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AlumniWSU

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Time for the WAGs to start...
James Madison is picked as a top team in the Sun Belt. Strong running back, good QBs, but some ?? on the defense, which does have the conference best pass blocker pick. Will Wildcats, with tons of question marks, play the role of a nice guest cupcake for pay, or rudely put up a good fight?

Most, if not all fans expect a loss, but how big of an L? 38-17 JMU.
 
LOL. You missed the point of this post. Obviously, we all share those sentiments, but we don't predict on style points, safety credits, etc. We could all post the same sentiments, but where's the fun in that?

This is playing the stats...the numbers are what count & go in the record books, they are the measuring stick here. You don't like to predict scores, just talk your analysis of the playing, etc., fine. This post is about predicting a score! Yes, may the Wildcats compete, get better & stay healthy too! :giggle:
 
Okay, I'll bite. I'm more concerned about how our D will respond to this challenge. If they can fly around and creat some TOs, it may be closer than expected. I don't feel that our O will get shut out. My WAG is for a low scoring match, 24-17 JMU.

If our D can do that, I feel we are in for a good season. If not, the book is still out on this team.
 
Hope you're right, that would be a morale victory. Appears right now like we may be the only two who predict, so I'll drop it after this. Just trying to liven up this forum...pretty quiet, but it's early.
 
Late to the party. I have really low expectations this year. I’m predicting 3-9 with wins vs Butler, Sac State, and Portland State. I only think other winnable games are McNeese and EWU. Hoping I’m wrong but fearing I’m right.

As far as game, I’m predicting JMU 42-13.
 
I had actually planned to attend the JMU game.

I’m a history nut so was going for a twofer.

But after some back and forth, on this forum, I realized I had no idea who our QB even is and my sentimentality for the Hill years was clouding my judgement.

No way I’m traveling to out of state games until there is some semblance of a team and staff that doesn’t resonate with bottom dweller.

And it is unacceptable, to me at least, to be ok with: improve, don’t get hurt and collect a check in exchange for an ass whipping.

I received my invite for the 1985 team just today, in the mail: “…one of the most exciting and accomplished teams in school history.” So yeah check for ass whipping UNACCEPTABLE!
 
Get your drift, I remember my dislike when the Wildcats played football games vs. the instate big 3 bros. back then, what with the expected beatings sometimes. I also remember back in that timeframe WSU's admin. wanting to put the football program on the chopping block because of its financial drain (& low attendance).

Thing is, now days these payday games vs. the FBS'ers are a necessity financially, unless maybe you're a Montana or MSU. Money (!) is the matter in running a surviving program, whether we like it or not. The separation of haves vs. have-nots is going to get worse, likely, what with the money grabbing P4 football conferences! Just saying... :sick:
 
I'm with Chex 3-9 or 4-8. It would be awesome to eat crow and see this team win 5, 7, or 9 (or more) games. A close (competitive) game against JMU would definitely be a good sign. Personally, there are a lot of positives with this team and it seems like things are headed in a good direction?

The players seem more focused and disciplined. Two things missing last year. Poor discipline resulted in, at least, 2 losses. Also, there are a number of cautiously optimistic elements associated with the team. For instance, the QB group might be unexperienced, but they seem better than last year and more professional. The OL is deeper and experienced and the secondary isn't banged up. I'm worried about the defensive tackles, receivers and linebacker depth. Talent in each area, but limited. Hoping we stay healthy and play hard nosed competitive football.

James Madison University 45 - Weber State University 27.
 
I didn't see much good with that performance, other than that they seemed a bit more disiplined. JMU was stronger, faster, bigger, and deeper than us. However, the gap was just too big. Can we get better this season? Sure, but we can not get stronger or faster or deeper. That all has to be handled in recruiting and is a longer term fix. We seem to have a lot of ground to make up.
 
Went as expected, my WAG was off by 7 (4th Qtr. TO took away likely 7 from Wildcats & practically handed it to JMU). Chex was close, only 3 points off both sides!(y)

Expect similar result coming up vs. Arizona, which handled Hawaii easily...predict 40 - 50s something to 10 - 14. Interesting that the JMU ESPN+ announcers gave some compliments to Wildcats O-line & QB, saying they really expect Wildcats will improve on last season's record. Perhaps we all underestimated the strength of JMU's D, they looked pretty solid & previous stats given showed that.

Real tests come in two weeks & beyond, & like most feel, that will be a more realistic evaluation. I'm not going to get down on these Wildcats just yet. As to BSC, Montana St. got clobbered by Oregon, & No. Colorado won(!) against Chadron St.? Ha! Southern Utah took care of Idaho St.
 
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Either Weber is that bad or James Madison is that good. I'm not trying to be a homer or an apologist, but JMU looked really really good. That defense...wow. They were fast, big and tough. My guess, JMU will be ranked by the end of the season.

Couldn't help but wonder...if Colton Swan was selected as the head coach how good our team would be. Coach Hill built a juggernaut. A program that was feared and respected. Talked to a buddy who is a JMU grad. He said that Weber was respected. The key term, "was." Too bad that Hill wasn't followed by a head coach ready to maintain what was built or to even build off the success of Hill. Mental is a great guy and I want him to succeed, but look at how much has changed in the past couple of years. Weber was legitimately a feared team. Made the Big Sky stronger and was on par with JMU. Now...we are back to the early 2000s.

Sure, we can blame NIL and NCAA changes (pay for play and transfer rules) for some of our problems, but I feel the issue is more succinct than that. Like I said earlier, I hope I am wrong and that the Cats have an incredible year. It is only game 1. The Sky isn't falling...yet. Also, JMU looked really good. It would be great to see them succeed this year. Would be cool to see them compete in the playoff instead of a worthless bowl game (they'd definitely be the toast of the FCS). Not sure they are that good, but good enough to win the Sun Belt. We will see this week. Regardless, Weber isn't. Right now, we are not a playoff team. I don't even feel we are a .500 team. Follow the model Jay built. Look at our roster...that is issue 1.
 
I think JMU might be a top 25 team or bubble top 25, so wasn’t upset the Wildcats didn’t win, but Hill was able to have teams compete better and keep it respectable. In MWC games, Hill had teams that but for a few bailout calls would have beaten SDSU and Nevada. I was hoping for a bit more offensive yards and not 3 picks, but in defense of the QB, sometimes you have to try and make things happen or face a three and out.

Arizona will very much be a similar result, but there is no reason the Wildcats can’t be in the game and possibly pull off a win vs McNeese.

McNeese and Butler will be better measuring sticks, but I still don’t see anything that is taking me off my 3-9 record guess.

I do find it funny in these NIL days that Munoz took himself out of a starting role into a bench player…and is Bronson Barron still playing? Dude has longer college career than most NFL players.

Here’s hoping Mental can turn it around. I’ll probably just watch the Cubs this Saturday and forget the Wildcats and start watching them the following week on…no reason they can’t be competitive in any FCS game unless things are bad. Hill had a 2-10 (first year I think) team fighting like hell and hanging in with NDSU…what good coaching, recruiting, discipline will do.
 
Chex said:
I do find it funny in these NIL days that Munoz took himself out of a starting role into a bench player…and is Bronson Barron still playing? Dude has longer college career than most NFL players.
Click to expand...
Looks like Bronson started for SUU and had a great game, 19-25 for 240 yards, 3 tds no int, and SUU thumped Idaho State. Munoz looks like 3rd string, didn't see the field as Tennessee Tech (FCS) crushed an NAIA school 65-0. It's not good if your team is winning that big and you get no snaps.

I was disappointed in the run defense most on Saturday, but I guess at least part of that was missing 3 starting linebackers. Offense has a long way to go, I hope they make a lot of progress the next two weeks.
 
I agree with all that is being said here. It's too early to throw in the towel. but our weaknesses are easy to see. We need way more speed and strength, at every position. In the past, our best teams were made up of faster guys who didn't quite fit the mold that the P5s of the world wanted and were just shy of being big enough for the higher mid majors. However, what they did have was exceptional speed. We grew them up to be legitimate football players. Some went on to bigger things and that is okay.

I'm not certain that Munoz left of his own volition, just my own thoughts based on rumors I have heard.
 
oldrunner said:
I agree with all that is being said here. It's too early to throw in the towel. but our weaknesses are easy to see. We need way more speed and strength, at every position. In the past, our best teams were made up of faster guys who didn't quite fit the mold that the P5s of the world wanted and were just shy of being big enough for the higher mid majors. However, what they did have was exceptional speed. We grew them up to be legitimate football players. Some went on to bigger things and that is okay.

I'm not certain that Munoz left of his own volition, just my own thoughts based on rumors I have heard.
Click to expand...
If Munoz thought he could get a better set up somewhere else, he was sorely mistaken…it would make sense that he might have been forced out or not guaranteed a starting job, but it would make me question Mental even more when he wouldn’t pull him in the Northern Colorado game (for at least a series or two) and then decide to force him out at the end of the year.

Especially in today’s game of NIL, (in particular at FCS level) I think coaches have to lay down the law and let the players who can’t deal with it leave.
 
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