On paper this is much better team-more size, exp,talent overall.BUT --this schedule is tough.If we lose to KSU or NI-lookout.
I'm not convinced that our schedule is that brutal. The only two games I'd probably mark as certain losses are Klimpson and uGAg. Other than that, UNCheat was good but lost to several mediocre teams last year and has underperformed their talent level in the past, VPISU was mediocre, Wahoos- mediocre, BC- improving but mediocre, Pitt- mediocre and the game last year was closer than the score indicated. Notre Lame (Rudy was offsides) is a very good team, but not in the same conversation as Klimpson and uGAg, meaning there is a chance, however small, of beating them. Finally, the Miami water-throwing ibises (Sebastian is a ****- story for another time) are extremely talented, but have chronically underperformed, are chronically overrated, and their transfer QB that actually managed to elevate the program to relevance again is returning from injury/surgery that can be difficult to recover from (I also know this from experience), so there is a chance he may not be as dynamic as he was before. If we can take a step forward as a program (and actually make some field goals), we should (hopefully) win against NIU, KSU, and Dook, then go at least 2-2 against VPISU, the Hoos, Pitt, and BC. If we can then unexpectedly knock off one of the remaining teams, that puts us at 6-6.
No guarantee any of this happens, but I think a bowl game is more reasonable than a lot of people think, especially with what should be an enormous improvement on offense (full off-season, Sims and Gibbs a year older/more experienced, more experienced OL with several BIG transfers), defense will hopefully be leaps and bounds better (have all the pieces for a talented secondary, talented young linebackers who should challenge for snaps and Ace Eley, and what should hopefully be our best/deepest D-line in years), and special teams that are, at worst, not a liability.