Hurricanes 2016 The Expectations

[imurcane]

I think I am a lot like you all, I am so ready for the season. I am wanting to drink a little kool aid!

In thinking about the upcoming season I see it in these terms:

Our players- Have they improved since last year? Do we have better players this year?

Coaching- Is our staff better this year? Will they put our players in situations to be successful and win?

Our opponents- Have they gotten better?


I think the coaching is so much more superior to the old staff. We have a better head coach that has won in the toughest league. He hasn't won the big one before, and does have teams that have a let down every year. That isn't a Richt issue that is only one he faces, lots of coaches have the same problem. I mention that, but am not taking comfort in that. I hope that the SFla kids that he brings in will enable him to get over the hump! Big improvement in this category!

Our players- I see a conflict in this area. I love that we have BK, a potential top 5 pick at the most important position, QB. I do think our rb group will be better. I think TE will be stronger. Some of this is development by a new staff and strength team. I am worried about OL, a constant worry regardless of talent, and wideouts. On defense I think we can be better on the DL simply by a better scheme. I also think player development will help us. In terms of pure talent, its hard to say. We will be very young at linebacker. Will we be more talented? Kinda hard to say. I mean a freshman Vilma and Morgan are still freshman . . . but Ill take my chances! I do think we are super thin at corner, and that DL will need to help mask problems.

Im not sure whether our opponents have improved or regressed.

What do you think? What do you expect?

 

[LexZapata]

I look for Kaaya + Richt's gunslinger mentality from the FSU days + a few shades of UGA play style (fullbacks, 2 tightend sets) to play out really well if of course the line can block for him. We have a stable of RB's Yearby, Walton, Edwards all could be the starter at this point, with Gray being the wildcard, but the most potential of the bunch IMO. Njoku and Herndon are a matchup problem for opposing LBs, Coley could really become a star this year, some of the freshmen could show out on the offensive side of the ball. I'm very eager to see the D line improve under Kool's guidance with a legitimate two-deep across the board, the LB's look to be solid with some depth, the weak spot could be the secondary. Will we end up with Smith? Will Elder be able to handle #1 responsibilities? Will Colbert transition well to playing CB? Will the safeties last with a 3 man rotation at both strong and free? Will JaQuan be forced to play corner? Lots of questions back there. I'd like to think with the pieces we have, we could compete with FSU and UNC, that of course if we aren't depleted by injuries. We may actually see 10 wins this year. I can't speak to the Coastal because I don't know how well UNC will return and it's my understanding Pitt is on a serious rise. Nonetheless, I'm actually excited for this football season for the first time in a long time.

 

[Jeeperaf]

OF COURSE every D1P5 team.is getting better...or at least they think.they are.

in ACC Coastal...new adds like Fuente and Bronco could prove to be huge gets for those programs...or busts (no pun intended for UVA)...whispers are UNC is better than last year (some.data will show at season opener right?)...GT seems to be a team that kimda goes sideways yty...sometime good..sometimes bad..never truly great or truly awful...Pitt is no pushover and Narduzzi seems to have them headed in a strong dirextion..Duke is a touch like GT wrt never truly great...never truly awful...lots of teams dont want to play them un tje Cutliffe era...they just seem to want to be Standford East Coast and never quite get there....

 

[HulkaCaniac]

8-4.

 

[UMFarArcher]

One has to keep in mind that in the past several years, our players with skills alone won games IN SPITE of coaching.

Coaching was not just poor, it was ****-poor, from teaching, schemes, call playing, the capability to make adjustments, and game planning.

In years past, we were gassed by the fourth quarter.

Our players, turned loose, will win games.

Properly prepared to enhance strength and stamina, we will win more games.

Our players, personally coached up will win more games.

Our players, working like fingers on a hand will win more games.

Changes in scheme will win more games.

Improved call playing will win more games.

Making basic adjustments will win more games.

Improved game planning will win more games.

 

[Canes21]

We went 8-4 last year with Al Golden and Larry Scott coaching. With any real coaching we beat Cincinnati and Washington State, potentially FSU too, but we'll not count them. Despite the terrible scheming on both sides of the ball we had the talent to carry the staff to a few plays away from 10 wins. We face a schedule that is no tougher than last year's and return most of the team. The secondary is the biggest question mark, but hopefully Kool's line can help make their lives easier.

FAMU, FAU, App State, GT, UVA, and Duke should be no doubt wins with the new staff and our roster.

VT doesn't have the horses on offense to keep up with what we should potentially have and their defenses have taken some steps back the last 5 or so years. I just don't see them keeping up the pace with our strong offense(if we are able to stay healthy). I feel the same exact way with Pitt. They don't have the firepower to keep up with us and will need to rely on turnovers or a strong defense that slows us down.

NC State is a tough place to play at, but this is still another game that Richt should probably win. They just don't match up with our talent all too well. They're definitely capable of beating us, but we are going to be favored rightfully so.

This leaves FSU, UNC, and ND. FSU's QB play will be the major factor. If it is bad coming into our game, then we have a good chance. I don't know if UNC will build off of their success last year. If they do, it'll be a tough one. ND is supposed to be great, but their hyped every year. If they are as good as advertised then I don't see us stealing a W from them. I think we go 1-2 between these 3. That leaves us at 10-2 if we win all of the games we'll be favored to. If we slip up once then we will fall to 9-3. I don't see us going 8-4 unless we really just can't stay healthy. We have the talent at the front to reach 10-4, but we better hope it stays healthy because it drops off an embarrassing amount thanks to Fat Al.

I just want to see a team that plays hard to the final whistle and makes everyone fight for the win. We haven't seen that in a long long time. If we go 8-4 have some injuries, but fought and made every game a battle, I can handle it. If we go 8-4 because didn't focus, played sloppy some games, and gave away a game or two, I'll be upset. I do believe Richt will have the team focused every game and with his track record against unranked teams I do believe 10-4 is not too hard to imagine.

 

[hoover437]

We went 8-4 last year with Al Golden and Larry Scott coaching. With any real coaching we beat Cincinnati and Washington State, potentially FSU too, but we'll not count them. Despite the terrible scheming on both sides of the ball we had the talent to carry the staff to a few plays away from 10 wins. We face a schedule that is no tougher than last year's and return most of the team. The secondary is the biggest question mark, but hopefully Kool's line can help make their lives easier.

FAMU, FAU, App State, GT, UVA, and Duke should be no doubt wins with the new staff and our roster.

VT doesn't have the horses on offense to keep up with what we should potentially have and their defenses have taken some steps back the last 5 or so years. I just don't see them keeping up the pace with our strong offense(if we are able to stay healthy). I feel the same exact way with Pitt. They don't have the firepower to keep up with us and will need to rely on turnovers or a strong defense that slows us down.

NC State is a tough place to play at, but this is still another game that Richt should probably win. They just don't match up with our talent all too well. They're definitely capable of beating us, but we are going to be favored rightfully so.

This leaves FSU, UNC, and ND. FSU's QB play will be the major factor. If it is bad coming into our game, then we have a good chance. I don't know if UNC will build off of their success last year. If they do, it'll be a tough one. ND is supposed to be great, but their hyped every year. If they are as good as advertised then I don't see us stealing a W from them. I think we go 1-2 between these 3. That leaves us at 10-2 if we win all of the games we'll be favored to. If we slip up once then we will fall to 9-3. I don't see us going 8-4 unless we really just can't stay healthy. We have the talent at the front to reach 10-4, but we better hope it stays healthy because it drops off an embarrassing amount thanks to Fat Al.

I just want to see a team that plays hard to the final whistle and makes everyone fight for the win. We haven't seen that in a long long time. If we go 8-4 have some injuries, but fought and made every game a battle, I can handle it. If we go 8-4 because didn't focus, played sloppy some games, and gave away a game or two, I'll be upset. I do believe Richt will have the team focused every game and with his track record against unranked teams I do believe 10-4 is not too hard to imagine.

If we stay healthy, we are not losing at home to FSU for the sixth straight year! We have the horse to play with them. UNC will fall on a bad weekend for us, even though we are home. ND will be tough in South Bend.

 

[Waffle Honcho]

Not sure why everyone thinks GT is this no doubt victory. Yes, they had a horrible record last year, but 6 of their 9 losses were within a TD and they did something we couldn't - beat FSU. I'm not expecting to lose the game, but I'm also not looking past it. My expectation of this team is 11-3 (lose the ACCCG to Clemson and win the bowl).

 

[1hurricane]

10-2 ACC Coastal Champs finish the season 11-3 with a win in the Orange Bowl

 

[Jeeperaf]

Curious...does anyone follow an FSU board (yes I know surprising they MIGHT have literate fans)???

What are they saying about the Miami game? Pencil in another "W" against the losers in SoFla? Noles better not sleep on Miami this year?

Another indicator for the Canes program...

 

[mirednmediocrity2]

Just hope the starters stay healthy because this team is really thin at many positions. 10-2 if we stay healthy. Disaster if we don't.

 

[Canes21]

Not sure why everyone thinks GT is this no doubt victory. Yes, they had a horrible record last year, but 6 of their 9 losses were within a TD and they did something we couldn't - beat FSU. I'm not expecting to lose the game, but I'm also not looking past it. My expectation of this team is 11-3 (lose the ACCCG to Clemson and win the bowl).

Golden was able to beat GT more times than not and Richt destroys GT.

 

[Waffle Honcho]

Not sure why everyone thinks GT is this no doubt victory. Yes, they had a horrible record last year, but 6 of their 9 losses were within a TD and they did something we couldn't - beat FSU. I'm not expecting to lose the game, but I'm also not looking past it. My expectation of this team is 11-3 (lose the ACCCG to Clemson and win the bowl).

Golden was able to beat GT more times than not and Richt destroys GT.

Richt has had a **** of time with GT the past 3 years. Golden was also 3-1 against UNC so I suppose we should overlook them as well.

 

[Canes21]

Not sure why everyone thinks GT is this no doubt victory. Yes, they had a horrible record last year, but 6 of their 9 losses were within a TD and they did something we couldn't - beat FSU. I'm not expecting to lose the game, but I'm also not looking past it. My expectation of this team is 11-3 (lose the ACCCG to Clemson and win the bowl).

Golden was able to beat GT more times than not and Richt destroys GT.

Richt has had a **** of time with GT the past 3 years. Golden was also 3-1 against UNC so I suppose we should overlook them as well.

I don't think anyone is overlooking them. Most of us understand their style of play makes them always a threat. However, we should not lose to them. My initial reply wasn't completely serious and I get what you're saying, but if we lose to GT then we should be worried.

 

[Waffle Honcho]

Not sure why everyone thinks GT is this no doubt victory. Yes, they had a horrible record last year, but 6 of their 9 losses were within a TD and they did something we couldn't - beat FSU. I'm not expecting to lose the game, but I'm also not looking past it. My expectation of this team is 11-3 (lose the ACCCG to Clemson and win the bowl).

Golden was able to beat GT more times than not and Richt destroys GT.

Richt has had a **** of time with GT the past 3 years. Golden was also 3-1 against UNC so I suppose we should overlook them as well.

I don't think anyone is overlooking them. Most of us understand their style of play makes them always a threat. However, we should not lose to them. My initial reply wasn't completely serious and I get what you're saying, but if we lose to GT then we should be worried.

Justin Thomas makes them a threat. He led them to a top 10 finish as a sophomore, when he was healthy. I hope the players aren't as overconfident as our fans are.