[A Sea of Red]

4 of our contributors got together to discuss 5 of the burning questions as we enter the 2016 season. Here's our Football Roundtable:

http://www.libertyflamesnation.com/football-roundtable/

[Humble_Opinion]

I think the performance of this team will ride on whether the offensive line can make a notable improvement vs. last year, particularly in the run game. We had arguable the best stable of backs in the conference last year, but our performance did not reflect that. I get the questions surrounding our current stable, but a lot of that can be mitigated if our OLine blocks better and is more nasty than they were last year.

I also don't like how the expectations were downplayed. Yes, we lost our 4 yr starter at QB. On paper that looks bad, but we know the issues he brought to the team in some cases that were not necessarily good motivations in the locker room. We also have an improved Masha, whom has been in the system a few years now and has performed as a starter in some big games for us. On top of that, he's more athletic, so when the pocket collapses, we still have a chance to turn something into nothing with the ball in his hands. I like that x factor in our game this year, especially considering we will be in more of a spread look, which can really open up some lanes for him in the open field.

I'm not worried about having to replace Petey either. I think BJ Farrow showed more than enough last year to prove himself capable of being effective as the new #1. If Shell's hands become more reliable this year than they were last year, then I think they will compliment each other well. We have two nice guys in the slot too in Parker and King. We should be fine here.

In the secondary, we have some question marks with the loss of Scott, but things should still come together, especially considering the transfer at Safety with McGinty. Chris Turner could really do well this season as well with his length.

If this team were playing a schedule similar to last year, I'd expect 8-3 to be the minimum. The schedule is the only wildcard this year. Can this team find the mettle to pull together and win some close games?

[Jonathan Carone]

If we lose five games, Gill has to go.

[forbidden]

If we lose five games, Gill has to go.

Thats just dumb, to say, the schedule doesn't dictate any tough games, we should do better in conference thats for sure. I personally think he has a two year window, to be back in playoffs

[Purple Haize]

If we lose five games, Gill has to go.

I'm never one to call for a coaches job but losing 5 games should not happen

[Jonathan Carone]

If we lose five games that means we lost to Charleston Southern or someone even lesser than that. If it's CSU, that'd be three straight losses to a team with 1/10 of the resources we have. That's simply unacceptable. It'd also be his third 6-5 season in five years. Again: not acceptable.

[Purple Haize]

If we lose five games that means we lost to Charleston Southern or someone even lesser than that. If it's CSU, that'd be three straight losses to a team with 1/10 of the resources we have. That's simply unacceptable. It'd also be his third 6-5 season in five years. Again: not acceptable.

Can't disagree

[FlamesHighontheTide]

Season previews are always fun to dialogue about and with that said, I do believe we go 7-4 or better and make the playoffs as the Big South Champ. We lose to Coastal, SMU, Tech and Jax St. However, I do think the coastal and sum games will be toss-ups.

With that said, what if this team goes 6-5 does gill get the axe? Someone mentioned it in an earlier post but my question would be how do we go 6-5. Does Stephon go down with a season ending injury or todd macon. Or like last year do we seem to pile up injuries to certain players that I think would have helped us make the playoffs aka a DJ Abnar or Couamin? Yes, if everyone stays healthy through the entire season and we lose to both FBS and the trio of top 10 FCS schools but we beat the teams we should then maybe he gets 1 final year of playoffs or done. Nevertheless, if we go 6-5 like this past season where we beat coastal and SMU and lose to gw and monmouth or even worse presby then Barber's hands may be tied to making a change.

In my opinion last years team should have made the playoffs but des rice needed to be back-up to dj and todd macon, he was never the same after the acl injury. And Josh caused a lot of friction in the locker room. Therefore, as I think back on this previous season and what transpired I can see how we went 6-5.

With that said, I have a fresh new excitement for this upcoming season because of the potential of the offense with Stephon as qb. He played at another level against coastal back in our playoff year. Had he not been the backup we would not have made the playoffs. Now, I know the block of the century is what got us to the playoffs, but his quarterback play was extremely important that day. The fact that he runs a 4.45 40 will pay great advantages to our offensive strategy and will help win us some crucial games. I am more concerned with the tailback position after TD Macon. Everybody behind him is unproven with pretty much 0 experience.

[jack_sparrow81]

The Jacksonville game concerns me and it shouldn't. The only thing that gives me comfort is its the home opener. They beat Deleware on the road last year for the opener (Deleware's final record was deceiving). They lost some great players including the coach, but their returning key ones as well.

[Jonathan Carone]

I think you're confusing Jacksonville and Jacksonville State. Jax State should concern you in every way.

[Sly Fox]

Jacksonville is a mess. It as close to a sure thing win as we'll see this season.

[jack_sparrow81]

I see us overlooking them though and the game turning into Robert Morris from a few years back. We have no idea what to expect from them with a new coach and offense. Probably one of the better teams that we've played for the home opener in awhile. I hope I'm wrong. In regards to Jax St, I'm more optimistic about us beating SMU and tech.

[Jonathan Carone]

I get what you're saying now. It's weird having those two teams so close. I got confused.

[jack_sparrow81]

no problem. Growing up, we always assumed Jax St was in Jacksonville, FL and figured they were in D3 or the NAIA. I followed JU somewhat last year because Kerwin Bell was the coach (old Florida QB) and they did well at 9-2. From what I've read about the new coach, he was the offensive cord at Army a few years back, so I'm assuming the offense will be option based

[rtb72]

If we lose five games that means we lost to Charleston Southern or someone even lesser than that. If it's CSU, that'd be three straight losses to a team with 1/10 of the resources we have. That's simply unacceptable. It'd also be his third 6-5 season in five years. Again: not acceptable.

I agree with your assessment. I believe the talent and potential is there for LU to do well this year...and we should certainly beat CSU. Masha brings an additional threat we didn't have (or should I say, didn't use) last year. We also play them at home. If we drop that game (or really any other BSC game) and lose out in at least a share of the conference title; I'd start hoping for some tough decisions to be made.

[BJWilliams]

I am not sure if I would fire him over another 6-5 (so I may be in the minority view with that opinion), but I certainly would be seriously turning up the heat. I mean if we go 6-5, but we finish 5-0 in the Big South, we are in the playoffs., and Id doubt that JB would think of canning a coach after an outright Big South title and playoff berth. Now, if we go 6-5 and one (or more God forbid) of those losses is in conference, then I definitely would be re-evaluating that opinion.

[Chippy]

I would imagine the coaches and AD are bracing themselves for a possible 6-5 season with 3 teams in the top 10 in FCS preseason polls (#5, #6, and #9) and 2 FBS teams on the schedule. We're nowhere to be found in FCS polling and I would imagine most football pundits would think 6-5 would be a good season and 7-4 which would require us upsetting any of the 3 ranked FCS teams a great season given this schedule.

[Humble_Opinion]

I like that we are putting ourselves out there to play in big games. But can anyone tell me what the benefit to us is of us playing such a difficult schedule?

[Jonathan Carone]

The goal was to put together a competitive team so we could create a case for an at-large in case the auto bid didn't happen.

[alabama24]

can anyone tell me what the benefit to us is of us playing such a difficult schedule?

If you want to be the best, you have to play the best.

[Purple Haize]

can anyone tell me what the benefit to us is of us playing such a difficult schedule?

If you want to be the best, you have to play the best.

Or-
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[alabama24]

Or-

Great rebuttal.

(Great Rick Flair clip).

[Humble_Opinion]

can anyone tell me what the benefit to us is of us playing such a difficult schedule?

If you want to be the best, you have to play the best.

If the standard for playing the best is our current slate of OOC games, then what exactly did CCU do the past few years? By comparison, they play mediocre teams that they were favored to beat every time pretty much.

[Chippy]

can anyone tell me what the benefit to us is of us playing such a difficult schedule?

If you want to be the best, you have to play the best.

If the standard for playing the best is our current slate of OOC games, then what exactly did CCU do the past few years? By comparison, they play mediocre teams that they were favored to beat every time pretty much.

. . . and now they are in FBS . . . go figure.

[alabama24]

can anyone tell me what the benefit to us is of us playing such a difficult schedule?

If you want to be the best, you have to play the best.

If the standard for playing the best is our current slate of OOC games, then what exactly did CCU do the past few years? By comparison, they play mediocre teams that they were favored to beat every time pretty much.

I didn't say, "win a national championship." I said "be the best." Some teams don't care about "being the best," they just want to win games & trophies.

My contention, however, is that the best teams (year in and year out) are those who aren't afraid to play the best competition. Good coaches & AD's know that. Lazy & overrated ones don't.