2018 Pre-season: Expectations, Predictions, and articles

[godanesgo99]

Now that we are entering the last few months before the season, I thought we needed a place to share articles and other preseason press/rankings,  etc. Along with everyone's predictions and expectations....

 

What do you expect from your Danes this season?

[Dane96]

Minimum of a .500 season.  If we get OL play and QB play, 7-4.

I'd be ecstatic with anything more, outright overachieving if making the playoffs.  This team is edging closer to relevance.  

[UAalum72]

2-1 OOC with two weak home opponents.

Should get road wins at Rhode Island and Bill & Mary, home vs. Towson

Will be road dogs at Maine and New Hampshire. We did beat UNH last year and only lost to Maine by 2, both at home.

If the offense improves, hope to steal one or two (or three?) at home vs. Richmond,  Delaware or Stony Brook. We'll be dogs, but UR and SB went to overtime last year at their places. Delaware was the only egg laid  (no pun intended) of these teams.

So 5-6 at worst,  could be a lot better. Actually reminds me of 2014 when they went from 1-11 to 7-5

[UAalum72]

Lindy has New Hampshire at #6  http://www.lindyssports.com/college-football/column/north-dakota-state-tops-lindys-fcs-top-25/472641/

Athlon Sports has UNH #3, Delaware #13, Stony Brook #25 https://athlonsports.com/college-football/athlon-sports-preseason-fcs-top-25-2018

We miss top CAA teams James Madison (LIndy #2, Athlon #2), Elon (Athlon #10, Lindy #21), and Villanova (Athlon #!11)

[HOF2013]

NH's AD is on selection committee - VERY political.  We have beat then 2 in a row, right

[reeder]

I don’t want to be too optimistic but this will be the best team that we’ve had and I think the schedule is extremely favorable.  

This team should win 7 games.

1. Depth and experience at running back

2. More experience and depth at QB.  Could end up with two newcomers at the top of the depth chart in Testaverde and Nyc Burns

3. More experience on the offensive line.  Even if Solt isn’t back, Desir will be back and I think Verdi will be good.

4.  Defensive line will be solid - loses Hoskins but there’s enough depth to have a very good two deep.  Looking forward to seeing if Ibn Foster will get more reps.  Also, looking forward to seeing Mazon Walker play

5.  Linebackers might be a question mark.  If Justin Walker is gone, Julian Cox is definitely gone so you’ve lost two of the top three OLB’s. Will also have a new MLB.  Good news is Eli Mencer is back

6. Secondary - everyone’s back except Jamal Robinson

7.  New OC 

 

Edited June 25, 2018 by reeder

[Michigan_Dane]

What are the odds at winning at Pitt?

[UAalum72]

53 minutes ago, Michigan_Dane said:

What are the odds at winning at Pitt?

Unlikely nearing impossible. By last year's final rating, Sagarin favors Pitt by 30. This year's starting Massey Rating predicts PItt 34-6 (99%). We may be improved, but not that much. Pitt is not Buffalo or Old Dominion.

[godanesgo99]

Pitt is by no means the class of the ACC Football teams, - with a preseason prediction of finishing 4th in the coastal division, but they are still an ACC team. 

Our chances of winning have to be under 1%. That said, I could see the team winning. There are always a few FCS over FBS upsets each year. Just not sure that an ACC team is going to be the FBS team to falter. 

EDIT: ESPN has Pitt with a 96.9% chance to win. Better odds than I thought LOL!

http://www.espn.com/college-football/game?gameId=401013092

 

Edited June 25, 2018 by godanesgo99

[UAalum72]

The line is out on 5dimes. The spread is Albany +24 -120. Over/under is 43 1/2

[Michigan_Dane]

So you’re telling me there’s a chance?

[cwdickens]

There is always a chance.... That is why they play the game lol ?

[HOF2013]

Don't care what the odds are.  What difference does it make?  They have to keep playing up.  Helps recruiting and the level of play.

[cwdickens]

As important it is to win .... Can we fill Casey Stadium? Any predictions on ticket sales.

[UA1882]

5 hours ago, cwdickens said:

As important it is to win .... Can we fill Casey Stadium? Any predictions on ticket sales.

I'm not sure. ..however if the Albany Empire, out of a 4 team arena league, can get 10500 at their last home game, I see absolutely no reason if we market ourselves right we cant average 8k to 10k a game. 

They market the crap out of the Albany Empire. We need to do the same. In my opinion that's what we r highly lacking as a University.