Time for a little optimism

[IthacaBarrel]

The big improvement from the first to second game?...last year

Saturday
Aug. 31Penn State Nittany Lions
MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, NJLost 23-17---
Saturday
Sept. 7at Northwestern Wildcats
Ryan Field, Evanston, ILLost 48-27

Thanks

 

[NailstheCusefan12]

The big improvement from the first to second game?...last year

Saturday
Aug. 31Penn State Nittany Lions
MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, NJLost 23-17---
Saturday
Sept. 7at Northwestern Wildcats
Ryan Field, Evanston, ILLost 48-27

Luckily Venric Mark won't be suiting up for CMU.

 

[IthacaBarrel]

To me the issue isnt CMU or even the opponent in General its what I saw from Syracuse on the opening game. Going into this year people were talking about this team having a chance to not necessarily win but at least be competitive against Clemson and ND and to put the 4 blowouts we had last year behind us. What I saw against Nova was pretty much the opposite of what I have been reading on here the past 4-5 months. The offense even when Hunt was in there looked mediocore at best, the WR position still lakes any sort of playmakers and gamebreakers, the D line outside of the two Soph D ends trying to play Tackle and maybe Crume looked really really bad and our two best linebackers were pretty much non existent to the point where Davis was benched.

Going into this year I wanted to see this team take a step forward not necessarily in the win column but at least on the field so that I didnt see repeat of the G tech, Northwestern or Clemson games last year. With the daunting schedule we have (Lvill, ND, FSU, Clemson not to mention Pitt) I have serious concerns about this team finding 6 wins if we dont show some marked improvement this week.

Why would you believe what you read here? People here were writing that Sales and Lemon weren't good enough because they weren't fast enough and couldn't beat "PRESS COVERAGE". Read that shite for years. As I said I would take either one of those guys over any of what we have now. You lose the middle of the defense to the NFL with Brom and Spruill. You lose the leader of the offensive line and the smartest guy on the field, you lose two cornerbacks and our best running back for the most part. I can see why we may struggle on D especially, we just don't plug and play when we lose NFL draft picks, sorry ain't happening. I think 6-7 wins is reasonable but people who see close games versus any of these 3, Clemson, ND, FSU not seeing it. In addition our coordinators have proven to be average AT BEST, so I just don't understand why people get carried away with preseason hype. Like I said 6-7 wins is still pretty good.

 

[RMH44]

They need the 2 O lineman back, IMO. They will make a huge difference for the running game. Nick R is a very good run blocker. Not surprised we struggled at center as well, Macky was such an asset last year as well. I know we have a ton of wide receivers but I still don't see any RIGHT NOW as good as Sales and Lemon. Those two just knew how to get open and make plays. People can quote measurables all they want

I agree regarding the WR corp but keep in mind that they had a 5th year senior throwing to them.

Great comment regarding Macky considering that he was the board's tackling dummy for the better part of two seasons.

 

[OrangePA]

Ok... I figured thats what you meant... but I think you meant "Hard to believe they wont be ready"

I said "Have to believe the team will be ready to play."

 

[CusefanATL]

I said "Have to believe the team will be ready to play."

hahaha. my bad.

 

[OrangePA]

Why would you believe what you read here? People here were writing that Sales and Lemon weren't good enough because they weren't fast enough and couldn't beat "PRESS COVERAGE". Read that shite for years. As I said I would take either one of those guys over any of what we have now. You lose the middle of the defense to the NFL with Brom and Spruill. You lose the leader of the offensive line and the smartest guy on the field, you lose two cornerbacks and our best running back for the most part. I can see why we may struggle on D especially, we just don't plug and play when we lose NFL draft picks, sorry ain't happening. I think 6-7 wins is reasonable but people who see close games versus any of these 3, Clemson, ND, FSU not seeing it. In addition our coordinators have proven to be average AT BEST, so I just don't understand why people get carried away with preseason hype. Like I said 6-7 wins is still pretty good.

Sales knew how to get open and caught nearly everything.

I gather he did not have the measurables - size, speed, strength - and was not a great practice player - but when the game began he could play.

We miss him a lot.

Lemon had better measurables and was obviously very productive - very productive - but Sales was always the guy I saw as the ultimate gamer.

 

[Upstate]

Sales knew how to get open and caught nearly everything.

I gather he did not have the measurable - size, speed, strength - and was not a great practice player - but when the game began he could play.

We miss him a lot.

Lemon had better measurable and was obviously very productive - very productive - but Sales was always the guy I saw as the ultimate gamer.

Within the last 5 years, there were some really underrated Orangemen. Sales is absolutely one of them.

 

[CousCuse]

Luckily Venric Mark won't be suiting up for CMU.

And Simean and Coulter won't both be 12 for 12 passing in the first half. Making throws that most NFL QB's don't make.

 

[Chip]

Last year at this time, no one thought we were winning 6 games.

It's a long season. I think we'll be fine but I'm kinda holding off on the optimism until around 4 pm on Saturday.

 

[Millhouse]

Sales knew how to get open and caught nearly everything.

I gather he did not have the measurable - size, speed, strength - and was not a great practice player - but when the game began he could play.

We miss him a lot.

Lemon had better measurable and was obviously very productive - very productive - but Sales was always the guy I saw as the ultimate gamer.

not to make everything about marrone, but seeing him play games with Robert woods in the preseason this year makes me wonder if sales was getting a raw deal.

 

[storange]

To me the issue isnt CMU or even the opponent in General its what I saw from Syracuse on the opening game. Going into this year people were talking about this team having a chance to not necessarily win but at least be competitive against Clemson and ND and to put the 4 blowouts we had last year behind us. What I saw against Nova was pretty much the opposite of what I have been reading on here the past 4-5 months. The offense even when Hunt was in there looked mediocore at best, the WR position still lakes any sort of playmakers and gamebreakers, the D line outside of the two Soph D ends trying to play Tackle and maybe Crume looked really really bad and our two best linebackers were pretty much non existent to the point where Davis was benched.

Going into this year I wanted to see this team take a step forward not necessarily in the win column but at least on the field so that I didnt see repeat of the G tech, Northwestern or Clemson games last year. With the daunting schedule we have (Lvill, ND, FSU, Clemson not to mention Pitt) I have serious concerns about this team finding 6 wins if we dont show some marked improvement this week.

What I did see on the drive that Hunt was jacked was Hunt make a couple of runs...I think we could have opened them up. If you watched the nova bench when Hunt got ejected they were acting as if they just got a TD. They knew this team has to have Hunt.

 

[HarrisonJBounel]

Why would you believe what you read here? People here were writing that Sales and Lemon weren't good enough because they weren't fast enough and couldn't beat "PRESS COVERAGE". Read that shite for years. As I said I would take either one of those guys over any of what we have now. You lose the middle of the defense to the NFL with Brom and Spruill. You lose the leader of the offensive line and the smartest guy on the field, you lose two cornerbacks and our best running back for the most part. I can see why we may struggle on D especially, we just don't plug and play when we lose NFL draft picks, sorry ain't happening. I think 6-7 wins is reasonable but people who see close games versus any of these 3, Clemson, ND, FSU not seeing it. In addition our coordinators have proven to be average AT BEST, so I just don't understand why people get carried away with preseason hype. Like I said 6-7 wins is still pretty good.

True enough when you look at our own team, but virtually every college football team can say that. It's not rocket surgery to say that, in general, any college football team's best players are seniors, and the next year they are gone. Every team has to adjust. And they do. And we will.

 

[HeaterCuse22]

What result Saturday will bring people inside from the ledge?

 

[HeaterCuse22]

True enough when you look at our own team, but virtually every college football team can say that. It's not rocket surgery to say that, in general, any college football team's best players are seniors, and the next year they are gone. Every team has to adjust. And they do. And we will.

Dafuq is Rocket Surgery?

j/k

 

[CousCuse]

Dafuq is Rocket Surgery?

j/k

Sounds like it could be scary and painful.

 

[TheCusian]

I know people will right this off as hopeless optimism - but I honestly believe we shut down the run and tee off on their QB. Hunt and the offense look to prove people wrong and drop 400 yards of total offense.

I see a blow out.

 

[JeremyCuse]

I know people will right this off as hopeless optimism - but I honestly believe we shut down the run and tee off on their QB. Hunt and the offense look to prove people wrong and drop 400 yards of total offense.

I see a blow out.

"Cocaine is a hell of a drug"

 

[Pyle]

They say the biggest improvement is seen between the first and second game. I can somewhat buy that. The Orange in me says Syracuse will come out with a chip and play well. The recent history suggests what we saw might be what we get.

Something I find amusing though is that CMU badly struggled to a comeback win against D1AA Tennessee Chattanooga (20-16). But now because of what they did in week 2 to Purdue (and our only body of work against Nova) and people have lost their minds. I suspect Vegas is more right about the spread than wrong. I’m optimistic we control the game and win by 10-17 points, , if we play turnover free and have no special team gaffes I’m comfortable with it.

However, the weather right now is supposed to be 61 degrees and 70% chance of rain. This concerns me a bit considering how bad our run game was. Its also going to be their superbowl since it’s at their place but maybe rain puts a damper on the crowd support.

Might be a good thing that we played so poorly. I have to believe effort and focus (as well as not overlooking the opponent) will be much improved.

Not exactly buying the Superbowl thing. Yeah sure that's true when it's an FCS team, however we are not their only P5 opponent, there is the MAC Championship, and the MAC bowls. It's a big game for them no doubt, however there is much to be played for as a MAC team. Their games against NIU and Ball St have way more implications to their season than an OOC matchup with us. Agree with rest of the post 100% though.

 

[Pyle]

"Cocaine is a hell of a drug"

Cocaine??????? The 80's called and wants their drug back!! Don't you know it's the modern era of Molly, Meth, Rx, and synthetics that make people eat other people's faces off? You aged yourself big time.

 

[JeremyCuse]

Cocaine??????? The 80's called and wants their drug back!! Don't you know it's the modern era of Molly, Meth, Rx, and synthetics that make people eat other people's faces off? You aged yourself big time.

Just quoting our boy Rick James!

 

[IthacaBarrel]

True enough when you look at our own team, but virtually every college football team can say that. It's not rocket surgery to say that, in general, any college football team's best players are seniors, and the next year they are gone. Every team has to adjust. And they do. And we will.

You missed my point, programs like Syracuse don't just plug and play when it comes to losing their players that are actually NFL draft picks. Like Pugh the year before, Spruill and Bromley, sure they get replaced but not to the same caliber we are talking 4th-5th round draft picks

 

[TheCusian]

"Cocaine is a hell of a drug"

We'll see.

 

[jgeorge322]

Within the last 5 years, there were some really underrated Orangemen. Sales is absolutely one of them.

i think that team, their senior year w nassib, sales and lemon, by the end of the year, was a top 15 team. i think we wouldve hung w just about anyone, outside the top 5 and maybe those teams as well.

 

[HarrisonJBounel]

You missed my point, programs like Syracuse don't just plug and play when it comes to losing their players that are actually NFL draft picks. Like Pugh the year before, Spruill and Bromley, sure they get replaced but not to the same caliber we are talking 4th-5th round draft picks

With all respect, I did not miss your point. It's not just Alabama and Florida State that put players in the pros. Teams like Syracuse lose seniors, and a lot of their best players to graduation every year. To your point, did we get hurt by graduation - yes, absolutely. But I suspect because you know our team better than the rest of the other teams, you feel we are particularly hurt by graduation. Maybe so, but if you look closely at other teams, as closely as you look at SU, you will find, more often than not, that those other teams were stung by graduation losses as well. Sure, the top-flight teams are in a better position to replace losses, but there are really only a handful of those. Teams of Syracuse's caliber got hit and hurt, too, even if the seniors didn't go to the pros.

But life has to go on. That is the breathing in and breathing out of college sports.