Stat Preview #9 = Ohio Valley Conference

[Keeper]

xreadx
This is a thumbnail compilation of final stats and subtracting those
of roster departures due to graduation, eligibility, etc. Should
provide a quick sketch of returning talent vs conference foes.

RYPG = 2007 rushing yards per game
PYPG = 2007 passing yards per game
SR-RB = subtracted yards per game for roster departures
SR-QB = ditto
SR-WR = ditto
SR-OL = equivalent number of off-linemen departed (starters or not)
…based on number of games played, not incl long snappers if known
SR-D = percentage of defensive talent departed based on top 15 tacklers


**** RYPG SR-RB PYPG SR-QB SR-WR SR-OL SR-D …
AP 174.4 125.1 150.6 65.8 10.5 1.45 8%
EIU 191.1 104.5 191.7 47.1 126.8 2.42 40%
EKU 199.4 144.0 187.3 20.8 120.3 3.58 57%
JSU 166.5 41.7 172.0 172.0 92.3 1.91 33%
MSU 163.9 0.0 257.5 0.0 9.0 1.45 10%
SMS 171.2 34.8 160.6 0.0 36.8 1.91 27%
UTM 202.5 139.8 228.1 0.0 89.7 2.00 28%
TSU 210.8 1.5 189.7 0.0 3.5 2.45 37%
TTU 155.9 120.4 200.5 0.0 127.5 1.91 41%
----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ---- …
AVG 181.7 79.1 193.1 34.0 68.5 2.12 31% …

Appears only Jax State must replace starting QB.
Does Tenn-Martin have the goods to bounce back and challenge EK & EI?

[Cocky]

We would have had a solid QB returning if he could lay off the drugs. Now JSU will start a true freshman QB. The good side is he didn't lose a HS game and won 3 titles as a starter for the #7 team is USA Today's poll.

Till proven differently on a consistence basis, I would go with EIU, EKU, and JSU as the top three. EIU would be my favorite to win the championship. EKU loss several good ballplayers and their coach but will be a contender. JSU will double down on the QB spot. If Ivory can play we will be near the top or on it. UTM will need to improve in several areas to get back to the championship level. My surprise team is Murray, they should understand the new coach's system and start moving up.

Overall the conference should be better by just eliminating a low level team.

[EKU05]

We would have had a solid QB returning if he could lay off the drugs. Now JSU will start a true freshman QB. The good side is he didn't lose a HS game and won 3 titles as a starter for the #7 team is USA Today's poll.

Till proven differently on a consistence basis, I would go with EIU, EKU, and JSU as the top three. EIU would be my favorite to win the championship. EKU loss several good ballplayers and their coach but will be a contender. JSU will double down on the QB spot. If Ivory can play we will be near the top or on it. UTM will need to improve in several areas to get back to the championship level. My surprise team is Murray, they should understand the new coach's system and start moving up.

Overall the conference should be better by just eliminating a low level team.

Yeah, this has the potential to be a decent year for the OVC if Martin can regroup from a sub-par 2007, and if Murray takes the step forward that most of us think they can in year 3 of the Matt Griffin era. EIU will be good as always as well as JSU. Certainly the loss of Samford makes one less school bringing up the rear in the immediate future.

EKU did lose a lot of players and a head coach, but on paper this is still a very good team. I think the most deveiving part of the analysis in our case is the loss of the two senior running backs. As good as they both were, undercalssman CJ Walker who played behind them last year is the real deal. Look for EKU to transition to a more WVU/Rich Rodrigues style offense over the next few seasons.

[Keeper]

Good info guys.

[EIUsuperfan]

Until I see otherwise I will say that EIU will be the favorite, (despite loosing Rucker and Adeniji.) I believe EKU will still be a good team as well as JSU. Also agree that Murray will be a team that could be a surprise for some teams, but don't forget about Tennessee State. I think they will be a team that could get overlooked!

[OSRacer]

Hopefully the conference can get that elusive playoff win in 08 - I believe this is the year it will happen. EIU and EKU are the class of the league. As long is Spoo is at EIU they will be competitive. EKU has underachieved the last few years but I think their new coach is actually an upgrade. JSU will be talented, TSU will be talented and Murray will be better. UTM is an unknown to me but I think they are recruiting well...Tech should be better in Watson Browns 2nd season and Peay was a huge surprise last year.

Overall, the league looks better top to bottom than it has in years and this years champ will not have any off weeks....this should bode well come playoff time...

[hawkeye]

xreadx
This is a thumbnail compilation of final stats and subtracting those
of roster departures due to graduation, eligibility, etc. Should
provide a quick sketch of returning talent vs conference foes.

RYPG = 2007 rushing yards per game
PYPG = 2007 passing yards per game
SR-RB = subtracted yards per game for roster departures
SR-QB = ditto
SR-WR = ditto
SR-OL = equivalent number of off-linemen departed (starters or not)
…based on number of games played, not incl long snappers if known
SR-D = percentage of defensive talent departed based on top 15 tacklers


**** RYPG SR-RB PYPG SR-QB SR-WR SR-OL SR-D …
AP 174.4 125.1 150.6 65.8 10.5 1.45 8%
EIU 191.1 104.5 191.7 47.1 126.8 2.42 40%
EKU 199.4 144.0 187.3 20.8 120.3 3.58 57%
JSU 166.5 41.7 172.0 172.0 92.3 1.91 33%
MSU 163.9 0.0 257.5 0.0 9.0 1.45 10%
SMS 171.2 34.8 160.6 0.0 36.8 1.91 27%
UTM 202.5 139.8 228.1 0.0 89.7 2.00 28%
TSU 210.8 1.5 189.7 0.0 3.5 2.45 37%
TTU 155.9 120.4 200.5 0.0 127.5 1.91 41%
----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ---- …
AVG 181.7 79.1 193.1 34.0 68.5 2.12 31% …

Appears only Jax State must replace starting QB.
Does Tenn-Martin have the goods to bounce back and challenge EK & EI?

Nice post! UTM has most of their defense back and replaced some critical positions with Juco talent. Their 2006 run was due in part to tough defense. I think you will see that again for 2008. Coach Boone D Coord. has recruited well. Should be a good year for the Skyhawks.

[TTUEagles]

Don't count out TTU. I know I am biased, and they'll only have 8 seniors, but they played a ton of people last year. Also, the QB had dropped 40 pounds from last year and is killing in the Spring. They go to a totally new defensive scheme, though, and lost two stud DT's from last year. They won't challenge for the title, but they'll throw a wrench in the standings, I predict.

[Cocky]

Is Watson still coaching? If so, I will predict they will be close to the bottom.

[hawkeye]

Is Watson still coaching? If so, I will predict they will be close to the bottom.

xlolx xlolx Cocky your something else. AND you are right!!

[TTUEagles]

We will see...Watson has a bad rap for he has picked garbage universities to coach at, especially UAB (that he started it from scratch and took them to a bowl game)...Regardless of his coaching abilities, he has brought tons of pub. and $$$ to the program and that, I'm sure, will pay huge dividends in the future. The culture around TTU concerning football has changed dramatically in 1 1/2 years already and that's what I am talking about, when I say Watson has been great for TTU...

[Cocky]

I just know too many that have gotten a knife in the back from Watson. I'm sure this clouds my opinion of his coaching ability.