Hereo Sports Previews

[mslacatfan]

Can you imagine being a defender (especially a smaller secondary guy) and having TA running at you with a full head of steam... knowing it’s your job to try and tackle that freight train.... ha.

[RickRund]

I like when TA just blows up that defender while going in for the TD

Definitely one of those oh crap moments!!!

[blueandgoldblitz]

I like when TA just blows up that defender while going in for the TD

Definitely one of those crap moments!!!

Business decision...

[Rich K]

Northern Arizona

https://herosports.com/fcs/football-201 ... g-sky-bzbz

OUR TAKE: Hiring Chris Ball was a great move for NAU. He previously was the defensive coordinator at Memphis and has a reputation over his 30 years of coaching college football of stressing strong defense. That's key for the 2019 squad because the Lumberjacks are going to be scary good offensively. Looking at last year's schedule, NAU lost three games where the offense scored 26 points or more. That'll drive a coaching staff crazy. If the defense can tighten up, expect the Lumberjacks to rise in the Big Sky standings.

[Rich K]

UNCU

https://herosports.com/fcs/football-201 ... g-sky-bzbz

OUR TAKE: Having Knipp back and hopefully fully healthy is huge for this team. He's got pro talent and that instantly makes the Bears more competitive. The concerns are on the defensive side of the ball and if it can clamp down. Credit to this program for not backing down in the nonconference, though. UNC kicks off the season with two FBS opponents: San Jose State and Washington State. The Bears also play a nonconference game against Big Sky program Sacramento State and host South Dakota, a playoff hopeful team out of the MVFC. The Big Sky slate is manageable, avoiding teams like Montana, UC Davis and Weber State. While we aren't sure if UNC can make a huge turnaround in this one season, improving on the two conference wins is definitely doable.

[Rich K]

Northern Iowa

These guys play three Big Sky teams in the out of conference games, Idaho State, Weber state, and Southern Utah, so I figured I'd include them.

https://herosports.com/fcs/football-201 ... -mvfc-bzbz

OUR TAKE: UNI has absolutely killed it when it comes to recruiting. HERO Sports ranks its 2019 recruiting class as the fifth best in the FCS. The future is bright for this program. As for this season, the Panthers look like a strong team once again and eye another trip to the playoffs. But they're one of those teams we'll have to see hit the field before we know how dangerous it can be nationally. There are a lot of holes to fill defensively, but that's always a solid unit. And the QB play is a question mark, but as we said above, the talent is there. Once again, the schedule is brutal and ranked the fourth toughest in the FCS. The Panthers don't want to be playing with their backs against the wall early in the MVFC slate, so they must take care of business against three Big Sky opponents: Southern Utah, Idaho State and nationally-ranked Weber State.

[Rich K]

Portland State

https://herosports.com/fcs/football-201 ... g-sky-bzbz

OUR TAKE: The Vikings are building the program the right way to replicate 2015's success. It would've been easy to try and strike gold with transfers, but they've stuck through some growing pains with young players. And this is still a young team overall, but the experience factor tells us this group has a shot to go over .500 in 2019. The nonconference slate is interesting with two FBS games and two non-Division 1 games. Then it's on to the Big Sky schedule, where Portland State avoids Montana State and Weber State and hosts two of its three toughest games to end the season: vs. Montana, vs. UC Davis and at Eastern Washington. Those final three games present big challenges, but it's a stretch of games where the Vikings can really show their growth.

[wapiti]

Portland State

https://herosports.com/fcs/football-201 ... g-sky-bzbz

OUR TAKE: The Vikings are building the program the right way to replicate 2015's success. It would've been easy to try and strike gold with transfers, but they've stuck through some growing pains with young players. And this is still a young team overall, but the experience factor tells us this group has a shot to go over .500 in 2019. The nonconference slate is interesting with two FBS games and two non-Division 1 games. Then it's on to the Big Sky schedule, where Portland State avoids Montana State and Weber State and hosts two of its three toughest games to end the season: vs. Montana, vs. UC Davis and at Eastern Washington. Those final three games present big challenges, but it's a stretch of games where the Vikings can really show their growth.

I liked the video for Portland State. It's worth the watch.

[Rich K]

Sacramento State

https://herosports.com/fcs/football-201 ... g-sky-bzbz

OUR TAKE: The weapons are there offensively for this team and the line has experience. Troy Taylor is a great offensive mind, so we could be looking at a very good unit in 2019. The concerns are on defense. While the Big Sky still has explosive offenses and shootout games, the teams at the top of the standings have put more focus on their defense in recent years. It will be a work in progress in Taylor's first season. And with Sacramento State having the ninth-toughest schedule in the FCS, taking some lumps is expected. But the offense should be good enough to win some games in the conference, which is a step in the right direction.

[Rich K]

Southeast Missouri State

https://herosports.com/fcs/football-201 ... i-ovc-ajaj

This year's Gold Rush could be an early season harbinger for both teams:

OUR TAKE: We'll go ahead and be blunt -- SEMO and Maine were our two biggest surprises in 2018, and probably the best stories in the FCS. SEMO ended Jacksonville State's undefeated streak in the Ohio Valley Conference and nearly won the league, and then won its first playoff game after knocking off the CAA's Stony Brook in round one. Not too shabby for a program that once seemed stuck perpetually in 3-win land. Coach "Tuke" (as we and SEMO fans like to call him) has brought something special to SEMO after being an assistant at Toledo and Northern Illinois in the past decade prior to coming to Cape Girardeau. Players once shunned wearing team gear to class on campus because of how low the program had gotten, but things are different now.

We think it will be a three-team scrum at the top of the OVC this year, and possibly four if Murray State gets rolling. Eastern Kentucky was one of only three FCS teams to solve SEMO last year and the Colonels look strong again. JSU will be out for revenge after having its streak ended by SEMO last year. In other words, this fall will be a battle, but having EKU and Murray State at home will be a big plus for SEMO. If it can get the offense firing with some new big names at OL and RB, this team could be as strong as last year -- and we'll go ahead and leave this here: SEMO is heading for its first back-to-back winning seasons since it came up to the FCS/I-AA level. The talent is here to do it. Can it be a playoff participant again? That's the big question.

Here's their fan forum if anybody wants to be cordial: http://www.semofans.com/forum/viewforum.php?f=3

[Cledus]

Southeast Missouri State

https://herosports.com/fcs/football-201 ... i-ovc-ajaj

This year's Gold Rush could be an early season harbinger for both teams:

OUR TAKE: We'll go ahead and be blunt -- SEMO and Maine were our two biggest surprises in 2018, and probably the best stories in the FCS. SEMO ended Jacksonville State's undefeated streak in the Ohio Valley Conference and nearly won the league, and then won its first playoff game after knocking off the CAA's Stony Brook in round one. Not too shabby for a program that once seemed stuck perpetually in 3-win land. Coach "Tuke" (as we and SEMO fans like to call him) has brought something special to SEMO after being an assistant at Toledo and Northern Illinois in the past decade prior to coming to Cape Girardeau. Players once shunned wearing team gear to class on campus because of how low the program had gotten, but things are different now.

We think it will be a three-team scrum at the top of the OVC this year, and possibly four if Murray State gets rolling. Eastern Kentucky was one of only three FCS teams to solve SEMO last year and the Colonels look strong again. JSU will be out for revenge after having its streak ended by SEMO last year. In other words, this fall will be a battle, but having EKU and Murray State at home will be a big plus for SEMO. If it can get the offense firing with some new big names at OL and RB, this team could be as strong as last year -- and we'll go ahead and leave this here: SEMO is heading for its first back-to-back winning seasons since it came up to the FCS/I-AA level. The talent is here to do it. Can it be a playoff participant again? That's the big question.

Massey has us as more than a 3:1 favorite over SE Missouri.

I don't know how he does his ratings but it's a little eerie how accurate he was last year with MSU, both in outcome and the final score in each game.

I feel like the face of SEMO is their Buck winner (don't know his name) and their reputation is artificially inflated a bit because of him.

[The MICKSTER]

Southeast Missouri State

https://herosports.com/fcs/football-201 ... i-ovc-ajaj

This year's Gold Rush could be an early season harbinger for both teams:

OUR TAKE: We'll go ahead and be blunt -- SEMO and Maine were our two biggest surprises in 2018, and probably the best stories in the FCS. SEMO ended Jacksonville State's undefeated streak in the Ohio Valley Conference and nearly won the league, and then won its first playoff game after knocking off the CAA's Stony Brook in round one. Not too shabby for a program that once seemed stuck perpetually in 3-win land. Coach "Tuke" (as we and SEMO fans like to call him) has brought something special to SEMO after being an assistant at Toledo and Northern Illinois in the past decade prior to coming to Cape Girardeau. Players once shunned wearing team gear to class on campus because of how low the program had gotten, but things are different now.

We think it will be a three-team scrum at the top of the OVC this year, and possibly four if Murray State gets rolling. Eastern Kentucky was one of only three FCS teams to solve SEMO last year and the Colonels look strong again. JSU will be out for revenge after having its streak ended by SEMO last year. In other words, this fall will be a battle, but having EKU and Murray State at home will be a big plus for SEMO. If it can get the offense firing with some new big names at OL and RB, this team could be as strong as last year -- and we'll go ahead and leave this here: SEMO is heading for its first back-to-back winning seasons since it came up to the FCS/I-AA level. The talent is here to do it. Can it be a playoff participant again? That's the big question.

Massey has us as more than a 3:1 favorite over SE Missouri.

I don't know how he does his ratings but it's a little eerie how accurate he was last year with MSU, both in outcome and the final score in each game.

I feel like the face of SEMO is their Buck winner (don't know his name) and their reputation is artificially inflated a bit because of him.

Below are Massey's predictions for the CATS..... https://www.masseyratings.com/team.php?t=5042&s=308075 .
They rank our % chance of winning as follows followed by MHO;

@TT............8
SEMO.........77 too high???
@WIU.........38 could be too low???
Norfolk.......99 vs any FCS team I don't think it should be 99
NAU...........79 too high
@CP...........55 too low
SSU............89
@UND.........52 too low
SUU...........87
@NCU.........75
@UCD.........25 too low
um............64 bout right I think

So after starting 1-2, they are predicting we win 8 of our last 9 with our only loss in that stretch being @UCD. However, both our games @UND & @CP are by very slim margins.

FYI, they have um finishing 6-6 and being our 6th toughest opponent. Time will tell. GO CATS!

[technoCat]

How does Zach Hall win the Buchanan on a team that is 81st in points allowed?

[Rich K]

Southern Utah

https://herosports.com/fcs/football-201 ... g-sky-bzbz

OUR TAKE: It's safe to say consistency hasn't been on SUU's side. While the program has shown it can compete at the top of a power FCS conference, it also has had head-scratching struggles. Of all the turnarounds the Thunderbirds have had, 2019 would be the most impressive if they can do it. The question marks remain large regarding the offensive firepower and how much the defense can improve. Plus, the schedule is the 12th toughest in the FCS. SUU plays at FBS UNLV and at Missouri Valley Football Conference playoff contenders South Dakota State and Northern Iowa. And the Big Sky will be as competitive as ever. The Thunderbirds have shown they don't stay down for long. Expect steps in the right direction in 2019 and who knows? This team has blown up preseason polls before.

[Rich K]

UC Davis

https://herosports.com/fcs/football-201 ... g-sky-bzbz

OUR TAKE: Expectations are sky-high for this program in 2019. And they should be. The trajectory of this program these last couple of years, along with tremendous recruiting, shows the Aggies are a team that will be in the national picture for awhile. And for this specific 2019 squad, which we preseason ranked No. 3, their eyes should be on the ultimate prize. UC Davis feels like it should've been playing in Frisco last year. And the amount of experience and talent back from that team suggests Texas is a realistic destination in January.

This is what happens when a California school gets it's ducks in a row.... They are real good.

[RickRund]

UC Davis

https://herosports.com/fcs/football-201 ... g-sky-bzbz

OUR TAKE: Expectations are sky-high for this program in 2019. And they should be. The trajectory of this program these last couple of years, along with tremendous recruiting, shows the Aggies are a team that will be in the national picture for awhile. And for this specific 2019 squad, which we preseason ranked No. 3, their eyes should be on the ultimate prize. UC Davis feels like it should've been playing in Frisco last year. And the amount of experience and talent back from that team suggests Texas is a realistic destination in January.

This is what happens when a California school gets it's ducks in a row.... They are real good.

Jim Sochor had a real run at success for a long time...That was a very successful program and are now back...

[Rich K]

Podcast from August 1st. (Brian McLaughlin and Sam Herder)

Ep. 1: FCS Preview Craziness, Media Day Quips, And A Heart Warming Story:

https://www.spreaker.com/user/herosport ... sode_title

[Rich K]

Weber State

https://herosports.com/fcs/football-201 ... g-sky-bzbz

OUR TAKE: Weber State is an interesting team to try and predict. We have them preseason ranked No. 11. But here's the thing: the Wildcats lose a lot on a terrific defense and return a lot on a so-so offense. So the return players on offense need to become more explosive and the new faces on defense need to step up if this team wants to continue its winning ways. We'll find out in a hurry how good the Wildcats are. The nonconference features two FBS opponents (San Diego State and Nevada) and 2018 playoff participant Northern Iowa. The Big Sky slate isn't terrible, as Weber avoids Eastern Washington and Montana State, but road trips to UC Davis and Montana are tough. Because of the recruiting job Weber has done, we expect this team to be back in the playoffs. The offense should be improved and the defense shouldn't take that big of a step back even with all of the new starters. This program reloads and will do it again in 2019.

Since we don't face these guys in the regular season, I wouldn't be surprised if we have a quarterfinal matchup with them.

[RickRund]

Weber State

https://herosports.com/fcs/football-201 ... g-sky-bzbz

OUR TAKE: Weber State is an interesting team to try and predict. We have them preseason ranked No. 11. But here's the thing: the Wildcats lose a lot on a terrific defense and return a lot on a so-so offense. So the return players on offense need to become more explosive and the new faces on defense need to step up if this team wants to continue its winning ways. We'll find out in a hurry how good the Wildcats are. The nonconference features two FBS opponents (San Diego State and Nevada) and 2018 playoff participant Northern Iowa. The Big Sky slate isn't terrible, as Weber avoids Eastern Washington and Montana State, but road trips to UC Davis and Montana are tough. Because of the recruiting job Weber has done, we expect this team to be back in the playoffs. The offense should be improved and the defense shouldn't take that big of a step back even with all of the new starters. This program reloads and will do it again in 2019.

Since we don't face these guys in the regular season, I wouldn't be surprised if we have a quarterfinal matchup with them.

Wasn't it the freshman backup that had the terrible injury against the CATS? I am thinking he has fully recovered.

[Rich K]

Western Illinois

https://herosports.com/fcs/football-201 ... -mvfc-bzbz

OUR TAKE: WIU is a hard-nosed program that always seems to exceed expectations and make the most out of challenging situations. Former players like Khalen Saunders and Jaelon Acklin have told HERO Sports about how the work ethic and blue-collar attitude is just different in Macomb because of it being a small school and a "smaller" program by MVFC standards (budget, stadium, facilities, etc.). So when WIU was picked to finish eighth out of 10 teams in the MVFC preseason poll, something tells us this team is going to surprise some doubters again. Although last year's overall record was disappointing, WIU was one close loss turned into a win away from being on the playoff bubble.

This year's schedule is tough once again. The nonconference slate begins with a challenging game at rising FCS program North Alabama and also features games against FBS Colorado State and 2018 playoff participant Montana State. The Leathernecks have to travel to two of the tougher home environments in the Valley during November: North Dakota State and Northern Iowa. With all the turnover on the depth chart, it's too early to predict WIU making the playoffs. But we like this team's chances to finish higher than what the preseason poll predicts.

We're their key game.