We're halfway through the season and there are definitely some surprises in the conference. Oregon, ranked #2 in the AP preseason poll with 14 first-place votes, has two losses and may need to run the table to secure a CFP bid. Michigan, ranked #16 in the preseason poll, is 0-2 in conference play. Penn State, ranked 18th in the preseason poll and anticipating quick improvement under Matt Campbell, is struggling at 3-3 overall and 0-3 in the B1G.
Iowa and Wisconsin (this is a very important season for Luke Fickell) look solid and USC at 5-1 is living up to expectations. Despite Matt Rhule's struggles against the best teams, we saw yesterday that Nebraska is a very good team. They have a big test this Saturday at Oregon, and they host Ohio State in November. The OSU game gives them another chance to get that elusive win against a ranked opponent.
UCLA is, imo, the surprise team in the conference. They came out of nowhere in Bob Chesney's (CCC's successor at JMU) first season and are the only other undefeated team in the conference. They've got a strong opponent in Wisconsin this Saturday in the Rose Bowl, but the remaining schedule is not that tough, with maybe the biggest challenges at Michigan (because it's The Big House) and then the final game of the season at home against USC. I don't think it's a stretch to say that UCLA could be playing in Indy on December 5.
Finally, I've got to reluctantly give a nod to Purdue. They're much improved, with two big wins the last two weeks. I think we'd beat them anywhere, but I'm still glad the Bucket game is in Bloomington this season.
Oregon apparently promoted guys not ready for it. Losing some belief I may have had in Dan Lanning.
Penn State had less reason to be ranked this preseason - after their roster was decimated and they scrambled late with guys from one of Iowa States average teams and a weak portal haul- than Indiana did when Cig came over with a better group of players, and a better portal haul. I don't recall us being ranked.
I didn't expect Michigan to suck. Maybe their guy is getting a little long in the tooth.
UCLA has a cakewalk now. Excellent odds for the CFP even if they lose one and get tie-broken out of the Big Ten title game. And you can bet if they have one loss like we did in 2024 there won't be screaming from the rooftops that they don't deserve it.
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Did you know that JMUIU, JMUCLA, and JMU are all undefeated? That athletic director deserves a lot of credit. They just keep picking up where they left off.
Oregon apparently promoted guys not ready for it. Losing some belief I may have had in Dan Lanning.
Penn State had less reason to be ranked this preseason - after their roster was decimated and they scrambled late with guys from one of Iowa States average teams and a weak portal haul- than Indiana did when Cig came over with a better group of players, and a better portal haul. I don't recall us being ranked.
I didn't expect Michigan to suck. Maybe their guy is getting a little long in the tooth.
UCLA has a cakewalk now. Excellent odds for the CFP even if they lose one and get tie-broken out of the Big Ten title game. And you can bet if they have one loss like we did in 2024 there won't be screaming from the rooftops that they don't deserve it.
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Yep.
And, in fairness to the Ducks, they were without Dante Moore yesterday.
Did you know that JMUIU, JMUCLA, and JMU are all undefeated? That athletic director deserves a lot of credit. They just keep picking up where they left off.
Yes, it's incredible.
UCLA was 3-9 last year. They're 5-0 now.
Chesney brought about a dozen players, and several coaches, with him to UCLA and, as you noted, the team he left (JMU) is undefeated (6-0). Kudos to Billy Napier. He was a bust at UF but had earlier success in the Sun Belt. Looks like he's found the magic touch again at James Madison.
So Cig should've said "JMU wins. Google them." LOL
Maybe someone will snap up the hot rising star Billy Napier.
Hope he does well. That's a good gig. Be nice if they keep a coach this time.
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Napier might not be so quick to leave after seeing what life in the spotlight can look like.
So Cig should've said "JMU wins. Google them." LOL
Maybe someone will snap up the hot rising star Billy Napier.
Hope he does well. That's a good gig. Be nice if they keep a coach this time.
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I think he's one of those guys who is better suited for the G6.
It’ll be interesting to see what UCLA does to keep Chesney. Assuming he keeps this up…
It’ll be interesting to see what UCLA does to keep Chesney. Assuming he keeps this up…
The contract is through 2030 at $33.75 million, with incentives.
If he goes 10-2 or better, he'll likely get a nice $ bump and extension.