Early 2012 C-USA favorites

[mustangxc]

2 year rotation for home and home.

[ojaipony]

I think we should be able to win 8-9 games.

Predictions ... too early?

Baylor - W (comes down to the wire but we pull it out)
SFA - W (blow out, all kinds of rushing/receiving records broken for Line, GG, and DJ - Dieter gets first TD)
Texas A&M - L (we go up early , but too many turnovers and they pull it out in the end)
TCU - L (close, shoot out, they beat us in overtime - they will be coming for blood and we have a tough time matching their intensity early)
Houston - W (over time win)
Rice - W (blow out)
Tulsa - W (tight, very close win)
UTEP - W (blow out)
Tulane - W (blow out)
Southern Miss - L (blow out)
Memphis - W (blow out)
UCF - W (very tight win)

We beat USM in title game grudge match at the very end! We double total home season attendance from last year.

Sort of my dream, but somewhat realistic, season. Of course, my dream season is an undefeated season ...

A couple of thoughts/questions.

First, is this our schedule next year? Seems like we are playing the same schools from the other division, Shouldn't we play ECU, Marshall, UAB ect this next year? (or is it a two year rotations so you can do home and home?)

Now on your predictions. It hink the A&M game gets dropped and we play Navy instead, with this being the year we finially beat them. The TCU game is too close to call right now. Obviously they will be jacked up but so will our team. We need to see how each team is playing and what the injury situation is. Houston, Loosing Keenum is significant and the game will be at home. We seem to ahve a mental block but sense that program is in a major rebuild year not only from a player perspectice but also coaching I think we take it. Tulsa will take a big step back, They lose Kinne (who was a UT recruit and there forever) as well as that record setting receiver. I think we take it comfortably being at home. Southern Miss, Loses a 5 year QB as well as some of there Defensive playmakers, They might be [deleted] because they have won more than we have and are stuck in CUSA but with the game at home It hink we win this one. UCF will also no be so tight. They are losing their QB and as a program are in some disarray. The rest I agree with

Thanks for engaging in the fun.

I don't know what next year's schedule will be, my post above was copied from someone else. But if someone has the most updated one, please post!

I agree with you there, Pony Law, and don't want to get too ahead of myself but an undefeated season is NOT impossible. Wouldn't that be awesome?!? A CUSA title with an undefeated season and big bowl game win going into the BE (and all these Cali recruits that decommitted can enjoy their regret living in hellholes like Pullman and Lubbock on terrible teams where they MIGHT get on the field by their senior year).

[ponyte]

Much depends on replacing our QB, O line and key defensive players. I think we will be fine by next year. Of course an undefeated season is possible. I see major barriers to that goal in Baylor, A$M, TCU and UTEP (we always play poorly in El Paso). UH and USM are losing a lot of key players as is Tulsa. Plus we get all three at home.

[ojaipony]

Much depends on replacing our QB, O line and key defensive players. I think we will be fine by next year. Of course an undefeated season is possible. I see major barriers to that goal in Baylor, A$M, TCU and UTEP (we always play poorly in El Paso). UH and USM are losing a lot of key players as is Tulsa. Plus we get all three at home.

Ah, yes, playing AT UTEP always a concern. Great points.

[AusTxPony]

The toughest games will be A&M(neutral), TCU(home), UTEP(away) and UCF(away). Semi-tough will be Baylor(away), USM(home). Should go bowling (6-6 or better) again as long as QB and OL are adequate.

[NY Pony]

I'm calling 8-4 with a chance of 9-3 depending on OL play. I think we win C-USA in a year of conference parity as well. Liberty Bowl win vs. a 6-6 Vandy, Miss St, or Mizzou.

[ponyinNC]

gotta see how OLine shapes up, but I have confidence in our coaches. Would be great to have a breakout year before we begin Big East play in a tough West Division!

[skyscraper]

The athletic department wants to keep the A&M game at Ford.
Folks I talked to said A&M hasn't indicated it wants to buyout of it.
Remember - they are scrambling to fill holes already in their schedule. They don't want to add another one.

[ponyte]

I think A$M keeps us on the schedule. With less Texas games (geographically) they will want to keep the Dallas game. Plus A$M probably feels we are a solid win for them. Nothing like a good cream puff in Texas in front of the Dallas A$M fans to boost morale. The key is for us to buy up non allotted tickets and have more of our fans there than they do.

[ojaipony]

I think A$M keeps us on the schedule. With less Texas games (geographically) they will want to keep the Dallas game. Plus A$M probably feels we are a solid win for them. Nothing like a good cream puff in Texas in front of the Dallas A$M fans to boost morale. The key is for us to buy up non allotted tickets and have more of our fans there than they do.

And then beat their [deleted]!

[RyanSMU98]

Just to throw it out there: if by chance aTm does drop us (I agree that it probably stays on the schedule), shouldn't we look to try and replace them with one of our new Big East brothers? Might be a nice way to start introducing both the team and the fans to the competition that is ahead of us. Either grab one of the teams going in with us (SDSU or BSU) or grab an established member of the league. Thoughts?

[ponyinNC]

their schedules are sure to be filled already

[Kynd Tulsa Phan]

I wasnt really impressed with Gary Joe this year @ Tulsa. He had flashes of brilliance but wasnt the same after his knee got hurt.

I think we will be better at QB next year.

I want KP to start at SMU. That gives SMU the best chance to win and improve on this years momentum.

I think the west will come down to Tulsa and SMU. UTEP will suck. Tulane will suck. Rice will suck and Allah willing Houston will lose all of its games.

No idea on the east. Southern or UCF.

[Dutch]

Just to throw it out there: if by chance aTm does drop us (I agree that it probably stays on the schedule), shouldn't we look to try and replace them with one of our new Big East brothers? Might be a nice way to start introducing both the team and the fans to the competition that is ahead of us. Either grab one of the teams going in with us (SDSU or BSU) or grab an established member of the league. Thoughts?

how about WVU and show the BigTXII the mistake they're making.

[JasonB]

Baylor - L - brand new OL against Big 12
SFA - W
Texas A&M - L - new OL not ready just yet.
TCU - L again, not ready yet.
Houston - W - they graduate everyone, our defense is better.
Rice - W
Tulsa - L
UTEP - W
Tulane - W
Southern Miss - W
Memphis - W
UCF - L

I think we are okay when we get to conference. I think we split against Houston/Tulsa, and then split against Southern Miss and UCF.

7-5, but I think that is pretty optimistic. Wouldn't be surprised with 6-6 or 5-7. 7-5 would be a really good season in my opinion...