Sunday, May 31, 2015
BOISE STATE AND THE COLLEGE PLAYOFFS
College football season is still 3 months away. This means we are in the midst of the "what if" season in College football. Instead of wishing it were not so, G5 News has decided to embrace the what if speculation with the gusto of a thousand angry broncos( er ,um, get the Boise reference here). So sit back and relax a bit won't you? Enjoy a cup of coffee or a different favorite beverage and feast on this article pondering the possibility of Boise State making the College Playoffs this year. BOISE AND THE PLAYOFFS
Friday, May 29, 2015
G5 NEWS AND ISSUES PODCAST : ACCESS BOWL, ARKANSAS STATE, TERRY MOHAJIR , HOUSTON, AAC
G5 Blog original content
G5 NEWS AND ISSUES PODCAST FEATURING:
ON THIS PODCAST WE FEATURE 4 DARK HORSES TO WIN THE ACCESS BOWL. WE ALSO DISCUSS: TERRY MOHAJIR, ARK SATE, HOUSTON, NAVY, AAC, MIKE ARESCO, P6 .
PODCAST: FRIDAY MAY 29TH 2015 (LINK)
WESTERN KENTUCKY CAPTURES AN IMPRESSIVE 8 CUSA TITLES IN FIRST YEAR OF LEAGUE PLAY
Western Kentucky proved its worth to Conference USA this year as the Hilltoppers captured an impressive 8 Conference USA sports titles. Western Kentucky is the first CUSA team to win 8 titles in a single year plus capture a Bowl win in the sports league's history. Stay tuned: Western Kentucky 8 Conference USA Titles
(*G5 News and Issues has the distinction of being the first blog solely dedicated to covering G5 sports. With over 45,000 web hits since its inception we have a dedicated and loyal base of readers. Thank you for finding us and sharing your thoughts. Thank you also for being patient as there are times when content is limited.)
Thursday, May 28, 2015
AAC'S MIKE ARESCO: AAC CAN BECOME A POWER CONFERENCE
AAC Commish Mike Arseco told reporters yesterday that the AAC continues to believe that the league will eventually be included in the so called Power Conference autonomy group. Aresco and other schools leaders from the AAC are gathered in Key Biscayne Florida for the annual AAC Spring Meeting. Aresco also discussed the leagues current contract with ESPN and other tweaks to that will affect the conference in the coming year.
Look for a podcast concerning the AAC meeting soon on this blog. Meanwhile, here is a link to the story: AAC SPRING MEETINGS Stay tuned.
Tuesday, May 26, 2015
G5 NEWS AND ISSUES PODCAST MAY 26TH 2015
G5 NEWS AND ISSUES PODCAST: May 26th 2015
Podcast covers Marshall, Georgia Southern, Western Kentucky, Temple, Ark State and more.G5 PodcastG5 Podcast May 26th
4 DARK HORSE ACCESS BOWL CANDIDATES
G5 Blog Original Content
ACCESS BOWL DARK HORSES
The biggest prize in G5 football is the Access Bowl. We decided to look at a few teams that might not immediately come to mind when predicting who will make this years Access Bowl but who never the less have a chance to represent the G5 in this important bowl game.
1. Arkansas State: Head Coach Blake Anderson has a terrific reputation among College football coaches. Now that Coach Anderson is in his 2nd year as head coach of the Arkansas State Wolves look for him to continue to create a culture of winning at Ark State. Red Wolves QB Fred Knighten returns for Senior year. While not the greatest QB in College Football, he is steady and could prove to have a very nice Senior campaign. The Red Wolves have some nice talent in RB Michael Gordon and last years leader in yards at WR 6'2 Tre Houston.
If the Oline can continue to give solid play and the Defense improve from last years very average effort, the Arkansas Red Wolves could be making headlines in January 2016.
2. Colorado State: Colorado State begins life without their former Head Coach Jim McElwain this year. Fortunately, McElwain, who took the Florida Gator job shortly after the season ended, did not leave the Ram cupboard bare including All American WR Rashard Higgens.
New Head Coach Mike Bobo( formerly the OC for the Georgia Bulldogs) has an excellent football mind and should have plenty to work with when he prepares the Ram's for their season opener against Savannah State in Sept at Hughes Stadium. The biggest questions for the Rams will be finding a replacement for Qb Garrett Grayson and learning to co exist with their new head coach. Don't be surprised however, if the Rams make a nice run at and are in the mix for the Access Bowl in January.
3. NAVY: Navy should not be as competitive as it against FBS teams. Navy players are typically undersized, under recruited and often under tremendous pressure in their every day school lives to perform tasks that most college students are not asked to perform. This is why Head Coach Ken Niumatalolo is such asset to the Navy program. Coach Niumatalolo understands the Naval Academy culture and instead of bemoaning the challenges that face Navy football players, he turns them into assets.
Don't feel to sorry for this Navy team however, as it boasts some quality players and a Veer offense that makes even the best of the FBS look foolish. All world Senior QB Keenan Reynolds returns for his Senior year and should continue to run the Navy offense like a well oiled machine. Navy joins the AAC Conference this year and could make a run for both the AAC Championship and the Access Bowl in January.
4.HOUSTON COUGARS: Houston Cougar fans are hungry for a football team that lives up to expectations and the level of talent on the team. Attracting gifted players has never been an issue for the Cougars. Finding a way win with those players however, has been the achilles heel for this program.
Last year when Houston hired Coach Tom Herman, the former OC for Ohio State and winner of the Frank Broyles Award for the best assistant coach in FBS football, the Cougars made a giant step towards rectifying their underperforming history. Coach Herman is one of the best recruiters in the country and has a very good football mind to boot. Combine this with returning QB Greg Ward Jr and the Cougars could be hot on the trail of the Access Bowl this January.
Stay tuned.
ACCESS BOWL DARK HORSES
The biggest prize in G5 football is the Access Bowl. We decided to look at a few teams that might not immediately come to mind when predicting who will make this years Access Bowl but who never the less have a chance to represent the G5 in this important bowl game.
1. Arkansas State: Head Coach Blake Anderson has a terrific reputation among College football coaches. Now that Coach Anderson is in his 2nd year as head coach of the Arkansas State Wolves look for him to continue to create a culture of winning at Ark State. Red Wolves QB Fred Knighten returns for Senior year. While not the greatest QB in College Football, he is steady and could prove to have a very nice Senior campaign. The Red Wolves have some nice talent in RB Michael Gordon and last years leader in yards at WR 6'2 Tre Houston.
If the Oline can continue to give solid play and the Defense improve from last years very average effort, the Arkansas Red Wolves could be making headlines in January 2016.
2. Colorado State: Colorado State begins life without their former Head Coach Jim McElwain this year. Fortunately, McElwain, who took the Florida Gator job shortly after the season ended, did not leave the Ram cupboard bare including All American WR Rashard Higgens.
New Head Coach Mike Bobo( formerly the OC for the Georgia Bulldogs) has an excellent football mind and should have plenty to work with when he prepares the Ram's for their season opener against Savannah State in Sept at Hughes Stadium. The biggest questions for the Rams will be finding a replacement for Qb Garrett Grayson and learning to co exist with their new head coach. Don't be surprised however, if the Rams make a nice run at and are in the mix for the Access Bowl in January.
3. NAVY: Navy should not be as competitive as it against FBS teams. Navy players are typically undersized, under recruited and often under tremendous pressure in their every day school lives to perform tasks that most college students are not asked to perform. This is why Head Coach Ken Niumatalolo is such asset to the Navy program. Coach Niumatalolo understands the Naval Academy culture and instead of bemoaning the challenges that face Navy football players, he turns them into assets.
Don't feel to sorry for this Navy team however, as it boasts some quality players and a Veer offense that makes even the best of the FBS look foolish. All world Senior QB Keenan Reynolds returns for his Senior year and should continue to run the Navy offense like a well oiled machine. Navy joins the AAC Conference this year and could make a run for both the AAC Championship and the Access Bowl in January.
4.HOUSTON COUGARS: Houston Cougar fans are hungry for a football team that lives up to expectations and the level of talent on the team. Attracting gifted players has never been an issue for the Cougars. Finding a way win with those players however, has been the achilles heel for this program.
Last year when Houston hired Coach Tom Herman, the former OC for Ohio State and winner of the Frank Broyles Award for the best assistant coach in FBS football, the Cougars made a giant step towards rectifying their underperforming history. Coach Herman is one of the best recruiters in the country and has a very good football mind to boot. Combine this with returning QB Greg Ward Jr and the Cougars could be hot on the trail of the Access Bowl this January.
Stay tuned.
Monday, May 25, 2015
MAC GAME ATTENDANCE DROPS BY MORE THAN 1300 FANS IN 2014
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| NIU Player gives thumbs up after big play |
MAC FOOTBALL ATTENDANCE
While most FBS teams have been struggling with football attendance of late, the MAC Conference has been hit particularly hard in the last year with dwindling stadium numbers. The following story is a good read and a cautionary tale about game attendance going forwardMAC FOOTBALL WOES.
(*G5 News and Issues has the distinction of being the first blog solely dedicated to covering G5 sports. With over 40,000 web hits since its inception we have a dedicated and loyal base of readers. Thank you for finding us and sharing your thoughts. Thank you also for being patient as there are times when content is limited.)
Sunday, May 24, 2015
2014-2015 G5 SCHOOL OF THE YEAR AWARD: GEORGIA SOUTHERN EAGLES
GEORGIA SOUTHERN 2014-2015 G5 SCHOOL OF THE YEAR
Congrats to the Georgia Southern Eagles for capturing the inaugural G5 School of the Year Award from the G5 News and Issues Blog. The award is given to the G5 school that in our opinion has risen to a distinctive level of excellence and competitiveness within Collegiate athletics. The award also takes into consideration school championships, competitive olympic sports and the overall impact a team or teams(within the same school) have had on the college sports world.
Georgia Southern is this year's award winner based primarily on their impressive transition from FCS to FBS football and their improbable capturing of the Sun Belt football title in their very first year of FBS competition. Georgia Southern has a rich tradition of football beginning with the father of modern day Georgia Southern Football, the legendary coach Erk Russell.
Georgia Southern , who had a fast rise to football power in the FCS world( winning their first 1AA Championship after only 1 year of official play in 1985), is out to prove that they have the pedigree to make the same type of impact in the world of FBS football as well.
Head Coach Willie Fritz deserves accolades for the way in which he and Georgia Southern Athletic Director Tom Kleinlein prepared the Eagles for their FCS to FBS transition. Kudos also to Sun Belt Director Karl Benson for quickly picking Georgia Southern as a replacement for several exiting Sun Belt teams to Conference USA. Georgia Southern proved this year that Universities with small tv markets can be strong and viable competitors in the world of college sports.
Georgia Southern has the history, fan support and infrastructure to be a consistent and powerful competitor in FBS football. With a strong and loyal fan base and a commitment to win that permeates all corners of the University, Georgia Southern is in an excellent position to continue its impressive winning culture. So hats off to the players and to all those who support Georgia Southern football. The future looks very bright for your program and University.
(note: Georgia Southern was also our new comer of the year award winner:G5 Awards)
HONORABLE MENTIONS
MARSHALL
BOISE STATE
UCF
COLORADO STATE
MEMPHIS
(*G5 News and Issues has the distinction of being the first blog solely dedicated to covering G5 sports. With over 40,000 web hits since its inception we have a dedicated and loyal base of readers. Thank you for finding us and sharing your thoughts. Thank you also for being patient as there are times when content is limited.)
Saturday, May 23, 2015
5 EARLY PREDICTIONS FOR THE G5
1. MARSHALL STUMBLES
Marshall Football has become relevant once again thanks to Coach Doc Holiday and his Florida pipe line of talented players. This season however, Marshall and company will have to learn to live without Rekeem Cato, one of the most dynamic football players in College Football last year. Marshall also losses key players from a solid 2014 defensive unit.
Yes Marshall still has gifted running back Devon Johnson, but Johnson will be called upon early and often as new QB and JMU transfer Michael Birdsong learns the Marshall offense. Marshal has simply to many question marks and key losses to be a dominant team this year. Don't be surprised if they struggle to win 6-7 games this year. Not bad, but not what the Marshall faithful want.
2. TEMPLE WILL BE IN THE HUNT FOR THE AAC CHAMPIONSHIP
With the return of an improving PJ Walker( QB) and a very good defensive unit, don't be surprised if Temple finds itself in the mix for the AAC Championship. Temple Football coach Matt Rhule is proving himself an able motivator and smart game tactician. Temple is developing some nice depth and this depth should allow for a healthy rotation of fresh and talented players to make life difficult for opposing teams this year. Temple will easily earn a bowl spot this year and will make a serious run for the AAC Championship in 2015.
3.WESTERN KENTUCKY WILL WIN C USA
When the NCAA decided to allow talented QB Brandon Doughty to return to Western Kentucky for a 6th year ,a collective cheer went up from the Hilltopper faithful. Last year Doughty and Head Coach Jeff Brohm did something no other Conference USA team was able to do, beat a very talented Marshall team.
Not only does Brandon Doughty return but so does the talent RB Leon Allen( Allen will need to stay out of trouble however, if he is to help Western Kentucky next season). In addition to Doughty and Allen, the Hilltoppers return the majority of the Defensive unit from last year. Western Kentucky struggled on defensive last year, but the return of so many players on that side of the ball will only help to improve that unit. Look for Western Kentucky to slice through their CUSA schedule in easy fashion in 2015.
4. THE AAC WILL CLAIM THE ACCESS BOWL IN 2015
The AAC struggled last year to produce the results that Commissioner Mike Aresco was hoping for when he assembled his new conference. This year however, look for several of the top AAC teams to battle for Top 25 spots and look for one to make it to the Access Bowl. My early favorite is Cincinnati. With the return of Gunner Kiel and an improved front defensive 7 ,Cincy looks to be the class of the AAC this year and the G5. Memphis, UCF, ECU and Temple can all make compelling runs at the Access spot as well.
5. SUN BELT WILL FINISH AS A TOP 3 G5 THIS YEAR
Give it up for Sun Belt Commissioner Karl Benson and his Sun Belt staff. Faced with some very difficult decisions to make after North Texas, Western Kentucky and Middle Tennessee State bolted for Conference USA, Benson and company hit home runs with the additions of App State and Georgia Southern to the Sun Belt.
Georgia Southern proved their weight in gold last year as they earned top Sun Belt honors in only their first year of conference play. With more football centric schools than both the MAC and Conference USA, look for the Sun Belt to rebound this year and become a top 3 performer among the G5 conferences. With schools like Arkansas State, ULL and of course Georgia Southern, the future looks very bright for the Sun Belt Conference.
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