Last year was so successful, I hope we aren't set up for yet another letdown.

We won't have a let down if Randolph plays well, or running backs can get loose, and our defense step up. It will be interesting.

I can't wait..it is going to be fun to watch

20 years ago, a winning season in Winston-Salem would no doubt be categorically defined as a fluke. Nowadays, I'm not so sure. I'm interested in seeing what the Deacs do this year. It would be refreshing to see them hold onto the higher ground they've laid claim to.

Wake Forest is trying to "turn their engine" so to speak. They have a couple of good years, then a stretch of bad years, then stretch of good years again. It's about like trying to crank an engine that's cold.

I sure hope this year is at least as exciting.

With a little more depth and experience, Wake could've easily won 9-10 games last year. I think as long as Jim Grobe is there, you guys will always be competitive. I don't know if you can top 7 wins this year (considering the schedule), but I'd look for at least 5.

I think with the offense we have we can screw up some other teams defense. That was a key part in the Oregon game because we ran things like that and passes when we had too. One question is how good is the D-Line withougt Pace and Sharpe.

CB13 Wrote:I think with the offense we have we can screw up some other teams defense.

You can say that again! :bang: In the Tech game, Wake must have run the same counter/misdirection play about 35 times - and it worked about 95% of the time.

JoltinJacket Wrote:

CB13 Wrote:I think with the offense we have we can screw up some other teams defense.

You can say that again! :bang: In the Tech game, Wake must have run the same counter/misdirection play about 35 times - and it worked about 95% of the time.

Yeah, all of the Tech folks I was sitting with kept grumbling about that. :laugh: :laugh:

Grobe is the type of coach who gets the most out of his players, even when no one else thinks there is enough talent in the cupboard to keep moving up the ACC ladder. I don't see a letdown in this year's team. Definitely wouldn't mind making a road trip to Charlotte in late December... :)



<!--EDIT|Lucy|Jun 3 2003, 08:21 AM-->

Grobe is going to have a tougher coaching job this year for a couple of reasons:

1. Wake loses a lot of seniors from last year
2. It'll be harder to sneak up on teams this year

That doesn't mean that he can't get the job done -- because he can. But, the respect that Grobe has earned Wake is a double-edged sword, because it means that teams will take them far more seriously.

This year is going to be pivotal for Wake if they want to establish themselves in the upper echelon of the ACC. If they can match last year's results -- or improve upon them -- I think they will take a big step toward permanent success in ACC football (with or without expansion).

-JD

"Sneaking up" is an interesting way to put it.

It is, but that's what I think Wake has done to some teams the past two years. Those teams didn't take Wake as seriously as they should have, and Wake made them pay. But, it isn't meant as a derogatory term, because I think Wake has been a strong team ever since Grobe has been there. They just had the lack-of-respect / surprise factor working for them.

One example would be us two years ago -- we slacked off in the second half and you made us pay for it. You then turned around and spanked us last year and left no question about it.

Last year, I think you definitely had the surprise factor working in your favor against Tech, Purdue, and Oregon -- especially because those were all away games that you won. The Clemson and Virginia games were a bit like that too, even though you lost those two.

This year will be a true test of Wake football. Teams won't overlook Wake anymore (and they shouldn't have before). If you post a good record this year, Wake football will have truly gained the respect it deserves.

-JD

I like surprise better