Have we gotten better, despite the record?

[SWC75]

In 2013 a 7-6 SU team played eventual national champion Florida State in Tallahassee and got totally destroyed, 3-59. That was the score after 3 quarters. The Noles could have scored 80, maybe even 100 points if they wanted to.

This year, a 4-8 SU team lost to Clemson 27-37 and the score wasn't deceiving. That was a competitive game. Granted it wasn't a national championship and they could easily have under-estimated us. And it was in the Dome, where we were a much better team on the road. But the Tigers knew they had to run the table to get to the title game and wouldn't have been looking past anybody. And most agreed that they were the better team last night. The game just slipped away from them, as sometimes happens, largely due to injuries and a couple of brilliant special teams plays by the Tide.

So is the fact that we could not compete with Florida State in 2013 but could compete with Clemson in 2015 a good sign?

 

[ssmorol]

That phantom hands to the face call against us still drives me crazy! We had just scored to make it a one score game and we had them stopped deep in their own zone on third down. Then that call gave them life, and I believe they scored a FG to go back up by ten with what about 5 minutes left? Ugh...no doubt we were a better team than in 2013. We got rolled by FSU, Clemson and Georgia Tech that year.

 

[TheCusian]

That phantom hands to the face call against us still drives me crazy! We had just scored to make it a one score game and we had them stopped deep in their own zone on third down. Then that call gave them life, and I believe they scored a FG to go back up by ten with what about 5 minutes left? Ugh...no doubt we were a better team than in 2013. We got rolled by FSU, Clemson and Georgia Tech that year.

The overall stats don't back that up at all. I think we know our ACC opponents better than we did in 2013. That's the difference.

 

[GoSU96]

In 2013 a 7-6 SU team played eventual national champion Florida State in Tallahassee and got totally destroyed, 3-59. That was the score after 3 quarters. The Noles could have scored 80, maybe even 100 points if they wanted to.

This year, a 4-8 SU team lost to Clemson 27-37 and the score wasn't deceiving. That was a competitive game. Granted it wasn't a national championship and they could easily have under-estimated us. And it was in the Dome, where we were a much better team on the road. But the Tigers knew they had to run the table to get to the title game and wouldn't have been looking past anybody. And most agreed that they were the better team last night. The game just slipped away from them, as sometimes happens, largely due to injuries and a couple of brilliant special teams plays by the Tide.

So is the fact that we could not compete with Florida State in 2013 but could compete with Clemson in 2015 a good sign?

119th in total offense, 99th in defense, 121st in combined total ranking out of 128 teams. Worst ranking in each since 2008.

4-8.

The team was a complete disaster this year. They weren't in shape, manner, or form a "better" team than two years ago.

 

[upperdeck]

i think this team was far better, stats dont always tell a story.. its like my golf game, a few bad shots can result in a score far different than how i played, other days i hit it all over but recover and shoot a good score.

 

[dollarbill44]

I think this year's team was better in some respects and worse in others. This year's team was more talented, I think, but lacked focus and discipline more than the 2013 team.

 

[SWC75]

The 2013 team benefited from key injuries to opponent's players. The next year, that was reversed and also to an extent this year.

 

[All4SU]

The overall stats don't back that up at all. I think we know our ACC opponents better than we did in 2013. That's the difference.

Don't they know us better too?

 

[BomberOrange]

In 2013 a 7-6 SU team played eventual national champion Florida State in Tallahassee and got totally destroyed, 3-59. That was the score after 3 quarters. The Noles could have scored 80, maybe even 100 points if they wanted to.

This year, a 4-8 SU team lost to Clemson 27-37 and the score wasn't deceiving. That was a competitive game. Granted it wasn't a national championship and they could easily have under-estimated us. And it was in the Dome, where we were a much better team on the road. But the Tigers knew they had to run the table to get to the title game and wouldn't have been looking past anybody. And most agreed that they were the better team last night. The game just slipped away from them, as sometimes happens, largely due to injuries and a couple of brilliant special teams plays by the Tide.

So is the fact that we could not compete with Florida State in 2013 but could compete with Clemson in 2015 a good sign?

Ehhh, I don't know about that IMHO. Clemson played great, but I always felt that 'Bama was going to eventually pull it out. I don't think Clemson was the better team, but they did have the best player on the field.

 

[TheCusian]

Don't they know us better too?

We change our offensive system every year, so no

 

[Finwad32]

I think this year's squad beats 2013's.

 

[GoSU96]

The 2013 team benefited from key injuries to opponent's players. The next year, that was reversed and also to an extent this year.

You think that's the difference?

 

[Alsacs]

2013 Florida State was one of the most talented team to win a NC since 2001 Miami Hurricanes according to the NFL draft.
3 first round draft picks, 5 second round draft picks, 1o other draft picks that are still in the NFL.
With Jalen Ramsey, Terrence Smith, Nate Andrews,Roberto Aguayo all looking like high to mid round draft picks.

That 2013 team was stacked. They would have beaten this year's SU team by whatever score they wanted. SU has not improved the past 2 years we have regressed hence the change at HC.

 

[GoSU96]

i think this team was far better, stats dont always tell a story.. its like my golf game, a few bad shots can result in a score far different than how i played, other days i hit it all over but recover and shoot a good score.

The only thing this team did better was defensive and special teams scores, fewer ints, and fewer penalties.

57 yd less per game on offense, 71 yds per game more on defense this year. Substantially worse on sacks and tackles for a loss and sacks and tackles for a loss allowed. Much worse on 3rd down offense and defense.

 

[GoSU96]

I think this year's squad beats 2013's.

2013, with a smart game plan, runs this team into the dirt.

 

[Chip]

I wouldn't judge us on how we perform in big emotional home games.

I'd judge us on how we do against our ACC peers.

One big improvement is that this team played well at home. Not sure how the stats bear out, but we were 4-3, with a last play FG loss, and not embarrassing ourselves by any means against the two heavyweights we played.

But we were abysmal on the road. Gave up over 40 every road game.

 

[Scooch]

So is the fact that we could not compete with Florida State in 2013 but could compete with Clemson in 2015 a good sign?

Not really.

Every game is unique and independent unto itself. Which is why my head aches whenever people start in with the post-game comments like "if we play *that* way against [insert future opponent here] then we'll never win!!!".

So how we did in one game 2 years ago vs. another game last year isn't all that indicative of the overall health of the program.

 

[IthacaBarrel]

I cant wait to start winning again, I really can't. Threads like these are just so depressing, which team stunk less? That 2013 had some terrible games as well and wasn't a very good football team either. B Maryland with a 5th string qb, beat BC and Minny. Not bad but really not very exciting either as we were throttled by Ga Tech, Clemson, FSU, Northwestern.

 

[Mr Peabody]

To answer the original question I think we've gotten better because some of the talented youth on this team. The 4-8 is a result of too little experience in key positions in 2015.

 

[tipphill]

no. marrone was the guy, he is more of a pro guy slow and steady would win the race --not bravado. that said---he is more of a pro guy not college

 

[rrlbees]

This years team regardless of the records.

 

[rocklloyd]

To answer the original question I think we've gotten better because some of the talented youth on this team. The 4-8 is a result of too little experience in key positions in 2015.

And some suspect head coaching decisions relative to clock management.

 

[721Comstock]

And some suspect head coaching decisions relative to clock management.

Some? Some?

 

[Crusty]

i think this team was far better, stats dont always tell a story.. its like my golf game, a few bad shots can result in a score far different than how i played, other days i hit it all over but recover and shoot a good score.

I think stats tell enough over the course of a season, whether golf or football. Your analogy implies that one part of golf is less important than another. Bottom line is whether or not your average handicap went up or down versus last season. Sure your ball striking may have been better or worse, but that is only a part of the game.

While I think we got worse, I don't think it was a whole lot different.

 

[SWC75]

You think that's the difference?

I think it matters.