What Does Success/Failure Look Like In 2018

[undigestedcorn]

Here's my take before a potential bowl game:

What does success in season 1 look like?
1. Not getting blown out by any team.
2. 12-0
3. 11-1
4. 10-2
5. 9-3
6. 8-4
7. 7-5

What would failure look like in season 1:
1. Getting blown out by any team.
2. 0 - 12
3. 1 - 11
4. 2 - 10
5. 3 - 9
6. 4 - 8
7. 5 - 7
8. 6 - 6

 

[spartanhusker]

I’m not sure you can TOTALLY measure it in wins but I’m hopeful for 8-4, strong recruiting, rebuilding an attitude

 

[SC_'sker]

I'd settle for a winning season and a good recruiting class. Next year's schedule is brutal so it's very possible that we'll be on the wrong end of a blowout - especially considering what we've seen from this team over the last few years.

 

[anon_umk0ifu6vj6zi]

9 wins

 

[kidofSN]

Looking at the schedule with open eyes there are realistically at least 8 wins to be had for sure. Would be a very successful season at 10 during the reg season but the low goal should be 8.

 

[RedSea]

I'll allow a blowout, maybe two, in the first year without automatically calling the season a failure. Would call anything below .500 overall a failure though.

 

[huskerfan66]

Good question. I think we will know it when we see it on the field. That comes first before I make w/l projections. I thought we could be 10-2 this year until I went to the Arkansas St game. Got humbled real quick

 

[TwinsRRUs]

So in a coach's first year, getting blown out one time means the season is a failure?

Not sure I 100% agree, but at the same time, I don't see a team with an exceptional offense in the first half of the season. A blowout is probably less likely later in the season, but if Ohio St wins 38-17, the season is not lost, nor is it a failure.

Sept. 8 Colorado
Sept. 15 Troy
Sept. 22 at Michigan
Sept. 29 Purdue
Oct. 6 at Wisconsin
Oct. 13 at Northwestern
Oct. 20 Minnesota
Oct. 27 BYE
Nov. 3 at Ohio State
Nov. 10 Illinois
Nov. 17 Michigan State
Nov. 23 at Iowa

Failure to me is not a single thing, but a few things that add up to failure. Losing one game does not ruin a season. A season is graded on its entirety.

Some things need to be seen: progress, unity, effort, toughness, never giving up, fire, will,

Failures: softness, poor play calling, lack of effort, lack of motivation, poor tackling, reoccurring penalties, poor execution, players that don't know what they are supposed to be doing, not beating teams we should easily beat, and lack of competitiveness.

Wins and losses are a little different. In 2015, we lost a lot of close games from lack of coaching at the end of games. If we lose a bunch of close games, why did we lose them? Is there a reoccurring theme?

With that said, not making a bowl game is a failure.

 

[TwinsRRUs]

Good question. I think we will know it when we see it on the field. That comes first before I make w/l projections. I thought we could be 10-2 this year until I went to the Arkansas St game. Got humbled real quick

I thought we would surprise the world and win 10 or 11 games this year. Now that we have Frost, I am glad I was completely wrong.

 

[jedimasterjed]

Making a bowl game and not playing like they are a bunch of Pu$$ies. I am tired of the days when a team with a chitty offense like Iowa looks like the 95 huskers.

 

[scarletred]

Since we have hit rock bottom and changing scheme’s with a new Coaching staff,if we can win one of those away games 8-4 is do able.

Winning a bowl game is always a big accomplishment especially in there first year.

 

[davecisar]

NU won FOUR games in 2017 and suffered losses to Northern Illinois and BLOWOUTs to Minny, OSU, Iowa and Penn State- got manhandled by Northwestern for crying out loud=
Its MUCH different deal than Mike Riley coming in behind what 7 years of 9-10 wins

Its a success if:
We see physical football
We see well coached- well prepared teams
We see better tackling, offensive line and d-line play
We see an offense that legitimately values running the ball and commits to it
We soundly beat teams we are significantly more talents than- this years Arkansas State, Northern Illinois, Rutgers, Illinois, Purdue- 2018- Troy- Colorado- Purdue and Illinois BURY THEM- not close games
We compete well with teams we are even with or have somewhat better talent- Minnesota, Northwestern, Iowa 2018 Minny, Northwestern, Iowa. Michigan State
Play hard (dont act like you are in waiting room to get wisdom teeth pulled out) against teams that really have it together- Penn State, OSU, Wisconsin 2018- Michigan, OSU, Wisconsin

Continue aggressive recruiting push

THERE WILL be a blowout, maybe 2, this is a mess SF is inheriting and he had little time and split duties to recruit his first class.

Want to See improvement and player development from week 1 to game 13
We play hard and good football- go 6-6 and win the bowl game Im good
Beat the 4 teams we have a lot more talent than, win 2 or 3 out of 4 of the middle group and not blink against the 3 teams in the top group
7-5 and win the bowl game 8-5 would be fantastic

 

[scarletred]

NU won FOUR games in 2017 and suffered losses to Northern Illinois and BLOWOUTs to Minny, OSU, Iowa and Penn State- got manhandled by Northwestern for crying out loud=
Its MUCH different deal than Mike Riley coming in behind what 7 years of 9-10 wins

Its a success if:
We see physical football
We see well coached- well prepared teams
We see better tackling, offensive line and d-line play
We see an offense that legitimately values running the ball and commits to it
We soundly beat teams we are significantly more talents than- this years Arkansas State, Northern Illinois, Rutgers, Illinois, Purdue- 2018- Troy- Colorado- Purdue and Illinois BURY THEM- not close games
We compete well with teams we are even with or have somewhat better talent- Minnesota, Northwestern, Iowa 2018 Minny, Northwestern, Iowa. Michigan State
Play hard (dont act like you are in waiting room to get wisdom teeth pulled out) against teams that really have it together- Penn State, OSU, Wisconsin 2018- Michigan, OSU, Mich. Wisconsin

Continue aggressive recruiting push

THERE WILL be a blowout, maybe 2, this is a mess SF is inheriting and he had little time and split duties to recruit his first class.

Want to See improvement and player development from week 1 to game 13
We play hard and good football- go 6-6 and win the bowl game Im good
7-5 and win the bowl game 8-5 would be fantastic

+1

 

[TruHusker]

So in a coach's first year, getting blown out one time means the season is a failure?

Not sure I 100% agree, but at the same time, I don't see a team with an exceptional offense in the first half of the season. A blowout is probably less likely later in the season, but if Ohio St wins 38-17, the season is not lost, nor is it a failure.

Sept. 8 Colorado
Sept. 15 Troy
Sept. 22 at Michigan
Sept. 29 Purdue
Oct. 6 at Wisconsin
Oct. 13 at Northwestern
Oct. 20 Minnesota
Oct. 27 BYE
Nov. 3 at Ohio State
Nov. 10 Illinois
Nov. 17 Michigan State
Nov. 23 at Iowa

Failure to me is not a single thing, but a few things that add up to failure. Losing one game does not ruin a season. A season is graded on its entirety.

Some things need to be seen: progress, unity, effort, toughness, never giving up, fire, will,

Failures: softness, poor play calling, lack of effort, lack of motivation, poor tackling, reoccurring penalties, poor execution, players that don't know what they are supposed to be doing, not beating teams we should easily beat, and lack of competitiveness.

Wins and losses are a little different. In 2015, we lost a lot of close games from lack of coaching at the end of games. If we lose a bunch of close games, why did we lose them? Is there a reoccurring theme?

With that said, not making a bowl game is a failure.

Not sure how you measure some of the items you listed above. How do you know if a player is not unified or gives 100% effort? All of these "little things" add up to the big thing which is being competitive. I really cringed when I saw the "poor play calling" because that has been a sort spot for several years now and no O coordinator has seemed to be able to satisfy.

 

[schuele]

I think there are a lot of winnable games on the 2018 schedule - especially among the home games. So I feel like the Huskers can get to 7 wins - maybe 8 if things really break the right way.

But I do think it will be very difficult to beat any of the top teams on next year's schedule. As much as I might like to believe that the whole roster is made up of great kids with all the tools who've simply been held back by bad coaching, that drum is being beaten a bit too loudly. There's certainly some talent on the roster, but it also has some gaping holes.

 

[kidofSN]

Really not sure how one can say we were manhandled by Northwestern when all the Huskers had to do to win the game was run the ball three times with 7:00 minutes left in the game and kick a field goal to go up 10. Instead we throw a pick and NW takes it down the field to tie then gets it back and wins it in OT.

 

[scarletred]

If we beat any team down below and make it to a bowl game in year one will be a successful.

Michigan
Wisconsin
Ohio State
Michigan State
Iowa

 

[cidsports]

Success first starts with playing competitive B1G football in my opinion.

Getting beat badly is just one loss, but ultimately competitive football is most important.

Wisconsin is a great example right now.
4-4 in past 8 bowl games and competitive in all eight games, if I recall correctly.

 

[davecisar]

Really not sure how one can say we were manhandled by Northwestern when all the Huskers had to do to win the game was run the ball three times with 7:00 minutes left in the game and kick a field goal to go up 10. Instead we throw a pick and NW takes it down the field to tie then gets it back and wins it in OT.

When Northwestern runs the ball every single snap on their long winning drive in the 4th quarter to beat you and the NU defense looks like a 1980s era Kansas team- that is being manhandled IMO
I get where you are coming from though

 

[TwinsRRUs]

Not sure how you measure some of the items you listed above. How do you know if a player is not unified or gives 100% effort? All of these "little things" add up to the big thing which is being competitive. I really cringed when I saw the "poor play calling" because that has been a sort spot for several years now and no O coordinator has seemed to be able to satisfy.

Just by watching as a fan. Many of us on this board complain that we see a lack of effort, such as a player not running after the ball carrier if he thinks that he is out of the play or something.

I want to see the team unified on the sidelines and not hear about any cancers in the lockerroom or hear about rumors of some players not buying in.

You got a point on the poor play calling... basically if a play works, it was a good play call and if it doesn't then it wasn't. Probably very opinion-based, but if I see a bunch of quick 3-and-outs with three passes when we need to run the clock out, that is poor play calling.

 

[huskerfan66]

NU won FOUR games in 2017 and suffered losses to Northern Illinois and BLOWOUTs to Minny, OSU, Iowa and Penn State- got manhandled by Northwestern for crying out loud=
Its MUCH different deal than Mike Riley coming in behind what 7 years of 9-10 wins

Its a success if:
We see physical football
We see well coached- well prepared teams
We see better tackling, offensive line and d-line play
We see an offense that legitimately values running the ball and commits to it
We soundly beat teams we are significantly more talents than- this years Arkansas State, Northern Illinois, Rutgers, Illinois, Purdue- 2018- Troy- Colorado- Purdue and Illinois BURY THEM- not close games
We compete well with teams we are even with or have somewhat better talent- Minnesota, Northwestern, Iowa 2018 Minny, Northwestern, Iowa. Michigan State
Play hard (dont act like you are in waiting room to get wisdom teeth pulled out) against teams that really have it together- Penn State, OSU, Wisconsin 2018- Michigan, OSU, Mich. Wisconsin

Continue aggressive recruiting push

THERE WILL be a blowout, maybe 2, this is a mess SF is inheriting and he had little time and split duties to recruit his first class.

Want to See improvement and player development from week 1 to game 13
We play hard and good football- go 6-6 and win the bowl game Im good
Beat the 4 teams we have a lot more talent than, win 2 or 3 out of 4 of the middle group and not blink against the 3 teams in the top group
7-5 and win the bowl game 8-5 would be fantastic

No argument from me

 

[StrongArm517]

Improvement as the season goes on. Really don’t know anything about our talent at this point. Do we have players? I think so. Whatever the start, let’s just see improvement, and a team that competes.

 

[burkek]

I think there's an outside chance we could be 7 and 0 going into Columbus. Otherwise, 5 and 2 and a chance to be 8 and 4, one more win than realistic expectations.

Remember this, though, when it comes to wins and losses for 2018, keep the expectations low and know the foundational DNA is being set for high expectations.

 

[scarletred]

I think there's an outside chance we could be 7 and 0 going into Columbus. Otherwise, 5 and 2 and a chance to be 8 and 4, one more win than realistic expectations.

Remember this, though, when it comes to wins and losses for 2018, keep the expectations low and know the foundational DNA is being set for high expectations.

Amen. All's I know it's going to be a lot of fun which we haven't had in a very long time.

 

[bomber89]

7-5 would be a good year (expecting 6-6) but I am looking for a culture shift that shows up in our mental toughness. If the coaches can get rid of the old mentality and bring in a toughness with the spirit of family and team that would be a great year. I would also like to add a 2019 recruiting class that is top 4 in the B1G Ten but that would just be the cherry on top.

 

[CatColumbia]

With much improved defense and ball protection, I can see us going 8-4. Our offensive line will be the key to success.

Akron - W
Colorado - W
Troy - W
@ Michigan - L
Purdue - W
@ Wisconsin - L
@ Northwestern - W
Minnesota- W
@ Ohio State - L
Illinois - W
Michigan St. - W
Iowa - L

 

[Wasker77]

Here's my take before a potential bowl game:

What does success in season 1 look like?
1. Not getting blown out by any team.
2. 12-0
3. 11-1
4. 10-2
5. 9-3
6. 8-4
7. 7-5

What would failure look like in season 1:
1. Getting blown out by any team.
2. 0 - 12
3. 1 - 11
4. 2 - 10
5. 3 - 9
6. 4 - 8
7. 5 - 7
8. 6 - 6

Akron-Win
CU-Better than even chance to win
Troy-Better than even chance to win
Michigan-less than even chance to win
Purdue-Win
Wisconsin-Less than even chance to win
Northwestern-50/50
Ohio State-Less than even chance to win
Minnesota-Win
Illinois-Win
MSU-Less than even chance to win
Iowa-50/50

 

[TruHusker]

Just by watching as a fan. Many of us on this board complain that we see a lack of effort, such as a player not running after the ball carrier if he thinks that he is out of the play or something.

I want to see the team unified on the sidelines and not hear about any cancers in the lockerroom or hear about rumors of some players not buying in.

You got a point on the poor play calling... basically if a play works, it was a good play call and if it doesn't then it wasn't. Probably very opinion-based, but if I see a bunch of quick 3-and-outs with three passes when we need to run the clock out, that is poor play calling.

It is so hard to know what is really going on down on the field from a fan perspective. If a guy is completely dogging it, yea, he's sitting the pine. But if he got caught with his eyes in the wrong place and froze by a fake or something then the coach gets to make that call. I cringe at the "I heard this" and "this was going on" type of things that may or may not have been happening. In the end, that is on the coach and he will decide if a guy isn't giving 100% and take appropriate action.

I think some on here are going to be frantic over the lack of "running the ball" or the clock. It doesn't appear to me that Frost deviates from his plan no matter where things are at in the game. I could be wrong so we will see.

 

[Scrunge68]

NU won FOUR games in 2017 and suffered losses to Northern Illinois and BLOWOUTs to Minny, OSU, Iowa and Penn State- got manhandled by Northwestern for crying out loud=
Its MUCH different deal than Mike Riley coming in behind what 7 years of 9-10 wins

Its a success if:
We see physical football
We see well coached- well prepared teams
We see better tackling, offensive line and d-line play
We see an offense that legitimately values running the ball and commits to it
We soundly beat teams we are significantly more talents than- this years Arkansas State, Northern Illinois, Rutgers, Illinois, Purdue- 2018- Troy- Colorado- Purdue and Illinois BURY THEM- not close games
We compete well with teams we are even with or have somewhat better talent- Minnesota, Northwestern, Iowa 2018 Minny, Northwestern, Iowa. Michigan State
Play hard (dont act like you are in waiting room to get wisdom teeth pulled out) against teams that really have it together- Penn State, OSU, Wisconsin 2018- Michigan, OSU, Wisconsin

Continue aggressive recruiting push

THERE WILL be a blowout, maybe 2, this is a mess SF is inheriting and he had little time and split duties to recruit his first class.

Want to See improvement and player development from week 1 to game 13
We play hard and good football- go 6-6 and win the bowl game Im good
Beat the 4 teams we have a lot more talent than, win 2 or 3 out of 4 of the middle group and not blink against the 3 teams in the top group
7-5 and win the bowl game 8-5 would be fantastic

Agree completely.

 

[TwinsRRUs]

I think some on here are going to be frantic over the lack of "running the ball" or the clock. It doesn't appear to me that Frost deviates from his plan no matter where things are at in the game. I could be wrong so we will see.

From what I have read about his offense, he has three speeds and likes to run the ball more than 50% of the time.
Here are three quotes from a couple articles about it:

1. "The Knights aren’t always up-tempo. They’re pretty average in plays per game." ​

2. "UCF ran the ball 54 percent of the time in 2017, and that’s a low split for a Frost offense.

He likes to go fast, a prerequisite for any pace-and-space system. Frost wants blur speed, but his sides don’t chug along quite as quick as those warp-speed Oregon units he was a part of.

Central Florida ranked a surprising 38th in adjusted pace in 2017. The side was a notch quicker in 2016. Tempo is crucial. But it’s not the be-all end-all as in some less-sophisticated systems."​

3. Everything with Frost comes back to tempo. It’s not necessarily the speed between plays; his teams don’t blow folks away with a blitzkrieg attack like the Oregon or Auburn offenses of old. But the coach runs certain packages of plays during periods of the game to keep the offense going forward.

That includes a precision, rhythm-based passing attack. Frost played under Bill Walsh, the architect of the West Coast passing system, in the NFL.​

In 2016, they ran it 527 times and passed it 448 times. Run 54% of the time. 13 games
In 2017, they ran it 464 times and passed it 389 times. Run 54% of the time. 12 games

I looked at the play-by-play on ESPNs website for a few games to find out how Frost called the game in the 4th quarter. Did he run the ball to use time off the clock when they had a lead or did he just stay aggressive and pass often? Here are some of those from 6 different games this season (Maryland, Memphis, Navy, Austin Peay, SMU, USF). Some were blowouts, and some were close in the 4th quarter.

• 12 plays, Length of Drive: 7:58. Run Plays: 9 Pass Plays: 3.
• 8 plays, Length of Drive: 3:28. Run Plays: 4 Pass Plays: 2.
• 3 plays, Length of Drive: 1:05. Run Plays: 3 Pass Plays: 0.
  
• 7 plays, Length of Drive: 3:37. Run Plays: 6 Pass Plays: 1.
  
• 6 plays, Length of Drive: 2:42. Run Plays: 4 Pass Plays: 2.
  
• 5 plays, Length of Drive: 2:47. Run Plays: 5 Pass Plays: 0.
  
• 14 plays, Length of Drive: 7:24. Run Plays: 10 Pass Plays: 3.
  
• 6 plays, Length of Drive: 2:12. Run Plays: 3 Pass Plays: 4.
  
• 4 plays, Length of Drive: 0:35. Run Plays: 0 Pass Plays: 4.
  
• 11 plays, Length of Drive: 4:31. Run Plays: 7 Pass Plays: 4.
  
• 4 plays, Length of Drive: 2:15. Run Plays: 3 Pass Plays: 1.
  
• 6 plays, Length of Drive: 1:56. Run Plays: 3 Pass Plays: 3.
  
• 6 plays, Length of Drive: 3:38. Run Plays: 5 Pass Plays: 1.

​

Total Run Plays: 62
Total Pass Plays: 28

As you can see, more often than not, he runs the ball with the lead in the 4th quarter (65-70% of the time).

I noticed that in one game that he ran the ball 3 times and got a first down, only to follow that up with 3 pass plays, all incomplete. So was that a brain fart or was the defense really keying on the run? Who knows what was going on, but it happened. Something like that would make Husker fans mad!

Based on these run-heavy numbers in the 4th quarter, I would bet that the run/pass ratio is a lot closer to 50/50 for the first 3 quarters, if not a little pass heavy.

 

[Sinomatic]

From what I have read about his offense, he has three speeds and likes to run the ball more than 50% of the time.
Here are three quotes from a couple articles about it:

1. "The Knights aren’t always up-tempo. They’re pretty average in plays per game." ​

2. "UCF ran the ball 54 percent of the time in 2017, and that’s a low split for a Frost offense.

He likes to go fast, a prerequisite for any pace-and-space system. Frost wants blur speed, but his sides don’t chug along quite as quick as those warp-speed Oregon units he was a part of.

Central Florida ranked a surprising 38th in adjusted pace in 2017. The side was a notch quicker in 2016. Tempo is crucial. But it’s not the be-all end-all as in some less-sophisticated systems."​

3. Everything with Frost comes back to tempo. It’s not necessarily the speed between plays; his teams don’t blow folks away with a blitzkrieg attack like the Oregon or Auburn offenses of old. But the coach runs certain packages of plays during periods of the game to keep the offense going forward.

That includes a precision, rhythm-based passing attack. Frost played under Bill Walsh, the architect of the West Coast passing system, in the NFL.​

In 2016, they ran it 527 times and passed it 448 times. Run 54% of the time. 13 games
In 2017, they ran it 464 times and passed it 389 times. Run 54% of the time. 12 games

I looked at the play-by-play on ESPNs website for a few games to find out how Frost called the game in the 4th quarter. Did he run the ball to use time off the clock when they had a lead or did he just stay aggressive and pass often? Here are some of those from 6 different games this season (Maryland, Memphis, Navy, Austin Peay, SMU, USF). Some were blowouts, and some were close in the 4th quarter.

• 
  
  
  • 12 plays, Length of Drive: 7:58. Run Plays: 9 Pass Plays: 3.
  • 8 plays, Length of Drive: 3:28. Run Plays: 4 Pass Plays: 2.
  • 3 plays, Length of Drive: 1:05. Run Plays: 3 Pass Plays: 0.
  • 7 plays, Length of Drive: 3:37. Run Plays: 6 Pass Plays: 1.
  • 6 plays, Length of Drive: 2:42. Run Plays: 4 Pass Plays: 2.
  • 5 plays, Length of Drive: 2:47. Run Plays: 5 Pass Plays: 0.
  • 14 plays, Length of Drive: 7:24. Run Plays: 10 Pass Plays: 3.
  • 6 plays, Length of Drive: 2:12. Run Plays: 3 Pass Plays: 4.
  • 4 plays, Length of Drive: 0:35. Run Plays: 0 Pass Plays: 4.
  • 11 plays, Length of Drive: 4:31. Run Plays: 7 Pass Plays: 4.
  • 4 plays, Length of Drive: 2:15. Run Plays: 3 Pass Plays: 1.
  • 6 plays, Length of Drive: 1:56. Run Plays: 3 Pass Plays: 3.
  • 6 plays, Length of Drive: 3:38. Run Plays: 5 Pass Plays: 1.

Total Run Plays: 62
Total Pass Plays: 28

As you can see, more often than not, he runs the ball with the lead in the 4th quarter (65-70% of the time).

I noticed that in one game that he ran the ball 3 times and got a first down, only to follow that up with 3 pass plays, all incomplete. So was that a brain fart or was the defense really keying on the run? Who knows what was going on, but it happened. Something like that would make Husker fans mad!

Based on these run-heavy numbers in the 4th quarter, I would bet that the run/pass ratio is a lot closer to 50/50 for the first 3 quarters, if not a little pass heavy.

I think he wanted to switch it up to keep the defense guessing and it turned out for one reason or another they failed to get it done. 3rd and long is hard to justify running the ball unless you're the 95 Huskers, you throw two uncompleted passes for 1st and 2nd long distance down and you know 90% of the time a third throw is coming...

 

[JohnRossEwing]

9 wins

Exactly! Nothing changes...this is the floor. We were told over and over that a monkey could win 9 games at NU...Bo did it and he is a horrible coach and person. Riley did it one year...which shows that it can be done each season.

Frost needs to win games.

 

[21Husker1984]

Play like we give a f&@$ is success. As far as wins go, if we make a bowl game I'd be shocked. All new system and a tough schedule.

 

[TwinsRRUs]

I think he wanted to switch it up to keep the defense guessing and it turned out for one reason or another they failed to get it done. 3rd and long is hard to justify running the ball unless you're the 95 Huskers, you throw two uncompleted passes for 1st and 2nd long distance down and you know 90% of the time a third throw is coming...

Now that it is not after midnight, I decided to go back and find that one series and find out what exactly went on.

Situation: vs SMU, with 9:15 left in the 4th, up 31-24 with 1st and 10 at their own 5 yard line.

9:15 1st & 10 - Run for 1 yard to UCF 6 yard line
8:50 2nd & 9 - Run for no gain
8:05 3rd & 9 - Run for 12 yards to UCF 18 yard line
7:57 1st & 10 - Pass incomplete to Gabriel Davis (6'3" WR Freshman)
7:52 2nd & 10 - Pass Incomplete to Gabriel Davis
7:40 3rd & 10 - Pass incomplete to Jordan Akins (TE Senior)
7:37 4th & 10 - Punt for 52 yards to SMU 30​

SMU turned it over on downs on the ensuing possession after getting it to the UCF 38 yard line.

Next Drive

4:50 1st & 10 - Run for 25 yards
4:00 1st & 10 - Run for 5 yards
3:30 2nd & 5 - Run for 2 yard loss
3:01 3rd & 7 - QB sacked for 12 yard loss
Timeout SMU
2:55 4th & 19 - Punt for 26 yards​

SMU turned it over on downs after 4 straight incomplete passes on the ensuing possession after getting it to their own 34 yard line.

Next Drive

1:14 1st & 10 - Run for 6 yard loss
Timeout SMU
0:45 2nd & 16 - Run for 3 yard loss
0:00 3rd and 19 - Run for 4 yard loss
Game Over​

Who knows what the actual plays were on 1st and second down, but in a 3rd and 10 situation with just under 8 minutes left in the game, do you decide to run time off the clock because you only ran a few seconds off on 1st and 2nd down or do you stay aggressive and try to get a first down? Any one of us can second guess a play-caller after the fact, which isn't always fair to a coach, especially if we don't even know what plays were called and what happened with each play.

I won't judge Frost on one series of the season. If that happened to cost them the game, fans would be upset, but there was still over 7 minutes left so it's not like they could have ended the game by running it 3 times in a row.

 

[SoFL Husker]

Play like we give a f&@$ is success. As far as wins go, if we make a bowl game I'd be shocked. All new system and a tough schedule.

Frost went 6-6 with some souped up athletes in a dogshite conference. Playing with heart is my standard as well. Improvement throughout the season would be another. Lastly would be getting more athletes in the right positions and filling the recruiting pipeline. How about a stud edge rusher? A big time DT. CB. Safety. More speed at the skill positions. Some solid OL.

 

[TwinsRRUs]

9 wins

Exactly! Nothing changes...this is the floor. We were told over and over that a monkey could win 9 games at NU...Bo did it and he is a horrible coach and person. Riley did it one year...which shows that it can be done each season.

Frost needs to win games.

Hard to argue this.

There is talent on the team. Maybe not top tier talent at every position or at least depth-wise, but good talent nonetheless.

Why lower expectation? Did Riley cause some of us to do this or is it just the fact that we only won 4 games?

Many bad defensive teams turn it around in year one of a new DC. Why can't we and why shouldn't we expect it?

We have talent on offense at the skill positions. No reason this team can't win 9 games in 2018.

 

[JohnRossEwing]

Hard to argue this.

There is talent on the team. Maybe not top tier talent at every position or at least depth-wise, but good talent nonetheless.

Why lower expectation? Did Riley cause some of us to do this or is it just the fact that we only won 4 games?

Many bad defensive teams turn it around in year one of a new DC. Why can't we and why shouldn't we expect it?

We have talent on offense at the skill positions. No reason this team can't win 9 games in 2018.

I do think Riley caused the lowering of expectations...Right when Avg Mike got here expectations were lowered, especially by the fans that bought into him.

Nothing has changed for me...win games...a lot of them.

 

[scarletred]

Hard to argue this.

There is talent on the team. Maybe not top tier talent at every position or at least depth-wise, but good talent nonetheless.

Why lower expectation? Did Riley cause some of us to do this or is it just the fact that we only won 4 games?

Many bad defensive teams turn it around in year one of a new DC. Why can't we and why shouldn't we expect it?

We have talent on offense at the skill positions. No reason this team can't win 9 games in 2018.

It's the schedule, knew a few years ago the 2018 season would be difficult especially now with a new systems and basically a QB that has no game day experience except for one who played a half.

Troy beat LSU last year and with those 5 away games and Michigan St at home I can see why people are pointing to 6-6 or 7-5 season.

 

[undigestedcorn]

Here's my take before a potential bowl game:

What does success in season 1 look like?
1. Not getting blown out by any team.
2. 12-0
3. 11-1
4. 10-2
5. 9-3
6. 8-4
7. 7-5

What would failure look like in season 1:
1. Getting blown out by any team.
2. 0 - 12
3. 1 - 11
4. 2 - 10
5. 3 - 9
6. 4 - 8
7. 5 - 7
8. 6 - 6

I am modifying this after today:

What does success in season 1 look like?
1. Not getting blown out by any team.
2. 12-0
3. 11-1
4. 10-2
5. 9-3


What would failure look like in season 1:
1. Getting blown out by any team.
2. 0 - 12
3. 1 - 11
4. 2 - 10
5. 3 - 9
6. 4 - 8
7. 5 - 7
8. 6 - 6
9. 7 - 5
10. 8 - 4

 

[undigestedcorn]

Fascinating now to read this thread from right after we learned Scott Frost would be the head coach in 2018..