10-2 are just numbers, the eyes don’t lie we look like a 7-5 or 8-4 team. Everyone has seen it and believes it. Remember it took 3 miracles to beat VT, Cal, and Lville! We’re getting what we deserve!
This is EXACTLY how I process things. The eyes see, and the brain acknowledges common sense. (for most of us, anyway) Your eyes work and you could see the weakness in the UF game. If the coaching wasn't so atrocious, we would've lost. They have athletes that could match up with ours, just not put in the position to do so. But, I said nothing because i noticed a change in Mario's coaching style....we were passing in the 4th qtr and I was proud.
There were run defense signs all over the field. Looked the same as last year. Then came the Heisman Trophy qbs on every team we played. **** was wild. the defense locked down in the red zone, but teams were getting there in the first place a mind boggling. But again, we were winning an lighting up the scoreboard. I said nothing out loud. (sorta.)
I'm actually fine winning 10 games this year. I don't really see the season as a failure. But I don't see it as a stepping stone to better seasons either. I wasn't in the hire Mario crowd when he was hired, but the recruiting ability allowed me to be ok with the hire to see where it goes. I still believe you and out athlete teams with mediocre coaching.
Then came NIL. My first thought, Mario with checks should absolutely DEMOLISH recruiting. Turns out...nope, only need the money these days. This season's recruiting is indicative of that. Not because we have a slightly above average class, but because we have been recruiting to FLIP prospects since before the season even started. If the recruiting was good, we would spend the season trying to keep recruits committed to us by staving off higher bids. (ala last week+next upcoming week)
The money is doing the recruiting and failure to see that will lead many to be disappointed in the finish. My thoughts on it, we fielded better teams (overall) that were free, but we're not getting anywhere closer to elite with 2 classes 10+ 3 star athletes. That's 25 percent of the roster, 1/2 of a signing class. And that's how we end up starting the Jaden Harris' and TVDs of the world.
In all fairness, D$, Cribby, and all the other insiders even noted the defense didn't look great in the spring and fall practice. Not a lot of people listened. But seeing what we saw last year on O, if someone says the offense won practice...the defense is suspect af.
TL
R-
10-2 is better than than we should've been. Mario's recruiting skills are nullified by NIL, thus, not the coach to take us to the next level but will help build a roster for unnamed coach. (unless we commit more to NIL of course.) Next year is going to be rough, enjoy the successes of this one while we can.
Our season in a picture:
