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(06-07-2018 10:15 PM)Ragpicker Wrote:  

(06-07-2018 09:27 PM)UCGrad1992 Wrote:  With low expectations for this season, the recruiting successes and in just Year 2 after the Crapperville mess I think it would. 6-6 means beating someone in the AAC other than ECU or UConn for starters. Making a bowl would be UC's first since 2015 - winning the bowl would be even better. Personally, I would be happy with 5 wins and a few close losses as a sign of trending in the right direction.

5 wins and a few close losses in a G6 league. How far we have fallen. And was vehemently told that would never happen. UC would dominate. Lol

And before the LF apologists rail on this post, just look what Scott Frost did at UCF in his 2nd year after an 0-12 season in 2015.

I don't think you can point to the outlier that is UCF. How often does that happen? Yes, we have fallen. I'm looking for improvement this year and that includes competitiveness and not just wins. I'm also being realistic. You got any magic dust to sprinkle on this program? It is what it is. Moaning about the conference or what once was under Brian Kelly means squat right now.

UC could have easily been 1-11 last year. They got 2 miracle wins by missed kicks from Tulane and UConn. They were lucky to beat Miami thanks to the Miami coaching blunders. They got destroyed by a bad ECU in the next to last game of the year. They were blown out by UCF and USF. They could/should have beaten SMU but Moore and his lack of an offensive line cost them that game.

Hopefully the team and coaches figure something out this year.

(06-07-2018 08:21 PM)bearcatmill Wrote:  

(06-07-2018 09:43 AM)bearcatlawjd2 Wrote:  

(06-07-2018 09:36 AM)bearcatmark Wrote:  

(06-06-2018 08:44 PM)bearcatlawjd2 Wrote:  Needs at least six wins and a bowl game. Can’t lose to Miami or Ohio U. Coach Fickell can’t have another awful year or the loser label is going to be used against him.

Eh.... I don't think Ohio is a must win. Ohio's projected S&P+ is better than SMU, Temple, Navy, Tulane, Tulsa, UConn and ECU.

I think UC needs to beat Alabama A&M, Miami (OH) and ECU.

I think UC needs at least 3-4 from Ohio, @Uconn, Tulane, @Temple, @SMU, USF and Navy. (4-3 in that group would likely mean a winning season).

I think it would be really nice to steal one from @UCLA or UCF but that would just be icing on the cake.

Can’t lose to mac schools in Cincinnati. Damages the brand.

UC has to beat the mac schools on the sched. The local media will eat up a UC loss to ou or cry-ami. Both are must wins.

Yep. Or Ken Broo will be talking Ohio University to the Big 12 the next day on 700.

(06-07-2018 09:51 AM)DuaneNorman Wrote:  Cincinnati runs football.

I think the jury is still out on CLF. In the areas where he has experience like recruiting and motivating he did great. Game preparation and management... not so much. I thought the defense was much improved... The offense. Yikes.

Compared to our AAC competitors:

Passing
Attempts/Game: 36.17 (4th)
Comp %: 56.5 (T 7th)
YPG: 216.4 (9th)
YPA: 6.0 (DEAD LAST)


Rushing
Attempts/Game: 30.9 (DEAD LAST)
YPG: 135.3 (Second to last)
YPA: 4.4 (9th)

Guess we just plain gave up on the run and then had a totally ineffective passing attack. Recipe for mediocrity.

(06-07-2018 10:15 PM)Ragpicker Wrote:  

(06-07-2018 09:27 PM)UCGrad1992 Wrote:  

(06-07-2018 09:11 PM)Bearhawkeye Wrote:  

(06-07-2018 07:09 PM)UCGrad1992 Wrote:  If CLF takes this team to at least 6-6 and gets to a bowl game then his coaching rankings and national perception will skyrocket. It certainly is possible and I would like to think that he and the staff will improve in some areas due to having a full season under their collective belts. Would love to see them get a few wins early to build the excitement and momentum for the season that has been lacking for the past several years.

It's going to take a lot more than 6-6 for the team's and coaches' perceptions to skyrocket imo.

With low expectations for this season, the recruiting successes and in just Year 2 after the Crapperville mess I think it would. 6-6 means beating someone in the AAC other than ECU or UConn for starters. Making a bowl would be UC's first since 2015 - winning the bowl would be even better. Personally, I would be happy with 5 wins and a few close losses as a sign of trending in the right direction.

5 wins and a few close losses in a G6 league. How far we have fallen. And was vehemently told that would never happen. UC would dominate. Lol

And before the LF apologists rail on this post, just look what Scott Frost did at UCF in his 2nd year after an 0-12 season in 2015.

The season hasn't started yet. We could very well finish 12-0 ourselves. Unlikely, but possible.

(06-08-2018 07:09 AM)OKIcat Wrote:  

(06-07-2018 08:21 PM)bearcatmill Wrote:  

(06-07-2018 09:43 AM)bearcatlawjd2 Wrote:  

(06-07-2018 09:36 AM)bearcatmark Wrote:  

(06-06-2018 08:44 PM)bearcatlawjd2 Wrote:  Needs at least six wins and a bowl game. Can’t lose to Miami or Ohio U. Coach Fickell can’t have another awful year or the loser label is going to be used against him.

Eh.... I don't think Ohio is a must win. Ohio's projected S&P+ is better than SMU, Temple, Navy, Tulane, Tulsa, UConn and ECU.

I think UC needs to beat Alabama A&M, Miami (OH) and ECU.

I think UC needs at least 3-4 from Ohio, @Uconn, Tulane, @Temple, @SMU, USF and Navy. (4-3 in that group would likely mean a winning season).

I think it would be really nice to steal one from @UCLA or UCF but that would just be icing on the cake.

Can’t lose to mac schools in Cincinnati. Damages the brand.

UC has to beat the mac schools on the sched. The local media will eat up a UC loss to ou or cry-ami. Both are must wins.

Yep. Or Ken Broo will be talking Ohio University to the Big 12 the next day on 700.

Ohio was very good last year, finishing 9-4. They are a very dangerous offensive team and their QB will likely be playing on Sundays in a couple years. With our offense I don't know if we can keep up with them.

(06-08-2018 07:42 AM)AeroCat Wrote:  I think the jury is still out on CLF. In the areas where he has experience like recruiting and motivating he did great. Game preparation and management... not so much. I thought the defense was much improved... The offense. Yikes.

Compared to our AAC competitors:

Passing
Attempts/Game: 36.17 (4th)
Comp %: 56.5 (T 7th)
YPG: 216.4 (9th)
YPA: 6.0 (DEAD LAST)


Rushing
Attempts/Game: 30.9 (DEAD LAST)
YPG: 135.3 (Second to last)
YPA: 4.4 (9th)

Guess we just plain gave up on the run and then had a totally ineffective passing attack. Recipe for mediocrity.

The offense was a joke. Plain and simple. Embarrassing.

I'm hoping for the best but....we'll see.

Tell me right now that I could have a split with Miami and OU and I might be inclined to take it.

Ohio is going to be a really solid team. UC can lose and still have a good season. UC lost to Toledo under Jones....people forgot soon enough. A loss to a really good MAC team in year 2 of a major rebuild isn't going to kill the program.

(06-08-2018 08:55 AM)bearcatmark Wrote:  Ohio is going to be a really solid team. UC can lose and still have a good season. UC lost to Toledo under Jones....people forgot soon enough. A loss to a really good MAC team in year 2 of a major rebuild isn't going to kill the program.

Agree. People also forget we just about blew the return game with Toledo at Paul Brown Stadium. I know because I was at that game. Again, we may not improve much in terms of overall wins and losses this season but we NEED to see IMPROVEMENT from the coaching staff and on the field of play. IF that occurs, then Year 3 is when we should really make a move upward as a real conference threat. Anything better than this scenario is gravy. IMO, I foresee this program making solid, incremental steps toward winning ways that is sustained for the long term under CLF.

(06-07-2018 10:15 PM)Ragpicker Wrote:  

(06-07-2018 09:27 PM)UCGrad1992 Wrote:  

(06-07-2018 09:11 PM)Bearhawkeye Wrote:  

(06-07-2018 07:09 PM)UCGrad1992 Wrote:  If CLF takes this team to at least 6-6 and gets to a bowl game then his coaching rankings and national perception will skyrocket. It certainly is possible and I would like to think that he and the staff will improve in some areas due to having a full season under their collective belts. Would love to see them get a few wins early to build the excitement and momentum for the season that has been lacking for the past several years.

It's going to take a lot more than 6-6 for the team's and coaches' perceptions to skyrocket imo.

With low expectations for this season, the recruiting successes and in just Year 2 after the Crapperville mess I think it would. 6-6 means beating someone in the AAC other than ECU or UConn for starters. Making a bowl would be UC's first since 2015 - winning the bowl would be even better. Personally, I would be happy with 5 wins and a few close losses as a sign of trending in the right direction.

5 wins and a few close losses in a G6 league. How far we have fallen. And was vehemently told that would never happen. UC would dominate. Lol

And before the LF apologists rail on this post, just look what Scott Frost did at UCF in his 2nd year after an 0-12 season in 2015.

Just curious, not a flame, but how did you feel about Butch after his first year. I admit that I wanted him fired for most of the reasons that you have mentioned. Butch surprised me. He never became a great x and os guy, but imho built a solid program until the turd tore it apart.

(06-08-2018 08:55 AM)bearcatmark Wrote:  Ohio is going to be a really solid team. UC can lose and still have a good season. UC lost to Toledo under Jones....people forgot soon enough. A loss to a really good MAC team in year 2 of a major rebuild isn't going to kill the program.

People also forget the Toledo game was one we should have won. QB play was not getting it done and Jones was too stubborn to try another QB. Also, the ridiculous blown kick return. If UC wants to separate themselves from the G5 they need to win these games.

(06-08-2018 01:35 PM)bearcatmill Wrote:  

(06-08-2018 08:55 AM)bearcatmark Wrote:  Ohio is going to be a really solid team. UC can lose and still have a good season. UC lost to Toledo under Jones....people forgot soon enough. A loss to a really good MAC team in year 2 of a major rebuild isn't going to kill the program.

People also forget the Toledo game was one we should have won. QB play was not getting it done and Jones was too stubborn to try another QB. Also, the ridiculous blown kick return. If UC wants to separate themselves from the G5 they need to win these games.

I will never forget openly laughing along with two other UC fans in my section when Munchie threw the last pick against UT that sealed it right into a linebacker's chest who was a solid 15 yards short of the nearest receiver. I still contest that if Kay had started from Day 1 that season we would've had a third BCS bowl game on our record books.

(06-08-2018 02:52 PM)BearcatMan Wrote:  

(06-08-2018 01:35 PM)bearcatmill Wrote:  

(06-08-2018 08:55 AM)bearcatmark Wrote:  Ohio is going to be a really solid team. UC can lose and still have a good season. UC lost to Toledo under Jones....people forgot soon enough. A loss to a really good MAC team in year 2 of a major rebuild isn't going to kill the program.

People also forget the Toledo game was one we should have won. QB play was not getting it done and Jones was too stubborn to try another QB. Also, the ridiculous blown kick return. If UC wants to separate themselves from the G5 they need to win these games.

I will never forget openly laughing along with two other UC fans in my section when Munchie threw the last pick against UT that sealed it right into a linebacker's chest who was a solid 15 yards short of the nearest receiver. I still contest that if Kay had started from Day 1 that season we would've had a third BCS bowl game on our record books.

I think you're probably right but Kay had a bunch of injury issues of i recall. Kay was a great uc qb when he played

(06-07-2018 10:15 PM)Ragpicker Wrote:  

(06-07-2018 09:27 PM)UCGrad1992 Wrote:  

(06-07-2018 09:11 PM)Bearhawkeye Wrote:  

(06-07-2018 07:09 PM)UCGrad1992 Wrote:  If CLF takes this team to at least 6-6 and gets to a bowl game then his coaching rankings and national perception will skyrocket. It certainly is possible and I would like to think that he and the staff will improve in some areas due to having a full season under their collective belts. Would love to see them get a few wins early to build the excitement and momentum for the season that has been lacking for the past several years.

It's going to take a lot more than 6-6 for the team's and coaches' perceptions to skyrocket imo.

With low expectations for this season, the recruiting successes and in just Year 2 after the Crapperville mess I think it would. 6-6 means beating someone in the AAC other than ECU or UConn for starters. Making a bowl would be UC's first since 2015 - winning the bowl would be even better. Personally, I would be happy with 5 wins and a few close losses as a sign of trending in the right direction.

5 wins and a few close losses in a G6 league. How far we have fallen. And was vehemently told that would never happen. UC would dominate. Lol

And before the LF apologists rail on this post, just look what Scott Frost did at UCF in his 2nd year after an 0-12 season in 2015.

No matter your feelings on CLF, and UC Football. You have to see a huge difference between UC's current program, and a UCF team that was on season removed from a 12-0 season.

They should not have been 0-12 to begin with, and the roster had a lot of talent already.

You know, I'm still elated that Portaville is gone. If he was still here last season then that would mean our program rebuild would be delayed even further. I can't believe I was duped by that snifflin' snake oil dope. Where's rath to say he was the first to call this out?

(06-08-2018 06:06 PM)Banter Wrote:  No matter your feelings on CLF, and UC Football. You have to see a huge difference between UC's current program, and a UCF team that was on season removed from a 12-0 season.

They should not have been 0-12 to begin with, and the roster had a lot of talent already.

Should not have been 0-12? Didn't realize opinion made a difference on the scoreboard. 0-12 in a weak AAC.

Or are you saying they had top recruited talent, and just need a real good coach to put a undefeated team on the field. CLF and his staff are hoping for 6-6. That really sells tix.

(06-11-2018 12:12 PM)Ragpicker Wrote:  

(06-08-2018 06:06 PM)Banter Wrote:  No matter your feelings on CLF, and UC Football. You have to see a huge difference between UC's current program, and a UCF team that was on season removed from a 12-0 season.

They should not have been 0-12 to begin with, and the roster had a lot of talent already.

Should not have been 0-12? Didn't realize opinion made a difference on the scoreboard. 0-12 in a weak AAC.

Or are you saying they had top recruited talent, and just need a real good coach to put a undefeated team on the field. CLF and his staff are hoping for 6-6. That really sells tix.

They were coming off a BCS bowl win and had really talented underclassman as a result (prior to that 0-12 collapse). The upper class was lacking. Frost reaped the benefits of recruits that came in after the best team in UCF history (to that point). The mess Fickel inherited had been building for a while and permeated the upperclassman and underclassman. Frost was better positioned for a quick turnaround despite the horrendous season they were coming off. That said, what Frost did in two years is still incredible.

Fickel and his staff are recruiting at a level we haven't seen before at UC. Only time will tell if the staff can translate that to on field success, but one season with little of what they are building in place doesn't tell us much.

(06-11-2018 12:24 PM)bearcatmark Wrote:  

(06-11-2018 12:12 PM)Ragpicker Wrote:  

(06-08-2018 06:06 PM)Banter Wrote:  No matter your feelings on CLF, and UC Football. You have to see a huge difference between UC's current program, and a UCF team that was on season removed from a 12-0 season.

They should not have been 0-12 to begin with, and the roster had a lot of talent already.

Should not have been 0-12? Didn't realize opinion made a difference on the scoreboard. 0-12 in a weak AAC.

Or are you saying they had top recruited talent, and just need a real good coach to put a undefeated team on the field. CLF and his staff are hoping for 6-6. That really sells tix.

They were coming off a BCS bowl win and had really talented underclassman as a result (prior to that 0-12 collapse). The upper class was lacking. Frost reaped the benefits of recruits that came in after the best team in UCF history (to that point). The mess Fickel inherited had been building for a while and permeated the upperclassman and underclassman. Frost was better positioned for a quick turnaround despite the horrendous season they were coming off. That said, what Frost did in two years is still incredible.

Fickel and his staff are recruiting at a level we haven't seen before at UC. Only time will tell if the staff can translate that to on field success, but one season with little of what they are building in place doesn't tell us much.

I agree. Third and short (or long) was almost a given against the UC defense the past few years. I expect to see real improvement there in year two but it is difficult to translate that alone into a certain number of additional wins. Then again, a handful of "stops" in situations such as that across an entire season might just mean a couple more wins--the difference between a winning and losing record. Football can be similar to other sports, the margin between winning and losing can be razor thin.