Season Prediction Part I: Best Case Scenario

The annual what could be series. I think this year will be fun. It will be great to see fans back in the stands and I feel like our season and Hafley's growing media presence will generate buzz and extra attention to the program. The schedule is friendly too. Will there be bumps in the road? Probably. But here is what could happen if everything works out just right. Worst case will come tomorrow. Final prediction will post Wednesday.

Best Case Scenario

Colgate. Win. Glorified scrimmage. No issues. Perfect opponent to shake off the rust.

at UMass. Win. When I talk about a friendly schedule, starting on the road in state against a terrible UMass team is what I meant. 

at Temple. Win. This is more of a challenge, but BC should be able to easily outscore Temple. I fear lots of shootouts this year, but I don't see a Temple hanging for four quarters.

Mizzou. Win. The first real test and in this perfect season, Hafley and Co. pass the test.

at Clemson. Loss. Both teams come in ranked and this is a huge game nationally. We give them another tough game but come up short again.

NC State. Win. I think it will be a tough game, but in a perfect season we bounce back from Clemson with a good solid ACC win.

at Louisville. Win. A high scoring, back and forth game. BC holds on to win.

at Syracuse. Win. I never take a trip to Syracuse lightly, but think we win this trap game.

Virginia Tech. Win. I think things could be falling apart for VT at this point in the season. We crush them.

at Georgia Tech. Win. This is a tricky one as Georgia Tech will be improving. We still win.

Florida State. Win. FSU is one of those teams that beats us when they shouldn't. They won't this year.

Wake Forest. Win. If we enter this game with one loss, the pressure will be intense. I think we are up for the challenge.

The loss to Clemson keeps us out of the ACC Championship game, but the incredible buzz and record get us in an at large New Year's Bowl game (whichever one has a spot to fill). We play a power and lose...with an interim coach. If Hafley goes 11-1, the entire football world will try to hire him away. I see him in the NFL and would gladly wish him luck if he goes out with this type of season.

Hafley Year 2: still in the Honeymoon Phase?

 

Does last year even count? In my opinion, it does. And going 6-5 (5-5 in the ACC) was a miracle and a hell of an accomplishment. Doing it without a true offseason program. Doing as the schedule, rules and expectations changed weekly was also remarkable. Even with some disappointing losses and skipping a bowl game, I don't really feel like Jeff Hafley had one misstep last year. It was as perfect as a 6-5, first year season could be. But despite all that relative success and the clear change in mood, we still don't know anything about what we really can be or will be this year. This is is Year 2, but it is sort of Year 1 again.

For the guy who did it right when everything was going wrong, this should be an huge opportunity. The roster is closer to his vision. He had an entire offseason to implement and adjust schemes and staff. He even has an easier schedule. The flipside is expectations are higher, there are more distractions and the rest of the college football world has had time to plan and prepare for the cards Hafley showed last year.

I am going to do my season predictions as usual this year, but I will give you a sneak preview. I think we are going to be good this year. Very good. I know there are holes and depth issues on D. I know that things will get rough. But I think the schedule, the QB and the head coach are all lined up just right for a special BC season. And because we don't know what to take away from last year, I am going to enjoy this extra long Hafley Honeymoon.