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One topic I'm finding interesting re: next year is how folks recall the 2008 season and transition in hindsight. Specifically, what were the expectations going in?
Speaking for myself only, I recall most pundits and fans believing the challenges were too great to successfully transition to the Paul Johnson offense and be productive in year 1. My recollection is that many (most?) predictions suggested our bowl streak would end because it was just too drastic of a change in offenses, particularly coming off a 2007 season that produced just 7 wins.***
This is despite having 1 year of Josh Nesbitt, Jon Dwyer and the 2007 class already in the books. We and the media knew about our single top 25 class, and about a defensive lineman named Michael Johnson who was projected to be a top NFL pick, yet expectations were extremely low. Specifically, we were predicted 4th out of 6 in the Coastal, and that's with Duke being the Duke we came to love and take for granted.
Now, retrospectively, there is chatter about the talent Gailey left behind. I think that's a reasonable take, but this post is meant to draw a clear distinction and emphasize "retrospectively". Because prior to September 2008 it seemed to the majority that the talent on campus could not overcome the transition in year 1 of new coach/radically new scheme. We had a number of players not suited for the new scheme, many needing to play out of position, linemen not tailored to the offense, etc.
Do folks remember 2008 expectations differently? Were the media and fans just wrong about the talent on campus? Could we be wrong again?
***It was surprisingly difficult to dig up anything near reputable online content from 2008, but here's one that I found.
Bleacher Report College Football: 2008 ACC Preview
Speaking for myself only, I recall most pundits and fans believing the challenges were too great to successfully transition to the Paul Johnson offense and be productive in year 1. My recollection is that many (most?) predictions suggested our bowl streak would end because it was just too drastic of a change in offenses, particularly coming off a 2007 season that produced just 7 wins.***
This is despite having 1 year of Josh Nesbitt, Jon Dwyer and the 2007 class already in the books. We and the media knew about our single top 25 class, and about a defensive lineman named Michael Johnson who was projected to be a top NFL pick, yet expectations were extremely low. Specifically, we were predicted 4th out of 6 in the Coastal, and that's with Duke being the Duke we came to love and take for granted.
Now, retrospectively, there is chatter about the talent Gailey left behind. I think that's a reasonable take, but this post is meant to draw a clear distinction and emphasize "retrospectively". Because prior to September 2008 it seemed to the majority that the talent on campus could not overcome the transition in year 1 of new coach/radically new scheme. We had a number of players not suited for the new scheme, many needing to play out of position, linemen not tailored to the offense, etc.
Do folks remember 2008 expectations differently? Were the media and fans just wrong about the talent on campus? Could we be wrong again?
***It was surprisingly difficult to dig up anything near reputable online content from 2008, but here's one that I found.
Bleacher Report College Football: 2008 ACC Preview
