What will you consider a successful season
- Thread starter Akron Buck
- Start date
It will be a successful season if:
1. We win 8 games
2. Are competitive against the upper-tier teams in the east (you, MSU, UM)
3. Beat PSU
4. Are top-25 in recruiting
5. Miranda attends a game with me, or we just watch one on her couch. Or Jewel.
1. We win 8 games
2. Are competitive against the upper-tier teams in the east (you, MSU, UM)
3. Beat PSU
4. Are top-25 in recruiting
5. Miranda attends a game with me, or we just watch one on her couch. Or Jewel.
6-6 is about all one could realistically expect considering implementing a whole new program, including ANOTHER new OC for what, 8 years in a row?
Also, many question marks at key positions - QB, WR, OL, LB, K
And the schedule is very difficult.
I really would like to see no blow out losses and just good fundamental football player with fire and emotion.
Also, many question marks at key positions - QB, WR, OL, LB, K
And the schedule is very difficult.
I really would like to see no blow out losses and just good fundamental football player with fire and emotion.
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Four wins or more, steady improvement in play throughout the season, an uneventful season off the field, a marked improvement in recruiting, and all the hookers and blow we can handle. If we get all that, I will consider it a successful season.
For 2017, expectations rise to six wins plus all the other stuff.
For 2017, expectations rise to six wins plus all the other stuff.
If you don't consider OSU's season successful, then I don't know how to talk to you and you should go away.
Oh yes, my friend, there is plenty to go around! I'll just need a permission slip from YOURS truly so everything is on the up and up (to protect me, of course, since she knows what I look like). But I would gladly sacrifice Melanie to you if my beloved Jewel and/or Miranda is in the room. That's what friends are for, especially if YOURS truly doesn't have my phone number to ask questions.
Giving Ash a pass on the W/L record in his first season. He's going to need a season to halt the momentum of the program and get it moving in a different direction with a new culture and philosophy. I'm expecting somewhere in the 4-6 win range next year, but that's not really what I'm going to be looking for.
I want to see an offense that moves the ball, and is "multiple" as he puts it. I want to see different looks, different formations... aggression on offense, and using all our tools. I want to see improvement in tackling and a defense that gives up fewer big plays. I want to see some individual improvement from some of the players.
In his second year I'll start worrying about wins and losses, once he's been able to turn the ship a bit.
I want to see an offense that moves the ball, and is "multiple" as he puts it. I want to see different looks, different formations... aggression on offense, and using all our tools. I want to see improvement in tackling and a defense that gives up fewer big plays. I want to see some individual improvement from some of the players.
In his second year I'll start worrying about wins and losses, once he's been able to turn the ship a bit.
Wow. I didn't expect this level of realism from our fanbase. I thought more fans would say a successful season is 10+ wins or something ridiculous like that. I too think 6-6 with a bowl game is successful, but 3-4 wins is more realistic.
Oh, and a maximum of 4 beatdowns (my definition of a beatdown is losing by three TDs).
Oh, and a maximum of 4 beatdowns (my definition of a beatdown is losing by three TDs).
One of the things I want to see to consider this season a success is for the football team to have an identity again. Under Schiano, it was a swarming attacking defense and a special teams that aspired to be, and succeeded, in being the best kick blocking unit in the country. The Flood regime........I'm at a loss, after 4 years does anyone know what a Kyle Flood team will bring to the table week after week? So at the end of this season, I want to know what can we expect from a Chris Ash football team. I think an identity for a football team can be a source of pride for the program and the fans as well.
Five wins would be a success for me. It's a tougher schedule next year, and players adjusting to new coaches and a new system. A bowl win would be the cherry on top!
I would not even begin to try to hold Ash to even being 6-6 but I think that would be a good bogey. Flood left him with a mess. I will give him two years to clean up that mess. In that time, I would like to see him get us back down in the top 40 in recruiting and avoid any more scandals. After that, I would like to see top 30 and the wins moving up to 8+ a year but recognize in this league that may be a challenge. Naturally, if he can accelerate I will consider him a huge success.
Just my opinion.
Go RU!
-CG
I'll consider the season a success if I see a team that plays hard, improves from week to week, gives a lot of different looks on offense, and plays with a tough, relentless attitude on defense that generates pressure the other team's QB. I also want to see real, quality adjustments made during halftime to counter what the other team might have been doing that was working against us in the 1st half, and for the staff to be able to adjust on the fly to what the guys in the different colored uni's are doing in the 3rd and 4th quarters.
As far as the record goes, there'll be a lot of changes on both sides of the ball in 2016 so it'll take some time for the team to settle into the new system, but I'd take 4-6 wins with a possible lower tier bowl bid if we can get to at least 5 "W"'s, (since, as we saw this year, even 5 wins might, might be enough to get a team into the bowl picture). -And anything over 6 wins would, of course, be pure and absolute gravy.
As far as the record goes, there'll be a lot of changes on both sides of the ball in 2016 so it'll take some time for the team to settle into the new system, but I'd take 4-6 wins with a possible lower tier bowl bid if we can get to at least 5 "W"'s, (since, as we saw this year, even 5 wins might, might be enough to get a team into the bowl picture). -And anything over 6 wins would, of course, be pure and absolute gravy.
A successful season would be going to game and actually enjoying the product on the field whether we win or lose offensively and defensively
6 or more regular season wins and big recruiting success with 2017 class. We return essentially the same team with more experience (except for LB, which is brutal). While we add another B1G West team next year, we drop Wisc and Neb, so IMO the schedule is the same or a little easier in terms of winnable games. The change in scheme is on Ash & Co. - they need to make it work with the roster they have - that's what good coaches do. The talent is still on this team. Now if you want to talk talent level next year, that gets scary....
So far IIRC, I've seen 1 poster suggest 8 wins and a few 7.
The vast majority of fans either hope for 6 wins, or really don't care as long as we play good football and are trending upwards in on the field play as well as recruiting.
Also, folks want to avoid all the off the field embarassments.
This all seems very level headed to me (except 8 wins - that would be exceptional and worthy of a raise!)
I agree wirh the poster that said it is nice that our (admittedly limited to this board) fanbase is not setting up Ash to fail with unrealistic expectations.
The vast majority of fans either hope for 6 wins, or really don't care as long as we play good football and are trending upwards in on the field play as well as recruiting.
Also, folks want to avoid all the off the field embarassments.
This all seems very level headed to me (except 8 wins - that would be exceptional and worthy of a raise!)
I agree wirh the poster that said it is nice that our (admittedly limited to this board) fanbase is not setting up Ash to fail with unrealistic expectations.
1. Competitive
2. Build an identity
3. 6 wins
4. Team looks prepare
5. Beat PS
2. Build an identity
3. 6 wins
4. Team looks prepare
5. Beat PS
Yes this. I want to be entertained and last year was rough on that part. Sometimes I felt like I was at the opera when my wife drags me to it. I couldn't understand what the hell was going on because they usually speak a different language (what we were doing). By intermission(halftime) I was bored out of my mind because we were getting destroyed and got restless in my seat wanting to leave as I just couldn't take it anymore. MSU was fun all I ask for is to be competitive in all four quarters in all our games then I'll be entertained.
I think upmost what we ALL want is to BELIEVE in the product. You support something much more aggressively and completely when you believe in it. The last 4 the belief in that product has waned substantially.
I believe this is the culture Ash is looking to change. We need to get people to believe again...the jump to the B1G mostly carried that flag for the last 2-3 yrs and noT the product on the field
I believe this is the culture Ash is looking to change. We need to get people to believe again...the jump to the B1G mostly carried that flag for the last 2-3 yrs and noT the product on the field
growth over the course of the season and beat PSU..no
home blow outs
it's gonna be a tough year but as long as you see forward
movement and reasons to believe it's getting better...that
is enough for me next year...but they need a good home win
and PSU is that game...
show an upgrade in recruiting and I'll be satisfied in year 1...to
be fair I have to give Ash 3 years to really show a bigger move
forward
home blow outs
it's gonna be a tough year but as long as you see forward
movement and reasons to believe it's getting better...that
is enough for me next year...but they need a good home win
and PSU is that game...
show an upgrade in recruiting and I'll be satisfied in year 1...to
be fair I have to give Ash 3 years to really show a bigger move
forward
6-6 regular season record including a W against PSU.
Win the bowl game for an over all winning record of 7-6
Top 30 recruiting class
Win the bowl game for an over all winning record of 7-6
Top 30 recruiting class
- 6-6 to 7-5.
- Show up prepared and ready to play
- Be competitive against UM, MSU, and OSU
- Keep 3 of the top 10 NJ kids home.
The way the team played against MSU would be great even in loses. I agree with the poster above, we return a lot of players except LB and have concern at WR and that includes the better QB sitting the bench all year. A bowl game is out of the question here.
- Show up prepared and ready to play
- Be competitive against UM, MSU, and OSU
- Keep 3 of the top 10 NJ kids home.
The way the team played against MSU would be great even in loses. I agree with the poster above, we return a lot of players except LB and have concern at WR and that includes the better QB sitting the bench all year. A bowl game is out of the question here.
Success- The offense improves by year end with the running of the spread offense and that Rutgers finds 7-8 guys that can actually play in the system.
That the defensive backs grasp the new DB coaches philosophy and the press concept.
That the Dline gets a push on the OL.
That special teams begin to play the way the old ST played.
In terms of win, 5 would be good.
That the defensive backs grasp the new DB coaches philosophy and the press concept.
That the Dline gets a push on the OL.
That special teams begin to play the way the old ST played.
In terms of win, 5 would be good.
Play intelligent football ... take the field & execute to the very best of their abilities - always have a shrewd game plan that is clearly designed to win.
Wins may be elusive - but as long as any reasonable observer can look at the Rutgers team and say "Wow, they may be physically over matched - but they are a smart team & sure know how to play football - and they have an aggressive & crafty game plan .... take Rutgers for granted and they will embarrass you" ... that would be true success for next year.
Wins may be elusive - but as long as any reasonable observer can look at the Rutgers team and say "Wow, they may be physically over matched - but they are a smart team & sure know how to play football - and they have an aggressive & crafty game plan .... take Rutgers for granted and they will embarrass you" ... that would be true success for next year.
The schedule is not the same or easier as last year.
Off the schedule (and pre-bowl massey composite): Wisconsin (25), Washington St (41), Nebraska (53), Kansas (119), Army (121), Norfolk State (FCS)
Added to schedule (and massey composite): Iowa (8), Washington (42), Minnesota (63), Illinois (71), New Mexico (89), Howard (FCS)
We replace Wisconsin with Iowa (looks like a step up, but might be even - we get Iowa at home, and they got pasted in their bowl).
We replace WSU with Washington (away next year vs. home this year, about even but maybe a step up)
We replace Nebraska with Minnesota (about even, Minnesota on the road and Nebraska at home)
We replace Kansas with Illinois (definite step up)
We replace Army with New Mexico (definite step up)
We replace Norfolk State with Howard (even)
So, the schedule is a bit of a step up - the FBS patsies (Army and Kansas) are gone, replaced by fair/decent teams (Illinois and New Mexico). If we had the 2016 schedule in 2015, we may have gone 2-10.
As for returning the same team:
Offensive losses: Carroo (WR), Lumpkin (OT), James (RB)
Defensive losses: Longa (LB), Gause (LB), Mera (DE), Lewis (LB)
The loss of Carroo is big (nearly 50% of our receiving ypg and over 50% of our receiving TDs), and we haven't really stocked a lot of depth at WR. We'll have just five WRs on the roster next year that have caught a pass: Grant, Patton, Agudosi, Matthews, Tsimis. At JMU, Mehringer went 9 deep with WRs. We have other WRs on the roster, but none have really been game tested - they'll definitely get their shot. The OLine will also need to learn a new scheme as we move away from a power run/pro style offense to more of a spread/multiple offense. And we don't know who'll be our signal caller, either.
On defense, having no returning LBs is a huge question mark - and the whole team will be adapting to a completely different style of defense and tackling. I wouldn't expect a leap forward in a single year - though I am expecting them to show improvement over the course of the year as they absorb Ash's expectations and philosophy.
I'm expecting next year to be a retooling/restructuring year, certainly in the earlier part of the season. And there's not much breathing room early, with @Washington, Iowa, @Ohio State, and Michigan as 4 of the first 6 games. A lot will depend on what type of recruiting we see over the next 15 months to see what 2017 will look like.
Making a bowl. New coaches, new systems, new everything. If we make a bowl I'll happy. That and recruiting well next season.
At least 7-5 and a bowl win. However, very soon we will not be happy until we are 15-0 and are National Champions. Watch out OSU!!!
The floor is 6 regular season wins...the ceiling is 8 regular season wins.
The loss of Carroo will be minimized by the new offensive scheme and more focus on the running backs who should find their way on the field together more in this offense.
The QB play is the question-mark, but RU improves dramatically with a reduced playbook. Laviano may play by default, which will really annoy some of our fan base and has the potential to become a lightning rod of criticism both for the player and new coaching staff. Ash needs to find a way to avoid this by any means necessary and find a senior transfer and get whomever that player is ready to roll. If the QB is competitive and average, the floor goes from 6 wins to 7 wins. I would not rule out Russo at QB, if he's smart enough to understand the landscape and sticks with RU, he can start within this offense and thrive.
Wins are Howard, New Mexico, Indiana, Illinois and Penn State at home...wild card is can we challenge Michigan and Iowa at home...a good staff challenges both teams well into the 2nd half of games and steals one of these two games.
Road wins are at Maryland (we have better talent than MD) and potentially at Minnesota and a competitive game in the opener at Washington. Winning at Michigan State, Ohio State are not on the agenda anytime soon.
There really were so many correctable items wrong with the program over the last decade that I feel comfortable knowing can be fixed in a few months.....Our coaching was really subpar minus the seasons where Robb Smith ran the defense and Fridge ran the offense. none of it is talent-related as much as scheme and attention to detail.
RU has two dynamic running backs, solid places to build your offense around and improved-faster paced offense.
One variable in this equation is the assumption that the kicker Barbir keeps his verbal and signs with RU next month. Having a kicker that is a real threat to make kicks from anywhere within 45 yards, puts more pressure on the opponent and adds points when your offense bogs down. If he signs with RU, it will help special teams in a huge way, another missing aspect lost in recruiting for RU for a long time.
The loss of Carroo will be minimized by the new offensive scheme and more focus on the running backs who should find their way on the field together more in this offense.
The QB play is the question-mark, but RU improves dramatically with a reduced playbook. Laviano may play by default, which will really annoy some of our fan base and has the potential to become a lightning rod of criticism both for the player and new coaching staff. Ash needs to find a way to avoid this by any means necessary and find a senior transfer and get whomever that player is ready to roll. If the QB is competitive and average, the floor goes from 6 wins to 7 wins. I would not rule out Russo at QB, if he's smart enough to understand the landscape and sticks with RU, he can start within this offense and thrive.
Wins are Howard, New Mexico, Indiana, Illinois and Penn State at home...wild card is can we challenge Michigan and Iowa at home...a good staff challenges both teams well into the 2nd half of games and steals one of these two games.
Road wins are at Maryland (we have better talent than MD) and potentially at Minnesota and a competitive game in the opener at Washington. Winning at Michigan State, Ohio State are not on the agenda anytime soon.
There really were so many correctable items wrong with the program over the last decade that I feel comfortable knowing can be fixed in a few months.....Our coaching was really subpar minus the seasons where Robb Smith ran the defense and Fridge ran the offense. none of it is talent-related as much as scheme and attention to detail.
RU has two dynamic running backs, solid places to build your offense around and improved-faster paced offense.
One variable in this equation is the assumption that the kicker Barbir keeps his verbal and signs with RU next month. Having a kicker that is a real threat to make kicks from anywhere within 45 yards, puts more pressure on the opponent and adds points when your offense bogs down. If he signs with RU, it will help special teams in a huge way, another missing aspect lost in recruiting for RU for a long time.
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