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Post by yotefbfan on Feb 18, 2018 17:31:25 GMT -6
With 9 weeks before the 2018 USD Spring game on Friday, April 20th, I thought it might be fun to take spring scout look at each team in the MVFC.
Week of
Feb. 19th - Youngstown St & Indiana St (guess I should have started this a week earlier
Feb. 26th - Southern Il
March 5th - Illinois St
March 12th - Western Ill
March 19th - Missouri St
March 26th - Northern Iowa
April 2nd - SDSU
April 9th - NDSU
April 16th - USD
With a look at the game notes from last year, the MVFC Website, and each teams website, here is some information followed by my thoughts.
Youngstown St.- 6-5, 4-4 in Conference in 2017
Graduating: 20 Seniors: 6 Offensive Starters, 5 Defensive Starters, 0 Special Teams Starters, & 7 others on depth chart last fall
All-Conference Losses- 1st team 1 OL, Honorable Mention - 1 TE, 1 LB, 1 DB,
All-Conference Returning Players - 1st team - RB, 2nd team - 2 OL, 1 LB, 1 DB, Honorable Mention - 1 LS
All-Newcomer Team: 1 RB, 1 DE, 1 CB
21 Seniors next year
3 top 40 MVFC Recruits according to HERO
22 total recruits including 7 college or JC transfers including 1 former Ohio St (TE) recruit and 1 former Oklahoma (WR) recruit
New Offensive Coordinator & Defensive Coordinator
3 wins to end the season
After their loss to use last year, Youngstown St imploded, but not a surprise considering this is a Bo Pelini team. The 7 recruits with college experience lead me to believe they have some depth issues they need to address to be competitive. JC and other transfers are always hit and miss. They return a good offense, but clearly need to upgrade on D. This is still a good MVFC team that once again will finish in the middle of the pack, but can also beat some good teams. We play them on the road week 7, we should have a good handle on our team by then, but this team will be looking for revenge. I am predicting 5-6
Indiana St - 0-11, 0-8 in Conference in 2017
Graduate: 18 Seniors: 4 Offensive Starters, 4 Defensive Starters, 2 Special Team Starters & 6 others on the depth chart last fall
All-Conference Losses- 2nd team 1 TE, Honorable Mention - 1 RB, 1 P
All-Conference Returning Players - 2nd team - 1 LB, Honorable Mention - 1 LB
All-Newcomer Team: None
10 Seniors next year
1 top 40 MVFC Recruits according to HERO
30 total recruits including 7 college or JC transfers including a Graduate OL transfer from Kentucky, The first true signing class for Coach Mallory
Indiana St. is still a long way from contending in the MVFC. Do not expect any major improvement as they will be very young, but I will predict they will not go without a win next year. They should be an improved offensive team as they had 8 True Freshmen or Red-Shirt Freshmen on the depth chart when they played us last year. On Defense, they return depth at LB and 6 True Freshmen or Red-Shirt Freshmen on the depth chart last year. We play them week 9 in Terre Haute, by that time baring major injuries they should not be a big challenge. I am predicting 2-9
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Post by elcoyote on Feb 18, 2018 20:34:34 GMT -6
With 9 weeks before the 2018 USD Spring game on Friday, April 20th, I thought it might be fun to take spring scout look at each team in the MVFC. Week of Feb. 19th - Youngstown St & Indiana St (guess I should have started this a week earlier Feb. 26th - Southern Il March 5th - Illinois St March 12th - Western Ill March 19th - Missouri St March 26th - Northern Iowa April 2nd - SDSU April 9th - NDSU April 16th - USD With a look at the game notes from last year, the MVFC Website, and each teams website, here is some information followed by my thoughts.
Youngstown St.- 6-5, 4-4 in Conference in 2017 Graduating: 20 Seniors: 6 Offensive Starters, 5 Defensive Starters, 0 Special Teams Starters, & 7 others on depth chart last fall All-Conference Losses- 1st team 1 OL, Honorable Mention - 1 TE, 1 LB, 1 DB, All-Conference Returning Players - 1st team - RB, 2nd team - 2 OL, 1 LB, 1 DB, Honorable Mention - 1 LS All-Newcomer Team: 1 RB, 1 DE, 1 CB 21 Seniors next year 3 top 40 MVFC Recruits according to HERO 22 total recruits including 7 college or JC transfers including 1 former Ohio St (TE) recruit and 1 former Oklahoma (WR) recruit New Offensive Coordinator & Defensive Coordinator 3 wins to end the season After their loss to use last year, Youngstown St imploded, but not a surprise considering this is a Bo Pelini team. The 7 recruits with college experience lead me to believe they have some depth issues they need to address to be competitive. JC and other transfers are always hit and miss. They return a good offense, but clearly need to upgrade on D. This is still a good MVFC team that once again will finish in the middle of the pack, but can also beat some good teams. We play them on the road week 7, we should have a good handle on our team by then, but this team will be looking for revenge. I am predicting 5-6 Indiana St - 0-11, 0-8 in Conference in 2017 Graduate: 18 Seniors: 4 Offensive Starters, 4 Defensive Starters, 2 Special Team Starters & 6 others on the depth chart last fall All-Conference Losses- 2nd team 1 TE, Honorable Mention - 1 RB, 1 P All-Conference Returning Players - 2nd team - 1 LB, Honorable Mention - 1 LB All-Newcomer Team: None 10 Seniors next year 1 top 40 MVFC Recruits according to HERO 30 total recruits including 7 college or JC transfers including a Graduate OL transfer from Kentucky, The first true signing class for Coach Mallory Indiana St. is still a long way from contending in the MVFC. Do not expect any major improvement as they will be very young, but I will predict they will not go without a win next year. They should be an improved offensive team as they had 8 True Freshmen or Red-Shirt Freshmen on the depth chart when they played us last year. On Defense, they return depth at LB and 6 True Freshmen or Red-Shirt Freshmen on the depth chart last year. We play them week 9 in Terre Haute, by that time baring major injuries they should not be a big challenge. I am predicting 2-9 Nice synopsis of both these teams. I'll look forward to this each week. One more thing on Youngstown is they added a Notre Dame transfer at quarterback. Not as scary as it sounds, he was a walk on who never saw a snap and played scout team exclusively. His dad was the Irish defensive coordinator who was fired midseason in 2016, Brian Van Gorder I think his name was. |
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Post by thebacksackdad on Feb 20, 2018 19:45:45 GMT -6
5 games into the season, USD is ranked top 5 and holds it till the end this time based on a incredible D people think came from nowhere (but I know came from a lot of hard work by the entire staff/team)!
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Post by yotefbfan on Feb 26, 2018 5:50:44 GMT -6
Southern Illinois - 4-7, 2-6 in Conference in 2017
Graduate: 14 Seniors: 4 Offensive Starters, 3 Defensive Starters, 1 Special Team Starters & 4 others on the depth chart last fall
All-Conference Losses- 2nd team 1 OL, Honorable Mention - 1 FB,
All-Conference Returning Players - 1st team - P, 2nd team - 1 DB Honorable Mention - 1 KR, 1 WR
All-Newcomer Team: 1 WR (Jr), 1 DL
19 Seniors next year
6 top 40 MVFC Recruits according to HERO
26 total recruits including 6 college or JC transfers including transfers from Wisconsin, Oklahoma St., Iowa, Missouri, & Minnesota
SIU is a team looking to move out of the bottom of the MVFC. The six transfers from other colleges let you know they are looking for some immediate impact players to join their young team. The recruiting class has been rated better than us. On offense, they return a quality senior QB and WR, but they still need to improve their running game. On Defense, they finished near the bottom of the league and they lose their top two tacklers, so they will still struggle to stop good teams. I would look for them to be much better than the team we saw in Vermillion last fall. We see them on the road week 4 to open the MVFC schedule. Don't fall asleep on this team or they can ruin your season. I am predicting a 5-6 season
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Post by leatherneckcountry on Feb 26, 2018 7:23:35 GMT -6
Southern Illinois - 4-7, 2-6 in Conference in 2017 Graduate: 14 Seniors: 4 Offensive Starters, 3 Defensive Starters, 1 Special Team Starters & 4 others on the depth chart last fall All-Conference Losses- 2nd team 1 OL, Honorable Mention - 1 FB, All-Conference Returning Players - 1st team - P, 2nd team - 1 DB Honorable Mention - 1 KR, 1 WR All-Newcomer Team: 1 WR (Jr), 1 DL 19 Seniors next year 6 top 40 MVFC Recruits according to HERO 26 total recruits including 6 college or JC transfers including transfers from Wisconsin, Oklahoma St., Iowa, Missouri, & Minnesota SIU is a team looking to move out of the bottom of the MVFC. The six transfers from other colleges let you know they are looking for some immediate impact players to join their young team. The recruiting class has been rated better than us. On offense, they return a quality senior QB and WR, but they still need to improve their running game. On Defense, they finished near the bottom of the league and they lose their top two tacklers, so they will still struggle to stop good teams. I would look for them to be much better than the team we saw in Vermillion last fall. We see them on the road week 4 to open the MVFC schedule. Don't fall asleep on this team or they can ruin your season. I am predicting a 5-6 season I personally see them at 7-4 and a playoff team they would have been a borderline playoff team had Straub not went down. |
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Post by easmus on Feb 26, 2018 11:58:14 GMT -6
Southern Illinois - 4-7, 2-6 in Conference in 2017 Graduate: 14 Seniors: 4 Offensive Starters, 3 Defensive Starters, 1 Special Team Starters & 4 others on the depth chart last fall All-Conference Losses- 2nd team 1 OL, Honorable Mention - 1 FB, All-Conference Returning Players - 1st team - P, 2nd team - 1 DB Honorable Mention - 1 KR, 1 WR All-Newcomer Team: 1 WR (Jr), 1 DL 19 Seniors next year 6 top 40 MVFC Recruits according to HERO 26 total recruits including 6 college or JC transfers including transfers from Wisconsin, Oklahoma St., Iowa, Missouri, & Minnesota SIU is a team looking to move out of the bottom of the MVFC. The six transfers from other colleges let you know they are looking for some immediate impact players to join their young team. The recruiting class has been rated better than us. On offense, they return a quality senior QB and WR, but they still need to improve their running game. On Defense, they finished near the bottom of the league and they lose their top two tacklers, so they will still struggle to stop good teams. I would look for them to be much better than the team we saw in Vermillion last fall. We see them on the road week 4 to open the MVFC schedule. Don't fall asleep on this team or they can ruin your season. I am predicting a 5-6 season Playing them on the road and early in the season will be much different than when we played them in 2017. They looked the part last year, but lost their starting QB in 1st half and played very undisciplined football. So I agree they cannot be overlooked in 2018. |
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Post by yotefbfan on Mar 4, 2018 17:43:15 GMT -6
Illinois St - 6-5, 4-4 in Conference in 2017
Graduate: 19 Seniors: 2 Offensive Starters, 5 Defensive Starters, 2 Special Team Starters & 6 others on the depth chart last fall
All-Conference Losses- 1st team 1 K, 1 DL, 1 DB, 2nd team 1 DB, Honorable Mention - 1 OL, 1 DL
All-Conference Returning Players - 1st team - RB, 2nd team - 1 WR, Honorable Mention - 1 TE
All-Newcomer Team: 1 OL, 1 RB, 1 LB (Jr)
10 Seniors next year
3 top 40 MVFC Recruits according to HERO
30 total recruits including 1 JC transfer
New OC & DC, 7 new coaches total
Looks like Coach Spack was not happy with his coaching staff as he fired all of the offensive coaches and a few on defense. This team is losing a lot on defense to graduation, and their offense was not what it was the previous years. With a new OC and DC, I would expect this team to look different. Next year they have two easy nonconference games at home to start the season. We are off their schedule until 2020. This is a team with the arrow pointing down, but a favorable schedule could help them out, so I am going with a 5-6 season as they will struggle in conference.
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Post by yotefbfan on Mar 11, 2018 19:18:39 GMT -6
Western Illinois - 8-4, 5-3 in Conference in 2017 - 1st round playoffs
Graduate: 20 Seniors: 6 Offensive Starters, 6 Defensive Starters, 1 Special Team Starters & 6 others on the depth chart last fall
All-Conference Losses- 1st team - 1 OL, 1 WR, 1 LB (D Player of the Year) 2nd team - 1 OL, Honorable Mention - 1 OL
All-Conference Returning Players - 1st team - 1-DL 2nd team - 1 RB, 1 DB Honorable Mention - 1 QB, 1 RB, LB
All-Newcomer Team: 1 RB, 1 DB (Sr, graduated)
21 Seniors next year
3 top 40 MVFC Recruits according to HERO
21 total recruits including 5 JC transfers
New Head Coach
If you're a Leatherneck fan, you might not want to read what I have to say, but with all of your losses on offense and defense, add a new head coach with zero head coaching experience, and a few sub-par recruiting years and the arrow is pointing down. Unfortunately, a very solid schedule also does not help, there is a very good chance that WIU starts off 0-6 before getting their first chance at a win versus Missouri St. Their non-conference schedule includes a very tough Montana St team on the road, followed by a trip to Illinois, and finally home to face Montana. Although they return a few good pieces on offense including QB Sean McGuire and RB Steve McShane, they will be rebuilding their O-Line. On Defense, they graduate the MVFC Defensive Player of the Year along with 5 other starters. We will see them week 10 at home, by then they might not have much fight left in them. I am predicting a disappointing 2-9 season and an exit as one of the better teams in the MVFC.
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Post by easmus on Mar 11, 2018 19:21:29 GMT -6
Seems entirely plausible the Leathernecks have a step back next season.
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Post by yotefbfan on Mar 18, 2018 9:16:14 GMT -6
Missouri St - 3-8, 2-6 in Conference in 2017 Graduate: 17 Seniors: 2 Offensive Starters, 3 Defensive Starters, & 3 others on the depth chart last fall All-Conference Losses- 1st team - 1 KR, 2nd team - 1 WR, 1 DL Honorable Mention - 1 FB, All-Conference Returning Players - 2nd team - 1 LB Honorable Mention - 1 QB, 1 OL, 1 DB All-Newcomer Team: 1 QB, 1 LB 15 Seniors next year 2 top 40 MVFC Recruits according to HERO 27 total recruits including 8 college or JC transfers This looks like a team on the rise. Overall they lost very little and look to be returning many key players. We did not see this team last year, but we will host them game 5, and by then we will have a better picture of not only who we are but also who they are. Last year, MSU struggled on defense giving up 38.3 pts per game. Their transfer QB Peyton Huslig (JC teammate of Cody Jennings) was a majority of their offense and while he is formidable, they need to establish other playmakers to help them become relevant in the MVFC. Curiously, their overall roster seems a bit light with only 66 players on their spring roster compared to our 86. 11 freshman saw playing time last year, and I would guess you will see more young players and transfers see the field this year. I am predicting a 4-7 season, but the Bears will be in more games this year. Here is the link to the STATS spring view on the MVFC www.foxsports.com/college-football/story/missouri-valley-football-conference-spring-outlook-031618
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Post by lakesbison on Mar 21, 2018 11:01:05 GMT -6
NDSU started Day 1 today. 25 kids sitting out, NDSU has played so many games last few years that this really doesn't hurt.
picked up a WR transfer from WMU (Flecks recruit)
2 Monster TE's will play as Freshman next year Noah Gindorf 6 6 257 who turned down Minnesota will play for 1st time this spring.
5 Really good RB's
2 QB's in battle for Backup & successor to Easton Stick (Hotchkiss & Sanders)
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Post by yotefbfan on Mar 25, 2018 15:50:38 GMT -6
Northern Iowa - 8-5, 6-2 in Conference in 2017, 2nd round playoffs
Graduate: 14 Seniors: 3 Offensive Starters, 6 Defensive Starters, 3 Special Team Starters & 2 others on the depth chart last fall
All-Conference Losses- 1st team - 1 WR, 1 DL, 1 LB, 1 DB 2nd team - 1 OL, 1 P Honorable Mention - 1 DB
All-Conference Returning Players - 2nd team - 1 DL Honorable Mention - 1 TE, 1 RB
All-Newcomer Team: 1 WR, 1 LB (Sr Grad)
19 Seniors next year
3 top 40 MVFC Recruits according to HERO
21 total recruits including 3 college or JC transfers including a transfer from Purdue
This is a team that lost a lot on defense, especially in the defensive backfield where they will be very young this year. By the time we see this team in our 6th week, the DBs will either be well tested and ready to play or they could be the Achilles heel of the team. On offense, UNI brings back an experienced QB in Dunne, who is an above average thrower, but NO threat to run. They have a stable of quality RBs and receivers, but no real superstars. Most of the O-line returns and will be the strength of the team. They are well coached and will remain a top-tier team in the MVFC. There is still an unfilled date on their non-conference schedule, but I am predicting a 7-4 season and a return to the playoffs.
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Post by yotefbfan on Apr 1, 2018 15:17:08 GMT -6
NDSU - 14-1, 7-1 in Conference in 2017, National Champs
Graduate: 20 Seniors: 4 Offensive Starters, 3 Defensive Starters, 3 Special Team Starters & 7 others on the depth chart last fall
All-Conference Losses- 1st team - 1OL, 1 FB, 1 LS , 1 LB, 1 DB 2nd team - 1 WR Honorable Mention - 1 DL
All-Conference Returning Players - 1st team - 1 DB 2nd team - 1 RB, 1 OL, 1 DL, 1 LB Honorable Mention - 1 OL, 1 K, 1 QB
All-Newcomer Team: 1 LB
23 Seniors next year
12 top 40 MVFC Recruits according to HERO
27 total recruits
Fact, NDSU is the returning MVFC champion and the FCS National Champions, that alone make them a very tough team. They are losing a lot of very good players, but they are also returning some excellent athletes and a ton of depth. On offense, a strong O-line returns to help protect Easton Stick and make holes for the trio of Anderson, Brooks, and Dunn. They also return their top receiver in Shepherd, but they will need to find some new targets in all their young players. On, defense, the loss of Deluca is big, but they also have a ton coming back. I expect this team to be the favorite again. They cannot get any FBS teams to play them, so instead, they get various FCS teams to visit Fargo resulting in their first 4 games being home games. With 7 home games and only 2 regular season losses at home in the last 5 years, it is safe to say they go 7-0 at home. On the road, they face WIU, Missouri St, UNI, and USD. Their best chance for a loss will come with UNI or the Coyotes! I am predicting a 10-1 season and another good playoff run.
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Post by yotefbfan on Apr 8, 2018 13:53:12 GMT -6
SDSU - 11-3, 6-2 in Conference in 2017, Semi-Finals
Graduate: 15 Seniors: 5 Offensive Starters, 4 Defensive Starters, 0 Special Team Starters & 6 others on the depth chart last fall
All-Conference Losses - 1st team - 1 OL, 1 TE, 1 WR 2nd team - 1 FB, 1 DL Honorable Mention - 1 OL, 1 DB
All-Conference Returning Players - 1st team - LB, 1 DB, 2nd team - 1 QB, 1 K
All-Newcomer Team: 1 WR, 1 LB
14 Seniors next year
2 top 40 MVFC Recruits according to HERO
32 total recruits including 2 JC transfers
OK time for a look at the bunnies. Let's face it they are losing a lot in Wieneke and Goedert, but do not forget they are also losing their starting center and left tackle to graduation along with Mengarelli at RB. Add these losses up, and the challenge is to see how much depth they have to fill those spots and how good Christian is at QB minus 3 key offensive weapons and 2 all-conference performers on the O-line. My guess is you will see a drop in how effective they can be. I am sure they will find replacements, but the lack of experience will show. On defense, they bring back a lot of talent and experience on the D-line and LB positions. The LB group might be the best in the MVFC. They are replacing 3 starters in the defensive backfield and they will have a lot of inexperienced players rotating in and out until they can find the right mix. After a tough first game at Iowa St., they can build some momentum and experience with the next two games. We see them the last game of the year in Brookings, and by then, we should know what type of team they really have. I am predicting an 8-3 season and another playoff appearance.
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Post by howlingyote on Apr 8, 2018 14:26:40 GMT -6
SDSU - 11-3, 6-2 in Conference in 2017, Semi-Finals Graduate: 15 Seniors: 5 Offensive Starters, 4 Defensive Starters, 0 Special Team Starters & 6 others on the depth chart last fall All-Conference Losses - 1st team - 1 OL, 1 TE, 1 WR 2nd team - 1 FB, 1 DL Honorable Mention - 1 OL, 1 DB All-Conference Returning Players - 1st team - LB, 1 DB, 2nd team - 1 QB, 1 K All-Newcomer Team: 1 WR, 1 LB 14 Seniors next year 2 top 40 MVFC Recruits according to HERO 32 total recruits including 2 JC transfers OK time for a look at the bunnies. Let's face it they are losing a lot in Wieneke and Goedert, but do not forget they are also losing their starting center and left tackle to graduation along with Mengarelli at RB. Add these losses up, and the challenge is to see how much depth they have to fill those spots and how good Christian is at QB minus 3 key offensive weapons and 2 all-conference performers on the O-line. My guess is you will see a drop in how effective they can be. I am sure they will find replacements, but the lack of experience will show. On defense, they bring back a lot of talent and experience on the D-line and LB positions. The LB group might be the best in the MVFC. They are replacing 3 starters in the defensive backfield and they will have a lot of inexperienced players rotating in and out until they can find the right mix. After a tough first game at Iowa St., they can build some momentum and experience with the next two games. We see them the last game of the year in Brookings, and by then, we should know what type of team they really have. I am predicting an 8-3 season and another playoff appearance. Good recap, but I think the bunnies will struggle and finish 6-5, missing the playoffs. I doubt many will agree with my assessment, but I really think they will be down big on offense and a little on defense. Losses: - Iowa State - NDSU - UNI - Illinois State - USD |
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