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Let this Loss push the team to unfinished business in 2026. If we get Mensah, we're contenders again

filmcane

filmcane

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In 1987, the team clung to "Unfinished Business" and went onto a perfect season. In 2000, when we were robbed by the computers and didn't get to play in the natty, Ed Reed (and others) returned when they could've gone pro and clung to "Unfinished Business" all the way to the 2001 title and the unofficial title of greatest team ever.

We will still have a top D and plenty of talent all over the roster. I am NOT hating on Beck, but Mensah is a better passer, throws less picks and has consistent success pushing the ball down the field. Assuming we land the plane with Mensah, I can see the 26' team having that same resolve as the 87' and 01' teams.

Last year, we missed the playoffs because of the D. This year, we were close, but didn't have enough outside and downfield game breaking ability.

Next year, if we can pair an explosive offense, with a top 10 D, we will be right in it again. And, if you keep putting yourself in those positions, you're eventually gonna win a Natty.
 
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Brandinho said:
They will be the hardest players to replace for us and maybe in the entire nation but we’ve got guys waiting in the wings. I’m optimistic in JT’s ability to develop a guy like Lowe to be a game breaker.
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I agree i think we got some guys and adding the dude from Mizzou def wouldnt hurt. Of course the pass rush will look different next year when u lose two ends that can rush and run stop. It will be a good off season. Hopefully those guys next in line dont portal out.
 
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drewm3i said:
Idk how we come back without Bain and Mesidor, but I appreciate the optimism.
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Among other things. Other teams will get better. We'll most likely still have Shannon. (i'm not calling him Dawson again until he does something). We need some speed at Outside WR. And for the love of all things football....we gotta do something about LB. I know Mo improved during the playoffs, but we need to be able to play the middle of the field and plug the center gaps.
 
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Firesite said:
Im going to be honest. It would take a huge effort for us to come back to the Natty again. I'd be happy with winning the ACC for once and making the playoffs.
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What we'd lose on the DLine we could make up for @ the QB position with this Mensah kid. "Could" being the keyword.

If we're being honest with ourselves, the coaches trusted Beck passing the ball alot less than they trusted Cam.
 
Firesite said:
Im going to be honest. It would take a huge effort for us to come back to the Natty again. I'd be happy with winning the ACC for once and making the playoffs.
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No one thought we would be 40 yards away from another National Title this year.

It’s always something where the ball has to bounce your way.

At least we are getting talent and are on the national stage again. A top tier team.

Miami is back, we just didn’t win it all.
 
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Problem is things are so different now. You don’t lose a small group and bring back a majority of guys who’ve all been though stuff together. It’s not really like that.

We’ll be such a different team next season. And most others, too.

Doesn’t mean we can’t make a run, I just don’t see much carry over. It’ll be a new thing.
 
Regarding next season's run at the playoffs - as the schedule is currently shaped, it looks like we have 2 real challenges, both are on the road, and if we go at least 1-1 and win the rest, we should be in the ACC game. Those road games are Clemson and ND. I like our chances against Clemson, but ND is gonna be super tough. The ND game is later in the season, so hopefully this crew will have settled in to the identity of whatever the team is in 2026.
 
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