Hawkster

Parks for Fri, Rocco for Sat.

I really felt at the end of the season that Bartles was moving the offense down the field much better than Mollberg. He seemed to have that extra spark that Mollberg lacked. Granted, a lot of things will change with the new staff but I'm not sold on Mollberg getting the starting nod. On the recruiting end, I'm still not sure what to make of this class. Hopefully there are some high impact players and maybe a guy or two that can start this fall. We need to have a decent run this year or people are going to lose interest even further. It's a necessity to go at least 6-6 this year with NO BLOWOUTS and in 2015 we need to make the playoffs and possibly a win at WY. Otherwise, we are just lurking at mediocrity.

Overall, this class is better than I thought we would get 6 weeks ago, but only time will tell just how good. We'll know in 2015 what we've got here, and if we don't get an FBS win and a playoff berth I'm going to be frustrated. We need to get something going here.

So what's the story on Sparks? I've heard he's gone, he's staying, and he's gonna go. Don't know what to believe.

Drake-Friday, Mark Mac Saturday

I'm sure he's a good player and great catch for us, but I don't think I'd proclaim him the "best player ever" even before he sets foot on the field. Remember a while back when I said you tend to way, way over the top with your assessment of our recruits? That's what I'm talking about. I like to keep things realistic here.

It's obvious there is just no ebb and flow to this team. Come on guys, start showing consistency.

I wonder why, he would have gotten a lot more playing time here It's too bad he went over to the Dark Side.

I just counted through our offers, and it looks like about 1/3 of our remaining offers are to kids outside what many consider our midwest footprint, and I'm including MI, and WI in that footprint along with closer states. Still a lot of guys being looked at from FL, TX, AZ, NV, CA, and WA. I agree though, that our best players are going to come from our back yard.

I completely agree. Bartles improved a lot while Molberg seemed stay the same or regress.

I wish someone would post a list as to who is gone. I know there was one on here somewhere before Christmas but I can't find it, and besides, it wasn't right as it had Carr listed as probably gone. I've sorta lost track of how many quit or transfered.

I'm at a loss as to why we didn't bring in a whole lot more recruits this weekend. Afterall, the weather was perfect and the hockey team was playing at the Ralph. It would seem like someone dropped the ball here, especially with signing day only 3 weeks away. I just hope we have enough interested guys with talent left to go after. I said two months ago that recruiting was going to be the dark spot in our future and it sure looks like that's how it's playing out. I'm also going to repeat something else, you can have the best coaches in all of football, but they can't win if you don't have the talent. There has to be a wholesale change in recruiting strategy next year. We can't just talk about getting these guys, we have to get them on campus and show them we are a serious football program, otherwise, the death spiral we are currently in will just go on and on, and I'm starting to believe it will. Four verbals so far when we need close to 25 with the grads and the defections. Rant over.

I agree. I'm thinking this is a game we either have to win or get close in. With San Jose down, we had better not lose by more than 10. New season has to mean different result. We need that FBS win and this is a good place to start. As I said, no blow outs.

I think they're high and we are low, I said that a month ago already. I doubt we'll get much more in the way of verbals before signing day. What ever we get will sign on the dotted line of Feb 5 I'm not worried about the numbers we get a signing, but little concerned on quality. The uncommitted crowd seems to be getting pretty picked over and I'm thinking this years class will be down. Next year will be better with a different recruiting philosophy.

I agree also. I thought Muss never should have went away from Bartles in the first place. That kid seems to show better leadership on the field and he'll continue to improve.

Heck, I was talking 6 wins and people are telling me him expecting way too much. Beats me what to think around here. I've been pretty optimistic about everything except for what I've seen in commits and I'm hoping that changes.

But 3 or 4 wins means we are basically as bad as this year, and I think we will struggle more in 2015 because of this years recruiting bust. I hope you are wrong, because for 3 or 4 wins we could just as well have kept Muss.

Sparks didn't do anything last season anyway. I doubt he'll be missed.

I heard the athletic dept last year ran $750,000 in the red. I think we can do without new helmets and jerseys.

Luke for Friday.

With the expanded format it isn't very hard to make the playoffs. I'm even hoping we do it soon.

I've been thinking about this for a while now and feel that 6-6 should be the worst we go next year along with ZERO blowouts. The first couple games will set the tone for the entire year and let's hope it's good. We absolutely need to get to be a playoff caliber team in 2 years OR ELSE.

I've never liked the black uni's mainly because they aren't our school colors. I get the part about black supposedly being intimidating but it just goes against our tradition.

Congrats to the Bison, they had total domination, that's for sure. I don't know if I'm pissed or jelous, but we certainly took a wrong turn somewhere. Even with all the position loses for next year, I've got a feeling they are going be good team again and I expect us to be at the level in a few years.

But I thought our footprint was the Sky, not the same areas the Mo Valley teams try to work. I'm not convinced we are going in the right direction, but time will tell quickly enough.