(06-20-2019 01:59 PM)cuseroc Wrote: (06-20-2019 01:10 PM)TexanMark Wrote: Just broke through 7000 new season tickets. The last season push could get to 10,000!
WOW! It took me until the middle of last season to get fully onboard with Babers. But that guy has SU back on track much quicker than any of us expected. He was the perfect hire for SU. I hope we can keep him for at least 5 more tears. He really acts as thou he wants to be there.
SU could average 45--48 thousand this season
I liked Babers from day 1. His positive attitude was refreshing in a down program. I really knew we had something when he avoided all opportunity to trash the prior coaches and when he had honest talks with the players assessing whom he thought would and would not have playing time, allowing those that wished to stay keep their scholarships knowing they were more for being the weekly opposition in training for the next game or letting them leave without hinderance to play elsewhere. All this while knowing his cupboards were mostly bare and that he would need to recruit his players into the system.
He had a plan, he is still implementing the plan - which is part of why I am bullish on this season - and has been steadily improving everything across the board. The Dome is the perfect setting for his style of play, no rain, fast track, no prevailing winds. The outdoor fields allow prep for games on grass and/or in the cold, too.
Then the coaching staff he has assembled is perfect for ACC football. From the S&C - which is a major improvement - to the position coaches and coordinators, everyone is dedicated and part of Babers' team. They are not looking for a bigger paycheck elsewhere, they are earning it at Syracuse. Yes, over time, we will lose some coaches to outside promotions with other teams, but this is NOT the annual carousel of personnel, this is much more stable and far better for recruiting AND development. Stable staffs are able to build better teams, especially when the teams are 3* and 4* players v. 5* and high 4* recruits of Bama and Clemson.
The recruiting has vastly improved, both from a system and from a quality of the recruit. More players are ready to play or close to being ready to play P5 football as well as being more suited to play in Babers' system. Recall that players must be ore versatile and must have a better understanding of the game to adjust from play to play. Clemson does not allow defenses to change personnel (nor does SU) which causes a great need for players that can play pass and run defense. Offensive players must be able to go from Pass plays to run blocking. Yes, run blocking starts at the line, but receivers who take DBs out of the play and maybe a line backer or two, allow the rusher to gain more yards.
Special teams speaks for itself under Babers.
All of the above brings me to the reason I am bullish on this fall. Babers has a QB with two full years in the system and is ready to play with significant game experience under his belt. The O-Line is mature and deeper (a new luxury for Babers, even though it is not as deep and developed as he would prefer). He has outstanding young receivers ready to step up with a pin-point accurate, fast release, canon-for-an-arm QB. Running the ball is going to be much improved with Abdul Adams (former OU RB transfer) who just pounds people because he can. The returning rushers were decent, but an improved passing game and adding Adams should open up the running game like all fans dream of. On the Defense, he has a very experienced D line, with what may be the best DE tandem in the ACC or even CFBdom. The DBs are solid, getting better and deeper. The LB crew is the unknown because the younger kids will be starting. However, several had significant playing time and they are bigger, stronger, faster than recent past LBs, with time in Babers' system, they know what they are doing. And, again, the special teams are special in the right ways.
Add to the above, a softer schedule than usual, Clemson in the Dome in week three, with FSU still sorting out who they want to be, cobbling together an O-line, and starting a new QB, things are setting up for a great run this fall.
For the record, Clemson is and should be the favorite, they deserve that respect, If I have to predict the outcome right now, I pick Clemson. But, SU beat them two years ago, played deep into the fourth AT Death Valley last fall, and is one of only a few teams to play at Clemson's level over the last few years, so we have some hope. Clemson is the toughest test on the slate, after which there is a significant drop off in quality of opponent. The OOC is as soft as it has been in decades (SU generally plays a tough OOC slate).
All in all, a much improved team, far better system (that is still not yet at its optimum), deeper roster, stable staff, and softer schedule, I believe SU has a great fall campaign.
Go Orange!