I believe that this is what will ultimately be the deciding factor of whether this season is viewed as a step in the right direction or not. Most ECU fans expect a bowl trip but most prognostications are predicting that the team will hover around bowl eligibility.



Looking at the schedule, it will be fairly tough. Other than Western Carolina I wouldn't be surprised at winning or losing to any team. Going at least 2-2 OOC (against WCU, NCSU, VT & SC) seems important given the strength of the conference these days. History suggests that ECU is likely to win against at least one of the P5 clubs. In conference, I think a win is likely over UCF and SMU (both at home). Two slightly tougher games against Navy and UCONN are also both at home but I feel confident that at worst those are split. Then ECU would have to win at least one road game against either Tulsa, Cincy, Temple, or USF to get to 6. I think Tulsa is the most likely win from that tough road slate (although that's not gonna be easy this year) but odds are the team figures out how to win at least one of those 4 games and goes bowling.

The optimist in me wants to think ECU steals 2 of the 3 against NCSU, VT & SC then runs the table in conference at home (UCF, Navy, UCONN, SMU) and also finds a way to win 2 of those tough AAC road games (Tulsa, Cincy, Temple & USF) and finishes 9-3 (6-2 AAC) but my modest non-biased gut feel is that the Pirates win about 7 this year.

Why shouldn't they? Its not like Ruffin left the cupboard bare. Just needed one more win to get there last year.

How can you NOT?!? There are like 40 bowl games lol.

Way too much talent to not get to a bowl.

Just at RB for instance, we have two 4* and three 3* players on the depth chart.

(07-12-2016 08:34 PM)Bearcats#1 Wrote:  How can you NOT?!? There are like 40 bowl games lol.

True but you gotta win 6 and I haven't seen a single prediction giving ECU more than 6 Ws this year.

I think it is possible, but not likely.

(07-12-2016 08:37 PM)Indiana Bones Wrote:  

(07-12-2016 08:34 PM)Bearcats#1 Wrote:  How can you NOT?!? There are like 40 bowl games lol.

True but you gotta win 6 and I haven't seen a single prediction giving ECU more than 6 Ws this year.

I think that's because prognosticators just don't know much about the team. The only thing that kept us from being an 8 win team last year was the lack of a QB. Now we have a guy who has been here a year with Big Ten starting experience.

If Ruff was still coach, I think most folks would have picked us to be 7-5 or better.

I honestly miss ECU's bravado. Yall been a tame bunch lately

(07-12-2016 08:53 PM)shere khan Wrote:  I honestly miss ECU's bravado. Yall been a tame bunch lately

I think we get at least 8 wins and compete for the East. What do you think?

(07-12-2016 08:53 PM)shere khan Wrote:  I honestly miss ECU's bravado. Yall been a tame bunch lately

Man, I'd love to tell you we will run away right into the playoff but we've got a new coach and we always seem to blow it at some point even in our most talented years. I will be satisfied with 7+ wins this year.

ecu fans are a rather defensive bunch, so take this as pure analytical, and not a jab on ECU

ECU can make a bowl but they wont, WCU is the only game i can say for a fact ecu wins.. ecu has some talent, alot from a respectable defense last year and a lot of talent on offense return, so the talent is there but...

ecu was 5-7 last season, i don't like ecu's qb situation nor is there anything on your coaches resume that pops out as amazing (instant turn around)..a better qb or more proven coach and i might have had a different opinion ..

Ton of talent at the skill positions on this team -- in my opinion top 3 in the conference in that respect
Also a lot of speed and athleticism on defense.

If nothing else, they'll be a fun team to watch, but I certainly think they can get 6 wins out of this schedule.

(07-12-2016 08:57 PM)B easy Wrote:  

(07-12-2016 08:53 PM)shere khan Wrote:  I honestly miss ECU's bravado. Yall been a tame bunch lately

I think we get at least 8 wins and compete for the East. What do you think?

I dont know. Yall are a sneaky bunch lately. If a team doesnt bring their A game against ecu they are fools.

We beat P5 schools at a really good rate. Better than we play AAC schools. We'll be going for 3 in a row against both NC State and VT.

Beat NCSU in 2010 and 2013 and VT in 2014 and 2015.

We better or Compher will be canned.

Yes. 7-5

.

I too believe ECU will go bowling but just barely makes the cut.

I see 7-5.

Yes, with a 7-5 record.

Need to go 2-2 out of OOC and you make a bowl. If not it is going to be really difficult. I said no, but it will be border line at the end of the season.