You have to give respect to these services. Our defense sucked last year and there's 3 guys coming back. Why would anyone think we would be better? Especially with Franz and J. Jackson somewhat on NFL teams. Everyone is very positive but I think there's more room to be worried. The point producers are there but the offensive line hasn't played a ton together and I don't think there's a lot of depth, at least depth with experience. The defense, Cyrille looks great in practice but has to play a game and he's one of 11 starters. I'm worried about the defense. They've been bad for a couple of years now, everyone can say there better but it has to be proven for a couple of games. 50 points to FIU. That's absurd.

Exit39 said

I'm worried about the defense. They've been bad for a couple of years now, everyone can say they're better but it has to be proven for a couple of games. 50 points to FIU. That's absurd.

Right. And 34 points to UAB.

AND ANOTHER PREVIEW

http://cfn.scout.com/2/856002.html

owlcountry said

Exit39 said

I'm worried about the defense. They've been bad for a couple of years now, everyone can say they're better but it has to be proven for a couple of games. 50 points to FIU. That's absurd.

Right. And 34 points to UAB.

Won't catch me me saying their better…….

AND ANOTHER PREVIEW  ….  and the MAC is the worst conference now!

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/201272-sun-belt-preview-and-rankings

This is kinda interesting …. 2005-2008 Sun Belt Review

http://leftyloon.blogspot.com/2009/07/sun-belt-review-2005-2008.html

FAU09GOowls said

HERE IS EXACTLY WHAT WAS SAID

"
FORGET FAU!!! Can you say "OVERRATED"?? We proved last year that we can beat them. It was only a matter of time until we surpassed them, and that time has come. We WILL beat them this year and for years to come. We have caught them and surpassed them with this year's recruiting class and the development of the players we have already. We have no more excuses from this day forward.

Mark my words: We WILL finish ahead of FAU in the Sun Belt standings. We WILL beat them this season in our house. FAU's time is over and FIU's time has come.

"

Yes, blowing a late 4th quarter lead and choking in overtime certainly proved to me that FIU is more than capable of beating us.  They've got some brilliant logic down in Dade County.  I think FAU has been everything but overrated in the prediction blogs this pre-season.  I'd love to see FIU's board when Cristobal bolts for a higher paying and better program.

a great preview

http://mvn.com/outsider/2009/06/ncaa-crystal-ball-sun-belt-football-preview.html

FAU09GOowls said

HERE IS EXACTLY WHAT WAS SAID

"
FORGET FAU!!! Can you say "OVERRATED"?? We proved last year that we can beat them. It was only a matter of time until we surpassed them, and that time has come. We WILL beat them this year and for years to come. We have caught them and surpassed them with this year's recruiting class and the development of the players we have already. We have no more excuses from this day forward.

Mark my words: We WILL finish ahead of FAU in the Sun Belt standings. We WILL beat them this season in our house. FAU's time is over and FIU's time has come.

"

Glad to see my quote seems to be floating around here… Allow me to explain myself here, because I stand by every word I said. How is it illogical to think that after last year's game that FIU can not beat you guys? In two seasons under Cristobal (who is fully committed to FIU's success and if you think otherwise, then you haven't been listening to what he's been saying), this team has closed the gap between these two schools both on the field and on the recruting trail. You must understand that we were being held back by a horrible coach in Don Strock, but those days are now over and there is a new attitude down here in Dade County. Our offense has improved tremendously and has added even more weapons with this year's recruting class. If you think scoring 50 on you last year was scary? Wait until this year. Our defense returns most of its starters, although our D-Line is still a question mark, although we are confident those who are stepping in are more than capable.

We know in the past, you guys have controlled the series and have had more success. But you must understand that you are not dealing with the same Golden Panthers of 2006 and 2007. The rivalry, I think, had the stakes raised last fall, because we showed that in ONE SEASON we have caught up to most of the teams in the Sun Belt and we aren't looking back. We are VERY excited about the future of our program. This winter you will be coming into our new stadium, against an improved offense and an improved defense. And we will be hungry. I am looking very forward to this game and hosting you guys. We still have a lot to prove, but our team is up to the challenge, and with another year of experience under their belts, this team is going to turn a lot more heads this season.

We'll see you in December! And I hope you guys get you're new on-campus stadium soon so that we can enjoy our rivalry in our respective venues every year!

FIUJoel said

In two seasons under Cristobal (who is fully committed to FIU's success and if you think otherwise, then you haven't been listening to what he's been saying), this team has closed the gap between these two schools both on the field and on the recruting trail.

Welcome!

Appreciate your passion…just a short comment about the above in particular…

Do you think that if you win 6 games this year that Cristobal will still be at FIU in 2010?