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Message: [QUOTE="Lax Mouse, post: 5513835, member: 8158"] I actually feel more confident and optimistic about their offense (you can quote this several months from now if/when I'm proven wrong). They spent too long tinkering with their lineup last Spring and it affected chemistry (along with Melendez's injury). They also really tried to push some senior players who meant a lot and gave a lot to the program but just never quite provided the consistent spark. I have a feeling last year's experiements will pay off more this year as players build off their exposure from last season and that hopefully some of the new freshmen will provide a boost. This may all be wishful thinking of course. I don't think it's an offense that'll blow the doors off and be scoring 12+ a game, but it strikes me as a methodical and opportunistic group. Where I see the true warning flags are on defense, and as you pointed out a disparity at the FO could really tilt the field. I'm not yet confident they'll win many shootouts (and may never be). Kilrain is a special player but gone is the physicality and leadership of Smith. Who's the enforcer? Can Kilrain become the communicator? Sorenson showed flashes over the summer but it's a tall task to play lights out as a freshman against this schedule. There are a couple former 4* recruits and transfers but not many of them have taken the field on Homewood before during live action. Maybe this is the year Brown finally gets the nod, but it might take a while for this unit to find themselves. Realistically, I feel Hop has to finish non-con 5-3 or better (ideally with at least 1 ACC win) and go at least 3-2 in conference to be considered for an at-large spot, both of which will tough asks with this schedule and with this roster. Your 7-6 prediction seems slightly generous to me at the moment - I'll go with 6-7 and hope that I'm being an idiot. I think Cuse has the clear advantage here for the time being. I feel like the attack line in particular should dominate this matchup. [/QUOTE]

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