Is this a SPECIAL team, or is this the norm for Freeman's teams moving forward?
The grit and togetherness of this team is awesome. I think we will be more talented in two years.... will they have the same mentality... if so, we could be unbeatable. Or, will we look back and say this was our best chance at a Natty?
Replies to: Is this a SPECIAL team, or is this the norm for Freeman's teams moving forward?
It sounds crazy, but I honestly think this is just the baseline..
What HCs can you name that were at their fullest potential in their 3rd year ever doing it?
..I think Coach Freeman is still in the ascension phase of his developmentas a HC.
His win percentage by season shows an amazing upward trajectory:
'24 - 14-1 (.933%) ..and counting!
'23 - 10-3 (.769%)
'22 - 9-4 (.692%)
'21 - 0-1 (0%)
Incredible numbers. Yep, just scratching the surface.
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Kinda feels like this will
be the norm from now on. I truly hope so. But sometimes it’s lightning in a bottle, and difficult to replicate.
Let’s just focus on tOSU for now.
I have mentioned lighting in a bottle before, but..
I think that only applies to the hire of Coach Freeman since he had no prior experience and was a complete unknown as a HC.
I don't think there is anything lightning in a bottle like regarding this season..we're just really danged good.
Not special like 2019 LSU. But neither is tOSU. 2 very good teams. Winner will make fewer mistakes.
ND can match up.
Protect the ball, no cheap penalties and see what happens...
This offense will be one of the worst Freeman has moving forward.
Poor WR recruiting culture. Poor QB recruiting culture. That will change. Lost Alt and Fisher both early. Won’t lose two studs early most years.
Then the injuries. That won’t be normal.
I think it's the culture that MF has built and maintains.
He seems to have certain tenets he consistently reinforces such as team glory, you play how you practice, etc
Is that all after the NiU game? Because it didn't work for NIU and we lost some inexplicable games
the last couple of years.
Or, was NIU a tipping point that this team finally bought in and this is going to be the norm moving forward?
It's easier for a coach to clean up bad losses then figure out how to win big games
Freeman still hasn't lost a game by >13pts. ND is always in the game when he's the coach (except maybe the Louisville game last year - ND added a TD at end to make it more respectable).
In 3 years he's beaten:
8 wins vs final CFP Top 25 which includes
3 wins vs CFP Top 15 which includes
2 wins vs Top 5 teams
4-1 bowl record
I used CFP final rankings because the AP/Coaches postseason rankings take into account bowl games that may be impacted by Opt-outs/transfers/coaching changes.
I don't see this program as one-hit wonder like Orgeron's LSU or Chizik's Auburn because those teams had generational QBs. I love Riley Leonard, but he is not going to take over a game for you.
Excellent post
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That is so encouraging to hear! I hope we see this level of play yr in yr out.
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One of the recent Mike Goolsby shows touched on it.
Don't remember exactly which one or I'd link it.