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Post by alum on Aug 9, 2023 11:53:44 GMT -5
I chose 10-1. I figure we will lose to either BC or Army, but not both. I am supremely overconfident about the FCS schedule. I appreciate what one of our subject matter experts said on a different thread about weakness in the D line, but I don't think that will be a problem at the FCS level.
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Post by midwestsader05 on Aug 9, 2023 11:58:17 GMT -5
The FCS games where it would show the most are Yale and Harvard. Always stacked OL and Yale has both OT’s on the top 100 small school draft prospect list. #78 is the 3rd ranked overall player among all positions. If this new QB Montes at Fordham is as good as advertised they will be a problem as well. Possibly Merrimack since they return all 5 OL starters and it’s game 1.
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Post by hcpride on Aug 9, 2023 12:03:01 GMT -5
The team will be prepared for Merrimack. If they beat us, it will because they outplayed us. Merrimack is for real IMO -- playoff contender for sure if eligible this year. I just dont see them beating us at Fitton again. IMO will be similar to the Bryant game last year. Probably some scary moments but at the end of the day we get it done. I’ll be just as happy beating Merrimack 28-27 as I would be winning 51-14. Respect. They are eligible this year and I think you are right, NY. I think they can win the NEC. Yale will be a very good Ivy team (possible champs) and Merrimack will be a very good NEC team (possible champs) but we’re one of the very top FCS teams in the country. Neither of those are top-30 type teams. I know this is new for us but I don’t think either of those two games are going to be close.
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Post by midwestsader05 on Aug 9, 2023 12:29:24 GMT -5
They are eligible this year and I think you are right, NY. I think they can win the NEC. Yale will be a very good Ivy team (possible champs) and Merrimack will be a very good NEC team (possible champs) but we’re one of the very top FCS teams in the country. Neither of those are top-30 type teams. I know this is new for us but I don’t think either of those two games are going to be close. Yale absolutely has Top 30 FCS talent returning. Finished #29 in the AFCA poll last year and #32 in STATS poll. They return a ton of starters and if the QB Grooms plays to his full potential with more consistency, they will be better than 8-2 this year and break the Top 25 easily.
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Post by hc6774 on Aug 9, 2023 12:50:17 GMT -5
The FCS games where it would show the most are Yale and Harvard. Always stacked OL and Yale has both OT’s on the top 100 small school draft prospect list. #78 is the 3rd ranked overall player among all positions. If this new QB Montes at Fordham is as good as advertised they will be a problem as well. Possibly Merrimack since they return all 5 OL starters and it’s game 1. I trust we will sort out our D front uncertainties by Fordham if not sooner for Yale.
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Post by efg72 on Aug 9, 2023 13:55:51 GMT -5
It is a complicated schedule in terms of the different styles and approaches the opponents will take to attack us on both sides of the ball. We are no longer a team that will surprise the opponent, and there is a ton of film for teams to prepare for us.
For each FCS team on the schedule, we will have a big target on our backs. There is no question the team will be well-prepared for each game, and all areas of concern are manageable, but until we know more about the place-kicking game and the DL, there are some questions.
I can see us going 12-0 in the regular season, losing a few, and finishing at 8-3. Any results between those two records will be strong and earn the team another PL championship. I have concerns about BC, Yale, and Fordham, but I hope I am wrong.
Once in the playoffs and free of significant injuries, we will find 2023-24 a rewarding season.
I still need to pick a result and will amend this later with my wild guess.
Regular season record 10-1- loss @ Boston College in OT 34-31
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Post by longsuffering on Aug 9, 2023 15:50:08 GMT -5
I mentioned "New England FCS Murderers Row" for our three FCS OOC opponents. We'll see how their seasons turn out, several other NE FCS teams could be good also. But we are up against three established coaches in a relatively transitory profession.
Murphy 30 years at Harvard, Reno 12 years at Yale, Curran 9 years at Merrimack. Combine that with HC possibly being their one chance to test themselves against a ranked opponent and none of us can exhale until the final whistle and pointing to midfield. (Refs no longer shoot a starters pistol to signal the end of each quarter.)
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Post by hc87 on Aug 9, 2023 21:49:53 GMT -5
Ironically, I think we could go 8-3, or even 7-4, this year but go farther in the playoffs than last year's undefeated squad.
Winning at either BC or Army will be a very tall task....at Yale, Harvard, at Fordham will also be formidable challenges and there's almost always one of those "what the hell is going on out there?" games every year.
I'm fairly certain, given team health holding up etc, we'll win the PL but this is a very tough schedule.
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Post by KY Crusader 75 on Aug 9, 2023 21:59:55 GMT -5
Ironically, I think we could go 8-3, or even 7-4, this year but go farther in the playoffs than last year's undefeated squad. Winning at either BC or Army will be a very tall task....at Yale, Harvard, at Fordham will also be formidable challenges and there's almost always one of those "what the hell is going on out there?" games every year. I'm fairly certain, given team health holding up etc, we'll win the PL but this is a very tough schedule. Interesting thoughts.. What's your prediction?
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Post by efg72 on Aug 9, 2023 22:04:11 GMT -5
Agree
That is why I call 8-3 a successful season
Balls bounce funny and calls by a crew can go south
That said 9-2/10-1 makes sense
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Post by hc87 on Aug 9, 2023 22:06:21 GMT -5
Ironically, I think we could go 8-3, or even 7-4, this year but go farther in the playoffs than last year's undefeated squad. Winning at either BC or Army will be a very tall task....at Yale, Harvard, at Fordham will also be formidable challenges and there's almost always one of those "what the hell is going on out there?" games every year. I'm fairly certain, given team health holding up etc, we'll win the PL but this is a very tough schedule. Interesting thoughts.. What's your prediction? I went 7-8 wins....not an indictment on this team, just that I think we have 2 losses (BC and Army) almost already baked in....a loss to either Harvard or Yale and maybe one other trip up. As I said though, i think a healthy HC 11 come Decembah will be a very strong team in the FCS playoffs.
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Post by hchoops on Aug 9, 2023 22:27:02 GMT -5
Though with 3 or 4 losses, 1-2 by FCS schools, any success will have to come from a low-very low seed.
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Post by thecrossisback on Aug 9, 2023 22:30:52 GMT -5
I only care about how many we need to get a top 4 seed! I hate the FCS who treats the HC’s and the east teams with no respect. Let’s see what the record of NDSU or SDSU is playing 2 FBS teams. We will go down in the rankings with any loses so we need to win 1 game at at time! Can’t wait! Foley make a prediction Mr know it all.
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Post by cruskater31 on Aug 9, 2023 23:18:03 GMT -5
I only care about how many we need to get a top 4 seed! I hate the FCS who treats the HC’s and the east teams with no respect. Let’s see what the record of NDSU or SDSU is playing 2 FBS teams. We will go down in the rankings with any loses so we need to win 1 game at at time! Can’t wait! Foley make a prediction Mr know it all. probably 10 wins or 9 if both loses are to FBS
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Post by bfoley82 on Aug 10, 2023 15:38:41 GMT -5
I only care about how many we need to get a top 4 seed! I hate the FCS who treats the HC’s and the east teams with no respect. Let’s see what the record of NDSU or SDSU is playing 2 FBS teams. We will go down in the rankings with any loses so we need to win 1 game at at time! Can’t wait! Foley make a prediction Mr know it all. Holy Cross needs to schedule better OOC opponents in the FCS if they are caring about seeds. They are focusing on playing FBS teams for $$$ instead of playing against quality FCS programs from the West which could help their seeding during this Chesney run.
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Post by rgs318 on Aug 10, 2023 15:56:21 GMT -5
Interesting what you call it. It is a Holy Cross run...not a run by any one person.
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Post by Sons of Vaval on Aug 10, 2023 15:58:07 GMT -5
Ironically, I think we could go 8-3, or even 7-4, this year but go farther in the playoffs than last year's undefeated squad. Winning at either BC or Army will be a very tall task....at Yale, Harvard, at Fordham will also be formidable challenges and there's almost always one of those "what the hell is going on out there?" games every year. I'm fairly certain, given team health holding up etc, we'll win the PL but this is a very tough schedule. Understand what you’re saying and this definitely is a very challenging OOC, but a 7-4 record would be bad. No way around it. Can’t be a preseason top five team and having six games against PL teams and then wind up losing four games.
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Post by bfoley82 on Aug 10, 2023 16:03:42 GMT -5
Interesting what you call it. It is a Holy Cross run...not a run by any one person. Until more than one coach can win at Holy Cross, it is a Chesney run. They have ONE playoff appearance in the previous 35 years before Chesney. It is similar to the history of Assumption football before Bob.
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Post by dharry13 on Aug 10, 2023 16:06:48 GMT -5
Such a dumb argument. During Dufner years they couldn't go. Honestly idiotic. Damn - I fell for the idiocy again!! I keep tell myself to not look into the light!
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Post by rgs318 on Aug 10, 2023 16:31:07 GMT -5
You can "look into it" but whatever happens, don't go toward the light!
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Post by efg72 on Aug 10, 2023 16:46:16 GMT -5
No reason to argue over different generations of performance. It has been thirty years for football and nearly two decades in hoops that we found consistent success. But today is where we are, and what can we do to be even better at whatever level?
I am sure this is not a surprise to anybody reading my posts, but in one or two more years of this football success, I am betting we will consider D1 options and not think 1AA is our only future. The world loves winners and great coaches, as do alums and their dollars- HC is not exempt from this mindset, and I know this might disappoint many.
I am not sure the PL will survive in the desired form that keeps football whole. Especially if Fordham bolts. According to an influential Fordham grad, Rhodes Scholar, and former Board Member, they constantly explore possibilities to present Fordham as a leader.
The world is upside down right now, which creates opportunities for us and similar schools, and we will manage our future in the best way for Holy Cross.
Concerning hoops, we are maybe two years away from something much bigger. That program is in great hands!
And yes, I have been wrong before, especially about our second effort to join the Big East-- both Big East decisions will go down as the most significantly clumsy decisions in the history of college sports during the second half of the 20th Century.
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Post by hcpride on Aug 10, 2023 17:13:03 GMT -5
Interesting what you call it. It is a Holy Cross run...not a run by any one person. Until more than one coach can win at Holy Cross, it is a Chesney run. They have ONE playoff appearance in the previous 35 years before Chesney. It is similar to the history of Assumption football before Bob. It is true that Chesney has led the on-field revival of Holy Cross football bringing us back to the glory days of Carter-Duffner. Back to the thread topic, I'm convinced Army has the talent of an upper-middle MAC team and last year we beat Buffalo (who finished 2nd in MAC East). I'm also convinced we'll be even better this year after listening to Dobbs, Sluka, and Coach Chesney regarding the size, strength, and speed on this team. Gotta say Dobbs is extraordinarily knowledgeable, enthusiastic, and well spoken and it is no wonder they keep electing him captain. (Their comments are on another thread: crossports.freeforums.net/thread/8844/2023-camp-preview?page=3 )
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Post by nycrusader2010 on Aug 10, 2023 18:16:29 GMT -5
I only care about how many we need to get a top 4 seed! I hate the FCS who treats the HC’s and the east teams with no respect. Let’s see what the record of NDSU or SDSU is playing 2 FBS teams. We will go down in the rankings with any loses so we need to win 1 game at at time! Can’t wait! Foley make a prediction Mr know it all. NDSU was so good against FBS teams that they can barely get those games on the schedule anymore. At one point during the 2010's they won 5 straight against the Big 12 and Big Ten, at least one of which was against a Top 25 and a couple others against Top 40-ish squads. Last year, NDSU lost by 2 at Arizona and a lot of people considered that an upset loss. SDSU played Iowa last year and lost 7-6 IIRC. To get a Top 4 seed, we likely need to win 1 of the 2 FBS games and run the table against FCS comp.
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Post by nycrusader2010 on Aug 10, 2023 18:20:38 GMT -5
Such a dumb argument. During Dufner years they couldn't go. Honestly idiotic. Damn - I fell for the idiocy again!! I keep tell myself to not look into the light! I'd also like to mention that Holy Cross football had some disappointing seasons toward the tail end of the Gilmore era, but TG definitely helped turn the program around following some pretty lean times (Dan Allen's failing health didn't help). While we only won one title during Gilmore's tenure, we were actually a handful of points away from winning 4 consecutive PL titles from 2006-2009. By no means were those teams an equal to what Chesney has been putting on the field, but the program was very much alive during that time.
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Post by gks on Aug 10, 2023 18:28:09 GMT -5
This team is better than last year.
Beating a P5 school is always tough. Unless HC is completely beat up they'll beat Army.
10 wins. Top 4 seed. Long playoff run.
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