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Post by wcugamer2 on Jan 29, 2018 12:44:41 GMT -5
With the 2018 Football Schedule being released, let's look at the games and give our predictions for what is to come for the 2018 season!
Western Carolina 2018 Catamount Football Schedule:
Sept. 1 - Newberry (Home Opener / Freshmen Run)
Sept. 8 - OPEN
Sept. 15 - at Gardner-Webb
Sept. 22 - VMI * (WCU Family Weekend)
Sept. 29 - at Furman *
Oct. 6 - at Samford *
Oct. 13 - Chattanooga *
Oct. 20 - at Mercer *
Oct. 27 - at East Tennessee State *
Nov. 3 - The Citadel * (2018 Homecoming)
Nov. 10 - Wofford *
Nov. 17 - at North Carolina
Nov. 24 - NCAA FCS Playoffs, First Round (TBA)
* - denotes Southern Conference game
I am going to go with wins over - Newberry, Gardner Webb, VMI, Chattanooga, Mercer, ETSU, The Citadel, and Wofford
And losses to - Furman, Samford, and North Carolina
Finish the season 8-3 overall, 6-2 in conference, and a bubble team for the playoffs
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Post by wcugrad95 on Jan 29, 2018 13:45:19 GMT -5
I think we still have plenty of good skill players on offense along with 4 of 5 returning o-line starters (all 4 will be Redshirt Seniors). Detrez and Terryon are big shoes to fill, but I am pretty comfortable that Holloway and Spencer will do well running (along with Tyrie). I am also expecting big things from both Jordan Mathis and Connell Young. We need to find a burner who can stretch the field, but we should be able to score points.
But in true cop-out fashion, I want to see/hear about how the defense has improved in Spring and August practices - particularly I want to see if we are bigger and stronger (with the new recruits as well as maybe a surprise of people being moved around). If we see another step forward on D, then I will feel confident we can have similar or better results than we had this season. We were better in 2017, but still a long way to go.
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Post by wcatradio75 on Jan 29, 2018 17:57:08 GMT -5
First - 8-3 should NOT make us a bubble team for the playoffs. I don't think there was an 8-3 team that didn't get in the final 24 this year. That being said, I think we'll be 7-4. Not sure the losses, but I do think we'll start out 3-0 for the first time in ______ years.
Maybe losses to Wofford, ETSU, Furman and of course, UNC.
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Post by wcugamer2 on Jan 29, 2018 19:28:04 GMT -5
The only reason I believe we would be a bubble team at 8-3 is I believe we will finish behind Furman and Samford in the SoCon standings. Depends on how strong the conference is top to bottom.
Also, a D2 win won't help.
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Post by wcuecu2010 on Jan 30, 2018 2:31:15 GMT -5
I hate that we are playing a D2 team but for some reason, I think we will have one of the best and most motivated teams in 2018. Wiley as DC and the type he is recruiting, plus I feel like this may be a really good recruiting class and with Tyrie being a junior I just feel good about this season. I also feel that we will be one of the best teams in the SoCon this year, and I don't know but with the coaching changes with ETSU and Wofford may (or may not) help WCU in its quest for SoCon championship in 2018. ETSU is mediocre and it remains to be seen what the new coach will do but even so, I think it will take time for him to build the program to his liking (that is if he is head coach material). Wofford, I think will not be as good this year as in the past, without Mike Ayers, this coach has made a statement that he wants to open the offense up more (more passing) and I don't think in 2018, that will help Wofford as their personnel is more equipped for the Triple Option and Wofford will have coaching growing pains. Furman, Samford, Mercer are the ones that worry me the most but if we win the SoCon our record is no issue  . ON ETSU, and Wofford it remains to be seen obviously how well these coaches will do at their respective schools, they could be the best coaches ever (doubtful) mediocre or awful. I think ETSU will transition better but I honestly think Wofford will have serious transition issues similar to what happened to Chattanooga last year. This is our time to take advantage of all of this Speir has been here 7yrs and its is completely his system now. |
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Post by bonsaiburke on Jan 30, 2018 8:19:13 GMT -5
Sept. 1 - Newberry W
Sept. 8 - OPEN Tie
Sept. 15 - at Gardner-Webb W
Sept. 22 - VMI * W
Sept. 29 - at Furman L
Oct. 6 - at Samford L
Oct. 13 - Chattanooga L
Oct. 20 - at Mercer W
Oct. 27 - at East Tennessee State W
Nov. 3 - The Citadel W
Nov. 10 - Wofford W
Nov. 17 - at North Carolina L
Final Record 7-4.
Unfortunately being forced to sign a D2 school after a scheduling issue costs us a chance at the playoffs. Our defense hopefully has improved. Many will criticize Coach Speir for missing the playoffs again but the program has remained successful (which is more than what many coaches previously could say)
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Post by CharlotteCat on Jan 30, 2018 13:42:52 GMT -5
Sept. 1 - Newberry W Sept. 8 - OPEN Tie Sept. 15 - at Gardner-Webb W Sept. 22 - VMI * W Sept. 29 - at Furman L Oct. 6 - at Samford L Oct. 13 - Chattanooga L Oct. 20 - at Mercer W Oct. 27 - at East Tennessee State W Nov. 3 - The Citadel W Nov. 10 - Wofford W Nov. 17 - at North Carolina L Final Record 7-4. Unfortunately being forced to sign a D2 school after a scheduling issue costs us a chance at the playoffs. Our defense hopefully has improved. Many will criticize Coach Speir for missing the playoffs again but the program has remained successful (which is more than what many coaches previously could say) That would give the Cats only 6 DI wins for the season, not enough to get into the playoffs. But I don't think we lose to Chattanooga next season, but I see the Citadel games as a toss-up. |
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Post by WesternFan on Jan 30, 2018 14:51:23 GMT -5
Sept. 1 - Newberry win
Sept. 8 - OPEN
Sept. 15 - at Gardner-Webb w
in
Sept. 22 - VMI win
Sept. 29 - at Furman loss
Oct. 6 - at Samford win
Oct. 13 - Chattanooga win
Oct. 20 - at Mercer win
Oct. 27 - at ETSU win
Nov. 3 - The Citadel win
Nov. 10 - Wofford win
Nov. 17 - at North Carolina loss
optimistic - 10-2 season
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Post by wcugrad95 on Feb 7, 2018 13:48:59 GMT -5
I know you never really know about a new recruit until they show up and get on a field with other college players, but I really like the guys we have added particularly on Defense with this class. Per my earlier projection, I ***think*** we now are building that side of the ball for sustained success (i.e. making winning seasons the "norm" rather than the exception). I don't know if we can expect multiple true Freshman to immediately provide impact, but I think we will have the talent for another 7+ win season.
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Post by The Cats on Apr 8, 2018 14:14:29 GMT -5
Now that we've seen the spring game, does anyone else want to give it a try at predicting wins and losses, or does anyone want to revise their already made prediction?
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