We need to beat a good team.

[Crusty]

Acknowledging all the obvious caveats, disclaimers and clichés, we need to beat somebody good - or perceived to be good. Until we do, we will be ignored.

In order to get any respect by the media, which we need for recruiting and the fan base, we need to beat FSU, Clemson or beat a good bowl team.

Assuming we take care of business in the next 2 games, we will be in position to get some buzz. This young team will improve and the offense will get more polished. A statement win is achievable.

Asking too much? No, LSU with a 4th string QB was too much - this isn't.

 

[Nahson]

I honestly believe as a team, LSU> anyone else we play this season. I say as a team because I believe external factors will be huge when playing other teams this season. For example, I truly believe that LSU is a more talented team than Clemson but were playing Clemson in death valley (lower case d) and I think that will play substantially into the outcome of that game. I think if we play how we played this weekend against FSU or Louisville, we win.

 

[Faegan]

I honestly believe as a team, LSU> anyone else we play this season. I say as a team because I believe external factors will be huge when playing other teams this season. For example, I truly believe that LSU is a more talented team than Clemson but were playing Clemson in death valley (lower case d) and I think that will play substantially into the outcome of that game. I think if we play how we played this weekend against FSU or Louisville, we win.

Clemson is at the Dome

 

[HeaterCuse22]

Picked to finish last in the ACC isn't everyone "better" than us?

 

[Nahson]

Clemson is at the Dome

Oh man, you're right! Well then, barring any injuries, I like our chances a lot!

 

[AAM62]

we will have a rough time with FSU's RB and that game is on the road. I think we have a better shot against clemson.

 

[OttoinGrotto]

I get where you're coming from, but I'll happily take a bowl beating 6 or 7 lousy to mediocre teams. Given all the youth, we'd have some buzz heading in to next seadon if we can finish out the year strong.

 

[TheCusian]

we will have a rough time with FSU's RB and that game is on the road. I think we have a better shot against clemson.

Disagree. Watson is a really really good QB. He might literally set our secondary on fire.

FSU looks like LSU light. Good running game and a good defense.

 

[Crusty]

Picked to finish last in the ACC isn't everyone "better" than us?

I didn't say better than us - I said a good team!

 

[HeaterCuse22]

I didn't say better than us - I said a good team!

understood. was a funny...

 

[PhatOrange]

I don't think we do. I think if we take care of business against the toss up games we'll start to get a look.

With this team you can't look past the next game but for kicks, the next 3 are toss up games. USF, UVA and Pitt. Win those and you're 6-1 with FSU looming. That would get some ink.

I'm in survive and advance mode though. Lets just beat South Florida.

 

[Crusty]

I get where you're coming from, but I'll happily take a bowl beating 6 or 7 lousy to mediocre teams. Given all the youth, we'd have some buzz heading in to next seadon if we can finish out the year strong.

Well, I would certainly settle for 6 and 6 with a bowl win, but I just think this team is too young to be afraid of anybody and I also think the offense is going to get on a roll.
I say this because it is really a simple offense with many wrinkles. Simple is good because the kids have learned it quickly (little confusion and few penalties) and have confidence in it. I also think we have only seen a small portion of it so we should be hard to prepare for.

This offense is designed to slow down the defense by a step, particularly the line backers. Unless I am mistaken, for the first time this season, we saw some inside the tackle mid-line runs against LSU. Not a freeze option type (no read involved), but certainly meant to add a line dive to the option package for the defense to worry about.

I also notice that the wings are targets in the areas vacated by overly aggressive linebackers that have been set up with play action, option and outside the tackle runs. These are easy throws and we will get better at them as the season goes on. (If Parris and Moore catch more balls it would help.)

I also think Phillips is essential to the offensive scheme. With Lewis on the wing he will be a tough match-up.

Your point of finishing strong is an important one. The schedule continues to be very favorable as time is on our side. Being a very young team, reps will probably do more for our guys learning their positions in a new offense than older teams running the same scheme. If we can stay healthy, Louisville, Clemson, NC State and Boston College certainly are all possible. If we could win 3 of those 4 then WOW.

What the hell, I have every reason to hope because we can actually score points!

 

[IthacaBarrel]

I don't think we do. I think if we take care of business against the toss up games we'll start to get a look.

With this team you can't look past the next game but for kicks, the next 3 are toss up games. USF, UVA and Pitt. Win those and you're 6-1 with FSU looming. That would get some ink.

I'm in survive and advance mode though. Lets just beat South Florida.

I agree, Syracuse will be far far from a shoe in down there. Won't be an easy game and we certainly don't want to dig a hole like we did in 2012. To me both UVA and USF will quit if you get after them early

 

[OttoinGrotto]

Well, I would certainly settle for 6 and 6 with a bowl win, but I just think this team is too young to be afraid of anybody and I also think the offense is going to get on a roll.
I say this because it is really a simple offense with many wrinkles. Simple is good because the kids have learned it quickly (little confusion and few penalties) and have confidence in it. I also think we have only seen a small portion of it so we should be hard to prepare for.

This offense is designed to slow down the defense by a step, particularly the line backers. Unless I am mistaken, for the first time this season, we saw some inside the tackle mid-line runs against LSU. Not a freeze option type (no read involved), but certainly meant to add a line dive to the option package for the defense to worry about.

I also notice that the wings are targets in the areas vacated by overly aggressive linebackers that have been set up with play action, option and outside the tackle runs. These are easy throws and we will get better at them as the season goes on. (If Parris and Moore catch more balls it would help.)

I also think Phillips is essential to the offensive scheme. With Lewis on the wing he will be a tough match-up.

Your point of finishing strong is an important one. The schedule continues to be very favorable as time is on our side. Being a very young team, reps will probably do more for our guys learning their positions in a new offense than older teams running the same scheme. If we can stay healthy, Louisville, Clemson, NC State and Boston College certainly are all possible. If we could win 3 of those 4 then WOW.

What the hell, I have every reason to hope because we can actually score points!

The biggest reason for optimism to me is the possibility of having Ish, Salt Badger and Erv on the field all at the same time.

 

[HtownOrange]

8-9 regular season wins will help change perception. Especially if we play everyone close. LSU could no close the deal until late in the fourth. We could possibly pull an upset v. Clemson or FSU, but so long as we take care of business with the remainder of the schedule and play those two close, people will notice. Spanking NCState (we should do this just because) and Louisville (which I have no animosity towards) would also help a lot.

 

[orange_in_VA]

I think we pull off the Clemson upset at home, and lose a What game @Ville. Lose to FSU. 9-3 record.

 

[NKR1978]

The last time we had some real national buzz was the 2011 West Virginia beat down. We were 5-2 and on the cusp of the top 25. And then we proceeded to lose 5 straight to end the year.

I really think we'll get some real excitement and some national coverage around the program if we can win these next three. All of them are winnable.

 

[RF2044]

I hear what you're saying--Shafer doesn't have a signature win yet.

But in order of priority, I think getting to 6 wins / bowl eligibility is far more important than making a national statement.

That signature win is coming--with Dungey at the helm, we'll beat a LOT of teams over the course of his career. No doubt in my mind.

 

[djorange1989]

I agree, Syracuse will be far far from a shoe in down there. Won't be an easy game and we certainly don't want to dig a hole like we did in 2012. To me both UVA and USF will quit if you get after them early

completely agree about USF and UVA, punch them in the mouth early, they will fold. Both HCs are on the hottest of hot seats, that pressure seeps down to the players.

 

[djorange1989]

I hear what you're saying--Shafer doesn't have a signature win yet.

But in order of priority, I think getting to 6 wins / bowl eligibility is far more important than making a national statement.

That signature win is coming--with Dungey at the helm, we'll beat a LOT of teams over the course of his career. No doubt in my mind.

yep. We are coming off a 3-9 season that hurt the buzz around the program(relatively speaking on the buzz), first priority is getting back to a bowl. Signature win is next on the list after that.

 

[Crusty]

Man, how cool would it be to go 9-3 after a 3-9 season? (Plus a bowl win!)

 

[Stern]

Acknowledging all the obvious caveats, disclaimers and clichés, we need to beat somebody good - or perceived to be good. Until we do, we will be ignored.

Disagree...just win doesn't matter who ya beat. If SU was fighting for a national title then yes, WHO you beat is important. Since we aren't there at this moment in our programs history just winning is what is important. Win at least and no fewer than 6 games every year and if those 6 wins come against garbage teams then I have no problem with it.

Post season bowl exposure and those extra weeks of practice are too valuable to not get. However we get to that every year doesn't matter. Schedule cupcake city. Beat the teams you are supposed to beat and schedule as many "realistic" W's as possible. Do that for a bunch of years maybe a decade then when you build the program back up BY WINNING, then improve the schedule. But not now. We just gotta stock pile W's, easy ones count and are good enough. If we lose to LSU, Clemson, FSU, and L'ville this year...no problem. Not an issue.

 

[JrodCuse]

I'd say more important than beating a really good team is not losing to a really bad team. Way more important than beating fsu or Clemson is not losing to these teams that are struggling. That is what we need this year. No losses that should be wins is an excellent place to start.

 

[Crusty]

I'd say more important than beating a really good team is not losing to a really bad team. Way more important than beating fsu or Clemson is not losing to these teams that are struggling. That is what we need this year. No losses that should be wins is an excellent place to start.

Quite frankly, I am assuming that much. If we lose to a lousy team (barring injuries), we aren't where I think we are.

 

[MSOrange]

I'd say more important than beating a really good team is not losing to a really bad team. Way more important than beating fsu or Clemson is not losing to these teams that are struggling. That is what we need this year. No losses that should be wins is an excellent place to start.

I tend to agree with this. I'm more excited about the program than I have been in a long time. I honestly can't wait for this bye week to be over. But in the back of my mind, I'm still nervous that we might trip up against a team I think we should beat and lose the momentum.

Some of that might be because I'm a Bills fan also so I've seen it happen a few times.