(Way Too Early) 2017 Predictions
Posted: Thu Dec 01, 2016 11:13 am
OOC
vs. Notre Dame - 4-8 in 2016, but playing a tough schedule and with W's over teams that probably would've beaten us this year...or did...
@ Northern Illinois - 5-7 in 2016 with losses to Wyoming, WIU (??), Toledo, C. Michigan...Not the N.Illinois of 2014...
@ UConn - 3-9 in 2016, with wins over Cincinnati, UVa and Maine (barely)...
vs. Central Michigan - 6-6 in 2016, and aside from a win over OKST, thoroughly unimpressive...
The fact that we're not playing an FCS team may earn us some credit when the strongest vs. weakest schedules discussion starts up in the spring, but the combined 18-30 record of our OOC opponents should mean that we once again have one of the easiest OOC schedules in the country. 3-1 should be the minimum expectation.
ACC
vs. FSU - No chance
@ Clemson - No chance
@ Louisville - No chance
vs. VT - Slight chance
vs. NCST - Winnable
vs. Wake - Winnable
@ Syracuse - Winnable
@ UVa - Winnable
Considering that we're essentially writing off Clemson, Louisville and FSU these days, it's actually probably good that 2 of those games are on the road. After all, what's the difference between losing 54-7 at home vs. losing 73-0 on the road. NCST and Wake at home should both be very winnable. UVa and Syracuse on the road should both still be winnable and getting UVa as the Coastal Crossover is always a blessing. VT at home, despite the disaster of this year, should at least be within reach. Overall, 3 ACC wins should be considered the bare minimum, 4 should be the expectation, and 5 would be a minor miracle.
My early gut reaction says 7-5 (4-4) with the possibility of upsetting Notre Dame or VT to get to 8 wins, but more likelihood of blowing one or two games against 'Cuse, Wake, NCST, or UVa and finishing at 6-6 (3-5). Honestly, it would take massive effort to not be bowl eligible in 2017 with the schedule. Unfortunately, Daz seems to be putting effort into disappointing the fan base...
vs. Notre Dame - 4-8 in 2016, but playing a tough schedule and with W's over teams that probably would've beaten us this year...or did...
@ Northern Illinois - 5-7 in 2016 with losses to Wyoming, WIU (??), Toledo, C. Michigan...Not the N.Illinois of 2014...
@ UConn - 3-9 in 2016, with wins over Cincinnati, UVa and Maine (barely)...
vs. Central Michigan - 6-6 in 2016, and aside from a win over OKST, thoroughly unimpressive...
The fact that we're not playing an FCS team may earn us some credit when the strongest vs. weakest schedules discussion starts up in the spring, but the combined 18-30 record of our OOC opponents should mean that we once again have one of the easiest OOC schedules in the country. 3-1 should be the minimum expectation.
ACC
vs. FSU - No chance
@ Clemson - No chance
@ Louisville - No chance
vs. VT - Slight chance
vs. NCST - Winnable
vs. Wake - Winnable
@ Syracuse - Winnable
@ UVa - Winnable
Considering that we're essentially writing off Clemson, Louisville and FSU these days, it's actually probably good that 2 of those games are on the road. After all, what's the difference between losing 54-7 at home vs. losing 73-0 on the road. NCST and Wake at home should both be very winnable. UVa and Syracuse on the road should both still be winnable and getting UVa as the Coastal Crossover is always a blessing. VT at home, despite the disaster of this year, should at least be within reach. Overall, 3 ACC wins should be considered the bare minimum, 4 should be the expectation, and 5 would be a minor miracle.
My early gut reaction says 7-5 (4-4) with the possibility of upsetting Notre Dame or VT to get to 8 wins, but more likelihood of blowing one or two games against 'Cuse, Wake, NCST, or UVa and finishing at 6-6 (3-5). Honestly, it would take massive effort to not be bowl eligible in 2017 with the schedule. Unfortunately, Daz seems to be putting effort into disappointing the fan base...