What if We're Back?

[cuse309]

After the dust settled on yesterdays game, and my brain slowly ramped back down to a level of rational thought, it occurred to me that, maybe, just maybe, we've been so wrapped up in "what does it mean to be back?", and "how do we know when we're back", and "when will we be ranked?", that perhaps we are back, and without the benefit of hindsight, we just don't know it.
Back when we were "back", we beat up on teams that were inferior, we were competitive vs the elite (sometimes), and we played in games that effected college football on a national scale. We were usually one of the 3 best teams in our conference. Think about that. We're in the middle of doing exactly those things. We were 4 points shy of completely turning the playoff picture on it's head. We were 4 points shy of being in the playoff conversation. We played a game on national television that would shape the pecking order of the national rankings. We may just be one of the three best teams in the ACC. The only thing that's missing is that sexy number next to our name on the TV, and that is only due to pre-season perceptions of how mediocre we would be.
Take a minute to let all that soak in, because it would be a shame if we are smack dab in the middle of "back" and we don't even realize it. For those of you too young to remember, being relevant on a national scale, and knowing your team has a shot at big things, is a fun way to go through a season. The sky seems bluer, food tastes better, and life is great. It'd be a shame to wait until we get ranked, or win a bowl game, or win 10 games, or whatever criteria you have for "back" to start enjoying the benefits of being a fan of a national player. I'm not waiting for that arbitrary number to be placed next to our teams name. I'm making a conscious decision to view my team as back, because there is a good chance we are back right now. If we all sit around waiting to be ranked, you're missing out on the first half of a season. Haven't we all waited long enough?

 

[kcsu]

Great post. As a very young kid we could play with anyone. Czonk, Floyd we were loaded. Scissors, three yards and a cloud of dust. A slice from the Varsity, warm loaf from Columbus bakery and Arch was packed.
Then the lean years. Followed by an amazing run. Graves, M and M.
Crushing Michigan in the big house. Ohio State, Miami, Penn State, Florida, it didnt matter we beat them all.
Then more lean years.
Now we are back. Dino has worked a miracle in a very short period of time. The roster hasnt looked this good in years. If we can retain him the future is solid. We have proven that we can hang with the best. Our depth will continue to improve as will our coaches. Rutgers is irrelevant which will only lead to better recruiting. The ACC Network launches Next year. I can imagine SU winning the ACC the first year that the Dome is redone.
For once i actually believe that we have a Chancellor and AD who understand the importance of and support Syracuse football.
Yes we are back the future looks Orange!!

 

[buffalorange]

 

[SoBristol]

Of course. Enter 4 - 0, play an away game, against the #3 team, big time venue, take them to the last drive, with a junior loaded defense -- that means you are back. Now, win October.

 

[OrangeFoo]

If we beat Pitt and UNC we are back... if we lose to two pretty sorry teams back to back then I’m not sure where we are. Based on the beatdowns we administered the last 4 games I would like to think we will win the next two. But as I said on other threads it’s put up or shut up. Babers needs to put some Ws on the board especially against Pitt and UNC whom we recruit against.

 

[Geode]

After the dust settled on yesterdays game, and my brain slowly ramped back down to a level of rational thought, it occurred to me that, maybe, just maybe, we've been so wrapped up in "what does it mean to be back?", and "how do we know when we're back", and "when will we be ranked?", that perhaps we are back, and without the benefit of hindsight, we just don't know it.
Back when we were "back", we beat up on teams that were inferior, we were competitive vs the elite (sometimes), and we played in games that effected college football on a national scale. We were usually one of the 3 best teams in our conference. Think about that. We're in the middle of doing exactly those things. We were 4 points shy of completely turning the playoff picture on it's head. We were 4 points shy of being in the playoff conversation. We played a game on national television that would shape the pecking order of the national rankings. We may just be one of the three best teams in the ACC. The only thing that's missing is that s e xy number next to our name on the TV, and that is only due to pre-season perceptions of how mediocre we would be.
Take a minute to let all that soak in, because it would be a shame if we are smack dab in the middle of "back" and we don't even realize it. For those of you too young to remember, being relevant on a national scale, and knowing your team has a shot at big things, is a fun way to go through a season. The sky seems bluer, food tastes better, and life is great. It'd be a shame to wait until we get ranked, or win a bowl game, or win 10 games, or whatever criteria you have for "back" to start enjoying the benefits of being a fan of a national player. I'm not waiting for that arbitrary number to be placed next to our teams name. I'm making a conscious decision to view my team as back, because there is a good chance we are back right now. If we all sit around waiting to be ranked, you're missing out on the first half of a season. Haven't we all waited long enough?

I was called out a few weeks ago because I was unabashed about taking a wait and see approach after the FSU game. I don't regret that then and I don't now. For the better part of 2 decades, an entire generation of fans, we have been a sub-par doormat on the national scene. That game yesterday was both amazing and frustrating at the same time. To see that we have the talent to play with and dominate the best when all the parts are clicking is exciting. However, it's absolutely gut-wrenching to see it fall apart when the superior talent on the other side asserts its will, which Clemson did. They proved that 4* & 5* talent should be able to close out those types of games. Our men gave it their all and it just wasn't quite enough. It's got to hurt this team. It hurt us as fans because we glimpsed greatness again. All that being said, this team has nothing but better things in front of them. I now wholeheartedly believe in this team and this approach. I believe we are witnessing what being "back" means and agree that we are in the midst of it. Let's hope we keep Babers for the long-term and that the team stays healthy.

Let's Go Orange!

Interesting side note: Living close to the heart of Clemson territory (Charlotte), I had more random people coming up to me yesterday afternoon, outside of the occasional Clemson tool, who nothing but good things to say about Syracuse and this team. The tide is turning, perception is turning, people are noticing and the results are turning. Here's to taking care of business next week and proving we can put the loss behind us and move on.

 

[cuse309]

Interesting side note: Living close to the heart of Clemson territory (Charlotte), I had more random people coming up to me yesterday afternoon, outside of the occasional Clemson tool, who nothing but good things to say about Syracuse and this team. The tide is turning, perception is turning, people are noticing and the results are turning. Here's to taking care of business next week and proving we can put the loss behind us and move on.

How we respond next week is key. This will be the frist adversity that this team has had to overcome. Can they "toilet flush it" as Dino says? We didn't respond well to adversity the last two years down the stretch, but I think that is more due to lack of depth and injuries. I think we're still relatively healthy. Very interested to see how we respond against Pitt.

 

[CuseLegacy]

We are back. I know this by looking at all the positive posts and threads after a loss. It's like the BB forum on here...and I'm not sure that is a good thing.

 

[dan7800]

Let's win an ACC road game, then we will talk.

 

[nzm136]

Those movies were impressively bad.

 

[nzm136]

Let’s make a bowl and get ranked before we convince ourselves that “we’re back.”

 

[phil77]

I think we are back in terms of talent and coaching. Our talent level while not be at the Clemson level it will never be there but I do think our talent level is on par with our peer schools. And we have enough talent to play the Clemsons of the world tough. Will there be years when Clemsons blows us out? Sure it happens. Our coaching is what gives us a chance with that said talent. If we want to be "back" we have to basically give Dino everything he wants. People talk about "blank check" but I am not talking about just salary I am saying whatever he wants we have to make a commitment to the program financially if they want this to last...

One thing that gives me pause is what what Dino said in his presser and what I have seen the last two years. The collapse will it come this year? I dont think it will but it is in the back of my mind. If we do not have a collapse and finish the season strong 7 or 8 wins and retian Dino I will be super positive that we are back. If we are bowling and 3 years of Dino halftimes speaches they will be after him this offseason.

 

[cuse309]

Let’s make a bowl and get ranked before we convince ourselves that “we’re back.”

Let's win an ACC road game, then we will talk.

Wow. You guys truly missed the point of this post.

 

[Dino2112]

lov

Those movies were impressively bad.

loved them

 

[BlueShaq]

I think we're "back" when you talk to fans of our team. We recognize the change that we see in our team, and see that we can definitely improve, especially when we only lose 9 guys off the 2-deep for next year.

It's gonna take some time for the nation to think we're "back" though. They'll still think "Syracuse? psssh, that's a basketball school." If we win handily these next 2 weeks like we should, I think we might start getting some bandwagon fans

 

[tep624]

I feel that the way this team is playing right now, they’re playing like a Syracuse team that has turned the corner and is back.

Now, getting back and staying back are two different things. That requires consistency. There are examples of other programs that rose up and after a season or two quickly went back to being forgotten about. What put us on the map and made us respectable in the 50’s/60’s and mid to late 80’s to early 2000’s was consistent talent at key positions, consistent coaching and consistent level of talented DEPTH.

IMO the difference in that game yesterday is that although our talent level has clearly improved and our starter talent level in most respects is on par with most teams in the country, our 2nd and 3rd layers, although clearly improved by our standards of the past 15 years, is still short of the stocked roster that Clemson and teams like it has. You want to be a program that consistently wins games against top 10 teams - in most respects you have to emulate them to remove the variables. You don’t have to run the same systems, but you have to be on par with 1st team talent and depth of talent.

Dino and his staff are working on that but as important as on the field performance is, the next 2-3 recruiting classes and player development will define whether we stay back.