For a BK exit? Unless he can pull a rabbit out of his hat, next season`s team looks to be worse than 16. It just seems to add up; player`s exiting stage left, asst. coach`s being fired and being replaced late, it just seems that recruiting has gotten off to a late start and now BK is scurrying to fill gaps with plan B players. In past recruiting season`s; Kelly, by now, normally has had a really good class put together (all ducks lined up in a row) with the usual surprise 5* player coming aboard in the end. I`m not seeing that forecast right now.
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Veteran OLine, strong backfield, new QB. It could force Kelly to run more. That would get the d more rest and make the passing game more effective when used a little less. The D will be the key, if Elko can improve the D just through better scheming and better fitting the D to the players on hand, we could improve quite a bit. Add in the possible 'it's us against the world attitude' that some teams take when they are dismissed or the coach is in trouble and they could improve a lot. I don't think the talent is there for an NC run, but there is enough to have a strong season if coached well and they pull together. Kelly seems to see that his old approach isn't working, so if he's gotten over being incredibly stubborn, which along with too much loyalty to his staff (also addressed), he could do very well. Lots of it's but I'm not writing the season off just yet. Injuries, as always, will be the wildcard.
Mark it down.
Or in other words, just enough progress to buy Kelly another year
Also much tougher schedule next year (at least on paper)
but a mediocre bowl win will keep Kelly in the driver's seat.
Unless, of course, the Browns come a-callin'.
fall behind.
even I am not that pessimistic.
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Also, they have the potential to still finish strong in recruiting...if it doesn't happen it will rear its head in 2-3 years.
I think 2017 will be a surprise to the upside.
Don't think recruiting is looking dismal..probably a top 15 finish--not as good as it looked earlier but still decent..
QB coming back is hugely talented.
Talent on the roster and what look like some real good hires on the staff also have my arrows pointing up.
Schedule is rugged--but I think a major turnaround looms.
How does Wisconsin, Penn State, Utah, Louisville, COLORADO!!, Okla St, even SC had recruiting restrictions and a red-shirt freshman QB.
BK has no excuses.
Offense will be better.
Kelly is pretty impressive with first year starters- Wimbush is his dream QB. We return everyone and we are adding Alize and Brock Wright.
Dexter Williams is going to be a star....
Offense wont be the reason why we lose football games next year...
You reading this Elko?
And that was Vanderdoes.
Only one assistant was hired "late" and that was Alexander. All the others were pretty much set before the bowl games finished.
Notre Dame has 8 players in the Scout 300, 6 in the 247 top 247, and 8 in the Rivals 250 as of now.
Martin, Yeast, and Genmark-Heath are on various of those lists too. Despite the decommitments, this class is still pretty strong and if the new assistants can pull of a few flips, it will end up just outside the top 10.
Lastly, the two best seasons by far under Brian Kelly have come in years with inexperienced quarterbacks.
If anything, the signs are pointing to a turnaround season in 2017. Will the turnaround be enough to save Kelly is the question.
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