The Schedule
It looks tougher on paper than it really is. Our toughest opponents come to us. We play three of our first four at home. Playing FSU and Georgia Tech on back-to-back weeks is a bit rough, but playing Georgia Tech any time forces a team to regroup. If you have to play a gimmick offense, you might as well do it after facing a top 10 team. Maybe it will serve as a rally point after playing the 'Noles.
Underrated talent
Look at that depth chart again. It is not an all star lineup, but I think our front seven will be better than last year. I love some of the young DBs (Keyes, Asprilla) and think with a healthy Noel and improved ALJ, we can be solid defensively. I still think Chase Rettig can be great. I have real hope for Doug Martin and think our WR and TE talent is good enough. The biggest question is the offensive line. But as someone who has preached for a OL coaching change, I keep telling myself that Bollman will make a difference.
Emotion and Pride
Football is an emotional game and emotional sport. Point fingers at whomever you like, but BC had awful team and coaching chemistry last season. When I see Al Washington posting on Facebook about his excitement, when I hear about the 5th year Seniors wanting to end their careers on a high note, when I look at the new field, I think that positive energy and emotion will carry us to an extra win or two.
As long as these two (see pic below) stay out of the way and Spaz coaches to win, I think this might be a fun season. Is anyone else talking themselves into a big year?
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18 comments:
10-2 only lose to FSU and VT!!! Go Eagles!!!
Hope is back! Yes, I feel the vibe. 10-2... hmmmm... but just a winning season and bowl bound will be good for me. 8-4 would nice. I'd taek 7-5. Beating someone like FSU or Clemson would be especially nice. Knocking the stuffing out of ND, of course, will be delightful.
But as a gut check, let me summon the dark prince of low expectations, and ask what does the lost king of doom, BravesBill think? Does he see light or shadow?
BC will certainly fall to FSU ( better talent and an away game) and ND ( better coach and BE officials). Could be competitive in all others. I wish I could share ATL's enthusiasm for Rettig but so far he has been subpar. BC should always be a winning program provided an efficient QB. Bordner is bigger, stronger, faster and has a stronger arm with an extra year of eligibility. If 2012 Rettig looks like 2010-11 Rettig the backup has to be looked at. BC hasn't had a quality QB since Crane ( 8-3) TOB's recruit left.
ATL,
I'm on the same page and we haven't even had camp scrimmages yet. I'm especially excited about Martin's use of a far less complex playbook, instead using motion and packages to disguise plays. I think this feels more like Air Raid coaches. If I recall correctly, WVU coach had a whole talking point on how they really had very few plays, but had a whole bunch of ways of disguising them and altering the basic plays based on the situation that presents itself. Very encouraged to see this, rather than the Tranq/Rogers philosophy of having tons of different plays and styles, of which we mastered none. I also like the fact that the team is not going to use up the entire play clock allowing the defense to be rested and ready (and to have a better chance of anticipating the count).
Really excited about the D, even without Kuechly, if the oline is reasonable we will surprise people. Or so I'm telling myself.
I am on vacation and feeling the optimism. It's more enjoyable.
Go BC!
The John above is me - BJK.
If GDF stays put of the way and Spaz coaches to win? What color is the sky in your world?
Every year I think we are going to be good. I'm one of those idiots with high expectations who gets let down because it's my own damn fault. I love the optimism, but the past couple years have been tough in regard to results. But I think this year is different, and these kids are going to excel despite Spaziani the Great.
Just food for thought - if this team does excel, how much will it change the view of Spaz considering this will be an almost completely Spaz picked team?
I start getting excited this time every year... and then I remember Spaz is still in charge. But, hope springs eternal.
Cronin stressed to Meter that the fact that BC was forced to play 19 freshmen and sophomores last year will pay huge dividends down the road. I agree but I think BC will struggle to get to 7 wins. ND, FSU, Clemson and Va Tech are almost certain losses. Northwestern on the road will be brutal. They will win more than 4, but I just want to get back to a bowl.
A 6 win season is the bare minimum that even a bad BC should be able to achieve. I'm hoping for 7 this year, but really I want to see the plan that puts us in the Orange Bowl within 6 years. Right now, my hopes are flying on a wing and a prayer.
Chicago,
Would you say you're... halfway there?
If we go 6-6 and a bowl game, this will be a major, MAJOR upset win for us this year.
Now, don't get me wrong...I'll be cheering like hell for BC at every game, but as it sits now, I really only see us winning three games.
After the last two seasons of crummy starts this year needs to be different. We have to go 3-1 in the first four games. Which means a win over Miami. If we beat Miami them we go 6-6.
I would really like to see us spread the ball around and run through people like when had Glenn Foley and Darnell Campbell. Foley would throw perfect passes to Keith Miller, hit Ivan Boyd on the WR screens, and then gun it to Pete Mitchell on the hook routes.
If Foley didn't destroy his shoulder with the Jets he would have been a really good NFL QB.
Coughlin was GREAT.
We need to get back into NJ for some recruits(Foley was from Cherry Hill if I recall correctly).
Mod--Bad News: BC will go 5-7. 6-6 maybe in a best case scenario.
Good News: I'll be in Afghanistan during the entire season so I won't have to endure Spaz another year. Exit question--Which is more enjoyable? Spending an afternoon in Kandahar or at a BC football game? Answer--Kandahar hands down.
Bravesbill --
Nice to hear from you Bravesbill!
A possible 6-6 from Bravesbill is HUGE!!!
I assume you must be in the Military (or closely related) to go to Afgahistan...If so, thank you for serving our country! You must be one of the few BC grads to go to war? certainly as of late.
And, while you joke about your trip, please stay safe. I have a collegue from work with a spouse over there in a "safe job".... ain't no such thing (even walking the permitter of base camp apparently is pretty frightening), but he came home in fine shape, as will you.
Here's to you, your service and your coming back to rag on the BC blogs!
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