Early Predictions?

[talhadfoursteals]

After this Spring, I'm a little more optimistic than at the end of last season. Three things: time heals wounds, the transfer portal is as much of a blessing as a curse (the QB's are better), and optimism increases if you look at the team through purple tinted glasses.

The position I'm most worried about is the defensive line. Mickey needs four DTs, with two able to play right away. Next, the offensive line needs three, with one who could play right away. It would be great to get another CB/DB but I feel the secondary is fairly deep with a good mix of options. LBs are going to be good and I really like our ends. I'm hoping to see an end with a "unique" personality. Those tend to the best ends. Like the guy who does ballet or wants to be an actor.

On offense, the QBs look really good (Jamie Martin effect?). There wasn't a lot of rushing in the Spring game. We might be a bit short on RBs, but the guys we have are going to be fine. It would be great to get a Tafuna type running back. Biggest concern on offense is the TE position. It would be amazing if the coaching staff could steal a Vollert type TE. Yet, he's a once in a generation type player.

All in all, I really feel that Martin's influence on the team and program is a major plus in a million ways. He brings professionalism that Mikey desperately needs to learn, a deep understanding of the game and the ability to coach and develop talent (players and coaches). You could see his influence on offense. Mikey already is a decent OC. With Jamie helping, he will become an even better OC. So, the good news, the Cats should be able to score points next season. The bad news, I'm not sure how good the defense will be. In the Spring game, there were some glaring lapses. Joe is a really good guy. He is cut from the same cloth as Jay Hill and learned the game from those influences that developed both Jay and Morgan Scalley. I feel we will find out how good he can be this season. If the defense is really good and the offense was able to move the ball that well against them, that is a great sign. YET, we won't know until the defense gets some reps against opposing teams. Here's hoping. Defense wins championships.

Worst case scenario: 3-9
Best case 9-3 Playoff Seed
Most likely 5-7 or 6-6 and missing the playoffs again.

 

[Chex]

After this Spring, I'm a little more optimistic than at the end of last season. Three things: time heals wounds, the transfer portal is as much of a blessing as a curse (the QB's are better), and optimism increases if you look at the team through purple tinted glasses.

The position I'm most worried about is the defensive line. Mickey needs four DTs, with two able to play right away. Next, the offensive line needs three, with one who could play right away. It would be great to get another CB/DB but I feel the secondary is fairly deep with a good mix of options. LBs are going to be good and I really like our ends. I'm hoping to see an end with a "unique" personality. Those tend to the best ends. Like the guy who does ballet or wants to be an actor.

On offense, the QBs look really good (Jamie Martin effect?). There wasn't a lot of rushing in the Spring game. We might be a bit short on RBs, but the guys we have are going to be fine. It would be great to get a Tafuna type running back. Biggest concern on offense is the TE position. It would be amazing if the coaching staff could steal a Vollert type TE. Yet, he's a once in a generation type player.

All in all, I really feel that Martin's influence on the team and program is a major plus in a million ways. He brings professionalism that Mikey desperately needs to learn, a deep understanding of the game and the ability to coach and develop talent (players and coaches). You could see his influence on offense. Mikey already is a decent OC. With Jamie helping, he will become an even better OC. So, the good news, the Cats should be able to score points next season. The bad news, I'm not sure how good the defense will be. In the Spring game, there were some glaring lapses. Joe is a really good guy. He is cut from the same cloth as Jay Hill and learned the game from those influences that developed both Jay and Morgan Scalley. I feel we will find out how good he can be this season. If the defense is really good and the offense was able to move the ball that well against them, that is a great sign. YET, we won't know until the defense gets some reps against opposing teams. Here's hoping. Defense wins championships.

Worst case scenario: 3-9
Best case 9-3 Playoff Seed
Most likely 5-7 or 6-6 and missing the playoffs again.

With the transfer portal in key positions, things can turn around quickly, but I still think coaching goes a long way, and I don’t see it improving with Mental. I mean the team was lining up offsides on a FG in week 10, and his lack of pulling Munoz in the Northern Colorado game or making the move on Weisser sooner speaks volumes. Unless Martin runs the show and Mental is basically coach in name only, I don’t see coaching improving. Who knows…maybe a new QB and Martin are enough to make a big difference…I sure hope so because the schedule is tough.

Worst case scenario 2-10 with wins vs Butler and one other home game.

Best scenario 7-5 with a 5-3 conference record that misses playoffs. Mental would take this in heart beat if offered.

I think 3-9 is what I’m picking with a 2-6 conference record. Thank God we don’t play Northern Colorado to give them a win.

 

[talhadfoursteals]

Love Wildcat Football, but the roster really worries me. The best Coach Hill and Coach Mac teams had 50 - 60 Utah rostered players on them. This team has 25. That doesn't bode well for the program.

The last teams that had players from all over the country were coached by a guy named Jody Sears. Really nice guy, but he only won 4 games (1 because of a bad wind storm) and was let go early.

Gotta take the guys who have a chip on their shoulders, want to prove something and have more of a reason to practice and play hard. Local kids tend to have that edge. Automatically, the Schiess Brothers come to mind. They played at Manti. I'm sure a school frequently overlooked. They were huge for the Cats. Know your own community and take a chance on the local guys.

The same thing could be said about the basketball program. Gotta have the workmen like Darrin Mahoneys, Nick Hansens, Kyle Bullinger's to be successful. Nothing on that roster.

 

[AlumniWSU]

Agree that recruiting instate is good, especially in growing fan interest, even if the best athletes aren't available to the Wildcats.

Also agree with Chex on predicting the season record, maybe 4-8 like last year. Looks likely to have a 1-5 record thru the 1st six games (Butler a win) which isn't going to boost confidence, then my WAG of wins in conference vs. Portland St (road), EWU at home, Idaho St. (road); 2-3 at home.

The one national college football sports news magazine that predicts FCS (Lindy's) had a seventh-place finish for Weber St. in conference. Granted, that's based a lot on last season's results.

 

[CrazyJ]

Such a great point. When I played, coming from CA, I was pretty arrogant. Immediately humbled. That was in the Wasatch Front days, and those local lads DID have a chip on their shoulder. The greatest college player I ever witnessed play was a walk on from Kanab. Wade Orton. I now live in Southern Utah and they have some seriously big and athletic kids down here. Most never get any attention and end up at Southern Utah University.

 

[the dan]

James Madison - Massive L
Arizona - Massive L
McNeese - Close L
Butler - W
Davis - L
Sacramento - L
Portland - W
E Wash - L
Montana - L
Montana State - L
Idaho State - W
NAU - L

I have us at 3-9. Good enough for Crompton to retain Mental.

 

[oldrunner]

Our offense looks solid. We will be able to put up some points. The biggest questions are on the defensive side of the ball. On that side we look a bit young and inexperienced. I feel that 5 or 6 wins are possible, but 4 or 5 wins is more likely. We have some really good additions to our team, but had some significant subtractions to go along with it. I'm hopefull that some of the coaching changes will pay off.