, Houston on a Thursday night, UCF, and Rutgers. The will host Cincinnati, Louisville, and SMU. If the Bulls can improve from last season’s disaster, they could finish 4-8. If the Bulls fail to improve at all, they could finish 2-10.

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    Southern Methodist Mustangs


    The Southern Methodist Mustangs finished 7-6 last season. They finished their season with a 43-10 romp of Fresno State in the Sheraton Hawaii Bowl. After starting out cold and finishing hot, the Mustangs will be looking for more consistency this year. Can they achieve it in their first year as members of the American Athletic Conference?

    Offense


    The Mustangs return five starters on offense led by redshirt senior quarterback Garrett Gilbert. Gilbert transferred over from Texas after losing the starting job in 2010. Redshirt junior Traylon Shead will be leaned on to replace Zach Line’s production. Shead is another Texas Longhorn transfer. Senior Jeremy Johnson returns to lead the receiving corps. Only two starting offensive lineman return this season.

    Defense


    The defense returns five starters this year. Not a single starter returns on the defensive line. They new starters will be leaned on to replace Cincinnati Bengals second round pick Margus Hunt’s production. Two starting linebackers return this year. Junior free safety Hayden Greenbauer will be the only new starter in the secondary. This defense was terrible against the pass last season. Hopefully another year of experience will lead to improvement.

    [ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-uAKZuINI0U]2012 Hawaii Bowl SMU vs Fresno State - YouTube[/ame]

    End Result


    SMU will not have an easy schedule this year. They will travel to Texas A&M, TCU, Cincinnati, and Houston. They do get to host Texas Tech, Rutgers, and UCF. If the Mustangs offense can achieve more consistency and the secondary improves, they could finish 7-5. If the offense continues to struggle and the defense doesn’t improve, they could finish 5-7.

    View attachment 55717

    Troy Trojans


    The Troy Trojans finished 5-7 last year. Only four games were decided by more than one score last year. Three of those games were victories. They must get better in the clutch.

    Offense


    The offense returns three starters from last season. Senior quarterback Corey Robinson is back looking to set more school records. Sophomore Daron White is leader to get most of the carriers at running back after the graduation of Shawn Southward. Senior Eric Thomas is back to lead the receiving corps. Junior Terrence Jones is the lone returning starter on the line. This offense was potent last season. That is not expected to change.

    Defense


    The defense returns three starters as well. The defensive line returns three of those starters. The linebacking corps doesn’t return a single starter. Senior Chris Pickett is the lone returning starter of the secondary. The defensive line struggled last season. They couldn’t get pressure on the quarterback and couldn’t stop the run. This defense must improve.

    [ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xGnvar4Qb_g]2012 Troy Trojans Football - UAB Highlights - YouTube[/ame]

    End Result


    The Trojans schedule doesn’t look too difficult. They will travel to Arkansas State on a Thursday night, Mississippi State, Duke, Western Kentucky, Louisiana on a Thursday night, and Ole Miss. They do host Louisiana-Monroe on a Thursday night. If the defense can improve, they could finish 6-6. If the defense shows no improvement, they could finish 4-8.

    View attachment 55716

    Week 1: Southern California @ Hawaii. Hawaii will be looking for the Thursday night upset to open the season. Texas Tech @ Southern Methodist. SMU will look to pull off the upset in Dallas. Florida Atlantic @ Miami. Can the little school from Boca Raton walk in to Miami and catch Miami looking ahead to Florida? Florida International @ Maryland. FIU will go to Maryland looking to start the season off on a high note. Louisiana-Monroe @ Oklahoma. Can the Warhawks pull off the same magic they did in Fayetteville last year? Ohio @ Louisville. Can the Bobcats pull off the same magic they did in Happy Valley last year?

    Week 2: Florida Atlantic @ East Carolina. FAU begins their first year for C-USA play with a Thursday night showdown in Greenville. Central Florida @ Florida International. FIU will look to upset in-state rival UCF. South Florida @ Michigan State. USF will make the trip to East Lansing looking to turn the program around with an upset. San Diego State @ Ohio State. SDSU will travel to the Horseshoe looking to pull off a stunner. Utah State @ Air Force. Air Force will look to welcome the Aggies to the MWC in style. Navy @ Indiana. Navy will start the year with a trip to Bloomington. Hawaii @ Oregon State. Hawaii will travel to Corvallis to face their second Pac-12 opponent of the year.

    Week 3: Troy @ Arkansas State. Troy will look to pull off the Thursday night upset. Air Force @ Boise State. High school football will have to take aback seat to this budding MWC rivalry. Louisiana-Monroe @ Wake Forest. Can ULM take down the ACC foe. Stanford @ Army. Can the Black Knights stun the Cardinal at West Point. Florida Atlantic @ South Florida. The Owls will travel to Tampa to take on the Bulls. Maryland @ Connecticut. UConn will look to stun the Terps. Marshall @ Ohio. BATTLE FOR THE BELL!

    Week 4: Wake Forest @ Army. Another BCS foe for the Black Knights. Florida International @ Louisville. FIU will travel to Louisville looking for an upset. Houston @ Rice. BAYOU BUCKET CLBUTTIC! Oregon State @ San Diego State. Can the Aztecs upset the Beavers? Michigan @ Connecticut. Can UConn pull of the upset? Louisiana-Monroe @ Baylor. ULM cam so close last year. Can they pull it off this year? Southern Methodist @ Texas A&M. SMU was blown out in Dallas last year. Can they try to return the favor at Kyle Field? Troy @ Mississippi State. This game came down to the wire last season. Can Troy pull off the upset in Starkville?

    Week 5: Army @ Louisiana Tech. Can Army get the win in the Cotton Bowl? Miami @ South Florida. USF has given Miami plenty of trouble the past couple years. Will they continue? Southern Methodist @ Texas Christian. IRON SKILLET! Troy @ Duke. Can Troy pull one off in Durham?

    Week 6: Western Kentucky @ Louisiana-Monroe. ULM will have to avoid the Thursday night jitters against WKU. Air Force @ Navy. COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF'S TROPHY! Army @ Boston College. An amazing finish last year could lead to a great one in Chestnut Hill.

    Week 7: San Diego State @ Air Force. Will Air Force be ready to play SDSU on Thursday night after Navy? Navy @ Duke. Navy will look to pull out a victory on Tobacco Road.

    Week 8: Connecticut @ Cincinnati. Their first tough conference contest. BYU @ Houston. Can Houston hold BYU off?

    Week 9: Notre Dame @ Air Force. Can Air Force pull off the upset? Fresno State @ San Diego State. OIL CAN! Florida Atlantic @ Auburn. Can FAU pull off the upset in Jordan-Hare? Houston @ Rutgers. Houston plays their first tough AAC road game. Louisville @ South Florida. Can USF pull off what would be a stunning upset?

    Week 10: Louisiana-Monroe @ Troy. HAPPY HALLOWEEN! Can Troy upset Sun Belt favorites ULM? South Florida @ Houston. HAPPY HALLOWEEN! Which team want sit more on a Thursday night showdown? Navy @ Notre Dame. Navy will look to avenge last seasons 50-10 Dublin blowout. Army @ Air Force. COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF'S TROPHY!

    Week 11: Troy @ Louisiana. Troy will be looking to pull off the Thursday night upset. Louisville @ Connecticut. UConn will be looking to pull off the upset two years in a row.

    Week 12: Houston @ Louisville. Can Houston upset Louisville? Troy @ Ole Miss. Can Troy silence Oxford?

    Week 13: Kent State @ Ohio. TUESDAY NIGHT MACTION! Nevada-Las Vegas @ Air Force. Air Force will try to avoid the Thursday night upset. Boise State @ San Diego State. Can San Diego State upset Boise State for the second year in a row?

    Week 14: Florida International @ Florida Atlantic. SHULA BOWL! South Florida @ Central Florida. WAR ON I-4! Louisiana-Monroe @ Louisiana. BATTLE ON THE BAYOU! Air Force @ Colorado State. RAM-FALCON TROPHY!

    Week 15: South Florida @ Rutgers. This is a rivalry that nobody really notices.

    Week 16: Army vs Navy. ARMY-NAVY! Do I really need to say anymore about this game? I understand this game is technically a part of week 15, but it really deserves it's own week. Not to mention that week 15 is the weekend of December 7th while this game is on December 14th.
     
  2. axmickl

    axmickl Rookie

    Good job JEM, I don't think you missed a thing in all these reviews.
     
  3. Walnuts

    Walnuts All-Pro

    Man I thought this was going to be a new Will Ferrell movie.
     
  4. Steve12

    Steve12 The night is dark and full of terrors

    Ha. I actually did too.
     
  5. TheSnowman

    TheSnowman #1 Trap Star

    Yep thought it was a movie sequel
     
  6. 86WARD

    86WARD -

    Count me in.

    But good write up Jem!
     
  7. Walnuts

    Walnuts All-Pro

    He's truly outrageous!!!

    [ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=20BZID081Vk]Jem Opening - YouTube[/ame]
     
  8. JEMicklos

    JEMicklos Captain

    I'm sorry I disappointed you guys looking for a Will Ferrell movie. Maybe next time
     
  9. axmickl

    axmickl Rookie

    Looks as though we have a goober in the crowd. Do you think walnuts even knows what the article was about?.
     
  10. 86WARD

    86WARD -

    Easy with the name calling [MENTION=4331]axmickl[/MENTION]. A lot of us realize its [MENTION=777]Walnuts[/MENTION]' sense of humor.
     
  11. axmickl

    axmickl Rookie

    Maybe I just don't appreciate attempts at humor from creatures that couldn't write something worth reading if they tried. They would rather dis someone who can.
     
  12. 86WARD

    86WARD -

    I can't speak for walnuts, but I'm pretty sure he's not dissing anyone here...if I'm wrong, I apologize.
     
  13. Walnuts

    Walnuts All-Pro

    Not yet, but I'm considering starting.
     
  14. JEMicklos

    JEMicklos Captain

    By the way, How do you guys feel about the color coordinating of the subtitles and the videos? Are they a yay or nay?
     
  15. Walnuts

    Walnuts All-Pro

    I think it's a nice touch.
     
  16. 86WARD

    86WARD -

    LIke it a lot. Like the bold lettering and seperation. Flows nicely imo. :icon_thumright: