We're Playing For Next Season Now

the real grad88 · October 28, 2007

The Mean Green Nation will survive all of this. Come on folks, some of us are acting like we have the history of Nebraska or something and that we just can't tolerate all this losing. With the exception of a couple of Fry years, a couple of DD years...with a little Corky Nelson thrown in the middle during our IAA purgatory, we should be accustomed to having to deal with losing. We know how to bounce back. Let's not lose faith in Dodge before he has even gotten started. Did anyone think this season would be in different? Come on, we have more freshman starting than at any time I can remember. If we aren't winning in year 3, then we may have a problem, but right now the verdict just isn't out yet. Some of us need to back away from the computer and take a deep breath. The sun will rise tomorrow and the Mean Green will rise again as well, you can count on it.

Edited October 28, 2007 by the real grad88

TheTastyGreek · October 28, 2007

I (and I'm not the only one) expected something different. And I don't think that the expecations were out of line.

From a different post in a different thread, here's what I expected:

There's my bold expectation. If we don't win the conference championship by 2008, then I don't think Dodge has lived up to the expectations of the fanbase, whether they'll admit it or not.
2007- Beat SMU. Dickey did it, I expect nothing less from Dodge. Beyond that, just get the system in place and lock down another year of desired recruits. One year, free pass (consequences, if not criticism), even if we're 1-11.
2008- Conference Championship. Nothing less is satisfactory.
Look at what Stockstill was able to do at MTSU in his first year, without a full load of scholarships. When the team roster completely turns over every 5 years, I don't think 2 seasons is unreasonable.
I'm happy to have Dodge. But let's be honest... if we're still not at the top of the Belt SOON... I'm honest enough to admit that I'll be very disappointed.

Mean Green 93-98 made a good point about the strength of Troy, so I amended my 2008 expecation to Bowl Game, with Troy being the only team I'd tolerate losing the conference championship to.

I wish everyone that was so gung ho about Dodge would keep their expectations in line with what that enthusiasm would appear to demand.
Put me on record as saying that not finishing with at least a .500 record will be a big disappointment. I'm with Euless and everyone else who believes that this hire can and should produce a notable increase in wins, immediately.

I expected something very, very different. I'm not calling for anyone to be fired, but I'm also not blind to the fact that we are doing very poorly when, in my uneducated and relatively uninformed observation, we should be doing much better THIS YEAR.

If we don't start playing for THIS season at some point, then next season never gets here.

untbowler · October 28, 2007

The Mean Green Nation will survive all of this. Come on folks, some of us are acting like we have the history of Nebraska or something and that we just can't tolerate all this losing. With the exception of a couple of Fry years, a couple of DD years...with a little Corky Nelson thrown in the middle during our IAA purgatory, we should be accustomed to having to deal with losing. We know how to bounce back. Let's not lose faith in Dodge before he has even gotten started. Did anyone think this season would be in different? Come on, we have more freshman starting than at any time I can remember. If we aren't winning in year 3, then we may have a problem, but right now the verdict just isn't out yet. Some of us need to back away from the computer and take a deep breath. The sun will rise tomorrow and the Mean Green will rise again as well, you can count on it.

Short answer: YES!!!! We should expect more.

rcade · October 28, 2007

I (and I'm not the only one) expected something different. And I don't think that the expecations were out of line.

Same here. I expected the team to be at least as good as last year's team.

UNTLifer · October 28, 2007

Same here. I expected the team to be at least as good as last year's team.

I expected the defense to be as good or better than last year, but I expected the offense to struggle all year with an offensive that emphasizes the passing game being instituted with players recruited for a running game. Heck, NT only had 3 receivers on scholarship 8 months ago.

island eagle · October 29, 2007

I expected the defense to be as good or better than last year, but I expected the offense to struggle all year with an offensive that emphasizes the passing game being instituted with players recruited for a running game. Heck, NT only had 3 receivers on scholarship 8 months ago.

Be careful. The though police think we should be blind to the elephant in the room.