Tell me why I shouldn't expect...

[Scooch]

...SU's offense to finish 2105 ranked 60th or better in total offense?

That would put is in the rarified air of "top half" of college football.

Hunt will be back as our starting QB, fresh off a season spent in the booth learning the game.

Brolyd, Estime and Ismael will all be back as WRs.

The "talented" young RB crew that people here have been hyping for 3 years will be getting significant carries.

Our top TE returns.

Marrone's emphasis on recruiting OLmen should be paying off, 5 years after his first full recruiting class.

We were 115th this season, which is a complete and abject embarrassment. But many are saying that's because of injuries and how badly McDonald bungled things.

We were 87th in total offense in 2013. Which of course, also sucks.

But to go from that 2013 level (377 yards/game) to 60th (using this year as the benchmark) we need to improve by all of 36 yards/game.

Why can't we improve by 36 yards a game vs two years ago?

 

[crales44]

...SU's offense to finish 2105 ranked 60th or better in total offense?

Because 2105 is too far in the future to project these things.

 

[GoSU96]

...SU's offense to finish 2105 ranked 60th or better in total offense?

That would put is in the rarified air of "top half" of college football.

Hunt will be back as our starting QB, fresh off a season spent in the booth learning the game.

Brolyd, Estime and Ismael will all be back as WRs.

The "talented" young RB crew that people here have been hyping for 3 years will be getting significant carries.

Our top TE returns.

Marrone's emphasis on recruiting OLmen should be paying off, 5 years after his first full recruiting class.

We were 115th this season, which is a complete and abject embarrassment. But many are saying that's because of injuries and how badly McDonald bungled things.

We were 87th in total offense in 2013. Which of course, also sucks.

But to go from that 2013 level (377 yards/game) to 60th (using this year as the benchmark) we need to improve by all of 36 yards/game.

Why can't we improve by 36 yards a game vs two years ago?

Agree completely. Going into Wake they were 67th, 412 yds per game.

Until the bottom fell out moving the ball wasn't the big issue, efficiency and points were.

 

[SoBristol]

Challenges --
the returning RBs were disappointing in 2014. Might be the lowest-rated group of RBs in ACC. Morris & McFarlane have a lot to prove.
OGs are veterans, but below average in pulling for sweeps or flanker screens
Do we have serviceable candidates for L-OT and Center?
Will Broyld be 100% or have nagging knee issues that hamper his speed?
Can any of the TEs actually contribute to the passing offense?
Do we have a single player (maybe Ishmael) who will deserve mention on a ACC all-star team?

Need --
a frosh RB to emerge quickly.
one of the WRs to make a huge off-season leap (Enoicy? Custis?)
a serviceable back-up at QB

 

[CaliCuse]

...SU's offense to finish 2105 ranked 60th or better in total offense?

That would put is in the rarified air of "top half" of college football.

Hunt will be back as our starting QB, fresh off a season spent in the booth learning the game.

Brolyd, Estime and Ismael will all be back as WRs.

The "talented" young RB crew that people here have been hyping for 3 years will be getting significant carries.

Our top TE returns.

Marrone's emphasis on recruiting OLmen should be paying off, 5 years after his first full recruiting class.

We were 115th this season, which is a complete and abject embarrassment. But many are saying that's because of injuries and how badly McDonald bungled things.

We were 87th in total offense in 2013. Which of course, also sucks.

But to go from that 2013 level (377 yards/game) to 60th (using this year as the benchmark) we need to improve by all of 36 yards/game.

Why can't we improve by 36 yards a game vs two years ago?

While I agree with your individual points,I have question the overall recruiting targets as being defense heavy because of Shaffer's primary focus. OK I like Dungey and Strickland,where is a primary WR on the list.West Lindor seems to be on that (?) list as far as his signing in February. The OL might be sufficient in new bodies and ability but skill players remain scarce.

 

[Scooch]

Agree completely. Going into Wake they were 67th, 412 yds per game.

Until the bottom fell out moving the ball wasn't the big issue, efficiency and points were.

By the way, I will transparently state that mine was an agenda-driven post. I want those who are claiming that injuries are the biggest reason why we sucked wind this year to tell me why with everyone healthy we can't be top half offensively next year. Our losses are on the OL, everything else comes back largely at full strength. But how can we not have serviceable OLmen to take on starting roles at this point?

I really want 2015 to be an excuse-free season.

 

[SoBristol]

By the way, I will transparently state that mine was an agenda-driven post. I want those who are claiming that injuries are the biggest reason why we sucked wind this year to tell me why with everyone healthy we can't be top half offensively next year. Our losses are on the OL, everything else comes back largely at full strength. But how can we not have serviceable OLmen to take on starting roles at this point?

I really want 2015 to be an excuse-free season.

We lose 3 multiple year starters in PTG, West and Hickey. So, that is par for most programs and not an excuse -- but the likely replacements were under-whelming in 2014.

Why are the OL reserves not serviceable? It comes back to how well we recruited at this position versus our regional rivals.

 

[Noexcuse]

We lose 3 multiple year starters in PTG, West and Hickey. So, that is par for most programs and not an excuse -- but the likely replacements were under-whelming in 2014.

Why are the OL reserves not serviceable? It comes back to how well we recruited at this position versus our regional rivals.

Hickey more so than the other 2 imo. West came up big this year and has had a nice career but I think Lewis adequately fills that spot. Not so sure that we don't get similar or better production from the returning backs that PTG gave us this year. What I would like to see from running back is a one of the guys win the position and get the bulk of the carries rather than the random substitution pattern we saw this year.

 

[KaiserUEO]

ill give you 4 reasons:

1. hunt
2. long
3. wilson
4. kimble

and the board will be insufferable as everyone picks a horse and rides it.

and lets not forget any shiny new knights riding in to save the day behind center.

marone e mia!!

 

[Crusty]

Yards Smards - its points and only points that matter. Garbage yardages between the 20's means ZERO.

 

[Chip]

and lets not forget any shiny new knights riding in to save the day behind center.

It's the Syracuse way, the best QB is the one you haven't seen yet.

So consider me in Camp Eduoard.

(he'll never arrive).

 

[Scooch]

Yards Smards - its points and only points that matter. Garbage yardages between the 20's means ZERO.

Hey man, I'm with you. I was throwing a bone to people and setting the bar low.

We were a sterling 121st in scoring offense this year (17.1 ppg). Thank God for Tulane and Kent State keeping us out of the basement.

2013 we were 100th (22.7 ppg).

To get to 60th in 2015 we'd probably need to get to 30 ppg. So essentially score a TD more each game over last year.

By the way, our remarkable 2012 season that everyone gets emotionally erect over... was 56th in scoring offense.

84th in 2011, 97th in 2010, 99th in 2010... 74th in 2004.

Sweet merciful crap, we are always HORRID at offense.

 

[OttoinGrotto]

Hey man, I'm with you. I was throwing a bone to people and setting the bar low.

We were a sterling 121st in scoring offense this year (17.1 ppg). Thank God for Tulane and Kent State keeping us out of the basement.

2013 we were 100th (22.7 ppg).

To get to 60th in 2015 we'd probably need to get to 30 ppg. So essentially score a TD more each game over last year.

By the way, our remarkable 2012 season that everyone gets emotionally erect over... was 56th in scoring offense.

84th in 2011, 97th in 2010, 99th in 2010... 74th in 2004.

Sweet merciful crap, we are always HORRID at offense.

I loves me some dead horse beating...

If only we had some unique advantage in big time college football tailor made to facilitate good offense.

 

[Alsacs]

Cause we are gonna lock those teams up in the Dome and play #hardnosed football.

Our stats are that bad and yet not one single offensive coach is likely to be pink slipped. McDonald is likely to leave because he is pissed at SS demoting him. Texas A&m and Auburn's defensive coordinator were already fired.

Scott Shafer doesn't need to make changes the coaches are all good.

 

[Crusty]

Hey man, I'm with you. I was throwing a bone to people and setting the bar low.

We were a sterling 121st in scoring offense this year (17.1 ppg). Thank God for Tulane and Kent State keeping us out of the basement.

2013 we were 100th (22.7 ppg).

To get to 60th in 2015 we'd probably need to get to 30 ppg. So essentially score a TD more each game over last year.

By the way, our remarkable 2012 season that everyone gets emotionally erect over... was 56th in scoring offense.

84th in 2011, 97th in 2010, 99th in 2010... 74th in 2004.

Sweet merciful crap, we are always HORRID at offense.

Yes, I wish people would focus on points, red zone offense and things that matter instead of the meaningless crap.

 

[Crusty]

I loves me some dead horse beating...

If only we had some unique advantage in big time college football tailor made to facilitate good offense.

Gee, that looks like a great place to have a wide open pass happy offense. Oh, wait...

 

[Chip]

I loves me some dead horse beating...

If only we had some unique advantage in big time college football tailor made to facilitate good offense.

That Dome appears to be in the northeast, northeast teams run the ball.

Whenever I see WVU's offense under Holgorsen, I can only blame global warming. Because it must no longer be cold in Morgantown.

 

[Scooch]

That Dome appears to be in the northeast, northeast teams suck at everything, what a wasteland of college football.

Fixed that for you.

 

[OrangePA]

It's the Syracuse way, the best QB is the one you haven't seen yet.

So consider me in Camp Eduoard.

(he'll never arrive).

He'd be a fool not to come.

He can win the job as a true frosh.

 

[Scooch]

He'd be a fool not to come. He can win the job as a true frosh.

We could say that about nearly every high-ish profile QB recruit that's turned us down in the past 15+ years.

I wonder when this program is going to realize that maybe it's not them, it's us?

 

[orangeinohio]

I wonder how the glut of QB's is going to be resolved.

 

[Scooch]

I wonder how the glut of QB's is going to be resolved.

Glut!

HAHAHAHAHA!

 

[CaliCuse]

Hickey more so than the other 2 imo. West came up big this year and has had a nice career but I think Lewis adequately fills that spot. Not so sure that we don't get similar or better production from the returning backs that PTG gave us this year. What I would like to see from running back is a one of the guys win the position and get the bulk of the carries rather than the random substitution pattern we saw this year.

The impact RBs for next year aren't at Syracuse yet. Strickland and Fredericks will be our big guns if the OL does its job and opens up the highway. Morris and McFarlane are nothing but sideline space fillers. Devante had one good game and Morris never has gone big in any way.

 

[orangeinohio]

Glut!

HAHAHAHAHA!

6 QB's on scholarship next year doesn't count as too many in your mind?

If you're planning on responding with the same repetitive crap in which you say none of them are good enough, save it.
I'm just talking about numbers

 

[Orangejet]

Can't rely on Broyld and Estime for they may still be injured in 2015.