Aren't any of you objectively curious about the new scheme?

[CougPatrol]

I understand why not everyone is in favor of hiring an FCS coach, but aren't you somewhat interested to see a completely different system implemented? I've been watching us spread teams out and chuck the ball all over the field since Walden left town. I don't know if it's going to succeed, but I'm curious to see how this new scheme plays out.

The new era of college football with the portal, NIL, and conference realignment has pushed my already fading fan-frenzy days to the brink. At least this new scheme offers me something different to look at and analyze next Fall. If it fails, it fails. We've already been relegated to the G6 ranks. We barely averaged 20K fans/game last season, despite having wins over Texas Tech and UW in September to build momentum with. It's not like we need to be worried about ruining our momentum. We don't have any.

 

[Coug90]

I understand why not everyone is in favor of hiring an FCS coach, but aren't you somewhat interested to see a completely different system implemented? I've been watching us spread teams out and chuck the ball all over the field since Walden left town. I don't know if it's going to succeed, but I'm curious to see how this new scheme plays out.

The new era of college football with the portal, NIL, and conference realignment has pushed my already fading fan-frenzy days to the brink. At least this new scheme offers me something different to look at and analyze next Fall. If it fails, it fails. We've already been relegated to the G6 ranks. We barely averaged 20K fans/game last season, despite having wins over Texas Tech and UW in September to build momentum with. It's not like we need to be worried about ruining our momentum. We don't have any.

Yeah, it will be interesting to see if we can get the talent to pull it off. I don’t care what scheme we run so long as the ball ends up in the end zone. There seems to be a lot of overthinking in today’s version of football, 90% of the time it comes down to blocking, tackling, and controlling the LOS.

 

[425cougfan]

I understand why not everyone is in favor of hiring an FCS coach, but aren't you somewhat interested to see a completely different system implemented? I've been watching us spread teams out and chuck the ball all over the field since Walden left town. I don't know if it's going to succeed, but I'm curious to see how this new scheme plays out.

The new era of college football with the portal, NIL, and conference realignment has pushed my already fading fan-frenzy days to the brink. At least this new scheme offers me something different to look at and analyze next Fall. If it fails, it fails. We've already been relegated to the G6 ranks. We barely averaged 20K fans/game last season, despite having wins over Texas Tech and UW in September to build momentum with. It's not like we need to be worried about ruining our momentum. We don't have any.

I definitely am. The usual thought process is that it is tougher to make a run-heavy scheme work than a pass-heavy scheme when you have talent limitations and that seems to have explicitly or implicitly guided our approach over the years, in addition to what seems to have been a default of wanting to continue that approach. Not only am I interested to see something new, especially since it seems more balanced than particularly run- or pass-heavy, but I believe it could make sense in light of typical home weather in October and beyond. I could see slinging the ball around all the time at Fresno or San Diego, but it isn't as optimal for much of the season in Pullman.

Some downsides and trade-offs to consider, too. But it is much more intriguing to me than if they just brought in another guy running an Air Raid-based scheme.

 

[CougEd]

I understand why not everyone is in favor of hiring an FCS coach, but aren't you somewhat interested to see a completely different system implemented? I've been watching us spread teams out and chuck the ball all over the field since Walden left town. I don't know if it's going to succeed, but I'm curious to see how this new scheme plays out.

The new era of college football with the portal, NIL, and conference realignment has pushed my already fading fan-frenzy days to the brink. At least this new scheme offers me something different to look at and analyze next Fall. If it fails, it fails. We've already been relegated to the G6 ranks. We barely averaged 20K fans/game last season, despite having wins over Texas Tech and UW in September to build momentum with. It's not like we need to be worried about ruining our momentum. We don't have any.

Didn't the more balanced running attack already fail in Doba's tenure?

 

[Coug90]

Didn't the more balanced running attack already fail in Doba's tenure?

I think it was more the defense that failed. And untimely turnovers. Most teams are going to find success with a Jerome Harrison getting the ball in a balanced offense.

 

[CougPatrol]

Didn't the more balanced running attack already fail in Doba's tenure?

Doba's tenure was generally a disaster after the Rose Bowl started to thin out and the laziness of the coaching staff became exposed.

I'm not projecting success, I'm simply interested in seeing something different. We're also going to be competing in a conference where teams won't have a talent advantage over us.

 

[Flatlandcoug]

I think it was more the defense that failed. And untimely turnovers. Most teams are going to find success with a Jerome Harrison getting the ball in a balanced offense.

It was definitely not the defense's fault that we lost games in 2005. A team with a mediocre defense would have gone 9-3 that year. A good defense would have led us to an 11-1 finish. We got stuck with a defense that was used up in the fourth quarter that made everyone look like a juggernaut late.

 

[KRUSTYtheCOUG]

I understand why not everyone is in favor of hiring an FCS coach, but aren't you somewhat interested to see a completely different system implemented? I've been watching us spread teams out and chuck the ball all over the field since Walden left town. I don't know if it's going to succeed, but I'm curious to see how this new scheme plays out.

The new era of college football with the portal, NIL, and conference realignment has pushed my already fading fan-frenzy days to the brink. At least this new scheme offers me something different to look at and analyze next Fall. If it fails, it fails. We've already been relegated to the G6 ranks. We barely averaged 20K fans/game last season, despite having wins over Texas Tech and UW in September to build momentum with. It's not like we need to be worried about ruining our momentum. We don't have any.

I am very interested for much of the reasons you stated.

But, as I've posited elsewhere, I am a bit skeptical of transitioning the SDSU style offense successfully to this higher level.

The higher up you go the harder it is to dominate with an OL. The athletic discrepancy between the OL and DL is most pronounced at the lower levels of football. The higher up the advantage goes to the athletes on the DL. Probs not too many P4 or NFL level talent in the FCS on the DL so I'm not anticipating the same level of success for CJRs offense that he had down there. That's all I have to say about that

 

[dgibbons]

Didn't the more balanced running attack already fail in Doba's tenure?

Says one of the people that bitched and moaned consistently about Leach.

 

[Flatlandcoug]

I am very interested for much of the reasons you stated.

But, as I've posited elsewhere, I am a bit skeptical of transitioning the SDSU style offense successfully to this higher level.

The higher up you go the harder it is to dominate with an OL. The athletic discrepancy between the OL and DL is most pronounced at the lower levels of football. The higher up the advantage goes to the athletes on the DL. Probs not too many P4 or NFL level talent in the FCS on the DL so I'm not anticipating the same level of success for CJRs offense that he had down there. That's all I have to say about that

This upcoming season will tell us a lot. Three winnable games upfront. Apple Cup should show us how we handle a talent mismatch. CSU is beatable but a decent opponent. Ole Miss should feature a major talent gap but relative inexperience at key positions. Virginia was not a good football team last year. Toledo shouldn't have any talent advantage. OSU is a peer school. La Tech and James Madison should have roughly the same talent overall but frankly, they might have a slight advantage.

If we go 8-4 next year, I'll feel pretty good about Rogers and our future. Anything 0.500 or better is okay. Below 0.500 and I'll be feeling nervous about our future.

 

[mikalalas]

I definitely am. The usual thought process is that it is tougher to make a run-heavy scheme work than a pass-heavy scheme when you have talent limitations and that seems to have explicitly or implicitly guided our approach over the years, in addition to what seems to have been a default of wanting to continue that approach. Not only am I interested to see something new, especially since it seems more balanced than particularly run- or pass-heavy, but I believe it could make sense in light of typical home weather in October and beyond. I could see slinging the ball around all the time at Fresno or San Diego, but it isn't as optimal for much of the season in Pullman.

Some downsides and trade-offs to consider, too. But it is much more intriguing to me than if they just brought in another guy running an Air Raid-based scheme.

Almost all of college footballdom runs the Air Raid, or a Pass heavy passing attack offense.

By going away from that it probably will be easier to get Fullbacks, TE's, and the type of players that will fit a balanced scheme more, because everybody else wants Air Raid, passing attack players.

A balanced offense that spreads the defense out, that uses every blade of grass, with RPO, hand offs to RB's following O line, Fullback lead blockers, blocking TE's, QB running the ball, and passing to RB's, TE's, WR's, and having 5 O Lineman, 1 TE, 1 RB, 1 FB, 2,3 WR Formation, and having multiple different formations, looks, where Run about 43% to 45% to 47% to 49% of time, and passing it about 52% to 54% to 56% of time, etc, could, would, should, probably be very hard to consistently stop.

If that's the offensive scheme. And it looks like the offensive scheme is going in that direction, then it probably will be very effective, at least gradually, eventually, at least once the system gets installed, and once get enough good enough players to make it work, which is likely because everyone else wants Air Raid players, etc.

 

[Coug90]

It was definitely not the defense's fault that we lost games in 2005. A team with a mediocre defense would have gone 9-3 that year. A good defense would have led us to an 11-1 finish. We got stuck with a defense that was used up in the fourth quarter that made everyone look like a juggernaut late.

Fair enough. Ohio State just won the national title with 2 thousand yard rushers and a mobile QB. Running the ball helps your passing game more than passing the ball helps your running game. And in my opinion guys who are infatuated with an air attack are less likely to run the hell out of the ball when it’s there for the taking vs the other way around.

 

[mikalalas]

Didn't the more balanced running attack already fail in Doba's tenure?

It semi did fail at times, and succeed at times because 1. Doba and his staff wasn't consistently good. 2. Doba went through his wife passing away, had bad health, etc. 3. Doba's staff didn't do a good job. 4. Back then lots of offenses was, were more run heavy, more ball control back then, and so Doba, WSU was competing for the same type of players that everybody else also wanted, which made it harder to successfully run that scheme, system.


But today it's different then back then. Back then everybody want big run blocking TE's, and Big run blocking Full Backs, etc.

Now everybody doesn't want those type of players, and instead wants AIR RAID players.

So because of that WSU probably won't be competing as much for the same type of players now, as back then in the Doba days.

 

[425cougfan]

This upcoming season will tell us a lot. Three winnable games upfront. Apple Cup should show us how we handle a talent mismatch. CSU is beatable but a decent opponent. Ole Miss should feature a major talent gap but relative inexperience at key positions. Virginia was not a good football team last year. Toledo shouldn't have any talent advantage. OSU is a peer school. La Tech and James Madison should have roughly the same talent overall but frankly, they might have a slight advantage.

If we go 8-4 next year, I'll feel pretty good about Rogers and our future. Anything 0.500 or better is okay. Below 0.500 and I'll be feeling nervous about our future.

It's going to be mentioned a lot as we get closer, but that two-week sequence of road games at Ole Miss and UVA is brutal, especially considering how physical Ole Miss likely will be. I watched some of their games this year and while they won't have all those guys, there were some flat-out dudes on that defense, especially. Glad this is in October instead of August or September, but in Oxford, it easily could still be 95 with 90% humidity that time of year. Not unheard of for Charlottesville to still be pretty hot and humid that time of year, either, although it probably will be OK. So you fly cross-country, get beat to shit in heat and humidity, fly cross-country back home, then do another pretty challenging cross-country trip. Rough.

 

[CougPatrol]

This upcoming season will tell us a lot. Three winnable games upfront. Apple Cup should show us how we handle a talent mismatch. CSU is beatable but a decent opponent. Ole Miss should feature a major talent gap but relative inexperience at key positions. Virginia was not a good football team last year. Toledo shouldn't have any talent advantage. OSU is a peer school. La Tech and James Madison should have roughly the same talent overall but frankly, they might have a slight advantage.

If we go 8-4 next year, I'll feel pretty good about Rogers and our future. Anything 0.500 or better is okay. Below 0.500 and I'll be feeling nervous about our future.

Wow, 8-4. I don't see that next year. It's going to take time to implement the new system, and I still don't know what we have at QB yet. If we can finish .500 or better I think it would be a major accomplishment. We finished last season 0-4, so I'm not going pile on the coach too much if we break even next year.

 

[ttowncoug]

The success of this new "pro style" system is going to depend on the success of the offensive line. I like the idea of a balanced attack, but you obviously need the talent to make it work.

The thing I liked about the Leach air raid was the belief that there are more skill players that fit into that system from a recruiting perspective.

 

[CougEd]

Says one of the people that bitched and moaned consistently about Leach.

I complained about Leach and the air raid? I think what has been said is that the screen pass isn't the same as a run game.

 

[mikalalas]

The success of this new "pro style" system is going to depend on the success of the offensive line. I like the idea of a balanced attack, but you obviously need the talent to make it work.

The thing I liked about the Leach air raid was the belief that there are more skill players that fit into that system from a recruiting perspective.

The are more skill players that either fit into a balanced spread, dual threat QB RPO balanced, run, pass offense, or that don't have to compete with other colleges wanting those players, because ALMOST EVERYBODY WANT SHOTGUN AIR RAID PASSING ATTACK SKILL PLAYERS INSTEAD OF PRO STYLE RPO SPREAD BALANCED FB, TE, RUN, PASS BALANCED OFFENSE PLAYERS

 

[mikalalas]

Wow, 8-4. I don't see that next year. It's going to take time to implement the new system, and I still don't know what we have at QB yet. If we can finish .500 or better I think it would be a major accomplishment. We finished last season 0-4, so I'm not going pile on the coach too much if we break even next year.

If were in Big Ten, SEC, Big 12, ACC, OLD PAC 10/12 instead of the independent easier schedule, that would be true.

WSU should be able to finish, go 7-5 in that easier schedule.

Only UW, Virginia, Ole Mis, Oregon St twice are probably losses.

The rest of that schedule should be pretty easier.

 

[Stretch 74]

Fair enough. Ohio State just won the national title with 2 thousand yard rushers and a mobile QB. Running the ball helps your passing game more than passing the ball helps your running game. And in my opinion guys who are infatuated with an air attack are less likely to run the hell out of the ball when it’s there for the taking vs the other way around.

Of course, OSU had 2 OL tankathon has rated in the top 40 of the draft, and another at #68. Plus 2 killer receivers to open things up, and a RB rated #48. They were loaded, and not many teams will stack up with them.

Now, I would never claim to be highly knowledgeable about offensive line play, but it seems to me that on a basic level it might be tougher to block for running than passing if you have a talent/strength deficiency. With a passing play, the OL must stay between the rusher and the QB in order for the play to be successful and giving up some ground may not be terrible, whereas with a running play the OL has to move someone out of the way to open up a hole for the back to run through. Of course, that IS a simplistic look at it and disregards blitzes and stunts, etc, which will affect things.

 

[PeteTheChop]

It's going to be mentioned a lot as we get closer, but that two-week sequence of road games at Ole Miss and UVA is brutal, especially considering how physical Ole Miss likely will be.

The NFL teams with back-to-back cross country trips often will just fly directly to the locale where they're playing the second game and stay for the week instead of returning home and then flying back out.

Don't know if WSU or college programs would consider doing the same? Maybe the optics of missing class or increased travel expenses would be an issue.

 

[425cougfan]

The NFL teams with back-to-back cross country trips often will just fly directly to the locale where they're playing the second game and stay for the week instead of returning home and then flying back out.

Don't know if WSU or college programs would consider doing the same? Maybe the optics of missing class or increased travel expenses would be an issue.

Seems like it could make sense. I'd think in today's era, they could deal with classes and related stuff remotely and the optics wouldn't be that bad. While it's apples and oranges to an extent -- I think these guys were enrolled exclusively in online courses -- I'm pretty sure Deion said last week that neither his kid nor Hunter ever set foot in an actual classroom at Colorado.

 

[Stretch 74]

The NFL teams with back-to-back cross country trips often will just fly directly to the locale where they're playing the second game and stay for the week instead of returning home and then flying back out.

Don't know if WSU or college programs would consider doing the same? Maybe the optics of missing class or increased travel expenses would be an issue.

I believe that the NCAA has had a rule regarding travel to games that in normal circumstances limited the team to traveling on the day prior to the game. I think you could petition to travel one day earlier under special circumstances.

Of course, that would would have been back when the NCAA was relevant and actually controlled things, so who knows what goes these days.

 

[COUGinNCW]

It's going to be mentioned a lot as we get closer, but that two-week sequence of road games at Ole Miss and UVA is brutal, especially considering how physical Ole Miss likely will be. I watched some of their games this year and while they won't have all those guys, there were some flat-out dudes on that defense, especially. Glad this is in October instead of August or September, but in Oxford, it easily could still be 95 with 90% humidity that time of year. Not unheard of for Charlottesville to still be pretty hot and humid that time of year, either, although it probably will be OK. So you fly cross-country, get beat to shit in heat and humidity, fly cross-country back home, then do another pretty challenging cross-country trip. Rough.

Or do what I’m hoping to do. Head up to the North Carolina or Virginia coast in between games (and do your classes on line- which I won’t be doing).

 

[PeteTheChop]

I think these guys were enrolled exclusively in online courses -- I'm pretty sure Deion said last week that neither his kid nor Hunter ever set foot in an actual classroom at Colorado.

Not to derail the thread of @CougPatrol, but it's still kinda mind-boggling of how the notion of student-athletes has changed from even 10 years ago

 

[CougEd]

I think it was more the defense that failed. And untimely turnovers. Most teams are going to find success with a Jerome Harrison getting the ball in a balanced offense.

Doba's emphasis went deeper than just a running game and ball control. It goes to recruiting as well. Everyone wants to play in a wide open offense. Torey Hunter you sell him on 60 catches a year, a week into camp, we are short on DB's. Ron Childs is the next Steve Broussard. He is your linebacker after he redshirted. Trufant, yo can carry it 20 times a game...two days into camp we would like to move you to corner and he will be an all pro.

Having a wide open offense allows you to bring more skilled players on to campus. It is no secret why Doba's teams became so slow. Teams like Cal and Oregon wanted to score on three plays, and WSU wanted a 10 play drive to kill clock and keep the defense rested for another 4 play series that led to a TD

 

[CougPatrol]

It ultimately depends on the quality of the coach. South Dakota State averaged 434 yards & 36.67 points/game. They averaged 236 rushing and 197 yards passing/game. They had a 169 rushing first downs and 132 passing first downs.

That doesn't sound like a run heavy offense. It sounds like a balanced offense.

2024 Missouri Valley Conference Stats

 

[Coug1990]

It ultimately depends on the quality of the coach. South Dakota State averaged 434 yards & 36.67 points/game. They averaged 236 rushing and 197 yards passing/game. They had a 169 rushing first downs and 132 passing first downs.

That doesn't sound like a run heavy offense. It sounds like a balanced offense.

2024 Missouri Valley Conference Stats

Not to mention that they often had big leads in games where they would mostly run the ball in the 4th quarter. So, I think it is an even balance early, and very run heavy late.

 

[Coug90]

It ultimately depends on the quality of the coach. South Dakota State averaged 434 yards & 36.67 points/game. They averaged 236 rushing and 197 yards passing/game. They had a 169 rushing first downs and 132 passing first downs.

That doesn't sound like a run heavy offense. It sounds like a balanced offense.

2024 Missouri Valley Conference Stats

In today’s game I’d say that’s a pretty damn run heavy offense. In 1977 that would be considered an arial assault.

 

[cr8zyncalif]

We have not had an offense that put a premium on coaching run blocking in a long time. Since Price/Doba....so that will be one aspect of the culture shift. If we have a good O line coach, I have no/zero/nada doubt we'll be able to run the ball between the 20's. There, run blocking is helped by scheme. Rarely are you simply trying to push the guy directly ahead of you straight back. Massive physical superiority should not be needed. The exception is in the red zone when they crowd the line with the goal of defeating the slants/angles in your run blocking scheme. Then, you better have something in your tool kit besides running between the tackles to at least make the DC respect the possibility that you will do something else. Somebody above mentioned Walden. That veer lived and died with O line blocking and we seldom were massively superior from a physical standpoint, but that staff could coach run blocking. Based on the evidence, it is clear that SDSU had people who could coach run blocking.

I'm with Patrol on this; I'm excited to see how spring ball plays out.

 

[dgibbons]

I complained about Leach and the air raid? I think what has been said is that the screen pass isn't the same as a run game.

Yes. Constantly and consistently.

 

[dgibbons]

Seems like it could make sense. I'd think in today's era, they could deal with classes and related stuff remotely and the optics wouldn't be that bad. While it's apples and oranges to an extent -- I think these guys were enrolled exclusively in online courses -- I'm pretty sure Deion said last week that neither his kid nor Hunter ever set foot in an actual classroom at Colorado.

Joining the esteemed company of Chad Johnson and Corey Dillon, but somehow staying eligible....

Hawaii does stay on the mainland sometimes when having back to back road games. However, I think the problem would be the training facilities in the FOB. If we get through Ole Miss with only needing to tape some ankles it would be a miracle.

 

[UberCougars]

We have not had an offense that put a premium on coaching run blocking in a long time. Since Price/Doba....so that will be one aspect of the culture shift. If we have a good O line coach, I have no/zero/nada doubt we'll be able to run the ball between the 20's. There, run blocking is helped by scheme. Rarely are you simply trying to push the guy directly ahead of you straight back. Massive physical superiority should not be needed. The exception is in the red zone when they crowd the line with the goal of defeating the slants/angles in your run blocking scheme. Then, you better have something in your tool kit besides running between the tackles to at least make the DC respect the possibility that you will do something else. Somebody above mentioned Walden. That veer lived and died with O line blocking and we seldom were massively superior from a physical standpoint, but that staff could coach run blocking. Based on the evidence, it is clear that SDSU had people who could coach run blocking.

I'm with Patrol on this; I'm excited to see how spring ball plays out.

It might not work but I find it refreshing to see an entirely new approach.

 

[Stretch 74]

Not to derail the thread of @CougPatrol, but it's still kinda mind-boggling of how the notion of student-athletes has changed from even 10 years ago

Student athlete is no longer even a notion. Student athlete as a concept is completely dead.

 

[Flatlandcoug]

Wow, 8-4. I don't see that next year. It's going to take time to implement the new system, and I still don't know what we have at QB yet. If we can finish .500 or better I think it would be a major accomplishment. We finished last season 0-4, so I'm not going pile on the coach too much if we break even next year.

8-4 is the ceiling in my viewpoint. The only two games that we are likely to be significant underdogs are UW and Ole Miss. Below in green and blue are the wins that I would expect if we go 8-4 but it could be any mix of games. The blue games that we have to win if Rogers is to be taken seriously as coach. 2024 records in parentheses We would need to split the other four "green" games to finish 6-6. If he can't do that, it's a concern. 10-2 or 11-1 would not be a shocking finish (but it won't happen). We're obviously not firing Rogers after year one no matter how the season goes though. Our losing streak last year means that every game is suspect and buys him some time. Ironically, @ James Madison might be our toughest game of the year other than Ole Miss.

Idaho (10-4)
SDSU (3-9)
@ North Texas (6-7)
UW (6-7)
@ CSU (8-5)
@ Ole Miss (10-3)
@ Virginia (5-7)
Toledo (8-5)
@ OSU (5-7)
La Tech (5-8)
@ JMU (9-4)
OSU (5-7)

We have seven games against teams with losing records last year. Nobody knows how this year's team (or our opponents) will be, but if we can play to the level that we played in the first half of 2024 for the entire season, this schedule has a lot of wins available. Don't suck and it's going to be fun. If this team plays like it did to finish the season in 2024, we are hosed.

If we were to come out flat against Idaho and lose, all bets are off. I just don't see that happening though.

 

[CougPatrol]

8-4 is the ceiling in my viewpoint. The only two games that we are likely to be significant underdogs are UW and Ole Miss. Below in green and blue are the wins that I would expect if we go 8-4 but it could be any mix of games. The blue games that we have to win if Rogers is to be taken seriously as coach. 2024 records in parentheses We would need to split the other four "green" games to finish 6-6. If he can't do that, it's a concern. 10-2 or 11-1 would not be a shocking finish (but it won't happen). We're obviously not firing Rogers after year one no matter how the season goes though. Our losing streak last year means that every game is suspect and buys him some time. Ironically, @ James Madison might be our toughest game of the year other than Ole Miss.

Idaho (10-4)
SDSU (3-9)
@ North Texas (6-7)
UW (6-7)
@ CSU (8-5)
@ Ole Miss (10-3)
@ Virginia (5-7)
Toledo (8-5)
@ OSU (5-7)
La Tech (5-8)
@ JMU (9-4)
OSU (5-7)

We have seven games against teams with losing records last year. Nobody knows how this year's team (or our opponents) will be, but if we can play to the level that we played in the first half of 2024 for the entire season, this schedule has a lot of wins available. Don't suck and it's going to be fun. If this team plays like it did to finish the season in 2024, we are hosed.

If we were to come out flat against Idaho and lose, all bets are off. I just don't see that happening though.

Yea, losing early won’t help ease concerns, but how we finish is probably a better barometer of where the program is headed.

Those 1st 8 games aren’t going to be easy with a new coach, new system, and a mostly FCS roster. We seemingly have a full roster though, which should help. The Idaho game has a lot of intrigue now.

 

[PeteTheChop]

If we were to come out flat against Idaho and lose, all bets are off. I just don't see that happening though.

This message board would be an unfortunate hellhole if that happened, but I agree with Flat. Don't see it happening at all.

Jimmy Rogers has already proved he cannot only beat but dominate FCS teams.

CPW never reached that level at Eastern

 

[Flatlandcoug]

Yea, losing early won’t help ease concerns, but how we finish is probably a better barometer of where the program is headed.

Those 1st 8 games aren’t going to be easy with a new coach, new system, and a mostly FCS roster. We seemingly have a full roster though, which should help. The Idaho game has a lot of intrigue now.

1-7 is more likely than 7-1 if I'm being honest. Doh!

 

[cr8zyncalif]

Student athlete is no longer even a notion. Student athlete as a concept is completely dead.

"...is completely dead in revenue sports."

Fixed.

 

[BSpike76]

"...is completely dead in revenue sports."

Fixed.

Just saw where tOSU’s athletic dept. lost $27m last year. So lots of revenue doesn’t seem to be much good either.