How do we feel about the state of the program now?

[TheCusian]

of course, but i don't expect it. we gotta make some choices. i think it's easier spend money on an offensive coach and occasionally get lucky on defense than the other way around. 128 teams last year, I broke into groups of 8, and got the average wins for top 8 offense, top 8 defense, 9-16 offense, 9-16 defense, etc if you're top 8 in offense, you win more than being top 8 in defense. likewise for 9-16, 17-24, 25-32, 33-40, 40-48 from there down, it flips the other way 8 of the next 10 ranges. if you don't think you can be good at both, and you want to be good at something, this seems to show it's a little better to try to be good at offense. nothing earthshatteringly definitive here, not pretending that it is

Yeah - I'm familiar with your position on the matter . We're dealing with a perennially good defense and coaching now and until that changes, I think that's the model we're shooting for. I hope it works and Lester is revelation and our playmakers make a jump... That's the reality of our situation. (And for the record - I love how our defense plays. For me - it's fun to watch. Wish it brought more W's).

If Lester fails, we'll end up with new coaches in two seasons - with a new, hopefully really smart and savvy AD at the helm.

 

[Alsacs]

84 teams and 42 bowls now in College Football. 67% of all college football teams will make a bowl. If we think 6-6/7-5 is good we should already have extended SS. This program needs talent infused in. I give SS credit for RW commitment but if 44 is given I think we can keep him even without SS.

Our offense has to look competent this year. Defense has been fine in his tenure. SS has to be better at being a CEO. The guy has gamble in him with fake punt against ND, but then he goes cowardly lion i.e. Pitt/BC game punts which honestly those decisions were embarrassing. If he is't going anywhere he should have a phony year tacked onto his contract, but honestly if he next he is a true make or break 7 wins(including bowl) should be the number.

 

[Crusty]

The difference between good and bad teams at the P5 level can be very minor - most times it is a few skill players. A perfect example (I know it was only one game) was the Clemson game last year. Our team was the walking wounded and we almost pulled a big upset largely because Clemson was without their starting QB. Had Hunt been our QB we might have won. The teams looked very evenly matched. This is why I continue to feel as if we are one good QB away from very good seasons.

 

[Millhouse]

Yeah - I'm familiar with your position on the matter . We're dealing with a perennially good defense and coaching now and until that changes, I think that's the model we're shooting for. I hope it works and Lester is revelation and our playmakers make a jump... That's the reality of our situation. (And for the record - I love how our defense plays. For me - it's fun to watch. Wish it brought more W's).

If Lester fails, we'll end up with new coaches in two seasons - with a new, hopefully really smart and savvy AD at the helm.

wake me up with we stop doing everything the hard way

 

[RF2044]

The difference between good and bad teams at the P5 level can be very minor - most times it is a few skill players. A perfect example (I know it was only one game) was the Clemson game last year. Our team was the walking wounded and we almost pulled a big upset largely because Clemson was without their starting QB. Had Hunt been our QB we might have won. The teams looked very evenly matched. This is why I continue to feel as if we are one good QB away from very good seasons.

That Clemson road game was definitely winnable. Had we been able to score any points, we might have stolen the "W"

But we couldn't, so we didn't. Missed opportunity.

 

[Shenexon]

I can't be pessimistic so am very bullish on the state of the program. Nothing in this world is ever static. We're going to advance or decline as a program and we are growing, advancing, improving, expanding or whatever term you would choose. I think the kids get it better than the fans. We're getting good looks from talented players who are seeing SU as a viable option. That kind of energy builds on itself and creates the aura of a place that good players want to be. I'm psyched because I can be part of it more than in years past and want to add what positive energy I can. We could be marginally improved or it could be we'll be much better. Either way we're improving. I believe that good days are ahead and soon.

 

[TheCusian]

wake me up with we stop doing everything the hard way

Will do.

 

[Millhouse]

of course, but i don't expect it. we gotta make some choices. i think it's easier spend money on an offensive coach and occasionally get lucky on defense than the other way around.

128 teams last year, I broke into groups of 8, and got the average wins for top 8 offense, top 8 defense, 9-16 offense, 9-16 defense, etc

if you're top 8 in offense, you win more than being top 8 in defense.
likewise for 9-16, 17-24, 25-32, 33-40, 40-48

from there down, it flips the other way 8 of the next 10 ranges.

if you don't think you can be good at both, and you want to be good at something, this seems to show it's a little better to try to be good at offense.

nothing earthshatteringly definitive here, not pretending that it is

there are lots of things here that are interesting if you stare long enough. once you hit 80th in offense, none of those groups of 8 average 6 wins. two groups of 8 below 80th on defense average more than 6 wins.

the most average defenses win more than the best defenses. it's better to be 17-24 or 57-64 than it is to be 1-8 or 9-16 on defense

middle of the road offenses are far behind the good ones.

i think this is because having a crappy offense makes your own defense look better than it really is. opponents get the lead then play it safe.

 

[baggerbob]

Obviously McF###it didn't think so.

You hit the nail on the head, and that is another reason he had to go, regardless of what he could do in recruiting.

 

[OrangePA]

I have renewed optimism for this season.

I hope the true frosh contribute.

I hope we see substantial improvement out of TH - and I think we will see it.

 

[RF2044]

I have renewed optimism for this season.

I hope the true frosh contribute.

I hope we see substantial improvement out of TH - and I think we will see it.

That would go a LONG way to helping address the offensive problems evident last year. Here's hoping you're right.

 

[ImperialOrange]

As long as we hire a football centric AD I feel good. If the coaches come out and really silence the naysayers this year I'll feel great.

We've now got the facilities and conference affiliation in place to succeed. We have coaches that we can get behind for the people they are and how they conduct themselves off the field. Recruiting has been gradually rising and with coaching relationships in place should only improve. We also have a roster full of smart, high character kids in place currently that is easy for us fans to get behind. These will be the guys that advance the cause and we all look back at 4 years from now greatful that they chose SU to hone their craft.

This season will hinge on which Terrel Hunt we get, but beyond this season we certainly have the building blocks in place for sustainable success.

 

[storange]

I am so sick of praying to white knuckle out a 6-6 season, it's just pathetic after a while. It's what you get I guess trying to fight a forest fire by pissing on it.

Yes !!!! 6-6.

I agree...sort of, but then 6-6 sure beats 3-9.

 

[Townie72]

As to Oakland's point above about "over scheduling".

Now I said earlier that the locals --- the good folks of CNY --- are the core of SU football support. Without them, there isn't any SU football program.

HOWEVER, that's a two-edged sword. SU has to schedule teams that the locals think are good.

The problem is that Orange fans aren't stupid. They just aren't going to drive from Rochester or where ever to watch Norfolk State. (Someone mentioned Rutgers above without pointing out that their "success" (if you can call it that) was based primarily on scheduling. Blessed with the dumbest fan base (almost all new college football fans) in all of football, they could schedule Howard and actually get fans in the stadium.)

Syracuse fans are way beyond the point where they can be fed chicken feathers and believe it is chicken salad.

So SU HAS to schedule teams that the casual local fans recognize as being worth their time seeing.

Of course, that leads to a problem with our record.

We are, my fellow SU FB fans, squarely on the horns of a dilemma.

Once we build up the fan base --- yet again --- we can get people to the Dome to watch the Orange regardless of who we play (e.g. Basketball)

 

[Millhouse]

As long as we hire a football centric AD I feel good. If the coaches come out and really silence the naysayers this year I'll feel great.

We've now got the facilities and conference affiliation in place to succeed. We have coaches that we can get behind for the people they are and how they conduct themselves off the field. Recruiting has been gradually rising and with coaching relationships in place should only improve. We also have a roster full of smart, high character kids in place currently that is easy for us fans to get behind. These will be the guys that advance the cause and we all look back at 4 years from now greatful that they chose SU to hone their craft.

This season will hinge on which Terrel Hunt we get, but beyond this season we certainly have the building blocks in place for sustainable success.

i used to be a "we need a football centric guy" but that might just mean we get some guy with no neck that talks about run and stop the run

i don't care what centric they are, i just want them to know how college football is now. football centric guys might get all misty eyed thinking about yesteryear

 

[HeaterCuse22]

well goodby to them- i want kids who are su kids not hcss kids

cant keep a bad coach to keep a class -

the best thing for a program is to have a good staff-not a good class

we have all seen other schools hire head coach's who are known as recruiters -they load up on stars- and do nothing on the field for 4 years and get canned and go back to being assistants

Well your a terrible poster and the admins keep you around so I guess theres that.

 

[Cuseregular]

completely and utterly pessimistic for all things related to SU football to a degree I haven't been since the mid 70's.......that is until the recent uptick in recruiting which has at least something to do with the improved facilities.

The under the radar kid from ala. I think can be McNabbesque at some point and the RB Washington though I don't see as a kid who can change a game all by himself, is without question a very good back so the two of them together I think spells good things for the Orange at some point down the road. We all know that these type kids can make up for deficiencies elsewhere to bring success so if we can be average this year (6-6, 7-5 which baring injuries beyond the pail is very reasonable), it can set the stage for better things real soon.

So I've gone from complete despair regarding the future fortunes of SU football to at least some modicum of hope.

 

[rosconey]

Well your a terrible poster and the admins keep you around so I guess theres that.

yet all i posted was the truth- some just cant handle the truth

 

[HeaterCuse22]

tell yourself what you want. Fact is people that complain all the got dam time are part of the problem not the solution

 

[Alsacs]

tell yourself what you want. Fact is people that complain all the got dam time are part of the problem not the solution

Dude this statement should be prefaced with in my opinion. What has happened in the last 15 years to be optimistic? There is a huge difference between being a realist and complainer.

People who complain all the time can't be frustrated loyal fans? Some people troll that is sure, but I disagree with your assessment.

 

[HeaterCuse22]

15 years - Well no one thinks the greg robinson era was good so lets take that out. Ill tell you what though. When they got rid of P I said I would support the team. So lets set a more realistic bar. of say 10 years.

Marrone turned the program around until he left. (People wanted it but complained)
We have built an IPF (People wanted it but complained)
We moved to ACC (People wanted it but complained)
Have had profile games in NYC
New uniforms . (People wanted it but complained) (Except the we should wear only 1 uniform ever crowd)
Marrone left and our first year coach took us to a bowl. (People wanted it but complained)
Our new staff has reinvigorated the recruiting here. it may be slow but its going forward. (People wanted it but complained)

Aside from record alone what would make anyone think its been so negative. Maybe everyones expectations should be leveled with the REALITY of the here and now and the future. Not the past.

Who gives a ite about last year. Im on to this year. Im actually just so fired up this post doesn't make since likely. But I don't care Im fed up with it.

 

[Crusty]

There is something to be said for having a few soft teams to build a record, which helps to put more fannies in the seats for the better games. Winning is an absolute necessity at this point. Tougher schedule can come later IMO.

 

[HeaterCuse22]

Oh and unlike when P was canned. If shafer goes not only will recruits and players leave but good luck playing in front of 18-25K people again for the next decade whilst you all complain more about that decade.

Thank you CTO, Bees, CuseLegacy, SUtomcat, late orangeyes for providing this forum for me to be around for the last 15 or so years (in its many states) may pop in once awhile but cant stand this place anymore. Its like a highrent Syracuse.com. Its too bad.

 

[bcubs9497]

15 years - Well no one thinks the greg robinson era was good so lets take that out. Ill tell you what though. When they got rid of P I said I would support the team. So lets set a more realistic bar. of say 10 years.

Marrone turned the program around until he left. (People wanted it but complained)
We have built an IPF (People wanted it but complained)
We moved to ACC (People wanted it but complained)
Have had profile games in NYC
New uniforms . (People wanted it but complained) (Except the we should wear only 1 uniform ever crowd)
Marrone left and our first year coach took us to a bowl. (People wanted it but complained)
Our new staff has reinvigorated the recruiting here. it may be slow but its going forward. (People wanted it but complained)

Aside from record alone what would make anyone think its been so negative. Maybe everyones expectations should be leveled with the REALITY of the here and now and the future. Not the past.

Who gives a . . ite about last year. Im on to this year. Im actually just so fired up this post doesn't make since likely. But I don't care Im fed up with it.

Heater

Fortunately, there aren't too many "negative nellies" here.

Some, though, well...

 

[HeaterCuse22]

Heater

Fortunately, there aren't too many "negative nellies" here.

Some, though, well...

Steve Maybe their voices are just the loudest as they sit there with the drum all day long.