mtgrizrule
Well-known member
I feel the conference title will come down to the GRIZ and EWU, yet once again. I also feel there is not a clear cut favorite going into the season. Each team has question marks and unknowns going into the season.
For the GRIZ: New coach, staff, system, qb, and tough schedule.
New Coach/staff: As grateful as I am to Delaney for keeping the ship afloat, the train on the tracks, etc, his on the field decisions and strategy were often questionable. Everything I read and hear of Stitt is positive. Most everyone in the college football respects Stitt and thinks very highly of him. I honestly believe Stitt is a HC upgrade for the GRIZ. Also I love how much GRIZ blood is now on the staff.
I cannot help but believe the staff will have every player bleeding GRIZ blood and running through brick walls with pride. As for defense, Gregorak has improved every season at DC. I believe he will continue improving at DC, and the hiring of Coach Stitt is the best thing that could ever happen for Ty's strategy and approach. Coach Stitt strikes me as a head coach who will encourage aggressiveness and confidence from his staff and players. If that is the case, Stitt is the perfect hire to bring out the best in Gregorak. Going into this season, right now the biggest question mark defensively is DL depth. Once again LB's will be the defensive strength. Hard to believe the GRIZ once again will have a great DB unit. At worse the GRIZ DB's will be improved from last season. I expect a big season from the DB's .
Offensively, the GRIZ will be much better as the season progresses, and much more consistent from last season. I really am not too concerned about the offense, new qb etc. The offensive coaching will be top level to build the talent. Also the playcalling will not hinder that talent. A healthy Ellis Henderson alone is huge for the offense. Henderson and Jones are a dynamic duo at WR. That makes the transition much easier for everyone. A healthy Nacarato in the slot and return game is a plus too. The most under rated offensive change is the return of Chad Germer. His return will bring a tougher and nastier attitude for the offensive line. His addition is also a coaching upgrade, in my opinion.
Special teams showed solid improvement by the time last season was finished. I feel the kicking game will be more consistent. The return of Ellis and Nacarato also improves the punt and kick off return game.
Barring major injuries, at worse this is a 3 to 4 loss playoff team. I am thinking a 2 loss and high seeded playoff team is likely.
As for the main competition in the conference, it will be interesting.
EWU: How much can their defense improve? I feel the defense can only be better. How will the loss of VA impact the them? I feel they will not be as explosive without him and will likely be a better clock controlling team, but not score as many points. The offense will be among the best in the conference again. I do feel there will be a dropoff on offense though.
MSU: Like EWU, how much can their defense improve? It cannot get worse. I feel their season will likely be like the last few seasons. MSU has to get past their late season let downs. They will likely be no more than a playoff pretender this season. As good as Prukop was last season, how much better can he get? He was so good last season, it is hard to see the offense doing better than last season. I don't expect a huge improvement in their offense. Their hopes are entirely with how much their defense improves.
ISU: I have no idea what to expect from them. Was last season a fluke, or can they improve on that season? They will contend, and be a borderline playoff team.
For the GRIZ: New coach, staff, system, qb, and tough schedule.
New Coach/staff: As grateful as I am to Delaney for keeping the ship afloat, the train on the tracks, etc, his on the field decisions and strategy were often questionable. Everything I read and hear of Stitt is positive. Most everyone in the college football respects Stitt and thinks very highly of him. I honestly believe Stitt is a HC upgrade for the GRIZ. Also I love how much GRIZ blood is now on the staff.
I cannot help but believe the staff will have every player bleeding GRIZ blood and running through brick walls with pride. As for defense, Gregorak has improved every season at DC. I believe he will continue improving at DC, and the hiring of Coach Stitt is the best thing that could ever happen for Ty's strategy and approach. Coach Stitt strikes me as a head coach who will encourage aggressiveness and confidence from his staff and players. If that is the case, Stitt is the perfect hire to bring out the best in Gregorak. Going into this season, right now the biggest question mark defensively is DL depth. Once again LB's will be the defensive strength. Hard to believe the GRIZ once again will have a great DB unit. At worse the GRIZ DB's will be improved from last season. I expect a big season from the DB's .
Offensively, the GRIZ will be much better as the season progresses, and much more consistent from last season. I really am not too concerned about the offense, new qb etc. The offensive coaching will be top level to build the talent. Also the playcalling will not hinder that talent. A healthy Ellis Henderson alone is huge for the offense. Henderson and Jones are a dynamic duo at WR. That makes the transition much easier for everyone. A healthy Nacarato in the slot and return game is a plus too. The most under rated offensive change is the return of Chad Germer. His return will bring a tougher and nastier attitude for the offensive line. His addition is also a coaching upgrade, in my opinion.
Special teams showed solid improvement by the time last season was finished. I feel the kicking game will be more consistent. The return of Ellis and Nacarato also improves the punt and kick off return game.
Barring major injuries, at worse this is a 3 to 4 loss playoff team. I am thinking a 2 loss and high seeded playoff team is likely.
As for the main competition in the conference, it will be interesting.
EWU: How much can their defense improve? I feel the defense can only be better. How will the loss of VA impact the them? I feel they will not be as explosive without him and will likely be a better clock controlling team, but not score as many points. The offense will be among the best in the conference again. I do feel there will be a dropoff on offense though.
MSU: Like EWU, how much can their defense improve? It cannot get worse. I feel their season will likely be like the last few seasons. MSU has to get past their late season let downs. They will likely be no more than a playoff pretender this season. As good as Prukop was last season, how much better can he get? He was so good last season, it is hard to see the offense doing better than last season. I don't expect a huge improvement in their offense. Their hopes are entirely with how much their defense improves.
ISU: I have no idea what to expect from them. Was last season a fluke, or can they improve on that season? They will contend, and be a borderline playoff team.
