2018 Season Preview -- Hero Sports

I think this team will punch back....

You don't see a line like this in many football previews:

"DID YOU KNOW?: Holy Cross has the largest Classics program of any Division I liberal arts college."

Interesting that Cristos Argis is chosen as the top newcomer.
Was he highlly touted when we signed him ?
impeessive bio, esp the multi sports resume

www.goholycross.com/ViewArticle.dbml?ATCLID=211696216&DB_OEM_ID=33100

Not so sure about a huge exodus due to graduations. Granted, last year we had a bunch of 5th year seniors, especially on the Oline but believe that was true in prior years. The biggest loss, of course, is Pujals. For me, the biggest disappointment last year was the Oline which was supposed to be our strength due to great experience. As a unit, they underperformed - big time. Not sure which came first, the chicken or the egg. Run blocking was poor and we did not run much. Presumably by design but pass blocking not as good as prior years either.

We have 22 seniors on the roster this year. There were 26 last year, 20 the year before and 22 the year before that. Would guess, without looking it up, that those extra 4-5 were 5th year seniors. 

Let me paraphrase a conversation I had with Coach Carmody, which may fit our situation in football. I bemoaned that we were going to lose a lot of seniors. Without batting an eye, he told me, "yeah, that'd be a bad thing if we had a lot more wins last year."

Agree with the post above, most of these senior losses can be filled. After Pujals, McBeath and maybe Bell and Guild and possibly Murray, I think Chesney will find more than adequate replacements. 

Glad, though, that most have low expectations for the year. 

We brought in 32 recruits last year. That is why 32 frosh are now on the roster. A huge number. Largest graduating/departing  senior (5th year and otherwise) class in recent  memory.

Comforting  thought (I guess) that losing a large number of senior players from a losing football team is less painful than theoretically losing a large number of senior players from a winning football team. We'll have to wait until we have a winning program for that theoretical comparison.  

Of course, that purplish theory presupposes the back-ups and new recurits can immediately step in and fill the starters' shoes. Actually more than fill their shoes if the team is  to hold even at 4-7 with a tougher schedule or possibly even break the back-to-back 4-7 morass.

Last year I predicted 4-7 based on similar coach and essentially  similar players and essentially similar opposition to the (4-7) year before. I guess one could have called that low or realistic or accurate or all three. After back to back 4-7, I don't think a 4-7 prediction is  low. Sort of standard. 

Right now, FWIW, I 'm going 4-7 for 2018 based on better coach, essentially similar or somewhat lesser contributing players, and slightly stronger opposition. I am hopeful that for the 2019 season they'll be a large uptick in the contributing players category. 

I forgot that. So, do you think the Blaise Bell under Chesney will be better than the Blaise Bell under Gilmore and his interim successor? 

I am going way out on a limb
But
If we get out of the first three games somewhat healthy, I am going with 6-5 ——call it optimistic and blind loyalty. I think the defense, with perhaps less talent, will be more productive and efficient which is not uncommon with a new coaching staff. Offensively a little more balance with freshman contributing to the running and kicking game. All and all more energy between the lines.

We could also go 3-8 and look better

Not suggesting I am close to right, but do think a new energy is worth a win or two as the team learns how to win. It is a culture of winning that can always steal a game or two on a schedule

Cheney does not have the same roster as last year

Well, the former VP is not our coach, thank goodness. As for Chesney, I think he will do better than expected. 

Well, as for me, Ignutz covers some of my "optimism" if expecting a 5-6 (losing season and 1 more win than last year) qualifies. We snatched defeat from the jaws of almost certain victory at least twice. As I already posted, the Oline disappointed to say the least, so I am going with the assumption that we won't be any worse there and probably better. As for the loss of Pujals, yes, a loss, but we've had a history of the next QB up doing well, sometimes surprisingly well.

But, yes, a lot of this rides on the optimism and enthusiasm and fresh perspective of the new coach and just as importantly, the assistants that he has brought in. I as pretty critical of some of TG's assistants and especially the play calling. Hopefully, we'll see a more creative game plan and making good adjustments at halftime, as needed. 

It may be a little apples & oranges comparison but Jack Donahue used to say that a new coach has a little bit of an edge because opposing coaches don't have a track record to prepare for. That'll only take you through the first game or two with technology today but could give us an edge against Colgate. 

It costs the same to be optimistic as it does to be pessimistic, so I'll go with the former.