Not quite there...but we're close.

[Chris02M]

i still think either moe or strick are prime candidates to replace erv next year

 

[qdawgg]

Of course, but it is, nevertheless, a hallmark of an improving program.

I don’t disagree with that either. I think what I said and you said can both be true in a weird way.

 

[cuse309]

This is a normal progression for a team. Play well but lose a lot of close games. Next year with experience we win these games.

That's important to remember. People seemed to think that once we beat Clemson, we should continue with a steady upward trajectory. Sorry folks, but a program in year 2 of a total overhaul, isn't going to have a steady upward trajectory. I would expect our trajectory to resemble a stock markets graph. We dropped sharply after the MTSU loss, then headed up when defeating CMU. The trajectory remained steady during close road losses to LSU, and NC State, and then ticked up slightly following the Pitt win. We spiked after them Clemson game, and then dropped down a bit following the Miami loss. The FSU loss drops the trajectory a bit again, but overall, in my opinion, the team is still trending up, compared to what I felt before the season started. I think next year, we'll see less spikes, and dips, and hold a more steady trajectory.
Right now, we can't get to wrapped up in one win, or one loss. Compare the complete season as a whole. Did we improve over last year? If the answer ends up being "yes", then that's all we can ask for.

 

[Dmcnabbrules]

My guess is we return more starters than 80% of BCS teams.

We return

QB Dungey
OL 4 of 5
RB Strick/Moe
WR1 lose both outside and inside
WR2 Custis/Butler
TE Pierce

DL all 4 plus all 2 deep
LB none
DB all starters coming back plus our FS who missed this year

Really when you count it we lose 1 OL, 2 WR, 3LB out of 22 starters. Returning 16 out of 22 I think is pretty good, particularly when it includes the QB and 90% of both lines.

I would expect Ifeatu Melifonwu to push for significant playing time as well.

 

[Crusty]

Maybe but I'd be willing to bet that this staff could gameplan for the option better than SS did.

Probably, but it is undeniably hard if you only play against the triple one every decade.

 

[Crusty]

That's important to remember. People seemed to think that once we beat Clemson, we should continue with a steady upward trajectory. Sorry folks, but a program in year 2 of a total overhaul, isn't going to have a steady upward trajectory. I would expect our trajectory to resemble a stock markets graph. We dropped sharply after the MTSU loss, then headed up when defeating CMU. The trajectory remained steady during close road losses to LSU, and NC State, and then ticked up slightly following the Pitt win. We spiked after them Clemson game, and then dropped down a bit following the Miami loss. The FSU loss drops the trajectory a bit again, but overall, in my opinion, the team is still trending up, compared to what I felt before the season started. I think next year, we'll see less spikes, and dips, and hold a more steady trajectory.
Right now, we can't get to wrapped up in one win, or one loss. Compare the complete season as a whole. Did we improve over last year? If the answer ends up being "yes", then that's all we can ask for.

Wise beyond your years!

 

[storange]

Kind of tired of this story line. Clearly gave this one away. ( My Saturday after a loss pissed at the fricking world post.)

 

[Louie and Bouie]

Want to get to 6 really bad this year. It's big for outside perception of where the program is heading. Not everyone watches the games like we do. Your record still matters in the end.