How would you grade the season?
We're obviously probably 2-3 years away from realistically hoping for a bowl, but we also have enough returning experience, #s, and continuity to where we shouldn't just take another 0-12 season and say it's part of the process.
Elation: we start off 3-0 and find a way to pull off a Big 12 win, plus enter the 4th quarter with a chance to win 3 more (specifically KSU). 4 wins would be miraculous given where we were 18 months ago.
Excited: start 2-1, probably a loss @ Memphis, and find a way to sneak out a win in the Big 12 (home v ISU) and compete with KSU on the road.
Concern: start 1-2, don't win a Big 12 game, multiple blowouts, and look totally over matched most days.
Start wondering who's on the list in Zengers desk drawer: 0-12, repeat of 2015
Realistically, there's no reason to not start off 2-1. RI should be the worst non KU team we've seen play in Memorial for a long time.
Ohio is replacing a lot at key positions (3 OL, 3 DB plus all league LB) plus has an unsettled QB situation. They struggle against good offenses. We should win that game.
Memphis is a road game, but they lost a 1st Rd QB and a great coach. That should at least be a game.
As far as the Big 12 goes, we need to compete with the middle of the pack teams. We have to score on bad defenses (TT) and not give up 40+ to bad offenses (ISU, KSU). I'm tired of making meh QBs look like world beaters (UT last year and KSU/ISU every year).
I'd be excited for the future at 3-9 with another 3 or 4 competitive games.
We're obviously probably 2-3 years away from realistically hoping for a bowl, but we also have enough returning experience, #s, and continuity to where we shouldn't just take another 0-12 season and say it's part of the process.
Elation: we start off 3-0 and find a way to pull off a Big 12 win, plus enter the 4th quarter with a chance to win 3 more (specifically KSU). 4 wins would be miraculous given where we were 18 months ago.
Excited: start 2-1, probably a loss @ Memphis, and find a way to sneak out a win in the Big 12 (home v ISU) and compete with KSU on the road.
Concern: start 1-2, don't win a Big 12 game, multiple blowouts, and look totally over matched most days.
Start wondering who's on the list in Zengers desk drawer: 0-12, repeat of 2015
Realistically, there's no reason to not start off 2-1. RI should be the worst non KU team we've seen play in Memorial for a long time.
Ohio is replacing a lot at key positions (3 OL, 3 DB plus all league LB) plus has an unsettled QB situation. They struggle against good offenses. We should win that game.
Memphis is a road game, but they lost a 1st Rd QB and a great coach. That should at least be a game.
As far as the Big 12 goes, we need to compete with the middle of the pack teams. We have to score on bad defenses (TT) and not give up 40+ to bad offenses (ISU, KSU). I'm tired of making meh QBs look like world beaters (UT last year and KSU/ISU every year).
I'd be excited for the future at 3-9 with another 3 or 4 competitive games.
