2017 Predictions

[Coyote Fan]

Jul 30, 2017 11:48:34 GMT -6 Yotes said:

I might have already made a prediction, I can't remember, but I'm going to take a crack at it:

@ Drake - W. Tune-up game. I'll be concerned if we don't win by at least 3 TDs.
@ Bowling Green - L. They had a truly dreadful run in 2016, starting 1-8 with the W being a very fortunate win against UND, but won 3 straight to close out the year. I'm going to guess they've improved enough to handle us.
UND - W. We owe these guys a sound defeat after the last two games in Grand Forks. Gave away last year's game, will handle them at home.
@ WIU - W. Another game we gave away in 2016, one that meant a whole lot to WIU players seeking revenge. I think WIU is set for a decline this year and we take care of business in Macomb.
Youngstown State - L. It will take some DDays magic to pull this one out. YSU won't make another miracle run to the title game, but will be quite good again this year.
Indiana State - W. Probably the most winnable game on the schedule besides Drake.
@ Illinois State - L. They finished last year strong and bring back 14 starters. I don't think we take this one.
Southern Illinois - W. They'll throw the ball all over the place again, but our secondary will be much improved this year.
@ UNI - W. UNI sucks.
@ NDSU - L. They'll remember our last trip and the close call in Vermillion, won't take us lightly.
SDSU - W. We erase the drought to clinch our first playoff berth.
Round 1 - W. In our first FCS playoff appearance we host a Pioner League or OVC team and get an easy win.
Round 2 - L. We travel to a Dakota school and lose the rematch.

8-5 with an exit in the 2nd round of the playoffs.

I reserve the right to change my prediction at any point in time and act like this post never happened because I will not remember it.

You could be right on with your playoff predictions. I could easily see that happening but we will see on selection sunday and whether or not the Coyotes will host.

[Coyote Fan]

Jul 30, 2017 2:56:54 GMT -6 Coyote Fan said:

Nice to get back to the topic at hand. I have been teetering what I think will happen. Months ago I picked the following

Wins: Drake, North Dakota, Western Illinois, Indiana State and Southern Illinois.
Losses: Bowling Green, Youngstown, Illinois State, UNI, NDSU and SDSU

Of those games I feel the most solid with Drake, Indiana State, Southern Illinois and NDSU as I just don't see those games going the other direction. I am leaning in the direction of being correct with UND, Western Illinois, Illinois State, UNI and SDSU. That leaves 2 games that I am almost completely on the fence with. Bowling Green and Youngstown. With Bowling Green I think the Coyotes have a better chance to win that game as they do in any other game I picked as a loss other then Youngstown which is even with that game. IMO that leaves 7 games that could truly go either way. That could be the difference in finishing somewhere between 3-8 and 10-1.

If the Coyotes can beat Bowling Green that would be a pretty big springboard for the season. With that type of momentum the Coyotes could legitimately start 6-0. Of course that is the dream type of a start but with a win over BG the Coyotes would likley have at least a 50% shot of being able to win each individual game through the first 6. On the other hand lose to BG and suddenly the UND game becomes a must win at home to have a good chance at making post season.

What ever happens the Yotes have many games this year that could hinge on how well they play with the lead, play in the 4th quarter and stop the run. Those are what I consider the three biggest keys to the season in general. If all three of those factors improve then having 7 or more wins is not only possible but probable.

I should have stuck to my pre-season predictions. Of the games I felt were solid or were leaning on I ended up going 9-0. I missed both games that I was completely on the fence with. My keys of being able to stop the run, play with the lead and play in the 4th quarter were critical for this season. The Coyotes lost when they couldn't stop the run and their inability to play well in the 4th quarter was an issue all year in their losses and even in some of their wins. They played badly in the 4th quarter against Youngstown and W Illinois eventhough they won and also in losses to Illinois State, UNI and SDSU. To my recollection the only time all year they played well in crunch time in games was for one drive against YSU where they won with a field goal.

In all other 4th quarter situations or tight game situations they did not play well at all.

[Coyote Fan]

This is what I came up with in the thread for everyone's predictions this year. Sorry if I missed anyone.

These people picked the record correctly.

Yote 53
Sportschic kind of as she picked either 8-3 or 7-4
Fight SD
Yotefbfan
Yotes

Here are the other records

Coyote Fan 5-6
Backsackday 11-0
Easmus 6-5


Here are the records for picking the game by game results

Yote 53 9-2
Fightsd 9-2
Coyote Fan 9-2 (finished 6-0)
Sportchic 8-3
backsackdad 7-4
Yotes 7-4

Maybe next year we can have some better participation for the game by game predictions. Many people did quite well this year.