One week from now

[Aclone]

I like how Campbell says “it’ll be fun to see how it all works out” regarding the depth chart. Fun? I’m already having a panic attack and the games a week away.

To help with that panic attack…

The starting lineup isn’t as crucial as…most of the past forty-plus years, because there’s actual depth and competition now.

Not like when they had to switch Tim TeBrink from offense just for another body, or when we all knew that if Ace Bowen got hurt, we were totally screwed.

 

[Pope]

I like how Campbell says “it’ll be fun to see how it all works out” regarding the depth chart. Fun? I’m already having a panic attack and the games a week away.

I know this is incredibly stupid, but it's anything but fun for me. My hatred for losing exceeds my joy of winning so much that each Cyclone post game I either experience an enormous sense of relief or a major depression.

The 54 yard game winning field goal in Iowa City was the first of several plays last season that nearly put me in the hospital. Like I said, it's incredibly stupid.

Haven't decided yet if I'm even going to watch next week's game live.

 

[Cyched]

I know this is incredibly stupid, but it's anything but fun for me. My hatred for losing exceeds my joy of winning so much that each Cyclone post game I either experience an enormous sense of relief or a major depression.

The 54 yard game winning field goal in Iowa City was the first of several plays last season that nearly put me in the hospital. Like I said, it's incredibly stupid.

Haven't decided yet if I'm even going to watch next week's game live.

Seems the solution is to just win every game 56-10. I'll let Matt know.

 

[CycloneRulzzz]

I know this is incredibly stupid, but it's anything but fun for me. My hatred for losing exceeds my joy of winning so much that each Cyclone post game I either experience an enormous sense of relief or a major depression.

The 54 yard game winning field goal in Iowa City was the first of several plays last season that nearly put me in the hospital. Like I said, it's incredibly stupid.

Haven't decided yet if I'm even going to watch next week's game live.

I'm that way when my pro teams are battling for a title. I'm a bundle of nerves the whole game or if it's a series of games.

 

[Frak]

To help with that panic attack…

The starting lineup isn’t as crucial as…most of the past forty-plus years, because there’s actual depth and competition now.

Not like when they had to switch Tim TeBrink from offense just for another body, or when we all knew that if Ace Bowen got hurt, we were totally screwed.

No, I’m not actually worried about who starts. I’m worried about how they’ll do. I THINK we have a pretty good team, but you never really know. I’m pretty confident in almost every position, but….
QB: is Rocco’s pick sixes and low % because he was forcing the ball to Higgins and Noel, or does he struggle to see the field and go through progressions?
RB: can Hansen stay healthy and can Sama be more decisive?
WR: is Sowell the real deal? Is there a reason Townsend didn’t do all that much at UCF? Is Overby ready?
TE: can Moore be a lead blocker like Stevo?
OL: Neal was a turnstile in pass protection in 2023. Has he gotten that much better in 2 years?
DL: depending a lot on a bunch of guys that have done nothing at this level. Hoping it works out and they’re at least solid.
LB: yes, we have a lot of experience. My question is do we have a bunch of average guys that are experienced or are there some difference makers outside of Bacon?
DB: you knew Freyler was going to make the tackle. Honestly Cooper and Williams were pretty bad tacklers last year. Do we have DBs that can tackle? Can Cooper get back to 2023 form? Is Tre Bell ready?

 

[Aclone]

No, I’m not actually worried about who starts. I’m worried about how they’ll do. I THINK we have a pretty good team, but you never really know. I’m pretty confident in almost every position, but….
QB: is Rocco’s pick sixes and low % because he was forcing the ball to Higgins and Noel, or does he struggle to see the field and go through progressions?
RB: can Hansen stay healthy and can Sama be more decisive?
WR: is Sowell the real deal? Is there a reason Townsend didn’t do all that much at UCF? Is Overby ready?
TE: can Moore be a lead blocker like Stevo?
OL: Neal was a turnstile in pass protection in 2023. Has he gotten that much better in 2 years?
DL: depending a lot on a bunch of guys that have done nothing at this level. Hoping it works out and they’re at least solid.
LB: yes, we have a lot of experience. My question is do we have a bunch of average guys that are experienced or are there some difference makers outside of Bacon?
DB: you knew Freyler was going to make the tackle. Honestly Cooper and Williams were pretty bad tacklers last year. Do we have DBs that can tackle? Can Cooper get back to 2023 form? Is Tre Bell ready?

I can answer this for you. Yes, there is a reason Townsend didn’t do much at UCF.

Their QB’s sucked.

 

[JM4CY]

No, I’m not actually worried about who starts. I’m worried about how they’ll do. I THINK we have a pretty good team, but you never really know. I’m pretty confident in almost every position, but….
QB: is Rocco’s pick sixes and low % because he was forcing the ball to Higgins and Noel, or does he struggle to see the field and go through progressions?
RB: can Hansen stay healthy and can Sama be more decisive?
WR: is Sowell the real deal? Is there a reason Townsend didn’t do all that much at UCF? Is Overby ready?
TE: can Moore be a lead blocker like Stevo?
OL: Neal was a turnstile in pass protection in 2023. Has he gotten that much better in 2 years?
DL: depending a lot on a bunch of guys that have done nothing at this level. Hoping it works out and they’re at least solid.
LB: yes, we have a lot of experience. My question is do we have a bunch of average guys that are experienced or are there some difference makers outside of Bacon?
DB: you knew Freyler was going to make the tackle. Honestly Cooper and Williams were pretty bad tacklers last year. Do we have DBs that can tackle? Can Cooper get back to 2023 form? Is Tre Bell ready?

If you watch the pick sixes, a chunk of them were freak weird plays. Im not super worried about Rocco.

 

[madguy30]

In one week, there will be one of two themes:

- win, and CFP is the general expectation, not taking into consideration that the season hasn't started for almost everyone and things can change/evolve ever week or half or quarter for anyone.

-lose, and the 'rot' thread comes back up along with 'concerns' about everything from recruiting to the nutritional program, probably a 'at least Dan McCarney cared about Farmagedon' type of comment thrown in.

Again, not considering that things evolve in a season.

*this in jest/fun but probably not that far off either haha.

 

[StLouisClone]

Rocco's completion percentage wasn't that bad when you consider how often he took shots down field. He hit on many of those too. I also like that he threw the ball away rather than taking a sack. Rocco was sacked 15 times in 14 games. Compare that to Shedeur Sanders' 41 sacks or Behren Morton's 23 sacks or Sam Leavitt's 19 sacks.

 

[CycloneRulzzz]

In one week, there will be one of two themes:

- win, and CFP is the general expectation, not taking into consideration that the season hasn't started for almost everyone and things can change/evolve ever week or half or quarter for anyone.

-lose, and the 'rot' thread comes back up along with 'concerns' about everything from recruiting to the nutritional program, probably a 'at least Dan McCarney cared about Farmagedon' type of comment thrown in.

Again, not considering that things evolve in a season.

*this in jest/fun but probably not that far off either haha.

Rot people come if we lose they can **** right off.

This isn't an opener against a cupcake. It's a conference game against one of our toughest conference opponents.

 

[bozclone]

No, I’m not actually worried about who starts. I’m worried about how they’ll do. I THINK we have a pretty good team, but you never really know. I’m pretty confident in almost every position, but….
QB: is Rocco’s pick sixes and low % because he was forcing the ball to Higgins and Noel, or does he struggle to see the field and go through progressions?
RB: can Hansen stay healthy and can Sama be more decisive?
WR: is Sowell the real deal? Is there a reason Townsend didn’t do all that much at UCF? Is Overby ready?
TE: can Moore be a lead blocker like Stevo?
OL: Neal was a turnstile in pass protection in 2023. Has he gotten that much better in 2 years?
DL: depending a lot on a bunch of guys that have done nothing at this level. Hoping it works out and they’re at least solid.
LB: yes, we have a lot of experience. My question is do we have a bunch of average guys that are experienced or are there some difference makers outside of Bacon?
DB: you knew Freyler was going to make the tackle. Honestly Cooper and Williams were pretty bad tacklers last year. Do we have DBs that can tackle? Can Cooper get back to 2023 form? Is Tre Bell ready?

OR

QB: Rocco is now a junior and set to prove he is elite. Many are over looking how good he is and Saturday he shows everyone. He won several games last year with shear will.

RB: We are blessed with two experienced young backs that have flashed elite talent. Both are a year older and no doubt better. Time to unleash them.

WR: Lots of unproven talent. Excited to see who shows up on Saturday. I have no doubt someone will step up just like years past.

TE: This group is a huge mismatch. They are all a year older and more physically ready. Big numbers expected from this group.

OL: This line has the experience and potential be the best under CMC. Clayton has had high praise for Neal and he doesn’t seem to be one to spread false narratives.

DL: Dom Orange is elite in the middle. Guys on the edges will be at least as good as last year. I expect a transfer to surprise us.

LB: Competition and depth could make this group elite. This group will help the DL tremendously. Bacon is aggressive and he will make a huge impact. The other guys are a year older and that much better.

DB: We have another pro at one CB which will limit opposing offenses. Cooper likely returns to all conference form. My guess is that he was dinged up last year. The other safeties have flashed at times. It will be exciting to see who steps up. Safeties become studs in this defense. Bell sounds like the answer at the other CB. He has been really good in camp.

 

[madguy30]

Rot people come if we lose they can **** right off.

This isn't an opener against a cupcake. It's a conference game against one of our toughest conference opponents.

It would very possibly come up in a win. I think it has mid-game in some wins.

Also we've seen enough 'hold the cards close/slow burn' type of wins that didn't tell the story for the season that you'd hope people would leave their silos for once and let it play put, but alas.

 

[flycy]

I finally rewatched the Pop Tarts bowl, Hansen was really good in it, might have deserved player of the game over Rocco even. Hopefully the LB are back and the receivers are good. I'm not really worried about the DL, I think the issues were all LB last year.

 

[Aclone]

If you watch the pick sixes, a chunk of them were freak weird plays. Im not super worried about Rocco.

Anyone remember Brock’s ludicrously freak pick sixes?

Are they relevant to the QB he is today?

There you go.

 

[JM4CY]

Anyone remember Brock’s ludicrously freak pick sixes?

Are they relevant to the QB he is today?

There you go.

Brocks were even worse than Rocco’s and half of Brock’s were total “WTF dude??” moments. As you said, completely irrelevant now.

 

[demoncore1031]

Were there TV’s back then, or did you and your buddies huddle around the radio?

I actually did listen to a lot of games on the radio. Hearing Pete Taylor get excited when Troy Davis ripped off a big run was legendary!

 

[cytor]

Brocks were even worse than Rocco’s and half of Brock’s were total “WTF dude??” moments. As you said, completely irrelevant now.

I see what you did there...

 

[Frak]

OR

QB: Rocco is now a junior and set to prove he is elite. Many are over looking how good he is and Saturday he shows everyone. He won several games last year with shear will.

RB: We are blessed with two experienced young backs that have flashed elite talent. Both are a year older and no doubt better. Time to unleash them.

WR: Lots of unproven talent. Excited to see who shows up on Saturday. I have no doubt someone will step up just like years past.

TE: This group is a huge mismatch. They are all a year older and more physically ready. Big numbers expected from this group.

OL: This line has the experience and potential be the best under CMC. Clayton has had high praise for Neal and he doesn’t seem to be one to spread false narratives.

DL: Dom Orange is elite in the middle. Guys on the edges will be at least as good as last year. I expect a transfer to surprise us.

LB: Competition and depth could make this group elite. This group will help the DL tremendously. Bacon is aggressive and he will make a huge impact. The other guys are a year older and that much better.

DB: We have another pro at one CB which will limit opposing offenses. Cooper likely returns to all conference form. My guess is that he was dinged up last year. The other safeties have flashed at times. It will be exciting to see who steps up. Safeties become studs in this defense. Bell sounds like the answer at the other CB. He has been really good in camp.

I obviously hope you’re right. It’s a lot to ask but yeah, if you’re right we are in for a really fun year.

 

[madguy30]

Brocks were even worse than Rocco’s and half of Brock’s were total “WTF dude??” moments. As you said, completely irrelevant now.

Brock had very few INTs but many were in bunches and at the weirdest or worst times.

 

[exCYtable]

Rot people come if we lose they can **** right off.

This isn't an opener against a cupcake. It's a conference game against one of our toughest conference opponents.

I low key hate that we are opening with this game. Especially with Campbell's history of not looking sharp in openers, and those are usually against cupcakes. That said, I love Rocco and what we return and I think we will win.