2017: Low Expectations

[DocRU]

How could it be any different? How many points did RU score against 4 division mates, Ohio St, Penn St, Michigan, Michigan St, last season? That's right, the same number of times the hoops squad has been to the Dance since 1991. ZERO! Hard to believe but true. Parcells used to say, " We can't think about the Super Bowl until we get out of our division first. Same for RU. A massive hill to climb.
And a look inside our QB room is not exactly awe inspiring. A guy who had 1 good half in a loss, a true freshman, and the star from Southern Connecticut.
Yet you have to admit the bar is set pretty low for Kill. Like managing a first down against Michigan before the 4th quarter. Kidding aside, I do love the Kill hire. This guy just has to make an impact.
Because the 2017 season is going to be about finding an offense, and finding a QB.
If there's anything I liked about Kyle Flood, it was his run first philosophy. And the power spread figures to bring back some punch to RU's running game. Which has to help the QB. And speaking of QB, its hard to be sold right now about Gio. After the Odin failure, I hope Lewis is the real deal. And if he is, I'm desperate for the future right now. But that's Kill's and Ash's call.
And speaking of Ash, we have yet to really see what type of coach he is. Is he conservative? Will he gamble? The offense was so bad last year, we couldn't tell.
Why low expectations? Because there are 5 automatic losses before we even get started. Washington, Nebraska, Ohio St, Michigan, and Penn St. I hesitate to put Michigan St in that group right now. They have a low number of returning starters, its at home, and despite getting blown out last year, we were very competitive against them at home the year before with Laviano at QB.
So that means 4 B1G teams RU can be competitive with, Illinois, Indiana, Maryland, and Purdue. Problem is 2 are on the road, and 1 in NY. Even with E Michigan and Morgan, how many wins can we expect?
So for me 2017 comes down to finding some semblance of an offense, and finding a QB.
Low expectations indeed.

 

[SkilletHead2]

How could it be any different? How many points did RU score against 4 division mates, Ohio St, Penn St, Michigan, Michigan St, last season? That's right, the same number of times the hoops squad has been to the Dance since 1991. ZERO! Hard to believe but true. Parcells used to say, " We can't think about the Super Bowl until we get out of our division first. Same for RU. A massive hill to climb.
And a look inside our QB room is not exactly awe inspiring. A guy who had 1 good half in a loss, a true freshman, and the star from Southern Connecticut.
Yet you have to admit the bar is set pretty low for Kill. Like managing a first down against Michigan before the 4th quarter. Kidding aside, I do love the Kill hire. This guy just has to make an impact.
Because the 2017 season is going to be about finding an offense, and finding a QB.
If there's anything I liked about Kyle Flood, it was his run first philosophy. And the power spread figures to bring back some punch to RU's running game. Which has to help the QB. And speaking of QB, its hard to be sold right now about Gio. After the Odin failure, I hope Lewis is the real deal. And if he is, I'm desperate for the future right now. But that's Kill's and Ash's call.
And speaking of Ash, we have yet to really see what type of coach he is. Is he conservative? Will he gamble? The offense was so bad last year, we couldn't tell.
Why low expectations? Because there are 5 automatic losses before we even get started. Washington, Nebraska, Ohio St, Michigan, and Penn St. I hesitate to put Michigan St in that group right now. They have a low number of returning starters, its at home, and despite getting blown out last year, we were very competitive against them at home the year before with Laviano at QB.
So that means 4 B1G teams RU can be competitive with, Illinois, Indiana, Maryland, and Purdue. Problem is 2 are on the road, and 1 in NY. Even with E Michigan and Morgan, how many wins can we expect?
So for me 2017 comes down to finding some semblance of an offense, and finding a QB.
Low expectations indeed.

Nothing better to do on Easter than rip the team you're supposed to be a fan of?

 

[DJ Spanky]

I just don't get the purpose of this thread at this point.

 

[soundcrib]

3 wins is an improvement. Let's start there.

 

[Waldo73]

I believe DocRu is telling it like it is.He can still be a fan.

 

[RUsojo]

Yeah it doesn't take 300 hundred words to comment on this season's outlook. Some of us have been saying since Floods firing 2-4 wins is the absolute ceiling for Ash's first two years. As long as the off field stuff improves, which it has, then there is nothing to worry about.

Happy Easter.

 

[Plum Street]

Lots of words for you to expect us to stink.

 

[MADHAT1]

I always have high expectations .
If the last season was a bad one, I expect the next will be better and each season after that will be better than the last.
Why spend every off season with a doom and gloom attitude ?
Yes, I know this is Rutgers we;re talking about but remember : it was around 15 years ago Rutgers fans didn't even expect a winning season.
In 2005 that changed and since the 2006 season RU FB fans not only expect winning seasons, they expect a W-L record that leads to a major bowl game.
Flood made that harder to accomplish but those standards should still rule and Ash should be expected to make RU FB a program that every pre-season is predicted for good things that year.

 

[RUwoz]

4 wins is reasonable to expect with Purdue, Illinois, Indiana and Maryland on the schedule

 

[newwavedave1]

As bad as we were, any kind of improvement will be welcomed.

 

[drewbagel423]

Yeah it doesn't take 300 hundred words to comment on this season's outlook. Some of us have been saying since Floods firing 2-4 wins is the absolute ceiling for Ash's first two years. As long as the off field stuff improves, which it has, then there is nothing to worry about.

Happy Easter.

Just need to be able to follow up last year's recruiting class with a decent one this year. If it's Flood-like because recruits don't like the lack of wins then we could be in trouble again.

 

[T2Kplus10]

It just would be nice to have a functioning offense.

 

[RUbacker]

How could it be any different? How many points did RU score against 4 division mates, Ohio St, Penn St, Michigan, Michigan St, last season? That's right, the same number of times the hoops squad has been to the Dance since 1991. ZERO! Hard to believe but true. Parcells used to say, " We can't think about the Super Bowl until we get out of our division first. Same for RU. A massive hill to climb.
And a look inside our QB room is not exactly awe inspiring. A guy who had 1 good half in a loss, a true freshman, and the star from Southern Connecticut.
Yet you have to admit the bar is set pretty low for Kill. Like managing a first down against Michigan before the 4th quarter. Kidding aside, I do love the Kill hire. This guy just has to make an impact.
Because the 2017 season is going to be about finding an offense, and finding a QB.
If there's anything I liked about Kyle Flood, it was his run first philosophy. And the power spread figures to bring back some punch to RU's running game. Which has to help the QB. And speaking of QB, its hard to be sold right now about Gio. After the Odin failure, I hope Lewis is the real deal. And if he is, I'm desperate for the future right now. But that's Kill's and Ash's call.
And speaking of Ash, we have yet to really see what type of coach he is. Is he conservative? Will he gamble? The offense was so bad last year, we couldn't tell.
Why low expectations? Because there are 5 automatic losses before we even get started. Washington, Nebraska, Ohio St, Michigan, and Penn St. I hesitate to put Michigan St in that group right now. They have a low number of returning starters, its at home, and despite getting blown out last year, we were very competitive against them at home the year before with Laviano at QB.
So that means 4 B1G teams RU can be competitive with, Illinois, Indiana, Maryland, and Purdue. Problem is 2 are on the road, and 1 in NY. Even with E Michigan and Morgan, how many wins can we expect?
So for me 2017 comes down to finding some semblance of an offense, and finding a QB.
Low expectations indeed.

Odin was supposed to be this great savior. Turns out he was not that talented , he was childish and did not have s good attitude. Yet we were led to believe he was the future. I don't know what to believe anymore about some of the recruits.

 

[sct1111]

It just would be nice to have a functioning offense.

A functioning offense would have beat Illinois and Iowa and probably Minnesota last year. So at least were not that far off from 5 wins.

 

[SkilletHead2]

I always have high expectations .
If the last season was a bad one, I expect the next will be better and each season after that will be better than the last.
Why spend every off season with a doom and gloom attitude ?
Yes, I know this is Rutgers we;re talking about but remember : it was around 15 years ago Rutgers fans didn't even expect a winning season.
In 2005 that changed and since the 2006 season RU FB fans not only expect winning seasons, they expect a W-L record that leads to a major bowl game.
Flood made that harder to accomplish but those standards should still rule and Ash should be expected to make RU FB a program that every pre-season is predicted for good things that year.

I arrived on the Banks in 1976. I left in 2005. Think about those dates. I'm pretty sure I was the problem.

 

[MADHAT1]

I arrived on the Banks in 1976. I left in 2005. Think about those dates. I'm pretty sure I was the problem.

Well you helped Football your first year On the Banks [cheers]

 

[Debtbubble]

Sorry, I'm not reading all that. What's the point?

 

[madchuck]

Odin was supposed to be this great savior. Turns out he was not that talented , he was childish and did not have s good attitude. Yet we were led to believe he was the future. I don't know what to believe anymore about some of the recruits.

I hope Jonathan Lewis is good. I think he will be good. Some of the stuff I read on this board is a little ludicrous though. People are now saying he's the savior. Going to come in start as a freshman and be Cam Newton. He should be good but lets have realistic expectations. He's in high school.

 

[dollarbill]

Perfect dissertation as the season ticket renewal deadline approaches with many still on the fence. $$$$

 

[Knight Shift]

I agree with one thing the OP said. Rutgers can't think about the Super Bowl Ever.
As for the rest of your post, here's something to think about:


Next time your found, with your chin on the ground
There a lot to be learned, so look around

Just what makes that little old ant
Think he'll move that rubber tree plant
Anyone knows an ant, can't
Move a rubber tree plant

But he's got high hopes, he's got high hopes
He's got high apple pie, in the sky hopes

So any time your gettin' low
'Stead of lettin' go
Just remember that ant
Oops there goes another rubber tree plant

When troubles call, and your back's to the wall
There a lot to be learned, that wall could fall

Once there was a silly old ram
Thought he'd punch a hole in a dam
No one could make that ram, scram
He kept buttin' that dam

'Cause he had high hopes, he had high hopes
He had high apple pie, in the sky hopes

So any time your feelin' bad
'stead of feelin' sad
Just remember that ram
Oops there goes a billion kilowatt dam

All problems just a toy balloon
They'll be bursted soon
They're just bound to go pop
Oops there goes another problem kerplop

 

[DJ Spanky]

I agree with one thing the OP said. Rutgers can't think about the Super Bowl Ever.
As for the rest of your post, here's something to think about:


Next time your found, with your chin on the ground
There a lot to be learned, so look around

Just what makes that little old ant
Think he'll move that rubber tree plant
Anyone knows an ant, can't
Move a rubber tree plant

But he's got high hopes, he's got high hopes
He's got high apple pie, in the sky hopes

So any time your gettin' low
'Stead of lettin' go
Just remember that ant
Oops there goes another rubber tree plant

When troubles call, and your back's to the wall
There a lot to be learned, that wall could fall

Once there was a silly old ram
Thought he'd punch a hole in a dam
No one could make that ram, scram
He kept buttin' that dam

'Cause he had high hopes, he had high hopes
He had high apple pie, in the sky hopes

So any time your feelin' bad
'stead of feelin' sad
Just remember that ram
Oops there goes a billion kilowatt dam

All problems just a toy balloon
They'll be bursted soon
They're just bound to go pop
Oops there goes another problem kerplop

 

[seels2662]

I don't know if Easter is the right time but I do think what he said needed to be said. There are a bunch of people who think that Ash needs to show a significant improvement this year to be retained. Thats crazy in my opinion because this year as doc pointed out will probably be as bad as last year.

 

[bac2therac]

I am expecting 3-9 but hoping for 4-8, that will be improvement over last year

 

[miketd1]

Kill is worth at least two more wins if:
1.) We use tempo more selectively
2.) We build the offense around the talent and not the other way around
3.) We allow the QB to audible out of bad plays.

I'm not even considering potential upgrades at OL and WR or the many different formations at our disposal with the reintroduction of the FB position...

 

[SkilletHead2]

I agree with one thing the OP said. Rutgers can't think about the Super Bowl Ever.
As for the rest of your post, here's something to think about:


Next time your found, with your chin on the ground
There a lot to be learned, so look around

Just what makes that little old ant
Think he'll move that rubber tree plant
Anyone knows an ant, can't
Move a rubber tree plant

But he's got high hopes, he's got high hopes
He's got high apple pie, in the sky hopes

So any time your gettin' low
'Stead of lettin' go
Just remember that ant
Oops there goes another rubber tree plant

When troubles call, and your back's to the wall
There a lot to be learned, that wall could fall

Once there was a silly old ram
Thought he'd punch a hole in a dam
No one could make that ram, scram
He kept buttin' that dam

'Cause he had high hopes, he had high hopes
He had high apple pie, in the sky hopes

So any time your feelin' bad
'stead of feelin' sad
Just remember that ram
Oops there goes a billion kilowatt dam

All problems just a toy balloon
They'll be bursted soon
They're just bound to go pop
Oops there goes another problem kerplop

Beaced, is that you sitting next to Frank?

 

[ScarletRunner]

Good well thought out post by the OP that covers his thoughts for the season, reasonable expectations, and enthusiasm about the new OP.

Board reactions:
Positoids: "Too negative."
Negatoids (and others): "Too long."

 

[jerzey devil]

If y'all truly want to see how much improvement there will be this year.. Then first off throw out any notions of what our record should be... Instead, look at how the team competes... Michigan, OSU, Penn. St., Mich. St., and Washington were all over by halftime... Can we be competitive into the late 3rd, 4th qtr. against those teams this year? Teams like Illinois, Indiana, and Purdue.. We know we should compete against, and possibly win 1 or 2 of... But the more important barometer of improvement IMO, will be the week to week competitiveness of the team... If the O can move the ball more consistently.. At least flipping the field, and making the other teams have to drive the length of the field more often... Which will keep the D rested, and also put them in positions to be more aggressive... Also look at special teams... Can we limit kick returns better than last year? Can we pin teams back more on punts? Put your focus, not on wins and losses... But how we win... And how we lose...

 

[gunboat]

If y'all truly want to see how much improvement there will be this year.. Then first off throw out any notions of what our record should be... Instead, look at how the team competes... Michigan, OSU, Penn. St., Mich. St., and Washington were all over by halftime... Can we be competitive into the late 3rd, 4th qtr. against those teams this year? Teams like Illinois, Indiana, and Purdue.. We know we should compete against, and possibly win 1 or 2 of... But the more important barometer of improvement IMO, will be the week to week competitiveness of the team... If the O can move the ball more consistently.. At least flipping the field, and making the other teams have to drive the length of the field more often... Which will keep the D rested, and also put them in positions to be more aggressive... Also look at special teams... Can we limit kick returns better than last year? Can we pin teams back more on punts? Put your focus, not on wins and losses... But how we win... And how we lose...

So, if we were very close, competitive, in each and every game but did not win one would we have improved?

 

[RUaMoose_rivals]

One thing Ash has succeeded at is lowering expectations around here.

 

[MYHATINTHERING]

Look no further than the fans to see why rutgers is a perennial loser. if you dont demand excellence and expect to win, how will you ever be anything other than an omega in the pack?

Ash makes a bundle, has tremendous support and resources, and according to many, can coach. he wasn't hired to do anything but win

 

[shields]

Having a healthy grant and Duwop will help the O and I think Martin will have a good year. Plus the kids have a year in the system . And team should have beaten Iowa and indiana last year.

 

[clizzil151]

If y'all truly want to see how much improvement there will be this year.. Then first off throw out any notions of what our record should be... Instead, look at how the team competes... Michigan, OSU, Penn. St., Mich. St., and Washington were all over by halftime... Can we be competitive into the late 3rd, 4th qtr. against those teams this year? Teams like Illinois, Indiana, and Purdue.. We know we should compete against, and possibly win 1 or 2 of... But the more important barometer of improvement IMO, will be the week to week competitiveness of the team... If the O can move the ball more consistently.. At least flipping the field, and making the other teams have to drive the length of the field more often... Which will keep the D rested, and also put them in positions to be more aggressive... Also look at special teams... Can we limit kick returns better than last year? Can we pin teams back more on punts? Put your focus, not on wins and losses... But how we win... And how we lose...

Penn state was 9-0 at halftime wouldn't group those w the others but they have show the ability to at least compete in the second halves of these games

 

[RUskoolie]

If y'all truly want to see how much improvement there will be this year.. Then first off throw out any notions of what our record should be... Instead, look at how the team competes... Michigan, OSU, Penn. St., Mich. St., and Washington were all over by halftime... Can we be competitive into the late 3rd, 4th qtr. against those teams this year? Teams like Illinois, Indiana, and Purdue.. We know we should compete against, and possibly win 1 or 2 of... But the more important barometer of improvement IMO, will be the week to week competitiveness of the team... If the O can move the ball more consistently.. At least flipping the field, and making the other teams have to drive the length of the field more often... Which will keep the D rested, and also put them in positions to be more aggressive... Also look at special teams... Can we limit kick returns better than last year? Can we pin teams back more on punts? Put your focus, not on wins and losses... But how we win... And how we lose...

This is what myself and other smart people will be paying attention to.

 

[RUskoolie]

One thing Ash has succeeded at is lowering expectations around here.

What are your expectations?

 

[Yeah Baby]

What a ***** thread.

 

[yesrutgers01]

Yeah it doesn't take 300 hundred words to comment on this season's outlook. Some of us have been saying since Floods firing 2-4 wins is the absolute ceiling for Ash's first two years. As long as the off field stuff improves, which it has, then there is nothing to worry about.

Happy Easter.

I would agree with this but I feel that DM left 2-3 wins on the table...

 

[Scarlet_Scourge]

The Op's favorite superhero pose:

 

[DJ Spanky]

I don't know why, but every time I see the title of this thread, this song pops into my head:

 

[RUInFlorida]

I just don't get the purpose of this thread at this point.

To discuss the Rutgers football team?

 

[jerzey devil]

Penn state was 9-0 at halftime wouldn't group those w the others but they have show the ability to at least compete in the second halves of these games

Our O was totally non-competitive in that 1st half... Weather conditions, and a few stands in our own territory kept the score down... We were thoroughly dominated everywhere but the scoreboard...