I figure since I started this thread, I should at least put my two cents in.
Our Squad:
When looking at our schedule, I honestly do not see a game we should not win. Does losing Cato, Shuler, Jasperse, Swag, Neville, Rouse, and Fro hurt? Sure. But you have to remember where they were when they stepped foot on campus. Doc and his staff coached those guys into the players they are today, just like he will and has already started doing for the guys who are filling those spots this year.
Birdsong has a cannon, something Cato couldn't do consistently. Foster is a near spitting image of shuler, but IMO more athletic. Selby has plenty of game experience over the past two years, although not at center, but is talented. Remember, he was voted to CUSA all-freshman team two years ago. Swag was a loss, but with Letman, Leggett, Tindal and Lang, I don't think we will notice too much of a loss in the secondary. With Neville gone, we will have DJ, McKelvey, Houston and Huskey back there. DL you practically have your pick between a list of Sophomores-Seniors to step in for Rouse and Blackman. And replacing Fro is Yurachek who was giving Fro a run for his money in playing time as a freshman towards the end of the year.
We will all miss the players who left, but we have plenty of experience stepping in their roles. With that being said, I'm also expecting BIG things out of the returning starters. I see Rock having an even better year this year, I think McManus will have a HUGE year, I'm expecting Foster to pick right up where he left off at the end of last season, and I can't wait to see what DJ and McKelvey do on defense!
Our Opponents:
I look at our first game of the season like we all look at a tube tv. Years ago, they were great, but today it's nothing special. Yes Purdue is a "Power team" due to their conference, but that is it. They just lost their quarterback, and have only won 4 games in the past two years. Don't get me wrong, regardless we still need to prep for them like we are playing against Ohio state but I am saying that I THINK they are just a name at this point in their football program. With that being said, we need to make a statement in this game!
I personally do not think much about any of the games after Purdue until November. I think MTSU will be a closer game than most, but still do not think we should have any problems. And then there is WKU. I personally, and think the team view this game the same way, see this game like we all looked at the Rice game last year. In 2013, Rice stole something from us, a conference championship. In 2014 we all had that game circled and wanted "revenge" and to make up for what had happened the year before, and we all saw how that one ended. I believe that WKU is officially our "Rice game" of the 2015 season. With a week off the week before this game, I believe we will show up with more than just a chip on our shoulders. They took a "potential" access bowl bid from us and that's more than rice took in 2013. Will WKU have a good team this year? im sure they will, but im staying positive and thinking we come out and play the way we should've last year.
With all this being said, I will now answer my own question! LOL
Record: 12-0 with a few close games that we all have a heart attack over.
Toughest Game: WKU
Breakout Players: Devin Johnson(can this even be considered a breakout?), McManus, Birdsong, and DJ hunter.
Dear God let's hope i'm right.