Trying to be realistic here - I could see this team finish with a low end of 4 wins, and a top end of 7.
Let's not forget, we're talking about a new coaching staff, new offensive system, new defensive system, new starter at QB, questionable depth at several positions (WR, DB), and questions about the kicking game.
Don't get me wrong - I'd love to see the Gophs become the surprise of the year in the B10, but I honestly expect to see a lot of ups and downs this year as the team gets acclimated to the new staff and new schemes. Plus, I'm not sure the overall talent level is as high as some people seem to think. I see a team with some good athletes, but a lot of question marks, too. And for all the Kill love, he and his staff are coaching in a bigger conference and a higher level for the 1st time. The coaches have a learning curve, just as much as the players.
My ultimate expectation - a more entertaining team to watch. If we get that, I'll be happy no matter what the final record turns out to be.
You are missing the whole point, the poster is not asking for rational expectations, he wants fan expectations, so in that fantasy world 8 wins is realistic. In the real world 5 wins would be and will be acceptable, because the most winnable games will all be early when we will play the worst ball. If we don't play well in one of the non-conference games that are winnable, the 6 wins idea is toast. 8 wins is a joke
Our expectations for this year should be on increasingly better execution through the season, fewer dumb plays, tougher football, consistent ST play. I would love to steal some games, and win 7 or 8, but to say winning 6 games is required to make the season successful is a joke, in my mind. Holtz did not do that in his first year and he was a very good coach. we are playing in the toughest divison in the conference and that is clear. The historically weakest program in our division beat us last year.
We have a talented and completely inexperienced quarterback, and oline (one senior proven starter), one (1, uno) proven Big Ten quality receiver, one very good tight end and several tight ends who should be good but are not yet reliable, and two solid rbs without breakaway speed. (Edwards is a great athlete, but he is not close to ready to start. He is not running under control through the line, and Kirkwood and Edwards can't block reliably and won't play much until they can.)
We have two good proven DTs, and no proven DEs, three or four good athletes at LB, but only Tinsley has survived a BigTen season whole while playing solid ball for the whole year. And a defensive backfield with one proven solid, healthy player, TStoudermire; KRoyston will be good if he is healthy. We have a punter who is not solid on his feet, so despite the great leg strength, he is still likely to shank one out of three, and a field goal kicker with the same issue. In fact the non-scholarship kickers may wind up doing most of the kicking.
ST play other than FGs will be better, I'll bet on that.
What part of that sounds like an 6-8 win expectation team? I forgot these are fan expectations.
