Rickie Collins

[LeMoyneCuse]

You ignore people that have different opinions or have some fact-based pessimism? Especially when most pessimists still WANT the same result as the optimists.

It's that every single thread gets hijacked by you and other doomsayers. We get it - you don't like the way the staff is approaching it. Jumping in multiple threads to say "we need position X, Y, Z" is incredibly annoying because it's been said 100 times and yields nothing.

 

[Qbobby]

We’re not disappointed- just very concerned about whether Fran is abandoning the portal and putting too much faith in the younger guys. We’ve lost the core of what got us to 10 wins without seeing obvious replacements.

I get the concern about next year. It's likely a brutal schedule without a proven starting QB. But we haven't had the spring practices and game yet, and the spring portal is still there. I was mostly replying to the post above me worrying about if we are competing for a championship next year.

Spoiler

We're not

 

[AcAndAc]

It's that every single thread gets hijacked by you and other doomsayers. We get it - you don't like the way the staff is approaching it. Jumping in multiple threads to say "we need position X, Y, Z" is incredibly annoying because it's been said 100 times and yields nothing.

Not hijacking anything. Sometimes, I do not even know what threat I am in--just responding to what I read or a response. For all I know, Collins will start and throw for 4,000 yards.

But to just say "trust in Fran" in response to every question only carries so much. That being said, if he wins 10 games next year, he deserves to have something named after him.

 

[OttoinGrotto]

Younger guys not playing in 2024 does not automatically mean they’re not good.

Yeah, there are some obvious candidates like Willis/Ross/Tremble/Hornsby on the offensive side, and all the young DBs and KJE on the defensive side. And there will be surprises. I don't think anyone thought coming into this year that Kerr would end up playing meaningful snaps and actually do pretty decently, for example.

 

[Dcuse]

You ignore people that have different opinions or have some fact-based pessimism? Especially when most pessimists still WANT the same result as the optimists.

You just made the list.

 

[cusefan88]

Yeah, there are some obvious candidates like Willis/Ross/Tremble/Hornsby on the offensive side, and all the young DBs and KJE on the defensive side. And there will be surprises. I don't think anyone thought coming into this year that Kerr would end up playing meaningful snaps and actually do pretty decently, for example.

Just look at Pena. Showed a flash here and there but largely was injured and inconsistent his entire career. Now he's a team captain and eyeing all-conference next season.

 

[LeMoyneCuse]

I don't think anyone thought coming into this year that Kerr would end up playing meaningful snaps and actually do pretty decently, for example.

I think Kerr is an example of why there's reason for optimism for 2025. He played only because of injuries and looked raw as heck, but held his own and made a couple of nice plays. He'd only been on campus since July or August - what's he going to look like with more time in the weight room and additional work on techniques?

If 5 or 6 of the remaining 22 players from the 2024 recruiting class (not counting transfers) can make a leap thanks to a full year on campus, we're on to something.

 

[bnoro]

Not hijacking anything. Sometimes, I do not even know what threat I am in--just responding to what I read or a response. For all I know, Collins will start and throw for 4,000 yards.

But to just say "trust in Fran" in response to every question only carries so much. That being said, if he wins 10 games next year, he deserves to have something named after him.

That's the thing, the coaches know a hell of a lot better than we all do. If they're not panicking, maybe they like what they have?

Also, in year 2 of a new coaching staff, after that staff won 10 games, they deserve as much grace as we can give them, until they prove otherwise.

 

[LeMoyneCuse]

Not hijacking anything. Sometimes, I do not even know what threat I am in--just responding to what I read or a response. For all I know, Collins will start and throw for 4,000 yards.

But to just say "trust in Fran" in response to every question only carries so much. That being said, if he wins 10 games next year, he deserves to have something named after him.

The nuances of reality are so much more interesting than the same gut-reaction bellowings over and over again.

 

[Qbobby]

You just made the list.

 

[Domedog84]

It's not just THAT. It's also that our opponents and peer teams are bringing in good classes AND supplementing with the portal.

If you just look at recruits... we travel to 4 of the top 5 ACC recruiting classes next year (only FSU at #3 is not on our schedule). We are #9. And Tennessee and Notre Dame had better classes than any of those 5. And rest assured that most of those programs had better recruiting classes (other than SMU) the past several years. It is not like we brought in the top 10 classes this year and last.

But that is just our 6 road/neutral games. It's not like Pitt/BC/Duke/UNC are just standing around. All four of those teams are trying to get better also.

I think a few portal additions on each side of the ball, addressing obvious weaknesses (rather than adding to WR depth), would go a long way to giving fans some reason for hope.

Some reason for hope? Come on. I am not saying that we all have to trust Fran blindly, but this seems a bit hyperbolic. I have a ton of hope that Fran is attempting to build a program for sustained success.

We will see if he can do it, by following the plan that he has clearly laid out to fans and the media. We can all acknowledge that next year’s schedule may be more than we can handle, but to say a couple portal adds is the only lifeline for hope seems wild.

 

[AcAndAc]

Some reason for hope? Come on. I am not saying that we all have to trust Fran blindly, but this seems a bit hyperbolic. I have a ton of hope that Fran is attempting to build a program for sustained success.

We will see if he can do it, by following the plan that he has clearly laid out to fans and the media. We can all acknowledge that next year’s schedule may be more than we can handle, but to say a couple portal adds is the only lifeline for hope seems wild.

Talking about next year only. Heck, I have hope the hoops team will make a run to the Big Dance. Hope is hope. But it is difficult to have a reason for hope for next year when we lose so much and add so little (that is earmarked for next year). I get young guys rise up... but you do not think young guys are rising up for all of our opponents???

 

[Shenexon]

There have been a number of things during my life that I have specialized in, to the point I have developed expertise. Golf, football, and basketball aren't on that list. I really enjoyed this football season but my perspective is a twitch different than the coaches. I'm just a spectator. We have some folks here who really understand the game and team dynamics. I've gotten to cheer with some of you, Tomcat, Go, Texanmark, among others at the tailgates. I've learned a lot from you but I'm still a spectator, not an analyst, not a writer, and certainly not a coach. For me, this is one of those times I have learned more by listening than talking. Part of that journey is to understand who knows details and who primarily just shares opinions. I've never put the former on ignore but do ignore some of the latter. To those of you currently or soon to be on my ignore list, I'd offer Bilbo's quote from his famed birthday party:

"I don't know half of you half as well as I should like; and I like less than half of you half as well as you deserve."

LGO!!

 

[tep624]

Talking about next year only. Heck, I have hope the hoops team will make a run to the Big Dance. Hope is hope. But it is difficult to have a reason for hope for next year when we lose so much and add so little (that is earmarked for next year). I get young guys rise up... but you do not think young guys are rising up for all of our opponents???

Fran just went 10-3 and our program finished in the AP top 20 for the first time in 6 years. He deserves the benefit of the doubt on how to build a roster.

He’s building a program, not a collection of mercenaries. Our path may look a little different than some of our peers.

 

[kcsu]

That's the thing, the coaches know a hell of a lot better than we all do. If they're not panicking, maybe they like what they have?

Also, in year 2 of a new coaching staff, after that staff won 10 games, they deserve as much grace as we can give them, until they prove otherwise.

spot on

 

[Cusefan69]

I don't think anyone would disagree here and if they do they are drinking too much short term Fran kool aid nor is it a knock on Fran as a HC. Tough spot to be in for next year and somebody has to take a long term approach when looking at the program

Look, whether you agree with the approach or not we aren't getting enough help in the portal next year to realistically win 9 games let alone compete for a national title. The plan is to recruit and develop and fill in as need through the portal on a smaller scale. In addition, it probably would make sense that the kids that hit the market after spring ball might come at a little cheaper price as many schools may have their rosters set and NIL money allocated.

All that said, this roster as it sits right now is not set up to truly compete against this schedule for 2025 and that's OK but next season could be a long one where 2026 could be a really nice season if a lot of the younger kids continue to develop. I get the in Fran we trust blah blah stuff and Syracuse football is back!! I just think many are setting themselves up for huge disappointment next year as personally I think it's going to be a real struggle to find 4-5 wins. In addition, doesn't mean we can't bounce back in 26.

Just my opinion and time will tell but I just think people are drinking too much of the kool aid right now but that's fine too.

Agree with some of the above and would add I would agree as a program, no proverbial "corners" have been turned yet. Great first season. Talent upgrades from high school are happening and the staff seems to making an impact on the field, off the field, etc. That said people said we turned a corner with Dino and Marrone and we didn't with either. Let's see how next season and 2026 goes. Lots more football to be played. Overall we are going in the right direction but there could be some challenges without a doubt next year. 2026 will be most interesting.

 

[shu 49]

I don't think anyone would disagree here and if they do they are drinking too much short term Fran kool aid nor is it a knock on Fran as a HC. Tough spot to be in for next year and somebody has to take a long term approach when looking at the program

Look, whether you agree with the approach or not we aren't getting enough help in the portal next year to realistically win 9 games let alone compete for a national title. The plan is to recruit and develop and fill in as need through the portal on a smaller scale. In addition, it probably would make sense that the kids that hit the market after spring ball might come at a little cheaper price as many schools may have their rosters set and NIL money allocated.

All that said, this roster as it sits right now is not set up to truly compete against this schedule for 2025 and that's OK but next season could be a long one where 2026 could be a really nice season if a lot of the younger kids continue to develop. I get the in Fran we trust blah blah stuff and Syracuse football is back!! I just think many are setting themselves up for huge disappointment next year as personally I think it's going to be a real struggle to find 4-5 wins. In addition, doesn't mean we can't bounce back in 26.

Just my opinion and time will tell but I just think people are drinking too much of the kool aid right now but that's fine too.

I agree whole heartedly. I do feel if we decided on the three spots I have talked about we would be set up to maybe get to 7-8 wins. Without them three 5-6 is goal. Look our schedule is murder so I wouldn’t be mad as long as we play tough and get a lot of young guys in to play.

 

[shu 49]

I think Kerr is an example of why there's reason for optimism for 2025. He played only because of injuries and looked raw as heck, but held his own and made a couple of nice plays. He'd only been on campus since July or August - what's he going to look like with more time in the weight room and additional work on techniques?

If 5 or 6 of the remaining 22 players from the 2024 recruiting class (not counting transfers) can make a leap thanks to a full year on campus, we're on to something.

I also really think our NFL guys should be helping the youngens. Imagine Williams helping these kids as he just made 2nd team All Pro. Thats huge.

 

[walsh2012]

This happened in my NCAA Navy rebuild - i did not control LSU in anyway. His OVR was like an 86 and they listed him as a 3 star

 

[storange]

I find it amusing that after decades of being rather...poor, we all of a sudden we are disappointed that coming into this year we aren't fighting for a championship with this year's coming roster.

When did we become Michigan?

I don’t want to be 6-6 !!

 

[vegasnick]

SU's track record of relying on QBs developed within their system has not been stellar. The QBs that do pan out are either concussed or walking on peg legs 6 games into a season.

Either way, I feel we're putting too much on the QB/offense next season when all hands should be on deck to plug huge holes on defense. I'm much more concerned on that side of the ball and the lack of impact transfer interest.

You're basing track record off of coaches who are no longer there. The staff has earned the trust of fans until proven otherwise. There is a huge difference between a Garret Shrader and Kyle McCord. If one of the QB's can separate themselves from the competition and be serviceable at a minimum, that is what we need.

 

[LAOrange]

I don’t want to be 6-6 !!

We won't be. Note that certain coaches win no matter where they go and usually win quickly. Take Belichick for example. UNC was 6-7 (3-5) in 2024 with a monstrous NIL program. I guarantee you Belichick will win at least 8 games this year. Now, I grant they don't have the schedule we do, but that doesn't matter. He's a winner. He builds a winner, and within two years he'll be competing with our winner for the ACC crown.