westcoastcanes barring unforeseen injuries at key positions five losses next season would be a disaster - absolutely no question about that. Think about it - this year if we have Vernon, Streeter, Lamar Miller, Forston, and Washington do we lose to UVA and UNC? I say no, which means we might have been a 9 or perhaps even, on the high end, an 11 win team this season. In fact, I believe if Eddie had played at UVA there's a good chance we win that game even without our early entrants. I think four losses would be a disappointment and five would be a disaster. On the conservative side, I agree with you that three losses next season would be more in line with our current talent, etc., but there is little reason that "I am aware of" that we can't be in the title "hunt."
We are all fretting over our DL recruiting this year, but the real issue for next season is whether Porter stays and is healthy. If that's the case, then next season we will actually have experience, size, and depth along the DL. If Jacoby can come back from his injury and spends his time wisely in the weight room even our DT position should get more depth. Bond should provide a much needed pass rush off the edge opposite McCord who we all expect to put on maybe 10-15 pounds of good weight and who is likewise explosive. I expect the coaches to also us Gabe Terry to bring pressure in obvious passing situations as we have already seen. Therefore, I believe our defense, with a healthy Porter in the line up from day one, would be a much improved defense over this past season. I am assuming our young defensive linemen all improve technique, get stronger, etc. - something that under the previous staffs was not a safe assumption. I think that is very reasonable here.
(Bond, Porter, Pierre, Chick; Perryman, Kirby, Johnson; Howard, Bush, Jenkins, Gunter with interchangeable players with little drop off in talent or experience)
I am aware LuCane has pointed out some deficiencies in our offensive scheme that I believe he said would need to be modified to compete at the highest level. If we can make those adjustments (assuming we have the types of players necessary) then that takes us another step closer to title contention.
We are returning our entire staff for the third consecutive year.
I don't know what ND will be next year or FSU or UF for the that matter, but those are the only programs that based solely on their assumed top tier talent that should have a real serious chance at beating us next season, unless we implode.
I think we're a lot closer than some imagine.
