MU football chat
While it is always a worth while past time to discuss MU hoops.....football season is right around the corner.
Though I do not write for Street and Smith's College Football issue (how I have been overlooked remains a puzzle for the ages - kidding) they are - at least - one of the few college football publications (the only I have found) that previews 1-AA (now football subdivision championship or whatever the heck it is - wasn't it a lot simpler to be called 1-AA??) and I thought I would mention here their NEC predictions and a few other nuggets:
Their picks by Steve Amedio of the of the Schenectady, N.Y. Gazette (last year's records in parenthesis) and my always semi-illuminating comments:
1. Albany (7-4, 5-2) - By the way, they just got a tackle from Boston College (see the NEC web site press clippings for the story). LB Colin Disch returns to lead an impressive defense
(is this guy in like his 8th season or what?)
2. Monmouth (10-2, 6-1) - Seems a little high for me losing nine defensive starters. Time for those highly regarded redshirt fresman from 2006 to begin to make their mark.
3. CCSU (8-3, 4-3) - Running machine Justise Hairston is gone, but injured QB Aubrey Morris who tortured MU in 2006 is slated to return
4. Robert Morris (7-4, 5-2) - Several key skill players return including the QB.
5. Wagner (4-7, 0-7) - QB and top receiver return. But still, too high here as well? They got D 3 Western Connecticut (5-5, 2-5) NJAC) to replace St. Peter's on their schedule. Last I heard MU and SFPA still looking. MU is determined to not schedule a D3 opponent.
6. Sacred Heart (2-9, 1-6) - solid ground game returns, QB graduated. Probably a good thing men's hoops is on the upswing.
7. SFPA (3-8, 2-5) -last year a big let down with a senior team. You know what? Maybe MU will be in the hunt!!!
MU non-conference foes:
Duquesne (7-3, 3-1) the incoming 2008 NEC member is the easy pick to win the rubble of what's left of the MAAC.
Maine (6-5, 5-3, A-10 now the Colonial Athletic Association): Picked fourth in new CAA North. Punishing team vs. the run which could be MU strong point this season.
Delaware (5-6, 3-5, A-10 now the CAA): Picked to win the new CAA South. Suffered only second losing season since '87 last year when it fell to Albany in one of several 2006 headline non-conference wins by the NEC. It has 10 offensive starters back to test that green MU defense.
Is there an MU mystery football coach out there?
Though I do not write for Street and Smith's College Football issue (how I have been overlooked remains a puzzle for the ages - kidding) they are - at least - one of the few college football publications (the only I have found) that previews 1-AA (now football subdivision championship or whatever the heck it is - wasn't it a lot simpler to be called 1-AA??) and I thought I would mention here their NEC predictions and a few other nuggets:
Their picks by Steve Amedio of the of the Schenectady, N.Y. Gazette (last year's records in parenthesis) and my always semi-illuminating comments:
1. Albany (7-4, 5-2) - By the way, they just got a tackle from Boston College (see the NEC web site press clippings for the story). LB Colin Disch returns to lead an impressive defense
(is this guy in like his 8th season or what?)
2. Monmouth (10-2, 6-1) - Seems a little high for me losing nine defensive starters. Time for those highly regarded redshirt fresman from 2006 to begin to make their mark.
3. CCSU (8-3, 4-3) - Running machine Justise Hairston is gone, but injured QB Aubrey Morris who tortured MU in 2006 is slated to return
4. Robert Morris (7-4, 5-2) - Several key skill players return including the QB.
5. Wagner (4-7, 0-7) - QB and top receiver return. But still, too high here as well? They got D 3 Western Connecticut (5-5, 2-5) NJAC) to replace St. Peter's on their schedule. Last I heard MU and SFPA still looking. MU is determined to not schedule a D3 opponent.
6. Sacred Heart (2-9, 1-6) - solid ground game returns, QB graduated. Probably a good thing men's hoops is on the upswing.
7. SFPA (3-8, 2-5) -last year a big let down with a senior team. You know what? Maybe MU will be in the hunt!!!
MU non-conference foes:
Duquesne (7-3, 3-1) the incoming 2008 NEC member is the easy pick to win the rubble of what's left of the MAAC.
Maine (6-5, 5-3, A-10 now the Colonial Athletic Association): Picked fourth in new CAA North. Punishing team vs. the run which could be MU strong point this season.
Delaware (5-6, 3-5, A-10 now the CAA): Picked to win the new CAA South. Suffered only second losing season since '87 last year when it fell to Albany in one of several 2006 headline non-conference wins by the NEC. It has 10 offensive starters back to test that green MU defense.
Is there an MU mystery football coach out there?
posted by Tony Graham at 11:32 AM
24 Comments:
Football Picks:
1. Albany - Defense wins championships, and the UA defense will likely be the best in the NEC. Offense is still suspect, but is the early favorite.
2. CCSU - QB Holmes returns, and although Hariston is now in the NFL, the backfield is loaded. Solid D and experinece means CCSU should challenge UA for the title.
3. RMU - Impressive showing last season. If the QB play to potential they will be very hard to beat. May be a title contender, or could fall as low as 6th.
4. Monmouth - Lost so much from last year with Boland gone, but solid RB returns and a very good D. Could finish as high as 2nd.
5. Sacred Heart - Very disapointing last year. Should be able to outlast WAG and SFPA, but can't compte with top 4 teams on a weekly basis.
6. Wagner - A good MAAC team, but not enough yet for the improving NEC. Good talent and well coached, but not enough depth.
7. SFPA - The leagues top QB/WRs trio is gone. This team has no defense. Another long season season in Loretto.
Is there any word on filling in another game for the 2007 season?
Re: replacing St. Peter's. None so far....from what I am led to believe it doesn't look very promising as we speak...
Hate to say it but it will be rough for MU this season, just lost way to much experience and very good football players, on d lost david jiles 4 yr starter career all time leader in ints, matt hill safety one of best safeties ever at monmouth, mike castellano beast at mlb/de, yngstrom on d line 2nd on list of MU career all-time sacks, losing boland best qb ever at MU all those close wins because of him leading the way, tom mauro o-line 4 yr starter. on and on and on. they will take the bumps and brusies win 3-4 games this year, the following year they will be back at it, playing MU championship football.
To last anon: figure losses to Maine, Del., and perhaps Duquesne and three losses in the NEC...so that's 4-6..but may do better than that in the NEC...then again..maybe there's another Joe Sentipal among the new def. recruits from this year and last...
You never know..
I think Offense will be Ok. No one knows what to expect from QB Burke but he's hardly a rookie..fourth year in the system. Throws a nice ball. ..I've known him since high school ..He's a very unflappable personality....
I noticed the RMU game was moved to 9/15, does that mean a possible replacement game for St. Peters?
RMU game was moved (kudos to Joe Walton for cooperation) so there would not be a two-week layoff after the opener at Maine..
Plus, it gives MU an early season home game..otherwise MU would not have been playing at Kessler Field until Oct.
No news on replacement game for St. Peter's though I hear unofficially it doesn't look too promising...
http://www.gomuhawks.com/SportSelect.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=14300&KEY=&SPID=7664&SPSID=67818
According to the current schedule on the MU website, the Robert Morris game has been moved to 9/15 at home which then leaves 10/20 as an open date. Marist was originally scheduled to play St.Peters at St.Peters on 10/20 and I don't know if they've filled that spot yet, which would be a good fit for us if they didn't. Although the schedule on the RMU site does not indicate that the MU game has been changed to 9/15.
I have been told second/ third hand by MU..the RMU game is on Sept 15 here..plus, as we know, it is on the MU schedule
http://www.rmucolonials.com/ViewArticle.dbml?SPSID=59576&SPID=6527&DB_OEM_ID=13900&ATCLID=1079001
RMU just posted the change on their site.
Change, change, change.
OK..just talked to MU football SID Greg Viscomi. The RMU game will be at MU on Sept. 8, not Sept 15..
So......barring an 11th game being added - not likely - MU will have open dates on Sept. 15 and Oct. 20...
Burke is a solid kid and qb, true he has been in the system for 4 years, but has he been playing...no. this is his first year playing, can he make the plays boland has over the past 4 years, under pressure, to win games, dont think so. dont think he has brian's arm strength either. i see them losing to Albany, central, robert morris, maine, deleware. toss up games duquense, sacred heart wagner, def win st. francis. They lost sooo much, toughto replace on young talent hopefuls who haven't played yet... losing 9 out of 11 on defense extreme amount. What will aburey norris do this year on that d.. think about it, its gonna be worse before it is better
Burke has a good arm, better than you think. Anyway, if he can throw the slant to Adam San Miguel he'll rack up some very nice yardage.
Tony,
I read this on a Duquesne web site;
"Numerous Duquesne Football officials have confirmed that the commissioner of the Northeast Conference--Duquesne Football's soon-to-be-new home (in 2008)--has and is pursuing an automatic invitation for its football champion into the NCAA Division I Football Championship Tournament."
Re automatic foootball bid. This is CORRECT. I have also heard this from NEC headquarters that the AQ (automatic qualifier) for football is "priority one.''
I hope to have a story on this at some point this summer..maybe more towards football season.
But I have also been cautioned this still is not going to happen overnight (like for this year and probably not next) and that the Gridiron Classic with the Pioneer League may get a two-year extension...whether the AQ goes into effect or not..
Tony,
If Monmouth is still looking for a game on September 15, La Salle has an open date that weekend on their schedule. Not sure if La Salle would be interested as they previously ducked Monmouth.
Re: LaSalle. MU has been in touch with them. They won't play MU.
For what it's worth I hear Princeton won't play MU. and am not specifically referring to this year. Tigers have declined over the years to play MU in football...
Is it true Matt Hill is in the Arena league now?
Tony,
I've heard the same thing from some really good sources that not just Princeton but several other Ivy League teams won't play MU. Especially after what MU did at Colgate last year!!
I know Kevin is trying to fill the open dates this late, but won't the LaSalle's type teams.
I talked to KC today about several subjects. That came up. He had a tryout but was not successful. Same for Mike Castellano.
The CW Post schedule on their site still shows Sept 15th as being open. Do you think an MU - CW Post game will happen? If not, are their any other 1aa or D2 teams available.
From what KC told me the other day it's not likely. Both teams needed a home game and neither would apparently budge.
Maybe they could flip a coin.
Re: coin flip. I've got the two-headed penny right here.. just need someone to tell KC to call heads!
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