If you had to pick a surprise team in the SWAC this year, who???


Jaguar Diehard

Jaguar Diehard

Active Member
To restate the question, if you had to pick a team that will come to surface and snag a sleeper, what team would that be?

Let me start...

My team would be Alcorn State. A lot of you cats may think I'm dreaming, but they were really young last year and I don't know what Dr. Thomas did, but he convinced some folks that he actually has a method that will get him and the Braves some respect.

After reviewing their team and roster, I can honestly say that if they are healthy, they will shock some folks. They play UAPB (another unknown situation) first and if the Cats from Norf LA ain't ready after the McNeese game...? Let's just say that the "Soul Bowl" will be a crucial game with two contenders for the East Title. I think the boys from "All-Corn... and no shucks!" will be one of the most surprisingly strong teams this year!
 
Actually JD, I don't see that as a surprise. Many people, including myself, are picking them to subplant the Bamas and battle for the East spot in the SCG with J-State.

My surprise, weirdly enough, is Prairie View. Do I think they have enough for the top three squads ..... NO, but I see no reason why they can not compete with everyone else. Dorsey will have them ready and playing better teams (i.e. McNeese, etc.) will help them.

Disappointments: Texas Southern, Alabama A&M, and Alabama State.

The changes they made or lack thereof will swallow these three in my opinion.
 



Alcorn isn't a surprise anymore. They had players who weren't on teams scouting reports last year but they'll be there next year. Folks know their decent now so the element of surprise is gone.

I'll say Valley, PV and TSU are the teams to watch.

TSU has talent returning but how quickly they adjust to the new coordinators will determine what will they do.

PV will be watched a little bit more now since they won a few last year as well as cause teams hell.
 
J DIEHARD,

All Alcorn did was what should have been done in the first place and thats put a decent coaching staff together.Now if JT let them do their job and stay out of the way,we will be a strong team.
 
I agree. Alcorn had an OC who had no clue. Hiring McKenzie is what turned that program around. Alcorn will be more of a contender because now the believe in themselves a lot more. They already have a defensive and offensive system in place that did relatively well in the first year. However, Alcorn still lacks the talent that it used to have. Thomas has not been able to get really good recruits and this will keep Alcorn from beating their really tough opponents. I am also interested in knowing who will punt and kick field goals for the Braves. I think they had one dude doing both last year and he has graduated. That might haunt the Braves.

But like others, I don't call Alcorn the surprise team. Most expect them to do well. People are also giving AlaState the benefit of doubt because of their coaching staff so my SURPRISE team would be AAMU.

They have an unproven coach in the 1AA ranks but the AAMU posters swear they have talent. If Jones' philosophy carries over into wins, AAMU will be the surprise team. I already have them beating AlaState this year but not Alcorn and J-State. If they do that, that will be the surprise.
 
I think Texas Southern maybe that surprise team this year. I think our OC will make a difference. The coaches we had running our passing game last year was a joke.

Although we lost our DC, if our defense remain strong and I see no reason why it can't, our defense should keep us in most of our games just like they did last year.

Our special teams is another area we need big improvements in.
 
I would also have to go with Tex Southern, as they lost a lot of close games last year and could have easily been a much better team.
 
Originally posted by Get Ready
I can see PV taking advantage of a weak west.
Click to expand...

No isht! I agree. I see PV as a possible 3rd or 4th place team in the West. The West is weak.
 
arrrrrrrrr

Try to have an intelligent conversation and....

nevermind!

Now if I had to break it down in the West, then I would have to give the edge to TSU as 2nd place. They'll try to open up the O and capitalize on a strong defensive front, but a weak secondary could be there undoing.

GSU will be a late bloomer and will probably be at their best by BC, but it STILL won't be enough.

I think PV will supplant UAPB for the 4th spot. I just don't think they (PV) will win more than 3 total this year.
 



They already finished 4th last year. Its time for them to get over the TSU, Gram, and SU hump all in the same year. I believe PV will beat 2 of the 3.
 
Re: arrrrrrrrr

Originally posted by Jaguar Diehard

Now if I had to break it down in the West, then I would have to give the edge to TSU as 2nd place. They'll try to open up the O and capitalize on a strong defensive front, but a weak secondary could be there undoing.
Click to expand...


Boy is this guy clueless. :confused:


3rd Coast don't say a word!!!
 
Surprise Team !

Man it's hard to pick a team in the SWAC that would be a surprise this year. SWAC play is tough and rough! I would have to lean more to Alcorn. Dr. Thomas was an assistant under the Gunslinger at UAPB, but in the SWAC you will never know. But, everybody BETTER watch out for PV, and I am not a PV grad.
 
Clueless????

One man doth not a secondary make! I'm talking a twist... a turn... and your secondary is like Betty Crocker mix in a brick kiln....

BURNT!!!

Take 2nd place in the West and take it as a compliment....

sheesh...

Give a knucka a road and he wants it paved....

Give him some free transportation and he wants a Lexus and a full tank....

Acknowledge his competencies and he THINKS he RUNS ISHT!!!! :rolleyes:
 
LMAO@JagDiehard. U a trip man. LOL

I think it's easier to pick those squads which we know have higher expectations of: GSU, SU, JSU, AlaSU, and AlcSU.

The sleepers are going to be the others. I think TSU and AAMU are going to be my surprise teams along w/ PVU and Valley. I think everyone took note of how strong PV had gotten as the year wore on last year. The returnees have gotten stronger and Dorsey and crew will have'em ready to take that next step. Our strength will be our defense and our offensive line (y'all will TRIP when y'all see this true freshman that's coming in - can you say "BIG HOUSE" LOL).

If Bill stays the same, TSU will go nowhere fast (again). If AAMU's coach does the right thing, they'll be team to cause havoc in the SWAC East. Valley has a coach who is known to be "wide-open" offensively. If the defense is just as solid as the offense should be, I expect Valley to make a LOT of noise too.

Looking forward to this upcoming fall.
 
Okay Mighty One,

Let me explain what I thought about ASU .... I said you would be a disappointment because (a) you lost Kennedy. Even though I didn't like the kid, he was a great player for you. I don't think you can replace him to be honest. (lack of changes would apply here). (b) the emergence of Alcorn State. They beat you last season and nothing coming from the Hornet camp makes me believe that they should have a problem with you this season. The East would have been down to your matchup with J-State if not for this. (THEY HAD the "changes" here.) (c) Your defense. We all know LC as an offensive threat, but he defenses have been ... well .... less than desirable. From what I have heard so far, you returned players, but otherwise Nothing has changed.

Just one man's opinion .....
 
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