How many ifs?

[DancingRabbit]

There aren't enough ifs to get us to the cfp. We have a better chance of going 6-6.

I can't argue with this. Odds say 7-8 wins. Which is closer to 6 than 11.

[Jarius]

Tommy Stevens would have to play at a Dak level and a wide receiver would have to step up in a major way. It would be considered one of the biggest underdog stories in sports for us to make the CFB playoff this year. 10-2 is the ceiling with this team and that's not getting us into the CFB playoff. Alabama is not losing 2 games with their schedule.

[msstate7]

Tommy Stevens would have to play at a Dak level and a wide receiver would have to step up in a major way. It would be considered one of the biggest underdog stories in sports for us to make the CFB playoff this year. 10-2 is the ceiling with this team and that's not getting us into the CFB playoff. Alabama is not losing 2 games with their schedule.

Stevens would have to surpass dak level, 2010 cam newton level

[Jarius]

Stevens would have to surpass dak level, 2010 cam newton level

Nah. His defense will be much better than Dak's was in 14 and his schedule has the toughest 2 teams at home instead of the road. That being said, he will not be anywhere near Dak level 2014 because A) he isn't that good and B) his receivers won't be on 14's level.

[ShotgunDawg]

Stevens would have to surpass dak level, 2010 cam newton level

Nah. Stevens has a better defense, OL, & RB than Dak did

[msstate7]

Nah. Stevens has a better defense, OL, & RB than Dak did

S&P+ looks at the 2014 defense much different than you guys and the traditional stats. They have it at #26, which would be the 4th best we've had since 2009. I didn't particularly like the strategy, but I think Mullen knew he had a great offense so just wanted to hold teams to FGs

[Jarius]

S&P+ looks at the 2014 defense much different than you guys and the traditional stats. They have it at #26, which would be the 4th best we've had since 2009. I didn't particularly like the strategy, but I think Mullen knew he had a great offense so just wanted to hold teams to FGs

The S&P looks at the 2019 defense for state and predicts it to be #2 in the country.....so if you're going to use that then use it for both. If we could magically import 2014 Dak and 2014 receivers we would have a legit shot at the playoffs. We don't though so it won't matter.

[Jack Lambert]

Uhhh, that team was 10-2, not 8-4

ETA... 8-4 teams: 2010, 2012, 2015, 2017, 2018

I had to read it three time until I understood what you were saying. Sometimes it's not what you say it's how.

[Liverpooldawg]

There are too many to list. Anything over 6-7 wins is gravy this year.

[smootness]

Ahhhh, the limitless nature of preseason college football optimism never ceases to amaze me.

[msstate7]

Ahhhh, the limitless nature of preseason college football optimism never ceases to amaze me.

Better load up on Stevens winning heisman and us winning sec**

[jumbo]

How many if statements does it take for us to make the cfp?

A lot

[Pipedream]

The S&P looks at the 2019 defense for state and predicts it to be #2 in the country.....so if you're going to use that then use it for both. If we could magically import 2014 Dak and 2014 receivers we would have a legit shot at the playoffs. We don't though so it won't matter.

I think any conversation about the playoffs with this team is quite ridiculous, but 10 wins would be a lofty, yet attainable goal. And if you have a top 30 defense AND offense, your chances at winning 10 games go through the roof. The average number of wins of teams that had that profile in 2018 was 11.

[Maroonthirteen]

If we go 6-6, someone needs to go. 6-6 is 4 OOC cupcake wins and 2-6 in the SEC, totally unacceptable for any coach at this point in our program. Really, just which two SEC "powerhouses" do we beat to give us that great record? I'll wait. Hail State!

USM isn?t a cupcake. We should win the game but... we better have our sh.... together. Auburn has a solid OL and DL. If they can get any production out their QB.. they?ll be a tough tough out. Same for aTm on the road with a veteran QB returning. ThenLSU and Bama at home.

Anything north of 6-6 and our coaching staff did a great job.

[tcdog70]

IF Joe learns how to run a QB sneak on 4th and 1.

[PMDawg]

How many if statements does it take for us to make the cfp?

If Tommy Stevens turns out to be a top 3 round talent...
If a second DT steps up to provide SEC level play alongside Autry...
If the team stays healthy...

If others aspects turn out status quo, or as expected, how many if statements does it take for us to reasonably be a contender. How far away are we, really, from a magical season like the AU 2010 season?

Might not be as far away as it seems. Also, the line between 8-4 and cfp could be pretty, pretty thin.

Ah the preseason. When slightly above average teams turn into championship teams. Haha

IF everything goes right, this is a 9-3 team. 10-2 at absolute best. We can go 8-4 if some things go right. Gun to my head, we're going 7-5. 8-4 next likely, 6-6 next likely.

[BB30]

Do we not learn anything from year to year? And some of yall are still going to be pissed when we finish 8-4 with 8-4 type talent.

[msstate7]

Do we not learn anything from year to year? And some of yall are still going to be pissed when we finish 8-4 with 8-4 type talent.

8-4 should be the realistic goal for this team. I'll be content with 7-5

[PMDawg]

Do we not learn anything from year to year? And some of yall are still going to be pissed when we finish 8-4 with 8-4 type talent.

That's the thing. Last year was NOT 8-4 talent. This year it is. Hopefully coaching doesn't drag us down a couple of games again.

[RezDog7]

That's the thing. Last year was NOT 8-4 talent. This year it is. Hopefully coaching doesn't drag us down a couple of games again.

Yes it was, you just sized up your ring too early.