Excitement for 2022

[Globetrotter]

I gave up on football long ago. Lost interest when the reality of us not really ever competing on a high level hit me. I am a huge NFL fan and I love that every team can convince themselves they are a few season from a super bowl. Trying to win the MAC is boring to me. With that said....I have found myself much more excited about the path of this program than the basketball program. The coaching staff is exceptionally questionable but there is a ton to build off of.

1. Stable of 4 decent RBs
2. 2 very good WRs
3. 1 very good TE
4. Veteran QB who has limitations but has shown steady play at times
5. Decent pass rushers
6. Star LB
7. 3-4 OL Xfers
8. DB Xfers

There is a path for this to be a very good team.

[mbenecke]

I don't know what their record will be, but I would imagine this 2022 team could beat every team since 2015.

I'm also in the camp of being pretty excited to see them out there.

[Globetrotter]

Who do you think starts on the OL and at DB? We are returning 4 OL starters on a terrible OL and have 3 new transfers.

[Schadenfreude]

I don't know what their record will be, but I would imagine this 2022 team could beat every team since 2015.

Nicely said. This team will be better. If the line comes together it could be significantly better.

Will it be good enough for a bowl game? That's hard to say. The schedule looks fairly tough. To get to 6-6, the Falcons will need to steal a win or two against the likes of Marshall, Miami, or Kent State. I wouldn't be shocked if the Falcons can manage that. They surprised us a couple of times last year. But each of these games will be a battle.

Are we still looking for OL talent? I think we are, right?

[jpfalcon09]

Who do you think starts on the OL and at DB? We are returning 4 OL starters on a terrible OL and have 3 new transfers.

You can pencil in Ferguson, Sheppard, and Bacon at DB. Probably some competition for the remaining spots. Plenty of depth there which is good.

OL I would imagine almost all of the current transfers into the program will either be starting or be second on the depth chart in their respective positions. I think Jalen Grant probably has the greatest likelihood of retaining his starting job from last year. Mendiola and Warner seem likely to start simply given their size and experience. The rest is probably up for grabs.

Good to see some optimism on here.

[Flipper]

OL will take some time to jell. After the spring we'll have better idea of who is on the roster and who's not. The OL should be ettr...even if not right away. I think our QB nd coach limit us. I do not think we will be bowl eligible...if we are will be 6-6 or 7-5

[TommyG]

I think 5 wins is the ceiling. They won’t score enough points even if they do improve and I think the defense will regress a little this year.

[Schadenfreude]

I think 5 wins is the ceiling.

Such optimism!

(I mean, check out this prediction from December.)

it’s going to be 3-4 win team.

[TommyG]

Yes I think if everything breaks right and they get some luck they could max out at 5 wins. As in not bowl eligible. Most likely I think they will be a 3-4 win team. Not sure what point you are trying to prove?

[MarkL]

Defense should be somewhere between good and great. Not 2012 / 2013 level but still potential for a winning defense. Front 7 was pretty good last year and has potential to be better with so many returning players.

Offense will ... yet again .... get as far as the offensive line will let it. So I see a possibility of a team like the 2012 team. Where the offense has some limitations but the defense covers up for it and allows BG to beat inferior talent.

I think the 2022 team will have better offensive playmakers but not the offensive line play as the 2012 offense. And not as great of a defense as 2012 but plenty good against MAC offenses. And FWIW, the 2012 team was perhaps my all time favorite team just because how out of nowhere successful they were.

So yeah, I see reason for excitement.

[roguewarrior]

We should be markedly better, simply due to age and experience. Add a few transfers that may make the lineup, and they should move forward.
1. Did our opponents move forward less or more than us? They are trying too….
2. Will our offensive scheme keep us from winning games?
3. Hanging over the season like the Sword of Damocles, will McDonald stay in one piece all season?

We shall see. I’m hopeful. #2 and #3 keep me cautious….

[jpfalcon09]

Spring game officially announced today for April 23rd, time TBD.

[mbenecke]

Spring game officially announced today for April 23rd, time TBD.

Hoping it's open to the public this year. I'd love to go.

[jpfalcon09]

Little off-topic, but the CFB rules committee is looking at two rule changes which may impact the game clock.

First is that after an incomplete pass the clock would start again once the ball is placed, much like when a player runs out of bounds. This would obviously negatively impact pass heavy offenses. The second would be adopting the NFL rule of not stopping the clock after first downs. Motivation is to limit the number of plays per game to attempt to reduce injuries and keep the pace of play moving.

Be curious to see how much traction these get and if they end up being adopted.

[hammb]

I'd be all for adopting some NFL rules changes. These college games going 3:30-4 hours is absurd.