Two years ago

[GoSU96]

The team was 3-1 coming out of the LSU game.

They were also 106th in total offense and 51st in total defense. I got killed for pointing out that it was not a good sign.

They ended the year 119th in total offense and 99th in total defense, worst combined performance since Grobs last year in 2008, when SU was 115th in total offense and 102nd total defense.

That's the hole Babers has had to dig out of.

Contrast the above with where the team is today, 26th in total offense and 36th in total defense, that's the best combined level of performance this many games into a season since the end of the 2012 season when the team finished 17th in total offense and 46th in total defense.

Obviously the current rankings won't hold given the schedule, but it's an excellent starting point. The run defense has been excellent, they have given up far fewer big plays in the pass game compared to last year, and they have been lights out on 3rd down. It's legit improvement on that side.

The interior OL are kids, the Neal play is what this offense does when it is clicking. Need to survive next week with no major injuries, and try to be as healthy as possible for NCSt and Pitt.

The remainder of the schedule might smother this team, but they are on the right track. Not close to saying corner turned but they are headed there.

At this point 5 wins might be the ceiling, but this team is objectively better than where it was two years ago.

 

[Dmcnabbrules]

Great points. I keep telling all my friends who are casual fans we might end up 4-8 but we have a coach and a staff with a real plan mapped out. Just be patient.

 

[SoBristol]

The rankings are skewed by starting with Central Conn and 2 mid-majors. It looks like the defensive improvement is legit (additions of jucos and grad transfers plus the DEs are second years rather than true frosh).

Can't tell about the offense. It is fine when our little Riley and little Neal can break out for big plays but is that repeatable? Too many questions about the OL and RBs.

 

[Scooch]

We are likely better than 2 years ago. Will be nice when we don't have to keep comparing our current state to a ridiculously low previous bar to feel better.

 

[DeGrozz]

Where were we two years ago before the LSU game? That might be a better comparison.

 

[GoSU96]

The rankings are skewed by starting with Central Conn and 2 mid-majors. It looks like the defensive improvement is legit (additions of jucos and grad transfers plus the DEs are second years rather than true frosh).

Can't tell about the offense. It is fine when our little Riley and little Neal can break out for big plays but is that repeatable? Too many questions about the OL and RBs.

Difference in schedule for SU vs SU after next weeks game.

URI vs CCtSt,

Wake Forest vs MTSU

LSU on the road vs at home.

I acknowledged that the quality of opponent is reflected, but it is also relative to a lot of schools that start with similar schedules.

 

[CU44SE]

Where were we two years ago before the LSU game? That might be a better comparison.

we played rhode island, a terrible wake forest team at the time, and Central Michigan who took us to overtime. against LSU we had 270 yards in 70 plays. 326 yards in 47 plays against central michigan, 370 yards in 51 plays against wake, and 426 yards in 78 plays against rhode island. we were outgained in every game but the rhode island game, to which they only had 64 yards of total offense.

 

[GoSU96]

We are likely better than 2 years ago. Will be nice when we don't have to keep comparing our current state to a ridiculously low previous bar to feel better.

Feeling better not really the point.

 

[TheCusian]

we played rhode island, a terrible wake forest team at the time, and Central Michigan who took us to overtime. against LSU we had 270 yards in 70 plays. 326 yards in 47 plays against central michigan, 370 yards in 51 plays against wake, and 426 yards in 78 plays against rhode island. we were outgained in every game but the rhode island game, to which they only had 64 yards of total offense.

I don't have time - but with the system we run, the tempo skews all of the numbers on both sides. Shafer purposely played slow to shorten the game and depend on his D.

Compare yards per play, points per possession, TO's created.

 

[Cheriehoop]

I'm all behind Dino but let's not overstate the differences including the circumstances 2 years ago also.

Mahoney our 3rd string QB was the starting QB against LSU after both Terrel Hunt(during the first game) and Eric Dungey(in our 3rd game) were out. Despite that we were 3-0 entering the LSU game and lost to LSU 34-24 in a game where we actually gained respect. It was a 7-3 halftime game. Our first 3 wins in 2015 , included one OT game 30-27, against Central Michigan who we just lost to 30-23. We scored 107 points allowing 44 points in our first 3 games in 2015 and 123 points allowing 54 points in our first 3 games this year. I agree more time is definitely needed for Dino to get his system in now and I hope we all continue to have the patience.

 

[SWC75]

The rankings are skewed by starting with Central Conn and 2 mid-majors. It looks like the defensive improvement is legit (additions of jucos and grad transfers plus the DEs are second years rather than true frosh).

Can't tell about the offense. It is fine when our little Riley and little Neal can break out for big plays but is that repeatable? Too many questions about the OL and RBs.

The big plays were great to see but I wish our guys weren't getting caught from behind by MAC players.

 

[SWC75]

I'm all behind Dino but let's not overstate the differences including the circumstances 2 years ago also.

Mahoney our 3rd string QB was the starting QB against LSU after both Terrel Hunt(during the first game) and Eric Dungey(in our 3rd game) were out. Despite that we were 3-0 entering the LSU game and lost to LSU 34-24 in a game where we actually gained respect. It was a 7-3 halftime game. Our first 3 wins in 2015 , included one OT game 30-27, against Central Michigan who we just lost to 30-23. We scored 107 points allowing 44 points in our first 3 games in 2015 and 123 points allowing 54 points in our first 3 games this year. I agree more time is definitely needed for Dino to get his system in now and I hope we all continue to have the patience.

We just beat Central Michigan 41-17. We lost to Middle Tennessee 23-30. I know. It's hard to keep track without a map.

 

[Cheriehoop]

We just beat Central Michigan 41-17. We lost to Middle Tennessee 23-30. I know. It's hard to keep track without a map.

My bad - uggh

 

[GoSU96]

The big plays were great to see but I wish our guys weren't getting caught from behind by MAC players.

Guess how many teams have two running plays of 70 yds or more this year.

SU and Okie St. That's it that's the list.

But let's complain about a RB and QB getting cashed down by a corner with legit speed because there's never athletes on MAC team that could play in a major conference or the NFL. Never happens.

 

[anomander]

Guess how many teams have two running plays of 70 yds or more this year.

SU and Okie St. That's it that's the list.

But let's complain about a RB and QB getting cashed down by a corner with legit speed because there's never athletes on MAC team that could play in a major conference or the NFL. Never happens.

Not to mention the DB having the angle

 

[Chris02M]

at worst we should be 3-3 heading into the clemson game

 

[dollarbill44]

Not to mention the DB having the angle

I actually thought Neale could have scored had he not slowed himself down by constantly looking over his shoulder. Remember the old adage: "Don't look back, something might be gaining on you."

 

[SWC75]

Guess how many teams have two running plays of 70 yds or more this year.

SU and Okie St. That's it that's the list.

But let's complain about a RB and QB getting cashed down by a corner with legit speed because there's never athletes on MAC team that could play in a major conference or the NFL. Never happens.

How many have two running plays of 70 yards or more that didn't score?

And can you say you weren't surprised that Moe Neal was caught from behind? (Riley was, oo, on another play.)

We scored on both drives but there's no guarantee we would have.

Matt Park described MAC players as players that were as talented as Big Ten players but not quite as big or not quite as fast.

 

[longtimefan]

I actually thought Neale could have scored had he not slowed himself down by constantly looking over his shoulder. Remember the old adage: "Don't look back, something might be gaining on you."

Actually, a Satchel Paige quote.

 

[TheCusian]

How many have two running plays of 70 yards or more that didn't score?

And can you say you weren't surprised that Moe Neal was caught from behind? (Riley was, oo, on another play.)

We scored on both drives but there's no guarantee we would have.

Matt Park described MAC players as players that were as talented as Big Ten players but not quite as big or not quite as fast.

I was very surprised - he is known for being a burner. So is Riley.

I was more surprised to see Ishmael breaking away ever so slightly (before fumbling).

 

[kcsu]

The DB had to dive after MO just caught his ankle. If MO doesnt look back he scores. Kid is plenty fast

 

[elimunelson]

Guess how many teams have two running plays of 70 yds or more this year.

SU and Okie St. That's it that's the list.

But let's complain about a RB and QB getting cashed down by a corner with legit speed because there's never athletes on MAC team that could play in a major conference or the NFL. Never happens.

Go, do you really think we're ok at RB right now? You know our history, I feel like this is the worst stable of RBs I can remember on the Hill ever. Even during the GROB days, Delone Carter was able to grind out yardage.

 

[IthacaBarrel]

Not to mention the DB having the angle

yeah there is that too

 

[TheCusian]

Go, do you really think we're ok at RB right now? You know our history, I feel like this is the worst stable of RBs I can remember on the Hill ever. Even during the GROB days, Delone Carter was able to grind out yardage.

Being ok at RB is different from being able to reel off a couple 75 yard runs of course. Ideally you want both.

But you start to be just a little dangerous running and the O will start to really kick up a few notches.

 

[IthacaBarrel]

Guess how many teams have two running plays of 70 yds or more this year.

SU and Okie St. That's it that's the list.

But let's complain about a RB and QB getting cashed down by a corner with legit speed because there's never athletes on MAC team that could play in a major conference or the NFL. Never happens.

Well said, good OP as well, makes a lot of sense. There is progress being made, it's just going to take some time, consistency, recruiting, developing the talent and staying the course. That is what will turn things around, if the staff can develop the talent for their schemes and continue to bring them along as they get into their 3rd, 4th and 5th years into the program. A guy like Dino who I think has already demonstrated a level of competence deserves 4-5 years minimum others do not. Good coaches have a long term vision, sure there are struggles but can they lay out a framework that can be a long term solution for success. People love the 4 star kids but they have to be developed here, the staff will ultimately be successful or not with recruiting classes ranked in the 40-50 range and how well they develop these kids, it's that simple.

Last week was a bad game, but one game is one game. 5 wins and I hate to say it is progress