Huge opportunity for this program...

[Scooch]

We are a 5 point underdog. Thought I saw people saying we'd be the fave.

People are also saying we'll win 9 games his year. People are a little over their skis.

 

[TheCusian]

People are also saying we'll win 9 games his year. People are a little over their skis.

I don't know about 9 wins- but I thought for sure it would be at least a pick em. Stunned that it's that high.

 

[Rocco]

People are also saying we'll win 9 games his year. People are a little over their skis.

Why over their skis?

Zero reason this team cannot win 9 games this year. It starts this weekend when we move to 4-1. No one in the ACC is unbeatable. Clemson looked good last night, but got no time to be scurrrrred.

Can't wait to see the next 8 games.

I will be bullish by myself I suppose!

 

[Bayside44]

Why over their skis?

Zero reason this team cannot win 9 games this year. It starts this weekend when we move to 4-1. No one in the ACC is unbeatable. Clemson looked good last night, but got no time to be scurrrrred.

Can't wait to see the next 8 games.

I will be bullish by myself I suppose!

Because it hasn't happened in ages and there's no track record for it - unlike hoops where 20 wins (or close) is to the bank territory.

I hope this is the bunch of kids that sets the bar higher, think if Dungey is able to play through the season he can be that guy.

 

[RF2044]

Big game for us, no question.

Hope our kids are ready for the challenge of their first road game.

I saw in another thread that we are fairly substantial 'dogs. Good--hope our kids see that and use it as motivation.

 

[suloyalfan]

Great post. Sagarin has us as a 5 point road favorite right now. This of course could change after they play Memphis this weekend. Huge game.

Sagarin has SU as a 7 point favorite now...

 

[Rocco]

Because it hasn't happened in ages and there's no track record for it - unlike hoops where 20 wins (or close) is to the bank territory.

I hope this is the bunch of kids that sets the bar higher, think if Dungey is able to play through the season he can be that guy.

Perhaps, but still not an excuse. No reason this team can't go 6-2 the next 8 games.

All in.

 

[Bayside44]

Perhaps, but still not an excuse. No reason this team can't go 6-2 the next 8 games.

All in.

My two least favorite words together are "no reason." The other team is playing to win too. I hope it happens, traveling to a couple of them...

 

[Scooch]

Why over their skis? Zero reason this team cannot win 9 games this year. It starts this weekend when we move to 4-1. No one in the ACC is unbeatable. Clemson looked good last night, but got no time to be scurrrrred. Can't wait to see the next 8 games. I will be bullish by myself I suppose!

Zero reason?

Zero?

There's a dangerous line between optimism, and setting unrealistic expectations. What if SU "only" wins 6 or 7? Is that a disappointment?

 

[Rocco]

Zero reason?

Zero?

There's a dangerous line between optimism, and setting unrealistic expectations. What if SU "only" wins 6 or 7? Is that a disappointment?

I'm not "expecting" anything. We could very well not win another game this year. Would that be disappointing? Yes.

Winning 6 games? I would be slightly disappointed with that as well.

Maybe my hopes for this team are too high, but I think they can win a lot more games this year. Will be fun to watch pan out.

 

[Shenexon]

My prime disappointment for myself and all fans is when we set lower expectations than what the players & coaches do. The outcome of games isn't known until the games are played. In listening to Coach Shafer, he was truly upset at losing to LSU. His expectation is to be competitive in every game and the kids are responding favorably. The team could have an exceptional year or a marginal year at this point, but the team looks inspired in several aspects. They've been fun with offense, defense, and special teams all scoring points. Can they sustain their level of intensity on the road? We'll see on Saturday, but I for one am optimistic and without expecting any particular season record, expect them to play tough in every game and be more successful than not.

 

[Scooch]

I'm not "expecting" anything. We could very well not win another game this year. Would that be disappointing? Yes.

Winning 6 games? I would be slightly disappointed with that as well.

Maybe my hopes for this team are too high, but I think they can win a lot more games this year. Will be fun to watch pan out.

Well you can't say there's "zero" reasons not to win 9 games and then say you don't expect it. There's no logic in that.

All I'm saying is that we all were very encouraged by how we competed against LSU, but this is still a very young team that will almost certainly lose a game or two we think we should win. We may also pull an upset. I just worry that people are getting so amped that they'll be calling for heads to roll if we "only" end up winning 6 or 7 games.

 

[Rocco]

I just worry that people are getting so amped that they'll be calling for heads to roll if we "only" end up winning 6 or 7 games.

Ha, well that is most certainly not going to happen with me. I have had said all year that I think Shafer is the guy and he should get an extension sooner than later to show the commitment to him and his staff to recruits and the current players. The injury bug has bitten yet again, and he has this team still playing at a high level IMO. If Dungey and other key contributors can stay healthy as the season progresses, this team could do some damage in a weak ACC. They expect to win every game.

Setting expectations too high is done by every fan base at every school. Our team is very young and very inexperienced. This will undoubtedly be a rollercoaster ride the rest of the way, but I remain optimistic that we can win 8-9 games.