Saturday was ridiculous, but the reaction here is even more

[JeremyCuse]

We do it to ourseveles, though. We start out with fairly rational expectations, start looking good and then go from 0-100 and wonder why we’re upset when those expectations aren’t met.

I’m guilty as charged, though. I get so caught up when we succeed and just run with it.

Your post is spot on. I find it funny that some of the same people wondering why the board is melting down were the same ones 2 weeks ago saying 9-10 wins was in sight, team had turned the corner etc, were going to be beat Pitt by 3 td's etc. When people like Ithaca Barrel, myself and others said lets pump the brakes a little bit we were mostly dismissed. Its easy to see why people are upset when they heard 9-10 wins from respected posters and then we go and lose a game to and lets be honest here a bad Pitt team thats been routed by any team with a Pulse. Season is far from over, a bowl game and continued growth/improvement is what is key is here. 7-5 and a bowl would be a huge success and allow us to continue to slowly build this program so hopefully we can get a 6-0 start sometime in the next few years.

 

[JeremyCuse]

Because people don't need you or any other posters to tell us what to think, believe, or that we need to curb our excitement. 9 wins is still attainable.

If you choose to see the glass as half full to protect yourself from being disappointed, go for it. Others are encouraged by what they see and excited about the program's present and future. We're a handful of plays away from being 6-0. Didn't work out that way, but it doesn't require backlash from those who are afraid to get their hopes up.

For perspective, there were also a bunch of posters who were terrified we'd lose at WMU. And a bunch who believed that FSU was going to house us with their speed. And those who vociferously claimed that they wouldn't believe anything until they saw us match up with Clemson.

It's okay to be disappointed, and to not have your team live up to what you expect sometimes. This team can still turn this into a great season, and has the means to do so.

Hey look you can feel anyway you want its a free country, my point was you (not you specifically) can't talk up this team for 2+ weeks with all sorts of references to a "special season" and then wonder in amazement why the board melted down after a loss to an honestly bad Pitt Team. Of course people are going to take it badly especially when you look at the opponent and how well we had played for a majority of the season going into the game.

As for backlash I don't see that at all, most people were looking for a 6 or 7 win season including myself and that is clearly more then attainable at this point. Most people understand this is still a long process and we still have a lot of issues to iron out ie depth, development at WR and LB, game breaking ability at RB, D-line improving against the run etc etc..

Not sure where in my previous post I said you shouldn't be excited about the season or this programs future or that this still couldn't be a great season. In fact I said pretty much the opposite: "Season is far from over, a bowl game and continued growth/improvement is what is key is here. 7-5 and a bowl would be a huge success and allow us to continue to slowly build this program so hopefully we can get a 6-0 start sometime in the next few years."

Jury is still out on this team the early returns were good but the same issues we saw the first two years made an ugly appearance last Saturday. Rest up and make some adjustments on the bye week and beat a bad UNC team and break that 4 win bearer and this team is right back on track really positioned to exceed 6+ wins. Lose that UNC game and well this post will be the least of our problems.

 

[pacusewife]

Your post is spot on. I find it funny that some of the same people wondering why the board is melting down were the same ones 2 weeks ago saying 9-10 wins was in sight, team had turned the corner etc, were going to be beat Pitt by 3 td's etc. When people like Ithaca Barrel, myself and others said lets pump the brakes a little bit we were mostly dismissed. Its easy to see why people are upset when they heard 9-10 wins from respected posters and then we go and lose a game to and lets be honest here a bad Pitt team thats been routed by any team with a Pulse. Season is far from over, a bowl game and continued growth/improvement is what is key is here. 7-5 and a bowl would be a huge success and allow us to continue to slowly build this program so hopefully we can get a 6-0 start sometime in the next few years.

It’s hard for me not to get caught up in it. I’ve been a fan for less years than most here and feel the frustration so I get why fans that have been waiting longer get this way.

I try to avoid having my nonsensical post-loss rants here though. That’s what my husband is for. The next day we both talk it out in real terms once the high emotions cool off.

But, as we’ve both pointed out, it’s us that invent these narratives of über high standards and us that allow ourselves to get mad over them.

 

[RF2044]

Hey look you can feel anyway you want its a free country, my point was you (not you specifically) can't talk up this team for 2+ weeks with all sorts of references to a "special season" and then wonder in amazement why the board melted down after a loss to an honestly bad Pitt Team. Of course people are going to take it badly especially when you look at the opponent and how well we had played for a majority of the season going into the game.

As for backlash I don't see that at all, most people were looking for a 6 or 7 win season including myself and that is clearly more then attainable at this point. Most people understand this is still a long process and we still have a lot of issues to iron out ie depth, development at WR and LB, game breaking ability at RB, D-line improving against the run etc etc..

Not sure where in my previous post I said you shouldn't be excited about the season or this programs future or that this still couldn't be a great season. In fact I said pretty much the opposite: "Season is far from over, a bowl game and continued growth/improvement is what is key is here. 7-5 and a bowl would be a huge success and allow us to continue to slowly build this program so hopefully we can get a 6-0 start sometime in the next few years."

Jury is still out on this team the early returns were good but the same issues we saw the first two years made an ugly appearance last Saturday. Rest up and make some adjustments on the bye week and beat a bad UNC team and break that 4 win bearer and this team is right back on track really positioned to exceed 6+ wins. Lose that UNC game and well this post will be the least of our problems.

Jeremy, I deleted my post because it was unfair to you. We've always been on really good terms, even when we don't agree.

I avoid the board after most losses, because the temper tantrums make the loss even more unbearable. Like many here, I'm not a casual SU fan, I'm a die hard -- and losses bother me. It stinks having to deal with the knee jerk irrationality on top of that.

I am not going to apologize for being optimistic about this team's potential. Now, it's up to the coaching staff and players to maximize said potential. But those outcomes aren't locked into being either 10 wins or 6 wins -- which is how some are acting.

The pessimism gets old [not attributing that to you, just speaking in general]. But I can certainly understand the skepticism with our success, given the past two decades of general futility. I'm just--and I will 100% own this-- growing less tolerant of opinions that overtly state that they predict bad or temper expectations only to avoid the feeling of being let down. And it grinds me gears even more when some use losses as a mechanism for "I told you so" sentiment.

The progress that this staff has made recruiting bigger, faster athletes and implementing new systems on both sides of the ball has been pretty remarkable, but we still have a ways to go. We're far from optimized, and could STILL win 9-10 games.

Again, you made a fairly innocuous post above that didn't warrant that reaction -- apologies.

 

[JeremyCuse]

Jeremy, I deleted my post because it was unfair to you. We've always been on really good terms, even when we don't agree.

I avoid the board after most losses, because the temper tantrums make the loss even more unbearable. Like many here, I'm not a casual SU fan, I'm a die hard -- and losses bother me. It stinks having to deal with the knee jerk irrationality on top of that.

I am not going to apologize for being optimistic about this team's potential. Now, it's up to the coaching staff and players to maximize said potential. But those outcomes aren't locked into being either 10 wins or 6 wins -- which is how some are acting.

The pessimism gets old [not attributing that to you, just speaking in general]. But I can certainly understand the skepticism with our success, given the past two decades of general futility. I'm just--and I will 100% own this-- growing less tolerant of opinions that overtly state that they predict bad or temper expectations only to avoid the feeling of being let down.

The progress that this staff has made recruiting bigger, faster athletes and implementing new systems on both sides of the ball has been pretty remarkable, but we still have a ways to go. We're far from optimized, and could STILL win 9-10 games.

Again, I knee jerked on a fairly innocuous post from you above -- apologies.

No need to apologize were both diehards and emotions run high especially when your talking about a program that finds new ways each year to break your heart. Any loss hurt especially against what I think was an inferior team and when we had a chance to really make a statement and set up a potential "special" game against UNC next week.

That said whats done is and done and there's plenty of season left and as others have noted this bye week is probably just what the team needs. While I did/do try to temper my expectations a bit having followed this program longer then I care to admit and feeling like we were likely to come back down to earth, I can tell you I am not tempering when it comes to what I expect out of this team, we have the talent, coaching and experience to break that 4 win bearer and get to 6 wins this year and take that next step in getting to a bowl game. We have seen this team play like a top 25 team this year and I hope with a week off we can pick it back up again. With Nunn's de-commitment this recruiting class really needs a shot in the arm so getting to six + wins is so critically important not just for this year but really the trajectory of the program.

I hope the staff and the players really seize the opportunity next Sat and come out and put it on UNC, this will be the biggest game in Dino's tenure, crack that 4 min mark and set up a showdown with a Top 25 NC State team for bowl eligibility.

 

[kingtidge]

I agree that we are trending the right way.

I also am tired of seeing our fans deflate, so I view things from that perspective. Clemson was tough because we did well. Pitt was worse because we played poorly. It looks like the stars were aligning to build a ton of fan momentum, and we lost a bunch of that.

It's not fan that Babers is fighting history. But he is.

After years in the wilderness and recent seasons that start promising and then fizzle to nothingburgers, people are both wary and weary.

No big surprise there.

One of these years, the snowball will catch fire... huge baloney sandwiches for everyone and the greatest show on turf...

I want to believe...

 

[Cuseregular]

Jeremy, I deleted my post because it was unfair to you. We've always been on really good terms, even when we don't agree.

I avoid the board after most losses, because the temper tantrums make the loss even more unbearable. Like many here, I'm not a casual SU fan, I'm a die hard -- and losses bother me. It stinks having to deal with the knee jerk irrationality on top of that.

I am not going to apologize for being optimistic about this team's potential. Now, it's up to the coaching staff and players to maximize said potential. But those outcomes aren't locked into being either 10 wins or 6 wins -- which is how some are acting.

The pessimism gets old [not attributing that to you, just speaking in general]. But I can certainly understand the skepticism with our success, given the past two decades of general futility. I'm just--and I will 100% own this-- growing less tolerant of opinions that overtly state that they predict bad or temper expectations only to avoid the feeling of being let down. And it grinds me gears even more when some use losses as a mechanism for "I told you so" sentiment.

The progress that this staff has made recruiting bigger, faster athletes and implementing new systems on both sides of the ball has been pretty remarkable, but we still have a ways to go. We're far from optimized, and could STILL win 9-10 games.

Again, you made a fairly innocuous post above that didn't warrant that reaction -- apologies.

No need to apologize were both diehards and emotions run high especially when your talking about a program that finds new ways each year to break your heart. Any loss hurt especially against what I think was an inferior team and when we had a chance to really make a statement and set up a potential "special" game against UNC next week.

That said whats done is and done and there's plenty of season left and as others have noted this bye week is probably just what the team needs. While I did/do try to temper my expectations a bit having followed this program longer then I care to admit and feeling like we were likely to come back down to earth, I can tell you I am not tempering when it comes to what I expect out of this team, we have the talent, coaching and experience to break that 4 win bearer and get to 6 wins this year and take that next step in getting to a bowl game. We have seen this team play like a top 25 team this year and I hope with a week off we can pick it back up again. With Nunn's de-commitment this recruiting class really needs a shot in the arm so getting to six + wins is so critically important not just for this year but really the trajectory of the program.

I hope the staff and the players really seize the opportunity next Sat and come out and put it on UNC, this will be the biggest game in Dino's tenure, crack that 4 min mark and set up a showdown with a Top 25 NC State team for bowl eligibility.

Rest easy you two, we're gonna kick the living crap outta UNC and we will all be singing Kumbaya together! (I'm 6 for 6 with my preseason picks so take it to the bank -

 

[orange79]

Jeremy, I deleted my post because it was unfair to you. We've always been on really good terms, even when we don't agree.

I avoid the board after most losses, because the temper tantrums make the loss even more unbearable. Like many here, I'm not a casual SU fan, I'm a die hard -- and losses bother me. It stinks having to deal with the knee jerk irrationality on top of that.

I am not going to apologize for being optimistic about this team's potential. Now, it's up to the coaching staff and players to maximize said potential. But those outcomes aren't locked into being either 10 wins or 6 wins -- which is how some are acting.

The pessimism gets old [not attributing that to you, just speaking in general]. But I can certainly understand the skepticism with our success, given the past two decades of general futility. I'm just--and I will 100% own this-- growing less tolerant of opinions that overtly state that they predict bad or temper expectations only to avoid the feeling of being let down. And it grinds me gears even more when some use losses as a mechanism for "I told you so" sentiment.

The progress that this staff has made recruiting bigger, faster athletes and implementing new systems on both sides of the ball has been pretty remarkable, but we still have a ways to go. We're far from optimized, and could STILL win 9-10 games.

Again, you made a fairly innocuous post above that didn't warrant that reaction -- apologies.

No need to apologize were both diehards and emotions run high especially when your talking about a program that finds new ways each year to break your heart. Any loss hurt especially against what I think was an inferior team and when we had a chance to really make a statement and set up a potential "special" game against UNC next week.

That said whats done is and done and there's plenty of season left and as others have noted this bye week is probably just what the team needs. While I did/do try to temper my expectations a bit having followed this program longer then I care to admit and feeling like we were likely to come back down to earth, I can tell you I am not tempering when it comes to what I expect out of this team, we have the talent, coaching and experience to break that 4 win bearer and get to 6 wins this year and take that next step in getting to a bowl game. We have seen this team play like a top 25 team this year and I hope with a week off we can pick it back up again. With Nunn's de-commitment this recruiting class really needs a shot in the arm so getting to six + wins is so critically important not just for this year but really the trajectory of the program.

I hope the staff and the players really seize the opportunity next Sat and come out and put it on UNC, this will be the biggest game in Dino's tenure, crack that 4 min mark and set up a showdown with a Top 25 NC State team for bowl eligibility.

Take note: this is how it's done, people. Not "Suck it, you're wrong" or "You're an idiot".

Kudos, gentlemen.

 

[OttoinGrotto]

Take note: this is how it's done, people. Not "Suck it, you're wrong" or "You're an idiot".

Kudos, gentlemen.

It's kinda like how the actresses that played The Golden Girls famously had all kinds of conflict behind the scenes, but when the cameras started to roll they were able to put it aside and exhibit chemistry as a cast.

 

[RandomGuy]

six wins = 2-6 down the stretch. pretty close to bottom falling out

Well, that's sobering...

 

[MSOrange]

It's kinda like how the actresses that played The Golden Girls famously had all kinds of conflict behind the scenes, but when the cameras started to roll they were able to put it aside and exhibit chemistry as a cast.

So Jeremy is Bea Arthur and RF is Betty White - is that what you're saying?

 

[JeremyCuse]

So Jeremy is Bea Arthur and RF is Betty White - is that what you're saying?

Oofa

 

[orange79]

Oofa

You'd rather be Estelle Getty?

 

[JeremyCuse]

You'd rather be Estelle Getty?

LOL, not sure there's a real good answer to that question. I do find that to be a funny show though. Ahead of its time for sure.

 

[OttoinGrotto]

So Jeremy is Bea Arthur and RF is Betty White - is that what you're saying?

Yes, exactly.

 

[reedny]

Take note: this is how it's done, people. Not "Suck it, you're wrong" or "You're an idiot".

Kudos, gentlemen.

We could use these guys in the OTB.

 

[TheCusian]

six wins = 2-6 down the stretch. pretty close to bottom falling out

That depends on what expectations you started with.

I started at 7 and a bowl game. 6 and a bowl game is not the bottom falling out. I think we win 3 more this year ( UNC, Wake, and Louisville).

So this all feels like what I thought.

 

[FRANKIEFAN]

Worst loss since Temple since I think we changed the stakes by being so close to winning at Clemsons place and beating a team who has been to the playoffs for 3 straight years 2 years in a row.

We went up 14-0 without breaking a sweat. We immediately handed them 14 points they didn't earn. We played terribly until that lightning delay. Sould have won at the end but their run game vs our worn down D was a mismatch like Clemson. And lots of bad throws by Dungey.

That wasn't a good team. The D was probably similar to the one Mahoney shreded for 60 some points. Their RB was a player and thats about it. Awful loss. Plenty of time and 6 more games left which we can win all of. Not sure if I make a change for UNC. I definitely do at the half if we aren't up big though.

 

[Chip]

So Jeremy is Bea Arthur and RF is Betty White - is that what you're saying?

Who gets to be the loose one? (Blanche).

(raises hand)

 

[anomander]

Jeremy, I deleted my post because it was unfair to you. We've always been on really good terms, even when we don't agree.

I avoid the board after most losses, because the temper tantrums make the loss even more unbearable. Like many here, I'm not a casual SU fan, I'm a die hard -- and losses bother me. It stinks having to deal with the knee jerk irrationality on top of that.

I am not going to apologize for being optimistic about this team's potential. Now, it's up to the coaching staff and players to maximize said potential. But those outcomes aren't locked into being either 10 wins or 6 wins -- which is how some are acting.

The pessimism gets old [not attributing that to you, just speaking in general]. But I can certainly understand the skepticism with our success, given the past two decades of general futility. I'm just--and I will 100% own this-- growing less tolerant of opinions that overtly state that they predict bad or temper expectations only to avoid the feeling of being let down. And it grinds me gears even more when some use losses as a mechanism for "I told you so" sentiment.

The progress that this staff has made recruiting bigger, faster athletes and implementing new systems on both sides of the ball has been pretty remarkable, but we still have a ways to go. We're far from optimized, and could STILL win 9-10 games.

Again, you made a fairly innocuous post above that didn't warrant that reaction -- apologies.

You shouldn’t have deleted it your were dead on. This is still a really good team. The Clemson loss is a loss, but if our star QB plays to the caliber he has the last 3 years we are an easy 5-1, LB issues and all.

Sure they blew it against a team they should have beat even on the road, but we are seeing things from this team we haven’t seen in years. When have we been able to pressure the QB like we can off the edge? When have we been able to turn teams over and been this strong against the pass? When have ST’s been this great? We have the best FG kicker and punter in the ACC, not to mention cover teams. Offensively, the OL is improved. The run game is improved. There are 2 major weaknesses right now. LB and ability to pass for a high completion %. They are 2 plays from from the “told you so’s” being very quiet. This is still a much improved team and still confident they get to 8 wins.

 

[blizz]

This is college sports

I don't disagree. Even at the pro level you still get good teams having bad days and bad teams put it together once in a while and play out of their gourd.
But what I'm talking about is in the course of one game, even a single series, we see two completely different teams. The first 4 minutes of this game it looked like we were going to curb stomp them. Passes were crisp out of the pocket, run game was tight, defense was smothering everything. Then, like a switch flipped they lose leverage and Cisco takes a bad angle and it's like a completely different team on both sides of the ball. Tentative, missing assignments, backing down to aggression. Saw the same thing in the 3rd against WMU and in the 4th against Clemson.
I mean, looking at the fanbase, the wild emotional swings between manic frenzy and abject despondency, I see the reflection. It's kind of like dealing with young kids, the most terrifying thing is the realization of confronting yourself. Of reconciling with your own demons.

 

[PhatOrange]

my expectation was always 6-6. At 4-0 it was 6-6 and at 4-1 it was 6-6. The 8, 9 and 10 win expectations were ridiculous and they are the ones screaming the loudest.

I had Pitt as a Win, not even a toss up but a win. So that was a big disappointment for me.

I've always had UNC as a loss. Manic teams like this just scare. The meltdown loss to Miami the other day is fools gold because the turnovers were something that I've never seen before. Can't count on that. UNC has athletes. I'm very concerned here and we're in must win territory now as NC State will be favored and ND is a sure loss.

Remaining Schedule - Need 2

UNC
NC State
@ Wake
LOU
ND
@BC

 

[Chip]

my expectation was always 6-6. At 4-0 it was 6-6 and at 4-1 it was 6-6. The 8, 9 and 10 win expectations were ridiculous and they are the ones screaming the loudest.

I had Pitt as a Win, not even a toss up but a win. So that was a big disappointment for me.

I've always had UNC as a loss. Manic teams like this just scare. The meltdown loss to Miami the other day is fools gold because the turnovers were something that I've never seen before. Can't count on that. UNC has athletes. I'm very concerned here and we're in must win territory now as NC State will be favored and ND is a sure loss.

Remaining Schedule - Need 2

UNC
NC State
@ Wake
LOU
ND
@BC

At 4-0, I thought 8-4 with a sniff at 9-3. That was as much about the schedule as it was us.

Now I'd say NC State and ND are better than us. BC is a terrible matchup for us and it will be the end of the year when our players are standing on one leg.

I think we finish 3-3, or a 7-5, Pinstripe appearance.

 

[upperdeck]

my take is had we played everything else the same and had clem/Pitt at home and the game were played the exact same we probably win both those games , both teams came back in games we led on the road and we came back in games we trailed on the road.. that is a good sign of any team to have the lead lose it and come back and take it on the road.. same for the WMU game to have the huge lead and almost blow it but take it back over.

people blew off that pitt could run as i pointed out early last week.. thats all they have is power run and WR with ability but no scheme..

UNC has better athletes, still has some key pieces doing the suspension thing, but sill plays no D. they had the bye to get healthy, but VT will beat them up

they lost the cal/miami games with a ton of turnovers, so thats an issue if they cut that down. question is will they run more than they have all year to beat us. cause thats what it will take.

if we make 2 plays in the 4th and are sitting 6-0 people are beyond pumped and little the team has done will have changed. the issues will still be the same.

offense is scoreing about a little as it can given the ease of moving the ball most games, and the D is maxing out points with Big plays allowed and poor tackling on the back end.

both are fixable and 2 weeks will help a ton.

 

[RF2044]

my expectation was always 6-6. At 4-0 it was 6-6 and at 4-1 it was 6-6. The 8, 9 and 10 win expectations were ridiculous and they are the ones screaming the loudest.

We could get to 8 or 9 wins, and you'd still predict six.

Your take is equally as irrational as what you're complaining about.