Uthaithani said:
wifeisafurd said:
Bear8 said:
Without sticking my neck out too far, I'll point out overall this is a veteran team. It is a team predominantly of juniors and seniors. Historically, teams like this do well. Phil Steele usually picks veteran teams as conference winners or at least bowl participants. They just know how to win. Expect a better record.
I'm going to clarify that and say this is an experienced team on defense. Offense you have a starting line of one soph and 4 juniors, so far okay. Assuming Duncan is healthy the other WRs are a soph and probably guys who have not played much at the college level. I'm assuming the starting TE also is redshirt frosh. There is QB and the RBs were inexperience is somewhat apparent. So a lot of this season rides on generally inexperienced offensive skill players stepping-up, which is a lot to ask. I'm thinking better, but inconsistent play from the offense and another stellar defense. I have 6 or 7 wins given the schedule, which puts Cal in the mid level of the conference, and would be happy to be wrong. Also given the number of sophomores and juniors who are starting this year, and the more favorable schedule, next year may be the year Wilcox moves the program to the upper echelon.
Have to agree. It looks like recruiting has turned a corner, so the trajectory of the program looks good for the long-term. But this season looks a lot like last season, which is to say a battle for a bowl and not much more.
I also agree that next year looks a lot more promising, especially if Wilcox replaces the OC, which appears to be the big drag on the program right now.
I'm not sure I see recruiting as having "turned a corner". What makes you say that? I mean, it ain't bad, we get our share of 3-star "OKG"s who seem like they will be able to play, but...
On the field next year, I am concerned about the players we will be losing on defense. We are recruiting there and, with Wilcox, we will always have a pretty good D, but it might take a step down from the past two years.
Lots of offensive players will be returning, that's great, but we have yet to show we can do anything in the current offensive system, so I'm still a little skeptical there.
I'm predicting 7-5 this season and about the same for 2020, which is why it'd be nice to somehow pull off an 8-4 this year, which might REALLY get the recruiting to turn a corner.