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For us MVFC folks, there isn't too much to discuss right now on this site, so I decided to try to change that. I know I had one of these a few months back, but with recruiting behind and spring drills on the verge of ending, I think it is a good time to discuss the MVFC 2010 in this thread from here until September!

In the poll below, vote for the top three teams in the league in your eyes and provide some reasons behind your vote.

Go MVFC
Go YSU!

I chose SDSU UNI and SIU to repeat as the top three in the conference this year. I think these teams bring back the best combos of talent and experience, even if they lost some key players from last year. In my mind the battle for number one will be between UNI and SIU though. I think that SDSU would challenge, but with all our toughest games being on the road, it will be very hard to go and win the conference. I do think that overall the MVFC is going to be much better than last year with YSU, ISUr, and MSU being much better than last year. I think that NDSU has a lot of talent, but a ton of regrouping to do before they challenge for the top three. I also think that ISUb is going to be much better next year too, jumping over WIU and maybe getting a surprise win or two on some teams (hopefully).

SIU, UNI, and Illinois St. Illinois St came on strong last year, and i think they return a lot of their team.

I think YSU could be close, as well as SDSU, but I think the Jacks will fall back a bit from last year. Those two teams will battle it out in the middle of the pack with NDSU and MSU.

Indiana St and Western Illinois will be terrible again.

I think IlSt and MSU will make some noise this year.

SIU lost 8 starters on D so they'll need to score more points this year. The good news is that it looks like they will be able to, even thouh QB Chris Dieker is learning his third offense in four years. In the last scrimmage he threw to everybody that was eligible. The new O looks to be similar to UD's O with Flacco - quick reads and mostly 15 yd or less routes, which really doesn't play to Dieker's cannon arm, but he was 23/28 in the last scrimmage. Got some good looking RBs but Karim's 4.4 speed will be missed, I think.

Edit: There was an xfer from NDSU playing with the O-line in the last scrimmage named Danilkiwicz or something like that. He wasn't on the roster. Bison fans?

I think its going to be really interesting to see what team out of SDSU UNI and SIU has their stars replaced the best. I know all of them have people with a lot of promise.

Thumper 76 wrote:I think its going to be really interesting to see what team out of SDSU UNI and SIU has their stars replaced the best. I know all of them have people with a lot of promise.

True dat. We'll get to see more of Lennon's recruits this year, last year was still Jerry's kids. I'm going to be interested to see if he can bring the speed on defense that Kill brought. I like SIU getting the jacks and UNI at home and UNI for Homecoming, but I think all three will be capable of losing to MSU, YSU, or IlSt. To me the biggest question mark is UNI at QB, after the Iowa game it seemed that they expected to phone in their wins. Panther Nation savaged Grace without mercy, I bet he's still smarting.

NDSU is going to have a stud O-line, but they have to solve some serious speed and athleticism problems before they leave the MVC for the Big 12.

houndawg wrote:

Thumper 76 wrote:I think its going to be really interesting to see what team out of SDSU UNI and SIU has their stars replaced the best. I know all of them have people with a lot of promise.

True dat. We'll get to see more of Lennon's recruits this year, last year was still Jerry's kids. I'm going to be interested to see if he can bring the speed on defense that Kill brought. I like SIU getting the jacks and UNI at home and UNI for Homecoming, but I think all three will be capable of losing to MSU, YSU, or IlSt. To me the biggest question mark is UNI at QB, after the Iowa game it seemed that they expected to phone in their wins. Panther Nation savaged Grace without mercy, I bet he's still smarting.

NDSU is going to have a stud O-line, but they have to solve some serious speed and athleticism problems before they leave the MVC for the Big 12.

Grace was never a fan favorite. He was tough, but he was dumb as a box of fucking rocks on the field. He made terrible decisions while he was out there, especially in the important games (see 5 picks in the SIU, SDSU, and Ill. State games).


At QB we are fine, there was a large portion of our fan base calling for our back up to play last year. Our back up QB will be a RJR this year. As a RFR he came into the BYU game, first game of the year, when PG was knocked out a couple times and went 5 for 6. Later in the year after PG went down after one of the cheapest hits I've saw on a QB during the NDSU game Zach Davis came in and went 3-0, all of which were on the road. He was 43 of 70 for 500 yards 3TD and a 1INT that year. Last year he was 18-37 for about 230 yards. The numbers weren't there, but those weren't bad passes on his part all the time. I remember seeing a lot of drops. In high schools he threw for 3,833 career passing yards and 40 career touchdowns, and was a 2 time first team all state in class 3A (the second largest class in the state). He was also the 2007 Iowa Shrine Bowl (the senior all star game in Iowa) MVP. He came out the same year as Iowa's James Vandenberg, who is considered the best QB in Iowa HS history. Davis is thought to be top 5-10 in high school history in Iowa. He also ran for about 650 yards and 6 TD's his senior year of high school


If anything QB is a strength for UNI this year. The skill positions on offense for UNI will be just fine this year. We get our, arguably, most explosive WR back after he tore his ACL preseason last year, along with both our main TE's and I think 3 of our other WR that saw a lot of PT.


We return Carlos Anderson at running back, and have added 2 or 3 other RB's that will see serious action. One of them is Andre Dawson from Cedar Rapids who is thought to be one of the top 5 FCS steals of the year. He had offers from every B10 school minus UM and OSU.


Our linebacking core should be VERY strong, like 2007 top defense in the nation strong. However, the problem comes with the fact we only have 2 d-lineman that saw time last year back. That is why we, apparently, are toying with going to a 3-4. Our secondary loses Q-Scott, a 6-5 FS who covered the field better than anyone in the FCS from that spot, who is likely to be drafted. However, we do return our other three from the secondary.



The big question marks are both lines. We do have one of the best o-line coaches in the country, but we graduated 5 starters off the line, all of whom started at least two years.

One Word: Sycamores!!

dbackjon wrote:One Word: Sycamores!!

One word: Quincy!

For YSU to make it back to the playoffs this year, it will be up to our QB play. We are very deep at RB and WR this year, but we are thin at QB. We have a academic walk-on and a pro-style QB competing for the starting job. From what I hear, we are actively pursuing an FBS transfer this fall so we do not have to rely on two young kids to lead our offense.

If we do get that QB transfer, watch out for the Penguins. At RB, watch out for Torrian Pace who is a monster back in the sense he is 240 pounds and is extremely tough to get down. We are also bringing in Adaris Bellamy, who was a USF signee and nearly a Cincy signee before deciding on the Penguins. This kid is just fabulous. A local RB who was D5 Player of the Year here in Ohio, Allen Jones, is another one to watch.

Like I said, the difference between 8-9 wins and 6-7 wins depends on our QB play. We have a favorable schedule in the sense we get SIU and UNI in Youngstown this year and with a new regime in town, maybe we'll finally beat UNI for the first time since Tressel in 2000!

NDSU is tied with western Illinois and the sycamores right now at zero votes.

dbackjon wrote:One Word: Sycamores!!

I do think they will keep improving, and won't be the total doormat that they have been.
But no, I don't see them in contention for top 3.

clenz wrote:At QB we are fine, there was a large portion of our fan base calling for our back up to play last year. Our back up QB will be a RJR this year. As a RFR he came into the BYU game, first game of the year, when PG was knocked out a couple times and went 5 for 6. Later in the year after PG went down after one of the cheapest hits I've saw on a QB during the NDSU game Zach Davis came in and went 3-0, all of which were on the road. He was 43 of 70 for 500 yards 3TD and a 1INT that year. Last year he was 18-37 for about 230 yards. The numbers weren't there, but those weren't bad passes on his part all the time. I remember seeing a lot of drops. In high schools he threw for 3,833 career passing yards and 40 career touchdowns, and was a 2 time first team all state in class 3A (the second largest class in the state). He was also the 2007 Iowa Shrine Bowl (the senior all star game in Iowa) MVP. He came out the same year as Iowa's James Vandenberg, who is considered the best QB in Iowa HS history. Davis is thought to be top 5-10 in high school history in Iowa. He also ran for about 650 yards and 6 TD's his senior year of high school

Vandenberg graduated HS in 2008 and will be a RS Sophomore in 2010.

SIU
SDSU
Ill State

I do think that SDSU is going to have to come out like a ball of fire to be able to be in the top three in the league, with a ridiculously tough first stretch for the schedule. We have to win at least three of the first six games, which might not be too terrible normally, but take a gander at the first six games (as of now, unless we manage to pick up a slack game there, hope we do)....

@Delaware
Ill St
@Nebraska
@UNI
Western Ill (the break)
@SIU

Not fun. NEED to win all the home games, and pull one off at UNI or SIU. I would think that a 3-3 record with a good showing at Nebraska would be worth a top 20 ranking at least. But don't be shocked if we go 4-2 out of that.

See http://www.sdsufans.com for the fullest, most in depth, and well thought out prediction on the upcoming SDSU season, by yours truely

Thumper 76 wrote:I do think that SDSU is going to have to come out like a ball of fire to be able to be in the top three in the league, with a ridiculously tough first stretch for the schedule. We have to win at least three of the first six games, which might not be too terrible normally, but take a gander at the first six games (as of now, unless we manage to pick up a slack game there, hope we do)....

@Delaware
Ill St
@Nebraska
@UNI
Western Ill (the break)
@SIU

Not fun. NEED to win all the home games, and pull one off at UNI or SIU. I would think that a 3-3 record with a good showing at Nebraska would be worth a top 20 ranking at least. But don't be shocked if we go 4-2 out of that.

See http://www.sdsufans.com for the fullest, most in depth, and well thought out prediction on the upcoming SDSU season, by yours truely

Jesus, that's a tough schedule if they were all home games. IMO, the first two games will decide the season and they won't be easy, IlSt looked like a team on the rise last year and UD will be playing for conference pride in front of a packed house. If you go 3-3 I would agree that your sitting in a pretty good spot. Assuming SIU and UNI are up to snuff, (and I have great faith in Lennon but we're unlikely to have a defense like last year's), the Jacks would still deserve to be in playoff contention at 7-4. Certainly your bye week won't be able to arrive too quickly.

houndawg wrote:

Thumper 76 wrote:I do think that SDSU is going to have to come out like a ball of fire to be able to be in the top three in the league, with a ridiculously tough first stretch for the schedule. We have to win at least three of the first six games, which might not be too terrible normally, but take a gander at the first six games (as of now, unless we manage to pick up a slack game there, hope we do)....

@Delaware
Ill St
@Nebraska
@UNI
Western Ill (the break)
@SIU

Not fun. NEED to win all the home games, and pull one off at UNI or SIU. I would think that a 3-3 record with a good showing at Nebraska would be worth a top 20 ranking at least. But don't be shocked if we go 4-2 out of that.

See http://www.sdsufans.com for the fullest, most in depth, and well thought out prediction on the upcoming SDSU season, by yours truely

Jesus, that's a tough schedule if they were all home games. IMO, the first two games will decide the season and they won't be easy, IlSt looked like a team on the rise last year and UD will be playing for conference pride in front of a packed house. If you go 3-3 I would agree that your sitting in a pretty good spot. Assuming SIU and UNI are up to snuff, (and I have great faith in Lennon but we're unlikely to have a defense like last year's), the Jacks would still deserve to be in playoff contention at 7-4. Certainly your bye week won't be able to arrive too quickly.

We don't have one

houndawg wrote:

Thumper 76 wrote:I do think that SDSU is going to have to come out like a ball of fire to be able to be in the top three in the league, with a ridiculously tough first stretch for the schedule. We have to win at least three of the first six games, which might not be too terrible normally, but take a gander at the first six games (as of now, unless we manage to pick up a slack game there, hope we do)....

@Delaware
Ill St
@Nebraska
@UNI
Western Ill (the break)
@SIU

Not fun. NEED to win all the home games, and pull one off at UNI or SIU. I would think that a 3-3 record with a good showing at Nebraska would be worth a top 20 ranking at least. But don't be shocked if we go 4-2 out of that.

See http://www.sdsufans.com for the fullest, most in depth, and well thought out prediction on the upcoming SDSU season, by yours truely

Jesus, that's a tough schedule if they were all home games. IMO, the first two games will decide the season and they won't be easy, IlSt looked like a team on the rise last year and UD will be playing for conference pride in front of a packed house. If you go 3-3 I would agree that your sitting in a pretty good spot. Assuming SIU and UNI are up to snuff, (and I have great faith in Lennon but we're unlikely to have a defense like last year's), the Jacks would still deserve to be in playoff contention at 7-4. Certainly your bye week won't be able to arrive too quickly.

I like how one poster put it. Now thats a man's schedule

Not a schedule i would want UNI to play.


How old is your coach, or AD. Whoever put that schedule together went Mike Gundy on your ass

I'M A MAN, WE WILL PLAY A MAN'S SCHEDULE!

clenz wrote:Not a schedule i would want UNI to play.


How old is your coach, or AD. Whoever put that schedule together went Mike Gundy on your ass

I'M A MAN, WE WILL PLAY A MAN'S SCHEDULE!

Yea I reaaaaaaly am not too psyched about this one, but its done now. Actually our AD is from UNI. Apparently he is a spy sent in by the infidel panthers to destroy the rising Jackrabbits

Thumper 76 wrote:

clenz wrote:Not a schedule i would want UNI to play.


How old is your coach, or AD. Whoever put that schedule together went Mike Gundy on your ass

I'M A MAN, WE WILL PLAY A MAN'S SCHEDULE!

Yea I reaaaaaaly am not too psyched about this one, but its done now. Actually our AD is from UNI. Apparently he is a spy sent in by the infidel panthers to destroy the rising Jackrabbits

You got a good one from us. A lot of people in the athletic department were sad to see him go...so what did they do about it? They followed suit. You are getting two more VERY important people from us, Leon and Heather Costello. I think Leon is going to be second in charge/Associate AD and I don't remember what Heather is going to do. Heather was in charge of the UNIDome and pretty much every event in the "events complex"..so the dome, McLeod Center, WRC, track, etc...


Our athletic director is doing a great job in getting donations, but he isn't too well liked within the department I don't think.

Thumper 76 wrote:

houndawg wrote:
Jesus, that's a tough schedule if they were all home games. IMO, the first two games will decide the season and they won't be easy, IlSt looked like a team on the rise last year and UD will be playing for conference pride in front of a packed house. If you go 3-3 I would agree that your sitting in a pretty good spot. Assuming SIU and UNI are up to snuff, (and I have great faith in Lennon but we're unlikely to have a defense like last year's), the Jacks would still deserve to be in playoff contention at 7-4. Certainly your bye week won't be able to arrive too quickly.

I like how one poster put it. Now thats a man's schedule

Yeah it is.

I think that the worst you could do and still be in it at the end, assuming you win out from week 7, would be 2-4 and not blown out in any game but Nebraska. Losing a one score game on the road at UNI or SIU isn't a deal breaker, imo.

I like that we get you at home when your bound to be beaten up pretty good, but I don't like the possibility of getting a desperate team in the do-or-die mode, especially when we might have a let down after man handling UNI again.

clenz wrote:

Thumper 76 wrote:


Yea I reaaaaaaly am not too psyched about this one, but its done now. Actually our AD is from UNI. Apparently he is a spy sent in by the infidel panthers to destroy the rising Jackrabbits

You got a good one from us. A lot of people in the athletic department were sad to see him go...so what did they do about it? They followed suit. You are getting two more VERY important people from us, Leon and Heather Costello. I think Leon is going to be second in charge/Associate AD and I don't remember what Heather is going to do. Heather was in charge of the UNIDome and pretty much every event in the "events complex"..so the dome, McLeod Center, WRC, track, etc...


Our athletic director is doing a great job in getting donations, but he isn't too well liked within the department I don't think.

I'm just not psyched bout the schedule, I am extremely happy with the direction the new AD has us going, and what he has done aleady. We definately got a steal from you guys there

houndawg wrote:

Thumper 76 wrote:
I like how one poster put it. Now thats a man's schedule

Yeah it is.

I think that the worst you could do and still be in it at the end, assuming you win out from week 7, would be 2-4 and not blown out in any game but Nebraska. Losing a one score game on the road at UNI or SIU isn't a deal breaker, imo.

I like that we get you at home when your bound to be beaten up pretty good, but I don't like the possibility of getting a desperate team in the do-or-die mode, especially when we might have a let down after man handling UNI again.

I was saying something similar to that on sdsufans. I'm hoping that we can avoid the injury bug through this stretch. If we can, then I would definately say that we will be the most battle hardend team in the MVFC, whether it leads to W's or not we will see, but if we make the playoffs we should do some damage after making it through this schedule Hopefully along with the rest of the MVFC teams that make it

It's starting to look like NDSUs running game will once again be among the best. Thats the old BISON tradition. We are hoping for improvements on the defense and passing games. That means a lot better play out of our linebackers with no decrease in D backs and D line.

We also need stabilization in the passing game. Better wide out play and better execution. Mertens was a good QB. The record book shows it, but unlike Steve Walker, if the receiver dropped the big pass or a penalty called it back he often didn't have the second one.