Sporting News predicts Sycamores will finish 5th in 2013

[Jason Svoboda]

Picked up the Sporting News preseason football mag. Here is how they have the MVFC slated to finish:

1) North Dakota State
2) South Dakota State
3) Illinois State
4) Northern Iowa
5) Indiana State
6) Youngstown State
7) Southern Illinois
8) Missouri State
9) Western Illinois
10) South Dakota

Here are there PoTY picks:

Offense: Zach Zenner, South Dakota State
Defense: Marcus Williams, North Dakota State
Newcomer: Jared Barnett, Illinois State

They have four MVFC schools in their Top 25:

1) North Dakota State
2) Georgia Southern *
3) Montana State
4) Eastern Washington
5) Appalachian State *
6) Sam Houston State
7) Villanova
8) South Dakota State
9) Illinois State
10) Old Dominion *
11) Central Arkansas
12) Northern Iowa
13) Towson
14) Montana
15) Richmond
16) Arkansas-Pine Bluff
17) Northern Arizona
18) Stony Brook
19) Eastern Illinois
20) Chattanooga
21) Cal Poly
22) New Hampshire
23) Colgate
24) Sacramento State
25) Bethune-Cookman

* denote ineligible for FCS playoffs

There were 6 MVFC players listed in their All-America teams but no Sycamores.

 

[Sycamore Proud]

In my considered opinion these "* denote ineligible for FCS playoffs" teams should not be listed in the polls either. Some of our players and the entire team are under the radar. That's ok too. The missing respect will come from our performance on the field--then the Trees will stand tall.

 

[agrinut]

In my considered opinion these "* denote ineligible for FCS playoffs" teams should not be listed in the polls either. Some of our players and the entire team are under the radar. That's ok too. The missing respect will come from our performance on the field--then the Trees will stand tall.

Call me crazy but I don't see the sycamores being underrated or disrespected. You have a new staff and new pieces at key positions not sure I would complain about 5th.

 

[new sycamore fan]

Just a few short years ago there was never a question where we would be rated in the preseason polls--dead last. I'm not complaining about 5th--seems about right, but we could also push just as easily for top 3 and a playoff spot.

 

[BankShot]

You're one crazy nut...we've still got the "Bellringer," and I'm sure he's gonna be ringing quite a bit this season w/ a more diversified attack conserving his explosive energy.

 

[Sycamore Proud]

Call me crazy but I don't see the sycamores being underrated or disrespected. You have a new staff and new pieces at key positions not sure I would complain about 5th.

You are not at all carzy. Some may think I'm totally insane. I have a "feeling" about this team and this season. As I view this coming season and the last few seasons Miles came to ISU with one big goal--turn the program around. Mission accomplished; time to move on to another challenge and more money. Stanford comes to State with goals of building on what Miles left behind and taking the program to the next level both in the MVFC and nationally. I believe he is the right guy, in the right place at the right time. No, I don't have anything concrete to base all of this on, but Bell, used effectively should make it interesting. It's just a "feeling". I may not be right, but that's my story and I'm stickin' to it.

 

[Bluethunder]

Picked up the Sporting News preseason football mag. Here is how they have the MVFC slated to finish:

1) North Dakota State
2) South Dakota State
3) Illinois State
4) Northern Iowa
5) Indiana State
6) Youngstown State
7) Southern Illinois
8) Missouri State
9) Western Illinois
10) South Dakota

They have four MVFC schools in their Top 25:

1) North Dakota State
2) Georgia Southern *
3) Montana State
4) Eastern Washington
5) Appalachian State *
6) Sam Houston State
7) Villanova
8) South Dakota State
9) Illinois State
10) Old Dominion *
11) Central Arkansas
12) Northern Iowa
13) Towson
14) Montana
15) Richmond
16) Arkansas-Pine Bluff
17) Northern Arizona
18) Stony Brook
19) Eastern Illinois
20) Chattanooga
21) Cal Poly
22) New Hampshire
23) Colgate
24) Sacramento State
25) Bethune-Cookman

* denote ineligible for FCS playoffs

There were 6 MVFC players listed in their All-America teams but no Sycamores.

So we are picked 5th, but the teams ahead of us are all ranked in the top 12. Such is life in a very tough conference.

 

[bent20]

Not exactly a real daring prediction on their part. The only big difference from how the conference finished last season is that they have UNI moving back into the top 5.

2012 final standings
Missouri Valley W-L PF PA W-L PF PA STRK
North Dakota State 7-1 251 116 14-1 495 173 W9
South Dakota State 6-2 183 122 9-4 304 213 -
Illinois State 5-3 179 172 9-4 393 339 -
Indiana State 5-3 166 123 7-4 254 157 -
Southern Illinois 5-3 170 121 6-5 247 214 -
Youngstown State 4-4 197 220 7-4 318 261 -
Northern Iowa 4-4 237 182 5-6 333 235 -
Missouri State 3-5 153 165 3-8 192 279 -
Western Illinois 1-7 54 242 3-8 107 311 -
South Dakota 0-8 125 252 1-10 187 346 -

 

[STATE Fan 95]

That's respectable. We can do better or we can do worse this year as tough as the league is.

 

[Eric Dyar]

under radar

who cares what they think, Us trees will surprise everyone and prove that we cant be underestimated and prove them wrong on there prediction