7th in media poll. No surprise.

[JeremyCuse]

Probably all just in my head, but last year people had all kinds of expectations that 8 wins were in the bag (all the talk about how everybody would have been happy with 6 and 6 was revisionist history) and we pretty much sucked.

This year people are already hedging and preparing for the reality of a 4 or 5 win season, so we'll... pretty much suck more?

I think I understand what your saying, last year it was a bowl or bust yet when we went 5-7 we got every excuse under the book as to why we lost our last 5 games and how things would turn around next year. My concern is that no matter what the record people are going to make execuses and keep pointing to youth, the schedule ( I agree on the OCC), the rebuilding process, recruiting etc etc etc. At some point we have to start holding the staff accountable, not sayign Marrone should be on the hot seat but if the Offense struggles again along with the O line its likely time to show Hackett the door and maybe Adkins as well.

 

[Aweart23]

Not to call you out but exactly what depth do they have all over the field now that they didnt have last year? Secondary is deeper and we have added some JUCO depth to the D line but I am failing to see how they now have depth all over the field?

QB---- nahhhhhh not going to open that can of worms

RB- Smith, AAM, PTG, Broyld, Morris- head and shoulders above last year in depth- last year was undersized Bailey and some freshman-

WR- Sales, Lemon, West, Hale, Kobena, Cornelius- also above last year's version of Lemon, Chew & West

TE- Stevens, Wales, and the two freshman- equal to Provo/Stevens

OL- we are deeper this year but I agree about the question marks here-

LB- add a year to Davis, Spruill, Lynch, Vaughn & Virgille- we had a walk on playing last year at times (not a rip on Amene) but that's a big red flag-

Secondary- add a year to Reddish, Anderson, Lyn, Eskridge, Shamarko, Wilkes, Mungwa & George- we were one injury away from playing a walkon against USC last year- way above last year

DE- Agreed there are issues here

DL- add a year to Boatman, Sloan, Bromley, Crume plus the JUCO's - lots of size inside finally

 

[JeremyCuse]

QB---- nahhhhhh not going to open that can of worms

RB- Smith, AAM, PTG, Broyld, Morris- head and shoulders above last year in depth- last year was undersized Bailey and some freshman-

WR- Sales, Lemon, West, Hale, Kobena, Cornelius- also above last year's version of Lemon, Chew & West

TE- Stevens, Wales, and the two freshman- equal to Provo/Stevens

OL- we are deeper this year but I agree about the question marks here-

LB- add a year to Davis, Spruill, Lynch, Vaughn & Virgille- we had a walk on playing last year at times (not a rip on Amene) but that's a big red flag-

Secondary- add a year to Reddish, Anderson, Lyn, Eskridge, Shamarko, Wilkes, Mungwa & George- we were one injury away from playing a walkon against USC last year- way above last year

DE- Agreed there are issues here

DL- add a year to Boatman, Sloan, Bromley, Crume plus the JUCO's - lots of size inside finally

QB Its OK you can say it, theres no depth here, if anyone but Nassib has to take a meaningful snap we are in serious trouble.

RB is the same as it was last year, lots of pieces but mostly unproven and young. The player the coaches are high on the most is Smith who as you noted is a holdover. If Morris is eligible and on the team he could be a help this year but RB was never a huge concern as we returned everybody but Bailey. Broyld is not going to play much RB at all, I wouldnt list him there.

WR- If the JUCO kid can provide a deep threat and we get something out of Hale/Flemming or one of the Freshmen then yes but right now this is all unproven I wouldnt call this good depth until we see something.

TE- Provo was a beast last year he is a huge loss. I like the two Freshman a lot but right now Beckett Wales cant hold Provo's jock, the guy is a penalty machine. This isnt a shot at you but I dont get the love for Wales on the board. Depth maybe better but the position is not as good without Provo and really its not even close.

OL - We agree

LB - Theres zero depth here, adding a year to the four players allready on the roster isnt adding depth. Macfarlane will likely be moved and hopefully Coker finally wakes up.

Secondary - No disagreement here getting Eskridge eligible and adding a healthy Lynn and older Reddish and Mungwa will be a big help. Not to mention the incoming freshmen.

DE - We agree

DT - Here I agree with you, there is more depth here and talent then last year.


I am seeing two maybe three positions where the depth is improved DT and the Secondary, are there young guys on the roster who could make a positive impact definitely but its way to early to say we have much better depth all over the field at this point in the season.

 

[Ozcuse]

This years team has depth all over the field that it didn't have last year...as well as finally some size on the DL.
As good as C. Jones was/is, he sure didn't help last years W/L record when he came back.

And no, this years team is not the New England Patriots, but they are playing in the Big East not the NFL. A thin, young, undersized, physically beat up team was one win short of a bowl last year...No reason this years version shouldn't improve on last years results...

As for question marks, I had way more question marks last year than I do this year..

I'll give you three reasons.

(1) Replace Toledo, Tulane, and West Virginia (3 of our 5 wins) from last year's schedule with

Northwestern, Minnesota, and Missouri.

(2) 6 road games, 1 neutral game, and 5 home games. 4 of our last 5 games of the season are on the road. I know that didn't hurt us in 2010, but we have not been a good team at all the second half of the season.

(3) Our week off is between the 4th and 5th game. We play 8 games straight to end the season without a rest. A majority of those being road games.

 

[SoBristol]

This team has its challenges (two healthy OTs, please, and a pass rush), but it will be deeper and better than last year's edition. More stout at DT; more healthy players in the secondary; young LBs growing up; running attack that does not depend on just one RB. A number of younger players who could surprise. Special teams that have to be better (because worse is not possible).

Yes, the schedule is tougher in September, but then it is essentially the same -- an improved defense gives us a chance for 6 wins or better.

 

[rrlbees]

I'll give you three reasons.

(1) Replace Toledo, Tulane, and West Virginia (3 of our 5 wins) from last year's schedule with

Northwestern, Minnesota, and Missouri.

(2) 6 road games, 1 neutral game, and 5 home games. 4 of our last 5 games of the season are on the road. I know that didn't hurt us in 2010, but we have not been a good team at all the second half of the season.

(3) Our week off is between the 4th and 5th game. We play 8 games straight to end the season without a rest. A majority of those being road games.

Reality is though that we should ne better this year than last regardless of opponent. And the fact is, even though we beat WVU, they are a very very good program. Our OOC schedule this year is a bit harder but Toledo was even better than people thought but still, this year ia tougher. But the BE schedule this year is easier. So the schedule is a push compared to last year. But we are better ourselves so the expectation is more wins than last year.

Sent from my DROIDX using Tapatalk 2

 

[MikeSU02]

Reality is though that we should ne better this year than last regardless of opponent. And the fact is, even though we beat WVU, they are a very very good program. Our OOC schedule this year is a bit harder but Toledo was even better than people thought but still, this year ia tougher. But the BE schedule this year is easier. So the schedule is a push compared to last year. But we are better ourselves so the expectation is more wins than last year.

Sent from my DROIDX using Tapatalk 2

And next year's schedule will be the hardest of the current three year stretch.

You are right, we need to start getting results. At some point, you can't point to the schedule. We are playing in the weakest BCS conference in history, maybe.

 

[Aweart23]

QB Its OK you can say it, theres no depth here, if anyone but Nassib has to take a meaningful snap we are in serious trouble.

RB is the same as it was last year, lots of pieces but mostly unproven and young. The player the coaches are high on the most is Smith who as you noted is a holdover. If Morris is eligible and on the team he could be a help this year but RB was never a huge concern as we returned everybody but Bailey. Broyld is not going to play much RB at all, I wouldnt list him there.

WR- If the JUCO kid can provide a deep threat and we get something out of Hale/Flemming or one of the Freshmen then yes but right now this is all unproven I wouldnt call this good depth until we see something.

TE- Provo was a beast last year he is a huge loss. I like the two Freshman a lot but right now Beckett Wales cant hold Provo's jock, the guy is a penalty machine. This isnt a shot at you but I dont get the love for Wales on the board. Depth maybe better but the position is not as good without Provo and really its not even close.

OL - We agree

LB - Theres zero depth here, adding a year to the four players allready on the roster isnt adding depth. Macfarlane will likely be moved and hopefully Coker finally wakes up.

Secondary - No disagreement here getting Eskridge eligible and adding a healthy Lynn and older Reddish and Mungwa will be a big help. Not to mention the incoming freshmen.

DE - We agree

DT - Here I agree with you, there is more depth here and talent then last year.


I am seeing two maybe three positions where the depth is improved DT and the Secondary, are there young guys on the roster who could make a positive impact definitely but its way to early to say we have much better depth all over the field at this point in the season.

I disagree about the LBs and the RBs. Bailey had a huge heart and was talented but had nothing behind him. This year you have four or five kids competing this fall for PT...

At LB, We lost none from last year, so 6 on scholly to compete for PT...Davis, spruill, vaughn, lynch, Virgille and D. tab, Coker...Washington and Possibly McFarlane as RS. Anene as emergency. How many more do you want?

An extra year of S&C for Lynch and D Davis should help tons.

Ask yourself this, would you rather have this years RB and LB depth chart or last years? I know which one I prefer, not last years ...I'd much rather have this years whole depth chart than last years...

 

[GoSU96]

That's just the last two years. Adding in his 1st year we are 2-11 from Halloween on. That will be the one thing I am curious to see this year. Being that we are a young team and have nearly everyone returning for 2013, I want to see us get better as the year goes on. That will give everyone hope for 2013 despite having arguably our hardest schedule ever.

Crazy thing is, taking away the cupcakes and built in Ls we are 7-7 before Halloween under Marrone. How we go from 7-7 to 2-11 is kinda nuts, especially since you can argue that the first 14 games have been against slightly stronger competition vs the last 13. If we follow this pattern again then we should be 4-4 come Halloween this year. However since Marrone hasn't beaten anyone but RU after Halloween, we would end up 4-8.

It's because of a couple of reasons. Lack of depth, and the fact that they have been limited. Marrone has been very open about the fact that their limitations have been made very clear through the season and teams adjust what they are doing, in particular on offense, and they haven't been able to counter it.

 

[JeremyCuse]

And next year's schedule will be the hardest of the current three year stretch.

You are right, we need to start getting results. At some point, you can't point to the schedule. We are playing in the weakest BCS conference in history, maybe.

Agree on the BE schedule being easiest by far probably ever but in our current state I dont know if thats a big help. We are 0 fer under Marrone against Pitt, Uconn and Lville, I have a hard time seeing how thats going to turnaround against all three this year especially Lville who for some reason seems to own us.

 

[rrlbees]

That's just the last two years. Adding in his 1st year we are 2-11 from Halloween on. That will be the one thing I am curious to see this year. Being that we are a young team and have nearly everyone returning for 2013, I want to see us get better as the year goes on. That will give everyone hope for 2013 despite having arguably our hardest schedule ever.

Crazy thing is, taking away the cupcakes and built in Ls we are 7-7 before Halloween under Marrone. How we go from 7-7 to 2-11 is kinda nuts, especially since you can argue that the first 14 games have been against slightly stronger competition vs the last 13. If we follow this pattern again then we should be 4-4 come Halloween this year. However since Marrone hasn't beaten anyone but RU after Halloween, we would end up 4-8.

I believe by the later stages of the season we are banged up and worn down. Its the negative side of treating so many practices like it's game day.

Sent from my DROIDX using Tapatalk 2

 

[OrangeMojo]

Agree on the BE schedule being easiest by far probably ever but in our current state I dont know if thats a big help. We are 0 fer under Marrone against Pitt, Uconn and Lville, I have a hard time seeing how thats going to turnaround against all three this year especially Lville who for some reason seems to own us.

you really can't see how this team could beat Pitt or UConn this year? SU may not be favored in either game depending on how the NW and Minny games go, but UConn was 5-7 last year with some bad losses and Pitt once again is breaking in a new coaching staff. Both winnable games this year - things aren't that bad.

 

[SmilinBob]

I see some already have their arms folded and are ready to exclaim how right they were if SU struggles. I like to use this arm folded thing because we used to sit next to these two guys and that's all they did while mumbling "Watch, they'll screw this up.".

SU's 0-0 with a tough first game. Who knows what is going to happen and usually the press that votes for these preseason standings the least of all. There are so many different scenarios that can happen even from now to the first game and I can't even imagine how anyone would know how it will be for the 12th. I just want this team to be healthy going into game 1 and let's see how the pigskin flies from there. The big east will be solid team wise, maybe no outstanding team but a lot of tough games that you have to earn a win and the OOC schedule is pretty difficult. I just see one definite loss vs USC and hopefully one solid win vs Stoney Brook. Other than that depending on breaks/injuries/penalties and whatever else all other games are quite winnable and losable. I guarantee no one here or anywhere had us crushing WV and then losing every game after that, that's why they play the games.

I don't know how hard or difficult the practices are and if that wears out the players but I would venture a guess that the lack of depth has a big part of it. Lemon was hurt and continued to play, how many other guys were doing the same? I would just love to see this team stay healthy and see how it goes from there because I think they are going to do pretty well this year if they can remain injury free. A big if I know but that's what I'm rooting for up to game one and hopefully if a guy gets hurt we finally will have a young guy step in and an impact player or at least plays well enough so we don't even notice the starter isn't even there.

My keys are the O-Line staying healthy, the DL being able to penetrate while not having the LB's blitz and that the special teams plays solid as a whole. If these 3 things happen we will have a 6 or better win season.

 

[kingottoiii]

you really can't see how this team could beat Pitt or UConn this year? SU may not be favored in either game depending on how the NW and Minny games go, but UConn was 5-7 last year with some bad losses and Pitt once again is breaking in a new coaching staff. Both winnable games this year - things aren't that bad.

We SHOULD beat UConn. They are not good and we are at home. If we lose to them, Marrone should hang them up. They are our 2nd easiest game of the year. If we lose to UConn we likely end up with a GRobesque record this year.

 

[JeremyCuse]

you really can't see how this team could beat Pitt or UConn this year? SU may not be favored in either game depending on how the NW and Minny games go, but UConn was 5-7 last year with some bad losses and Pitt once again is breaking in a new coaching staff. Both winnable games this year - things aren't that bad.

I was talking about winning all three games this year, I could see us beating UConn or Pitt I just dont see us beat both of them plus Louisville. Hell I would be estatic if we went 2-1.

 

[JeremyCuse]

We SHOULD beat UConn. They are not good and we are at home. If we lose to them, Marrone should hang them up. They are our 2nd easiest game of the year. If we lose to UConn we likely end up with a GRobesque record this year.

You are correct, I dont think UConn is very good but with Deleone and P there the kind of team that is going to give SU fits. Tons of mis direction and attacking the LB's, Deleone abused Dyshawn Davis last year and pretty much scored at will running the same 4 plays the entire second half.

 

[OttoMets]

I'll give you three reasons.

(1) Replace Toledo, Tulane, and West Virginia (3 of our 5 wins) from last year's schedule with

Northwestern, Minnesota, and Missouri.

...

To be fair, we're replacing Wake Forest with Missouri and West Virginia with Temple. A bit less daunting, I'd say.

 

[OttoMets]

QB---- nahhhhhh not going to open that can of worms

RB- Smith, AAM, PTG, Broyld, Morris- head and shoulders above last year in depth- last year was undersized Bailey and some freshman-

WR- Sales, Lemon, West, Hale, Kobena, Cornelius- also above last year's version of Lemon, Chew & West

TE- Stevens, Wales, and the two freshman- equal to Provo/Stevens

OL- we are deeper this year but I agree about the question marks here-
...

As Jeremy said, the tight ends assessment is a bit too optimistic - Wales has demonstrated himself to be a Michael Hay/Phil Thomas -level nut on the field; very few positives, each of which is outweighed by his propensity for getting personal fouls flags. Until he shows otherwise, he's a big step down from what we had last season. I do like Stevens a lot, but Provo was automatic and will be difficult to replace.

I do agree that the receiving corps is better as a whole. Chew was pretty good a couple years ago, less so after he got dinged up. The young guys are all unproven, but they (plus Sales) won't have to do much to match Chew's 2011 production (unfortunately, since he was pretty likeable).

Running backs, same deal. Bailey was misused; he had a decent year with a few costly fumbles. 1,000 yards is nothing to sneeze at, but the combination of guys we have right now should be able to match his production without fading down the stretch. Net gain at that position.

 

[Scooch]

Given the schedule, if we were to lose say seven games this year, I would not be surprised. But that would not cause me to conclude that we are not getting better, because I think we are getting better.

That improvement will likely not be reflected in the record.

We'll see. I also would not be surprised to see us lose 7, in fact I expect that. It's possible that we might conclude 5-7 actually signaled "improvement". Or it's possible it won't. Need to see how the team actually functions. If we lose 8 or more though I think we'd be hard pressed to say we're improving -- this schedule is a challenge for a mediocre program like our's, but it sure as heck ain't like what we played in, say, 1998.

 

[Scooch]

I just can't say that Louisville, Cincy, USF or Rutgers are dreadful.

I can't say that Pitt is dreadful or that SU is dreadful.

I just can't go that far.

Heck, didn't Rutgers beat a pretty good Big XII team last year in a bowl game?

Didn't Cincy win nine games?

Don't many feel that L'ville is pretty talented this year?

Those teams are all shades of mediocre, and a "BCS" league loaded with nothing but mediocre teams is dreadful. Is the BE going to place a single team in the preseason top 20? We're arguing semantics I suppose, but my point is that if SU goes 1-6 against that mediocrity it means we're still the worst of a bad lot. I can't see how we define that as anything but a failure.

 

[GoSU96]

To be fair, we're replacing Wake Forest with Missouri and West Virginia with Temple. A bit less daunting, I'd say.

You think Missouri on the road is "less daunting" than Wake at home? Huh?

Trading two home games vs two road games.

 

[PhatOrange]

You think Missouri on the road is "less daunting" than Wake at home? Huh?

Trading two home games vs two road games.

If nothing else it's a wash. Missouri road/ Temple road = WVU road / Wake home

 

[OttoMets]

You think Missouri on the road is "less daunting" than Wake at home? Huh?

Trading two home games vs two road games.

First, aside from the minor travel hassle, I think Temple at Lincoln Field is a road game in name only. Probably 5,000 Syracuse fans and 5,000 Temple fans the day after Thanksgiving. Regardless, it's certainly less challenging than West Virginia in 2011.

Missouri (8-5 in 2011), playing in their first SEC season and coming off a couple tough games? A challenge, sure, but it's not the guaranteed loss that some make it out to be. Probably a more challenging game than the opener against Wake (6-7 in 2011).

Head-to-head comparison wasn't my point, though. I didn't agree that cherry-picking Missouri from our schedule (conveniently leaving out Temple) was representative of the difference between this year's schedule and last year's.

 

[OrangePA]

Those teams are all shades of mediocre, and a "BCS" league loaded with nothing but mediocre teams is dreadful. Is the BE going to place a single team in the preseason top 20? We're arguing semantics I suppose, but my point is that if SU goes 1-6 against that mediocrity it means we're still the worst of a bad lot. I can't see how we define that as anything but a failure.

I just don't see it the way you do.

You seem to use words like "dreadful" and "mediocre" and "bad" interchangeably.

That does not make sense to me.

Obviously "dreadful" is not the same as "mediocre," which is not the same as "bad."

And, winning nine games as Cincy did last year - along with a bowl win - does not fall within any of those terms.

The same holds true for last year's Rutgers team, which, again won nine games and beat a good Iowa State team in the Pinstripe Bowl.

By the end of the year, Louisville was playing very well - though its record was not stellar. Still, most saw the Cardinals as an up and coming team - that's probably why they are expected to dominate the BE this year.

Many feel that Pitt and USF can compete quite well this year - that last year was not a true reflection of where they stand. Gosh, even UConn last year lost four games that they led in the 4th Quarter - including one against Vandy of the SEC at Vandy. And UConn has eight defensive starters back from last year - as does Rutgers by the way - a very solid defense.

I know how much so many on this board make themselves feel better by trashing the BE. I really don't understand it. And I do not think the conference reflects badly on SU. I just don't.

Although I was hoping that we would beat all of them last year, I was not surprised that we lost to Pitt or USF or Rutgers or Cincy of even UConn.

I'm pretty sure we were underdogs in all but one of those games.

So, we just see things differently.

 

[Cuseman78]

I just don't see it the way you do.

You seem to use words like "dreadful" and "mediocre" and "bad" interchangeably.

That does not make sense to me.

Obviously "dreadful" is not the same as "mediocre," which is not the same as "bad."

And, winning nine games as Cincy did last year - along with a bowl win - does not fall within any of those terms.

The same holds true for last year's Rutgers team, which, again won nine games and beat a good Iowa State team in the Pinstripe Bowl.

By the end of the year, Louisville was playing very well - though its record was not stellar. Still, most saw the Cardinals as an up and coming team - that's probably why they are expected to dominate the BE this year.

Many feel that Pitt and USF can compete quite well this year - that last year was not a true reflection of where they stand. Gosh, even UConn last year lost four games that they led in the 4th Quarter - including one against Vandy of the SEC at Vandy. And UConn has eight defensive starters back from last year - as does Rutgers by the way - a very solid defense.

I know how much so many on this board make themselves feel better by trashing the BE. I really don't understand it. And I do not think the conference reflects badly on SU. I just don't.

Although I was hoping that we would beat all of them last year, I was not surprised that we lost to Pitt or USF or Rutgers or Cincy of even UConn.

I'm pretty sure we were underdogs in all but one of those games.

So, we just see things differently.

At this point, I actually miss your incessant defenses of Coach P as opposed to this ridiculousness about trying to convince us that the Big East is a real conference. Its a bad conference, and has been so for 9 years. And it's about to become a minor league conference.

I'm not sure what you don't see but I'll assume that is has to do with the amount of "real" college football that you watch. I believe you have actually admitted before that you have no interest in SEC or B1G football and thus don't watch it. This year, i think you should make a concerted effort to watch some SEC or B1G or Pac12 football (or even ACC) and hopefully you'll come to your senses on this.