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Thought Id take the advice of one of the posters in another thread and post a thread for breaking down the Big South. I'll post mine here later as Im producing a radio broadcast but I thought Id open it up for anybody else who wants to take a crack at it to post their breakdown and record predictions

These are pretty much my opinion and my opinion only:

Charleston Southern 4-7 (2-4)

09/04 North Greenville W

09/11 Wofford L

09/18 Mars Hill W

09/25 @ Hawaii L

10/09 @ Liberty L

10/16 Gardner-Webb L

10/23 VMI W

10/30 @ Stony Brook L

11/06 @ Kentucky L

11/13 Presbyterian W

11/20 @ Coastal Carolina L


Coastal Carolina 6-5 (4-2)

09/04 @ West Virginia L

09/11 @ Towson W

09/18 Georgia Southern L

09/25 Delaware State W

10/02 @ Richmond L

10/16 @ Presbyterian W

10/23 Stony Brook L

10/30 @ Gardner-Webb W

11/06 @ VMI W

11/13 Liberty L

11/20 Charleston Southern W

Gardner-Webb 6-5 (3-3)

09/04 Brevard W

09/11 @ Akron L

09/18 Western Carolina W

09/25 @ Sam Houston State L

10/02 @ Old Dominion W

10/16 @ Charleston Southern W

10/23 Presbyterian W

10/30 Coastal Carolina L

11/06 @ Liberty L

11/13 @ Stony Brook L

11/20 VMI W

Liberty 10-1 (6-0)

09/04 St Francis (PA) W

09/11 @ Ball State L

09/18 @ Robert MOrris W

09/25 @ JMU W

10/02 Savannah State W

10/09 Charleston Southern W

10/16 @ VMI W

10/30 @ Presbyterian W

11/06 Gardner-Webb W

11/13 @ Coastal Carolina W

11/20 Stony Brook W

Presbyterian 3-8 (1-5)

09/04 @ Wake Forest L

09/11 @ Clemson L

09/18 @ The Citadel L

09/25 North Greenville W

10/02 @ VMI W

10/16 Coastal Carolina L

10/23 @ Gardner-Webb L

10/30 Liberty L

11/06 Stony Brook L

11/13 @ Charleston Southern L

11/20 Davidson W



Stony Brook 7-4 (5-1)

09/04 @ South Florida L

09/11 American International W

09/18 @ Brown W

09/25 Massachusetts L

10/09 VMI W

10/16 @ Lafayette L

10/23 @ Coastal Carolina W

10/30 Charleston Southern W

11/06 @ Presbyterian W

11/13 Gardner-Webb W

11/20 @ Liberty L


VMI 2-9 (0-6)

09/04 Lock Haven W

09/11 @ William and Mary L

09/25 @ Virginia L

10/02 Presbyterian L

10/09 @ Stony Brook L

10/16 Liberty L

10/23 @ Charleston Southern L

10/30 @ Army L

11/06 Coastal Carolina L

11/13 @ Old Dominion W

11/20 @ Gardner-Webb L

I wonder if Liberty would have to play in the first round if they go 11-0

With the possible exception of the Pioneer League, I would wager on any team in contention for an FCS conference championship to win vs ANY MAC school. I say Liberty goes undie this year.

Don't drink the FBS-will-automatically-win Kool-Aid. Ball State isn't all that good. Oh, they MIGHT make a minor bowl, but they're nothing to get excited about. Liberty wins that game.

bjtheflamesfan wrote:These are pretty much my opinion and my opinion only:

VMI 2-9 (0-6)
09/04 Lock Haven W
09/11 @ William and Mary L
09/25 @ Virginia L
10/02 Presbyterian L
10/09 @ Stony Brook L
10/16 Liberty L
10/23 @ Charleston Southern L
10/30 @ Army L
11/06 Coastal Carolina L
11/13 @ Old Dominion W
11/20 @ Gardner-Webb L

I respect your opinion, but please check it out as someone has pee-peed in your coffee.

Stony Brook 7-4 (5-1)

09/04 @ South Florida L
09/11 American International W
09/18 @ Brown W
09/25 Massachusetts L
10/09 VMI W
10/16 @ Lafayette W
10/23 @ Coastal Carolina W
10/30 Charleston Southern W
11/06 @ Presbyterian W
11/13 Gardner-Webb W
11/20 @ Liberty Judgement reserved for mid season

I see SBU winning every game this season but U Mass and South Florida. U Mass might be our statement game, however. A win there bolts us into mid-poll and definitely says something about the competition Liberty's due to face.

1) I dont drink coffee (I find it tastes funny as is)

2) VMI can put up a lot of points...their offense lends itself to that...the problem is that VMI cant seem to stop the OTHER team from scoring points on a consistent basis. Other than Robert Morris (who didnt do terribly well last year), VMI allowed at least 30 points four times and at least 40 points three of those times (including 54 to Liberty). Then add to that an apparent propensity to cough up the football (all but three games with at least three fumbles) and that doesnt lend itself to a ton of success. I am not totally sold on VMI at this point until they can fix those two things

yours is a fair point Redwyn. UMass certainly is going to be a real big game for you guys. get a win there in Easton like LU did last year and you could be looking at a clash of one loss teams if both SBU and LU go through undefeated going into the meeting in Lynchburg to close the year

bjtheflamesfan wrote:1) I dont drink coffee (I find it tastes funny as is)

2) VMI can put up a lot of points...their offense lends itself to that...the problem is that VMI cant seem to stop the OTHER team from scoring points on a consistent basis. Other than Robert Morris (who didnt do terribly well last year), VMI allowed at least 30 points four times and at least 40 points three of those times (including 54 to Liberty). Then add to that an apparent propensity to cough up the football (all but three games with at least three fumbles) and that doesnt lend itself to a ton of success. I am not totally sold on VMI at this point until they can fix those two things

They will be fixed . Coach Woods has put the triple option offense out to pasture, and VMI will run his version of various pro-sets. 3 wides, TE, HB. Shotgun, 3 wides, TE, HB. Pro-I, offset Pro-I, 4 wides, HB. I Backs, two TE, one WR., and so on. He's made some personnel moves to get players in better positions to make plays. He had 78 for Spring Ball, by far a VMI "record".

VMI won't be 2-9.

Let the Games Begin !!!

kdinva wrote:

bjtheflamesfan wrote:1) I dont drink coffee (I find it tastes funny as is)

2) VMI can put up a lot of points...their offense lends itself to that...the problem is that VMI cant seem to stop the OTHER team from scoring points on a consistent basis. Other than Robert Morris (who didnt do terribly well last year), VMI allowed at least 30 points four times and at least 40 points three of those times (including 54 to Liberty). Then add to that an apparent propensity to cough up the football (all but three games with at least three fumbles) and that doesnt lend itself to a ton of success. I am not totally sold on VMI at this point until they can fix those two things

They will be fixed . Coach Woods has put the triple option offense out to pasture, and VMI will run his version of various pro-sets. 3 wides, TE, HB. Shotgun, 3 wides, TE, HB. Pro-I, offset Pro-I, 4 wides, HB. I Backs, two TE, one WR., and so on. He's made some personnel moves to get players in better positions to make plays. He had 78 for Spring Ball, by far a VMI "record".

VMI won't be 2-9.

Sad to see that they scrapped the TO...as I said...they put up a TON of points with that offense when it was rolling. Going to a whole new offense in the spring does require some adjusting (which is true whether its VMI or Liberty or FLorida or wherever). I still think VMI will be in that bottom group in conference as it looks like the BSC could be a three team race this fall between LU, CCU and SBU. VMI also isnt helped by the fact that they have two FBS games on their schedule (including another go round with Mike London)

Coastal Carolina

09/04 @ West Virginia L

09/11 @ Towson W

09/18 Georgia Southern L

09/25 Delaware State W

10/02 @ Richmond L

10/16 @ Presbyterian W

10/23 Stony Brook L

10/30 @ Gardner-Webb W

11/06 @ VMI W

11/13 Liberty L

11/20 Charleston Southern W

I agree with your post but I feel there is a chance this year of us beating Georgia Southern. Also, I think CSU will be tough.

Silenoz wrote:I wonder if Liberty would have to play in the first round if they go 11-0

I don't think so but I don't see them beating Ball State. I hope they do though (beat ball state).

Also as much as i'd like CCU to win the Big South this year, I think its gonna come down to Liberty and Stony Brook. Whichever it is (i'd prefer Liberty since they are a full Big South school) i'd like to see them bring a National Championship to the Big South.

Liberty going 11-0 is POSSIBLE but it's not likely as everyone knows. I think we have a better chance at beating Ball State than JMU.

Liberty 10-1 (6-0)

09/04 St Francis (PA) W

09/11 @ Ball State W

09/18 @ Robert MOrris W

09/25 @ JMU L

10/02 Savannah State W

10/09 Charleston Southern W

10/16 @ VMI W

10/30 @ Presbyterian W

11/06 Gardner-Webb W

11/13 @ Coastal Carolina W

11/20 Stony Brook W

bjtheflamesfan wrote:Sad to see that they scrapped the TO...as I said...they put up a TON of points with that offense when it was rolling. Going to a whole new offense in the spring does require some adjusting (which is true whether its VMI or Liberty or FLorida or wherever). I still think VMI will be in that bottom group in conference as it looks like the BSC could be a three team race this fall between LU, CCU and SBU. VMI also isnt helped by the fact that they have two FBS games on their schedule (including another go round with Mike London)

Have to agree with flamesfan on this one. I think moving away from the TO was a huge mistake in VMI's opinion. They racked up aton of yards and points running it and thanks to this offense it made them that more competitive. Since VMI is unable to recruit the same types of athletes other programs can they are going to be even more hard pressed to run this pro set offense successfully. They should have never moved away from the TO and i thank that 2-9 record is a distinct possibility because of that

SUUTbird wrote:

bjtheflamesfan wrote:Sad to see that they scrapped the TO...as I said...they put up a TON of points with that offense when it was rolling. Going to a whole new offense in the spring does require some adjusting (which is true whether its VMI or Liberty or FLorida or wherever). I still think VMI will be in that bottom group in conference as it looks like the BSC could be a three team race this fall between LU, CCU and SBU. VMI also isnt helped by the fact that they have two FBS games on their schedule (including another go round with Mike London)

Have to agree with flamesfan on this one. I think moving away from the TO was a huge mistake in VMI's opinion. They racked up aton of yards and points running it and thanks to this offense it made them that more competitive. Since VMI is unable to recruit the same types of athletes other programs can they are going to be even more hard pressed to run this pro set offense successfully. They should have never moved away from the TO and i thank that 2-9 record is a distinct possibility because of that

Sparky Woods is not a "triple O" coach. He has his third recruiting class coming in, and he has been recruiting to what he will run in 2010. I saw the scrimmage on 4/24 (after only 10 practices), and they looked decent to good, with the new playbook. A few big plays, no fumbles, only one Int. VMI has a new O-Line Coach: Matt Campbell, who played for Sparky at S. Carolina, and has 6 years exp. in the NFL (Wash., Carolina), and he's the guy to teach the linemen what they need to know & do with this new playbook. They'll be fine with the new "O".

We shall see Mr kdinva. Its one thing to look good in a scrimmage against guys on your own team and its completely another once you line up against another team entirely come September.

Generous with us listed at 6-5 bj.....I still say it will be one of Patton's best coaching jobs if he gets us above .500 this fall.

The key to me are those two road games at ODU and CSU. I think CSU will be a bit better than you project. ODU will continue to build on last year, that game in Norfolk, probably at night too, won't be a picnic.

VMI will be much better IMO. PC will take a step back this fall with their regime change and getting the pee knocked out of them the first two games at Wake and Clemson...PC will go 0-fer in the conference before VMI will. Coastal getting both LU and SBU at home gives them a favorable slate if they want to get in the picture.

Come on 94....be confident!!! I think, with the new OL and DL coaches, things are turning around at GW. It's the start of a new era!!! The class we just signed are full of kids used to winning and we have some real talent coming back!!! Have faith dude!!!

Youve got two teams making a change in offensive scheme this year: Presbyterian going to the triple option and VMI going FROM the triple option to a more pro-style offense. VMI has (at least as far as I can remember) been a triple option team and as I said a few posts above, they could put up a BUNCH of points with it when they got that bus rolling. As I said in response to kd above...its one thing to look good in a scrimmage against your own players, its a whole different thing entirely when you gotta line em up on first and 10 once we hit September. VMI has yet to really show me in the last 8 years that they can move up into that top half of the conference. Presbyterian has shown some flashes since moving up from DII, but they like VMI, havent shown that they are ready to make a big move within the conference either. Itll be interesting to see if they have the same kind of offensive success that VMI had running the option and if it allows them to hang around in a few more games. Charleston Southern has definitely made some strides in the last few years under Coach Mills. They definitely could steal a game in conference and finish in that four spot behind Coastal, LU and Stony Brook. Gardner-Webb has shown that they can get off to a rousing start but they dont "finish strong" as our late chancellor often exhorted to the students. Look at the last four seasons for the Runnin Bulldogs

2006- 6-2 after a 35-31 win over VMI...lost last three games
2007- 5-4 after a 66-0 win over Savannah State...lost last two
2008- 5-4 after a 34-33 win over Stony Brook...lost last two
2009- 5-2 after a 65-0 win over Southern VA...lost three of their last four games

that closing stretch isnt very kind to what will be a young team in 2010...a home game and two road games against the three teams that likely will be at the top of the preseason rankings in the conference...but if Coach Patton can channel a great Patton in history and get these boys winning they certainly could be that fourth team next year.

bjtheflamesfan wrote:.....and VMI going FROM the triple option to a more pro-style offense. VMI has (at least as far as I can remember) been a triple option team and as I said a few posts above, they could put up a BUNCH of points with it when they got that bus rolling......

VMI was an option team for four whole seasons (2 W/Reid, 2 w/Woods). VMI' returning off. backs are better suited for north-south running, not running laterally looking for the pitch, then heading north.

Coach Woods joined VMI on Jan. 22nd (or that week), 2008. Coach Reid and staff left him triple-option personnel (Maypray, Abegesah, Collins, et al), and Sparky was smart enough to see that he would be foolish to change the playbook then. Over 1/2 of the 2008 signing class was committed (and stayed so). Sparky let Brent Davis run the whole offense for two years (with the veteran backfield VMI just graduated), while he looked ahead. VMI is NOT making a mistake.

I never said it was a mistake (that was another poster actually)...I simply said it saddened me that they were changing to a different offense. Its good that Coach Woods is now able to put in something more in tune with his own offensive philosophy. Having not seen it in action I wont say whether I like it or not, but I went largely on previous history and looking at the schedule ahead for the coming year. As I said, Im not totally sold on the Keydets as a top tier team (try saying that ten times fast) in the Big South. I still think itll be LU, SBU and CCU in the top group and then VMI, PC, G-W and CSU (the second four not necessarily in that order) in the second group. They could take down PC and maybe G-W but looking at what everybody will have coming back I dont see them stealing three or four games in conference.

a follow up to my previous post...

I did some research (thanks to the VMI website) and in the four years prior to the four seasons of TO football (as you referenced kd) VMI won 6, 6, 0 and 2 games. In the four seasns thereafter (when VMI was running the TO), they won 1, 2, 4, and 2 games. Thats 23 wins in 8 years (half of them coming in 02 and 03). I would like to see the Roos do well running a more pro-style offense but as of now Im not ready to buy into them.

BigDawgPop wrote:Come on 94....be confident!!! I think, with the new OL and DL coaches, things are turning around at GW. It's the start of a new era!!! The class we just signed are full of kids used to winning and we have some real talent coming back!!! Have faith dude!!!

Confidence is one thing....trying to excise our "late season swoon" demons is totally different. I would actually be happy with 6-5 this year. I know alot of boosters wouldn't be based on the past few years, but getting above .500 while breaking in a new QB with a competitive schedule would be progress to me anyway.

-- edited 'cuz I felt like it --