Thoughts on the season

[nothingkevin]

Still a couple weeks before our first game, so I guess we have another prediction thread.

Somewhere between 7 and 10 wins seems the most likely to me, just like it did 3 months ago in another prediction thread. BYU, Miami, Wiscy, Minnesota, can they beat us, Yes. Should they beat us, no. Not a popular opinion here, but I think MSU has to be favored at this point in time. If our transition year is good, 10 wins, heck maybe even 11 (pass the Kool-aid please). If our transition is bad, I can't see less than 7 wins (unless our coaching staff are morons).

I don't see us as "running the gauntlet" this year in terms of our schedule (Oregon and OhSU will ratchet up our schedule next year, but we're not talking about next year).

Most likely 8-4, best case scenario 9-3

 

[Tulsa Tom]

Agreed with everything you posted, and great insight. My reluctance to expect an above average season comes from the understanding that coaching changes, even the positive ones, can set back progress temporarily. I do anticipate that we will be a better team and achieve at a higher level going forward, but I feel like we have to allow for the cultural, scheme, and roster turnovers that are still underway. We may well exceed expectations this year, and I hope we do. I just caution that if, we struggle early as I expect we will, not to write off Riley as a failure. That's all.

I think this where most people are. They want expectations low because they don't want angst over Riley. I get that but I am really doubtful there will 've lots of people calling for Rileys head at even seven wins. However, I think our expectations should be much higher. It's hard to think that anyone in the big five conferences could have an easier schedule than us and we still have a solid number of players back...including a qb who has to be the best in our division.

 

[Bill_Callahan2.0]

9-3 this year. 10-3 after bowl season. Book it.

 

[leodisflowers]

It isn't Riley who they will be calling for. This is all on Eichorst. If our team sucks, the faithful is going to turn on him just like Pederson. These next few years are all on Shawn. He could be the savior, or is definitely going to get run out of town, but it my opinion it all comes back to him.

 

[PogeyKahn]

Agree. I think Jerry Kill is great for Minny, but not necessarily scared of them. Cobb is gone, and so is there huge TE. We are going to be much better against the run and Leidner doesn't scare me one bit throwing the ball. I have the same feelings about Wisconsin. Their WR's aren't good. Play the run and try to have Stave beat us. I like our odds if Stave is going to be the focal point.

Minnesota has a few things going for it. They are very solid in a few areas, with question marks in other areas, but no glaring weaknesses. The D is very fast and deep, and the O line is tough, experienced and deep.

The loss of RB Cobb and TE Williams are not as big of deal as some think. The Big RB that lost his job to Cobb is coming back and is in better shape. Behind him are three or four very strong, more athletic RBs, including Jeff Jones and a RS F Smith from Georgia.

Williams was a great TE, but there is better talent and depth at WR, plus the RB Jones will play in the slot a lot, so the offense might be more diverse without Williams. If any of the four RS Freshman WRs emerge that will help out the other two vets returning.

The key to the offense is the OL and that group is extremely deep and lost only one key play in the RG and they are probably about 9 deep right now with a lot of completion to start.

Minnesota is also very strong in the secondary, with plenty of LB and DL talent ready to play. I think LB inexperience, and a D Line that does not match up ideally against power running teams, along with the QBs need to throw the ball better and not turn over via fumbles and interceptions are the question marks. If Minnesota can find a way to beat TCU they could be 11-1, or they could end up 7-5. I expect about 9-3 this year, or maybe 10-2.

Losses TCU, Ohio State, one other loss- not Wisconsin (Iowa, or Nebraska maybe)

Wisconsin will lose to MN