Post by AztecWilliam on Nov 25, 2009 21:36:55 GMT -8
There will be many reviews of the 2009 Aztec football season when the final whistle blows. Technically, that will be at the end of next Saturday’s UNLV game. I’m not going to wait that long.
I think there is going to be a general consensus on at least two points:
1. S.D.S.U. does not have enough talent to reach 7 or more wins a season.
2. Brady Hoke and his staff are much better than Chuck Long and his staff. They got about as much out of this group of players as anyone could.
I agree with those points. The real question is this; where do we go from here? If the Aztecs pull out a win in Vegas, the resulting 5-7 record will be the best since 2003, and that certainly would qualify as definite progress. If the Rebs win, Aztec fans will have to be satisfied with 4-8. 4-8 is not too bad, all things considered, but that horrible melt-down against Wyoming will leave a bad taste in everybody’s mouths that will be hard to get rid of.
Either way, 5-7 or 4-8, this season will go down as “Not great but what more could we have expected?” That puts lots of pressure on Hoke and company to improve on that record next year.
I’m afraid that 6-6 may be the best we can reasonably hope for in 2010. And perhaps in 2011 as well. It’s going to take 2 or 3 really good recruiting classes to raise the talent level enough to challenge the top four in the MWC and reach a bowl. I think that can happen, but I worry about the absolutely rock bottom level of attendance. Attendance may not return to the 25,000 to 30,000 level before about 2011 or 2012. . . if then.
I hope the new University president, whoever he or she may be, is willing to support the program until then.
Recruiting is the key. No doubt Hoke will bring in some good young men who will contribute. The question remains: Will we get enough good young men or will be continue to attract several better than average players to go along with lots of average or even slightly below average ones?
A win at Vegas will make the job a bit easier. A loss at Vegas will make that job much, much harder. Don't forget, if we lose to the Rebels, we will have finished the season with 3 straight losses, one blowout, one a disappointment (Vegas), and one (Wyoming) a humiliation. Should we end up 4-8, we will see just how good this new staff is at convincing H.S. seniors that at San Diego State it will be possible to turn out gallons and gallons of lemon aid!
Azwm
I think there is going to be a general consensus on at least two points:
1. S.D.S.U. does not have enough talent to reach 7 or more wins a season.
2. Brady Hoke and his staff are much better than Chuck Long and his staff. They got about as much out of this group of players as anyone could.
I agree with those points. The real question is this; where do we go from here? If the Aztecs pull out a win in Vegas, the resulting 5-7 record will be the best since 2003, and that certainly would qualify as definite progress. If the Rebs win, Aztec fans will have to be satisfied with 4-8. 4-8 is not too bad, all things considered, but that horrible melt-down against Wyoming will leave a bad taste in everybody’s mouths that will be hard to get rid of.
Either way, 5-7 or 4-8, this season will go down as “Not great but what more could we have expected?” That puts lots of pressure on Hoke and company to improve on that record next year.
I’m afraid that 6-6 may be the best we can reasonably hope for in 2010. And perhaps in 2011 as well. It’s going to take 2 or 3 really good recruiting classes to raise the talent level enough to challenge the top four in the MWC and reach a bowl. I think that can happen, but I worry about the absolutely rock bottom level of attendance. Attendance may not return to the 25,000 to 30,000 level before about 2011 or 2012. . . if then.
I hope the new University president, whoever he or she may be, is willing to support the program until then.
Recruiting is the key. No doubt Hoke will bring in some good young men who will contribute. The question remains: Will we get enough good young men or will be continue to attract several better than average players to go along with lots of average or even slightly below average ones?
A win at Vegas will make the job a bit easier. A loss at Vegas will make that job much, much harder. Don't forget, if we lose to the Rebels, we will have finished the season with 3 straight losses, one blowout, one a disappointment (Vegas), and one (Wyoming) a humiliation. Should we end up 4-8, we will see just how good this new staff is at convincing H.S. seniors that at San Diego State it will be possible to turn out gallons and gallons of lemon aid!
Azwm
