Bearkats Southland Preseason Favorite

[blackfordpu]

Gotta start getting some Kat talk going on here. Some of you need to not be so quick to discount the Bearkats this season.

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[AZGrizFan]

Who is discounting the bearkats? They're ranked #3 in the poll, have been to back-to-back NC games, and have a boatload of starters returning....many think they (and NDSU) are the teams to beat this year.

[htownbearkat]

There is only one team to beat this year and that is NDSU.

Bearkats will be very good this year though. 11-1 or 10-2 is very likely with a top 4 seed.

Tim Flanders winning the Payton would be pretty sweet as well.

[JohnStOnge]

Who is discounting the bearkats? They're ranked #3 in the poll, have been to back-to-back NC games, and have a boatload of starters returning....many think they (and NDSU) are the teams to beat this year.

Actually, at least according to the Southland Media Day show I watched, Sam Houston State only has 11 starters returning. They have some high profile people returning. But they did lose a lot of starters.

[slulionsfan]

Who is discounting the bearkats? They're ranked #3 in the poll, have been to back-to-back NC games, and have a boatload of starters returning....many think they (and NDSU) are the teams to beat this year.

Actually, at least according to the Southland Media Day show I watched, Sam Houston State only has 11 starters returning. They have some high profile people returning. But they did lose a lot of starters.

The truth of the matter is Sam has to replace four starters on the offensive line, which is never easy to do, and also have to replace veterans in the secondary and LB. Maybe they won't miss a beat but odds are they settle back towards the pack a little bit. IMO, this may be the strongest the SLC has been since we became a full football member in 2005.

[slulionsfan]

Who is discounting the bearkats? They're ranked #3 in the poll, have been to back-to-back NC games, and have a boatload of starters returning....many think they (and NDSU) are the teams to beat this year.

Actually, at least according to the Southland Media Day show I watched, Sam Houston State only has 11 starters returning. They have some high profile people returning. But they did lose a lot of starters.

The truth of the matter is Sam has to replace four starters on the offensive line, which is never easy to do, and also have to replace veterans in the secondary and LB. Maybe they won't miss a beat but odds are they settle back towards the pack a little bit. IMO, this may be the strongest the SLC has been since we became a full football member in 2005.

[AZGrizFan]

Doesn't matter. I am now adopting Incarnate Word as my new FCS team.

[Bison Fan in NW MN]

SHSU will be a very good team this year.

SHSU/EWU would be a good game to see this year. Great FCS match-up.

[htownbearkat]

Doesn't matter. I am now adopting Incarnate Word as my new FCS team.

over Houston Baptist?

[htownbearkat]

Actually, at least according to the Southland Media Day show I watched, Sam Houston State only has 11 starters returning. They have some high profile people returning. But they did lose a lot of starters.

The truth of the matter is Sam has to replace four starters on the offensive line, which is never easy to do, and also have to replace veterans in the secondary and LB. Maybe they won't miss a beat but odds are they settle back towards the pack a little bit. IMO, this may be the strongest the SLC has been since we became a full football member in 2005.

Sam Houston's def will be better than last year.
LB- Tanner Brock from TCU check the video. 2010 106 tackles and 3rd team FBS all American. He will will replace Taylor just fine
Johntel Franklin from Texas A&M DB that can play anywhere. came to Sam for grad school with a year of eligibility left.
we also have First team all american Bookie Sneed at CB.

I could go on but everyone will be able to see for themselves in a few weeks.

I was on the field today. Hotter than hell, those boys from EWU are going be in for some september Heat and Humidity that will be in their heads from the moment they walk off the bus.

The bearkats proved that they can play in the cold, lets see what the BSC can do in Huntsville in the Heat. We are still cleaning the chunks from the field the Grizz left a few years back.

[AZGrizFan]

Doesn't matter. I am now adopting Incarnate Word as my new FCS team.

over Houston Baptist?

Well, I live in San Antonio now, so....YES. Over Houston Baptist.

[htownbearkat]

over Houston Baptist?

Well, I live in San Antonio now, so....YES. Over Houston Baptist.

they have big bucks behind them. Tom Benson has a little money to throw around. thats a good horse to ride.

[slulionsfan]

The truth of the matter is Sam has to replace four starters on the offensive line, which is never easy to do, and also have to replace veterans in the secondary and LB. Maybe they won't miss a beat but odds are they settle back towards the pack a little bit. IMO, this may be the strongest the SLC has been since we became a full football member in 2005.

Sam Houston's def will be better than last year.
LB- Tanner Brock from TCU check the video. 2010 106 tackles and 3rd team FBS all American. He will will replace Taylor just fine
Johntel Franklin from Texas A&M DB that can play anywhere. came to Sam for grad school with a year of eligibility left.
we also have First team all american Bookie Sneed at CB.

I could go on but everyone will be able to see for themselves in a few weeks.

I was on the field today. Hotter than hell, those boys from EWU are going be in for some september Heat and Humidity that will be in their heads from the moment they walk off the bus.

The bearkats proved that they can play in the cold, lets see what the BSC can do in Huntsville in the Heat. We are still cleaning the chunks from the field the Grizz left a few years back.

Brock hasn't played in three years due to a knee injury and a drug bust ... Franklin never contributed any more than special teams at A&M. They may both turn out to be world beaters but you won't really know until you're a few games into the season.

[htownbearkat]

Sam Houston's def will be better than last year.
LB- Tanner Brock from TCU check the video. 2010 106 tackles and 3rd team FBS all American. He will will replace Taylor just fine
Johntel Franklin from Texas A&M DB that can play anywhere. came to Sam for grad school with a year of eligibility left.
we also have First team all american Bookie Sneed at CB.

I could go on but everyone will be able to see for themselves in a few weeks.

I was on the field today. Hotter than hell, those boys from EWU are going be in for some september Heat and Humidity that will be in their heads from the moment they walk off the bus.

The bearkats proved that they can play in the cold, lets see what the BSC can do in Huntsville in the Heat. We are still cleaning the chunks from the field the Grizz left a few years back.

Brock hasn't played in three years due to a knee injury and a drug bust ... Franklin never contributed any more than special teams at A&M. They may both turn out to be world beaters but you won't really know until you're a few games into the season.

and Tim Flanders couldnt break into the depth chart at Kstate.

Willie Fritz's is a proven evaluator of talent and he is as high on these two as ive ever seen him.

[slulionsfan]

Brock hasn't played in three years due to a knee injury and a drug bust ... Franklin never contributed any more than special teams at A&M. They may both turn out to be world beaters but you won't really know until you're a few games into the season.

and Tim Flanders couldnt break into the depth chart at Kstate.

Willie Fritz's is a proven evaluator of talent and he is as high on these two as ive ever seen him.

Tim Flanders left after he redshirted as a true freshman, Franklin left after his third and fourth year ... big difference. All coaches are high on BCS transfers when they first come in, but you don't really know what you have until you start playing for real.

[htownbearkat]

and Tim Flanders couldnt break into the depth chart at Kstate.

Willie Fritz's is a proven evaluator of talent and he is as high on these two as ive ever seen him.

Tim Flanders left after he redshirted as a true freshman, Franklin left after his third and fourth year ... big difference. All coaches are high on BCS transfers when they first come in, but you don't really know what you have until you start playing for real.

you win dude we are taking 3 steps back this year, hopefully you guys can keep within 70 pts this year.

[slulionsfan]

Tim Flanders left after he redshirted as a true freshman, Franklin left after his third and fourth year ... big difference. All coaches are high on BCS transfers when they first come in, but you don't really know what you have until you start playing for real.

you win dude we are taking 3 steps back this year, hopefully you guys can keep within 70 pts this year.

Don't know about three but probably two.

[blackfordpu]

you win dude we are taking 3 steps back this year, hopefully you guys can keep within 70 pts this year.

Don't know about three but probably two.

Two back to redirect and run around your defense again.

[AZGrizFan]

Well, I live in San Antonio now, so....YES. Over Houston Baptist.

they have big bucks behind them. Tom Benson has a little money to throw around. thats a good horse to ride.

May have to go buy season tix to teach those religious folks how to tailgate!!

[AZGrizFan]

UIW has a grand total of SIX players NOT from Texas...and one of those is from England.

[JohnStOnge]

The only thing written so far in terms of prediction that approaches being certain is that we're going to find out in a few weeks. Actually the first good read is probably going to be September 28 against Eastern Washington. Sam Houston State thumping Houston Baptist, Texas Southern, and Incarnate Word won't say much nor will Texas A&M thumping Sam Houston State. And that's probably what's going to happen prior to the Eastern Washington game.

Me, as much as it pains me, I'd pick Central Arkansas to win the league. But one never knows. Sam Houston State was picked down in the pack in 2011. Then based on 2012 they were picked to win and they did tie for the league title but did not get the automatic bid. Before the seasons Stephen F. Austin (I think) was picked to win the automatic bid in 2011 and Sam Houston State was picked to win it in 2012. Neither happened.

One doesn't know for sure what's going to happen until it happens.

[JohnStOnge]

Another anecdote I was reminded of by seeing the thread on the SHSU secondary (made me think of defense):

The BearKats lost their defensive coordinator, Scott Stoker. Scott Stoker was defensive coordinator at McNeese in 2000 and 2001. In 2000 McNeese finished 6th in I-AA total defense and in 2001 the Cowboys finished 3rd in total defense. Stoker left after the 2001 season.

Since then McNeese has finished 22nd, 63rd, 84th, 86th, 60th, 68th, 61st, 71st, 44th, 28th, and 42nd in total defense.

The next time Stoker served as a defensive coordinator was at Sam Houston State. And he did well there too.

So Sam Houston State lost 4 offensive line starters, 4 secondary starters, their best all around wide receiver (who was also a good return specialist), an all American caliber linebacker, and a defensive coordinator who had sparkling performances when he served in that position (McNeese State was the first time he did that). Yes, it's possible that they could hum right along without dropping a little. But if you're a betting person and you see that what has historically been a mediocre program lost all that from what were by far the best two teams in its history you're going to bet they drop some.

[htownbearkat]

Another anecdote I was reminded of by seeing the thread on the SHSU secondary (made me think of defense):

The BearKats lost their defensive coordinator, Scott Stoker. Scott Stoker was defensive coordinator at McNeese in 2000 and 2001. In 2000 McNeese finished 6th in I-AA total defense and in 2001 the Cowboys finished 3rd in total defense. Stoker left after the 2001 season.

Since then McNeese has finished 22nd, 63rd, 84th, 86th, 60th, 68th, 61st, 71st, 44th, 28th, and 42nd in total defense.

The next time Stoker served as a defensive coordinator was at Sam Houston State. And he did well there too.

So Sam Houston State lost 4 offensive line starters, 4 secondary starters, their best all around wide receiver (who was also a good return specialist), an all American caliber linebacker, and a defensive coordinator who had sparkling performances when he served in that position (McNeese State was the first time he did that). Yes, it's possible that they could hum right along without dropping a little. But if you're a betting person and you see that what has historically been a mediocre program lost all that from what were by far the best two teams in its history you're going to bet they drop some.

John I would never want to play SLC jeopardy with you, your knowledge of conference history is unquestionable. Your predictions of Bearkat failures over the last 3 years have been epic losers. I know it must be hard to see a changing of the guard when your team was so dominate for so many years. Look no further than Mike Collins your former DC. He saw Sam Houston as an upgrade. Willie Fritz is one of the top 2 or 3 coaches in all of FCS and his recruiting ability is second to done. We are just now getting into the meat of his recruiting classes. Sit back and watch.

[AZGrizFan]

UIW runs the table this year. Mops the floor with the bearscats. Book it.

[htownbearkat]

UIW runs the table this year. Mops the floor with the bearscats. Book it.

Sunday Funday AZ? did you spend the day on the river walk drinking ritas?