Early 2018 Football Expectations Poll

[Cajunsmike]

Since a basketball expectations thread is active, I thought I would start a similar one for football. Seems to make sense as that sport is the next one upon us. As far as 2018 is concerned, I hope to see fundamentals improved and a scheme designed around talent. I will leave it to folks who know more than I such as Cajun T and Basin Bear to to tell me if that is occurring. I know one stat that will show progress and that is improvement in third down defense. Seems like the D only got off the field after scores when facing stronger opponents last season. Long term, I hope to win a conference title within 3 years and defeat a P5 opponent within 4 years. Looking forward to reading what the rest of you think about This.

[ULvictory]

The biggest improvement that I want to see this year is an improvement in fundamentals. Over the past few years, we have seen a drop in the quality of recruiting due to the size and physique of the players we recruited other than their actual skills. Coach Napier and his staff put a ton of emphasis on fundamentals this past Spring, so I expect us to be more competitive in that realm.

Offensively, we have some talent returning on the line and on the skill positions. If we can land a quarterback without going through the regular carrousel, we should be fine there as well. Defensively, we will struggle a bit in the secondary, but I do expect some talent in the interior D-line as well as the LB positions.

Overall, we should be improved. I'm not asking to go 10-2 in Coach Napier's first season, but I do want to be competitive in every game that we play. If we can make a bowl game, it will be a huge improvement from last season. Follow that up with a conference championship a year or two after that with a P5 win in the mix. From there, once Napier starts to bring in some quality recruiting classes, a top 25 ranking within the next 5 years might not be as difficult as one may seem. If there is anyone who can get us there, it's Billy Napier.

[Cajunsmike]

The biggest improvement that I want to see this year is an improvement in fundamentals. Over the past few years, we have seen a drop in the quality of recruiting due to the size and physique of the players we recruited other than their actual skills. Coach Napier and his staff put a ton of emphasis on fundamentals this past Spring, so I expect us to be more competitive in that realm.

Offensively, we have some talent returning on the line and on the skill positions. If we can land a quarterback without going through the regular carrousel, we should be fine there as well. Defensively, we will struggle a bit in the secondary, but I do expect some talent in the interior D-line as well as the LB positions.

Overall, we should be improved. I'm not asking to go 10-2 in Coach Napier's first season, but I do want to be competitive in every game that we play. If we can make a bowl game, it will be a huge improvement from last season. Follow that up with a conference championship a year or two after that with a P5 win in the mix. From there, once Napier starts to bring in some quality recruiting classes, a top 25 ranking within the next 5 years might not be as difficult as one may seem. If there is anyone who can get us there, it's Billy Napier.

You have a lot of confidence in Coach Napier. I will reserve judgment until a few games have been played. He does seem to have a quiet confidence about him. I have heard people around the program believe he has the best football mind of any coach they have ever been around. That is encouraging.

[ULvictory]

You have a lot of confidence in Coach Napier. I will reserve judgment until a few games have been played. He does seem to have a quiet confidence about him. I have heard people around the program believe he has the best football mind of any coach they have ever been around. That is encouraging.

Based on his resume, I must say that I'm confident that he will get the job done. I don't expect him to solve the Mayan calendar this season, but I expect a vast improvement over the next few years. The administration has shown enough confidence in him as well with the money pool that they gave him to hire a competent staff. I look forward to seeing what they can do.

[CajunRage]

Touchbacks, 3rd down stops, 2nd and 4.

[GeauxLouisiana]

Touchbacks, 3rd down stops, 2nd and 4.

No WR bubble screens on 3rd and long

[RaginFan2]

I expect modest improvement in year 1, starting with better fundamentals. If we get some breaks, we might see a bit more dramatic increase in W's. But l won't be disappointed if our W-L record isn't significantly better. I am very optimistic about Coach Napier & his staff. It remains to be seen what they accomplish in the next few years, but l WILL be disappointed if major improvements aren't seen in years 2 & 3.

[MetryCajun]

This year: 6-6, a recruiting class that stacks up against Tech and Tulane and a defense that is not FBS bottom 20.
Next few years: a return to nine win seasons, a SBC title and a P5 win.

[Cajunsmike]

This year: 6-6, a recruiting class that stacks up against Tech and Tulane and a defense that is not FBS bottom 20.
Next few years: a return to nine win seasons, a SBC title and a P5 win.

Agree on goal for defense. Still think (just about know) it is impossible to tell how our recruiting class will rank vs Tulane and Tech by what the services say. Look how many players we brought in following signing day this year. I agree it is imperative to do a better job than those two in that regard but we won't know if we did in early February.

[VObserver]

I expect sound fundamentals, good technique and crisp execution on both sides of the ball. I expect an offensive game plan based on what the opponent gives us and what our athletes can do, rather than on what the coach wants to do. I expect us to be sound defensively, and be in position to make plays.

If my expectations are met, I firmly believe we will be bowling, as I believe we have enough offensive talent to score at a fairly high rate in conference games, and I think our defense can make enough plays to keep us in games.

[Kid Rock]

I agree Coach Napier resume looks good and looks like we have an excellent staff.

QB situation is not ideal but when you take over a team I guess nothing is ideal.

One of the things that impressed me the most when he was asked the question “are you gonna be calling the plays”

His response was point on “of course I am going to call the plays that is who I am and that is my background.”


Boom let’s geaux Cajuns!!!

[ManAboutTown]

8 wins... don’t @ me