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I think most of us who are taking a “wait and see” attitude on McLendon are not necessarily nattering nabobs of negativism. Rather, we remember the post Rivers transition in 2004, when we were assured that what’s his face (trauma blocked his name) definitely had what it took at QB. And then the gradual and horrifying realization over the next two seasons that Chuckles really didn’t have a succession plan for QB that built on what little success Rivers had. So I hope Jalen is all that, but, like this year’s poor placekicker, who seems to be able to boom FGs with regularity everywhere except in an actual game, I gots to see ’em om the field in a real game to actually know how they will do…the sterling credentials will only get Jalen the opportunity to show what he can do. Everything after that is on him.
DD says Johnny Frasier is playing unbelievable now. Man, Frasier, Hines, Dayes, and Samuel next year? That is going to be some kind of exciting!
Progress. I think so. Win out and nobody has a doubt. Take 2 of 3 and a bowl game and nobody complains. I thought 4-4 or 5-3 in conference were attainable. But I think if we run into a healthy fsu run game, we don’t win there. Unc is a toss up for me. Always was. Syracuse is a must win.
The area of concern for me is still on the defensive side. Where dd has brought in some nice pieces and transfers on offense, the speed element and athleticism on d seem to be coming along slower. Some nice recruits on the d-line but we has lagged in other areas.
And for the claim that State has had periods of “great” years, how many years has State had more than 5 conference wins over the last two decades? I think the answer is “O”, which pretty much says that State HAS NOT had any great years.
Hmmm…that got me thinking. It’s a legitimate thought. Maybe great is not quite the right word. If you are measuring solely by number of wins and championships, I guess we have not had any “great years”. Ever, right? But then, how many teams are there in the ACC who have had great years. Even nationally, there are relatively few by your measurement.
So I’m thinking my idea of great is great wins that I witnessed, great players that I have seen, seasons that led us to bowl games that we have won. One of my favorite memories is being in Columbus when Rivers led us back to overtime and we LOST when TA was called short of the goal line. That was great for me, although we fell just short of what could have really been an all time great year.
I do get your point though. It’s all about the W’s. I hope I get to live to see the season you will call great.
But then, how many teams are there in the ACC who have had great years.
Just off the top of my head recently (and several have done it multiple times):
FSU
Clemson
Wake
Duke
Virginia Tech
Georgia Tech
Miami
UNCPerhaps our definitions of ‘progress’ vary and are being conflated with achieved success.
Consistent W’s in big numbers tell us the Wolfpack has arrived.
Progress to me is advancing towards the destination, not solely defined by arriving at it.
With that perspective in mind, I don’t see how any knowlegable fan can argue that substantial progress has not been made.
What is still a legitimate debate is whether or not the current staff will continue the progress and achieve the destination, for each step forward becomes progressively more difficult.
TOB got 5 in 2010 and Chuck 5 in 2002.
The point is it can be done. You don’t have to be an FSU or Clemson. Now sustaining it is another story.
Though I do see some progress being made on the field, in the end you are measured by what you do against your peers.
Lots of good points here. Improvement, progress, call it what you want. 4-4 or5-3 provides better evidence of a solid foundation with creative architects and hardworking craftsmen at the helm.
Progress may not me linear but in today’s landscape, it can’t be so incremental that you wonder about, or strain to see that improvement.
Progress may not me linear but in today’s landscape, it can’t be so incremental that you wonder about, or strain to see that improvement.
Other programs improve, too. It’s competitive. We’re not the only program trying like mad to get to the next level. Your rate of improvement needs to be greater than your peers, AND it needs to show up on the scoreboard and in the record books.
The non-linear point is worth repeating, in fact beating to death with a sledgehammer.
In fact, it’s usually two steps forward, one step back. If not more jumpy than that.
Again, IN RETROSPECT, I am quite happy we avoided the landmines of having a huge step back this season. The danger signs were there, and we held together.
Which is much different from the days of Amato or TOB. Good enough on the progress thing? Maybe not entirely but there is progress.
Again, IN RETROSPECT, I am quite happy we avoided the landmines of having a huge step back this season. The danger signs were there, and we held together.
Given the out of conference schedule, I had very few doubts we would not win 8 this season. I am not sure what huge step back you can expect with 4 guaranteed wins.
Again, IN RETROSPECT, I am quite happy we avoided the landmines of having a huge step back this season. The danger signs were there, and we held together.
Given the out of conference schedule, I had very few doubts we would not win 8 this season. I am not sure what huge step back you can expect with 4 guaranteed wins.
F-cking up one of the OOC games. Letting Clemson whip us by 40. Losing at Wake or BC.
After VPI, people were talking of the disaster scenarios again.
VPI really changed the view of the season for many. Had we won that one, the narrative would be very different.
Things that will be telling for me next year are:
– QB play: Who is next after JB? I tend to think it’s the QB redshirting.
– OL play: Someone correctly mentioned that it’s been good and overlooked. We lose some guys. Do we have the depth ready to step up?
– Speed in the back 7: Are we recruiting any? To me, that’s been the biggest issue with the defense.
– FG kicker: Do we go recruit another one?
– WRs: How many are we bringing in? Can they create separation and catch?Notice most of these are recruiting related. I guess that tells you what I think our biggest issues are.
I don’t understand the concerns with Hux. He’s been through the wars (which I think is a good thing for this young staff) and has guided multiple top 20 defenses. I think the defense is fairly fundamentally sound. DD’s also a defensive coach, so you have to think he’s probably involved there as well.
I just found what looks like a great site when searching for State’s ACC records:
http://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/Great site. And great sister sites linked at the top for pro football, pro basketball, and college basketball.
Rye – good points. I don’t think most of us are expecting a stairstep progression – but rather general evidence of improvement.
And clearly, we are in a much better place than we were 2 years ago. Unfortunately, we haven’t yet reached those very reachable heights of where we were from a record standpoint. (4-4)
.458, .446, and .464 – those are the winning %s of our last 3 coaches. While the on field results have been wildly inconsistent – the overall results were amazingly consistent.
Perhaps the 0-8 start in 2013 and 0-4 beginning last year was the bottoming out we needed to get out of that funk. (Look at it like the red sox falling behind 3-0 to the Yankees in the alcs when they finally won it.)
Although we beat 2 awful conference teams this year in BC and Wake – we won both games easily…that’s good. Big test Saturday… And no so much whether we win or lose – but do we hang with them. Is it a ball game in the 4th quarter?
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