[LUDad]

Assuming we are in the FCS next year, what goals should we expect the team to achieve? Is a playoff seed reasonable?

[-army56mike-]

15-0. That is all.



But for real, this is what I'd like to see...
1) 8-3 or better season record
2) Win Big South Conference outright
3) Beat Montana, JMU, Coastal, Chuck So.
4) Beat Ga. State, Be within a TD of WVU
5) Remain ranked in the Top 25 all season and finish Top 10
6) Advance farther in the Playoffs than we did this year

[BJWilliams]

15-0. That is all.



But for real, this is what I'd like to see...
1) 8-3 or better season record
2) Win Big South Conference outright
3) Beat Montana, JMU, Coastal, Chuck So.
4) Beat Ga. State, Be within a TD of WVU
5) Remain ranked in the Top 25 all season and finish Top 10
6) Advance farther in the Playoffs than we did this year

1) 8 or 9 wins is certainly possible
2) we get coastal at home so if it comes down to that game for the outright title, I like our chances
3) the first three are at home, but we probably will be a home dog against the Griz, and you know the guys will want to send a message down in North Charleston. as for CCU, see above. I think we will be favored over JMU but I'm watching to see if Lee comes back for 2014
4) GSU is just bad enough we could win that one, and staying within a TD of a P5 would be awesome
5) if we do our job, this could be attainable
6) see #5

[SuperJon]

Expectations will all come down to if we're playing as FCS members or an FBS transitional school.

[bluejacket]

Vad Lee was a redshirt Jr. this season at JMU. He'll be back next year.

[BJWilliams]

He does have the opportunity to evaluate his draft prospects as a redshirt junior so thats why I said that

[bluejacket]

He does have the opportunity to evaluate his draft prospects as a redshirt junior so thats why I said that

He can evaluate that opportunity all that he wants, but he's not going anywhere.

[BJWilliams]

That's his call...should he return, I reckon itll be a 7 point or less spread on that game with LU hosting

(Notice I did NOT say who would be favored that time)

[Kricket]

I don't think we can expect any more than what happened this year. Woodrum is frustrating in my opinion, as he's shown little to no growth in his career. The rest of the team makes him look better than he really is. I'm not saying he's a bad QB, he's pretty good. Unfortunately it's tough for me to imagine doing much more than this year with just a pretty good QB.

[nyblue92]

I don't think we can expect any more than what happened this year. Woodrum is frustrating in my opinion, as he's shown little to no growth in his career. The rest of the team makes him look better than he really is. I'm not saying he's a bad QB, he's pretty good. Unfortunately it's tough for me to imagine doing much more than this year with just a pretty good QB.

This is the BSC of the FCS not the PAC12. If you think Woodrum is just "pretty good" you're nuts. Did you watch the Richmond game? Or the JMU game? That kid is an absolute warrior that just finds ways to make plays and give his team a chance to win week after week. So he wasn't excellent at NOVA in a monsoon, I'll let that slide. He might not be a super athlete with all the measurables of an NFL QB, but just about every team at the FCS level with the exception of maybe 5 schools would be thrilled to upgrade their QB position with a Josh Woodrum. If you honestly think that Josh Woodrem is what's holding us back then you should get a new hobby, I'm not sure anyone is going to put any credence into any opinion you have regarding assessing football talent and teams

[ballcoach15]

Expectations for 2015 will be very high. We need to build on this season.

Need to improve running game, and need to tweak defense a little. I hope we have a couple freshmen coming in that can contribute.

Need to take at look at UAB players, maybe get a couple transfers who can help immediately.

[Kricket]

This is the BSC of the FCS not the PAC12. If you think Woodrum is just "pretty good" you're nuts. Did you watch the Richmond game? Or the JMU game? That kid is an absolute warrior that just finds ways to make plays and give his team a chance to win week after week. So he wasn't excellent at NOVA in a monsoon, I'll let that slide. He might not be a super athlete with all the measurables of an NFL QB, but just about every team at the FCS level with the exception of maybe 5 schools would be thrilled to upgrade their QB position with a Josh Woodrum. If you honestly think that Josh Woodrem is what's holding us back then you should get a new hobby, I'm not sure anyone is going to put any credence into any opinion you have regarding assessing football talent and teams

I didn't expect many to agree with my opinion, which is why I thought I'd express it. I watched the JMU game and I watched the Richmond game, and he's a pretty good QB in my opinion. I don't think he's as good as Mike Brown was. I also don't think Coastal, JMU, or Villanova would trade their QB for ours. I haven't watched every QB in the nation play, so I'm not going to put a number to it, but there are more than 5 teams that wouldn't trade their QB for ours on the FCS level.

I will say that it would help Woodrum out a lot if he had a great running back, which is why I was excited for Grooms to get on the field. With the passing game relying on Woodrum and the running game on Abnar, I think we're just about the same level offensively next year, and our defense played great for the last three games. In my eyes, this team making the playoffs again would be a good year for this roster.

[Dr. Sheh]

Expectations for this team should be higher than ever. Personally, I think we should at minimum split Montana/JMU. Win one of those we are continuing in the right direction. Beat Georgia State. I understand they are FBS but they are TERRIBLE. 5-1 at worst in conference play should be the goal. A loss to WVU (not saying we'll lose, just not expecting to win) and assuming we beat the last as of yet unannounced non-conference game would put us roughly at 8-3 and possibly in the conversation for a seed. Lastly, we should look to host a game and make a quarterfinal appearance. That may seem like a lot but I honestly believe we can achieve it. We need to continue to improve on our seasons and expect more based on the returning talent next year. I love the difficult scheduling, this will be the best schedule and home slate we've ever had. 2016 looks to be somewhat of a rebuilding year at the moment, but we'll see what our recruiting class looks like this coming year and I hope it is strong.

Does anyone know roughly how man starters on offense/defense we have returning? I know we have a lot coming back.

[SuperJon]

Grooms won't be getting on the field. He left school.

[Kricket]

Grooms won't be getting on the field. He left school.

I know, that's why I said WAS excited and that with the same QB and RB, it's tough to see this team going any further in the playoffs.

[ballcoach15]

Shore up the running game and defense a little, LU can go far into playoffs. I would say we are about 3 players away. (1 offense, 2 defense)

[BJWilliams]

Des will be back for 2015 so it will be him, Abnar and Macon as our top 3 backs. Des just missed a 1000 yard season last year, Abnar was a 1000 yard rusher this year. I think with them the running game will be fine

[forbidden]

Des will be back for 2015 so it will be him, Abnar and Macon as our top 3 backs. Des just missed a 1000 yard season last year, Abnar was a 1000 yard rusher this year. I think with them the running game will be fine

The problem you have is there is only one football, and that means you will do one of two things to try and "appease" some. Because you have Dez coming back you are going off what he did 2 years ago and he has to get back into being hit as well as explosive, then you have DJ who will feel he shouldn't have to take a back seat as he showed that he can carry a team, then you have Macon who has to try and get touches. Now you also are going to have a "DIVA" WR yes I said it that is going to want to recreate what he did this past year and a rightfully so, assuming we can work on some drops. Now the thing is what do you do at the QB spot because rightfully so, this team is not where it was if it wasnt for a RS Frosh QB that feels his time is now and wants to be on the field to make things happen not have to sit another year for a guy he feels now he can compete with. So you passify him and move him to the slot to be another Gabe, that may or may not work, you see as the QB he has the ball in his hands every play and gets to make game deciding type plays, now you have him running routes hoping to get the ball. It may take him a second or so to learn how to run routes, (same as Gabe). And then if it doen'nt work out you have Bradwell who got the "shirt" this year that will be trying to contribute, so if Masha gets the slot nod and Bradwell is the backup QB, BUT it doesn't work out well for Masha he may be wanting to move back to QB but then is another year from taking those snaps, all while trying to be a "team" player and moving positions.
Man this staff has its work cut out for them, as if they don't or did'nt have enough on their plates already.

[ATrain]

Georgia State is winnable...if we can win in Boone, we can win in Atlanta, and if we can get some busses down there, MAYBE outnumber their fans.

That's just basing off the way things turned out for them this season. We all know things can change drastically from season to season.

[BJWilliams]

Des will be back for 2015 so it will be him, Abnar and Macon as our top 3 backs. Des just missed a 1000 yard season last year, Abnar was a 1000 yard rusher this year. I think with them the running game will be fine

The problem you have is there is only one football, and that means you will do one of two things to try and "appease" some. Because you have Dez coming back you are going off what he did 2 years ago and he has to get back into being hit as well as explosive, then you have DJ who will feel he shouldn't have to take a back seat as he showed that he can carry a team, then you have Macon who has to try and get touches. Now you also are going to have a "DIVA" WR yes I said it that is going to want to recreate what he did this past year and a rightfully so, assuming we can work on some drops. Now the thing is what do you do at the QB spot because rightfully so, this team is not where it was if it wasnt for a RS Frosh QB that feels his time is now and wants to be on the field to make things happen not have to sit another year for a guy he feels now he can compete with. So you passify him and move him to the slot to be another Gabe, that may or may not work, you see as the QB he has the ball in his hands every play and gets to make game deciding type plays, now you have him running routes hoping to get the ball. It may take him a second or so to learn how to run routes, (same as Gabe). And then if it doen'nt work out you have Bradwell who got the "shirt" this year that will be trying to contribute, so if Masha gets the slot nod and Bradwell is the backup QB, BUT it doesn't work out well for Masha he may be wanting to move back to QB but then is another year from taking those snaps, all while trying to be a "team" player and moving positions.
Man this staff has its work cut out for them, as if they don't or did'nt have enough on their plates already.

A lot of the position battles can and probably will be worked out in spring ball. Des will be tested since he has not faced game action since the CSU win in 2013. also, Des was somewhat of a mentor to DJ as he prepared to be the feature back, so I do not think you will see any ill between the two. by having two backs who can both carry significant loads, it should not be a problem dividing carries, with Todd Macon getting some as wel if/when needed, and he can step in as the #2 because that was his role this past season prior to his foot injury. Masha will get his opportunity to earn his place on the depth chart, wherever it may be. Youre casting a pretty wide aspersion by saying he somehow needs to be "pacified" by going to the slot.

As to the "diva" WR...who are you to assume the attitude of any of the players. I highly doubt (in my personal opionion), that any of the wideouts (especially the one to whom you may be referring), will feel like they are somehow "entitled" to having the ball thrown their way and if it doesnt happen they decide to become a "distraction" a la some former professional wide receivers.

[Chippy]

Expectations for this team should be higher than ever. Personally, I think we should at minimum split Montana/JMU. Win one of those we are continuing in the right direction. Beat Georgia State. I understand they are FBS but they are TERRIBLE. 5-1 at worst in conference play should be the goal. A loss to WVU (not saying we'll lose, just not expecting to win) and assuming we beat the last as of yet unannounced non-conference game would put us roughly at 9-3 and possibly in the conversation for a seed. Lastly, we should look to host a game and make a quarterfinal appearance. That may seem like a lot but I honestly believe we can achieve it. We need to continue to improve on our seasons and expect more based on the returning talent next year. I love the difficult scheduling, this will be the best schedule and home slate we've ever had. 2016 looks to be somewhat of a rebuilding year at the moment, but we'll see what our recruiting class looks like this coming year and I hope it is strong.

Does anyone know roughly how man starters on offense/defense we have returning? I know we have a lot coming back.

We should have 7 starters back on offense and 5 on defense plus the best punter and kicker in the league return. We redshirted a couple good players who should fill some wholes on the D.

[SuperJon]

Having too much talent for the amount of positions is not a bad thing.

[Purple Haize]

There will be no QB controversy. Yes we won a huge game with Masha but we won a lot more with Josh. What has he done to lose his starting position ?

[BJWilliams]

That I know of nothing if I'm not mistaken PH...

[Kricket]

I don't think anyone is saying that Woodrum won't be the starter. I just think our offense won't have enough firepower to compete for much more than a playoff appearance next year, and I don't think a playoff appearance would be a bust in any way for this team next year.