Is a 5-1 start too crazy to expect next year?

[TheCusian]

Why is this an argument? Are we really picking one over the other? Is it an actual choice?

Let's beat LSU on our way to a bowl game vs another p5 team.

The problem isn't one game vs LSU - its adding a ND or Maryland in addition to. Have a big "shoot for the moon" opponent.

 

[KaiserUEO]

Sorry bro, but you're putting me to sleep with this regular season game talk. I'm more interested in discussing our 1979 victory over McNesse State in the Independence Bowl.

clearly, you cannot think large enough to understand what we are discussing.

i think the only thing we agree on is that the regular season is for the fans and its great.

selfishly id like LSU at Giants Stadium, but im ok with it at the Carrier Dome, but at the end of the day if the Orange play them tough but lose and finish 1 game out of a bowl spot...instead of beating suny buffalo which wouldve put them in a bowl game, then the game was Fn stupid to play. no matter how much fun people had at it.

sitting around telling people Syracuse beat michigan @ the big house in sept of 98 is comical, it shows how small we've become.

win your division.
win your conference champ game.
play in a bowl.
win the bowl.
where did you finish ranked?

those things matter.

the regular season is selfish enjoyment...where if you are actually playing for those 5 things listed, beating someone good along the way is a nice mean to the end.

do Fowler and Herbstreit mention regular season wins when touting a program?? no, they say 'blank' has been to 7 straight bowls and won 5 of them. including a Sugar and a 2 Oranges.

 

[Eric15]

instead of beating suny buffalo which wouldve put them in a bowl game, then the game was Fn stupid to play. no matter how much fun people had at it.

That's a risk I'm willing to take. You approach college football fanhood with the conservative mindset of a 60 year old managing their 401K. This is entertainment. Let's go play an elite program out-of-conference each year and see what happens.

I don't want to be a program that has a reputation for playing a soft schedule like Kansas State in the 90s or Rutgers.

 

[djorange1989]

That's a risk I'm willing to take. You approach college football fanhood with the conservative mindset of a 60 year old managing their 401K. This is entertainment. Let's go play an elite program out-of-conference each year and see what happens.

I don't want to be a program that has a reputation for playing a soft schedule like Kansas State in the 90s or Rutgers.

How about the current reputations of Duke and NC State in our own conference? People aren't slamming them for their lame OOC schedules, they are being praised as "up and coming" programs. We are seen as losers. We should play crappy OOC opponents until we show that we can beat good OOC opponents. Again, 2-10 vs OOC P5 teams since 2009. that is pathetic. let's build this program up before we start acting macho and saying we don't want to be seen like KSU and RU. I would rather be seen as a team who wins. Like I said above, when this program is back to where it was in the 90s, bring on LSU. In the meantime, FSU, Clemson, Louisville etc are plenty. Not to mention BC, Pitt, NC State who are enough of a struggle for us right now

 

[KaiserUEO]

1. That's a risk I'm willing to take. You approach college football fanhood with the conservative mindset of a 60 year old managing their 401K. This is entertainment. Let's go play an elite program out-of-conference each year and see what happens.

2. I don't want to be a program that has a reputation for playing a soft schedule like Kansas State in the 90s or Rutgers.

1. yeah, that has worked so well for Syracuse over the last 16 years. and that 60 year old would have to have a 401k to manage it conservatively. Syracuse currently has nothing in the bank to work on. so therefore...

2. both programs are looked upon as better than Syracuse's currently, because of such scheduling.

enjoy the game!!!

and then enjoy watching k-state and rutgers in bowls this december.

 

[Eric15]

How about the current reputations of Duke and NC State in our own conference? People aren't slamming them for their lame OOC schedules, they are being praised as "up and coming" programs. We are seen as losers. We should play crappy OOC opponents until we show that we can beat good OOC opponents. Again, 2-10 vs OOC P5 teams since 2009. that is pathetic. let's build this program up before we start acting macho and saying we don't want to be seen like KSU and RU. I would rather be seen as a team who wins. Like I said above, when this program is back to where it was in the 90s, bring on LSU. In the meantime, FSU, Clemson, Louisville etc are plenty. Not to mention BC, Pitt, NC State who are enough of a struggle for us right now

But OOC schedules are set years in advance, so how would you coordinate that? We won three bowl games in 4 years from 2010-2013 and looked to be on the upswing, and nobody really expected us to have last year's miserable season.

It's not about being macho, I just want awesome games to look forward to. I think about that LSU game pretty much every day.

 

[RF2044]

How about the current reputations of Duke and NC State in our own conference? People aren't slamming them for their lame OOC schedules, they are being praised as "up and coming" programs. We are seen as losers. We should play crappy OOC opponents until we show that we can beat good OOC opponents. Again, 2-10 vs OOC P5 teams since 2009. that is pathetic. let's build this program up before we start acting macho and saying we don't want to be seen like KSU and RU. I would rather be seen as a team who wins. Like I said above, when this program is back to where it was in the 90s, bring on LSU. In the meantime, FSU, Clemson, Louisville etc are plenty. Not to mention BC, Pitt, NC State who are enough of a struggle for us right now

Agree 100%.

Enjoy the recruiting class we're assembling this year, under the fine efforts of this staff? That's on the heels of a diastrous 3-9 campaign. Imagine how many more 3 / 4 star prospects they'd be able to successfully reel in if we were stringing together 7- and 8- win bowl campains, back-to-back-to-back.

It doesn't have to be a permenant strategy, but it absolutely should be employed short term to get us over the hump and into bowl eligibility on a consistent basis--just like many other programs game the system to ensure that they get to the postseason.

Wins begats success on the recruiting trail, which in turn begats better recruits. Wash, rinse repeat.

 

[Eric15]

Agree 100%.

Enjoy the recruiting class we're assembling this year, under the fine efforts of this staff? That's on the heels of a diastrous 3-9 campaign. Imagine how many more 3 / 4 star prospects they'd be able to successfully reel in if we were stringing together 7- and 8- win bowl campains, back-to-back-to-back.

It doesn't have to be a permenant strategy, but it absolutely should be employed short term to get us over the hump and into bowl eligibility on a consistent basis--just like many other programs game the system to ensure that they get to the postseason.

Wins begats success on the recruiting trail, which in turn begats better recruits. Wash, rinse repeat.

2010: 8-5 w/ bowl win (SOS 73)
2011: 5-7 (SOS 55)
2012: 8-5 w/ bowl win (SOS 45)
2013: 7-6 w/ bowl win (SOS 57)

We won 3 bowl games in four years by playing mediocre schedules, and then we scheduled a home-and-home with LSU in April 2014, not knowing that we would s--t the bed in the 2014 season. So didn't we more or less do exactly what you're suggesting?

 

[RF2044]

2010: 8-5 w/ bowl win (SOS 73)
2011: 5-7 (SOS 55)
2012: 8-5 w/ bowl win (SOS 45)
2013: 7-6 w/ bowl win (SOS 57)

We won 3 bowl games in four years by playing mediocre schedules, and then we scheduled a home-and-home with LSU in April 2014, not knowing that we would s--t the bed in the 2014 season. So didn't we more or less do exactly what you're suggesting?

It is not a level playing field to compare our BE schedule to our current ACC schedule.

I'm really not anti-LSU game, but I am against what Gross's general scheduling philosophy was. Schedule to win, get to bowls, then sell the program's sustained / consistent success on the recruiting trail, improve the talent base, and THEN take on more ambitious scheduling.

Heck, even Ohio State was criticized early last season for their "weak" OOC schedule [which is set up years in advance], so it's not just RU and KSU. I'm certainly not advocating that we want to turn into Rutgers, but they are able to sell their sham product because they qualify for bowl eligibilty every year. After awhile, people don't focus on whether the schedule was / is subpar, and instead focus upon the end result of consistently qualifying for bowls. Read the comments from any recruit we are recruiting against RU as evidence -- they are perceived as a winning program. That's where we need to get back to.

And we can, and we will. But scheduling favorably is an important short term strategy to help accomplish that goal and set the foundation for sustained future success.

Again, I'm not complaining about the LSU game specifically. I just think we need to be cognizant of playing in a division where we can generally chalk up 3 losses per year at our current talent level. That means we have 9 games to get to 6 wins [just to put things in perspective].

 

[rosconey]

you cant wimpify your schedule-

you koolaid drinkers want everything - you want a contender but dont want any ooc games against real teams- freakin joke

this lsu series is pretty dang sweet - a real ooc game at the dome instead of some stink hole state

 

[KaiserUEO]

you cant wimpify your schedule-

you koolaid drinkers want everything - you want a contender but dont want any ooc games against real teams- freakin joke

this lsu series is pretty dang sweet - a real ooc game at the dome instead of some stink hole state

nobody is crying over the LSU game...nobody.

not the koolaid drinkers, not the thinkers...nobody.

but at the end of the day, if the Orange finish 1 game out of having the ability to get 15 extra practices, a game on National TV and maybe net positive $$ from the game, then it was a waste of time other than selfishly giving the locals a big time opponent.

the real tragedy in this is that...we are not confident enough that even with LSU on the schedule that the Orange can find the necessary wins to get to said bowl.

they arent playing for the NC so who the cares who is on the schedule anyway, but jeez to not make a bowl because of it is ridiculous.

if we can get to the point where fla st, clemson & lville are tossups, then by all means throw an LSU in there and if the season ends 8-4 then fcuk, they went for it and damn,...but until that point...what is the point???

 

[Alsacs]

nobody is crying over the LSU game...nobody.

not the koolaid drinkers, not the thinkers...nobody.

but at the end of the day, if the Orange finish 1 game out of having the ability to get 15 extra practices, a game on NC and maybe net positive $$ from the game, then it was a waste of time other than selfishly giving the locals a big time opponent.

the real tragedy in this is that...we are not confident enough that even with LSU on the schedule that the Orange can find the necessary wins to get to said bowl.

they arent playing for the NC so who the cares who is on the schedule anyway, but jeez to not make a bowl because of it is ridiculous.

if we can get to the point where fla st, clemson & lville are tossups, then by all means throw an LSU in there and if the season ends 8-4 then fcuk, they went for it and damn,...but until that point...what is the point???

Hey Kaiser what do you think SS has to do to get a 4th year? I am wondering because their are different opinions on that.
4-8 does he keep his job?(we both think he needs a bowl)
5-7?
Anything above 5 he is getting an extension. I know you would have popped already if you were in charge.

 

[Bayside44]

We play in a conference with elite programs and some other very good ones. If we had a lineup of 4 tomato cans OOC that's personally fine by me. Changed my thinking on it but it's a game of attrition, no reason to make it harder than it is.

 

[rosconey]

you cant have a ground breaking upset if you never play anyone- just look at nj state=not one real win in over a 100 years- we aint nj state

 

[SUfanNC]

you cant have a ground breaking upset if you never play anyone- just look at nj state=not one real win in over a 100 years- we aint nj state

Look at the SEC. They are notorious for weak scheduling. They get a few teams with preseason ranking and they play no one until SEC. They keep the rankings in house for the sec. Then the strength of schedule goes up because they are "beating on each other".

 

[anomander]

Look at the SEC. They are notorious for weak scheduling. They get a few teams with preseason ranking and they play no one until SEC. They keep the rankings in house for the sec. Then the strength of schedule goes up because they are "beating on each other".

I'd be scheduling like that too if I was in the SEC

 

[Full_Rebar]

Build the program so that 7 and 8 wins are the norm, and then agree to play a big-time program in a neutral game week 1 and put the $4-5 million from said game right into football salaries, facilities, etc.

 

[SUfanNC]

I'd be scheduling like that too if I was in the SEC

Well I don't think the ACC is that far off. A lot hype goes a long way. Especially when trying to land recruits

 

[Scooch]

Our OOC schedule is fine this year. There are 3 wins there if we're not a flaming wreck. If we need 4 cupcakes because we can't go 3-5 in the ACC to get bowl eligible then we suck, honestly.

One premium OCC game is good. My freakin' God have we lowered our expectations through the floor for this program.

 

[rosconey]

Our OOC schedule is fine this year. There are 3 wins there if we're not a flaming wreck. If we need 4 cupcakes because we can't go 3-5 in the ACC to get bowl eligible then we suck, honestly.

One premium OCC game is good. My freakin' God have we lowered our expectations through the floor for this program.

are you saying were in the basement-lol

and the lower expectations are to be expected the way the last 15 years have been -

i still wonder what would have happened if we hired a real coach instead of groober - p was done for not changing with the times=shown that a few times since he was removed

 

[TheCusian]

are you saying were in the basement-lol and the lower expectations are to be expected the way the last 15 years have been - i still wonder what would have happened if we hired a real coach instead of groober - p was done for not changing with the times=shown that a few times since he was removed

Yes. You call us kool-aid drinkers - but we've been operating under this common understanding since the Marrone era (blame grob).

Expectations shouldn't be higher based on our performance over the last 15 years. We've sucked. Everyone knows this.

The difference is that most of us believe it can and will get better. One way or another. You seem to not be on that train...

 

[cuse309]

No offense, but I couldn't possibly disagree more with this post. If you don't want the opportunity to play a program like LSU on your home field in front of what should be a raucous Dome crowd (and a very fun tailgating experience rubbing shoulders with our Cajun friends) then what's the point of even liking college football?

Nobody remembers going to crappy bowl games when we're 6-6, but historic regular season wins are remembered forever.

Your first two words of that post may be quite prophetic.

 

[Eric15]

Look at the SEC. They are notorious for weak scheduling. They get a few teams with preseason ranking and they play no one until SEC.

I think that's more of a cliche than anything. SEC teams are always featured in those opening weekend showcase games in Atlanta, Dallas, Houston, etc.

 

[SUfanNC]

I think that's more of a cliche than anything. SEC teams are always featured in those opening weekend showcase games in Atlanta, Dallas, Houston, etc.

There are a couple teams that play a big game like you are referring to but in generally they play some fairly mediocre teams ooc.
http://www.fbschedules.com/2015/02/power-ranking-sec-2015-non-conference-schedules/

Look at those and tell me you still think it is cliche

 

[Eric15]

We play in a conference with elite programs and some other very good ones. If we had a lineup of 4 tomato cans OOC that's personally fine by me. Changed my thinking on it but it's a game of attrition, no reason to make it harder than it is.

We are in the 4th or 5th best P5 conference. "Game of attrition?" Bayside, it's college football, not World War 1. This is supposed to be fun!