Excitement and Realistic Expectations

[Finwad32]

Yes. Some of the lots used to be filled with motor homes and the like. It's not just CNYers who left the program. In fact CNYers are the ones that have kept it alive for the most part.

Where the garage is on University now, when it used to be the church, was always filled. Always. We used to come 20-30 strong back then, there are 4 of us left. 8 on a really good weekend.

And I don't even count anymore because I'm not there. It's my one caveat to whoever gets my tickets when my wife doesn't use them, if you take them, you MUST go.

 

[jekelish]

I'll be disappointed if we don't win at least 5 games next year, and honestly, if we don't get to a bowl. Our big knock this year - other than injuries - was defense. Well, we were playing so many young guys and replacing so many experienced players that you'd almost HAVE to expect the numbers to get better simply based on natural progress. That alone should help us get an extra win or two, you would think.

 

[SoBristol]

For a "realistic" point of view, consider that Babers' predecessor (Dave Clawson) has put together back to back 3 and 9 seasons at Wake, and claims his second 3-9 was much better than his first. Ugh.

For an upbeat perspective, consider that we have everyone back on defense (except at DE), and all our skill players are back on offense. Fill some holes with recruits & transfers, keep a QB healthy, play fast on the turf, get a signature upset -- 7 wins, a bowl. Why not -- its December, we are undefeated.

 

[jekelish]

For a "realistic" point of view, consider that Babers' predecessor (Dave Clawson) has put together back to back 3 and 9 seasons at Wake, and claims his second 3-9 was much better than his first. Ugh.

For an upbeat perspective, consider that we have everyone back on defense (except at DE), and all our skill players are back on offense. Fill some holes with recruits & transfers, keep a QB healthy, play fast on the turf, get a signature upset -- 7 wins, a bowl. Why not -- its December, we are undefeated.

But Dave Clawson was 32-30 at Bowling Green and finished below .500 two of his five years there, and has never been better than nine games above .500 at any of his head coaching stops (29-20 at Richmond after going 29-29 at Fordham). I'm not sure it's fair to compare the two at this point.

 

[ClkWrkOrange]

Just realized...suddenly that night game at LSU in 2017 looks like fun!

I can't wait for that one!Haven't been to a game there in a very,very long time.It's going to be great.

 

[TheCusian]

But Dave Clawson was 32-30 at Bowling Green and finished below .500 two of his five years there, and has never been better than nine games above .500 at any of his head coaching stops (29-20 at Richmond after going 29-29 at Fordham). I'm not sure it's fair to compare the two at this point.

Did not know that. They (and ESPN bloggers) are really trying to sell canned air.

 

[SoBristol]

But Dave Clawson was 32-30 at Bowling Green and finished below .500 two of his five years there, and has never been better than nine games above .500 at any of his head coaching stops (29-20 at Richmond after going 29-29 at Fordham). I'm not sure it's fair to compare the two at this point.

True, but look at the trajectory at each of Clawson's stops. Took over a struggling program, started slow, built a winner, moved up the food chain, and did it again -- Fordham, Richmond, BGSU. Has done better in year 2 at Wake in stats, but hasn't produced an instant turn-around -- and that is the point, Wake fans might have to wait for the results.

For what it is worth (and I believe Babers will do great with what Shafer has left in the cupboard), Clawson left Babers his star QB, star RB, and most of his receivers.
As a HC (only 4 years in the sample) Babers won quickly at E. Illinois (with Jimmy Garoffolo as his QB!). In his first year at BG, had some fall-off from Clawson's best year (relying on a second string QB), then had a great 2015 when Matt Johnson returned at QB.
Common denominator -- helps to have a great QB.

 

[CanadianSU]

6-6

 

[Millhouse]

True, but look at the trajectory at each of Clawson's stops. Took over a struggling program, started slow, built a winner, moved up the food chain, and did it again -- Fordham, Richmond, BGSU. Has done better in year 2 at Wake in stats, but hasn't produced an instant turn-around -- and that is the point, Wake fans might have to wait for the results.

For what it is worth (and I believe Babers will do great with what Shafer has left in the cupboard), Clawson left Babers his star QB, star RB, and most of his receivers.
As a HC (only 4 years in the sample) Babers won quickly at E. Illinois (with Jimmy Garoffolo as his QB!). In his first year at BG, had some fall-off from Clawson's best year (relying on a second string QB), then had a great 2015 when Matt Johnson returned at QB.
Common denominator -- helps to have a great QB.

Garrafolo wasnt good before babers

 

[orangenirvana]

For what it is worth (and I believe Babers will do great with what Shafer has left in the cupboard), Clawson left Babers his star QB, star RB, and most of his receivers.
As a HC (only 4 years in the sample) Babers won quickly at E. Illinois (with Jimmy Garoffolo as his QB!). In his first year at BG, had some fall-off from Clawson's best year (relying on a second string QB), then had a great 2015 when Matt Johnson returned at QB.
Common denominator -- helps to have a great QB.

I hope you're using hyperbole when using the terms "star" and "great" to describe Matt Johnson and Jimmy Garoppolo. When Babers arrived at Eastern Illinois people told him he needed to find a quarterback, even though Garoppolo was on the roster. He's a somewhat decent talent but would have never been a 2nd round pick without Babers.

 

[Orangetradition44]

I think 4-6 wins is realistic: Colgate, uconn, bc, wake, and Pitt would only get us to 5 and only Colgate is a sure thing.

By year 2, we HAVE to make a bowl.

 

[OttosBestFriend]

BTW can I say how much I hate that we have to play ND in NYC and they get us back at their place the following year. They should have to come to the dome. UGH!!!

Please correct me if I'm wrong, but didn't agreeing to play ND in NJ allow Cuse to have more games against ND than other ACC teams?

Sure, having the Irish in the Dome would be great, but the additional national exposure that this extra ND game provides Dino and his offense might be just what our program needs to boost recruiting to the next level - especially in NYC & NJ (two specific areas he said he wants to target)

 

[billorange44]

I, like so many other 'Cuse fans, am very excited about the future of SU football and believe we have the right coach in place to get back to a winning tradition. With that said, I am a bit concerned that some fans may be allowing their excitement to blind the reality of what will most likely happen. What will most likely happen is what occurs with the majority of programs that are in a rebuilding stage and that is, still a lot of losses to come before things begin to click. I really hope that people are ready for what will probably be a bumpy ride but one that I believe will yield positive results as long as we can exercise patience and understand that this is a process that will take time.

If we had Babers for this season, we would have won seven games. No reason to think this can't be accomplished next fall.

 

[SoBristol]

I hope you're using hyperbole when using the terms "star" and "great" to describe Matt Johnson and Jimmy Garoppolo. When Babers arrived at Eastern Illinois people told him he needed to find a quarterback, even though Garoppolo was on the roster. He's a somewhat decent talent but would have never been a 2nd round pick without Babers.

Not using hyperbole at all. Johnson had a Hugh year before Babers arrived. Garafollo played as a true frosh. Got better each year and had a huge senior year after Babers left.
I am not knocking Babers in any way.
The point is that success is linked to a healthy, high quality QB. There are many examples, in all programs, including our own recent history.

 

[orangenirvana]

Not using hyperbole at all. Johnson had a Hugh year before Babers arrived. Garafollo played as a true frosh. Got better each year and had a huge senior year after Babers left.
I am not knocking Babers in any way.
The point is that success is linked to a healthy, high quality QB. There are many examples, in all programs, including our own recent history.

Garoppolo didn't have a huge senior year after Babers left. They left Eastern Illinois at the same time.

I see what you're saying, but this system (and branches of it) has been making pedestrian quarterbacks look amazing since at least the late 90's.

 

[IthacaBarrel]

I think 4-6 wins is realistic: Colgate, uconn, bc, wake, and Pitt would only get us to 5 and only Colgate is a sure thing.

By year 2, we HAVE to make a bowl.

The thing is we have we to start beating teams that we on paper should not, with Baber's I think we will see that. Marrone did it several times. You aren't going to win all of those games listed above. Can't hope to white knuckle, which is why the Babers hire is critical. Shafer NEVER did it, never really had a HUGE win. BC and Minny, I guess in 2013.

NC State and LVille, Va Tech are winnable all at home as well. We need to start winning some of these games as well. Pull and upset or two as well. It's the only way.

I think 6 wins is doable. I am of the mind set that if Dino can't turn this around in 2-3 years with his offense than we are kidding ourselves trying to be successful unless somebody steps up and starts juts dumping money. Dino or bust.

We needed a coach that can do more with less and we found one

 

[SUFaninNJ]

year 3. Keep your eyes fixed on year 3 and look for flashes of what is to come. But year 3 is the year to be excited. Seeing the team grow and morph as the system sets in and they work to get there will be fun, but expectations-wise, look out for year 3.

Flag on the play. Illegal use of a Gergism. Poster should be forced to snowball into something that catches fire.

 

[orangenirvana]

The thing is we have we to start beating teams that we on paper should not, with Baber's I think we will see that. Marrone did it several times. You aren't going to win all of those games listed above. Can't hope to white knuckle, which is why the Babers hire is critical. Shafer NEVER did it, never really had a HUGE win. BC and Minny, I guess in 2013.

NC State and LVille, Va Tech are winnable all at home as well. We need to start winning some of these games as well. Pull and upset or two as well. It's the only way.

I think 6 wins is doable. I am of the mind set that if Dino can't turn this around in 2-3 years with his offense than we are kidding ourselves trying to be successful unless somebody steps up and starts juts dumping money. Dino or bust.

We needed a coach that can do more with less and we found one

We should be able to see the Dome magic result in some upsets soon. Once people start coming out and can actually get into a game before it's over. Hell, we almost did it this year against LSU and Clemson - and that was with less than 35,000 SU fans in there.

Beamer always shat his pants in the Dome - I wish he had decided to retire a year later.

 

[cpatrocks]

14-0!

 

[leftytg]

Flag on the play. Illegal use of a Gergism. Poster should be forced to snowball into something that catches fire.

that's just...devastating.

I hereby eject myself from the rest of this thread and will sit out the first half of the next thread.

 

[721Comstock]

that's just...devastating.

I hereby eject myself from the rest of this thread and will sit out the first half of the next thread.

And all of your win will be vacated.

 

[orangenirvana]

And all of your win will be vacated.

Without looking, can anyone name the opponent of that one win from 2005 later vacated?