POLL: BC will contend for ACC Atlantic title in '17

[eagletx]

Addazio said BC would be a contender in his fifth year. As the dust is still settling on all the changes, do you think BC will contend for Atlantic division title in 2017?

[TobaccoRoadEagle]

only if Clemson and FSU really go to the sec

[BC923]

I think 10-2 will have us in the hunt, so yes

[bcshater]

False

[eagletx]

Didn't both FSU and Clemson get top 5 recruiting classes this year? Ugh.

"Slip slidin' away...slip slidin' away...the nearer your destination, the more you're slip slidin' away!

[angrychicken]

How can they? The head coach isn't even willing to take the first step by shaving his moustache.

[Thornton Melon]

Absolutely not. This Athletic Director may be able to rig the win total by scheduling jokes, but you can't screw with conference play. Thank god for it, otherwise Bates would have us play 12 joke teams.

As much as everyone wants to blame Leahy, we have been ranked inside the top 5 with him as President. The problem right now is Brad Bates and his vision of what BC is and should be.

[twballgame9]

This team will win 6-8 games the next two years if they get the line in order. They won't be beating FSU and Clemson regularly however (they've shown they can pull off a fluke)

[dtwalrus]

Lots of assumptions need to be made, but if Hilliman stays healthy and becomes the back we all hope for, behind the type of dominant OLine of juniors and seniors Daz is promising (the likes of which we did see in '13 and '14), with Darius Wade as a junior with experience, and a defense that can maintain its level of play from the last few years, and a kicking game...

If all of that, then yes. Daz has shown himself capable of beating Clemson (in their Orange Bowl year) and FSU (in their Championship year), despite the limitations we faced those years. Assuming this devolops accordingly, we can 100% contend in 2017. Hell, if the OLine takes a step forward, Hilliman is healthy, and the D maintains, we can CONTEND in 2016 (especially with the schedule).

However, WINNING would require perfect in-game coaching as well...

[ILikeBC]

This is why threads have poll features

[MattTheEagle]

Maybe I'm drinking too much koolaid but I agree with walrus. I think this team has a lot of potential over the next two years. Addazio is not the great coach nobody thought he'd be, but we can still win big games. I don't think anyone would argue that the 2014 USC game was the single-best BC game since BC beat Tech with Matt Ryan.

[2014 Eagle]

False

[eepstein0]

They could contend for 3rd place. They're not beating Clemson or FSU

[dtwalrus]

People are really getting carried away with the football doom-and-gloom stuff. Yes, we went 3-9 last year. But we also lost 5 games by a total of 14 points. Yes, that's not a typo. Fourteen points. If we could've averaged one extra FG per game the 2015 team goes 8-4, even with the inexperienced O-Line and WR's, even with the injuries to our starting QB and RB, even with Daz's scheme and game-management flaws.

With any luck at all in 2016 we'll be starting a 5th year experienced QB (not a platoon of Smith, Flutie and a walk-on), we'll have Jon Hilliman back, and the OLine and WR's at the very least will be more experienced and hopefully improved. And we return almost the entirety of our defense. Imagine how much better those guys can be if the offense can get them off the field occasionally and quit sticking them with terrible field position. With any luck at all, this team goes 8-4 in 2016 (especially with the schedule).

And for all the people who like to claim that Daz's ceiling in the Atlantic is 3rd (or some cynics will even say 4th), the facts just don't support you. Even with our unquestionably flawed rosters in each of his first three season, this is how Daz did against the class of the Atlantic:

1) FSU
- 2013 - Lost by 14pts. Undefeated National Championship FSU beat us by only 14pts. We all remember how well we played.
- 2014 - Lost by 3pts. Lost on a last second FG to an undefeated National Championship Playoff team. Definitely could've won.
- 2015 - Lost by 14pts. Trailed by 7pts all game until the late fumble-six. With any kind of offense, this is a win.

2) Clemson
- 2013 - Lost by 10pts. We were winning 14-10 going into the 4th quarter against the future Orange Bowl Champs. Could've won.
- 2014 - Lost by 4pts. A dropped pass at the end of the game away from a win against a 10-win Clemson. Should've won.
- 2015 - Lost by 17pts. We were right with the National Championship Runner-up, in 2015, with the worst offense in America, for the first half at least.

3) Louisville
- 2014 - Lost by 19pts. Were trailing by a score going into the 4th, when we had to rely on Tyler Murphy throwing the ball. Could've won.
- 2015 - Lost by 3pts. And that was with zero offensive production. 3pts... Should've won.

Sure, that's an 0-8 record against FSU, Clemson and Louisville. But that's 0-8 with flawed BC teams with major holes in the roster. In 2013, we were a one-trick pony on offense (all Andre Williams all the time) and the defense was still developing. In 2014, we could not complete a forward pass and had no ability to kick the ball for points. In 2015, we had no offense whatsoever. And still, our worst loss against these three really, really great FSU, Clemson and Louisville teams was by 19pts.

There wasn't a single one of these 8 games that we had any kind business being even being competitive in, but Daz had the team in position to compete in every single one. And in fact, BC and Daz very nearly did win some of them. Daz almost spoiled FSU's 2013 National Championship. Daz almost spoiled FSU's 2014 National Playoff appearance. Daz almost spoiled Clemson's National-Runner-Up in 2015. And again, he did that with flawed rosters and improvised systems.

This board needs to get over 2015. There's plenty of reason to think that 2015 will be the exception, not the rule.

[eepstein0]

It's again 100% about OL development. I have faith in Lichtenberger and the D will be very good but not elite anymore. Even without a QB last year a mediocre OLine and they would've gone 6-6.

This year's schedule is also Planned Parenthood on steroids so if you can't cobble together 6 wins there is a problem

[dtwalrus]

It's again 100% about OL development. I have faith in Lichtenberger and the D will be very good but not elite anymore. Even without a QB last year a mediocre OLine and they would've gone 6-6.

This year's schedule is also Planned Parenthood on steroids so if you can't cobble together 6 wins there is a problem

The 2016 defense will be better than the 2015 defense.

D-line with Kavelec, Gutapfel, Landry, Allen, Ray, Morais, will be every bit as good as last year. Possibly even better given an extra year of size, strength and experience. LB's lose Daniels, but no reason to expect a step backwards with Strachan anchoring the middle and a bevy of young talent on the roster. DB's lose Simmons, but considering the young, inexperienced DB's were running step-for-step with every ACC receiver they went up against last year, and they also could be even better in 2016 with a year of experience and development.

Yes, we lost Don Brown, who was great. But let's not pretend that Brown was some kind of miracle worker, squeezing blood from an orange or something. Don Brown was working with a BC defense that was as talented as we've seen at BC in recent memory. Any coach worth his salt can coach a defense like this. I believe Reid is fully capable of dominating with this defense.

Oh, and on top of that, if the offense is even modestly better, and BC doesn't finish in 65th in time of possession again (10th in 2014 by comparison), we can expect the defense to be more well rested, less injury prone, and playing at their peak even more consistently.

Better in 2016!

[Bunratty]

Addazio said BC would be a contender in his fifth year. As the dust is still settling on all the changes, do you think BC will contend for Atlantic division title in 2017?

Only if Patrick Towles is somehow granted a 6th year.

[JesuitIvy]

True. But I would vote true if Spaz were still coach -- what's the point of being fan if you don't think you're team can win it all this year or next? (why, yes, I did grow up a Yankee fan...)

But I agree with DTWalrus. What is actually the one clearly bad decision Daz has made? I know everyone here can bitch about some time out or how he frittered away 10 seconds to end a half or used salty language on the sidelines. But the only one real, actual, bad decision he has made I'd argue is the mess with Flutie and Jeff Smith last year -- not having a clue what to do with a backup QB. That was really, really bad and lost us at least 2 games. He was, I'd argue, too conscious of the whale pants crowd in putting Flutie out on the field -- that kid clearly needed a year to put on some muscle at the least. Everything else he has done so far shows he knows what he's doing -- 2013, 2014 were great years, relative to what they should have been. His enthusiasm is awesome, the way he talks about BC and what it is and what makes it special are right on. He's done great job with coaches. And it looks like he's realized he f'ed up last year and brought in Towles, so we have Wade as a back up,and Fadule if everything goes to hell again to at least show some fight . So yes, Orange Bowl bound in 2016!

[eepstein0]

It's again 100% about OL development. I have faith in Lichtenberger and the D will be very good but not elite anymore. Even without a QB last year a mediocre OLine and they would've gone 6-6.

This year's schedule is also Planned Parenthood on steroids so if you can't cobble together 6 wins there is a problem

The 2016 defense will be better than the 2015 defense.

D-line with Kavelec, Gutapfel, Landry, Allen, Ray, Morais, will be every bit as good as last year. Possibly even better given an extra year of size, strength and experience. LB's lose Daniels, but no reason to expect a step backwards with Strachan anchoring the middle and a bevy of young talent on the roster. DB's lose Simmons, but considering the young, inexperienced DB's were running step-for-step with every ACC receiver they went up against last year, and they also could be even better in 2016 with a year of experience and development.

Yes, we lost Don Brown, who was great. But let's not pretend that Brown was some kind of miracle worker, squeezing blood from an orange or something. Don Brown was working with a BC defense that was as talented as we've seen at BC in recent memory. Any coach worth his salt can coach a defense like this. I believe Reid is fully capable of dominating with this defense.

Oh, and on top of that, if the offense is even modestly better, and BC doesn't finish in 65th in time of possession again (10th in 2014 by comparison), we can expect the defense to be more well rested, less injury prone, and playing at their peak even more consistently.

Better in 2016!

No

[eagle9903]

It's again 100% about OL development. I have faith in Lichtenberger and the D will be very good but not elite anymore. Even without a QB last year a mediocre OLine and they would've gone 6-6.

This year's schedule is also Planned Parenthood on steroids so if you can't cobble together 6 wins there is a problem

The 2016 defense will be better than the 2015 defense.

D-line with Kavelec, Gutapfel, Landry, Allen, Ray, Morais, will be every bit as good as last year. Possibly even better given an extra year of size, strength and experience. LB's lose Daniels, but no reason to expect a step backwards with Strachan anchoring the middle and a bevy of young talent on the roster. DB's lose Simmons, but considering the young, inexperienced DB's were running step-for-step with every ACC receiver they went up against last year, and they also could be even better in 2016 with a year of experience and development.

Yes, we lost Don Brown, who was great. But let's not pretend that Brown was some kind of miracle worker, squeezing blood from an orange or something. Don Brown was working with a BC defense that was as talented as we've seen at BC in recent memory. Any coach worth his salt can coach a defense like this. I believe Reid is fully capable of dominating with this defense.

Oh, and on top of that, if the offense is even modestly better, and BC doesn't finish in 65th in time of possession again (10th in 2014 by comparison), we can expect the defense to be more well rested, less injury prone, and playing at their peak even more consistently.

Better in 2016!

No

If we employ the forward pass this season on offense it is likely to harm our defense statistically. Same thing if we score points.

[TontoKowalski]

If, if, if. If your grandmother had a penis, she would be your grandfather. We win four games total this year.

[dtwalrus]

If, if, if. If your grandmother had a penis, she would be your grandfather. We win four games total this year.

9

[eepstein0]

It's again 100% about OL development. I have faith in Lichtenberger and the D will be very good but not elite anymore. Even without a QB last year a mediocre OLine and they would've gone 6-6.

This year's schedule is also Planned Parenthood on steroids so if you can't cobble together 6 wins there is a problem

The 2016 defense will be better than the 2015 defense.

D-line with Kavelec, Gutapfel, Landry, Allen, Ray, Morais, will be every bit as good as last year. Possibly even better given an extra year of size, strength and experience. LB's lose Daniels, but no reason to expect a step backwards with Strachan anchoring the middle and a bevy of young talent on the roster. DB's lose Simmons, but considering the young, inexperienced DB's were running step-for-step with every ACC receiver they went up against last year, and they also could be even better in 2016 with a year of experience and development.

Yes, we lost Don Brown, who was great. But let's not pretend that Brown was some kind of miracle worker, squeezing blood from an orange or something. Don Brown was working with a BC defense that was as talented as we've seen at BC in recent memory. Any coach worth his salt can coach a defense like this. I believe Reid is fully capable of dominating with this defense.

Oh, and on top of that, if the offense is even modestly better, and BC doesn't finish in 65th in time of possession again (10th in 2014 by comparison), we can expect the defense to be more well rested, less injury prone, and playing at their peak even more consistently.

Better in 2016!

No

If we employ the forward pass this season on offense it is likely to harm our defense statistically. Same thing if we score points.

This. Football isn't played in a vacuum. Losing Simmons, Daniels and the DT will matter also. Harris and Strachan can step in well, I still think we have a problem at DT

[dtwalrus]

It's again 100% about OL development. I have faith in Lichtenberger and the D will be very good but not elite anymore. Even without a QB last year a mediocre OLine and they would've gone 6-6.

This year's schedule is also Planned Parenthood on steroids so if you can't cobble together 6 wins there is a problem

The 2016 defense will be better than the 2015 defense.

D-line with Kavelec, Gutapfel, Landry, Allen, Ray, Morais, will be every bit as good as last year. Possibly even better given an extra year of size, strength and experience. LB's lose Daniels, but no reason to expect a step backwards with Strachan anchoring the middle and a bevy of young talent on the roster. DB's lose Simmons, but considering the young, inexperienced DB's were running step-for-step with every ACC receiver they went up against last year, and they also could be even better in 2016 with a year of experience and development.

Yes, we lost Don Brown, who was great. But let's not pretend that Brown was some kind of miracle worker, squeezing blood from an orange or something. Don Brown was working with a BC defense that was as talented as we've seen at BC in recent memory. Any coach worth his salt can coach a defense like this. I believe Reid is fully capable of dominating with this defense.

Oh, and on top of that, if the offense is even modestly better, and BC doesn't finish in 65th in time of possession again (10th in 2014 by comparison), we can expect the defense to be more well rested, less injury prone, and playing at their peak even more consistently.

Better in 2016!

No

If we employ the forward pass this season on offense it is likely to harm our defense statistically. Same thing if we score points.

This. Football isn't played in a vacuum. Losing Simmons, Daniels and the DT will matter also. Harris and Strachan can step in well, I still think we have a problem at DT

Abdesmad, who was great and I really liked, had kinda lost the starting job to Landry and Kavelec anyway. Wujciak was big on the interior, but I guess I'm just assuming one the young talent we have with like Ray Smith, Zach Allen and now Morais coming in, I'm assuming we can fill that hole and not lose a step.

[eepstein0]

It's again 100% about OL development. I have faith in Lichtenberger and the D will be very good but not elite anymore. Even without a QB last year a mediocre OLine and they would've gone 6-6.

This year's schedule is also Planned Parenthood on steroids so if you can't cobble together 6 wins there is a problem

The 2016 defense will be better than the 2015 defense.

D-line with Kavelec, Gutapfel, Landry, Allen, Ray, Morais, will be every bit as good as last year. Possibly even better given an extra year of size, strength and experience. LB's lose Daniels, but no reason to expect a step backwards with Strachan anchoring the middle and a bevy of young talent on the roster. DB's lose Simmons, but considering the young, inexperienced DB's were running step-for-step with every ACC receiver they went up against last year, and they also could be even better in 2016 with a year of experience and development.

Yes, we lost Don Brown, who was great. But let's not pretend that Brown was some kind of miracle worker, squeezing blood from an orange or something. Don Brown was working with a BC defense that was as talented as we've seen at BC in recent memory. Any coach worth his salt can coach a defense like this. I believe Reid is fully capable of dominating with this defense.

Oh, and on top of that, if the offense is even modestly better, and BC doesn't finish in 65th in time of possession again (10th in 2014 by comparison), we can expect the defense to be more well rested, less injury prone, and playing at their peak even more consistently.

Better in 2016!

No

If we employ the forward pass this season on offense it is likely to harm our defense statistically. Same thing if we score points.

This. Football isn't played in a vacuum. Losing Simmons, Daniels and the DT will matter also. Harris and Strachan can step in well, I still think we have a problem at DT

Abdesmad, who was great and I really liked, had kinda lost the starting job to Landry and Kavelec anyway. Wujciak was big on the interior, but I guess I'm just assuming one the young talent we have with like Ray Smith, Zach Allen and now Morais coming in, I'm assuming we can fill that hole and not lose a step.

Those guys you mention are really thin to play DT

[DavidGordonsFoot]

False. You don't go from 0-8 with a historically bad offense to challenging for the division in two years at BC, and especially not with Sarge. We'll be lucky if BC's contending for a winning conference record in '17.

[angrychicken]

False. You don't go from 0-8 with a historically bad offense to challenging for the division in two years at BC, and especially not with Sarge. We'll be lucky if BC's contending for a winning conference record in '17.

Truth

[dtwalrus]

False. You don't go from 0-8 with a historically bad offense to challenging for the division in two years at BC, and especially not with Sarge. We'll be lucky if BC's contending for a winning conference record in '17.

Lost 4 ACC games by a total of 11 points. Even with Sarge, and Flutie and a garbage OLine, just get a reliable FG kicker and we immediately jump from 0-8 to 4-4.

Irrational doom-and-gloom.

[TobaccoRoadEagle]

False. You don't go from 0-8 with a historically bad offense to challenging for the division in two years at BC, and especially not with Sarge. We'll be lucky if BC's contending for a winning conference record in '17.

Lost 4 ACC games by a total of 11 points. Even with Sarge, and Flutie and a garbage OLine, just get a reliable FG kicker and we immediately jump from 0-8 to 4-4.

Irrational doom-and-gloom.

Yeah, but you kiss penii and know nothing about football. Your blind love of slaughter proves it

[hansen]

Any poll without a poll is dumb.