There is no solid evidence to accurately make any predictions. And "publications" are by no means an adequate contradiction nor confirmation of anyone's prognosis. These people are paid to come up with something, knowing there is minimal information to go on, to primarily fill the blank spots between the ads. Eh. we were the unanimous preseason Sunbelt champs last year. remember?Originally Posted by HOTBOUDIN
Everyone has far more unknowns than knowns at this point. Those who want to "prepare" for negative results typically elect the lesser outcome. Those who are either optimistic by nature, or prefer to express their optimism pick the higher outcome.
I read your points, and since I am a optimistic realist, I would like to make my own worthless counterpoints.
1. The team did not take a nose dive. They were in free fall during the entire conference regular season. It culminated in the ULM disaster.
2. A good DC can turn a defense around immediately. I have no idea what talent we had on defense last year. They were rarely running the correct defense, and there were huge missed assignments. With the right direction, a defense can change overnight.
3. We sold the farm on Jerry Babb's athleticism last year. I think he was rattled from LSU/TAMU on. I love the guy, but he never got back in sync (except for Houston. I was there. and I'm still baffled). I also don't think the WR corps ever got on the right page. That might not change, but it very well could with a new OC and WR coach. We still have a strong running game to anchor our offense around.
4. How much information do we have on MD as a starting QB? With a smart OC and proper play calling, MD is one very scary QB. (I am optimistically unsure of the other QBs)
5. "Transition year" in football is an excuse, especially with respect to staff coaching changes. The coaching mistakes I saw on the field last year could be corrected in a matter of weeks.
6. The Houston win counts too. We can't control the records of our opponents.
7. Well, hopefully everyone else will be crowned the preseason champs, and we will turn the tables on them. Oh, and this will take care of #6 above. The teams mentioned stand a chance of winning records, so when we beat them, we will have beaten teams with winning records.
We are in the hunt. No way to predict the outcome. I heard good things about Fenroy coming out of high school, but I never expected what we've gotten with him. Point: We do not know what we have until they play the game.
PS I'm just having fun. I hope you don't take me wrong.