The 2017 Season was everything it was supposed to be with a big dud at the end. This was a team favored by many to win the MAC. Toledo did that. It was supposed to have a great QB lead the way and Woodside did that. The offensive line was thought to be adequate, but not the O-lines sprinkled with NFL prospects and all MAC selections of the past. The O-line was just that, against most. Swanson and the rest of the running backs lived up to their potential during the regular season and the receiving corp continued to develop nicely. The defense was supposed to be full of questions, it was adequate against most, and it seemed to be improving as the season progressed.
So if everything turned out how it was supposed, what happened against Appalachian State? Appalachian State was everything Ohio University was but better. Some say Toledo lost to Ohio because of the short week. I say Toledo lost to Ohio and Appalachian State, because both teams were able to exploit an offensive line that did not possess the ability to block their blitz packages, and both were able to run the offense Toledo cannot defend. Toledo did not have athletes at linebacker or along the line to defend against a team with a talented quarterback with real running ability.
I read that some fans are happy about the loss? Am I okay with it, since Toledo actually did live up to the season predictions? Hell no. It was the way that they lost. They were obviously not prepared mentally for a tough game. Toledo never got up off the mat. I saw zero fire and passion. Thank goodness there was an early signing period this season, otherwise I wonder if half of those players would sign with Toledo after watching that heartless disaster. Hopefully the next crop of players includes some leaders. That game was an embarrassment and big setback as far as national perception and future possible top 25 ranking chances go. It was also a setback for the MAC. The supposed best team in the conference not only go beat down, but it got shutout. The reality is that the signs being held up at the end of the game by App State players were correct. The Sun Belt is better than the MAC. App State is also clearly a better program than Toledo at this point and time. Coach Candle may have helped guide Toledo to its first MAC Title in some time, but he has some work to do, to develop a team that reflects his million dollar paycheck.

(12-26-2017 12:57 AM)falconplucker Wrote:  The 2017 Season was everything it was supposed to be with a big dud at the end. This was a team favored by many to win the MAC. Toledo did that. It was supposed to have a great QB lead the way and Woodside did that. The offensive line was thought to be adequate, but not the O-lines sprinkled with NFL prospects and all MAC selections of the past. The O-line was just that, against most. Swanson and the rest of the running backs lived up to their potential during the regular season and the receiving corp continued to develop nicely. The defense was supposed to be full of questions, it was adequate against most, and it seemed to be improving as the season progressed.
So if everything turned out how it was supposed, what happened against Appalachian State? Appalachian State was everything Ohio University was but better. Some say Toledo lost to Ohio because of the short week. I say Toledo lost to Ohio and Appalachian State, because both teams were able to exploit an offensive line that did not possess the ability to block their blitz packages, and both were able to run the offense Toledo cannot defend. Toledo did not have athletes at linebacker or along the line to defend against a team with a talented quarterback with real running ability.
I read that some fans are happy about the loss? Am I okay with it, since Toledo actually did live up to the season predictions? Hell no. It was the way that they lost. They were obviously not prepared mentally for a tough game. Toledo never got up off the mat. I saw zero fire and passion. Thank goodness there was an early signing period this season, otherwise I wonder if half of those players would sign with Toledo after watching that heartless disaster. Hopefully the next crop of players includes some leaders. That game was an embarrassment and big setback as far as national perception and future possible top 25 ranking chances go. It was also a setback for the MAC. The supposed best team in the conference not only go beat down, but it got shutout. The reality is that the signs being held up at the end of the game by App State players were correct. The Sun Belt is better than the MAC. App State is also clearly a better program than Toledo at this point and time. Coach Candle may have helped guide Toledo to its first MAC Title in some time, but he has some work to do, to develop a team that reflects his million dollar paycheck.

Again as I posted before, UCF was beaten by Ark State 31-14 last season. It did little to effect the nation's view of UCF. People have a short memory and it's more of what have you done for me lately mentality. Next season Rockets are the defending MAC Champs with a clean slate, plain and simple.

(12-26-2017 01:27 AM)Boca Rocket Wrote:  Again as I posted before, UCF was beaten by Ark State 31-14 last season. It did little to effect the nation's view of UCF. People have a short memory and it's more of what have you done for me lately mentality. Next season Rockets are the defending MAC Champs with a clean slate, plain and simple.

I'm going to say probably not. The timing of the salary announcement will be remembered, much as the timing of Cambell's interview and the passing of the magic number of the salary will do everything to improve memories past "lately."

I don't think many will see too much relative value between that Ark St - UCF game and the embarrassing game and post game performance by our staff, even if App ST goes on next year to a New Year's Day Bowl.

I think there is quite the potential this game will be seen as an exposure of the athletic dept., as there's been no acceptance of responsibility or recognizable change, yet they continue to hand each other massive raises. People just naturally expect a "falling on the sword" to be noble after such a poor performance, not "coach speak." They didn't get that. They'll remember.

Even IF the recruiting class shows potential to patch those "weaknesses" without creating new ones, this isn't a problem you can recuit out of. It's the coaching that repairs weaknesses.

Satterfield clearly understands the buck stops at him, not the punter, none of the players.... the coach. This is how most fans think and until that understanding is conveyed from the staff to the fans, I think they'll alienate more than they gain.

Time will tell.

(12-26-2017 02:30 AM)eastisbest Wrote:  

(12-26-2017 01:27 AM)Boca Rocket Wrote:  Again as I posted before, UCF was beaten by Ark State 31-14 last season. It did little to effect the nation's view of UCF. People have a short memory and it's more of what have you done for me lately mentality. Next season Rockets are the defending MAC Champs with a clean slate, plain and simple.

I'm going to say probably not. The timing of the salary announcement will be remembered, much as the timing of Cambell's interview and the passing of the magic number of the salary will do everything to improve memories past "lately."

I don't think many will see too much relative value between that Ark St - UCF game and the embarrassing game and post game performance by our staff, even if App ST goes on next year to a New Year's Day Bowl.

I think there is quite the potential this game will be seen as an exposure of the athletic dept., as there's been no acceptance of responsibility or recognizable change, yet they continue to hand each other massive raises. People just naturally expect a "falling on the sword" to be noble after such a poor performance, not "coach speak." They didn't get that. They'll remember.

Even IF the recruiting class shows potential to patch those "weaknesses" without creating new ones, this isn't a problem you can recuit out of. It's the coaching that repairs weaknesses.

Satterfield clearly understands the buck stops at him, not the punter, none of the players.... the coach. This is how most fans think and until that understanding is conveyed from the staff to the fans, I think they'll alienate more than they gain.

Time will tell.

This could take the "hot coach" tag off of c]Candle for a while. A home win over Miami could take care of that. I'm not so critical of Candle post game. He said there was a lot of soul searching to do and film study of the game. He said he didn't want the game to define the entire season for the players, which I agree with. However, his salary does considerably raise expectations.

Was great to get the MAC championship. Had been too long. Most of the season, we benefitted greatly from having the best & most experienced QB in the conference. We were also helped by the fact that both our primary division rivals fell into QB injuries and had to play us in the Glass Bowl. And we were helped by not playing Ohio in Detroit. Still, the team did meet those high expectations, and did so even with some holes in the O line and LB corps.

I really looked forward to that bowl game & I don’t understand how poorly we played in Mobile. Yes, App State deserves credit for kicking our butt. They exploited everything we did, offensively & defensively, and we made no noticeable adjustments. This against a team that we should have known quite abit about. No question that it did dampen the end of the season, and I hope we never see that kind of effort or prep again in midnight blue & gold uniforms.

As for next season, I think Candle’s new contract buys him the time to do what I think we need to do in order to win a MAC championship again in the 2020 season and be in the picture for the access Bowl: play a bunch of true and RS freshmen. Let them develop on the field. Take some lumps next season in exchange for a team that will be loaded with experience by their Junior season.

All very valid points. Unfortunately these things happen. Am I happy about it, NO FRICKIN WAY!! I hate to compare games, but, OSU got smoked by Clemson last year. OSU got smoked by Iowa. Wisconsin got smoked by OSU a couple of years ago in the BIG 10 Title Game. Heck, Michigan got beat by App State. The way our beloved Rockets played is the same way they played against Ohio... They should've stayed on the bus. Those two games are no way an indicator of the success of this team. We were 11-3. We have (7) First Team ALL MAC Selections and our team GPA is the best anywhere. There were numerous College Graduates on this team. Not bad at all.

While no one is happy with the disappointing effort in the bowl game, there is no reason to discredit the MAC Championship. You need to have some luck and breaks along the way in order to win a championship, so QB injuries for WMU and NIU and playing Akron instead of Ohio does not mean the championship is any less meaningful.

(12-26-2017 10:47 AM)RocketBBallFan Wrote:  While no one is happy with the disappointing effort in the bowl game, there is no reason to discredit the MAC Championship. You need to have some luck and breaks along the way in order to win a championship, so QB injuries for WMU and NIU and playing Akron instead of Ohio does not mean the championship is any less meaningful.

And we had our fair share of injuries, too.

(12-26-2017 10:47 AM)RocketBBallFan Wrote:  While no one is happy with the disappointing effort in the bowl game, there is no reason to discredit the MAC Championship. You need to have some luck and breaks along the way in order to win a championship, so QB injuries for WMU and NIU and playing Akron instead of Ohio does not mean the championship is any less meaningful.

Don’t think I did? Didn’t mean to, in any case. Said it was great, and that the team did meet those high expectations, even with some challenges. Enjoyed being in Detroit. Anyway, on to the February signing period. I think we have decent shots at signing another good RB, maybe a good DB or two, and maybe even another LB and/or lineman. All of which could bode well for another couple of seasons down the road. As much as this season’s team accomplished, I think better is possible.

This team was hungry for a MACC title.
May the hunger continue and grow.

(12-26-2017 11:41 AM)NewMex RocketFan Wrote:  This team was hungry for a MACC title.
May the hunger continue and grow.

MACC+ One game at a time.