Southern Illinois

[mmiller_34]

I'm confused about the hype. I understand they have a historically strong program, I respect the hell out of them, and hope that they do in fact have a nice rebound season in 2012. However, last year they went 4-7 with wins against SEMO, Mo. St., Eastern Illinois, and Indiana St.

Now, SIU received votes in the AGS poll despite their performance last year. I was playing around with that season simulator that was posted on another thread. I played out at least 10 seasons with SDSU and got either a 5-6, or a 4-7 record; this makes sense considering SDSU's results last year. However, I simulated one season as SIU and they went 8-3 with losses to Miami (OH), UNI, and NDSU. I understand that the simulator runs on predictors and is not at all suppose to be the "be all, end all". But, with those results and the presence of support in the AGS poll, I have to ask myself. Am I missing something?

Am I out of the loop with this SIU team? In my eyes, YSU, UNI, NDSU, Illinois State, and perhaps SDSU are stronger MVFC teams. The only significant win SIU had last year was against Indiana State.

If someone can help me make sense out of SIU that would be appreciated.

Go Mo. Valley!

[Professor Chaos]

It's all about the Lennon porn stache.

[mmiller_34]

It's all about the Lennon porn stache.

I had thought about that. However, the past two seasons the porn stache hasn't had that effect.

[Professor Chaos]

In seriousness, I have no idea. They started a freshman QB last year so I suppose they're expecting him to improve but they lost their bowling ball RB Jewel Hampton. Their defense will still be stout but I don't think they deserve top 25 votes. If I had to pick a conference pecking order going into the season I'd have NDSU, UNI, YSU, InSU, IlSU, and SDSU all in front of them.

[ValleyChamp]

NDSU went from 3 wins to a playoff team in one year. Each year is different, and often the previous year has little to do with the next. SIU has good coaches and good players, nobody should be surprised if they start winning again.

[mmiller_34]

NDSU went from 3 wins to a playoff team in one year. Each year is different, and often the previous year has little to do with the next. SIU has good coaches and good players, nobody should be surprised if they start winning again.

Sure, I would not be surprised by that if it happens. What I am saying is, what is the evidence RIGHT NOW that would indicate a top 25 team this season for SIU? If they start winning next season thats one thing, but to get pre-season hype is another. Pre-season hype is built on the previous season results and off-season progression, which is often speculation.

[clenz]

Sure, I would not be surprised by that if it happens. What I am saying is, what is the evidence RIGHT NOW that would indicate a top 25 team this season for SIU? If they start winning next season thats one thing, but to get pre-season hype is another. Pre-season hype is built on the previous season results and off-season progression, which is often speculation.

What does pre season hype ever mean....other than hype? Especially in May?

When was the last time a preseason #1 won a title?

2011 preseason #1 was EWU...they didn't make the playoffs.
2010 #1 was probably ASU or Villanova.

I'd bet that last preseason #1 to win a title was the last team of the APp threepete.

Look at the previous 2 years of the last couple champs, and see where they were preseason hype, or how they finished.

11: NDSU - last team into the expanded playoffs in 10 and 3-8 in 09. Preseason 8-15 depending on the poll in 11.

10: EWU - 09 finished 8-4 and 15th in polls and in 08 wasn't ranked in top 25 and finished season 5-6

09: Villanova - 08 10-3 and quarterfinal team, 07 they were 7-4 and not in the top 25

08: Richmond - 07 10-3 and finished top 10, 06 6-5 out of top 25

Champions don't usually come from unranked to title contenders, but they usually aren't very good/average 2 years before their title.

[mmiller_34]

What does pre season hype ever mean....other than hype? Especially in May?

When was the last time a preseason #1 won a title?

2011 preseason #1 was EWU...they didn't make the playoffs.
2010 #1 was probably ASU or Villanova.

I'd bet that last preseason #1 to win a title was the last team of the APp threepete.

Look at the previous 2 years of the last couple champs, and see where they were preseason hype, or how they finished.

11: NDSU - last team into the expanded playoffs in 10 and 3-8 in 09. Preseason 8-15 depending on the poll in 11.

10: EWU - 09 finished 8-4 and 15th in polls and in 08 wasn't ranked in top 25 and finished season 5-6

09: Villanova - 08 10-3 and quarterfinal team, 07 they were 7-4 and not in the top 25

08: Richmond - 07 10-3 and finished top 10, 06 6-5 out of top 25

Champions don't usually come from unranked to title contenders, but they usually aren't very good/average 2 years before their title.


I want to know why some people think that SIU will be a team on the rise this year, I don't care about the preseason polls and how inaccurate they are. I just used it as an example to show that there ARE people who put SIU in the polls. At some point as they were filling out their poll they must have thought. "Oh Southern Illinois deserves to be in the top 25" ---- WHY? Why did they do that.

More experience with returning starters? Incoming recruiting class with impact freshman? Better O-Line? Better Defense?

[BisonFan02]

I want to know why some people think that SIU will be a team on the rise this year, I don't care about the preseason polls and how inaccurate they are. I just used it as an example to show that there ARE people who put SIU in the polls. At some point as they were filling out their poll they must have thought. "Oh Southern Illinois deserves to be in the top 25" ---- WHY? Why did they do that.

More experience with returning starters? Incoming recruiting class with impact freshman? Better O-Line? Better Defense?

I didn't put them in mine, but I do have them on my "watch list"....the D (front 7) is pretty stout and they did look better at QB as the season went on. I also have SDSU in a similar boat if they can find a rushing attack to compliment Sumner and improve on D.

[LakesBison]

Siu has been garbage since kill left and now that his recruits are gone, last year will be repeated!

[BisonFan02]

Siu has been garbage since kill left and now that his recruits are gone, last year will be repeated!

My Lakes radar detects that this only has to do with the "stache" and not SIU specifically....

[JMUDuke2002]

NDSU went from 3 wins to a playoff team in one year. Each year is different, and often the previous year has little to do with the next. SIU has good coaches and good players, nobody should be surprised if they start winning again.

Exactly. JMU won 6 games the year before, won the title the next year in 04, and then, with pretty much the same team, missed the playoffs in 05. Each year is different.

[BisonHype!]

My Lakes radar detects that this only has to do with the "stache" and not SIU specifically....

You have a "Lakes Radar" ? First I want pictures of this. Ursus, can we create an AGS Shop so this is available for purchase?

[BisonBacker]

You have a "Lakes Radar" ? First I want pictures of this. Ursus, can we create an AGS Shop so this is available for purchase?

http://i158.photobucket.com/albums/t114/bri4878/lakesradarscreen-719485.jpg

[BisonFan02]

http://i158.photobucket.com/albums/t114/bri4878/lakesradarscreen-719485.jpg

HAHA!

[Houndawg]

I want to know why some people think that SIU will be a team on the rise this year, I don't care about the preseason polls and how inaccurate they are. I just used it as an example to show that there ARE people who put SIU in the polls. At some point as they were filling out their poll they must have thought. "Oh Southern Illinois deserves to be in the top 25" ---- WHY? Why did they do that.

More experience with returning starters? Incoming recruiting class with impact freshman? Better O-Line? Better Defense?

Well, I don't have them in the preseason polls this year and I think those that do are hunch betting or looking at the razor-thin shoulda/woulda/coulda/ factor from last year; if I were stating a case for them I'd note that in the arguably toughest FCS conference last year 6 of their 8 games were decided by one score or less and all were in doubt late in the 4th quarter. The deciding score in three of those games, WIU, NDSU, and ISU'turds, came on tipped passes that found the receiver's hands. Our QB got his feet wet quick after Mac went down in week 4, with his first three starts coming against NDSU, UNI, and YSU and a thin playbook. He got better every week and will have one of the best TEs in FCS this year, soph Mycole Pruitt from Purdue. Very fast. If Iowa xfer Mikhail McCall runs like he did in the spring game memories of Jewel Hampton will become fuzzy very quickly. Bad news is we lose a couple of AAs on the o-line including the FCS Rimington award center.

Defense will be tough up front and hoping that a years experience makes a big difference in the DB world. I think opponents will have to throw first against us, bad news being that is doable. Kicking game is iffy - if it were good I could see us winning a game or two our d kept us in.

In short, I think we're getting some rep for past performance.

[MplsBison]

Siu has been garbage since kill left and now that his recruits are gone, last year will be repeated!

Well maybe if Lennon had his own 40 year old stalker fan calling high school kids for interviews, they'd have more success?

[LakesBison]

^^^ once again, a blatant lie by a und or uni fan.

[clenz]

Have you ever called a potential recruit?

[MplsBison]

Have you ever called a potential recruit?

http://www.anygivensaturday.com/showthread.php?108524-NDSU-Redshirt-QB-Ryan-Stanford-transferring-out.&p=1791415&viewfull=1#post1791415


I just talked to Ryan Stanford (for foxtv)--

"Yeah just didn't work out here. I've got an opportunity to play right away. With Brock, Esley and Carson we well be more than alright"
" its phoenix college a juco back in az. ndsu is a great program and ive been blessed to have gotten to learn and grow from these guys at NDSU"


Ryan will always be a National Champion from NDSU. good luck to him.


Ryan's biggest contribution to NDSU will be his convincing RB Matt Jones to come to NDSU with him.

[BisonFan02]

http://www.anygivensaturday.com/showthread.php?108524-NDSU-Redshirt-QB-Ryan-Stanford-transferring-out.&p=1791415&viewfull=1#post1791415

I have a hard time defending Lakes, but how was Ryan Stanford a "recruit" when he was already on the team and on his way out because of a log jam at QB?

[clenz]

I have a hard time defending Lakes, but how was Ryan Stanford a "recruit" when he was already on the team and on his way out because of a log jam at QB?Did he write a story about it for Fox News then....or did he call "from Fox" just so he could call a player and not get in trouble.


Doesn't he sell advertising, and not do anything with reporting?


If that is the case why is HE calling players? As a booster that would seem to be some sort of NCAA violation. I'm looking out for NDSU in this case.

[underdawg]

Strengths for SIU. D-line starters some of the best in Valley, LB's (OLB and MLBs) also first rate, the 6' 215 pound McCall not only runs hard but can go the distance speed-wise, great return team with Vets Stevie Strother and Mulku Kalokoh on KOs and talented starting wingback LaSteven McKinney running back punts. On defense, also look for Washington Transfer Victor Burnette (5'11" 235 to slide into one of the MLB spots (had over 400 tackles in high school).
Weakness: depth at Safety and NT.

[LakesBison]

Stanford was a player on the current team not a recruit. I didnt call him.

[AmsterBison]

Did he write a story about it for Fox News then....or did he call "from Fox" just so he could call a player and not get in trouble.


^ Message irrelevant to response: Hey, you aren't counting "D2" wins in your overall records in your signature, are you? :)

Regardless, you seem to be short a Bison win.

[clenz]

^ Message irrelevant to response: Hey, you aren't counting "D2" wins in your overall records in your signature, are you? :)

Regardless, you seem to be short a Bison win.

Haven't updated it in a year...thus USD still listed as "future member" still.


I can change NDSU to 3-1 though. % wise what I have is more favorable for NDSU.....

[AmsterBison]

Haven't updated it in a year...thus USD still listed as "future member" still.


I can change NDSU to 3-1 though. % wise what I have is more favorable for NDSU.....

Well, if you are asking for suggestions, how about, "NDSU 9 National Championships, UNI 0?"

[ValleyChamp]

Well, if you are asking for suggestions, how about, "NDSU 9 National Championships, UNI 0?"

Oh, wicked burn!!!!

[Bison Fan in NW MN]

SIU will rebound this year for sure; but how far is anyone's guess.

I suspect they will be improved but enough to challenge for the conference title....?

Should be a good game in Fargo this year.

[BisonHype!]

http://i158.photobucket.com/albums/t114/bri4878/lakesradarscreen-719485.jpg

Thanks Bison Backer! I would say it looks like Lakes needs to get out of the house more, and his computer seems a little out-dated.

[AmsterBison]

What happened to SIU's defense giving up an 35 pts/game the last four games? Maybe SIU is a bit susceptible to pass-heavy offenses? They looked great on D against NDSU.

[mmiller_34]

Maybe SIU is a bit susceptible to pass-heavy offenses?


Thats what I experienced during the SDSU game. Jacks were up 35-14 at half on Hobo Day.

[Bison Fan in NW MN]

Lennon generally has good defenses with the 3-4 scheme he runs.

IMO, they are a middle of the pack team but who knows.

[BisonHype!]

I see S. Illinois being anywhere from 5-7 in the MVFC.

[MplsBison]

Stanford was a player on the current team not a recruit. I didnt call him.

It does not matter if it's a player or a recruit, that could be an NCAA violation! You might cost NDSU big time. Does that even occur to you?!?!!? Do you care?!?!?!

Answer this question honestly: have you ever posed as a reporter for the TV station, either over the phone or in person, in order to gain an interview with a NDSU football player or recruit to obtain information from them regarding their football career, the team or their decision making process?


If not, fine - no harm, no foul. It just confirms to everyone that you ooze lies through your teeth - to impress a bunch of people on message boards, I guess? Because that's literally, exactly what you implied in the post I quoted. "I just talked to Ryan Stanford (for foxtv)--"

If you have - STOP IT!!! STOP HURTING NDSU!!!!!!

[LakesBison]

as advised by urses: ignore function.

[MplsBison]

How selfish.

Putting your own school (supposedly) at risk to serve your own interests.


I hate to hope for anything bad to happen to NDSU because of Lakes's actions, but I want to see him go down, hard. probably won't happen until he crosses the line does something really stupid (more than being banned from tailgating).

[LakesBison]

im not banned from anything, (i was texted that this was posted)

[clenz]

im not banned from anything

False...screen shots to prove otherwise coming

http://i348.photobucket.com/albums/q340/unipanthers10/NewPicture8.jpg

Sent from my SCH-I500 using Tapatalk 2

[Houndawg]

Lennon generally has good defenses with the 3-4 scheme he runs.

IMO, they are a middle of the pack team but who knows.

This.

The last time SIU won the conference they were picked to finish 5th. How the injuries fall will be huge because of our lack of depth in some areas. We'll be in all of our conference games late in the 4th again this year.

[344Johnson]

If you can stop the run, you can make most games interesting at least. I am a huge Steeler fan. Have the Steelers always been able to stop the pass? No. Often times, the Steelers are very mediocre against the pass....and the only reason they aren't downright terrible against it is because of Troy Polamalu, and to a greater extent, the great pass rush the Steelers have been able to maintain for an exceptionally long time.

We will see what happens with SIU. I am very curious. If they can find an offense, watch out. If not, they will stay right where they are. IMO, Lennon has the right idea though as far as building a defense. If a team can't run the ball, they have to throw the ball, they have to throw the ball. Throwing the ball is much more risky than running it obviously, due to sacks, interceptions, incompletions, etc. If they can find a secondary and an offense, who knows what will happen.

I don't understand the MVFC, most conferences probably like to think that top to bottom they are pretty solid, but me, being biased, really thinks its true with ours. No genuinely bad teams. That is not to say that I would not be surprised if Missouri State beat UNI or NDSU (happened my freshman year, only in 2010, 3-0), but anything can happen in certain conferences. The MVFC always makes watching the conference scores in the Fargodome on a Saturday afternoon very interesting to say the least. I love it. I hope the Valley never changes.

[wmmii]

Cream always rises to top.
Top quality fans and program that had a tough year, time for payback.

[Bison Fan in NW MN]

This.

The last time SIU won the conference they were picked to finish 5th. How the injuries fall will be huge because of our lack of depth in some areas. We'll be in all of our conference games late in the 4th again this year.



Very true.

Watching the SIU/NDSU game last year, your young QB has talent and a season under his belt will definitely benefit him. If any team can play consistently on defense they have a chance to win most games and I suspect SIU will be in this mold this coming year.

IMO:

Eastern Illinois: W
Miami (OH): L - This will be a close game....maybe a win
SEMO: W
Missouri State: W
Indiana State: Toss up
Illinois State: L
UNI: W
YSU: L
NDSU: L
SDSU: W
WIU: W

6-5 or 7-4 but then again they might do better. This is what makes the Valley so interesting.

[Houndawg]

Very true.

Watching the SIU/NDSU game last year, your young QB has talent and a season under his belt will definitely benefit him. If any team can play consistently on defense they have a chance to win most games and I suspect SIU will be in this mold this coming year.

IMO:

Eastern Illinois: W
Miami (OH): L - This will be a close game....maybe a win
SEMO: W
Missouri State: W
Indiana State: Toss up
Illinois State: L
UNI: W
YSU: L
NDSU: L
SDSU: W
WIU: W

6-5 or 7-4 but then again they might do better. This is what makes the Valley so interesting.

I see 7-4 as the best case scenario, if we don't get injured where we're already thin and we win out at home. The road is a hard one this season: EIU, Miami, MSU, NDSU, YSU, ISU.

Win out at home, pick off EIU and MSU on the road, get some love if the MVC is as strong as it appears it will be....

Hope you're right about the QB, he did improve every game from his first start vs NDSU and should come to the season confident that he's already seen as tough defenses as he's likely to this year. OL is the big question mark.

We're going to have best TE in FCS this season.

[underdawg]

A little off subject---but this is an SIU thread. I finally determined that Indiana University DT 6'4" 260 pound Marlandez Harris is working out this summer with the Saluki team.
the Springfield Illinois native (Sacred Heart-Griffin High) will back up starter Kayon Swanson.

[Houndawg]

That's a small NT. Converted DE?

[MplsBison]

That's a small NT. Converted DE?

This is the FCS, not the NFL.

[underdawg]

Indiana bio has him at 276--that help houndawg? Seriously, he was listed as a DE at Indiana. Swanson is listed under 300. After Marlandez eats the starchy fair at the SIU cafeterias all summer he may be right there weight-wise for NT duty.