🔮 My 2025 PSAC West Predicted Ranking

[ClarionNoob]

Clarion is older but is going from a gadget offense to the Larry Wilson bore-you-to-sleep attack. The Golden Eagles should start well, but the back half of the schedule is brutal. Are they ready for a signature win? I can't drink that Kool-Aid just yet.

Wonder if Wilson will evolve his offense at all.

[ClarionNoob]

I’m certainly not taking digs at Lutz or the SRU program but that is a ton of skill position talent to lose at this level. You can’t even mitigate the QB turnover by giving the new guy experienced WRs who you can count on to win at the catch point or make big YAC or a pair of talented RBs to hand the ball off to as a pressure valve. D’Orr was a solid starter and the guy that they brought in from NDC had previously been an All-American. My concern for them isn’t just the quantity of production that they’re losing but the quality as well. One of the WR they lost was also an all-PSAC returner; you can cover up offensive deficiencies if you’re starting in good position. Are they going to be able to get the same kind of plus field position with a new returner? They might be looking at a two year “re-tool” more than an off-season reload on that side of the ball especially when you take the scholly money (or lack thereof) into account.

I know they turned away some solid high school receivers thinking those two were going to stay.

[Iupgh]

Who the heck knows. I haven't yet had a chance to take a look at who is returning for each team - all were decimated by graduations and the transfer portal. Nearly every all-PSAC honoree who didn't graduate was in the portal.

The West will be won by Cal, IUP, or Slippery Rock. Likely IUP only because they lost the least top talent. SRU had its butt kicked by its own success and graduation of playmakers like Long and Cooper.

Middle of the pack will likely be Clarion and Gannon. Clarion's QB is great and they didn't have any major transfer losses.

Too many unknowns with Edinboro and Seton Hill. Edinboro has a completely new coaching staff and lost some of its best skill talent in Diaz, Hulslander, and Robinson. The Boro returns some experience outside the skill positions, and I have a good feeling about the new coaching staff and bringing in transfer QB Nico from IUP. Seton Hill has a new HC but the new one was DC last year. Didn't stop them from losing Awuah and Cragette, arguably their two best players.

First glance at there offensive starting lineup last year. 2 offensive starters return (Cooper, Pegliusi both OL) rest were seniors, portal or in case of one good OL not on roster…

[IUPbigINDIANS]

As always, the secret ingredient in all of this is who you play and when you play them. Every team is going to deal with injuries. That's unavoidable.

In the West, you can't help but take note of SRU's three big ones all taking place at Dr. Evil Field. Diving deeper, Shepherd's visit is SRU's home opener (usually a jam-packed ordeal). The Rock also is (very smartly) kicking off all three games at night. What a concept. Better, bigger crowds. Half drunk. Loud. Way better atmosphere.

IUP is going to get a major test on opening night (Ashland) but shouldn't really get tested again until the Oct. 18 trip to SRU. But, lately, of course, we've seen IUP no-show some of these games it should win fairly easily. And, of course, IUP is playing SRU and Cal back-to-back. It's not easy to get a team 'up' two weeks in a row. The following week is always a trap game after playing SRU/Cal back-to-back. Gannon visits the following week. That's a severe hangover game (regardless who it is). The Hawks do start the season with (3) straight at home, but Miller Stadium gives them no advantage.

Cal has a brutal opening month -- Charleston, West Chester, Lock Haven and then at Slippery Rock (with IUP and Frostburg State looming).

Which of the 'Big 3' is the deepest? That's a huge factor in the second half of the season. Our league isn't exactly swimming in deep rosters. There's usually a big gap between the 1's and the 2's. "Next man up" sounds good and all for the coaches to babble about. There's another reality to it, however.

Which has the best coaching staff? Which staff do you trust in crunch time? Which staff has its team the most prepared each week? Which staff do you want in a tie game with 4 minutes to go?

It's going to be an entertaining season.

[Fightingscot82]

As always, the secret ingredient in all of this is who you play and when you play them. Every team is going to deal with injuries. That's unavoidable.

In the West, you can't help but take note of SRU's three big ones all taking place at Dr. Evil Field. Diving deeper, Shepherd's visit is SRU's home opener (usually a jam-packed ordeal). The Rock also is (very smartly) kicking off all three games at night. What a concept. Better, bigger crowds. Half drunk. Loud. Way better atmosphere.

IUP is going to get a major test on opening night (Ashland) but shouldn't really get tested again until the Oct. 18 trip to SRU. But, lately, of course, we've seen IUP no-show some of these games it should win fairly easily. And, of course, IUP is playing SRU and Cal back-to-back. It's not easy to get a team 'up' two weeks in a row. The following week is always a trap game after playing SRU/Cal back-to-back. Gannon visits the following week. That's a severe hangover game (regardless who it is). The Hawks do start the season with (3) straight at home, but Miller Stadium gives them no advantage.

Cal has a brutal opening month -- Charleston, West Chester, Lock Haven and then at Slippery Rock (with IUP and Frostburg State looming).

Which of the 'Big 3' is the deepest? That's a huge factor in the second half of the season. Our league isn't exactly swimming in deep rosters. There's usually a big gap between the 1's and the 2's. "Next man up" sounds good and all for the coaches to babble about. There's another reality to it, however.

Which has the best coaching staff? Which staff do you trust in crunch time? Which staff has its team the most prepared each week? Which staff do you want in a tie game with 4 minutes to go?

It's going to be an entertaining season.

Top to bottom, last year I think Rock had the best coaching staff. But in those crunch time situations, I would have wanted Jake Nulph and crew coaching my team. Guy had incredible game planning and it was built around his roster, not in a vacuum.

Which reminds me, I'm still pissed at Clarion for complaining to the league about Edinboro's gray jerseys. Boo hoo, they didn't get our permission first.

[IUPbigINDIANS]

Top to bottom, last year I think Rock had the best coaching staff. But in those crunch time situations, I would have wanted Jake Nulph and crew coaching my team. Guy had incredible game planning and it was built around his roster, not in a vacuum.

Which reminds me, I'm still pissed at Clarion for complaining to the league about Edinboro's gray jerseys. Boo hoo, they didn't get our permission first.

Rules are rules, but, yes, that was a d!ck move.

Consider the kind gesture Edinboro put out to IUP in men's basketball 8-9 years ago when IUP traveled up there WITHOUT its uniforms. Instead of taking a forfeit, Edinboro agreed to play the game letting IUP wear the Scots' practice uniforms.

Joe was ranked No. 1 in the country at that time. Had Edinboro stuck it to him it could have cost IUP hosting the Regional that year. That was a classy move by Edinboro.

BTW, the IUP team manager is still missing. Some say he's in the McComb basement to this day.

[Fightingscot82]

Rules are rules, but, yes, that was a d!ck move.

Consider the kind gesture Edinboro put out to IUP in men's basketball 8-9 years ago when IUP traveled up there WITHOUT its uniforms. Instead of taking a forfeit, Edinboro agreed to play the game letting IUP wear the Scots' practice uniforms.

Joe was ranked No. 1 in the country at that time. Had Edinboro stuck it to him it could have cost IUP hosting the Regional that year. That was a classy move by Edinboro.

BTW, the IUP team manager is still missing. Some say he's in the McComb basement to this day.

Poor guy. The CDC uses the McComb basement to do research on extreme mold growth. Even in the midst of an Edinboro winter, that basement is like a Savannah summer.

[SRU 88]

As always, the secret ingredient in all of this is who you play and when you play them. Every team is going to deal with injuries. That's unavoidable.

In the West, you can't help but take note of SRU's three big ones all taking place at Dr. Evil Field. Diving deeper, Shepherd's visit is SRU's home opener (usually a jam-packed ordeal). The Rock also is (very smartly) kicking off all three games at night. What a concept. Better, bigger crowds. Half drunk. Loud. Way better atmosphere.

It's going to be an entertaining season.

35-1 since 2010 and 27 wins in a row at night; only one night game last year.

[BloomFootballDad]

Really looking forward to this upcoming PSAC football season! My best guess for the West:

1) IUP
2) CAL
3) SRU
4) CLARION
5) GANNON
6) EDINBORO
7) SETON HILL

Now how about a thread for the East as well??

[IUPNation]

I’m not going to buy into any hype for IUP. It’s a put up or shut up year for this staff. Maybe Junior fixes the recurring brain farts on the sideline.

[ClarionNoob]

I’m not going to buy into any hype for IUP. It’s a put up or shut up year for this staff. Maybe Junior fixes the recurring brain farts on the sideline.

I feel like Clarion should be in a similar boat. This is Monica’s 4th year , he has to be under pressure to have a big year record wise.

[IUPNation]

I feel like Clarion should be in a similar boat. This is Monica’s 4th year , he has to be under pressure to have a big year record wise.

Nice avatar! I like it.

[EyeoftheHawk]

I feel like Clarion should be in a similar boat. This is Monica’s 4th year , he has to be under pressure to have a big year record wise.

What kind of record do you think is acceptable? I see Clarion being improved but a couple years away from getting out of the middle of the pack. They had a very good recruiting year this year, but some of those kids won’t even put on pads on Saturday. They also have to show they won’t lose their top players to the portal after the season.

From an outside perspective, I would think around .500 is a step in the right direction.

[IUPbigINDIANS]

What kind of record do you think is acceptable? I see Clarion being improved but a couple years away from getting out of the middle of the pack. They had a very good recruiting year this year, but some of those kids won’t even put on pads on Saturday. They also have to show they won’t lose their top players to the portal after the season.

From an outside perspective, I would think around .500 is a step in the right direction.

True freshmen, by and large, are worthless.

About 97 percent aren't ready physically or mentally.

They are all big and fast in high school. That changes immediately upon setting foot on campus. Now they are slow and weak - playing against much older, faster and stronger young men.

Teams need to redshirt about 95 percent of their signing class in football (if not all of them). Granted, not all teams have that luxury. That learning year is huge. They have to get way stronger and faster.

Every kid signed is all-conference this and that, blah, blah, blah. This is a major step up.

[ClarionNoob]

What kind of record do you think is acceptable? I see Clarion being improved but a couple years away from getting out of the middle of the pack. They had a very good recruiting year this year, but some of those kids won’t even put on pads on Saturday. They also have to show they won’t lose their top players to the portal after the season.

From an outside perspective, I would think around .500 is a step in the right direction.

That seems fair , they only lost a couple last year , I think a receiver to FCS and I believe a Lineman, maybe one other I can’t remember but I know they are largely in tact from last season.