What would make 2008 a successful season

Kyle · 06-28-2008, 01:01 AM

Given that we had 4 wins last year with a tougher schedule, I won't consider the season successful with fewer than 6 wins and a bowl game. Five wins is a reasonable expectation and won't have me crying myself to sleep, but its not success.

Seth · 06-28-2008, 01:03 AM

Originally Posted by Kyle

Given that we had 3 wins last year with a tougher schedule, I won't consider the season successful with fewer than 6 wins and a bowl game. Five wins is a reasonable expectation and won't have me crying myself to sleep, but its not success.

Fixed it for ya. Must be past your bedtime old man.

Psyclone · 06-28-2008, 01:17 AM

A bowl game. We need to get this party started and we have the schedule to do it. Might bring back some karma for the winter sports too.

hoosman · 06-28-2008, 10:00 AM

Like Kyle said, 5-7 would be acceptable, but 6-6 would be a truly successful season. If we do make a bowl this year, we'll no doubt set another record for attendance in 2009; and the stadium expansion plans would be kicked into high gear.

Summer time is the best time for drinking kool aid.

usedcarguy · 06-28-2008, 10:04 AM

I'd like to see at least 6 wins. If not, 4 or 5 is ok as long as we beat EIU and kNU.

clonedude · 06-28-2008, 10:42 AM

I just want us to prove all the college football magazines wrong. Every single one I've seen thinks we are the worst team in the Big 12 and in the Big 12 North.

I hope every player and coach has these predictions hanging on their lockers and in their offices.

I think 5 games would be a good year. Anything over 5 wins would be a great year IMO.

Aclone · 06-28-2008, 12:31 PM

A successful season? I can't quantify that in terms of wins and losses. A quarterback stepping forward and demonstrating not only talent an ability, but leadership and a lack of mistakes; a thousand yard rusher; Sedrick Johnson and Wallace Franklin combining for, say, eight touchdown passes, Haughton showing that he will be a future star plus cohesion across the line; the young defensive linemen showing that they are quality players, and a pass rush emerging; Bibbs, Raven and Bell demonstrating that they're Bid 12 caliber linebackers; youth in the secondary stepping forward; the placekickers stabilizing the position--those are the kinds of things that mean a "successful" 2008 season to me.

And if those things happen, then the wins will follow.

Aclone · 06-28-2008, 12:35 PM

Originally Posted by MookInLincoln

I agree with all that have said 4-5 wins is acceptable, but I also agree that 6 wins and a bowl game would be "successful"

I'll add that a lot of people seem to be making "successful" very static. While five wins might merely be "acceptable", would five wins classify as "successful" if, say, two of them were against the likes of Kansas, Nebraska or Missouri? (I'm assuming a win against Iowa, of course).

Just curious...

cyclonefan59 · 06-28-2008, 12:51 PM

I think cy1225 hit the nail on the head. First we NEED a winning season. Cyclone fans, by nature are pessimistic. (so much for the obvious). We need a winning season to get the fans fired up, and to attract new fans and new cyclone club members (think donations).

If we go undefeated in non-conference, and go 4-4 in conference play, the double deck end zone won't be big enough to hold all the fans that want to see our clones play.

I think most would agree that picking a number isn't what a head coach will admit to, but I'm betting Chizik's goal is 12-0. To say we are happy with less than a winning record is crazy.

Wesley · 06-28-2008, 01:16 PM

Really to be successful you need to play .500 ball or more.

Aclone · 06-28-2008, 01:37 PM

Originally Posted by cyclonefan59

If we go undefeated in non-conference, and go 4-4 in conference play, the double deck end zone won't be big enough to hold all the fans that want to see our clones play.

...and before it's built would be the time to scale up the plans. I'm sure there are architects and engineers out there who would agree.

Frankly, I think that eight or nine wins might be possible. Not saying it's likely, but possible. There are just too many uncertainties about this team right now.

KnappShack · 06-28-2008, 03:34 PM

I will dance in the street if the Clones can be a .500 team this year.

Kyle · 06-28-2008, 04:21 PM

Originally Posted by Aclone

I'll add that a lot of people seem to be making "successful" very static. While five wins might merely be "acceptable", would five wins classify as "successful" if, say, two of them were against the likes of Kansas, Nebraska or Missouri? (I'm assuming a win against Iowa, of course).

Just curious...

If we beat some of those teams but still only win 5 games that probably means we lost to some teams we should have beaten.

bfross · 06-28-2008, 05:31 PM

Originally Posted by Aclone

A successful season? I can't quantify that in terms of wins and losses. A quarterback stepping forward and demonstrating not only talent an ability, but leadership and a lack of mistakes; a thousand yard rusher; Sedrick Johnson and Wallace Franklin combining for, say, eight touchdown passes, Haughton showing that he will be a future star plus cohesion across the line; the young defensive linemen showing that they are quality players, and a pass rush emerging; Bibbs, Raven and Bell demonstrating that they're Bid 12 caliber linebackers; youth in the secondary stepping forward; the placekickers stabilizing the position--those are the kinds of things that mean a "successful" 2008 season to me.

And if those things happen, then the wins will follow.

That's a lot to ask for, particularly with the 1,000 yard rusher. When was the last time we had that? '04 with Hicks taking like 300 carries to get it. Then before that we have to go all the way back to '01 and Haywood. I will be happy if our running backs combine for a 1,300 yard season because they didn't do it last year.

hobbsfan27 · 06-28-2008, 06:25 PM

Originally Posted by KnappShack

I will dance in the street if the Clones can be a .500 team this year.

I second that!!!