MAC Blogger Roundtable--my answers

1.) As we begin to actually move to conference play, what have you learned about your team through their non-conference schedule? More importantly, in what ways would you like to see your non-conference schedule improve or change in future years?

I think the biggest thing we have learned abut BG is that the team can score points.  The development of Matt Johnson at QB, along with Travis Greene at WR has very much solidified some key question marks.  With a strong defense and even an above average offense, BG becomes much harder to beat.

As for the out-of-conference schedule, I am relatively happy.  The current format is 1 FCS, two AQ and one non-AQ on a home and home.  I like playing a non-AQ team like Tulsa...they are a good and interesting opponent who will play us home and home.  If it were up to me, we'd replace one AQ game with a non-AQ game, but given the funding issues I don't think that is in the cards.

2.) Let's chat for a minute about conference rivals. Allegedly we all have them, and we all hate them. What have you learned about your rivals and do they worry you for your team's success this year and beyond?

First of all, the Rockets are always worth worrying about.  Even at their weakest, they represent a virulent strain that can strike at the worst possible moment, like a latent virus deep in your stomach tract.  They are only defeated when all vital signs have been extinguished.  Only then can you rest.

What we learned about them is that they are a quality football program...Matt Campbell is a good coach, etc.  The mark of a strong program is that the team is good every year, even after losing a lot of players and UT seems to be in that mode.  They played well against Missouri and although the Eastern Washington game was competitive, that's the #3 FCS team in the country.  I watched some of the CMU game and I thought it was a very solid performance.

3.) In terms of coaching, the only consistent thing for the MAC is the instability in the coaching ranks. Who do you feel is most likely to move up to greener pastures after this season? More importantly which coach has their office locks changed and their personal effects mailed home at the end of the season?

I see a year of big change.  If I had to guess, I'd say Campbell, Clawson, Carey and Lembo all move up.  I believe Ron English is toast, as is Dan Enos.  It would not surprise me if Treadwell or Quinn was sent packing, though that is less likely.

4.) Rank 'em. Worst to first.

13. UMass
12.  WMU
11.  EMU
10.  CMU
9.   Miami
8.   Kent
7.   Akron
6.   Buffalo
5.   UT
4.   Ball
3.   OU
2.   BG
1.   NIU