2017 Expectations

[ah59396]

Because it's never too early to prognosticate...right!?!?!

Our OOC schedule is:

@Georgia
Savannah State
Wake
@UMASS

Plus our regular Sunbelt tilt.

Given our record these past two seasons, we are slowly building a pedigree of success and notoriety as a "good" G5 Program. We should roll into 2017 better "ranked" (outside the top 25, but you catch my drift) than coming into this year. 2017 is our chance to take the next step.

We MUST beat a P5 team if we intend to make a push for an Access Bowl slot. Realistically we have maybe 1 or 2 winning seasons left before Satt gets an offer he can't refuse. Now is the chance to capitalize. An undefeated Sunbelt run is a necessity to be considered for the Access Bowl. We could potentially afford a loss to Georgia if we won out from there.

Undefeated would all but guarantee it.


So, what say you?

[bigdaddyg]

At the very least 10-2 followed by a Camellia Bowl win over Miami of Ohio

[AppSt94]

I don't know that undefeated guarantees anything. Western Michigan was undefeated with two P5 victories and the committee tried to push them out in favor of Navy. Given that the Sun Belt won't have a CCG and the fact that we will potentially avoid the top teams in our conference could be used against us when in competition with an AAC team.

[ah59396]

I don't know that undefeated guarantees anything. Western Michigan was undefeated with two P5 victories and the committee tried to push them out in favor of Navy. Given that the Sun Belt won't have a CCG and the fact that we will potentially avoid the top teams in our conference could be used against us when in competition with an AAC team.

Very true. It would probably depend on what Georgia and Wake did. If we did go undefeated and Georgia ended up having strong year in the SEC despite the early "slip up" versus us, I think undefeated with a win versus a ranked SEC team would put us in a stronger position than WMU this year. The greatest criticism against them was that their P5 wins were versus awful teams, Northwestern and Illinois.

I suppose that would be a good problem to have. I'm already looking forward to September 2nd.

[diehardapp18]

Some players that can catch a damn football!!!

Haha but seriously we should be very good again. Still enjoying this for now though

[App91]

Some players that can catch a damn football!!!

Haha but seriously we should be very good again. Still enjoying this for now though

Watch the 30 for 30 Catholics vs. Convicts, Lou Holtz had a great line to one of his ND receivers: "You are the greatest receiver that i have ever coached...right up until we throw you the damn ball"

Thought about that line alot last night!!

[/\PP ST/\TE GRAD 09]

We would have to go undefeated and gets some help to make the NY6 game. I don't think we go undefeated anyways.

Can't speak on the overall record until I see the full schedule. OOC I feel strong about a 3-1 record. UGA returns too much including Chubb, and already landing big time recruits under Kirby's first full year to recruit. I hope to keep it close. Possibly catch them looking ahead to Notre Dame, but not too far ahead to lose to us.

I just hope for no weekday games

[AppAttack]

6-6 or 10-2 will probably both get us into the Camellia Bowl

What impact players are we losing and who will replace them?

Cox
Law
Gilchrist
Collins
Critcher
etc...

We're in good shape at RB with Moore, Evans, Boyd. Hopefully Upshaw returns but I'm not sure.
We still have Boggs and Stringer at LB.
Need to find a punter and I assume Rubino will kick off.
Hopefully Gibbs will return in the secondary but I haven't heard.
Need to start thinking about replacing Lamb. Is Caruso the guy or someone else?

What else?

[CornCobPipes]

6-6 or 10-2 will probably both get us into the Camellia Bowl

What impact players are we losing and who will replace them?

Cox
Law
Gilchrist
Collins
Critcher
etc...

We're in good shape at RB with Moore, Evans, Boyd. Hopefully Upshaw returns but I'm not sure.
We still have Boggs and Stringer at LB.
Need to find a punter and I assume Rubino will kick off.
Hopefully Gibbs will return in the secondary but I haven't heard.
Need to start thinking about replacing Lamb. Is Caruso the guy or someone else?

What else?

Whatever unexpected fallout?

[CornCobPipes]

Unless we have good handful of guys really step up or some surprising young guns even if Freshman I don't see us being as good next year...But 2018 different story maybe.

Hope I'm proven wrong.

[CornCobPipes]

I feel like we lose more core talent this year vs 2015.

[ukappfan]

I say 3-1 in ooc and win the belt again. Wr should be better. We will reload at rb and the young new players on d should show up.

[Yosef10]

We do lose more core pieces than a year ago but I think the talent behind those guys leaving may be better overall. My only area of concern is LB as we graduate 3, 2 of which were starters and cornerstones of the defense.

[appbanker]

6-6 or 10-2 will probably both get us into the Camellia Bowl

What impact players are we losing and who will replace them?

Cox
Law
Gilchrist
Collins
Critcher
etc...

We're in good shape at RB with Moore, Evans, Boyd. Hopefully Upshaw returns but I'm not sure.
We still have Boggs and Stringer at LB.
Need to find a punter and I assume Rubino will kick off.
Hopefully Gibbs will return in the secondary but I haven't heard.
Need to start thinking about replacing Lamb. Is Caruso the guy or someone else?

What else?

I think we should be fine at punter. We get Critcher #2 (Rylee) for the next 4 years. Watching in warmups this year, he looks to have as much leg as Bentley.

[AppDawg]

We would have to go undefeated and gets some help to make the NY6 game. I don't think we go undefeated anyways.

Can't speak on the overall record until I see the full schedule. OOC I feel strong about a 3-1 record. UGA returns too much including Chubb, and already landing big time recruits under Kirby's first full year to recruit. I hope to keep it close. Possibly catch them looking ahead to Notre Dame, but not too far ahead to lose to us.

I just hope for no weekday games

Tend to agree. Will add though, a piece of me hopes UGA is a Thursday night. Would much rather play in Athens at night vs a noon kick on labor day weekend.

[Yosef10]

So critcher 2 is supposed to be the plan next year? I had been wondering what we would do at punter.

[Yosefus]

Next year may be a rebuilding year on defense. Offense may be stronger next year and we have a wash. It will be another interesting year to say the least. I would not be on 13-0, but would not bet 6-6 either. Good solid team but we may lose a little ground next year. Anyone have details on who we lose and who will replace?

[AppSt94]

I for one and going to miss Bentley Critcher. Dude was a weapon. If he didn't kick it out of the endzone the. He was down the field mixing it up. Hell, how many kickers does anyone remember having a tackle reviewed for targeting? The kid is a baller that happens to be a solid kicker.

[SayYesToTheRock]

The 2017 squad may not have quite the same shutdown defense - though the return of Latrell Gibbs will be a needed boost.

While Marcus and Barrett will be missed, RB seems to be in good hands and Taylor will continue to run our offense well.

Speaking of good hands (or lack thereof), who will replacing Capel at KR/PR next season? Hoping for Evans to fill that role.

[B30020]

Schedule next year sets up well as our home games in conference are Coastal Carolina, Louisiana, Georgia Southern and New Mexico State. We do not play Troy or Arkansas State next year. Going 11-1 is very doable. Beat Georgia to open up the year and it could be a very special season!