Let us rant/agree.

http://www.underdogdynasty.com/2017/6/8/...arolina-g5

I will be happy with 9 wins. Who wouldn't? I would be thrilled with our first FBS P5 win against Wake. Let's see how strong they are now that nobody is leaking their game plans. I wouldn't be shocked if Wake ends the season ranked higher that UGA.

(06-08-2017 03:10 PM)troutbummike Wrote:  Let us rant/agree.

http://www.underdogdynasty.com/2017/6/8/...arolina-g5

I will be happy with 9 wins. Who wouldn't? I would be thrilled with our first FBS P5 win against Wake. Let's see how strong they are now that nobody is leaking their game plans. I wouldn't be shocked if Wake ends the season ranked higher that UGA.

For APP, I'd split the difference with 9 or 10 wins, though 11 is not out of the realm of possibility. I'm hopeful against UGA, but it would be an upset if APP beats them. I think APP is better than Wake and GS, but winning all 11 games not named UGA would still be tough (it's along season), and those two may be the difference between 9 and 11 wins.

For my Trojans, I liked what they have to say about Troy's offense. Should be the best in the league along with Arkansas State possibly rebounding to 2015 status. Only caveat is they say we should at least be middle of the back defensively. We were 21st nationally last year and bring back most of it's pieces, a bevy of talent, and the most important piece, Vic Koenning.

GS Fans: I did not know Ukeme Eligwe was drafted. How crucial was he to your defensive success last year, and how do you think you'll fare this year defensively?

(06-08-2017 03:50 PM)TroyFootball05 Wrote:  GS Fans: I did not know Ukeme Eligwe was drafted. How crucial was he to your defensive success last year, and how do you think you'll fare this year defensively?

He was our biggest producer defensively. Our front 7 is our biggest question mark because most of the fanbase isn't sure who is even starting in those positions this season. On paper we still have one of the most talented groups of young guys we've ever had, but they are definitely young. I anticipate a very up and down season for our defense. The talent is there, but the experience is not.

Our season stats last year are very deceiving. We finished 5th in scoring offense and 5th in scoring defense, but when you look at our power numbers and efficiency ratings they were awful on both sides of the board. I think I'm in the minority on our own message board that thinks our offense will climb back into a top 2 or 3 in the conference this season with the new offensive staff, but I agree with most others that defense is really the biggest question. Tyson Summers has mentioned several times that he expects improvements on defense this season because it was somewhat neglected last season because of our offensive struggles. Obviously we'll know more a few games into the season, but with the pieces we are having to replace we are going to have to rely on some true freshmen to fill gaps and that can be scary.

(06-08-2017 04:02 PM)TrueBlueAlum Wrote:  

(06-08-2017 03:50 PM)TroyFootball05 Wrote:  GS Fans: I did not know Ukeme Eligwe was drafted. How crucial was he to your defensive success last year, and how do you think you'll fare this year defensively?

He was our biggest producer defensively. Our front 7 is our biggest question mark because most of the fanbase isn't sure who is even starting in those positions this season. On paper we still have one of the most talented groups of young guys we've ever had, but they are definitely young. I anticipate a very up and down season for our defense. The talent is there, but the experience is not.

We had eleven sacks last year. Eleven. Less than one per game. With an NFL draftee and an UDFA (Gallon) on the defensive side of the ball.
Yet our DC says out loud in an interview before Spring Practice that sacks don't matter. We gave up twenty points to Georgia State (and the interim coach who had been installed just five days earlier) in first seven minutes of the game, when they had averaged 19 in the ten games prior. Point being: as long as we have this DC, and this head coach, the only given is nonsensical coach-speak and excuses.

(06-08-2017 04:02 PM)TrueBlueAlum Wrote:  

(06-08-2017 03:50 PM)TroyFootball05 Wrote:  GS Fans: I did not know Ukeme Eligwe was drafted. How crucial was he to your defensive success last year, and how do you think you'll fare this year defensively?

We finished 5th in offense and 5th in defense, but when you look at our power numbers and efficiency ratings they were awful on both sides of the board. I think I'm in the minority on our own message board that thinks our offense will climb back into a top 2 or 3 in the conference this season with the new offensive staff, but I agree with most others that defense is really the biggest question

When I watched you guys vs APP and vs Troy, I thought your defense was rather impressive, especially the D-Line. That could be because you've blasted us on defense every time you've played us in recent history. Depth seemed to be the issue vs APP. For Troy, I think we are just prone to struggle with the nature of what GS and ARKST do.

I think GS's offensive stats, even ones that get more specific like you suggested with power numbers and efficiency will increase dramatically. Troy and ARKST will have incredible offenses that also see big time improvements, so you'll have to stay ahead of what could be record breaking offenses.

I'll put our win total at 9. Leaves us a little wiggle room in case we slip up against SMU or Southern.

(06-08-2017 04:56 PM)chiefsfan Wrote:  I'll put our win total at 9. Leaves us a little wiggle room in case we slip up against SMU or Southern.

I'll wager when they write the West division "article" most of these "journalists" will take you over 7.5. They're using this for their (whatever you call a betting number). https://www.vsin.com/south-point-opens-c...in-totals/

(06-08-2017 05:19 PM)troutbummike Wrote:  

(06-08-2017 04:56 PM)chiefsfan Wrote:  I'll put our win total at 9. Leaves us a little wiggle room in case we slip up against SMU or Southern.

I'll wager when they write the West division "article" most of these "journalists" will take you over 7.5. They're using this for their (whatever you call a betting number). https://www.vsin.com/south-point-opens-c...in-totals/

The west is already up. Overall not bad for SBC coverage. Not too insightful, but they did a little homework and it's only their opinions (they do love Idaho to go over and they think NMSU will be complete crap).

I'm taking the over on GS. My prediction is 8-4, low of 7-5, high of 9-3. If we had any kind of competent offensive coaching last year (doesn't matter the type of offense) then we have 2-3 more wins. This year we are young, but talented. Some GS fans are really down (same HC same results opinion), but I see us actually starting off ok and getting better throughout the year. Now if we have the injury bug then we are screwed.