If you sit down and look at the schedule you have to figure NIU has a very good chance at winning the game @ Minnesota and home versus Navy (too bad the Navy game is in late November when the students will be gone). So that is 2 very good chances for wins right there. The only game we have a good chance of losing non-conf is Tennessee. You have to figure we win 1 of the 2 games vs Ball State and Central Michigan. Then we may lose of the three games vs Toledo, Eastern, Western Michigan. Outside of that I think NIU wins the rest. So 9-3 or 10-2 actually looks really doable. Is it August yet! Not to get ahead of ourseves, but if NIU somehow someway found a way to beat Tennessee....I wont go that far yet :) But just imagine.
On my worst day, I feel better reading MaddDawg.
Most of our injuries last year were on defense, but most of our games were lost because our offense was below average by even MAC standards.
Not sure how an extra year is going to make up for our lack of talent at QB and receiver. And although we have some decent running backs, our offensive line needs to regain the dominance it displayed from 2002 to the first half of 2006.
I think we should be happy if the 2008 team wins 7 games. In a crappy MAC, that will probably be good enough to snag a bowl bid.
I just hope for a winning season, but this will be based on how many of the injured players can be at 100%, finding a new kicker, shoring up Interior D Line, WRs actually getting separation, some semblance of a red zone offense, a QB with mobility, .... damn now I am depressed again.
Happy Holidays!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I will be very dissapointed if we don't have a .500 season and I feel like we should have a winning season and compete for the MAC W.
MaddDawgz02 Wrote:If you sit down and look at the schedule you have to figure NIU has a very good chance at winning the game @ Minnesota and home versus Navy (too bad the Navy game is in late November when the students will be gone). So that is 2 very good chances for wins right there. The only game we have a good chance of losing non-conf is Tennessee. You have to figure we win 1 of the 2 games vs Ball State and Central Michigan. Then we may lose of the three games vs Toledo, Eastern, Western Michigan. Outside of that I think NIU wins the rest. So 9-3 or 10-2 actually looks really doable. Is it August yet! Not to get ahead of ourseves, but if NIU somehow someway found a way to beat Tennessee....I wont go that far yet :) But just imagine.
Yes, we know your hallucinations. I have them posted in my signiture. So far you are wrong about Novak. I don't expect the 10 wins to be correct either. Though I do have to say the chances while infantesimally small, have increased by a very small amount because of the change of opponents.
-8- wins is realistic. We do have a chance to win the MAC. The MAC is getting better as well. WMU/CMU/UT/Miami/Temple all return a ton of players and all will be improved. If Nicholsons healthy and that means can throw every day w/ some zip we can make a run if not hope Balock is able to step up.
If the admin. didn't screw up the D. Jones fiasco we would be sitting pretty.
Honestly- next year I think anything is possible from another poor record with 3 or 4 wins to a mind-blowing 10 wins. Most likely end up somewhere in the 6-8 win range (I hope) but this isn't the most outlandish thing MD has dreamt up.
I see this as a 7-8 win team next year. The pieces are there to have a much improved season, however, solving the QB position will be key. I really see the Minnesota game as being important and starting with a win would immediately establish credibility with the players for the new staff.
I would say 7 to 8 wins is a realistic goal for this team. Anything beyond that would be great. Figure losses to Tennessee, Minnesota, Toledo and somebody from among Ball State and the directional Michigans.
HuskieDave Wrote:I see this as a 7-8 win team next year. The pieces are there to have a much improved season, however, solving the QB position will be key. I really see the Minnesota game as being important and starting with a win would immediately establish credibility with the players for the new staff.
You hit the nail on the head! If a Qb does not emerge on this footabll team, we could easily be a 4-5 win team. If we can find a leader to put under center in 2008, the sky is the limit. I truly believe taht if we had a viable option at QB this past season, we would have been a 7-8 win team and had a chance to compete for the West. We were in several games , but didn't have a threat at the most important position on the field. If Nicholson is the starter next year, we will not win 6 games. Write it down!
MaddDawgz02 Wrote:If you sit down and look at the schedule you have to figure NIU has a very good chance at winning the game @ Minnesota and home versus Navy (too bad the Navy game is in late November when the students will be gone). So that is 2 very good chances for wins right there. The only game we have a good chance of losing non-conf is Tennessee. You have to figure we win 1 of the 2 games vs Ball State and Central Michigan. Then we may lose of the three games vs Toledo, Eastern, Western Michigan. Outside of that I think NIU wins the rest. So 9-3 or 10-2 actually looks really doable. Is it August yet! Not to get ahead of ourseves, but if NIU somehow someway found a way to beat Tennessee....I wont go that far yet :) But just imagine.
I agree
MaddDawgz02 Wrote:If you sit down and look at the schedule you have to figure NIU has a very good chance at winning the game @ Minnesota and home versus Navy (too bad the Navy game is in late November when the students will be gone). So that is 2 very good chances for wins right there. The only game we have a good chance of losing non-conf is Tennessee. You have to figure we win 1 of the 2 games vs Ball State and Central Michigan. Then we may lose of the three games vs Toledo, Eastern, Western Michigan. Outside of that I think NIU wins the rest. So 9-3 or 10-2 actually looks really doable. Is it August yet! Not to get ahead of ourseves, but if NIU somehow someway found a way to beat Tennessee....I wont go that far yet :) But just imagine.
Realistic would be .500. Any above that would be icing on the cake and next years X-mas present.
niufb83 Wrote:HuskieDave Wrote:I see this as a 7-8 win team next year. The pieces are there to have a much improved season, however, solving the QB position will be key. I really see the Minnesota game as being important and starting with a win would immediately establish credibility with the players for the new staff.
You hit the nail on the head! If a Qb does not emerge on this footabll team, we could easily be a 4-5 win team. If we can find a leader to put under center in 2008, the sky is the limit. I truly believe taht if we had a viable option at QB this past season, we would have been a 7-8 win team and had a chance to compete for the West. We were in several games , but didn't have a threat at the most important position on the field. If Nicholson is the starter next year, we will not win 6 games. Write it down!
I believe Kill will have an open QB competition this year, just like Novak did, the only difference is that this year Morris and Nicholson aren't the only ones who know the plays. I'm really pulling for Blalock to be the QB (He's our lesser Juice Williams)!
I predict 9 wins...pass that **** maddawg
I would like to see a mobile QB and the establishment of the spread offense. But, at this point I am not sold on our OL and running backs. In addition, I am not too high on the defense. Then there's the issue of our ability to come back from those nasty injuries. Unless Kill can perform some miracles (entirely possible), I am thinking that 4 or 5 wins tops will be all she writes for 2008. If Kill can instill some pride and hunger, I think more wins are certainly possible.
TheNEWguy Wrote:niufb83 Wrote:HuskieDave Wrote:I see this as a 7-8 win team next year. The pieces are there to have a much improved season, however, solving the QB position will be key. I really see the Minnesota game as being important and starting with a win would immediately establish credibility with the players for the new staff.
You hit the nail on the head! If a Qb does not emerge on this footabll team, we could easily be a 4-5 win team. If we can find a leader to put under center in 2008, the sky is the limit. I truly believe taht if we had a viable option at QB this past season, we would have been a 7-8 win team and had a chance to compete for the West. We were in several games , but didn't have a threat at the most important position on the field. If Nicholson is the starter next year, we will not win 6 games. Write it down!
I believe Kill will have an open QB competition this year, just like Novak did, the only difference is that this year Morris and Nicholson aren't the only ones who know the plays. I'm really pulling for Blalock to be the QB (He's our lesser Juice Williams)!
I predict 9 wins...pass that **** maddawg
And now pass it over here ... BLALOCK IN 08'
How drastic will the schematic changes be? That will have a HUGE impact on the ability of the team to hit the ground running. Learning a whole new offense and/or defense with a different vocabulary will steepen the learning curve. The West, too, will be tough - Central won back-to-back MAC titles and with LeFevour back again, look out; Ball State appears ready to make a move and Toledo is bound to bounce back. And, of course, Western has shown signs of life, too.
But Kill will inject some enthusiasm into the mix and Novak was waxing poetic about 08 even before the 07 season began, so good things should be happening in DeKalb come September.
HuskieTransfer07 Wrote:TheNEWguy Wrote:niufb83 Wrote:HuskieDave Wrote:I see this as a 7-8 win team next year. The pieces are there to have a much improved season, however, solving the QB position will be key. I really see the Minnesota game as being important and starting with a win would immediately establish credibility with the players for the new staff.
You hit the nail on the head! If a Qb does not emerge on this footabll team, we could easily be a 4-5 win team. If we can find a leader to put under center in 2008, the sky is the limit. I truly believe taht if we had a viable option at QB this past season, we would have been a 7-8 win team and had a chance to compete for the West. We were in several games , but didn't have a threat at the most important position on the field. If Nicholson is the starter next year, we will not win 6 games. Write it down!
I believe Kill will have an open QB competition this year, just like Novak did, the only difference is that this year Morris and Nicholson aren't the only ones who know the plays. I'm really pulling for Blalock to be the QB (He's our lesser Juice Williams)!
I predict 9 wins...pass that **** maddawg
And now pass it over here ... BLALOCK IN 08'
Yuck. Grady in 08 sounds better.
Impossible to predict a win total already. With a new coach, who knows how things will shake out. Who knows if anyone transfers, new commits coming in, and how Kill veiws the talent he has.
Covering the QB topic however. Kill runs a spread offense, and while Hill was a dual threat I don't remember/think Joel Sambursky was. Kill said he adjusts his offense to the talent he has around him.
Nicholson: We pretty much know what we have in him. He will complete alot of his passes, but will make the back breaking mistake. If you think it was him or the recievers or not doesn't matter seeing as how all the WRs are back from last year, and if we get QB play like we did last year there is not a snowballs chance in hell we sniff 10 wins.
Blalock: The Novak regime didn't think much of him at all, and he was destined for LB or off the team all together. He will probably get another look under Kill, but he's already played under 2 different coaches and he wasn't liked by either.
Grady: He likes coach Kill and coach Kill likes him, from what I've heard. He did not throw a ton in high school, but he throws a nice ball and can make things happen with his legs. I think he has the best shot to beat Nicholson.
Harnish: Not a fan of Kill, and may transfer. He has a really good skill set, and he would compete as well if he stays.
7 Wrote:Impossible to predict a win total already. With a new coach, who knows how things will shake out. Who knows if anyone transfers, new commits coming in, and how Kill veiws the talent he has.
Covering the QB topic however. Kill runs a spread offense, and while Hill was a dual threat I don't remember/think Joel Sambursky was. Kill said he adjusts his offense to the talent he has around him.
Nicholson: We pretty much know what we have in him. He will complete alot of his passes, but will make the back breaking mistake. If you think it was him or the recievers or not doesn't matter seeing as how all the WRs are back from last year, and if we get QB play like we did last year there is not a snowballs chance in hell we sniff 10 wins.
Blalock: The Novak regime didn't think much of him at all, and he was destined for LB or off the team all together. He will probably get another look under Kill, but he's already played under 2 different coaches and he wasn't liked by either.
Grady: He likes coach Kill and coach Kill likes him, from what I've heard. He did not throw a ton in high school, but he throws a nice ball and can make things happen with his legs. I think he has the best shot to beat Nicholson.
Harnish: Not a fan of Kill, and may transfer. He has a really good skill set, and he would compete as well if he stays.
How do you already know who is a "fan" and who is not a "fan" of Kill? From what I know, he has not even had the chance to meet formally with the team and certainly has not conducted one-on-one interviews. If what you are saying is true, these players are pre-judging Kill without a formal meeting or knowing what plans he has for them. Sounds like there may be a bit of immaturity on our team. If any players do leave, I hope the door does not bruise their posteriors on the way out!