What's the consensus expectation this year for the Huskies?

[ruskin]

HOWEVER, GDL has centuries of history with his bff, PP so this could prove difficult for the new coach. IMO this has internal dissension and disaster written all over it. I know nothing about Coach Weist, but unless he has a type a "this is why you hired me, this is how your gonna do it" mentality.... I just think things could get difficult at times. I pray to God P gives him the latitude to do what he needs to do in order to get the job done!

IMO this is the biggest question mark. How much will PP/GDL get in TJ's way? Players aren't stupid; they know why TJ is here, and if they sense the coaches aren't on the same page (if one is trying to undercut the other) this could get very ugly. Wouldn't be surprised if there was another coach "adjustment" after spring. And remember PP/GDL have already run the pretend demotion sting once before at Syracuse.

 

[UConnDan97]

13-0. It's the only record worth having.

I'm going with what he said...

 

[fgbrault]

I think the record at worst will be 5-7 and at best 8-4. I predict 7-5.

 

[UConnDan97]

I have to say, I am pretty surprised with all of the 5-7 or 6-6 predictions that I'm seeing here.

Looking at the schedule, I can't even imagine less than 5 wins. Towson, @Buffalo, @SMU, @Temple, and Memphis should all be wins. That's 5 right there. Then out of Maryland, Michigan, USF, Cincy, UCF, Rutgers, and the Ville, we're likely going to pick up at least 2 of those games at minimum (blue games are at home). The baseline number really should be 7-5, and I believe that we will be better than that. I'm not shocked by the pessimism that I'm seeing here, but I certainly don't agree with it. I'm looking forward to a successful year for the national flag blue and white...

 

[PolisHusky]

I will go out on a limb and say we are undefeated when we play against Michigan. After that, no clue what to expect. I think I will know more after summer practices shape up and we have a idea of depth on the offensive line figured out.

 

[whaler11]

Honestly this is a team who went 5-7 with good talent against a terrible schedule. They lose so much more on defense than fans want to admit.

If they went 8-4 against this schedule it would mean that the 'uptick' is real and this staff earned their keep.

The reality is that they are going to have an over/under in Vegas around 5 wins. I'd actually put them at 4.5.

6 wins is a tall order with this roster and schedule. I'd put them at 5-7 but that is why you play the games.

 

[Jimmy Serrano]

I have to say, I am pretty surprised with all of the 5-7 or 6-6 predictions that I'm seeing here.

Looking at the schedule, I can't even imagine less than 5 wins. Towson, @Buffalo, @SMU, @Temple, and Memphis should all be wins. That's 5 right there. Then out of Maryland, Michigan, USF, Cincy, UCF, Rutgers, and the Ville, we're likely going to pick up at least 2 of those games at minimum (blue games are at home). The baseline number really should be 7-5, and I believe that we will be better than that. I'm not shocked by the pessimism that I'm seeing here, but I certainly don't agree with it. I'm looking forward to a successful year for the national flag blue and white...

Let's hope your handicapping of the season is better this year. Last year you were only off by 8 wins.

 

[pj]

I have to say, I am pretty surprised with all of the 5-7 or 6-6 predictions that I'm seeing here.

Looking at the schedule, I can't even imagine less than 5 wins. Towson, @Buffalo, @SMU, @Temple, and Memphis should all be wins. That's 5 right there. Then out of Maryland, Michigan, USF, Cincy, UCF, Rutgers, and the Ville, we're likely going to pick up at least 2 of those games at minimum (blue games are at home). The baseline number really should be 7-5, and I believe that we will be better than that. I'm not shocked by the pessimism that I'm seeing here, but I certainly don't agree with it. I'm looking forward to a successful year for the national flag blue and white...

Good point. I should have looked at the schedule. I only looked at the offensive line coach.

 

[ZooCougar]

Don't worry. The offseason amnesia isn't permanent.

Did you look at last season's schedule?

I have to say, I am pretty surprised with all of the 5-7 or 6-6 predictions that I'm seeing here.

Looking at the schedule, I can't even imagine less than 5 wins. Towson, @Buffalo, @SMU, @Temple, and Memphis should all be wins. That's 5 right there. Then out of Maryland, Michigan, USF, Cincy, UCF, Rutgers, and the Ville, we're likely going to pick up at least 2 of those games at minimum (blue games are at home). The baseline number really should be 7-5, and I believe that we will be better than that. I'm not shocked by the pessimism that I'm seeing here, but I certainly don't agree with it. I'm looking forward to a successful year for the national flag blue and white...

 

[rich1122]

Everybody seems to be climbing the wall of worry.

 

[RedSoloCup]

Everybody seems to be climbing the wall of worry.

panic in the streets, dogs and cats living together.

I am hoping for 9 wins plus a bowl win... we may have a few bumps getting used to our new staff, and our new staff to the guys.

New coaches will give new ideas and may help a few guys get a new pop in their game.

 

[CTMike]

I've kinda held off on this thread because I have no clue. Will the o-line be better or the same? No idea. Will Whitmer cut down on picks? Will Weist save us? Will Hank keep us full throttle on D?

I like to think we won't be worse than the last 2 years, so I'll set a floor of 5-7. Ceiling? Yeesh... Realistically it's 8 wins. Beyond that you need to catch a lot of breaks.

 

[Jimmy Serrano]

People can knock the "pessimistic" predicitions of 5 wins all day long. But this staff has shown nothing to give me any confidence that we will do more with less against a much, much more difficult schedule this year.

Any predicitions of 7 wins or more is simply not based on any of the realities that we've seen the last couple of years. It's based on pure blind faith and nothing else. All the power to you guys. I'm basing my predicitions on what my eyes have seen on the field. 4 or 5 wins is about where I see it. Can they win 7 or more? Sure they can. But I have no reason to believe that they will.

 

[Kevin Caliendo]

I agree with Jimmy. I look at the schedule and see that Buffalo game on the road as a trap game. If they lose that game, they will be lucky to win four games. I think the floor is three and upside is five or maybe six. I just don't see any identity that this team can fall back on. they can't run, can't pass, specials are a ? and the defense lost five of its best players and its coach. I mean...this could be a total disaster unless some of the backups are a lot better than recruiting prognosticators think. I think as fans we never want to look at a worse-case, but isn't this the kind of team/situation where if they get smoked by Michigan and Maryland that they and the fans quit on the staff? I think that scenario is in play here.

at the same time, if they beat Buffalo and can somehow beat MAryland, maybe six wins or more is a possibility.

 

[EdgewoodNHV]

People can knock the "pessimistic" predicitions of 5 wins all day long. But this staff has shown nothing to give me any confidence that we will do more with less against a much, much more difficult schedule this year.

If you accept the premise that we had loads of offensive and special teams talent capable of winning football games. If.

 

[Jimmy Serrano]

If you accept the premise that we had loads of offensive and special teams talent capable of winning football games. If.

I don't know why you keep picking this argument with me. I agree with you on the offensive talent.

Where we disagree is that I don't think P is the right man for the job. His time has come and unfortunately has gone. How anyone can watch the end of the first half of the Rutgers game this year and then voice confidence and support in this staff is beyond my level of comprehension.

 

[Waquoit]

I think P is the problem with this program and GDL was only a symptom. I hope I'm wrong, but I see a weaker team playing a tougher schedule this year. I'm afraid MD will blow us out making the Michigan game irrelevent outside the Greater Hartford area. Five wins is our top. I would love to eat some crow here. Perhaps the new OC can make a difference.

 

[UConnDan97]

Let's hope your handicapping of the season is better this year. Last year you were only off by 8 wins.

I'm glad you have the ability to differentiate between my fictitious posts that defend a 13-0 year and the one that I posted in this thread; the one that describes the games that I believe we should win or are at least a 50/50 in.

Did we underachieve last year? Absolutely yes. But does that mean that the thought process here is that we should always underachieve every year? I'm judging based on what I think this roster should do against this schedule...

 

[EdgewoodNHV]

I don't know why you keep picking this argument with me. I agree with you on the offensive talent.

Where we disagree is that I don't think P is the right man for the job. His time has come and unfortunately has gone. How anyone can watch the end of the first half of the Rutgers game this year and then voice confidence and support in this staff is beyond my level of comprehension.

1. I'll keep picking this argument because you keep presenting your opinion as fact.
2. I never said P was the "right man for the job," but I do think he probably deserves 3 years to find out and I'm sure thankful we gave Edsall more than 2 years.

 

[HuskyHawk]

I have to say, I am pretty surprised with all of the 5-7 or 6-6 predictions that I'm seeing here.

Looking at the schedule, I can't even imagine less than 5 wins. Towson, @Buffalo, @SMU, @Temple, and Memphis should all be wins. That's 5 right there. Then out of Maryland, Michigan, USF, Cincy, UCF, Rutgers, and the Ville, we're likely going to pick up at least 2 of those games at minimum (blue games are at home). The baseline number really should be 7-5, and I believe that we will be better than that. I'm not shocked by the pessimism that I'm seeing here, but I certainly don't agree with it. I'm looking forward to a successful year for the national flag blue and white...

I'm with you. I don't think USF, UCF, Rutgers, Cinci or Maryland are anything special. I'd be surprised if we lost to Rutgers or USF at home. UCF and SMU aren't easy road games, but we certainly should win one of them. I don't think 8-4 is even out of the question. Hell, changing our turnover margin alone would be a huge step in the right direction. The defense probably takes a small step back, but I think the offense takes a big step forward and eliminate mistakes.

 

[bmayuc]

People can knock the "pessimistic" predicitions of 5 wins all day long. But this staff has shown nothing to give me any confidence that we will do more with less against a much, much more difficult schedule this year.

Any predicitions of 7 wins or more is simply not based on any of the realities that we've seen the last couple of years. It's based on pure blind faith and nothing else. All the power to you guys. I'm basing my predicitions on what my eyes have seen on the field. 4 or 5 wins is about where I see it. Can they win 7 or more? Sure they can. But I have no reason to believe that they will.

Defense will take a huge step back in the seconday this year unless one of the freshmen can step in right away at CB. Losing passrushing and corners at the same time is a big problem.

Offense should take a nice step up in the passing game with qb/wr combo having some experience.

Smells like a 6-6 year with 1 unexpected loss(@smu?)and 1 unexpected win(loiusville?).

sent from my Galaxy Note 2 using tapatalk

 

[Jimmy Serrano]

I'm glad you have the ability to differentiate between my fictitious posts that defend a 13-0 year and the one that I posted in this thread; the one that describes the games that I believe we should win or are at least a 50/50 in.

Did we underachieve last year? Absolutely yes. But does that mean that the thought process here is that we should always underachieve every year? I'm judging based on what I think this roster should do against this schedule...

Jeez you still have not learned the ability to tell when I'm joking.

 

[Jimmy Serrano]

1. I'll keep picking this argument because you keep presenting your opinion as fact.
2. I never said P was the "right man for the job," but I do think he probably deserves 3 years to find out and I'm sure thankful we gave Edsall more than 2 years.

From now on I will start every post with the following disclaimer in CAPS just to make Irish Loop happy:

OPINIONS IN THIS POST ARE THE SOLE OPINIONS OF JIMMY SERRANO AND SHOULD NOT BE MISCONSTRUED AS FACTS. THE FACT THAT THIS DISCLAIMER IS NECESSARY ON AN INTERNET MESSAGE BOARD WHERE OPINIONS ARE LIKE AS IS A COMPLETELY DIFFERENT MATTER ALTOGETHER.

 

[uconndogs]

Over the years I have been an optimistic fan. I think the program was developed very well. Now, I have never been more concerned. We have just come off of two consecutive seasons where we should have been to bowl games because of excellent defenses. Last season, we even got decent QB play to go along with a top 10 defense. I put this squarely on the coaches. No ifs ands or buts, with the personnel we had, there was no reason not to be an 8 or 9 win team last season against the schedule we played.

P allowed GDL to duck up an offense like I have seldom seen it done. Between the wildcat BS and a 160LB workhorse RB it was just about unwatchable. This season, big holes to fill on defense and I'm not sure we will be able to run the ball. The schedule is much togher. I hope I'm wrong, but I think P signed his own termination aftern next season keeping GDL in charge of the OL.

 

[CL82]

Am I wrong or will GDL employ the blocking scheme that weist wants installed? I was hoping to find out at the spring game.

Good question. Although I hate myself for saying it, I think we should stick with zone blocking. This is the year that the change should be effective.

 

[jrazz12]

This season depends entirely on the authority level of GDL.

The minute the announcer at the Rent alerts everyone in the stadium to the 2nd and 8 playcall of McCummings' "wildcat" is the minute we know we and WM have been duped, and the PP/GDL Syracuse charade is on. We'll be staring straight down the barrel of a 4-8 season and looking for a new staff in December.

However, if Weist is actually allowed to do his job and install a pro style system that wasn't formulated in 1974, then with the improvements on offense and a slight dropoff in the defense, this team should be bowling with around 7-8 wins.

I think the other key for the season is momentum. If we start 1-2 with blowout losses to UMD and Michigan at home, it will be tough for both players and fans to get excited for what's left. We can win those games, though, and the positive momentum there would be incredible.

Head 4-8 (I think we're being played by GDL/PP), heart 13-0 (always)

 

[B1GEast]

We beat the BCS rep last year. We're losing some top guys, especially two staring corners, there needs to be a sense of urgency with the team and the staff. We NEED to make a statement. This is the last chance for an auto BCS, with no power conference affiliation in sight as of the moment, we need to kick some major as$ this year, I mean really lay it all on the line and not let up.

It's not going to be easy, but everyone should be motivated this season, everyone.

 

[joey3$trike$]

I don't like guaranteeing wins but I'm pretty confident that they should beat Towson and Memphis at home. 2 wins right there, the rest is a crap-shoot. Too many ? marks on this team. It's still the same issues as last year the O-line, qb play, playmakers, an offense.. Plus our biggest headache GDL is coaching the biggest problem on the team the O-line. The pessimism is in full effect for me. Playing @ buffalo is still no gimme, didn't they win 10-3 2 years ago. Wasn't that finally the game NW caught a pass for a td. I have no idea about @ SMU, long trip to Texas, plus I think they play a similar style of O with Western Michigan which gives our D fits. Temple has our # the last 2 years, def. no gimme there either. I will be ecstatic if we beat Maryland and start 2-0 vs. Michigan, atleast I will enjoy the game more than just having Michigan play @ the rent. This is the year for Uconn to show me something, and the rest of the nation, and big time schools like Michigan. Time for instead of being left-out in the cold, to start being a team and university to be reckon with. This only comes with Winning!

 

[UConnDan97]

Jeez you still have not learned the ability to tell when I'm joking.

I seriously haven't. (LOL) Maybe it was the three or four posts after yours that were in complete agreement with you that threw me off the scent. I'm getting better, though....

 

[rich1122]

Everybody is discounting the good recruiting year, Weis, and the late development of Whitmer. We have proven that we can screw up anything, but I think not. Saying 8-4. Worst 7-5 best 9-3

Interesting MI not in top 25 - looked at 2 sites. Louisville #8 and #10