IN SHAFER I TRUST

[TheCusian]

Allow me to introduce you to the Cusian...he's down for mediocrity as long as we sprinkle in a few moments. Next man up. I trust the coaches!

Yeah that's what I said.

Feel free to come crawling back when we get over the hump.

 

[TheCusian]

Was or was there not a QB on the roster that went 7-4 as a starter?

There was. Our offense was ranked 86th. Defense 34th.

He was okay.

 

[oldpinepoint]

This is relevant why? What do any of us have to do with SS? Any discussion is silly? Honestly we deserve to suck with this mindset. No accountability okay.
What is make or break? If we go 6-6 that is good next year?

Many are suggesting that our HC should be perfect from the get go. My suggestions is that he continues to learn and get better. Of course there is accountability but not after 3 years, why get stressed worrying about a scenario that is very unlikely to happen. Well depending on how we finish this year I would think 6-6 buys Him a fifth year

 

[TheCusian]

Check the record, Hunt's rating was over 117.

He was awesome vs Wagner and Tulane. Posted a 35 or something vs Clemson, and was under 78 for four games.

He won the games vs BC and Minny for sure.

 

[Alsacs]

Many are suggesting that our HC should be perfect from the get go. My suggestions is that he continues to learn and get better. Of course there is accountability but not after 3 years, why get stressed worrying about a scenario that is very unlikely to happen. Well depending on how we finish this year I would think 6-6 buys Him a fifth year

Nobody is suggesting SS should be perfect from the get-go. Nobody complained about year 1 end results. People are questioning 6-13 since year 1.
We may be young but we aren't winning games. When you don't win games fanbases that care ask questions. We have gone backwards if we win more games this year it will cause the fanbase to calm down. If we don't win another game what would you expect the fanbase to do. We have played a soft schedule this year thus far and are 3-4. That is unnerving in year 3.

After we beat CMU all we read from SS in the press conference is we are 3-0. We are 3-0. We are 3-0 well now we are 3-4. 3-4 and guess what losing to USF, UVA, and Pitt in a row is unacceptable.

 

[Oakland]

His decision making on 4th downs with the ball has improved a lot, his decision making on 4th downs when the other team has the ball should improve next season.

Serious question: Is there anything SS has done to give you an indication he is improving? I'm in total agreement that its possible to improve but I'm looking for a sign here, something to hang my hat on that says the program is going in the right direction. One more year is legit given the youth of our program but we need something to give us hope we are getting better, and not just treading water here.

 

[TheCusian]

Nobody is suggesting SS should be perfect from the get-go. Nobody complained about year 1 end results. People are questioning 6-13 since year 1. We may be young but we aren't winning games. When you don't win games fanbases that care ask questions. We have gone backwards if we win more games this year it will cause the fanbase to calm down. If we don't win another game what would you expect the fanbase to do. We have played a soft schedule this year thus far and are 3-4. That is unnerving in year 3. After we beat CMU all we read from SS in the press conference is we are 3-0. We are 3-0. We are 3-0 well now we are 3-4. 3-4 and guess what losing to USF, UVA, and Pitt in a row is unacceptable.

Good post.

Know you're not responding, but liked this one.

 

[money3189]

Nobody is suggesting SS should be perfect from the get-go. Nobody complained about year 1 end results. People are questioning 6-13 since year 1.
We may be young but we aren't winning games. When you don't win games fanbases that care ask questions. We have gone backwards if we win more games this year it will cause the fanbase to calm down. If we don't win another game what would you expect the fanbase to do. We have played a soft schedule this year thus far and are 3-4. That is unnerving in year 3.

After we beat CMU all we read from SS in the press conference is we are 3-0. We are 3-0. We are 3-0 well now we are 3-4. 3-4 and guess what losing to USF, UVA, and Pitt in a row is unacceptable.

I totally understand this post. Good way to look at it, We should be concerned. Im definitley am. Im just keeping faith that we turn it around.

 

[rrlbees]

Check the record, Hunt's rating was over 117.

Which is really bad and 103rd in the country.

 

[IthacaBarrel]

So next year we can set the bar at 6-6 and if we don't get there we can generate more excuses for a coach that most can agree is very likeable. That is the problem, guy fits the mold perfectly to coach here, problem is he isn't winning. I am fine with one more year but no bowl game next year, time for a change. I just think it's sad that year 4 the measuring stick is still 6-6. Sad state of affairs. Here is hoping for 8-4 next year after 5-7 this year!

We truly are---next year's college team!!!!

Again, fine with another year but you cant deny that Shafer has stunk last two years combined with some really bad losses and ZERO big wins, doesn't really generate a lot of excitement amongst the fanbase. Attendance worse it has ever been as well, but 1 more year ain't going to kill anyone. As most of it is already dead

 

[wfschrec]

I also think we should ex out 2014 season. Im not counting that year. Im evaluating 2013, 2015 seasons. If the injuries Shafer endured that year happens to Marrone, Pasqualoni or MacPherson in their second years it would be similar results. Can you imagine Loeb at quarterback in 201o and 2011? We wouldnt have won a game.

Technically it did happen to Marrone and they lost their last 5 games in 2011 but hey ... they were in such great shape ... started 5-2 and we all know how that played out in a lesser conference.

 

[oldpinepoint]

So next year we can set the bar at 6-6 and if we don't get there we can generate more excuses for a coach that most can agree is very likeable. That is the problem, guy fits the mold perfectly to coach here, problem is he isn't winning. I am fine with one more year but no bowl game next year, time for a change. I just think it's sad that year 4 the measuring stick is still 6-6. Sad state of affairs. Here is hoping for 8-4 next year after 5-7 this year!

We truly are---next year's college team!!!!

Again, fine with another year but you cant deny that Shafer has stunk last two years combined with some really bad losses and ZERO big wins, doesn't really generate a lot of excitement amongst the fanbase. Attendance worse it has ever been as well, but 1 more year ain't going to kill anyone. As most of it is already dead

I'm not willing to say that this season stinks or is a failure until the final game is played. Then I'll evaluate the wins and losses and make a decision.

 

[IthacaBarrel]

I'm not willing to say that this season stinks or is a failure until the final game is played. Then I'll evaluate the wins and losses and make a decision.

And that is fair but 5-7 this year and no bowl game next year, time for a change. Hey, I am still hoping for 6 wins this year

 

[Alsacs]

5-7 is a success year. It is just highly unlikely we lost 3 games USF, UVA, Pitt that all of this board had us going atleast 1-2.

I predicted 5-7 before the year: URI, Wake, CMU, USF, BC. Right now we are behind in that prediction.

If we were sitting at 4-3 right now their wouldn't be as large negativity than their is. We are looking 3-7 right in the barrel and praying we can beat NCSU and BC to get to 5 wins.

Our o/u was 4.5. If we don't win another game we clearly underachieved.

 

[TheCusian]

5-7 is a success year. It is just highly unlikely we lost 3 games USF, UVA, Pitt that all of this board had us going atleast 1-2. I predicted 5-7 before the year: URI, Wake, CMU, USF, BC. Right now we are behind in that prediction. If we were sitting at 4-3 right now their wouldn't be as large negativity than their is. We are looking 3-7 right in the barrel and praying we can beat NCSU and BC to get to 5 wins. Our o/u was 4.5. If we don't win another game we clearly underachieved.

That's one way to look at it. And it's valid (for real - not trying to pick a fight). I also agree 3-9 is a clear underachieving year.

The other way is that we've been in every game in the 4th this year and are close enough to believe we'll be in every game moving fwd outside of Clemson.

I think we'll get a game we shouldn't.

 

[IthacaBarrel]

5-7 is a success year. It is just highly unlikely we lost 3 games USF, UVA, Pitt that all of this board had us going atleast 1-2.

I predicted 5-7 before the year: URI, Wake, CMU, USF, BC. Right now we are behind in that prediction.

If we were sitting at 4-3 right now their wouldn't be as large negativity than their is. We are looking 3-7 right in the barrel and praying we can beat NCSU and BC to get to 5 wins.

Our o/u was 4.5. If we don't win another game we clearly underachieved.

Good post and I agree, we need to see how we finish up and what we can do moving forward. 3-9 is another terrible year, no sugar coating it but 5-7 you can build on for sure. at the end of the day, playing tight games is OK but you need to win a couple and have a couple nice wins, IMO. See the 2009 Marrone team. Nice wins over Rutgers/ NW, played some tough opponents tough and a few clunkers but people felt better to what direction we were going

 

[Willy75]

Which is really bad and 103rd in the country.

It's not really bad it's ok given the system we ran to exploit returning 1100 and 830 yard rushers in Smith and PTG and a decent 0-line, i.e. remember "we're going to show those Southern teams how Northern football is played"? Hunt had almost 200 less attempts than Nassib which skews his interceptions per attempt and tds per attempt, 2/4 components of the passer rating. His completion % and yards per completion were marginally less and he ran for 500 yards vs Nassib's less than 150. I'm not trying to argue that Hunt was an AA or a 5th year senior, draft-ready NFL qb prospect, just that the "cupboard was bare" argument doesn't hold up. Indeed the primary argument for last year's travails starts with Hunt's injury. You can't have it both ways.
I don't really even get why this argument gets so much play, other than it seems to tap into latent anti-Marrone sentiment, or what narrative the pro-Shafer segment wants to spin about 2013 (his only winning season so far in a short hc career). Is the story line that he did a great job with lousy talent, in which case you have to explain away some horrific, avert your eyes losses (e.g. GT, FSU) and the fact that he had been involved in recruiting the defense for 4 years already? Or is it that he did a decent job with decent talent coming back? I opt for the latter.

 

[TheCusian]

It's not really bad it's ok given the system we ran to exploit returning 1100 and 830 yard rushers in Smith and PTG and a decent 0-line, i.e. remember "we're going to show those Southern teams how Northern football is played"? Hunt had almost 200 less attempts than Nassib which skews his interceptions per attempt and tds per attempt, 2/4 components of the passer rating. His completion % and yards per completion were marginally less and he ran for 500 yards vs Nassib's less than 150. I'm not trying to argue that Hunt was an AA or a 5th year senior, draft-ready NFL qb prospect, just that the "cupboard was bare" argument doesn't hold up. Indeed the primary argument for last year's travails starts with Hunt's injury. You can't have it both ways. I don't really even get why this argument gets so much play, other than it seems to tap into latent anti-Marrone sentiment, or what narrative the pro-Shafer segment wants to spin about 2013 (his only winning season so far in a short hc career). Is the story line that he did a great job with lousy talent, in which case you have to explain away some horrific, avert your eyes losses (e.g. GT, FSU) and the fact that he had been involved in recruiting the defense for 4 years already? Or is it that he did a decent job with decent talent coming back? I opt for the latter.

1. I do think this is getting a bit too much play. The truth is that 2013 was a bit of both. Good coaching, getting something from decent talent, plays on the field, good oline play, etc. 2013 was crazy in that the SOS was 26 - that's 20+ spots better than the previous 4 seasons. And in the games we played vs the top end teams we laid giant eggs. Hard year to figure in some ways.

2. Hunt is a guy you can win with if you have a decent defense and can run the ball. But if you're needing to pass a lot, you're out of luck. That guys not winning games by driving down the field passing like Nassib. I'm not shocked that we're passing better this year than any year since 2012.

3. I'm not sure pinning this years issues on defensive recruiting holds up. We're young.

 

[orangecuse]

I'm sure all of you were awesome in your jobs after your 3rd year too. Agree with money, no doubt he gets a fourth year, any discussion is silly otherwise. Next year is the make or break for HCSS.

Maybe not awesome, but certainly at a minimum meeting expectations. First year (7-6) expectations met, second year (3-9) not met, third year? At this point, I think a realistic final record is 3-9 or 4-8. If that happens, 2 straight years of failing/not meeting expectations. Even though it's quite difficult attempting to make any kind of causal comparison between a high profile/level coaching job and us laymen types, I doubt any one of us would be able to retain our jobs with 2 straight years of not meeting expectations... regardless of pay level.

 

[rrlbees]

It's not really bad it's ok given the system we ran to exploit returning 1100 and 830 yard rushers in Smith and PTG and a decent 0-line, i.e. remember "we're going to show those Southern teams how Northern football is played"? Hunt had almost 200 less attempts than Nassib which skews his interceptions per attempt and tds per attempt, 2/4 components of the passer rating. His completion % and yards per completion were marginally less and he ran for 500 yards vs Nassib's less than 150. I'm not trying to argue that Hunt was an AA or a 5th year senior, draft-ready NFL qb prospect, just that the "cupboard was bare" argument doesn't hold up. Indeed the primary argument for last year's travails starts with Hunt's injury. You can't have it both ways. I don't really even get why this argument gets so much play, other than it seems to tap into latent anti-Marrone sentiment, or what narrative the pro-Shafer segment wants to spin about 2013 (his only winning season so far in a short hc career). Is the story line that he did a great job with lousy talent, in which case you have to explain away some horrific, avert your eyes losses (e.g. GT, FSU) and the fact that he had been involved in recruiting the defense for 4 years already? Or is it that he did a decent job with decent talent coming back? I opt for the latter.

I won't debate your opinions on coaching, but I will say that 117 is bad regardless of system. Bring 103rd in the country is bad just like any other stat. This year 117 would still be 103rd. Not throwing the ball a lot doesn't really impact that 117 number. Dungey is 111th in the country in passes attempted yet he is 12th in efficiency. Hunt did give us something with his legs but as a passer it just wasn't there.

 

[AZOrange]

I'm just wondering does anyone ever check the injury reports on Saturdsy? Anyone who wants to use injuries as an excuse I suggest they go to Donbest.com and look at CFB injuries on Saturday morning. At any given tjme you have most teams missing/or injured at least 6 or 7 people, and there are plenty with many more.

hell ND lost their starting qb and RB in b2b weeks!!

 

[AZOrange]

I totally understand this post. Good way to look at it, We should be concerned. Im definitley am. Im just keeping faith that we turn it around.

This is pretty much where I am right now. I'm pleased with the potential on offense. I'm horrified by the defense and am concerned about the coaching. For example, I'm concerned that 2 of 3 years the staff absolutely whiffed on who the starting qb should be.

 

[TheCusian]

This is pretty much where I am right now. I'm pleased with the potential on offense. I'm horrified by the defense and am concerned about the coaching. For example, I'm concerned that 2 of 3 years the staff absolutely whiffed on who the starting qb should be.

Uh? In 2013 they knew Hunt wasn't going to get it done so that brought in Cowboy Joe. Turns out that was like deciding between McDonalds and Burger King.

This year? Staff goes with Hunt because the guy is a captain, has experience, and was a safer bet given the other guy just got to campus a month before. I'm also in the camp that had things gone poorly, Hunt would have been pulled.

 

[tep624]

For all these examples, can someone explain to me what Syracuse was rebuilding from when Shafer took over?

QB recruiting. Entire Marrone tenure. Look it up and get back to me.

 

[Statesman1]

Cincinnati from 2004 to present has gone from Mark D'Antonio to Brian Kelly to Butch Jones to Tommy Tubberville and they have gone to bowls in 8 of the last 9 years.

Yeah we want to keep Scott Shafer because he will stay here. Honestly we deserve mediocrity with some of these spin jobs. I want wins I don't care who the coach is. I don't care if Coach X goes 8-4, 9-3 and then moves. It means the program is winning games.

We aren't going to get a Jim Boeheim in football. JB has spoiled us.

When the SEC $$ starts talking, coach starts packing.