2017: Low Expectations

jerzey devil

Heisman
Aug 16, 2004
7,274
10,124
113
So, if we were very close, competitive, in each and every game but did not win one would we have improved?

IMO.. YES!! Not one for moral victories.. But there's a huge difference in feeling between losing 45,59,78-0... and losing 24-21.. 31-21... 28-27.... Worst case scenario...Even if we go 2-10 again this year.. But say we lose to OSU...44-21.. Mich.. 48-24... Penn St...31-17... Mich St... 21-13....Indiana 17-14.. Illinois... 14-10... Wash.. 28-14... Purdue...34-27...and MD...27-20... would you say that this team sucks still? or would u feel that the close losses can be a springboard for 2018?
 

ponyfoot19

Senior
Dec 19, 2007
2,596
509
0
You could have a Hall of Fame coaching staff, and as good as they are, you wont win consistently without good players. It doesn't matter if recruits come from Montana or NJ, but if you want to be competitive with a PSU, Nebraska, MSU etc. you need to win your fair share of recruits that are being recruited by the schools you want to compete with.
 

Scarlet16e2

All-Conference
Nov 22, 2005
9,001
4,068
113
If we have something better than the worst offense in the FBS, then this year will be so much better. Gotta fix what's broke first, and our offense could have improved just by punting on first down.
 

huskersalways

All-Conference
Dec 21, 2001
72,807
4,217
78
If we have something better than the worst offense in the FBS, then this year will be so much better. Gotta fix what's broke first, and our offense could have improved just by punting on first down.

Every time I read a post like this I can't help but think about my old high school coach when he was talking about the team my senior year. He always said "we weren't very big but we sure were slow". Ha
 

BlockR

Heisman
Dec 28, 2015
22,067
20,846
113
not losing B10 games by upwards of 30 + points or seeing pregame lines of RU plus 26 pts would be an improvement to start .
First thing needed is from center to RG,RT..need to find B10 level starters for this year at these postions..
 

CranfordKnight

All-Conference
Jun 23, 2006
4,085
3,943
113
IMO.. YES!! Not one for moral victories.. But there's a huge difference in feeling between losing 45,59,78-0... and losing 24-21.. 31-21... 28-27.... Worst case scenario...Even if we go 2-10 again this year.. But say we lose to OSU...44-21.. Mich.. 48-24... Penn St...31-17... Mich St... 21-13....Indiana 17-14.. Illinois... 14-10... Wash.. 28-14... Purdue...34-27...and MD...27-20... would you say that this team sucks still? or would u feel that the close losses can be a springboard for 2018?

We win two games and lose all those other close games, I'd say our HC is in over his head. I'm on the fence at the moment. Not because I don't think he can get it done here, but because nothing he did last year impressed me. But he talked a big game.
 

RUaMoose_rivals

All-American
Oct 31, 2004
17,240
7,060
113
You could have a Hall of Fame coaching staff, and as good as they are, you wont win consistently without good players. It doesn't matter if recruits come from Montana or NJ, but if you want to be competitive with a PSU, Nebraska, MSU etc. you need to win your fair share of recruits that are being recruited by the schools you want to compete with.

Bingo.
 
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MoobyCow

Heisman
Nov 28, 2001
26,944
26,363
0
We win two games and lose all those other close games, I'd say our HC is in over his head. I'm on the fence at the moment. Not because I don't think he can get it done here, but because nothing he did last year impressed me. But he talked a big game.
I think, it's hard to say without living through it, that I'd be OK with tangible improvement on the field, even without more wins. Though it would be hard to have another year of not picking up any conference wins. It might depend on how that translates to interest from recruits. Right now we seem to be picking up no interest from anyone with other viable options.
 

jerzey devil

Heisman
Aug 16, 2004
7,274
10,124
113
We win two games and lose all those other close games, I'd say our HC is in over his head. I'm on the fence at the moment. Not because I don't think he can get it done here, but because nothing he did last year impressed me. But he talked a big game.

Can you please show me where he "talked a big game?" As you call it. .. The guy said that this was a total rebuild...that takes time... Everything about the program has been totally upgraded.. The culture is totally different..for the better... The onfield results will come...But one must first learn to crawl before one can walk... Sorry that it doesn't impress you.. But real life isn't an episode of Law & Order...
 

RUsojo

Heisman
Dec 17, 2010
29,406
28,548
113
Rutgers fan remind me of Eagles fans. They think they have an inherent right to play for a title every year and think there is always more talent on the team than there really is. Andy Reid went 4-12 and when Chip went 10-6 and made they playoffs after playing 4 backup QBs they thought they were Super Bowl contenders. Than Chip implodes and Pederson should be making the playoffs year 1 with a rookie QB. Now he has to win a playoff game year two with a second year QB or he should be fired.

Then the ownership gets pressure by the media and makes short term moves trying to win right away when they really have no chance to and it hampers them moving forward. Then they'll fire Pederson and start all over .
 

RU#1fan

Heisman
Mar 7, 2003
23,564
12,265
113
IMO.. YES!! Not one for moral victories.. But there's a huge difference in feeling between losing 45,59,78-0... and losing 24-21.. 31-21... 28-27.... Worst case scenario...Even if we go 2-10 again this year.. But say we lose to OSU...44-21.. Mich.. 48-24... Penn St...31-17... Mich St... 21-13....Indiana 17-14.. Illinois... 14-10... Wash.. 28-14... Purdue...34-27...and MD...27-20... would you say that this team sucks still? or would u feel that the close losses can be a springboard for 2018?

If we go that close with Michigan and PSU on the road there is a very strong possibility that we win at home vs. Purdue and Maryland and win one of Indiana/Illinois on the road.
 
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jerzey devil

Heisman
Aug 16, 2004
7,274
10,124
113
If we go that close with Michigan and PSU on the road there is a very strong possibility that we win at home vs. Purdue and Maryland and win one of Indiana/Illinois on the road.

As I had stated..WORST CASE scenario....
 

rurichdog

Heisman
Sep 30, 2006
116,807
14,389
0
It really is the late 90's again. Good thing I saved a pair of Jnco's.
We only lost by 3 TDs and a FG.
Shocking Power.
Undefeated when counting moral victories.
 

RU31trap

Senior
Sep 30, 2010
3,143
959
0
IMO.. YES!! Not one for moral victories.. But there's a huge difference in feeling between losing 45,59,78-0... and losing 24-21.. 31-21... 28-27.... Worst case scenario...Even if we go 2-10 again this year.. But say we lose to OSU...44-21.. Mich.. 48-24... Penn St...31-17... Mich St... 21-13....Indiana 17-14.. Illinois... 14-10... Wash.. 28-14... Purdue...34-27...and MD...27-20... would you say that this team sucks still? or would u feel that the close losses can be a springboard for 2018?
I've always felt that losing is losing, especially in individual sports. In team sports it's different because you could argue that close games is an indication that the product is improving and moving in the right direction. I've always felt that at the beginning of every year 15 or so teams are capable of winning a NC. I believe early rankings have us at 78. Coach Ash has a lot to prove this year and in 2018 we'll know if he's HC material.
 

yesrutgers01

Heisman
Nov 9, 2008
122,350
38,102
113
If we have something better than the worst offense in the FBS, then this year will be so much better. Gotta fix what's broke first, and our offense could have improved just by punting on first down.

Ummmm, not with our punting. lol
 

RUInFlorida

Junior
Mar 7, 2017
396
226
0
It really is the late 90's again.
You're right. And the sad part is that Terry Shea actually outcoached Chris Ash in his first season here. Amazing that we've reached this lowpoint after all the money that's been donated and invested in the program since Schiano brought us back to respectability.
 

waretown

All-Conference
Jul 4, 2009
5,248
1,164
0
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.
last year was what it was, last year, new year, a more experienced staff, qb upngrade, i cant see that happening this year, i look for an upset or two
 

yesrutgers01

Heisman
Nov 9, 2008
122,350
38,102
113
You're right. And the sad part is that Terry Shea actually outcoached Chris Ash in his first season here. Amazing that we've reached this lowpoint after all the money that's been donated and invested in the program since Schiano brought us back to respectability.

I think there is only one poster in history of this board that repeats himself as often as you do and then also ask for apologies...lol

its worse really, Shea didn't have a 1/3 of the resources and ancillary aid that Ash does.

And Shea didn't have 8-9 games against the B1G and OOC against a top 10...just saying.
 

Knight Shift

Heisman
May 19, 2011
88,583
86,603
113
last year was what it was, last year, new year, a more experienced staff, qb upngrade, i cant see that happening this year, i look for an upset or two
This is the most optimistic post of yours that I have read in quite a while! Are you moderately optimistic about this year?
 
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MYHATINTHERING

All-Conference
Mar 25, 2015
9,163
4,042
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I think there is only one poster in history of this board that repeats himself as often as you do and then also ask for apologies...lol



And Shea didn't have 8-9 games against the B1G and OOC against a top 10...just saying.
Shea also didn't have the infrastructure, school support, any semblance of a brand, financial support....I could go on for crying out loud, Chad Bosch was our running back!

I don't want to hear about the Big10, we still played some teams we should have beat so what does that say about how mighty the schedule was last year?
 
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RUInFlorida

Junior
Mar 7, 2017
396
226
0
Shea also didn't have the infrastructure, school support, any semblance of a brand, financial support....I could go on for crying out loud, Chad Bosch was our running back!

I don't want to hear about the Big10, we still played some teams we should have beat so what does that say about how mighty the schedule was last year?
Plus, Miami, West Virginia, Virginia Tech, and even Syracuse were national powerhouses during the Shea years. The schedule difficulty in the late '90s is actually comparable to what we're dealing with now.
 

Scarlet16e2

All-Conference
Nov 22, 2005
9,001
4,068
113
Bon
Plus, Miami, West Virginia, Virginia Tech, and even Syracuse were national powerhouses during the Shea years. The schedule difficulty in the late '90s is actually comparable to what we're dealing with now.
nonsense.

Miami was a national power.
VTech was a notch below.
None of the others were ever national powers.
 

MYHATINTHERING

All-Conference
Mar 25, 2015
9,163
4,042
0
Virginia Tech went to the National Championship Game following the 1999 season. They were absolutely a national power at the time.
and SU was in a bowl 96-97-99

Didn't we have brutal out of conference schedule too?

look, people want to make excuses for him, I won't. He showed us nothing, absolutely nothing. We are stuck with him unfortunately, let's hope he has better control over the assistants this year than last
 

RUChoppin

Heisman
Dec 1, 2006
19,270
13,695
0
Miami, VTech, Syracuse, West Virginia, and BC were all good during the Shea Error. Played Cal, Texas, Notre Dinero ooc. Hell, even when we played Tulane they finished ranked.

Plus, Miami, West Virginia, Virginia Tech, and even Syracuse were national powerhouses during the Shea years. The schedule difficulty in the late '90s is actually comparable to what we're dealing with now.

Shea's first year was 1996, where we went 2-9.
- Played the year-end AP #13 VTech, #14 Miami, #19 Notre Dame, #21 Syracuse, (#26 WVU), (#27 Navy)
- We had 3 shutouts, against Miami, Cuse, and Notre Dame for a total score of 0-137.
- Our wins were over Temple (2-9) and I-AA Villanova.
- Overall, we were outscored 380-143 (avg. 38-14)

Ash's first year, we went 2-10
- Played the year-end AP #4 Washington, #6 OSU, #7 PA St, #10 Michigan, (#33 Iowa), (#34 Minnesota)
- We had 4 shutouts, against Ohio State, Michigan, Penn State, and Michigan State for a total score of 0-224.
- Our wins were over New Mexico (9-4) and FCS Howard.
- Overall, we were outscored 436-136 (39.6-12.4)
 
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RUaMoose_rivals

All-American
Oct 31, 2004
17,240
7,060
113
Bon

nonsense.

Miami was a national power.
VTech was a notch below.
None of the others were ever national powers.

Why were we a 30 pt dog AT HOME to Syr in '99 if they weren't a power ? I know we were bad but c'mon. Miami and VT were comparable to OSU and Michigan. Syr and WV were comparable to PSU (before last year when they broke out) and Michigan State. Boston college, I'll go with Maryland although I think you can make an argument that BC late 90s was better than MD is today.
 

DaveSNJ

All-Conference
Oct 6, 2001
6,214
1,922
113
LOL - last year some folks thought we had a shot to go bowling. Look last year was a 1st year HC, 1st year OC and an O that had issues the previous season competing against top programs in the B1G. to further complicate matters switching from a pro style offense to a spread, night and day. It was a heck of a lot to take in, and then you have the overriding issue of like 5 OCs in 5 years. So I like the fact we have a OC coming in with extensive and successful HC background, I really like Kill. Should we expect miracles this season - I'm not. Should our expectations be very high about bowling this year - NO if you want to be realistic.

I think a better question is - what would you consider a successful season knowing most of the talent is in the form of underclassmen. I wouldn't chalk up Ls for anything on the schedule just yet however this team may need a heck of a lot of help getting Ws this season. But hey no need to spoil an April day with showers. I want to wait until summer camp to see what we really have and then consider realistic goals.
 

FELONIOUSMONK

All-American
Apr 1, 2012
11,909
5,090
0
R U a medical or psychiatric doctor? If you are learn some frigging bedside manner. Not asking you to lie .I am a 50 year fan and am so damned frustrated that it hurts but let hope spring a little bit eternal in the spring ok?
 

RUTrack94

All-American
Nov 15, 2008
11,401
5,210
113
Ending this feeling after a winless B1G season:

 

RUChoppin

Heisman
Dec 1, 2006
19,270
13,695
0
Now, hopefully Ash will see a better 2nd year than Shea did... who saw a definite drop in the strength of schedule, but performed worse overall.

1997 was Shea's second year, and we went 0-11
- Played the year-end AP #21 Syracuse, (#40 VTech)
- We had one shutout, against (7-5) WVU, for a score of 0-48.
- We had no wins, and played just 4 teams with winning records (9-3 Cuse, and three schools that finished 7-5)
- Overall, lwe were outscored 496-185 (45.1-16.8)
 
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MoobyCow

Heisman
Nov 28, 2001
26,944
26,363
0
Now, hopefully Ash will see a better 2nd year than Shea did... who saw a definite drop in the strength of schedule, but performed worse overall.

1997 was Shea's second year, and we went 0-11
- Played the year-end AP #21 Syracuse, (#40 VTech)
- We had one shutout, against (7-5) WVU, for a score of 0-48.
- We had no wins, and played just 4 teams with winning records (9-3 Cuse, and three schools that finished 7-5)
- Overall, lwe were outscored 496-185 (45.1-16.8)
I get the on the field comparisons, last year was abysmal, but I just don't get the same feel from Ash as I did Shea. Ash seems like a guy who is methodical, organized, willing to work and willing to make changes. Shea seemed like a guy who was smart and liked football, but really didn't have much interest in doing the hard work.

We'll see though, Ash's first year certainly didn't help with what was already a very difficult job.
 

RUChoppin

Heisman
Dec 1, 2006
19,270
13,695
0
I get the on the field comparisons, last year was abysmal, but I just don't get the same feel from Ash as I did Shea. Ash seems like a guy who is methodical, organized, willing to work and willing to make changes. Shea seemed like a guy who was smart and liked football, but really didn't have much interest in doing the hard work.

We'll see though, Ash's first year certainly didn't help with what was already a very difficult job.

I don't really get the comparisons, either... certainly not in the "Shea was better" line of thinking. Even in his "best" third year (5-6), he didn't beat an FBS team with more than 3 wins, and lost badly to a (4-7) BC.

New Mexico is already probably a better win than any of Shea's.
 
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