(01-14-2020 09:24 AM)Longhorn Wrote: (01-14-2020 09:10 AM)Dukester Wrote: (01-14-2020 02:52 AM)NJDuke97 Wrote: (01-13-2020 05:55 PM)JMU85 Wrote: (01-13-2020 05:51 PM)NJDuke97 Wrote: One note about JMU next year. I think the FBS game at UNC coming later is actually a good thing. Normally I would rather play that team in week one because I think as the season goes the program with more talent and depth gains a bigger advantage but in this case it gives the new JMU QB to get acclimated as starter and get a rhythm before that game.
I would prefer to play UNC the 1st week instead of a conference game in week 1 though.
Can you imagine what Delaware is saying to themselves about their week 1. I know we graduated a bunch of guys but they have to play at Bridgeforth against JMU. That’s a very tall order for them and a game that I don’t think will even be close.
Week one will be an interesting & telling week for us in my opinion.
I would not bet the mortgage on this game. If we were to lose week one at home to UD it could change the outlook for both teams. They are already focusing on us, no doubt. We are not them. If anything most are probably focused on UNC.
I know Sandy and folks believe we'll always be as good each year, but I think next year will be a drop off from the prior 4. Now if we picked up a game changing transfer at QB (like Vad Lee), and perhaps "another" successful stud along the defensive front, as well as another Polk caliber receiver. The roster as it presently exists for next year will be materially weaker than the prior 4 years based on returning players.
Just a lot more unknowns/holes than the prior 4 years.
Disagree. If the positions you’ve outlined as transfers fill in (and some have already signed) I don’t see the team’s returning players being weaker, “materially” or otherwise. OL and interior DL are the same. Amos is at S. Kickers and returners are the same. Are you trying to sandbag everyone?
As it exists certainly does would not include potential future transfers. Receivers go from a (Grade) A to a C in my opinion as it exists. QB goes from A to C in my opinion. Running backs stay as strong. TE goes from A-/B+ to C-ish. Offensive line hopefully remains as strong.
The defensive line goes from A+ to B. Defensive backs might will be similar
Special teams should be similar to next (Amos, Harry, etc.)
I did not feel this way following the 2016 & 2018 season. I thought we were going to be better on paper. Following 2017 I thought there would be a fall off (and there was), but not as much as this year.
It's going to require a very good coaching job by Cig to get this team into a top 4 seed this year.
BDK or someone else - go position to position and see if you think it will be better, the same, or worse this year?
Polk
Stapleton
Stapleton
Ben
Mac
On offense all 5 of those positions will step back a decent amount with the current roster.
Daka
Carter
Holloway
Smith
Robinson
On defense all 5 of those positions will step back a decent amount with the current roster.
I like the Minnesota transfer defensive lineman Abi N-Okonji, but at this point he's not played any meaningful downs in college, so fingers crossed.
To me it's just being realistic. I'm not saying we will have a losing season. I'd probably put us in the likely 7-10 range nationally, but who's the QB, the receivers? I think of the 10 players I listed above, the players we are currently projected to take their spot are a significant step back. I see this team being 7-10 points a game worse than this year's team.