(01-07-2018 09:09 PM)Longhorn Wrote:  

(01-07-2018 08:02 PM)Dukester Wrote:  

(01-07-2018 12:45 PM)Longhorn Wrote:  

(01-06-2018 11:41 PM)Rock House Duke Wrote:  I project we will take a step back. Coach Houston has benefited from the recruiting classes left behind by MM and EW. Next year will be able to measure Houston with his own recruits.

Perhaps. MM last class graduates, but EW's guys are still on the team next year, and MH has one class in situ, and from all reports the incoming freshmen (plus the number of transfers) are highly rated.

The biggest losses are the AAs on the OL and DL, but the rest of the OL should improve with a year of play. Our DBs and LBs will continue to be excellent, and our receivers and other skill players are too. Special teams are off the charts good with freshmen kickers and returner.

The single greatest loss is at QB. We just don't know what will happen at that position. That said, the same concern was in play before MH took over and Schor was promoted to the starting position after winning the start over a P5 transfer. Nobody could have predicted Schor would lead JMU to a NC, and a second appearance in Frisco...and that was all on MH's watch.

Entering the off-season we have a near identical situation at QB. We have a rising sophomore and RF in house, and a P5 transfer. Given MH and his staff's history, I'm betting one of those guys will emerge to provide continuity, and perhaps even a higher level of play than Schor.

I think we could of said that about every recruiting year since 2004. If you look at stars as an evaluation of recruits so far we're not quite where we've been in prior years. Then again some of the higher star recruits never amounted to anything. I have a ton of respect for this coaching staff. Will be interesting to see how well these "seasoned" coaches recruit.

Due to Houston's immediate success at each level, he's not really been anywhere long enough to have live off his recruits. That's why this year, and hopefully next will be interesting. I think he'll succeed, but he loses a ton of talent and experience next year. Probably no one in FCS is losing more than us this year. It will be a new challenge and defining season for him. There's a lot of great players coming back - but as I continue to say the defensive line gives me the biggest concern. The depth, youth, and experience of the offensive line gives me confidence in this unit for the next three years. A solid offensive line is the backbone of a great team.

I expect an 8 or 9 win regular season next year. Obviously expect a loss at likely ranked NC State and one or two more along the way. Hopefully by YE we will be again peeking like 2016 and going after another NC.

8 or 9 wins during the regular season would be a reasonable expectation. That kind of record should get JMU back into the playoffs, and maybe even a seed. At least one home game in the playoffs should be a minimal expectation.

I would think this would be the case not just next year, but every year with what we have going on at JMU.
Not getting a top 8 seed would be a disappointment in MHO.