[Austroturf]

I hate to break it to you, but we are “not who we are”, as much as Shaw might want us to be, and as much as many posters seem to think we are.

BC

+1. Not only are we "not who we (were) (want to be)", it is not yet clear "who we are". It is for sure a work in progress. I am sure Shaw wants to revert to" who we were", with a few tweaks. However, it is clear that we can't (yet? ever?) do that, and he knows it. What we will see at ASU is anybody's guess, I think.

This is extremely correct (both Goose and BostonCard).  We are a run-first team currently incapable of running (124th out of 130 FBS programs as of mid-season: see the rushing stats in my previous post).  Frankly, I only have one true hope for this season: the OL finally comes together, gels and allows Bryce to do his magic again and Costello to have the time to hit our excellent receivers.  Unfortunately, the D is probably what it is and will be gashed by our opponents.  But if our O-line can come together (the talent is there) and make the offense more effective, we might actually put together a decent season.  Barring this, the 2018 campaign could unravel in a hurry; and I would be pained to see this happen given the talent level of this Cardinal team.

[Austroturf]

I hate to break it to you, but we are “not who we are”, as much as Shaw might want us to be, and as much as many posters seem to think we are.

BC

+1. Not only are we "not who we (were) (want to be)", it is not yet clear "who we are". It is for sure a work in progress. I am sure Shaw wants to revert to" who we were", with a few tweaks. However, it is clear that we can't (yet? ever?) do that, and he knows it. What we will see at ASU is anybody's guess, I think.

This is extremely correct (both Goose and BostonCard).  We are a run-first team currently incapable of running (124th out of 130 FBS programs as of mid-season: see the rushing stats in my previous post).  Frankly, I only have one true hope for this season: the OL finally comes together, gels and allows Bryce to do his magic again and Costello to have the time to hit our excellent receivers.  Unfortunately, the D is probably what it is and will be gashed by our opponents.  But if our O-line can come together (the talent is there) and make the offense more effective, we might actually put together a decent season.  Barring this, the 2018 campaign could unravel in a hurry; and I would be pained to see this happen given the talent level of this Cardinal team.