Ryan Dunleavy on todays scrimmage

[mildone]

Imbazza you are so right. The hatred of Flood is so deep in so many posters here that they simply assume that because he was a bad coach he was also a bad recruiter and a bad identifier of talent. Just because Flood was bad doesn't mean all his players are bad. Looking forward to a better season in '16.

That may be. Or maybe Flood and crew were not as horrific as we all thought and our players are simply not up to the task of competing in the Big Ten East. Personally, I think it's a mix of those two things.

I think Ash and crew will, by season's end, have the team playing much better. But I also think that until we can recruit bigger, faster, stronger, smarter players, that we're going to have a very uphill battle against all the big boy schools in our conference.

Our players are good, with a handful better than good (as exemplified by who gets drafted). But the Big Ten elite teams' players are more consistently better than good. And they have great coaching already.

So we need both too.

 

[mildone]

Expect with a team that plays hard and never gives up,is fundamentally sound and may hang in for a few quarters against superior talent. The results will be what we are expecting .4 and 8 or maybe 3 and 9 or if he rides them like ponies 5 and 7..Then we pray and beg and plead and grovel for a top 20 recruiting class for '17 and then we go from there. If this guy isn't the answer then who is? After waiting my whole life I will wait another year .Or so.

I think you're probably right. My heart wants us to go undefeated, for Ash to win coach-of-the-millenium, etc. But I think 3-4 wins is a realistic guesstimate.

 

[Dpgru]

That may be. Or maybe Flood and crew were not as horrific as we all thought and our players are simply not up to the task of competing in the Big Ten East. Personally, I think it's a mix of those two things.

I think Ash and crew will, by season's end, have the team playing much better. But I also think that until we can recruit bigger, faster, stronger, smarter players, that we're going to have a very uphill battle against all the big boy schools in our conference.

Our players are good, with a handful better than good (as exemplified by who gets drafted). But the Big Ten elite teams' players are more consistently better than good. And they have great coaching already.

So we need both too.

True. I wish I could argue with you but you make a very valid point. (points).

 

[mildone]

Change in anything takes time & effort to make it successful. Learning a whole new offense, defense, how you train, eat,...., we may struggle our 1st year not having the appropriate athletes in place. I got to believe the upside of this system far out weighs not making a change. There is a huge learning curve but I believe in this coaching staff, Coach Ash has a vision, he's planned for this and replicating from Urban Meyer is not a bad thing. Let's say we get there 75% of what we are trying to do this year, I gotta believe that 75% is going to be a hell of a lot better than 100% of what we were doing last year.

Washington is going to be a tough test on the road to open the season, than you have Howard & New Mexico at Home, 2 good games to iron out the kinks and hopefully we can get the Offense & Defense rolling by than. It's hard to predict what kind of season we are going to have, looking forward to the Spring Game.

I disagree. If we forget who we have play in our conference, then it's hard to predict what kind of season we'll have. But taking into account the quality of the teams in our conference, I think it's pretty easy to predict what kind of season we'll have this season. Maybe even next season. The coaching and the culture changes will take time take root and bloom. And we have to build depth of quality in recruiting - that will take even more than 2 seasons.

I hope I'm wrong and a miracle occurs. But I'm not going to make my happiness dependent on it. I just want to see progress from season's start to season's end. And see an uptick in recruiting. That will make me happy for this upcoming season.

 

[mildone]

True. I wish I could argue with you but you make a very valid point. (points).

I very much hope to be completely wrong and watch us get 8 or more wins this year. It would be enormously helpful in recruiting. Even 6 wins and a bowl would make a big difference. We're going to need some luck, though, to get 6 wins. But it's a game and teams have up and down days. If we have an up day at the same time a couple teams have down days, with Ash and crew, we might get a surprise win or two at the end of the season.

 

[Dpgru]

I very much hope to be completely wrong and watch us get 8 or more wins this year. It would be enormously helpful in recruiting. Even 6 wins and a bowl would make a big difference. We're going to need some luck, though, to get 6 wins. But it's a game and teams have up and down days. If we have an up day at the same time a couple teams have down days, with Ash and crew, we might get a surprise win or two at the end of the season.

I am on board with this

 

[AreYouNUTS]

I very much hope to be completely wrong and watch us get 8 or more wins this year. It would be enormously helpful in recruiting. Even 6 wins and a bowl would make a big difference. We're going to need some luck, though, to get 6 wins. But it's a game and teams have up and down days. If we have an up day at the same time a couple teams have down days, with Ash and crew, we might get a surprise win or two at the end of the season.

...and if we have a "down" day, against a team or two, then we're right back at 4'ish wins. Works both ways.

 

[mildone]

...and if we have a "down" day, against a team or two, then we're right back at 4'ish wins. Works both ways.

Shush, you. [laughing]

 

[AreYouNUTS]

Shush, you. [laughing]

lol just sayin'!

 

[Scarlet_Scourge]

So in other words to get 8 wins, we have to play perfect every game and hope others teams have off days.

ok...

 

[160louis]

I can get with this, Muller hasn't played like the "physical freak" he's supposed to be over the years imo

Wait, are you talking about the kid that has started 3 straight years?!?!? Get real, he will be our best lineman this year and may have been our best last year.

 

[lighty]

That may be. Or maybe Flood and crew were not as horrific as we all thought and our players are simply not up to the task of competing in the Big Ten East. Personally, I think it's a mix of those two things.

Flood might not be as bad as made out here in some lower leagues, but as a Big Ten coach he was horrific.

Personally, I don't think he will ever be a head coach for a P5 team again.

 

[Knight Shift]

...and if we have a "down" day, against a team or two, then we're right back at 4'ish wins. Works both ways.

Washington- Loss
Howard- Win
New Mexico-Win
Iowa-Loss
tOSU-Loss
Michigan-Loss
Illinois- Win
Minnesota-tossup
Indiana-Win
MSU-Loss
PSU-Loss
Maryland-Win
------
This is my most pessimistic view of the season, and you know I am Mr. Blue Sky/Scarlet colored glasses. This does not mean the games marked "win" or "loss' for sure will go that way. I think PSU can be a tossup, despite the talent they have amassed, and even a win if the stadium is rocking. That would put us at 6 wins, and 7 if Minnesota turns in our favor (tall order). I know New Mexico, Maryland, Illinois and Indiana are not slam dunks. But maybe if we lose one of those, we steal another game.

Do you want to see my most optimistic view where we play in the B1G championship game? [banana]

Actually, I'd like to see how we look against Washington before committing on any of this. But I think this is a season where we will finally see the team improve as the season goes on, which is why I think we can swing the PSU game at home.

 

[AreYouNUTS]

Washington- Loss
Howard- Win
New Mexico-Win
Iowa-Loss
tOSU-Loss
Michigan-Loss
Illinois- Win
Minnesota-tossup
Indiana-Win
MSU-Loss
PSU-Loss
Maryland-Win
------
This is my most pessimistic view of the season, and you know I am Mr. Blue Sky/Scarlet colored glasses. This does not mean the games marked "win" or "loss' for sure will go that way. I think PSU can be a tossup, despite the talent they have amassed, and even a win if the stadium is rocking. That would put us at 6 wins, and 7 if Minnesota turns in our favor (tall order). I know New Mexico, Maryland, Illinois and Indiana are not slam dunks. But maybe if we lose one of those, we steal another game.

Do you want to see my most optimistic view where we play in the B1G championship game? [banana]

Actually, I'd like to see how we look against Washington before committing on any of this. But I think this is a season where we will finally see the team improve as the season goes on, which is why I think we can swing the PSU game at home.

Man that's optimistic....here are my thoughts (which haven't changed nor will change until maybe the end of September):

Washington- Loss AGREE
Howard- Win AGREE
New Mexico-Win TOSSUP (sorry, for now it is, bottom line)
Iowa-Loss AGREE
tOSU-Loss AGREE
Michigan-Loss AGREE
Illinois- Win TOSSUP (playing them AFTER the Iowa/OSU/Michigan "gauntlet" is not going to be easy)
Minnesota-tossup LOSS
Indiana-Win TOSSUP
MSU-Loss AGREE
PSU-Loss AGREE BUT I can see us, if we make it through the year with our 1st teams intact, pulling this one off. Not ready to call it a "tossup" just yet, however.
Maryland - TOSSUP

Now let's hope I'm proven wrong. I was spot-on last year, after being wrong in 2014 (my prediction was based on coaching instead of the vast amount of senior experience that team had in the right places...), but have ZERO expectations this year OTHER THAN improvement in all 3 phases, excitement, a team that never, ever quits, smarts on and off the field, elevated recruiting, and hope for the future!

 

[mildone]

Flood might not be as bad as made out here in some lower leagues, but as a Big Ten coach he was horrific.

Personally, I don't think he will ever be a head coach for a P5 team again.

He was struggling mightily in recruiting. It will be interesting to see how the team does this year under what is unquestionably a coaching staff with a lot of winning tradition in the Big Ten. Many of our coaches are first timers in terms of their new roles on our team, so I expect some learning curve for them too.

 

[Knight Shift]

Man that's optimistic....here are my thoughts (which haven't changed nor will change until maybe the end of September):

Washington- Loss AGREE
Howard- Win AGREE
New Mexico-Win TOSSUP (sorry, for now it is, bottom line)
Iowa-Loss AGREE
tOSU-Loss AGREE
Michigan-Loss AGREE
Illinois- Win TOSSUP (playing them AFTER the Iowa/OSU/Michigan "gauntlet" is not going to be easy)
Minnesota-tossup LOSS
Indiana-Win TOSSUP
MSU-Loss AGREE
PSU-Loss AGREE BUT I can see us, if we make it through the year with our 1st teams intact, pulling this one off. Not ready to call it a "tossup" just yet, however.
Maryland - TOSSUP

Now let's hope I'm proven wrong. I was spot-on last year, after being wrong in 2014 (my prediction was based on coaching instead of the vast amount of senior experience that team had in the right places...), but have ZERO expectations this year OTHER THAN improvement in all 3 phases, excitement, a team that never, ever quits, smarts on and off the field, elevated recruiting, and hope for the future!

I was expecting this, but what you said is not unreasonable. If Minny was at home, I would lean towards us. Like I said, I would like to see how good or bad we look against Washington before making any judgments. Even that game may not tell us much. Remember WSU lost to Portland State and they had a decent season last year. And I firmly believe that if one of our QBs (or any other position group) is not performing, we will see more playing time for backups.

 

[mildone]

Man that's optimistic....here are my thoughts (which haven't changed nor will change until maybe the end of September):

Washington- Loss AGREE
Howard- Win AGREE
New Mexico-Win TOSSUP (sorry, for now it is, bottom line)
Iowa-Loss AGREE
tOSU-Loss AGREE
Michigan-Loss AGREE
Illinois- Win TOSSUP (playing them AFTER the Iowa/OSU/Michigan "gauntlet" is not going to be easy)
Minnesota-tossup LOSS
Indiana-Win TOSSUP
MSU-Loss AGREE
PSU-Loss AGREE BUT I can see us, if we make it through the year with our 1st teams intact, pulling this one off. Not ready to call it a "tossup" just yet, however.
Maryland - TOSSUP

Now let's hope I'm proven wrong. I was spot-on last year, after being wrong in 2014 (my prediction was based on coaching instead of the vast amount of senior experience that team had in the right places...), but have ZERO expectations this year OTHER THAN improvement in all 3 phases, excitement, a team that never, ever quits, smarts on and off the field, elevated recruiting, and hope for the future!

I think that's accurate. I predict 2-4 wins, just like last season. Or maybe I predicted 3-5. I forget.

I was just thinking about this. The Big Ten East is a very, very tough conference. Many seasons, there's really no such thing as a gimmie game that we SHOULD win. There are winnable games and games that it's less likely we can win (right now).

I hope that in 5 years, the majority of our games, each season, are winnable. But the quality of the Big Ten East is such that, in most seasons, I think it will be unusual to have many games we can count as a gimmie. Lots and lots of tossups would mean we're a pretty good team. To do better, we'd have to be an elite Big Ten team. I don't see that happening in 5 years.

 

[miketd1]

I'd sign up for wins against Howard, PSU, and MD while keeping the other games within 3TDs.

 

[RU#1fan]

I was expecting this, but what you said is not unreasonable. If Minny was at home, I would lean towards us. Like I said, I would like to see how good or bad we look against Washington before making any judgments. Even that game may not tell us much. Remember WSU lost to Portland State and they had a decent season last year. And I firmly believe that if one of our QBs (or any other position group) is not performing, we will see more playing time for backups.

I think WSU lost to Portland St. in a monsoon last year in Spokane. Not the best conditions for the rookie WSU QB in his first game in the Passing Attack offense . Jarion Grant almost single handily won the game for RU despite the horrible showing by our Offense and Defense. Look for a improved showing by RU in all phases of the game in Seattle.

 

[mildone]

I think WSU lost to Portland St. in a monsoon last year in Spokane. Not the best conditions for the rookie WSU QB in his first game in the Passing Attack offense . Jarion Grant almost single handily won the game for RU despite the horrible showing by our Offense and Defense. Look for a improved showing by RU in all phases of the game in Seattle.

Except, perhaps, the kicking game. And line-backing.

Otherwise, yes, I suspect the other phases will show improvement.

 

[Knight Shift]

I think WSU lost to Portland St. in a monsoon last year in Spokane. Not the best conditions for the rookie WSU QB in his first game in the Passing Attack offense . Jarion Grant almost single handily won the game for RU despite the horrible showing by our Offense and Defense. Look for a improved showing by RU in all phases of the game in Seattle.

That last near interception by RU that was tipped up by our defender (don't care who it was) and caught by WSU was the dagger in our heart. Our defense was a mess in that game, and I remember that our DL could not penetrate their OL. Laviano actually had a good statistical game full of sub 30 yard passes 23/29, 1 TD, 1 INT.

 

[RU#1fan]

Yes, that was the ultimate dagger last year.
Our D Line has to exert much more pressure on QBs this season or we are in big trouble.
A healthy Hamilton and Turay along with Joseph, Wilkins, Lambert, Julian, and Hogan need to really bring it on Sept. 1st in Seattle !!!!!

 

[Knight Shift]

Yes, that was the ultimate dagger last year.
Our D Line has to exert much more pressure on QBs this season or we are in big trouble.
A healthy Hamilton and Turay along with Joseph, Wilkins, Lambert, Julian, and Hogan need to really bring it on Sept. 1st in Seattle !!!!!

Hope Turay can get healthy. Wonder what happened with the injury. Think his arm is still in a sling.

 

[RU#1fan]

Hope Turay can get healthy. Wonder what happened with the injury. Think his arm is still in a sling.

Yes, the kid can't seem to get a break.

 

[Dpgru]

Not just Turay but IMO Hamilton needs to be 100%. If so IMO our DL can be very good.

 

[R U Crazy]

I will sign up for any record where we beat PSU

 

[160louis]

I think PSU will have their worst season under Franklin this year. I have PSU & UMD as toss ups.

 

[needmorecowbell]

Man that's optimistic....here are my thoughts (which haven't changed nor will change until maybe the end of September):

Washington- Loss AGREE
Howard- Win AGREE
New Mexico-Win TOSSUP (sorry, for now it is, bottom line)
Iowa-Loss AGREE
tOSU-Loss AGREE
Michigan-Loss AGREE
Illinois- Win TOSSUP (playing them AFTER the Iowa/OSU/Michigan "gauntlet" is not going to be easy)
Minnesota-tossup LOSS
Indiana-Win TOSSUP
MSU-Loss AGREE
PSU-Loss AGREE BUT I can see us, if we make it through the year with our 1st teams intact, pulling this one off. Not ready to call it a "tossup" just yet, however.
Maryland - TOSSUP

Now let's hope I'm proven wrong. I was spot-on last year, after being wrong in 2014 (my prediction was based on coaching instead of the vast amount of senior experience that team had in the right places...), but have ZERO expectations this year OTHER THAN improvement in all 3 phases, excitement, a team that never, ever quits, smarts on and off the field, elevated recruiting, and hope for the future!

Does that mean you are predicting 3 to 3.5 wins (counting toss ups as .5)? Seems a bit low but there is a lot to learn and the current roster many not fit in many areas. I can't see this team having less wins than Floods team from last year. The coaching advantage alone should be worth 1-2 games. I'm going to say 5 wins seems realistic to me and hoping they find a way to knock off someone to get 6.

 

[AreYouNUTS]

Does that mean you are predicting 3 to 3.5 wins (counting toss ups as .5)? Seems a bit low but there is a lot to learn and the current roster many not fit in many areas. I can't see this team having less wins than Floods team from last year. The coaching advantage alone should be worth 1-2 games. I'm going to say 5 wins seems realistic to me and hoping they find a way to knock off someone to get 6.

Yes, as of TODAY I'm sticking with 3-5 wins. Very tough schedule (arguably most difficult ever and doesn't play out in our favor other than PSU and Mary at end...hate Illinois after the 3-game gauntlet and Minny on the road..also hate New Mexico so early...), way too many ????'s, and a serious lack of proven depth at quite a few positions. Love Ash and this staff but 3 years of lousy recruiting is not easy to overcome.

Vegas will have us at 3.5 on the over/under. If we're lucky.

 

[FELONIOUSMONK]

Imbazza I communicate with a Chinese vendor at this time every night. His English and syntax is superior to yours .What the hell are you talking about manl?

 

[mildone]

Does that mean you are predicting 3 to 3.5 wins (counting toss ups as .5)? Seems a bit low but there is a lot to learn and the current roster many not fit in many areas. I can't see this team having less wins than Floods team from last year. The coaching advantage alone should be worth 1-2 games. I'm going to say 5 wins seems realistic to me and hoping they find a way to knock off someone to get 6.

I hope we win all the games and would be overjoyed to get to a bowl.

But I think we have to remember that all we've done is bring in a highly promising young coach that might be able to compete with the other great coaches in the Big Ten East. We can't just look at where we came from (Flood). We have to also look at who we have to beat (the other Big Ten coaches). Even if we had Urban Meyer, until we can catch up some in the recruiting game (something Meyer would do much more easily than Ash), it's probably going to be very tough (but not impossible) to win many of our games the next couple/few seasons.

I think the value of Ash and our current coaching staff is that they have considerably more winning experience and exposure to championship level culture to bring to our program than did our prior staff. But that doesn't instantly result in a great team. It just means they may put us on the right path to get there. With time.

 

[ruready07]

[cheers][cheers]

I hope you are correct but those Hoke teams were loaded with 4 and 5 star players and some of the most highly ranked classes in the country. Meanwhile Flood's classes were in the 60's 70's, etc with little to no 4 and 5 stars.

So I am not sure that is really comparing apples to apples.

Our two classes before the 2006 season were ranked lower than Flood's last 2 classes.

 

[MADHAT1]

Until the season starts, every game can be won.
After it starts, why shouldn't I hope for upsets against the favored opponents and wins against the ones RU is supposed to be equal to or better than.
The we can't beat them attitude is for others, I'll remain positive about any game not played yet and
keep my hopes up gameday against the best or anyone else.
So these practices are getting the players ready to take on all comers and become a B1G winner

 

[RU2055]

Except, perhaps, the kicking game. And line-backing.

Otherwise, yes, I suspect the other phases will show improvement.

I am predicting that the line backing crew will be much better than we think. Look at what Ash is doing in terms of player movement to go faster - from safety to LB, etc.

Remember the 2010 defense and how Cincy and other Big East offenses ran rough shots over that defense? It's partly where the perception that Schiano doesn't know how to defend the spread came from. So, then in 2011 what did he do? He moved Khas from Safety to LB. Rowe from CB to Safety, etc. and the defense was much improved. No, 2011 was not the 2006 defense, but the point is it was much better than the 2010 defense by a long mile, even though it had the same players. I predict the same improvement to happen this year.

 

[ruready07]

My opinion: Deonte Roberts will be better than any of the 3LBs from last year.

We just need a MLB to step up in the worst way and we will be fine.

 

[mildone]

I am predicting that the line backing crew will be much better than we think. Look at what Ash is doing in terms of player movement to go faster - from safety to LB, etc.

Remember the 2010 defense and how Cincy and other Big East offenses ran rough shots over that defense? It's partly where the perception that Schiano doesn't know how to defend the spread came from. So, then in 2011 what did he do? He moved Khas from Safety to LB. Rowe from CB to Safety, etc. and the defense was much improved. No, 2011 was not the 2006 defense, but the point is it was much better than the 2010 defense by a long mile, even though it had the same players. I predict the same improvement to happen this year.

I guess I'd meet you part way. I think the linebackers, all first year starters, will struggle a bit in tough games early on as they gain precious game experience. But towards the end of the season, we could see great improvement.

Like all football players, time spent in games helps slow the game down. Once that happens, we'll see what we've got, skill-wise, in the linebacker position group.

On a positive note, everything points to Ash and crew being very sound football coaches, particularly on the defensive side of the ball. So, insofar as quickly coaching the players up in practices, hopefully we'll do as well as can be done.

 

[imbazza2]

We lost ALL 3 starting LB'S and have virtually no experience in the entire group. This is a big, big, big problem, regardless of coaching. We were one of the worst D's in the nation last year. Period, up-and-down the statistical categories, it's scary. Now that being said give me improvement, jump 20+ spots in all/most defensive categories, and I'll be very happy. Expecting more is simply going to leave a lot of people disappointed IMHO, but, getting more would be "eye opening" re: this staff!

Not regardless of coaching << last year we had a good D-line personel built on a schiano model of stunting and blitzing BUT it was never employed as it should have been. We recruited CBs who are island players. why so the D-line can go crazy up front and have the CB blanket with man-on man coverage. with all the arrests that plan went out the door in Rossi's mind. So he tried to go toe to toe with a straight up 4 man front. Stats and score reflects this nearsightedness. I would have stuck with the schiano model and take our chances with green CBs and get burnt by their inexperience.
All said and done we will be back to an aggressive line play. As for the LBs yes we lost all 3 but only 1 was irreplaceable Longa. That said as we design our new D against the spread a different style of LB will be helpful. Great example is the move of Najee Clayton "long lean" but good for pass coverage.
We do have some good young blood that has not seen much action Johnson, Russell and Roberts are three.
The real blood line will be coming with Manning, & Pollock. << I would like them to develop over this year and not be thrown into the fire just yet, But if they prove the best, let 'em run
And a surprise (50% chance of being a good surprise) is Rosa TDB.
Now on to coaching Hoke vs. The Harbaugh<< it is as much attitude and projecting of that attitude that motivates and drive young men.
The change in coaches is worth a +20 spots jump in statistic.
#2 Coaching is teach and designing within the talent level, can be another +10-15 spots.
#3 game time adjustments TBD but I hope it is an improvement over our last 15 years
BTW Washington will be our surprise game, with no game film on us, it makes the game is a toss up or a blow out < where we are on the short end of blow out; here is where #3 comes into play by Washington staff can they adjust to us and win the second half. Or are they already there by half time???
I will be surprised if we can make a comeback in the second half, if down in the first half.
No faith in #3 by Ash and staff till I see it! (15 years of such failure is grinding)

 

[mdk01]

I'd sign up for wins against Howard, PSU, and MD while keeping the other games within 3TDs.

Keep within 3 TDs of New Mexico?

 

[AreYouNUTS]

Not regardless of coaching << last year we had a good D-line personel built on a schiano model of stunting and blitzing BUT it was never employed as it should have been. We recruited CBs who are island players. why so the D-line can go crazy up front and have the CB blanket with man-on man coverage. with all the arrests that plan went out the door in Rossi's mind. So he tried to go toe to toe with a straight up 4 man front. Stats and score reflects this nearsightedness. I would have stuck with the schiano model and take our chances with green CBs and get burnt by their inexperience.
All said and done we will be back to an aggressive line play. As for the LBs yes we lost all 3 but only 1 was irreplaceable Longa. That said as we design our new D against the spread a different style of LB will be helpful. Great example is the move of Najee Clayton "long lean" but good for pass coverage.
We do have some good young blood that has not seen much action Johnson, Russell and Roberts are three.
The real blood line will be coming with Manning, & Pollock. << I would like them to develop over this year and not be thrown into the fire just yet, But if they prove the best, let 'em run
And a surprise (50% chance of being a good surprise) is Rosa TDB.
Now on to coaching Hoke vs. The Harbaugh<< it is as much attitude and projecting of that attitude that motivates and drive young men.
The change in coaches is worth a +20 spots jump in statistic.
#2 Coaching is teach and designing within the talent level, can be another +10-15 spots.
#3 game time adjustments TBD but I hope it is an improvement over our last 15 years
BTW Washington will be our surprise game, with no game film on us, it makes the game is a toss up or a blow out < where we are on the short end of blow out; here is where #3 comes into play by Washington staff can they adjust to us and win the second half. Or are they already there by half time???
I will be surprised if we can make a comeback in the second half, if down in the first half.
No faith in #3 by Ash and staff till I see it! (15 years of such failure is grinding)

I can't decipher this. No offense meant, sorry!

I'm expecting a bump of 20'ish spots in most D categories (especially the ones we were below 90th in the nation) and considering the lack of quality experienced depth I think that is a reasonable jump and one we can build upon.

 

[BoogieKnight]

I see 5-7 finish with less blowouts and hopefully a win over Penn State and/or Maryland at the end of the season to know we are trending in the right direction. I don't think Iowa will be anywhere close to what they were last season.They lose a lot and we have them at home so to me that's a winnable game (more winnable than MSU at home this past season given our coaching staff and we nearly pulled that one off). And we always seem to play one home game each year where we play really well and surprise. In 2011 it was Pitt. In 2012 it was Cincy. In 2013 it was Arkansas. In 2014 it was Michigan. In 2015 it was Michigan State. I will circle Iowa as that type of game in 2016.

Howard
New Mexico
Iowa
Illinois
Indiana
Penn State
@ Minnesota
@ Maryland

All 8 are winnable in my opinion. Yes linebackers will be a big issue but our DL will be VERY good if healthy and will have THREE 5th year seniors starting with a 4th year junior if Joseph gets the nod at nose plus the grad transfer from BC. And our OL has THREE 5th year seniors starting along with a 4th year junior. Don't discount what that means. From a purely physical perspective, those are a lot of grown-ass men playing across both our lines and games are won and lost up front.