[terry]

Looking at next year's schedule, Stanford will play the following opponents (with this year's W/L records):

ACC games:

Louisville 10-2
SMU 10-2
North Carolina St. 9-3
Clemson 8-4
Cal 6-6
Virginia Tech 6-6
Syracuse 6-6
Wake Forest 4-8

Non-conference games:

Notre Dame 9-3
San Jose St. 7-5
TCU 5-7
Cal Poly SLO 3-8

[terry]

Looking at next year's schedule, Stanford will play the following opponents (with this year's W/L records):

ACC games:

Louisville 10-2
SMU 10-2
North Carolina St. 9-3
Clemson 8-4
Cal 6-6
Virginia Tech 6-6
Syracuse 6-6
Wake Forest 4-8

Non-conference games:

Notre Dame 9-3
San Jose St. 7-5
TCU 5-7
Cal Poly SLO 3-8

[82lsju]

Games with known dates 

8/31 vs TCU 
9/7 vs Cal Poly SLO
10/12 @ ND 
11/30 @ SJSU 

dates TBD

Home
- Louisville 
- SMU 
- Virginia Tech 
- Wake Forest 

Away
- Cal (11/23?) 
- Clemson 
- NC State 
- Syracuse 

[82lsju]

Games with known dates 

8/31 vs TCU 
9/7 vs Cal Poly SLO
10/12 @ ND 
11/30 @ SJSU 

dates TBD

Home
- Louisville 
- SMU 
- Virginia Tech 
- Wake Forest 

Away
- Cal (11/23?) 
- Clemson 
- NC State 
- Syracuse 

[rudruff]

Today I learned that the last time we played our new permanent rival was 1936.

[rudruff]

Today I learned that the last time we played our new permanent rival was 1936.

[terry]

Today I learned that the last time we played our new permanent rival was 1936.

Yes, Stanford played SMU in the 1936 Rose Bowl. Stanford won, 7-0. That was the only time Stanford and SMU have played.

[terry]

Today I learned that the last time we played our new permanent rival was 1936.

Yes, Stanford played SMU in the 1936 Rose Bowl. Stanford won, 7-0. That was the only time Stanford and SMU have played.

[newguy]

I'm looking forward to playing all these new opponents.
We'll find out how strong the ACC really is.

[newguy]

I'm looking forward to playing all these new opponents.
We'll find out how strong the ACC really is.

[SkiBum80]

My perception and expectations for next year:
based on our upcoming schedule, the age, experience and talent of our current roster, assuming a modest number leaving (but not a mass exodus of starters), and the incoming recruits, assuming not significant further defections out of it, including perhaps getting another couple/few good and needed experienced transfers in:

2- wins = disaster... bring pitchforks and torches!
3 wins = barely treading water, is milquetoast still a kind of edible toast?
4 wins = "baby step" improvements (can't help but think of Bill Murray in What About Bob?)
5 wins = a big step up in success, kudos all around, "Respect" The Tree, if not "Fear" it
6+ wins = pop the champagne! Bernie is buying!

[SkiBum80]

My perception and expectations for next year:
based on our upcoming schedule, the age, experience and talent of our current roster, assuming a modest number leaving (but not a mass exodus of starters), and the incoming recruits, assuming not significant further defections out of it, including perhaps getting another couple/few good and needed experienced transfers in:

2- wins = disaster... bring pitchforks and torches!
3 wins = barely treading water, is milquetoast still a kind of edible toast?
4 wins = "baby step" improvements (can't help but think of Bill Murray in What About Bob?)
5 wins = a big step up in success, kudos all around, "Respect" The Tree, if not "Fear" it
6+ wins = pop the champagne! Bernie is buying!

[BobK]

We currently have 24 commits. Plus hope for several transfers in. Do the math, can’t have too many potential 5th year players.

[BobK]

We currently have 24 commits. Plus hope for several transfers in. Do the math, can’t have too many potential 5th year players.

[OutsiderFan]

The bar for acceptable in 2024 is 6 wins. Anything less than that is failure, unless a spate of injuries derails things going well or a future QB is developed in the second half of season.

[OutsiderFan]

The bar for acceptable in 2024 is 6 wins. Anything less than that is failure, unless a spate of injuries derails things going well or a future QB is developed in the second half of season.

[SamuelMcF]

The bar for acceptable in 2024 is 6 wins. Anything less than that is failure, unless a spate of injuries derails things going well or a future QB is developed in the second half of season.

I don't think that's realistic, and believe you're going to be extremely disappointed (except maybe the future QB part). There's too much Shaw stench/steak-eating to purge from the program, and every other team will still have fifth and sixth year Covid players for one final season. Men vs. boys for one more year.

Bowl eligibility in 2025, please.

[SamuelMcF]

The bar for acceptable in 2024 is 6 wins. Anything less than that is failure, unless a spate of injuries derails things going well or a future QB is developed in the second half of season.

I don't think that's realistic, and believe you're going to be extremely disappointed (except maybe the future QB part). There's too much Shaw stench/steak-eating to purge from the program, and every other team will still have fifth and sixth year Covid players for one final season. Men vs. boys for one more year.

Bowl eligibility in 2025, please.

[SkiBum80]

We currently have 24 commits.    Plus hope for several transfers in.  Do the math,  can’t have too many potential 5th year players.

Right. There's a lotta talent in the 5th year and seniors that's leaving.
My assumption and hope is that we don't have an exodus of others transfer out.
And that there remains roster room for some of the key seniors that might want to return.
Would talented seniors that didn't get a full healthy year in due to injury, see a path to restored health, and want to come back to assert their value?
I can think of at least 3 like that I'd want back if possible: Ben,John,Alaka'i

[SkiBum80]

We currently have 24 commits.    Plus hope for several transfers in.  Do the math,  can’t have too many potential 5th year players.

Right. There's a lotta talent in the 5th year and seniors that's leaving.
My assumption and hope is that we don't have an exodus of others transfer out.
And that there remains roster room for some of the key seniors that might want to return.
Would talented seniors that didn't get a full healthy year in due to injury, see a path to restored health, and want to come back to assert their value?
I can think of at least 3 like that I'd want back if possible: Ben,John,Alaka'i

[cardcrimson]

The bar for acceptable in 2024 is 6 wins. Anything less than that is failure, unless a spate of injuries derails things going well or a future QB is developed in the second half of season.

Please be serious.

As Skibum noted, 6 wins next year will be quite an achievement. 

7 wins would be "pop the cork" in my eyes; 6 wins still quite a big step forward and a h uge success. 5 wins, considering the Shaw Shambles, the NIL, the portal, and the travel would still be a success.

[cardcrimson]

The bar for acceptable in 2024 is 6 wins. Anything less than that is failure, unless a spate of injuries derails things going well or a future QB is developed in the second half of season.

Please be serious.

As Skibum noted, 6 wins next year will be quite an achievement. 

7 wins would be "pop the cork" in my eyes; 6 wins still quite a big step forward and a h uge success. 5 wins, considering the Shaw Shambles, the NIL, the portal, and the travel would still be a success.

[chrisk]

The bar for acceptable in 2024 is 6 wins. Anything less than that is failure, unless a spate of injuries derails things going well or a future QB is developed in the second half of season.

I don't think that's realistic, and believe you're going to be extremely disappointed (except maybe the future QB part). There's too much Shaw stench/steak-eating to purge from the program, and every other team will still have fifth and sixth year Covid players for one final season. Men vs. boys for one more year.

Bowl eligibility in 2025, please.

I wouldn't consider falling short of 6 wins an absolute failure, but it shouldn't be the cap on expectations either.

Northwestern went from 1 win last year to 7 this year without a major infusion of talent. They had an easier schedule than Stanford, but Stanford's schedule will be easier next year as well. Stanford's schedule will feature predominantly 2023 bowl teams as it did this year, but there won't be as many top 10 teams.

David Braun was not appointed interim coach at NU until July and was named permanent coach 2 weeks ago, so teams can exceed expectations without completely turning over the roster.

[chrisk]

The bar for acceptable in 2024 is 6 wins. Anything less than that is failure, unless a spate of injuries derails things going well or a future QB is developed in the second half of season.

I don't think that's realistic, and believe you're going to be extremely disappointed (except maybe the future QB part). There's too much Shaw stench/steak-eating to purge from the program, and every other team will still have fifth and sixth year Covid players for one final season. Men vs. boys for one more year.

Bowl eligibility in 2025, please.

I wouldn't consider falling short of 6 wins an absolute failure, but it shouldn't be the cap on expectations either.

Northwestern went from 1 win last year to 7 this year without a major infusion of talent. They had an easier schedule than Stanford, but Stanford's schedule will be easier next year as well. Stanford's schedule will feature predominantly 2023 bowl teams as it did this year, but there won't be as many top 10 teams.

David Braun was not appointed interim coach at NU until July and was named permanent coach 2 weeks ago, so teams can exceed expectations without completely turning over the roster.

[Goose]

David Braun was not appointed interim coach at NU until July and was named permanent coach 2 weeks ago, so teams can exceed expectations without completely turning over the roster.

Sure, but doing so depends a lot on what was already on the roster. He had players most of which were actually OK to pretty good. That was not the case at Stanford this year. What will happen in 2024 depends significantly on who enters, who leaves, and who stays. IMO it is improbable we can fill all the holes we have with this this year's arrivals alone. We should be "better", but to a large extent that depends on who leaves. We could actually regress if there is a rush for the exits. I don't expect that, but it is at least theoretically possible.

[Goose]

David Braun was not appointed interim coach at NU until July and was named permanent coach 2 weeks ago, so teams can exceed expectations without completely turning over the roster.

Sure, but doing so depends a lot on what was already on the roster. He had players most of which were actually OK to pretty good. That was not the case at Stanford this year. What will happen in 2024 depends significantly on who enters, who leaves, and who stays. IMO it is improbable we can fill all the holes we have with this this year's arrivals alone. We should be "better", but to a large extent that depends on who leaves. We could actually regress if there is a rush for the exits. I don't expect that, but it is at least theoretically possible.

[Giants]

1701123393[/url]']

1701118824[/url]']
The bar for acceptable in 2024 is 6 wins. Anything less than that is failure, unless a spate of injuries derails things going well or a future QB is developed in the second half of season.

Please be serious.

As Skibum noted, 6 wins next year will be quite an achievement. 

7 wins would be "pop the cork" in my eyes; 6 wins still quite a big step forward and a h uge success. 5 wins, considering the Shaw Shambles, the NIL, the portal, and the travel would still be a success.

Until the portal plays out, recruiting is completed, and game dates are known, there are too many variables in play to suggest a bar for success/failure.

[Giants]

1701123393[/url]']

1701118824[/url]']
The bar for acceptable in 2024 is 6 wins. Anything less than that is failure, unless a spate of injuries derails things going well or a future QB is developed in the second half of season.

Please be serious.

As Skibum noted, 6 wins next year will be quite an achievement. 

7 wins would be "pop the cork" in my eyes; 6 wins still quite a big step forward and a h uge success. 5 wins, considering the Shaw Shambles, the NIL, the portal, and the travel would still be a success.

Until the portal plays out, recruiting is completed, and game dates are known, there are too many variables in play to suggest a bar for success/failure.

[jacket3ree]

Yes, the portal messes up all predictions - for Stanford and its 2024 opponents - but doing this the old-fashioned way with an eye test based on this year, and my eyes have been all over the ACC and I watched Navy get smoked by SMU:

Next year's conference games:

1. Louisville. They looked awfully good most of the time this year, although not dominant, sans an inexplicable loss to Pitt and they should have been able to beat Kentucky. How they do against FSU and an X-string QB will be interesting. Probably an Orange Bowl team. The plural Cardinals are superior to the singular Card. (Loss)

2. SMU. Dykes is gone and SMU is better, but that could be a function of conference defections. This year the Mustangs are 10-2 pending their AAC title game against Tulane. They obliterated Navy in the only game of theirs I watched. Big oil money will pump their NIL and now that they are P5, I project a Texas-sized presence in the ACC. They will need it because their schedule just got a lot tougher. (Loss)

3. Virginia Polytechnic and State University. Call them "Tech" and I will come at you like a spider monkey! Pry is getting the Hokies back to where they used to be, based on defense. It was an up and down year - they beat no one of note after a rough start and UVA turned the sprinklers on them. They had no trouble with the Cavs in C'Ville though. (Next year's Colorado; a surprising win to give false hope, albeit much closer than that Orange Bowl in second half.)

4. Wake Forest.  They have a good coach, but lost Hartman to a graduate school in Indiana and did not recover from that. Can never figure these guys out other than their annual marshmallow-soft non-conference schedule means you can never figure these guys out. Lone conference win was at home against garbage Pitt. What the heck is going on with Pitt this year? (Win. Why not?)

5. Cal.  Sorry to say this, but Cal is for real once they started Mendoza and got out of their own way. Big Game streak stretches to four. (Loss)

6. Clemson. They are never mediocre for very long and they weren't that mediocre. Death in Death Valley. Ugly. Dabo liked Shaw, not Taylor. (Loss)

7. NC State. This is a good team. (Loss)

8. Syracuse. Schizo mess. Depends on who replaces Dino.  On the road indoors. (Loss)

So I predict an ACC record of 2-6, losses to the Frogs, Irish, and Sparta, and Taylor doesn't let Cal Poly Sac State his team.  Another 3-9 doldrum season in an empty stadium with raging debates about moral victories and whether this is a waste of time or not.

[jacket3ree]

Yes, the portal messes up all predictions - for Stanford and its 2024 opponents - but doing this the old-fashioned way with an eye test based on this year, and my eyes have been all over the ACC and I watched Navy get smoked by SMU:

Next year's conference games:

1. Louisville. They looked awfully good most of the time this year, although not dominant, sans an inexplicable loss to Pitt and they should have been able to beat Kentucky. How they do against FSU and an X-string QB will be interesting. Probably an Orange Bowl team. The plural Cardinals are superior to the singular Card. (Loss)

2. SMU. Dykes is gone and SMU is better, but that could be a function of conference defections. This year the Mustangs are 10-2 pending their AAC title game against Tulane. They obliterated Navy in the only game of theirs I watched. Big oil money will pump their NIL and now that they are P5, I project a Texas-sized presence in the ACC. They will need it because their schedule just got a lot tougher. (Loss)

3. Virginia Polytechnic and State University. Call them "Tech" and I will come at you like a spider monkey! Pry is getting the Hokies back to where they used to be, based on defense. It was an up and down year - they beat no one of note after a rough start and UVA turned the sprinklers on them. They had no trouble with the Cavs in C'Ville though. (Next year's Colorado; a surprising win to give false hope, albeit much closer than that Orange Bowl in second half.)

4. Wake Forest.  They have a good coach, but lost Hartman to a graduate school in Indiana and did not recover from that. Can never figure these guys out other than their annual marshmallow-soft non-conference schedule means you can never figure these guys out. Lone conference win was at home against garbage Pitt. What the heck is going on with Pitt this year? (Win. Why not?)

5. Cal.  Sorry to say this, but Cal is for real once they started Mendoza and got out of their own way. Big Game streak stretches to four. (Loss)

6. Clemson. They are never mediocre for very long and they weren't that mediocre. Death in Death Valley. Ugly. Dabo liked Shaw, not Taylor. (Loss)

7. NC State. This is a good team. (Loss)

8. Syracuse. Schizo mess. Depends on who replaces Dino.  On the road indoors. (Loss)

So I predict an ACC record of 2-6, losses to the Frogs, Irish, and Sparta, and Taylor doesn't let Cal Poly Sac State his team.  Another 3-9 doldrum season in an empty stadium with raging debates about moral victories and whether this is a waste of time or not.

[cardcrimson]

Yes, the portal messes up all predictions - for Stanford and its 2024 opponents - but doing this the old-fashioned way with an eye test based on this year, and my eyes have been all over the ACC and I watched Navy get smoked by SMU:

Next year's conference games:

1. Louisville. They looked awfully good most of the time this year, although not dominant, sans an inexplicable loss to Pitt and they should have been able to beat Kentucky. How they do against FSU and an X-string QB will be interesting. Probably an Orange Bowl team. The plural Cardinals are superior to the singular Card. (Loss)

2. SMU. Dykes is gone and SMU is better, but that could be a function of conference defections. This year the Mustangs are 10-2 pending their AAC title game against Tulane. They obliterated Navy in the only game of theirs I watched. Big oil money will pump their NIL and now that they are P5, I project a Texas-sized presence in the ACC. They will need it because their schedule just got a lot tougher. (Loss)

3. Virginia Polytechnic and State University. Call them "Tech" and I will come at you like a spider monkey! Pry is getting the Hokies back to where they used to be, based on defense. It was an up and down year - they beat no one of note after a rough start and UVA turned the sprinklers on them. They had no trouble with the Cavs in C'Ville though. (Next year's Colorado; a surprising win to give false hope, albeit much closer than that Orange Bowl in second half.)

4. Wake Forest.  They have a good coach, but lost Hartman to a graduate school in Indiana and did not recover from that. Can never figure these guys out other than their annual marshmallow-soft non-conference schedule means you can never figure these guys out. Lone conference win was at home against garbage Pitt. What the heck is going on with Pitt this year? (Win. Why not?)

5. Cal.  Sorry to say this, but Cal is for real once they started Mendoza and got out of their own way. Big Game streak stretches to four. (Loss)

6. Clemson. They are never mediocre for very long and they weren't that mediocre. Death in Death Valley. Ugly. Dabo liked Shaw, not Taylor. (Loss)

7. NC State. This is a good team. (Loss)

8. Syracuse. Schizo mess. Depends on who replaces Dino.  On the road indoors. (Loss)

So I predict an ACC record of 2-6, losses to the Frogs, Irish, and Sparta, and Taylor doesn't let Cal Poly Sac State his team.  Another 3-9 doldrum season in an empty stadium with raging debates about moral victories and whether this is a waste of time or not.

Think you're over-rating the ACC. I see probable wins against Wake, VT, and Syracuse (the Dome ain't what it used to be), with a surprise win against someone else. Plus two of the other four. 6 wins is a stretch surely, but that's what I'm going with.

[cardcrimson]

Yes, the portal messes up all predictions - for Stanford and its 2024 opponents - but doing this the old-fashioned way with an eye test based on this year, and my eyes have been all over the ACC and I watched Navy get smoked by SMU:

Next year's conference games:

1. Louisville. They looked awfully good most of the time this year, although not dominant, sans an inexplicable loss to Pitt and they should have been able to beat Kentucky. How they do against FSU and an X-string QB will be interesting. Probably an Orange Bowl team. The plural Cardinals are superior to the singular Card. (Loss)

2. SMU. Dykes is gone and SMU is better, but that could be a function of conference defections. This year the Mustangs are 10-2 pending their AAC title game against Tulane. They obliterated Navy in the only game of theirs I watched. Big oil money will pump their NIL and now that they are P5, I project a Texas-sized presence in the ACC. They will need it because their schedule just got a lot tougher. (Loss)

3. Virginia Polytechnic and State University. Call them "Tech" and I will come at you like a spider monkey! Pry is getting the Hokies back to where they used to be, based on defense. It was an up and down year - they beat no one of note after a rough start and UVA turned the sprinklers on them. They had no trouble with the Cavs in C'Ville though. (Next year's Colorado; a surprising win to give false hope, albeit much closer than that Orange Bowl in second half.)

4. Wake Forest.  They have a good coach, but lost Hartman to a graduate school in Indiana and did not recover from that. Can never figure these guys out other than their annual marshmallow-soft non-conference schedule means you can never figure these guys out. Lone conference win was at home against garbage Pitt. What the heck is going on with Pitt this year? (Win. Why not?)

5. Cal.  Sorry to say this, but Cal is for real once they started Mendoza and got out of their own way. Big Game streak stretches to four. (Loss)

6. Clemson. They are never mediocre for very long and they weren't that mediocre. Death in Death Valley. Ugly. Dabo liked Shaw, not Taylor. (Loss)

7. NC State. This is a good team. (Loss)

8. Syracuse. Schizo mess. Depends on who replaces Dino.  On the road indoors. (Loss)

So I predict an ACC record of 2-6, losses to the Frogs, Irish, and Sparta, and Taylor doesn't let Cal Poly Sac State his team.  Another 3-9 doldrum season in an empty stadium with raging debates about moral victories and whether this is a waste of time or not.

Think you're over-rating the ACC. I see probable wins against Wake, VT, and Syracuse (the Dome ain't what it used to be), with a surprise win against someone else. Plus two of the other four. 6 wins is a stretch surely, but that's what I'm going with.

[Spiny_Norman]

Since we are using this thread for 2024 speculation, what do you think are Stanford's priority areas for the transfer portal? Besides recruiting players like Yurosek and Rogers to stay. I have thoughts but I would rather hear from others.

[Spiny_Norman]

Since we are using this thread for 2024 speculation, what do you think are Stanford's priority areas for the transfer portal? Besides recruiting players like Yurosek and Rogers to stay. I have thoughts but I would rather hear from others.

[BobK]

Sinclair will be back

[BobK]

Sinclair will be back

[SkiBum80]

Yes, the portal messes up all predictions - for Stanford and its 2024 opponents - but doing this the old-fashioned way with an eye test based on this year, and my eyes have been all over the ACC and I watched Navy get smoked by SMU:

Next year's conference games:

1. Louisville. They looked awfully good most of the time this year, although not dominant, sans an inexplicable loss to Pitt and they should have been able to beat Kentucky. How they do against FSU and an X-string QB will be interesting. Probably an Orange Bowl team. The plural Cardinals are superior to the singular Card. (Loss)

2. SMU. Dykes is gone and SMU is better, but that could be a function of conference defections. This year the Mustangs are 10-2 pending their AAC title game against Tulane. They obliterated Navy in the only game of theirs I watched. Big oil money will pump their NIL and now that they are P5, I project a Texas-sized presence in the ACC. They will need it because their schedule just got a lot tougher. (Loss)

3. Virginia Polytechnic and State University. Call them "Tech" and I will come at you like a spider monkey! Pry is getting the Hokies back to where they used to be, based on defense. It was an up and down year - they beat no one of note after a rough start and UVA turned the sprinklers on them. They had no trouble with the Cavs in C'Ville though. (Next year's Colorado; a surprising win to give false hope, albeit much closer than that Orange Bowl in second half.)

4. Wake Forest.  They have a good coach, but lost Hartman to a graduate school in Indiana and did not recover from that. Can never figure these guys out other than their annual marshmallow-soft non-conference schedule means you can never figure these guys out. Lone conference win was at home against garbage Pitt. What the heck is going on with Pitt this year? (Win. Why not?)

5. Cal.  Sorry to say this, but Cal is for real once they started Mendoza and got out of their own way. Big Game streak stretches to four. (Loss)

6. Clemson. They are never mediocre for very long and they weren't that mediocre. Death in Death Valley. Ugly. Dabo liked Shaw, not Taylor. (Loss)

7. NC State. This is a good team. (Loss)

8. Syracuse. Schizo mess. Depends on who replaces Dino.  On the road indoors. (Loss)

So I predict an ACC record of 2-6, losses to the Frogs, Irish, and Sparta, and Taylor doesn't let Cal Poly Sac State his team.  Another 3-9 doldrum season in an empty stadium with raging debates about moral victories and whether this is a waste of time or not.

Ugh
Reading this makes me want to commit Hari Kari leaving a note begging for my body to be buried by the Tunnels Worker Union.
While I don't dispute your predictions for the most part, I think Syracuse and Sparta are not that great of teams and eminently beatable by our guys.
Win one of those and is a baby steps improvement season.
Win both and is arguably a "successful season" in terms of being part way through a rebuild.
Of course some perception will depend too on the losses, are they blowout beatdowns or close and competitive?
In this just passed season, the Arizona and Washington games still hurt as losses, but the consolation was a "we can play with these guys".
OK that's just a moral victory, of which that and $5 buys you a latte at Starbucks.
But still far better than the joke beatdown losses that make you think we'd better schedule more teams with a compass direction in their name, like Northern, Eastern, etc... which Oh, by the way, hasn't worked out that well for our MBB team, but that's another thread...

[SkiBum80]

Yes, the portal messes up all predictions - for Stanford and its 2024 opponents - but doing this the old-fashioned way with an eye test based on this year, and my eyes have been all over the ACC and I watched Navy get smoked by SMU:

Next year's conference games:

1. Louisville. They looked awfully good most of the time this year, although not dominant, sans an inexplicable loss to Pitt and they should have been able to beat Kentucky. How they do against FSU and an X-string QB will be interesting. Probably an Orange Bowl team. The plural Cardinals are superior to the singular Card. (Loss)

2. SMU. Dykes is gone and SMU is better, but that could be a function of conference defections. This year the Mustangs are 10-2 pending their AAC title game against Tulane. They obliterated Navy in the only game of theirs I watched. Big oil money will pump their NIL and now that they are P5, I project a Texas-sized presence in the ACC. They will need it because their schedule just got a lot tougher. (Loss)

3. Virginia Polytechnic and State University. Call them "Tech" and I will come at you like a spider monkey! Pry is getting the Hokies back to where they used to be, based on defense. It was an up and down year - they beat no one of note after a rough start and UVA turned the sprinklers on them. They had no trouble with the Cavs in C'Ville though. (Next year's Colorado; a surprising win to give false hope, albeit much closer than that Orange Bowl in second half.)

4. Wake Forest.  They have a good coach, but lost Hartman to a graduate school in Indiana and did not recover from that. Can never figure these guys out other than their annual marshmallow-soft non-conference schedule means you can never figure these guys out. Lone conference win was at home against garbage Pitt. What the heck is going on with Pitt this year? (Win. Why not?)

5. Cal.  Sorry to say this, but Cal is for real once they started Mendoza and got out of their own way. Big Game streak stretches to four. (Loss)

6. Clemson. They are never mediocre for very long and they weren't that mediocre. Death in Death Valley. Ugly. Dabo liked Shaw, not Taylor. (Loss)

7. NC State. This is a good team. (Loss)

8. Syracuse. Schizo mess. Depends on who replaces Dino.  On the road indoors. (Loss)

So I predict an ACC record of 2-6, losses to the Frogs, Irish, and Sparta, and Taylor doesn't let Cal Poly Sac State his team.  Another 3-9 doldrum season in an empty stadium with raging debates about moral victories and whether this is a waste of time or not.

Ugh
Reading this makes me want to commit Hari Kari leaving a note begging for my body to be buried by the Tunnels Worker Union.
While I don't dispute your predictions for the most part, I think Syracuse and Sparta are not that great of teams and eminently beatable by our guys.
Win one of those and is a baby steps improvement season.
Win both and is arguably a "successful season" in terms of being part way through a rebuild.
Of course some perception will depend too on the losses, are they blowout beatdowns or close and competitive?
In this just passed season, the Arizona and Washington games still hurt as losses, but the consolation was a "we can play with these guys".
OK that's just a moral victory, of which that and $5 buys you a latte at Starbucks.
But still far better than the joke beatdown losses that make you think we'd better schedule more teams with a compass direction in their name, like Northern, Eastern, etc... which Oh, by the way, hasn't worked out that well for our MBB team, but that's another thread...

[cardcrimson]

Sinclair will be back

Phillips, too.

Ayomanor is pretty high on the list. I think the possibility of Jackson/Brown throwing to him might be pretty intriguing.

[cardcrimson]

Sinclair will be back

Phillips, too.

Ayomanor is pretty high on the list. I think the possibility of Jackson/Brown throwing to him might be pretty intriguing.