Yeah, I admit, I do not really know what to expect next season. You guys are all focusing on the negatives to argue that next season will be a disaster. I try, at least, to look at some positives. Your biggest argument is that Hawkins can't coach. Maybe he can't, but how do you explain his success prior to coming here? That is what I cannot reconcile in my mind. I think a lot of it has to do with not getting the staff in place that he wanted and then, add to that, the constant changes in the staff since. So, at least in some part, I think there has been a continuity problem with the staff. Changing OC's, a different line coach every year, etc. This year, I see that stabilizing, hopefully, with Kiesau and Johnson coming back.
We had the same OC for Hawkins' first three years. 11th, 9th, 12th, 9th. Those are the scoring offense rankings in the conference under Hawkins. It can be attributed to any number of factors: lack of coaching continuity, youth, etc., but it also does not exactly inspire confidence.
Next, everyone loves to yell "NO MORE EXCUSES" when youth is brought up. And, to a degree, sure, even younger guys should be able to compete. But remember my post way back? Of Hawkin's recruiting classes, there are 3 seniors on the team right now and 9 juniors. All the rest are freshmen and sophomores. And you know what, I saw improvement in those guys toward the end of the year.
Again though, we were so bad the first part of the season, it would have been nearly impossible to NOT have improvement at the end of the year. 3-9 is 3-9.
I believe, and I know you consiracists believe Hawkins will do anthing to start Cody, but I believe that we have finally stabilized at QB with Hansen. I think the kid has a certain amount of star power and, now, experience to go with it. I think our O line IS as good as advertixed and will totally come together this year. Add to that a much improved receiving corps and I think our offense will be much better than last year. Also, I'm believing what I hear about Thornton at TE: That he will be a beast.
Not even going to get into the QB situation. As far as the OL, I am glad you believe the OL is good, but they have not shown much outside of a random few games the last couple years. Belief in them means little at this point. The WRs look very good. We shall see about Thornton. We had an experienced TE this season that was in the running for the Mackey Award and he was a non-factor at times.
Our LB's and DL will be improved and, I thought, started to show it against Okie State and 'braska. Jimmy Smith will be back to lead a good group of DBacks. Our kicking game, I hear Grossnickle is the real deal, will be much better.
The defensive line should be better. The LBs are inexperienced and depth is lacking. The secondary looks good, provided the safeties stay healthy. We shall see about the kicking game. DiLallo regressed each and every season under the current regime so who knows how well Grossnickle will be. Goodman is still probably going to be kicking, so that is still a bad situation. Special teams as a whole have regressed significantly under Hawkins. So while they may be better next season, there is a long way to go to reach respectability.
But the main thing is this. We were within 3 of WV going to the fourth quarter. We led Texas for 2 1/2 quarters. We easily could have/should have beaten both Okie St. and 'braska. We put more offense on 'braska than any team all year, inculding Texas. I also hear that the players are very pissed about last year and very focusued. I believe that there is a new resolve that has not been here before.
Close does not cut it. If you are going to play that card, we could have easily lost the Kansas and A&M games. The other talk is just gibberish. We hear it every offseason. Last offseason had the "best conditioning". We have had the "best practice" on several occasions. Determination and focus only goes so far.
You are free to think in the power of positive thinking, knock yourself out. But the fans have nothing to prove in this situation. The onus is on the coaching staff and players to prove everyone wrong.