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Post by yoteforever on May 23, 2017 20:45:44 GMT -6
I think we defend the Dome...period. That's 4 wins in the Valley. I think we can win st Western Illinois. Possibly UNI.
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Post by elcoyote on May 23, 2017 23:09:45 GMT -6
I'm just not seeing all the love for Youngstown. I realize what they accomplished last year, but they lose a ton of extremely talented players. Tell me how they're going to replace those two D ends? Bo hasn't exactly killed it on the recruiting circuit either. When his Nebraska paychecks stop coming I think he bolts. I'm not sold on UNI being much better than average either. They have talent, but always seem to underachieve and it seems like there's a lot of distractions there now. In the MVFC even the below average teams would be playoff contenders or even qualifiers in most other conferences.
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Post by Coyote Fan on May 24, 2017 1:11:00 GMT -6
I think we defend the Dome...period. That's 4 wins in the Valley. I think we can win st Western Illinois. Possibly UNI. I agree that the Coyotes will be looking for revenge against Western Illinois and I agree that game could be a win especially one more year removed from Nielsen for the Necks. At UNI late in the year when they tend to play better football, I am not so optimistic about especially considering that the Coyotes almost never play well at the end of the season. That is why I also see SDSU coming into the dome and pulling out another win and probably in rather dramatic fashion. We just can't beat them at football and I expect to take crushing losses against them. Even in Men's hoops we had two very tough losses against them last year. I do hold the right to change but as of now I see the losses as follows at Bowling Green - but I actually think this one could be a win, maybe a 65%-35% game in favor of Bowling Green. (neutral) vs Youngstown - I think this is my swing game this year so I am 50/50 on this one at Illinois State at Northern Iowa at NDSU vs SDSU - their team is perfectly built to be indoors I have 5 losses at minimum so 6-5 is actually my optimistic prediction but not the actual prediction as of yet. If Youngstown gets away and either UND or any of the games that are supposed to be wins (including WIU) get away then the record could get to the depths of 4-7. I think many will probably be sleeping on UND but they could easily sneak one out of Vermillion as well if the Coyotes do not play well. The Coyotes just have to go 3-1 at minimum during what I consider the crucial stretch. If they do the playoff will still be legit but if they don't and end up with 3 losses on the season to this point it will mean there will not be playoffs for this year. My crucial stretch vs UND at Western Illinois vs Youngstown vs Indiana State IMO the Coyotes need to be 6-2 or better after the Indiana State game. If they are 5-3 or worse it will probably not bode well for the rest of the brutal schedule. |
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Post by yoteforever on May 24, 2017 6:39:23 GMT -6
I think we defend the Dome...period. That's 4 wins in the Valley. I think we can win st Western Illinois. Possibly UNI. I agree that the Coyotes will be looking for revenge against Western Illinois and I agree that game could be a win especially one more year removed from Nielsen for the Necks. At UNI late in the year when they tend to play better football, I am not so optimistic about especially considering that the Coyotes almost never play well at the end of the season. That is why I also see SDSU coming into the dome and pulling out another win and probably in rather dramatic fashion. We just can't beat them at football and I expect to take crushing losses against them. Even in Men's hoops we had two very tough losses against them last year. I do hold the right to change but as of now I see the losses as follows at Bowling Green - but I actually think this one could be a win, maybe a 65%-35% game in favor of Bowling Green. (neutral) vs Youngstown - I think this is my swing game this year so I am 50/50 on this one at Illinois State at Northern Iowa at NDSU vs SDSU - their team is perfectly built to be indoors I have 5 losses at minimum so 6-5 is actually my optimistic prediction but not the actual prediction as of yet. If Youngstown gets away and either UND or any of the games that are supposed to be wins (including WIU) get away then the record could get to the depths of 4-7. I think many will probably be sleeping on UND but they could easily sneak one out of Vermillion as well if the Coyotes do not play well. The Coyotes just have to go 3-1 at minimum during what I consider the crucial stretch. If they do the playoff will still be legit but if they don't and end up with 3 losses on the season to this point it will mean there will not be playoffs for this year. My crucial stretch vs UND at Western Illinois vs Youngstown vs Indiana State IMO the Coyotes need to be 6-2 or better after the Indiana State game. If they are 5-3 or worse it will probably not bode well for the rest of the brutal schedule. The Valley will be very good this year but not world beaters as we have witnessed the past 4 years. I actually blieve that SDSU might win the leagues, but not before walking out of the Dome with a loss. They are going to be very good, but to say "crushing losses" to them is speaking out of fear, and not reality. I will say this. Our coaching staff from top to bottom is as good as anyone in the league, if not better. I can name only 2 other teams that compare with is in that category. It is simply a prediction, but I do think USD will be the most improved team in the league. Every facet of our game will have improved with the two exceptions being the running back position and the kicking game. Other than those two, we are better across the board. if you look at last year, every loss we had In conference play was within 7 with the lone exception being at Youngstown by 10,early in the year. Other conference losses were to Western at home where we gave up the lead late in the game in stunning fashion. Southern Illinois was a total debacle till the 4th quarter and even at that we had a chance to pull that out. At Brookings we were tied and driving to take the lead late in the game against a team that was much deeper in talent than we were, and lastly a 7 point loss to the Bison where we were on their 20 with 5 minutes to go with a first and five and we didn't get it done. If we have improved more than the league on average, which I believe we have, then I see 5 conference wins. I see the Nielsen era taking off. We already have the best weight room in the country for FCS, and if we at minimum get Phase 1 of the Dome off the ground into reality, this staff will be here to stay and USD will be competing not only for conference championships very soon, but also in the discussion of potential national championship teams as well. Our recruiting has stepped up dramatically. In my opinion, we have the best coaching staff in the league. The biggest challenge is twofold. First, getting the kids mentality to get over the hump and think like champions. Secondly, fan participation to the point where playing in the Dome is damn near a certain win every time we play. Particularly the mindset of the players is what needs to happen, and quite frankly they remind me of the 78 team that had a giant chip on their shoulder and got it done. This team, barring any key injuries is much better than you think. |
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Post by fightsd on May 24, 2017 7:41:46 GMT -6
I agree that the Coyotes will be looking for revenge against Western Illinois and I agree that game could be a win especially one more year removed from Nielsen for the Necks. At UNI late in the year when they tend to play better football, I am not so optimistic about especially considering that the Coyotes almost never play well at the end of the season. That is why I also see SDSU coming into the dome and pulling out another win and probably in rather dramatic fashion. We just can't beat them at football and I expect to take crushing losses against them. Even in Men's hoops we had two very tough losses against them last year. I do hold the right to change but as of now I see the losses as follows at Bowling Green - but I actually think this one could be a win, maybe a 65%-35% game in favor of Bowling Green. (neutral) vs Youngstown - I think this is my swing game this year so I am 50/50 on this one at Illinois State at Northern Iowa at NDSU vs SDSU - their team is perfectly built to be indoors I have 5 losses at minimum so 6-5 is actually my optimistic prediction but not the actual prediction as of yet. If Youngstown gets away and either UND or any of the games that are supposed to be wins (including WIU) get away then the record could get to the depths of 4-7. I think many will probably be sleeping on UND but they could easily sneak one out of Vermillion as well if the Coyotes do not play well. The Coyotes just have to go 3-1 at minimum during what I consider the crucial stretch. If they do the playoff will still be legit but if they don't and end up with 3 losses on the season to this point it will mean there will not be playoffs for this year. My crucial stretch vs UND at Western Illinois vs Youngstown vs Indiana State IMO the Coyotes need to be 6-2 or better after the Indiana State game. If they are 5-3 or worse it will probably not bode well for the rest of the brutal schedule. The Valley will be very good this year but not world beaters as we have witnessed the past 4 years. I actually blieve that SDSU might win the leagues, but not before walking out of the Dome with a loss. They are going to be very good, but to say "crushing losses" to them is speaking out of fear, and not reality. I will say this. Our coaching staff from top to bottom is as good as anyone in the league, if not better. I can name only 2 other teams that compare with is in that category. It is simply a prediction, but I do think USD will be the most improved team in the league. Every facet of our game will have improved with the two exceptions being the running back position and the kicking game. Other than those two, we are better across the board. if you look at last year, every loss we had In conference play was within 7 with the lone exception being at Youngstown by 10,early in the year. Other conference losses were to Western at home where we gave up the lead late in the game in stunning fashion. Southern Illinois was a total debacle till the 4th quarter and even at that we had a chance to pull that out. At Brookings we were tied and driving to take the lead late in the game against a team that was much deeper in talent than we were, and lastly a 7 point loss to the Bison where we were on their 20 with 5 minutes to go with a first and five and we didn't get it done. If we have improved more than the league on average, which I believe we have, then I see 5 conference wins. I see the Nielsen era taking off. We already have the best weight room in the country for FCS, and if we at minimum get Phase 1 of the Dome off the ground into reality, this staff will be here to stay and USD will be competing not only for conference championships very soon, but also in the discussion of potential national championship teams as well. Our recruiting has stepped up dramatically. In my opinion, we have the best coaching staff in the league. The biggest challenge is twofold. First, getting the kids mentality to get over the hump and think like champions. Secondly, fan participation to the point where playing in the Dome is damn near a certain win every time we play. Particularly the mindset of the players is what needs to happen, and quite frankly they remind me of the 78 team that had a giant chip on their shoulder and got it done. This team, barring any key injuries is much better than you think. I'd like to hear what makes you think finishing Phase 1 of the dome renovations will have Nielsen and Company "here to stay". These guys are all professionals, always looking to advance in their careers. If (and when) the Yotes become perennial contenders, the offers will start coming at Bob Nielsen. Nielsen is at that age where he probably has one more move in him before retirement. Realistically, I could see him getting the Yotes a playoff berth or two in the next three years then taking a low level FBS job. Something Mountain West or MAC seems like a good fit, in my opinion. USD is still a stepping stone job like most FCS programs and the pay bump is just too dramatic to not take it. And I really don't blame anybody for that. To be clear, I hope we can lock Bob into another long term contract but I would not be at all surprised to see him move on after 3 or 4 seasons with the Yotes. As for my 2017 predictions: drake: W - The Bulldogs have shown me nothing to think we need to worry about this game in the last however many times we've pounded them in the dome. Playing on the road will be a little different, but it's still a win. @bowling Green: W - admittedly know very little about BGSU football, but I think the Yotes will be more "up" for this game than the guys looking for an FCS patsy (which is a big mistake scheduling MVFC teams) UND: W - can't fall asleep on this one, but it was very clear who the better team was last year up in Grand Forks. Crowd will be large and enthusiastic for home opener @wiu: W - Western is on the slide. Yotes get payback from last year YSU: L - this has more to do with the Yotes than YSU. YSU always fields a strong team, but I think the Yotes stumble after an emotional road win at Western ISUb: W - Coyotes bounce back and win a close one @isur: L - Redbirds will be an improved team and the Coyotes are usually starting to get a little banged up this time of year. Let this one get away from us. SIU: W - get a nice win at home. Somewhere around 14 or 17 pt victory. enough to make it convincing @uni: L - this one was the hardest one for me to pick. I don't really like playing them this late in the year. 50/50 game for me though @ndsu: L - the Bizun won't be national champions, but they will playing good football. Coyotes fall in the FargoDome SDSU: W - this one has been long overdue. I think we have the team to do it and playing at home puts us over the top. Coyotes win, riots in Verm. 7-4 (4-4 MVFC) but wouldn't be at all surprised at 8-3 (5-3 MVFC) I think this is the year the coyotes get over the hump. |
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Post by Yote 53 on May 24, 2017 7:52:39 GMT -6
You're short. We are better than everyone thinks. I see 5 wins in the Valley, possibly 6 I agree with this. Yotes are underrated and will bust out this year. |
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Post by yotefbfan on May 24, 2017 8:31:56 GMT -6
Always fun to chime in on this thread and look forward to the next season! After the spring game, and seeing the younger players and the overall growth of the team in the weight room, there should be lots of optimism for next year. I agree with many of the posts that we are underrated, but I am not sure that other teams in the MVFB conference are overlooking us, especially with as much as we bring back on offence.
Defensively, we will be young with a sprinkling of experience. I like our DBs and think we are better at LB than most might think. The key for me will be the D-line. How much have the young kids grown and are they ready to be key contributors? If the mix of young players with the few vets works our defense might be a lot better than most might predict.
On offense, there is a lot to like. The O-line looks bigger and deeper with great experience. The QB position is solid with either Streveler or Simmons at the helm. We are deep and talented at receiver. I think the key to us being very good or great might come down to RB. With Fredrick being the only back with experience, we need one of the Redshirt Freshman to emerge. There should be some good optimism with what we saw from Klett and Falaniko in the spring game. We need to be able to control the ball and establish the run to be effective.
As far as my predictions, I like to break the season into sections and predict the record for each as you typically have a few surprise wins or loses in any season.
Drake, Bowling Green, North Dakota - 2-1 (outside chance to be 3-0 since I don't think BG will be much tougher than what we see in the conference)
WIU, Youngstown St, Indiana St. 2-1
Illinois St., Southern Illinois, UNI - 2-1
NDSU & SDSU - 1-1
Overall 7-4 Wow that is optimistic on my part, but I think the corner is about to get turned! Obviously, injuries and other factors could change things quickly but my low end is still 6 wins and my high end is 8 wins. The last 3 games are tough, but I just think there are a few surprises ahead!
Go Yotes!
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Post by Yotes on May 24, 2017 10:59:18 GMT -6
I'm leery when it comes to giving concrete predictions, there is so much that can change. I remember thinking the season where we opened at Oregon was going to be a breakout year and it turned into an absolute disaster.
Right now I believe that if we win our final game of the regular season we are squarely in the playoffs. 6 or 7 wins in the regular season and a bubble team in November.
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Post by thebacksackdad on May 24, 2017 18:20:38 GMT -6
In a prior post, somebody mentioned the culture has to be changed,,,the boys have to have the confidence that they're winners and I agree that's the biggest factor in turning the program around. I can assure everybody that Neilson has changed the culture. Nielson brings a track record of success. He has won national championships and has been college coach of the year three times, I believe. I don't want to clue anybody in yet to how I know this, but his first question to his coaches and his recruits is what is the most important factor in your choice for your future??? ...and the most important answer to Neilson is "I want to be a winner". Believe me when I say the culture is now what it needs to be for winners!!! (look at the record of the coaches and the recruits...they're accustomed to winning!!!)
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Post by thebacksackdad on May 24, 2017 18:22:50 GMT -6
I'm going to stick with my prediction of an undefeated season!  |
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Post by fightsd on May 25, 2017 6:28:53 GMT -6
In a prior post, somebody mentioned the culture has to be changed,,,the boys have to have the confidence that they're winners and I agree that's the biggest factor in turning the program around. I can assure everybody that Neilson has changed the culture. Nielson brings a track record of success. He has won national championships and has been college coach of the year three times, I believe. I don't want to clue anybody in yet to how I know this, but his first question to his coaches and his recruits is what is the most important factor in your choice for your future??? ...and the most important answer to Neilson is "I want to be a winner". Believe me when I say the culture is now what it needs to be for winners!!! (look at the record of the coaches and the recruits...they're accustomed to winning!!!) Ha. Always think it's funny when the dads of players get on the boards and think we can't figure it out. But I like your optimism and I agree with you that culture is an important factor in building a program. I am not close enough to it anymore to say whether or not the culture within the locker room has changed at all, but I do think the attitude of the fan base has become more optimistic and is expecting success rather than just hoping for it. People are excited, if you need evidence go back and watch the spring game and see how many people were in the stands. I would guess that there were more people in attendance for this year's scrimmage than there were for the last 3 combined. |
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Post by Yote 53 on May 25, 2017 7:23:04 GMT -6
With a name like backsackdad, well, that was kind of a giveaway.
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Post by usdtator on May 25, 2017 7:45:25 GMT -6
Does this get everyone pumped for the season to start?!?!? We will be there!
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Post by yoteforever on May 26, 2017 18:57:22 GMT -6
Fightsd, you asked me why I thought that completion of Phase 1 of the Dome would keep Nielson and staff in Vermillion. Here's my reply:
For starters, Bob is in his mid to past mid 50s, and I think is highly unlikely to seek out or take a new job IF the university delivers on the promises made to support him, and give him the ammo to finish his career in Vermillion. If they are as successful as I think they are going to be, you can almost bet that his replacement will come from his staff. I'm not saying some quality assistants won't ever leave, I just don't think the vast majority of them will bolt. Strictly my opinion. Phase 1 of the Dome renovation is new locker rooms, new coaches offices, and a new outdoor practice center. We will get this done. That's what he needs to finish the deal.
Secondly, I think he has a master plan to build the foundation his way, and leave a legacy right here. That's my gut feel. He looks at NDSU as a baromoter for building the program, and if you look closely, he's getting it done in the brief time here. He wants to build a platform that has USD always in the discussion for titles and that takes time. Again, strictly my gut feel but I think I'm on the right track.
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Post by Coyote Fan on May 27, 2017 0:42:39 GMT -6
Fightsd, you asked me why I thought that completion of Phase 1 of the Dome would keep Nielson and staff in Vermillion. Here's my reply: For starters, Bob is in his mid to past mid 50s, and I think is highly unlikely to seek out or take a new job IF the university delivers on the promises made to support him, and give him the ammo to finish his career in Vermillion. If they are as successful as I think they are going to be, you can almost bet that his replacement will come from his staff. I'm not saying some quality assistants won't ever leave, I just don't think the vast majority of them will bolt. Strictly my opinion. Phase 1 of the Dome renovation is new locker rooms, new coaches offices, and a new outdoor practice center. We will get this done. That's what he needs to finish the deal. Secondly, I think he has a master plan to build the foundation his way, and leave a legacy right here. That's my gut feel. He looks at NDSU as a baromoter for building the program, and if you look closely, he's getting it done in the brief time here. He wants to build a platform that has USD always in the discussion for titles and that takes time. Again, strictly my gut feel but I think I'm on the right track. Lets slam on the breaks for a moment. His first year he was 4-7 so I don't consider him "getting it done" until he proves in the win loss column that the hype turns into concrete results. 3 touchdown leads that evaporate and turn into losses isn't quite getting it done. According to the Western Illinois fans this is a trend that he doesn't seem to be able to correct. I can understand the optimism to a point but I do think it is getting out of hand a bit. We have gone through this hype train all too often and most of the time it does not turn into results on the field. We hope it is different this time but it is just HOPE at this point. I personally still need to see at least a 4-4 Valley record before I even begin to get confident that the Yotes have turned the corner. Is the team season ticket worthy. I think they are worth the price of admission but the defense needs quite a bit of correcting before we can be assured of a playoff type team. If Nielsen does what Craig Smith did to basketball then it will be time to puff out the chests a bit. I believe Nielsen's best year in FCS is either 6-5 or 7-4. I am still way more impressed with what he did at Minnesota Duluth then what he did at Western Illinois. At the FCS level Nielsen has proven to be solid, it was at UMD where he was great. We still need to see if that is transferable to the FCS level. I certainly hope so. As far as NDSU as a barometer if you mean by the way the team is built the offense is completely different than NDSU's and actually it's quite the opposite. If you mean simply by trying a measure by attempting to put rings on all fingers including the thumb then that seems to be more accurate. I would be plenty satisfied with a ring simply on the third finger. I think this season is going to be a modest year and in year 3 things will really start to take off. |
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