are we a year early?

[Scorpioncane]

Year early is not the right thing to say. We were one drive away from winning it. That's not early, that's being right there. The Patriots were early for their big game and it showed.

People can spin it however they want to, but outside of Ohio State, nobody came closer to winning this game against Indiana. And we beat Ohio State convincingly.

I agree but the only reason taint came close is because of familiarity from being in the same conference!!...kinda how Louisville, smu, gt, nc always give us trouble with less talent then taint!!

 

[texascane12]

next year's team will be a blend of '24 and '25 teams.

a more dynamic offense than '25 but not quite as good as '24 (Cam >Mensah) and significantly better defense than '24 but not quite as good as '25 (losing 2 1st round DEs will always hurt).

if we stay healthy, we should be able to make another run in the playoffs...

I actually think next year’s offense could be better than 24 due to it being a more ‘complete’ offense, and the defense could be better than last years for the same reason. It’s a **** of a roster and **** of a time to be a cane.

 

[Essex Cane]

Feel like our WR room is being a bit overlooked, got a lot of talent. Can't bracket Toney because Vaughn will be open if not him Barkate, Jacobs etc. Teams won't be able to load the box as much which should open up the run game. Ngl I'm expecting fireworks when ever Mensah and crew step on the field so long as the line holds up

 

[QuattroCane]

Year early is not the right thing to say. We were one drive away from winning it. That's not early, that's being right there. The Patriots were early for their big game and it showed.

People can spin it however they want to, but outside of Ohio State, nobody came closer to winning this game against Indiana. And we beat Ohio State convincingly.

Indiana had a veteran team, a Heisman winning quarterback and lost one fumble all season! The lack of turnovers is massively undervalued as it pertains to their success in my opinion. This is not to take anything away from them, but we had them on their heels on the last drive.

 

[CanesFan20]

this year was a helluva run ... but were we a year early in terms of our roster construction? i struggle with it some because of indiana's meteoric rise, but are they just incredibly ahead of schedule? it seems as if our roster next year will be the most complete it's ever been

No, we were a year late unfortunately. If we had a Cam Ward last year we win the Natty without a doubt. 2026 feels like a bit of a reset.

 

[canes_226]

we overachieved this year but underachieved years prior. i'd say were on schedule. year 5 of Cristobal era and competing for playoffs and championships. thats on schedule

 

[TheEye]

This year we need to continue the mentality of blowing out lesser opponents. Once this team learned it had to blow out inferior teams to get props to the cfp committee, we stopped playing down to people. I still worry about the teams on our schedule we traditionally look past.
Give Toney some more highlight reel material with trick plays against some of these programs.

 

[Pearson704]

We sure Cam>Mensah? Cam is elite but Mensah i believe is further advanced as a QB. Cam was raw, even getting drafted he wasn't polished.

Hypothetical comparisons are pointless. Cam is better, but Mensah will have the better []__[] team.

 

[Combo]

Feel like our WR room is being a bit overlooked, got a lot of talent. Can't bracket Toney because Vaughn will be open if not him Barkate, Jacobs etc. Teams won't be able to load the box as much which should open up the run game. Ngl I'm expecting fireworks when ever Mensah and crew step on the field so long as the line holds up

You kidding? It's the best unit on the team - absolutely loaded. Mensah must be like a kid in a candy store looking at the weapons at his disposal.

 

[skyman]

I just don't think the O will put up the numbers it did in '24 because:

1. it won't need to because the defense is much better
2. Mensah, while a very good college QB, isn't Cam Ward. Ward went #1 overall. Hard to match that.
3. the OL may not be as good with 3 new starters (I count mccoy and samson as co-starters from this year) and younger overall.
4. that '24 offense was historically good. the best in the country and our best ever. hard to do that again.

Just gonna play devils advocate because I think the offense will be very close..

1. The defense being better will help the offense by getting them the ball back because the '26 defense will be suffocating compared to '24. More chances for offense to score.

2. Ward going #1 is a pro projection after 5 college seasons, hard to compare even Ward coming into Miami as he had many starting reps under his belt compared to Mensah who has started two seasons but still has room to grow. In the same scheme with more weapons and better surrounding cast Mensah can do just as well.

3. Oline is legitimate concern and I agree..

4. I think there will be soo much confidence and with schedule, we will challenge all numbers above. Plus the depth on team is much better, even when starters are pulled, young dynamic explosive players will come in looking to make name for themselves. That is usually what pushes scores for teams from 30s to 40s. Dynamic depth coming in waves. Expectations will be sky high and all key figures will be motivated. OC/QB included.

 

[ThomasM]

I really think our defense will still be top 10. I know Corey has something up his sleeve. He has chess pieces he can move around. I predict not much of a fall off on defense.

In reality, yes. Statistically, maybe not. I expect the D to be on the field more possessions this year, as the O will be putting up more points, and scoring quicker. I expect us to be able to play with our ears pinned back far more next year. I expect more turnovers, and more sacks. More chaos in general. I just expect a step back in yards allowed, and possibly points allowed, because the O will be putting the D back out there a lot.

It'll be a fun season.

 

[Trav]

Hypothetical comparisons are pointless. Cam is better, but Mensah will have the better []__[] team.

Just to play fun's devil's advocate, we don't know that. While it's nearly stasticially impossible for Mensah to have a better year than Cam if we still have an effective run game, Mensah did have a better year his last year at Duke than cam at at WSU.

 

[Jonnyblaze]

I say early because at the start of the season I don’t think many people thought this team would have a run like they did.

I do know 2026 is looking very good, and if we can get the QB right, 2027 team will be beyond stacked.

 

[ageezy]

I say early because at the start of the season I don’t think many people thought this team would have a run like they did.

I do know 2026 is looking very good, and if we can get the QB right, 2027 team will be beyond stacked.

the majority of us saw playoffs as a step ... we went to the natty ...