Early Prediction for 2012 Football Season

Happy Winter everyone. I know we are in the clutches of basketball season. Yes, a great article can be written about the expectations for the basketball team and the roller coaster season already. Next year UB Basketball fans, next year trust me. Today, this article is about football.

I started to think about the expectations and what my prediction for 2012 is. The more that I looked at the schedule and tried to count wins, the more it changes every time I do it. I have had a high of seven and a low of three and again changes every time I look at the schedule. There are some wins that I have pretty automatic and some losses as well (Yes no win is automatic!).

The homer (local not Simpson) in me really thinks that UB can beat Toledo, Kent, Miami, Morgan, BGSU, Akron, and UMass. If this team really takes a major step up then a win against Ohio is within realm. Being on the road, a win will be difficult. But the person who has watched this coaching staff prepare this team is waiting to see if UB can compete in the MAC. The talent is on the roster and many gained valuable experience last year. Yes, to beat the living tar out of a dead horse, the variable will be the play of the QB. After the break find my run down of the season and I really look forward to your prediction as well.

I will start with the home games:

Pitt With a new head coach and some player losses on the team, this could very well be a win. With a new QB and new D coordinator it will be close but Pitt will prevail.

Loss

Morgan Simple, this is a must win and will be.

Win

Toledo * This is another game that I would not be surprised that UB wins and wins big. Not yet.

Loss

Temple ^ What I would not give for a hail mary TD catch. Too much to soon again.

Loss

Kent ^ This is an up and coming team and will shock many with close wins a nice record.

Loss

Miami ^ This is a game that UB can win but will struggle. Again this team should be beat especially at home.

Loss

When UB goes on the Road:

Georgia Look forward to this game but a tough weekend.

Loss

UConn Another game that I would love UB to win. Beat UConn. Still hate them since Intl. Bowl.

Loss

BGSU This is a win. UB has the talent to win this game. This has to be a win.

Win

Akron What is a tougher game UMASS or Akron?

Win

Ohio This will be a close game but Ohio comes out on top.

Loss

UMass I am excited about this rivalry. I look forward playing UMass. I think they will also get better fast.

Win

My prediction is 4 - 8. Here is were I start to waver back and forth and 5 and 7 is probably where UB lands. A win versus a MAC opponent will occur but I will stand with my 4 - 8.

So where does that leave UB after three years with this coaching staff. Not much. Coach Quinn will be in Amherst until the end of his contract. I know that I predicted a four win season but I am really looking forward to this upcoming season. I am looking to see who steps up. I think that UB is still another season away from being a very good team. I know that patience is not something that many of us posses with this team but 2013 should be a very fun year. That being said, I am not giving this coaching staff a pass. This year will prove if UB can beat teams they are predicted to lose against. I really have to see some coaches step up with game planning and game time decisions. UB is very lucky to have some diamonds in the rough that will succeed no matter what the situation is (Neutz, Oliver, and etc.) As a coaching staff, you can't be good one season and terrible for the next three.

I will sound like a broken record for the past three years, but I really hope that I am way off base. Unfortunately I have been close to on point the past three seasons. I hope that my disappointing moments the past three years has clouded what the product on the field will be. Tell me what you think 2013 will shake out!