[Purple Haize]

You bring up a good point. Obviously everyone is talking about The Future but no one is putting into perspective. 5-10 years is a good chunk of years to look into a The Future. Where will LU be? I doubt competing for a NC. But Bowling? Sure.
And for the love of all that is Holy: Yes, we know ‘anything can happen’. It’s also a BS answer and a cop out. I mean I might become a Vegan and Cider a Mountaineer fan, anything is possible. But let’s try to live in some semblance of reality

[Purple Haize]

Marshall had a bowl ready team when they were still finishing their time in FBS. The competition in FCS (then 1-AA) was MUCH tougher than it is now, where we finished 3rd in a crappy conference at 6-5. Not really the same thing at all. Now, we can definitely get through these first few years and get to multiple bowl games in the near future. That sort of success that IS possible.


I can’t speak for JLFJR, but him and I would likely agree that we want to be better than Army in 15 years. However, I didn’t post about what I want to happen.

I’m trying to recalibrate expectations to sane levels here. Our 2018 scheduling template, minus the double NMSU games, is perfect for the foreseeable future. It is very challenging, gives us plenty of opportunities against high profile opponents, but still gives us games we have the possibility of being competitive in over the next decade. Even at that, in all likelihood, we are looking at 3-5 straight losing seasons going from here. Especially with the current staff.

I know that makes me the bad guy around here. Sorry.

Yeah some of the expectations and thoughts on this board have really jumped the shark. I feel like The Dark Side is really the side of Sanity right now

[cruzan_flame13]

Marshall had a bowl ready team when they were still finishing their time in FBS. The competition in FCS (then 1-AA) was MUCH tougher than it is now, where we finished 3rd in a crappy conference at 6-5. Not really the same thing at all. Now, we can definitely get through these first few years and get to multiple bowl games in the near future. That sort of success that IS possible.


I can’t speak for JLFJR, but him and I would likely agree that we want to be better than Army in 15 years. However, I didn’t post about what I want to happen.

I’m trying to recalibrate expectations to sane levels here. Our 2018 scheduling template, minus the double NMSU games, is perfect for the foreseeable future. It is very challenging, gives us plenty of opportunities against high profile opponents, but still gives us games we have the possibility of being competitive in over the next decade. Even at that, in all likelihood, we are looking at 3-5 straight losing seasons going from here. Especially with the current staff.

I know that makes me the bad guy around here. Sorry.

Nahh you’re not the bad guy here and you could be right. Also, you could be wrong. One decision can change the entire outcome of a program and its future. It occurred several times with the biggest programs like ‘Bama, OSU, Michigan, FSU, etc. of course we are not those programs, but we can make our own way. I believe it will take some time but I don’t think it will take several decades for it to happen. It we make the right decisions and grow the right connections, there can be more miracles in the future. The next step LU should make is a change of the head coach and others on the coaching staff.

[cruzan_flame13]

You bring up a good point. Obviously everyone is talking about The Future but no one is putting into perspective. 5-10 years is a good chunk of years to look into a The Future. Where will LU be? I doubt competing for a NC. But Bowling? Sure.
And for the love of all that is Holy: Yes, we know ‘anything can happen’. It’s also a BS answer and a cop out. I mean I might become a Vegan and Cider a Mountaineer fan, anything is possible. But let’s try to live in some semblance of reality

A cop out? You don’t know the future or myself as well. I’m saying decisions can do a lot of things. Reality can also intercross with pessimism; I’m sorry if thinking of possibilities do not connect with your definition of reality. A lot of the the things being discuss may not happen, but how is that going to hurt just talking about it? It wouldn’t because I’m not making the decisions or putting millions of dollars in the possibilities. Every program had to start from somewhere didn’t they? If you have an issue with it, it’s easy to just scroll up.

[Purple Haize]

You bring up a good point. Obviously everyone is talking about The Future but no one is putting into perspective. 5-10 years is a good chunk of years to look into a The Future. Where will LU be? I doubt competing for a NC. But Bowling? Sure.
And for the love of all that is Holy: Yes, we know ‘anything can happen’. It’s also a BS answer and a cop out. I mean I might become a Vegan and Cider a Mountaineer fan, anything is possible. But let’s try to live in some semblance of reality

A cop out? You don’t know the future or myself as well. I’m saying decisions can do a lot of things. Reality can also intercross with pessimism; I’m sorry if thinking of possibilities do not connect with your definition of reality. A lot of the the things being discuss may not happen, but how is that going to hurt just talking about it? It wouldn’t because I’m not making the decisions or putting millions of dollars in the possibilities. Every program had to start from somewhere didn’t they? If you have an issue with it, it’s easy to just scroll up.

It’s just that all your posts are basically:
It could be sunny or it could rain. Even though the sun is out, there could be a thunderstorm out of the blue. I’m not going to say either way because it could happen to be sunny like it was Earlier or rain like it also did earlier.

[cruzan_flame13]

You do live in Virginia, don’t you? Also it’s call life; I can’t proclaim that something, in this case the growth of this program, will occur when I have no authority to make it dominant. Nonetheless I know it can happen based on right decisions and the rightful people behind them. It’s called being optimistic even when you can’t see what’s ahead. Yes it can be a ‘gamble’, but it’s not taking an unrealistic approach. It may be to you because you do not agree and that is your choice to not like or accept those ideas from others(in this case me).

[thepostman]

I really don’t understand the mindset of this fan base. It is our FIRST SEASON in FBS. We are an independent, we aren’t even in a G5 conference. We have an INCREDIBLY difficult schedule. We played in the friggin Big South last season, where we finished THIRD. We lost to ST FRANCIS AT HOME. We sniffed the FCS PLAYOFFS ONCE, due to a miracle FG block.

People are discussing scenarios in which we could possibly compete for a national championship in FBS?!? Guys Nick Saban has 6 national titles. Everyone else who is still coaching have 5. Think about that. WAKE UP.

Maybe when Trey is JLFJR’s age this will be a discussion. But probably not. Right now the absolute dream scenario you need to be getting your goose bumps over is the idea that in 3 or 4 years we will have a different coaching staff and be able to piece together 6 D1 wins so we can go to a super low tier bowl game, hopefully somewhere warm.

Seriously, punch your weight. Let’s talk about hopefully being an average G5 team in 3-5 years. In a decade a really good one. Forget about the P5 in this generation. You’re just setting yourself up for disappointment. Where we are right now is an absolute miracle.

You kind of have to consider the poster when you read such inflated expectations.

Most of the more level headed posters in this board realize those expectations aren't realistic.

On a side note PH was voted out of the dark side because of his undying support of TG. Lets not forget that

[tyndal23]

As a former LU player and college fan I understand where we are as a program. frankly I didn’t want to go FBS if it meant Sunbelt or any G5. Would rather stay FCS. I like Independent and it gives us a ton of flexibility. My question is simply what is the master plan and how do we get there? I really don’t think JR wants to be Umass or Army but rather BYU or ND. To do that 10-15 yrs from now u have to schedule that way today ( 2025-30). When u are recruiting kids from all over the nation top Christian schools who are 4* kids with P5 offers your schedule weighs in a lot on their decision.

[Class of 20Something]

2020 is pretty much the template. 4-6 P5 games is probably our realistic end goal. The best we can ever hope for is the season UCF had last year, and I'm fine with that.

At least 1 maybe 2 p5 home games a year will be the norm. 2019, 2022, 2025-2030 already all have 1 P5 home games scheduled.

[cruzan_flame13]

2020 is pretty much the template. 4-6 P5 games is probably our realistic end goal. The best we can ever hope for is the season UCF had last year, and I'm fine with that.

At least 1 maybe 2 p5 home games a year will be the norm. 2019, 2022, 2025-2030 already all have 1 P5 home games scheduled.

Just imagine the recruiting that LU will be doing by 2025-2030. I don’t see a NC, but I do see some more folks paying attention. By then I hope the coach and staff we have will know the game from front to back.

[Purple Haize]

I really don’t understand the mindset of this fan base. It is our FIRST SEASON in FBS. We are an independent, we aren’t even in a G5 conference. We have an INCREDIBLY difficult schedule. We played in the friggin Big South last season, where we finished THIRD. We lost to ST FRANCIS AT HOME. We sniffed the FCS PLAYOFFS ONCE, due to a miracle FG block.

People are discussing scenarios in which we could possibly compete for a national championship in FBS?!? Guys Nick Saban has 6 national titles. Everyone else who is still coaching have 5. Think about that. WAKE UP.

Maybe when Trey is JLFJR’s age this will be a discussion. But probably not. Right now the absolute dream scenario you need to be getting your goose bumps over is the idea that in 3 or 4 years we will have a different coaching staff and be able to piece together 6 D1 wins so we can go to a super low tier bowl game, hopefully somewhere warm.

Seriously, punch your weight. Let’s talk about hopefully being an average G5 team in 3-5 years. In a decade a really good one. Forget about the P5 in this generation. You’re just setting yourself up for disappointment. Where we are right now is an absolute miracle.

You kind of have to consider the poster when you read such inflated expectations.

Most of the more level headed posters in this board realize those expectations aren't realistic.

On a side note PH was voted out of the dark side because of his undying support of TG. Lets not forget that

#fakenews

The Dark Side was the first to claim Art Briles or Hugh Freeze (sp) as the next LU head Coach. Whenever that might be.
And you were expelled from The Dark Side for being a poopie head

[Ewglenn]

Just go all in on Lane Kiffen 10 years 30+ million. Send some shock waves in college football. I’ll just go drink my sugar filled beverage.

[Cider Jim]

I mean I might become a Vegan and Cider a Mountaineer fan, anything is possible.

Nope, never going to happen.

[Purple Haize]

I mean I might become a Vegan and Cider a Mountaineer fan, anything is possible.

Nope, never going to happen.

According to Cruzan anything is possible. I can’t predict the future based on decisions that may or may not have been made yet. It’s only unrealistic to you “ because you do not agree and that is your choice to not like or accept those ideas from others(in this case me)”

Now go eat some ribs!

[ballcoach15]

Right now, there is not much need to think 20-30 years down the road. We need to think 5, then 10. We need to get established as a FBS team, and make people forget we were once in Big South.

[Purple Haize]

Right now, there is not much need to think 20-30 years down the road. We need to think 5, then 10. We need to get established as a FBS team, and make people forget we were once in Big South.

Are you feeling ok today? I’m worried about you. That was a very rational statement

[Class of 20Something]

Right now, there is not much need to think 20-30 years down the road. We need to think 5, then 10. We need to get established as a FBS team, and make people forget we were once in Big South.

Are you feeling ok today? I’m worried about you. That was a very rational statement

No kidding. I had to double check the user name

[thepostman]

Ballcoach is growing up before our eyes.

[Cider Jim]

Either that, or ballcoach is thinking that he'll only be with us another 5 or 10 years.

[tyndal23]

https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/n ... 819783002/

[cruzan_flame13]

https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/n ... 819783002/

That's great, but the SEC Commissioner would want that. I wonder who the committee would listen to more? Hmmm.....

[tyndal23]

2 more huge $ revenue bowl games - exclusion complaints for potential revenue by G5, conference champs getting left out, etc. etc - it will happen and most everyone agrees it is coming. So when you schedule and want a path to be the best G5/Indy any given year - compare your schedule to most G5 schools non con and conference games ( pretty easy to get there if LU has 4 ACC games like 2020 and 2 of them happen to be decent ) and hope ND isn't undefeated or a 1 loss team with a much tougher schedule. If I were building a schedule to recruit nationally and $ wasn't that big of a concern as an Independent - The month of September when most non con games are open to us - I would be on the road to Pac 10 CA, 1st game of the season, back home for a decent opener, then the next 2 on the road to Big 12 ( TX and CA game every year for recruiting ) and 1 SEC game in Nov. during their"beat up FCS" week and fill in Oct/Nov with other Independent and whatever else. I would even go on the road 7 games if it meant 1 more P5 game vs a home game FCS crapper. And I agree that approach would be idiotic IF you were any other school with $ concerns and conference invites / tie ins - we are not...As of now our only path to Playoffs down the road ( and 4 star recruits require a path to play in the playoffs ) will be if playoffs expand to 8, OR we have earned respect/brand by the teams we play and somehow get an ACC invite if they expand ( and add for example UCF and LU ) or Big 12 gets weird and adds 2 ( either way we would have to buy in for a ton of $ probably to get all the Presidents on board ) Conference invite is doubtful - expanded playoffs in 5-8 years that guarantee best Non P5 team in ( with parameters ) is pretty likely - so back to my original point - and JR vision - knowing all of this - what is scheduling philosophy 2025 and beyond ? Be a nice regional Indy team ( Army ) for 30 years that makes a crap bowl consistently ( again I am cool with it ) or use the ND scheduling philosophy and go for it ? I am sure Ian will try and steer JR closer to the former plan - but I really could see JR shoving all the chips in pre flop ( even if the cards are 2 7 off suit )

[Class of 20Something]

Bravo. Reason and Koolaid in the same post. Count me in. That September schedule actually got me kinda excited. If that home opener is a P5 every year, that could actually really do wonders. When everyone else is getting beat up in conference play, LU has scheduled their "easy" games to get on that win streak come CFP time. And we all know CFB is WHYDFML. It's a few years down the pike, but really not insane.

[jinxy]

I dont think anybody has really suggested a NC competition in the next 15 years from what ive read. I just pointed out what a NC schedule looks like. Never said i thought that to be possible. I dont think we will ever be dirty enough to do whats necessary to get there and im good with that. I do see us having the opportunity to be a 7 to 8 win team in the next decade with the right coach. Occasionally win 9 to 10. Next 2 years will be rough. Id sign for 8 wins next 2 years combined right now as i said earlier.

Another thing that is important and hasnt had much discussion is we need to develop some rivalries over the next 5 years. Its a good thing for programs. Rivalries need both teams to win though.

[Class of 20Something]

NMSU 4 times in two years should be fun. I suspect that second game will be really fun for us, remembering the stars NMSU has from a few weeks earlier.

Regular games against Tech and PooVA are going to be "one sided" rivalries. But by then we will have more teeth than all these JMU fans convinced they're gonna upset #25 NCSU this season. Talk about Koolaid.