Some stuff from collegefootballnews.com

[BelieveNBG]

We are already respected as a top MAC team. It's time to grow a step beyond that. Yes, I agree. Win the MAC. That's just one little step. I also believe we need to win at least one of those road games. Our team needs to know for themselves that they can compete and WIN tough games on the road. If our team starts the season 0-2, I don't know how confident we will be when the tough MAC games come. This team will be better than the team that beat Purdue and they want to show it on the field, not just on paper.

I believe this program has taken many quick strides and it's time to put on the show.

[1987alum]

Believe:

Yes, respected as a top team. But we need to be seen as The Top Team. That means winning the MAC title ... consistently.

[Class of 61]

This post will probably NOT be popular to most of you, but, when we talk about ALL the talent we have returning so we should "run the table" in 05 etc., I just look at what we lost via graduation... Quality WR's (though that position should still be strong, tho less experienced), 2 starting LB's, 2 starting safeties, 3 DL, including Crossley, 3 starting OL (though, again, the "blocks of granite" should be able to step in)... granted, we have a host of skilled position players back, but there's a LOT or rebuilding and filling cracks to be done...

So..... We go to Wisconsin and Boise, two VERY tough places to play in, both from a competitive as well as crowd basis, possibly play TU (sorry, but that's what we called them in the "old" days) AND NIU.... and you guys are super confident that we'll 'run the table'... I'm a realist...until I see what we do with the returning kids as well as how we do with recruits, many of whom will probably be redshirted anyway, I'm just not that confident...

Concluding, I'd be thrilled to death with winning the West (or East), playing in the MACC game/with a win this time, and going to another Bowl. Final record predicitions? Last year, I said 8-3 reg. season and possibly even 7-4 if we were to get upset..Of course, I didn't know Omar was going to turn out the way he has, but I would'n't be surprised to see another record similar to last year.

[hammb]

but I would'n't be surprised to see another record similar to last year.

I wouldn't be surprised either, but I would be disappointed. I still firmly believe that we were the most talented team in the MAC this past season. We choked twice. Once we didn't show up at all, the other we didn't show up in the 2nd half. Sure they road games against quality teams, but we still should've beaten those teams if we played to our potential.

I still don't think we'll run the table and win the MAC, but it is what I expect. I think we will again be the most talented team in the MAC, and I'm ready for ust to start playing like it against the best teams on our schedule as well as the patsies.

[Flipper]

I'll be happy if we go 2-1 OOC. Don't know what to think about the rest of the schedule becaus ew e don't even know which division we'll be in.

I think we have the most talent in terms of both quality and depth, but we'll see. I think we'll be playing in the MACC and a bowl game. Given those parameters, our final record isn't as important.

[1987alum]

I think we'll be playing in the MACC and a bowl game. Given those parameters, our final record isn't as important.

Couldn't agree more.

[Schadenfreude]

I think winning out is a reasonable, aspirational goal this season. Things are set up very nicely for us this season, it seems.

But the only way I'll be really disappointed is if we aren't in a bowl game.

[1987alum]

I think winning out is a reasonable, aspirational goal this season. Things are set up very nicely for us this season, it seems.

But the only way I'll be really disappointed is if we aren't in a bowl game.

Agreed, but I believe there's a lot of space between aspirational and expected.

[Falconfreak90]

I will not be happy unless we win the MAC title next season. That's it. That's my expectation, and you can bet I'll be bitching if it doesn't happen.

As for Boise & Whiskey, I'd like at least a split, but these are two very tough road games. Whiskey may not be the best team on our schedule next season, but it sure as heck is going to be the toughest place we have to play. Giving our wonderful road record, I'm skeptical about our chances.

Boise is more talented than Whiskey, and will also pose a very big challenge. I think we should be good enough to win either one, or both, of these games. But I certainly don't expect us to win either. I hope for a split, a sweep would be icing, and a shutout wouldn't be shocking.

Either way, I'm with '87. Sweep the darn MAC. You gain more respect by winning your conference perennially than you do taking down one powerhouse only to get whooped in your conference play. Look at Marshall, they have a lot of national respect, but only a couple of really good wins out of conference. They gained their respect by having an undefeated year and consistently destroying the MAC.

Right on hammb....I WANT THE MAC TITLE....beating Wisky and/or Boise would be great but WIN THE MAC!!!!

We are capable of running the table...but win the games that matter most....the MAC games.

213 days til kickoff!!

[Schadenfreude]

I think winning out is a reasonable, aspirational goal this season. Things are set up very nicely for us this season, it seems.

But the only way I'll be really disappointed is if we aren't in a bowl game.

Agreed, but I believe there's a lot of space between aspirational and expected.

Agreed.

Look, if we are a bowl-bound, division runner up, I'll have doubts about where we headed, long term.

But bowls are fun. They take away a lot of the pain.

[BelieveNBG]

For all of you that say how happy you will be to win the MAC and you could care less about winning at Boise or Wisconsin, I just bet you'll be the first ones griping/whining about what went wrong if we lose. Don't kid yourselves, we have become accustomed to winning and we all expect to win. It's the right attitude. Bottom line...if you don't expect to win and don't believe you can win...you won't win. If we expect it and believe, that attitude will carry through and good things will happen.

[1987alum]

For all of you that say how happy you will be to win the MAC and you could care less about winning at Boise or Wisconsin, I just bet you'll be the first ones griping/whining about what went wrong if we lose.

BelieveNBG:

In Grant's stead, let me suggest that you want to say "could NOT care less about winning at Boise or Wisconsin."

For the record, I don't believe I said I didn't care if they won. I believe the message was, if BG doesn't win either game but still wins the MAC, I wouldn't be disappointed. I do care if they win. I care about every game they play. It's a matter of priorities.

If the choice is - A) Beat Boise & Wisconsin, but not play in the MACC game or B) lose to Boise & Wisconsin but win the MACC game, I'll choose B. That does not infer, in any way, that I don't care if they win those games.

As for reacting if the Falcons lose, I suppose it depends on what happens. If I see a well-prepared team that plays hard and just happens to run into a superior team (see Oklahoma, 2004), what's to complain about? If I see a team come out flat and get outcoached and outplayed (see NIU, 2004), you're damn right I'll complain. Who wouldn't?

Bottom line...if you don't expect to win and don't believe you can win...you won't win. If we expect it and believe, that attitude will carry through and good things will happen.

As a player and coach, I would absolutely agree. You must have that attitude. Although, as a coach, I would also have to be able to handle my team's psyche should they lose either or both of those OOC games. As a fan, I have the luxury of being much more pragmatic.