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I couldn't care less about the awards but picking TEMPLE to win the MAC East??? Are you kidding me!?

I can believe it. Good defense, good recruiting, lost several games on the last play, and were similar to us last year in being small things in several games from being 8-0 MAC play. Temple is a real player in the MAC now IMO.

Why not?

Can you make a definitively better case for any other MAC East team?

I think Temple has a legitimate shot for the reasons Mark L mentioned. They have steadily improved and have a pretty veteran team this year.

Well, I side with everybody but V-dub. With Starks gone for Buffalo and traditional power Maimi still in the dumper its probably between BG and Temple now. Does it sound really wierd to say that with Buffalo losing favorite status Temple takes over? Grates on my ears.

The Owl defense will be solid, no doubt.

Big questions are ...

1) Can they effectively replace DiMichele's leadership at QB. I believe they have the talent to get the job done.

2) Has their O Line improved enough. It was, by far, their weakest link last year. With decent line play, they would have had a good shot to win it last year.

I'd bet they get it done and are in contention for the East title right up to the final game.

I guess I just feel like they still have too many questions to answer to be the FAVORITE to win the MAC East. I know this whole side of the Division is fairly weak this year but to have them as the favorite is a little bit of a stretch in my opinion.

This is the MAC. Anything goes and picking a favorite or a dark horse is just about as big a crap shoot as you can get!

Phil Steele picked OU to win the east and I still can't gather why. He feels that the team finished on a high note and have just about everybody back. I happen to disagree with both of those factors leading to a turnaround season in OU's case.

They finished on a high note ... by beating Akron who was clearly falling off the radar at the end of the season, and by beating Miami, who won 2 games all year (grumble, grumble). The only good team they played in the last few games of the season was BG, and we beat them 28-3 and made it look routine.

They have basically everybody back, for better or for worse. Talented youth + lots of playing time early = bad season and good next season. Easy formula, clearly happened at BG 06 - 07. However ... I don't think anybody will doubt that BG 06 was much more talented than OU 08. BG 06 was both very young and very talented, where OU 08 was very young and middle-of-the-road talent. I don't see the turnaround happening.

MarkL wrote:Phil Steele picked OU to win the east and I still can't gather why. He feels that the team finished on a high note and have just about everybody back. I happen to disagree with both of those factors leading to a turnaround season in OU's case.

They finished on a high note ... by beating Akron who was clearly falling off the radar at the end of the season, and by beating Miami, who won 2 games all year (grumble, grumble). The only good team they played in the last few games of the season was BG, and we beat them 28-3 and made it look routine.

They have basically everybody back, for better or for worse. Talented youth + lots of playing time early = bad season and good next season. Easy formula, clearly happened at BG 06 - 07. However ... I don't think anybody will doubt that BG 06 was much more talented than OU 08. BG 06 was both very young and very talented, where OU 08 was very young and middle-of-the-road talent. I don't see the turnaround happening.

OU fans report that Boo Radley, their QB, is questionable for the year with an injury. Jim and Scout may have to step up their games if OU is to win the East.

MarkL wrote:Temple is a real player in the MAC now IMO.

This is not only true, but also a testament to how much the MAC has dropped in the landscape of college football. Temple is still Temple, but the rest of the MAC has regressed to the point that they can compete...that makes me sick.

If Clawson is the type of coach I think he can be, he can own this conference.

hammb, you are absolutely right. We could be the Florida of the MAC!

Kirk has a nice butt.

BGorDeath wrote:Kirk has a nice butt.

Always good for a laugh & agreed!

Ineedbotox wrote:

BGorDeath wrote:Kirk has a nice butt.

Always good for a laugh & agreed!

When my mom sees Kirk in tv, she always says "He is not hard to look at!".

She always thought Clay Matthews of the Browns had a nice kiester.