There's no reason to think this team cannot go 10-2

[orangenirvana]

It's August. August is the time for every football fan to believe that everything can fall his team's way and the best case scenario will prevail.

IMO, there are only two sure-fire losses on the 2012 schedule - USC and Mizzou. SU can beat Northwestern (in the Dome) and Minnesota, and there isn't a big east team that cannot be beaten.

So the best-case scenario is 10-2. And when I look at the roster, a head coach with extremely high expectations and a hard-working coaching staff, I believe 10-2 is possible.

I hate low expectations, which is what I see a lot of on this forum recently. It's one thing to expect 4 wins. It's quite another to expect 4 wins and be okay with 4 and happy with 5. This lowly hope can be attributed to three things: those who want to reflect criticism of the coaching staff and keep the heat off of Marrone and Co., those who are conditioned to a lousy football team after the last decade, and those who are just naturally pessimistic.

Reasons to realistically expect 10-2:

1. Nassib

We should love the fact that our starting QB is a fifth-year senior coming off of two seasons as the full-time starter. There certainly are Nassib doubters, but IMO the kid is much more talented than he is given credit for. And now he has just as much if not more experience than any QB the team will face. I think he has a breakout season.

2. Depth at the Offensive Skill Positions

I actually like our running backs, mainly because we have four legitimate threats there in Smith, Gulley, AAM and Broyld, plus a fifth in the highly-touted George Morris. Smith received rave reviews after the Spring he had. I was never impressed with Gulley until the Toledo game last year, where I was officially sold. He was breaking out right before he got injured in 2011 and should begin where he left off. AAM has reportedly dropped the weight that literally slowed him down. And then there's Broyld. No longer will we hold our breath with every carry our starter gets. No more should any RB be physically spent by November. This unit can get it done by committee.

Same goes for WR and TE. Lemon and Sales won't be 1st Round NFL draft picks, but are experienced Sr's who have accomplished quite a bit over their careers. Their backups and third-stringers are all relatively experienced and/or have shown glimpses of talent - West, Kobena, Flemming, Hale. Two reportedly talented true frosh (Lewis, Cornelius) as 7th and 8th men in case of emergency. I like our two starting Tight Ends a lot and feel that one or two of the rest will step up to be dependable in the regular rotation.

3. Our Defense is a year older

The defense struggled in 2011 because they were just too young and inexperienced. Most of them had no idea what they were doing. Is that an excuse for the coaching staff? No, not really. But it certainly didn't help. This year there is more experience and also depth across the board at all three units.

4. Scott Shafer

I'm high on Shafer as a DC and am more than willing to give him a pass after last season. 2011 was supposed to be the year where the offense stepped up while the D went through growing pains. The offense never did, so the defense got blamed. I fully expect us to see more of what we saw in 2010 than what we saw in 2011.

5. Jay Bromley / Marquis Spruill / Shamarko Thomas

Three beastly upperclassmen from each unit who are ready to break out and wreak havoc on opposing offenses.

Areas that must improve and/or surprise to reach 10-2

1. Doug Marrone

We have to see better clock management and overall gameday decisions from this man. You know he knows this, and you know he wants to. Just has to get it done. Also need to see him coach up the special teams unit. Big risk to take that on himself. We'll see what happens.

2. Nate Hackett

Do-or-die time. Struggled mightily in 2011, but that doesn't mean he can't greatly improve in 2012.

3. Offensive Line

Losing Pugh for the first month of the season really hurts. We'll need the rest of the unit to stay healthy and step up, specifically Hickey and Alexander. We need improvement from Chibane. We need one of the Redshirt Frosh at RG (Foy or Trudo) to step up and be a very dependable starter. Coach em up, Adkins!

4. Defensive End

We need a consistent pass rush to come from our DE's, whoever they may be. I want to see an improved and motivated Brandon Sharpe on one side. Opposite him, it will help tremendously if Pierce-Brewster is the real deal. Otherwise we need either Simmons or Robinson to step up and provide that pass-rushing threat that will be so critical to this team. It's important that Goggins plays at DT, imo. If that happens, it's an indication that DE is not a huge concern.

5. Shut-down corners

We need Lyn to play up to his potential and Reddish to grow up quickly. We don't have a Dwight Freeney so there will be times that QB's will have time to find their receiver. Our CB's have to help out our DLine (and vice versa), otherwise Saturdays will be long.

5b. Special teams

We need to see a few surprises on special teams, specifically from our returners. We also need a more consistent, fundamentally-sound unit all-around.

LET'S DO THIS!!!!

 

[PhatOrange]

It's August. August is the time for every football fan to believe that everything can fall his team's way and the best case scenario will prevail.

IMO, there are only two sure-fire losses on the 2012 schedule - USC and Mizzou. SU can beat Northwestern (in the Dome) and Minnesota, and there isn't a big east team that cannot be beaten.

So the best-case scenario is 10-2. And when I look at the roster, a head coach with extremely high expectations and a hard-working coaching staff, I believe 10-2 is possible.

I hate low expectations, which is what I see a lot of on this forum recently. It's one thing to expect 4 wins. It's quite another to expect 4 wins and be okay with 4 and happy with 5. This lowly hope can be attributed to three things: those who want to reflect criticism of the coaching staff and keep the heat off of Marrone and Co., those who are conditioned to a lousy football team after the last decade, and those who are just naturally pessimistic.

Reasons to realistically expect 10-2:

1. Nassib

We should love the fact that our starting QB is a fifth-year senior coming off of two seasons as the full-time starter. There certainly are Nassib doubters, but IMO the kid is much more talented than he is given credit for. And now he has just as much if not more experience than any QB the team will face. I think he has a breakout season.

2. Depth at the Offensive Skill Positions

I actually like our running backs, mainly because we have four legitimate threats there in Smith, Gulley, AAM and Broyld, plus a fifth in the highly-touted George Morris. Smith received rave reviews after the Spring he had. I was never impressed with Gulley until the Toledo game last year, where I was officially sold. He was breaking out right before he got injured in 2011 and should begin where he left off. AAM has reportedly dropped the weight that literally slowed him down. And then there's Broyld. No longer will we hold our breath with every carry our starter gets. No more should any RB be physically spent by November. This unit can get it done by committee.

Same goes for WR and TE. Lemon and Sales won't be 1st Round NFL draft picks, but are experienced Sr's who have accomplished quite a bit over their careers. Their backups and third-stringers are all relatively experienced and/or have shown glimpses of talent - West, Kobena, Flemming, Hale. Two reportedly talented true frosh (Lewis, Cornelius) as 7th and 8th men in case of emergency. I like our two starting Tight Ends a lot and feel that one or two of the rest will step up to be dependable in the regular rotation.

3. Our Defense is a year older

The defense struggled in 2011 because they were just too young and inexperienced. Most of them had no idea what they were doing. Is that an excuse for the coaching staff? No, not really. But it certainly didn't help. This year there is more experience and also depth across the board at all three units.

4. Scott Shafer

I'm high on Shafer as a DC and am more than willing to give him a pass after last season. 2011 was supposed to be the year where the offense stepped up while the D went through growing pains. The offense never did, so the defense got blamed. I fully expect us to see more of what we saw in 2010 than what we saw in 2011.

5. Jay Bromley / Marquis Spruill / Shamarko Thomas

Three beastly upperclassmen from each unit who are ready to break out and wreak havoc on opposing offenses.

Areas that must improve and/or surprise to reach 10-2

1. Doug Marrone

We have to see better clock management and overall gameday decisions from this man. You know he knows this, and you know he wants to. Just has to get it done. Also need to see him coach up the special teams unit. Big risk to take that on himself. We'll see what happens.

2. Nate Hackett

Do-or-die time. Struggled mightily in 2011, but that doesn't mean he can't greatly improve in 2012.

3. Offensive Line

Losing Pugh for the first month of the season really hurts. We'll need the rest of the unit to stay healthy and step up, specifically Hickey and Alexander. We need improvement from Chibane. We need one of the Redshirt Frosh at RG (Foy or Trudo) to step up and be a very dependable starter. Coach em up, Adkins!

4. Defensive End

We need a consistent pass rush to come from our DE's, whoever they may be. I want to see an improved and motivated Brandon Sharpe on one side. Opposite him, it will help tremendously if Pierce-Brewster is the real deal. Otherwise we need either Simmons or Robinson to step up and provide that pass-rushing threat that will be so critical to this team. It's important that Goggins plays at DT, imo. If that happens, it's an indication that DE is not a huge concern.

5. Shut-down corners

We need Lyn to play up to his potential and Reddish to grow up quickly. We don't have a Dwight Freeney so there will be times that QB's will have time to find their receiver. Our CB's have to help out our DLine (and vice versa), otherwise Saturdays will be long.

5b. Special teams

We need to see a few surprises on special teams, specifically from our returners. We also need a more consistent, fundamentally-sound unit all-around.

LET'S DO THIS!!!!

I think every game is a swing game except for USC and LVille. I dont believe we match up well with LVille - the game is at home though.

I'm swapping LVille for Mizzou because Missouri is a marginal team this year and check out their schedule. They could be beaten down by the time we come to town.

Georgia
Arizona State
@ South Carolina
@ UCF
Vanderbilt
Alabama
Kentucky
@ Florida
@ Tennessee
Syracuse

 

[BomberOrange]

It's August. August is the time for every football fan to believe that everything can fall his team's way and the best case scenario will prevail.

IMO, there are only two sure-fire losses on the 2012 schedule - USC and Mizzou. SU can beat Northwestern (in the Dome) and Minnesota, and there isn't a big east team that cannot be beaten.

So the best-case scenario is 10-2. And when I look at the roster, a head coach with extremely high expectations and a hard-working coaching staff, I believe 10-2 is possible.

I hate low expectations, which is what I see a lot of on this forum recently. It's one thing to expect 4 wins. It's quite another to expect 4 wins and be okay with 4 and happy with 5. This lowly hope can be attributed to three things: those who want to reflect criticism of the coaching staff and keep the heat off of Marrone and Co., those who are conditioned to a lousy football team after the last decade, and those who are just naturally pessimistic.

Reasons to realistically expect 10-2:

1. Nassib

We should love the fact that our starting QB is a fifth-year senior coming off of two seasons as the full-time starter. There certainly are Nassib doubters, but IMO the kid is much more talented than he is given credit for. And now he has just as much if not more experience than any QB the team will face. I think he has a breakout season.

2. Depth at the Offensive Skill Positions

I actually like our running backs, mainly because we have four legitimate threats there in Smith, Gulley, AAM and Broyld, plus a fifth in the highly-touted George Morris. Smith received rave reviews after the Spring he had. I was never impressed with Gulley until the Toledo game last year, where I was officially sold. He was breaking out right before he got injured in 2011 and should begin where he left off. AAM has reportedly dropped the weight that literally slowed him down. And then there's Broyld. No longer will we hold our breath with every carry our starter gets. No more should any RB be physically spent by November. This unit can get it done by committee.

Same goes for WR and TE. Lemon and Sales won't be 1st Round NFL draft picks, but are experienced Sr's who have accomplished quite a bit over their careers. Their backups and third-stringers are all relatively experienced and/or have shown glimpses of talent - West, Kobena, Flemming, Hale. Two reportedly talented true frosh (Lewis, Cornelius) as 7th and 8th men in case of emergency. I like our two starting Tight Ends a lot and feel that one or two of the rest will step up to be dependable in the regular rotation.

3. Our Defense is a year older

The defense struggled in 2011 because they were just too young and inexperienced. Most of them had no idea what they were doing. Is that an excuse for the coaching staff? No, not really. But it certainly didn't help. This year there is more experience and also depth across the board at all three units.

4. Scott Shafer

I'm high on Shafer as a DC and am more than willing to give him a pass after last season. 2011 was supposed to be the year where the offense stepped up while the D went through growing pains. The offense never did, so the defense got blamed. I fully expect us to see more of what we saw in 2010 than what we saw in 2011.

5. Jay Bromley / Marquis Spruill / Shamarko Thomas

Three beastly upperclassmen from each unit who are ready to break out and wreak havoc on opposing offenses.

Areas that must improve and/or surprise to reach 10-2

1. Doug Marrone

We have to see better clock management and overall gameday decisions from this man. You know he knows this, and you know he wants to. Just has to get it done. Also need to see him coach up the special teams unit. Big risk to take that on himself. We'll see what happens.

2. Nate Hackett

Do-or-die time. Struggled mightily in 2011, but that doesn't mean he can't greatly improve in 2012.

3. Offensive Line

Losing Pugh for the first month of the season really hurts. We'll need the rest of the unit to stay healthy and step up, specifically Hickey and Alexander. We need improvement from Chibane. We need one of the Redshirt Frosh at RG (Foy or Trudo) to step up and be a very dependable starter. Coach em up, Adkins!

4. Defensive End

We need a consistent pass rush to come from our DE's, whoever they may be. I want to see an improved and motivated Brandon Sharpe on one side. Opposite him, it will help tremendously if Pierce-Brewster is the real deal. Otherwise we need either Simmons or Robinson to step up and provide that pass-rushing threat that will be so critical to this team. It's important that Goggins plays at DT, imo. If that happens, it's an indication that DE is not a huge concern.

5. Shut-down corners

We need Lyn to play up to his potential and Reddish to grow up quickly. We don't have a Dwight Freeney so there will be times that QB's will have time to find their receiver. Our CB's have to help out our DLine (and vice versa), otherwise Saturdays will be long.

5b. Special teams

We need to see a few surprises on special teams, specifically from our returners. We also need a more consistent, fundamentally-sound unit all-around.

LET'S DO THIS!!!!

 

[BomberOrange]

I have seen this from a few people, but I am still trying to figure out why Mizzou is an automatic L. It's a winnable game especially after running the SEC slate they have. Could we lose, absolutely, but its not an auto loss IMHO. I do like the optimism though and would be ecstatic anywhere from 7-5 to 11-1.

 

[SU2NASA]

If there's no reason they can't go 10-2, then I see no reason they can't go 12-0.

 

[Orangello]

I would like to drink some of what you're serving but my glass is broken.

 

[RF2044]

The two big 10 games are enormous. Need to beat both of those teams. If we do, we'll be positioned well to earn a bowl berth.

 

[Rocco]

LVille and USF will be more difficult than Mizzou IMO.

If we ever beat USC, good lord.

 

[Millhouse]

I hate low expectations, which is what I see a lot of on this forum recently. It's one thing to expect 4 wins. It's quite another to expect 4 wins and be okay with 4 and happy with .

low expectations doesn't neccessarily mean people are ok with it. Expect<>Accept

i expect an awful year

i won't be happy with it

the only reason i'm just forgetting about this year is because we need a new qb and that aint happening for a year

 

[garnermike]

Thanks. An upbeat positive read. Amen, bro...

 

[orangenirvana]

I think every game is a swing game except for USC and LVille. I dont believe we match up well with LVille - the game is at home though.

I'm swapping LVille for Mizzou because Missouri is a marginal team this year and check out their schedule. They could be beaten down by the time we come to town.

Georgia
Arizona State
@ South Carolina
@ UCF
Vanderbilt
Alabama
Kentucky
@ Florida
@ Tennessee
Syracuse

You could be right about Mizzou's schedule wearing them down. Or it could be a case of the hottest fire making the strongest steel and players desperate the taste of victory. Who knows.

Not why you feel Louisville is a bad matchup for us. Shafer's D does well against mobile QB's / spread systems. And it's at home.

I have seen this from a few people, but I am still trying to figure out why Mizzou is an automatic L. It's a winnable game especially after running the SEC slate they have. Could we lose, absolutely, but its not an auto loss IMHO. I do like the optimism though and would be ecstatic anywhere from 7-5 to 11-1.

Not saying Mizzou is Alabama, but they do have a very good program.

 

[OrangeCrush22]

LVille and USF will be more difficult than Mizzou IMO.

If we ever beat USC, good lord.

Yeah, I think the world would stop spinning. We played them well last year, but last year they weren't the best team in the country...

 

[orangenirvana]

low expectations doesn't neccessarily mean people are ok with it. Expect<>Accept

i expect an awful year

i won't be happy with it

the only reason i'm just forgetting about this year is because we need a new qb and that aint happening for a year

I agree, that's actually what I was saying but I didn't do a good job of it obviously.

 

[MikeSU02]

I only see two sure things:

Loss at USC (but I got my tickets and will be there hoping for a win)
Win at SB

Every other game, to me, is a toss up at best for this team.

For us to get to 10-2 we have to have the ball bounce our way so many times that it just isn't realistic.

I think a TON is going to hang on that NW game. If we lose, we are now on a 6 game losing streak, staring at a loaded USC team on national TV. The season could unravel very quickly.

By the time the season rolls around, I'll say we can go 13-0, but right now, I'm thinking anywhere between 4 and 7 wins.

 

[OrangePA]

It's August. August is the time for every football fan to believe that everything can fall his team's way and the best case scenario will prevail.

IMO, there are only two sure-fire losses on the 2012 schedule - USC and Mizzou. SU can beat Northwestern (in the Dome) and Minnesota, and there isn't a big east team that cannot be beaten.

So the best-case scenario is 10-2. And when I look at the roster, a head coach with extremely high expectations and a hard-working coaching staff, I believe 10-2 is possible.

I hate low expectations, which is what I see a lot of on this forum recently. It's one thing to expect 4 wins. It's quite another to expect 4 wins and be okay with 4 and happy with 5. This lowly hope can be attributed to three things: those who want to reflect criticism of the coaching staff and keep the heat off of Marrone and Co., those who are conditioned to a lousy football team after the last decade, and those who are just naturally pessimistic.

Reasons to realistically expect 10-2:

1. Nassib

We should love the fact that our starting QB is a fifth-year senior coming off of two seasons as the full-time starter. There certainly are Nassib doubters, but IMO the kid is much more talented than he is given credit for. And now he has just as much if not more experience than any QB the team will face. I think he has a breakout season.

2. Depth at the Offensive Skill Positions

I actually like our running backs, mainly because we have four legitimate threats there in Smith, Gulley, AAM and Broyld, plus a fifth in the highly-touted George Morris. Smith received rave reviews after the Spring he had. I was never impressed with Gulley until the Toledo game last year, where I was officially sold. He was breaking out right before he got injured in 2011 and should begin where he left off. AAM has reportedly dropped the weight that literally slowed him down. And then there's Broyld. No longer will we hold our breath with every carry our starter gets. No more should any RB be physically spent by November. This unit can get it done by committee.

Same goes for WR and TE. Lemon and Sales won't be 1st Round NFL draft picks, but are experienced Sr's who have accomplished quite a bit over their careers. Their backups and third-stringers are all relatively experienced and/or have shown glimpses of talent - West, Kobena, Flemming, Hale. Two reportedly talented true frosh (Lewis, Cornelius) as 7th and 8th men in case of emergency. I like our two starting Tight Ends a lot and feel that one or two of the rest will step up to be dependable in the regular rotation.

3. Our Defense is a year older

The defense struggled in 2011 because they were just too young and inexperienced. Most of them had no idea what they were doing. Is that an excuse for the coaching staff? No, not really. But it certainly didn't help. This year there is more experience and also depth across the board at all three units.

4. Scott Shafer

I'm high on Shafer as a DC and am more than willing to give him a pass after last season. 2011 was supposed to be the year where the offense stepped up while the D went through growing pains. The offense never did, so the defense got blamed. I fully expect us to see more of what we saw in 2010 than what we saw in 2011.

5. Jay Bromley / Marquis Spruill / Shamarko Thomas

Three beastly upperclassmen from each unit who are ready to break out and wreak havoc on opposing offenses.

Areas that must improve and/or surprise to reach 10-2

1. Doug Marrone

We have to see better clock management and overall gameday decisions from this man. You know he knows this, and you know he wants to. Just has to get it done. Also need to see him coach up the special teams unit. Big risk to take that on himself. We'll see what happens.

2. Nate Hackett

Do-or-die time. Struggled mightily in 2011, but that doesn't mean he can't greatly improve in 2012.

3. Offensive Line

Losing Pugh for the first month of the season really hurts. We'll need the rest of the unit to stay healthy and step up, specifically Hickey and Alexander. We need improvement from Chibane. We need one of the Redshirt Frosh at RG (Foy or Trudo) to step up and be a very dependable starter. Coach em up, Adkins!

4. Defensive End

We need a consistent pass rush to come from our DE's, whoever they may be. I want to see an improved and motivated Brandon Sharpe on one side. Opposite him, it will help tremendously if Pierce-Brewster is the real deal. Otherwise we need either Simmons or Robinson to step up and provide that pass-rushing threat that will be so critical to this team. It's important that Goggins plays at DT, imo. If that happens, it's an indication that DE is not a huge concern.

5. Shut-down corners

We need Lyn to play up to his potential and Reddish to grow up quickly. We don't have a Dwight Freeney so there will be times that QB's will have time to find their receiver. Our CB's have to help out our DLine (and vice versa), otherwise Saturdays will be long.

5b. Special teams

We need to see a few surprises on special teams, specifically from our returners. We also need a more consistent, fundamentally-sound unit all-around.

LET'S DO THIS!!!!

I love your enthusiasm.

But you're setting yourself up for a major disappointment.

And you're underestimating the BE schedule.

And because you are doing so, you will, at the conclusion of the season, necessarily criticize the coaches for not scheming properly.

I hope you're right, but I strongly suspect that a 10-2 record is not attainable this year.

 

[SUinNYC]

I only see two sure things:
I think a TON is going to hang on that NW game. If we lose, we are now on a 6 game losing streak, staring at a loaded USC team on national TV. The season could unravel very quickly.

Couldn't agree more. If we come out flat against Northwestern, all bets are off (and I mean that in a bad way). We need to get a W in week 1 and build from there.

Good thread.

 

[CuseCrew08]

I think Nate Hackett and the O-Line are directly correlated. I think the lack of any consistency from the line last year really handcuffed what Hackett could do. I expect a better line this year and consequently a better offense.

 

[kcsu]

Anything can happen. First we need to win out at home. Second we need to stay healthy. I believe the three most important players guys we simply cant lose are Nassib, Sales, Lemon. If anyone of them goes down we could be in huge trouble. Next we need special teams to kick some ass this year. Specials are going to be critical and could make the difference this year. I glad that Doug realizes this and is taking over the unit. With the head coach at the helm this should be our best unit. Last of all we need to play to win. Play loose not tight. My prediction is 6-6 and a bowl. Anything less and it will be a huge disapointment

 

[PhatOrange]

You could be right about Mizzou's schedule wearing them down. Or it could be a case of the hottest fire making the strongest steel and players desperate the taste of victory. Who knows.

Not why you feel Louisville is a bad matchup for us. Shafer's D does well against mobile QB's / spread systems. And it's at home.

I actually meant USF not LVille. I believe every other game is a toss up.

LVille is more of a power pro-style offense. Bridgewater had -6 yards rushing last year but their RB went for 100. USF torched us on the ground and through the air. 500 yards of offense. Daniels ran for 117 and a RB had 90.

The LVille game was actually a fairly defensive game. Their RB busted off a 61 yard run and without that both teams only put up 250 yards of offense and 15 first downs.

Offensively we moved the ball against USF (405 yds) and Nassib threw for 297.

No matter how you slice it every game is probably a toss up except USC. We sure won't win 10 but if things broke our way we could. I think we're finally evenly matched with everybody.

 

[RF2044]

I think Nate Hackett and the O-Line are directly correlated. I think the lack of any consistency from the line last year really handcuffed what Hackett could do. I expect a better line this year and consequently a better offense.

Completely agree. I feel like the OL is the major weakness on this team. Recruiting the past two years has been solid, and I think we'll see an uptick in the next 2-3 years on the performance of this unit as a function of improved personnel / depth, but I think this is the one positional unit that has lagged behind all of the others.

I had a long post on each unit broken down this year and next last Friday, and the year-over-year continuity at every position [except QB and WR] suggests that next year, each position will be stronger as a function of returning players. I really feel like the talent the coaching staff is building is about to enable the team to take it up another level, but the OL is at least a year behind the curve. If the young nucleus of Trudo, Foy, Curtis, Robinson, Emerich, Palmer, and Knapp emerge as contributors, then it isn't a stretch to think that the OL is trending in the right direction, too. But what we get this year is anyone's guess.

 

[PhatOrange]

I love your enthusiasm.

But you're setting yourself up for a major disappointment.

And you're underestimating the BE schedule.

And because you are doing so, you will, at the conclusion of the season, necessarily criticize the coaches for not scheming properly.

I hope you're right, but I strongly suspect that a 10-2 record is not attainable this year.

I think he's only saying we could win 10 but I don't believe it's his expectation.

And I think you are over estimating the BE schedule. Last year we outgained Pitt, Cincy, Connecticut, and West Virginia (Rutgers outgained us by 7 yards) and yet we're only 1-4 in those games.

The expectation is that we've improved on both sides of the ball. And while most teams are saying the same thing the fact is none of them has improved to the point of being a great team. Reality is we've likely caught most of them. Every game is a toss up.

 

[OttoinGrotto]

I'll be ecstatic if we get to 6 wins.

Our QB and receivers should improve. I think we take a step back at line, runningback and TE. As insane as this sounds to me, I think we're also worse at fullback, which seems to matter in our offense. Net, I'm not certain we have a better offense. LEt's say we have about the same offense as last season.

On defense we lost our big impact player. We have a lot of promising youth though. I think the defense may be a little better this season than last due to growth and depth.

So, hold serve on offense and improve on defense, looking at the schedule I'm just not sure I feel comfortable. While I appreciate that in August every fan should be an optimist, truth us, that's been beaten out of me by the Robinson years and the putrid offense we've rolled out of late.

 

[OrangePA]

I think he's only saying we could win 10 but I don't believe it's his expectation.

And I think your over estimating the BE schedule. Last year we outgained Pitt, Cincy, Connecticut, and West Virginia (Rutgers outgained us by 7 yards) and yet we're only 1-4 in those games.

The expectation is that we've improved on both sides of the ball. And while most teams are saying the same thing the fact is none of them has improved to the point of being a great team. Reality is we've likely caught most of them. Every game is a toss up.

I will have to go back and look at the Cincy game.

My recollection is that we were out and out clobbered by the Bearcats - we were physically beaten by that club.

UConn ran the ball down our throats in the second half - Louisville beat us pretty good as did USF.

Hey, I'm all for total success this fall - really hoping to see it.

But I am not going to fool myself into a depression when we lose games we are supposed to lose at this point.

 

[RF2044]

I'll be ecstatic if we get to 6 wins.

Our QB and receivers should improve. I think we take a step back at line, runningback and TE. As insane as this sounds to me, I think we're also worse at fullback, which seems to matter in our offense. Net, I'm not certain we have a better offense. LEt's say we have about the same offense as last season.

On defense we lost our big impact player. We have a lot of promising youth though. I think the defense may be a little better this season than last due to growth and depth.

So, hold serve on offense and improve on defense, looking at the schedule I'm just not sure I feel comfortable. While I appreciate that in August every fan should be an optimist, truth us, that's been beaten out of me by the Robinson years and the putrid offense we've rolled out of late.

10 wins seems far fetched--let's get that out of the way up front.

I'll disagree with two things from your post. I have a feeling that RB is actually going to IMPROVE this year. If Smith has the chops--and his performance in the spring suggests this might be the case--than the group we have this year is > than Bailey last year, IMO.

I also disagree about losing the impact player on defense--I love Chandler, but let's face it, he was injured part of last year, and his production didn't match his first round selection. Not knocking him--he got drafted for his athleticism / versatility / potential more than production, and I think he'll be a fine system fit in NE. But he wasn't drafted because he had a Freeney-esque type of year that moved him into the first round. How well we compensate for his departure rests squarely with what Sharpe and MPB bring to the table.

 

[baggerbob]

Your 1st point is also a problem, a 5th year Sr who last year was his 2nd year starting, should have played better down the stretch last year. I hope you are right and he finally gets it, but the QB is like a point guard in basketball the coach on the field, he needs to get the team in position to win and then execute. I still have not seen that from our QB, intellectually he is bright, but hasn't shown a football IQ.