USFBulls727

Syracuse lost to Middle Tennessee State, then beats Clemson a couple of games later. How does this happen? They looked mediocre most of last year too before beating a ranked Virginia Tech. They also lost to Clemson 54-0 in 2016. Quite the erratic team.

Maybe, but maybe not as great a drop-off as people think...and maybe not much at all. There is talent at RB, WR, TE, and on the OL....our offense isn't the one-man gang that some make it out to be. Some are saying we will be a 6-6 team in 2018. I would think we'll be quite a bit better than that. I have a feeling that Kean can function just fine in this offense, and there's enough talent at the skill positions. UCF will probably be especially difficult to get past next year though. Only one Senior starter on offense, and 4 on defense. If Frost is around, they will definitely be favorites in 2018 to win the conference.

1) I don't recall anybody saying we would crumple w/o Adams and Mack, but I could be wrong. The popular belief seemed to be that there would be fewer quick-strike TDs and more sustained drives, which would be better for the defense, and that's exactly what's going on. 2) I would hope that Kean/Olakudun are better passers, because there's no doubt they can't run nearly as well. I think it's possible that there won't be a big drop-off in the offense, and that defenses might not stack the box as much in 2018. I like the possibility of a QB who can sling it, further opening up the run game. Just not sure Kean (or Olakudun) is that guy. 3) No idea if Charlie hangs around long, but how many big name head coaches who are winning a lot of games stick around long at G5 programs? Think Bobby Petrino at Western Kentucky. That could be Charlie Strong.

Or, maybe if we start getting more than 25k to show up for the games. If we can manage to start putting 40K type numbers up, it would be a sign that the program is starting to gain momentum, and people are starting to give a ****. The empty stadium thing has to be depressing for him after his experience at his previous gigs...

I've never been to Provo, but I get the feeling that we could get a few members from this board on stage performing a really bad rendition of Caesar, and it would draw 30k there. Some College football programs just have less to compete with as far as things to do in their cities. Plus, there's the matter of tradition...

This may or may not mean anything, but this year's UCF team, so far anyway, looks to be clearly better on both sides of the ball than 2016 Temple, our only conference loss last year. Has me comparing last year's Bulls team to this year. I think with the defensive improvements, and the offense (running game particularly) getting in gear, this year's team is actually better....but I could see us possibly being as much as 8-10 underdogs in that game. UCF is looking really good. A lot can change between now and then though...

???

Is that etched in stone?

Tulane had a terrible offense in 2016. Haven't watched them this year, but was surprised to see them put up 60+ on Tulsa. They weren't even on the radar for me as a game to worry about, but apparently they've found some offense...

If true, what better (potentially) G5 match-up is there than an undefeated USF against an undefeated UCF? Not many G5 match-ups that get a ton of attention. That's our best chance in the foreseeable future for us to be featured on Gameday, but I believe NewEnglandBull is correct. Alabama-Auburn is the obvious choice that weekend.

That is strange that they have no bye week, and I suppose that could be a factor. They certain look good so far though.

I wouldn't mind them jumping us, as long as we get to play them in the CCG. They could rank them #1 in the Nation for all I care. All the better for us when we beat them.

So, if the following plays out: 1) SDSU loses to Boise, but wins out from there, including their CCG 2) We go undefeated in the regular season, but lose to a two-loss Memphis/Navy in the CCG ....who do you see getting the nod? Possible we would still be ranked higher than SDSU, but they would have the Conference Championship. My assumption is that the higher rating is all that matters for the NY6 slot...

FAMU vs. Hampton...

Agreed, but regarding your last point, I believe the Game Day crew was once at North Dakota State in recent years, and at FAMU on another occasion. Not out of the realm of possibility that they could feature a G5 matchup.

....with Memphis among the other teams receiving votes...

If both us and UCF are undefeated, and top 15, heading into our match-up this year, it would be great for both teams and the conference. For those who like the "package deal" to the P5 idea, this would put national attention on our rivalry, and would be a great showcase game for the AAC. Would almost certainly be a sell-out. I can't imagine why any fan of either team wouldn't want this. We can use any bump in attendance, TV ratings, and attention that we can get. What would be better than us two going at it with everything on the line in the last regular season game of the year? It's starting to look inevitable at this point...

Can't help but wonder what a victory over FSU in 2016 might have done for attendance, at least temporarily. It was a chance to show what we could do against a "real" team. I think the perception from the casual fans here is that we're a second-rate team playing in a second-rate conference. We had a big crowd that day, and had a chance to make a splash, but were run into the ground. Most casual fans aren't going to want to pay the $50 or so to deal with the traffic, heat, etc.. to watch us play Stony Brook, Illinois, Temple, Cincy, Houston, or Tulsa, when they can sit at home in the AC and watch the marquee games for free. Not sure any amount of success will get us decent crowds consistently unless we get a P5 invite. AAC champs probably won't carry much weight with the casual fans in the area...

Great post. Agree 100%. Just curious though, about where do you think we should be ranked nationally, and where would you rank us within the conference?

But they did score every time they had the ball, and beat the tar out of them, just as they have every other opponent this year. I wouldn't worry about it though, it will be settled on the field.

http://www.espn.com/college-football/story/_/id/20939377/ole-miss-rebels-retire-rebel-bear-mascot-replaced-landshark I thought Tom Allen came up with this? No mention of him here...

Big East era. Better competition, bigger crowds. CWT era was definitely fun, and I like what I'm seeing out of this year's team, but the empty stadium and garbage schedule give it a small-time feel. This team deserves better than that.

I would guess King would be willing to take the right offer from Tulane, his alma mater....

Bad game? No, not at all. Granted, we really didn't need a ton of passing yards the way we were running the ball, but if you consider 10-18 160 yards lighting them with his arm, you have low standards for that. A lot to like about QF for sure, and I'm definitely glad we have him, but he's a far more talented runner than he is at throwing the ball. I believe that if Strong and Gilbert stick around though, this offense will be fine, and maybe even a little more balanced, in 2018 with Kean or Olakudun.

10-18 for 160 yards. Absolutely astounding numbers for sure, especially against a Steel-Curtain type defense like ECU. If that doesn't get him back into the Heisman conversation, nothing will..