I noticed we have a lot of key red- shirt.players with a few years of eligibility, particularly on the line Watkins , Crawford, Mustipher ,Bars, Nelson, McGlinchey?, Ruhland Bonner,Tranquil , Kramer , Eichenberg ,Bilal , Hayes ,Wimbush . In addition we have other young players in Love ,A. Jones, Claypool ,Coleman,Coney Studstill, ,etc There is talent .We should do well the rest of this season . Be disappointed if we could at least a9-3 year.
Looking at the roster
- Thread starter Izo
- Start date
Under Kelly, versus the previous guys, we are redshirting as a roster management tool, versus redshirting guys who are not ready to play football at this level. That's why we are overall deeper now than we have been since Holtz left.
9-3 isn't the problem, BK needs to win a big game, sorry he needs to beat SC at home and beat either Miami or Stanford on the road and finish 10-2. Simpley beating the BC's and UNC's isn't going to cut it.
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I don't disagree with this. All of us as Irish fans are desperate for the big wins and getting back to being a regularly dominant force. We're not going to beat USC every year, but we should be competitive and win some of those games, no doubt. We did beat Miami the last time we played them, as I recall, but this year will be a really tough game. I believe we will beat Stanford this year. Yes, we lost to Georgia, but we were competitive and in a position to win. All I ever ask for is our team to be competitive.
If it wasn't for last year, meaning had we competitively gone 8-4 or 9-3, I think the majority of us Irish fans would have been like "eh, ok, but why can't we get over the hump and win a couple more of those close losses." Well, we have not had a consistent presence at QB for, well, a fricking long time!! Which means a lack of unit growth, consistent identity, etc., year over year Our Defense has been marginal at best the last few years. We've had a lot of transfers, injuries, less than amazing recruiting in key Defensive positions, and so on.
So this year BK did some amazing things with his changes and hires. We're seeing the benefits on D from a year under the belt of the youngsters and Elko's coaching. Our Oline is starting to come on now that they have in fact been able to play together for a couple of years. Our RB's, specifically Adams, is showing his experience. QB and WR's? Youth and inexperience - let's not forget the losses of Fuller, Hunter, Robinson that we didn't really expect.
It may feel like "wtf" with BK as he's had 8 years, but I do believe we will see this team grow this year and end up 9-3, maybe 10-2 with some luck. Then picture next year with BW returning for a second FULL year as QB, the WR's returning with experience, the influx of new and even better recruits, the red-shirts being back and ready, etc. Honestly in my mind, if we can't get to a 10 or 10+ win next year, then BK has hit his limitations.
Yes. Expectations need to be high. Win double digit every year. Win big games, (yes you will lose some) and be in the hunt. Do this consistently and eventually a natty!
My gut feeling is...
QB: Brandon Wimbush
RB: Josh Adams (doubt he leaves early)
WR: EQ St. Brown (would need to pick it up)
WR: Kevin Stepherson (once cleared)
WR: Chase Claypool / Michael Young
TE: Aliz'e Mack / Brock Wright
LT: Liam Eichenberg
LG: Robert Hainsey
C: Sam Mustipher (5th)
RG: Alex Bars (5th)
RT: Tommy Kraemer
WDE: Daelin Hayes
NG: Jerry Tillery
DT: MTA/ Jayson Ademilola
SDE: Jay Hayes (5th) or Khalid Kareem
WILL: Asmar Bilal
Mike: Te'Von Coney
Rover: Drue Tranquill (5th)
CB: Shaun Crawford
CB: Julian Love
FS: Nick Coleman / Derrick Allen
SS: Devin Srudstill/ Alohi Gilman
Potential 5th year candidates will be...
TE: Nic Weishar
C: Sam Mustipher
RG: Alex Bars
SDE: Jay Hayes
Rover: Drue Tranquill
CB: Nick Watkins
ND needs as many of those 6 guys back as they can get. With the exception of Weishar and Watkins who are replaceable because of depth, the other 4 are impact players and potential team captains in 2018.
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