At this point, way too many unknowns. I thought we were going to do much better in previous seasons only to be disappointed.
This is where I am with basketball and football. I want to win, I’d like to win, but I have zero expectations of what the year could be because given the current climate every season is basically starting over. And even if we somehow have a great season, maybe beat app surprise chapel hill - we start over again next year.
If we win. Awesome. If we don’t. Whatever. Don’t really care. I got to hang out with friends.
I’ve let go of so much of the emotion that used to drive all of this for me.
4 Likes
Not me. I allow too much of my happiness to be dictated by the end result. I need us to win. I don’t care about tailgating if we are losing. Need to win
2 Likes
Schedule is tough and we have had a big problem even competing the last few years due to depth.
When we had a mature experienced Coach, Coach Tim leading the team we were a lot better last year. Which makes me hopeful for this year with new experienced Coach and staff. Didnt realize but our new OC is probably the most experienced coordinator we have ever had.
We seem to be stronger at the QB position than the past, thats positive. But talent/depth at skill positions and DL may be too much to overcome in the AAC again.
1 Like
I think our edge rusher group will be quite good and we added a lot on the interior dline. Getting brown back at WR was big, and mcgowans is a for 2x all SEC guy, so he should be good in the slot. I expect gainey to step up at RB, hopefully stokes is healthy and can play like he did st IU before he got hurt, and i expect us to have a top AAC group at LB and safety
Someone go ahead and reserve lanes at AMF because we’re going bowling this winter 
6 Likes
In some respects, Charlotte is a step down for Fitch, but a guy has to get tired of changing locations every couple of years. What made Ohio successful, more than anything, was that Solich created a stable situation, where assistant coaches were treated well, and they knew that they could stay in one place. Keeping the same assistants allowed them to win, and winning allowed them to keep their jobs. Hopefully Albin can create the same situation at Charlotte.
5 Likes
https://x.com/CapersStokes/status/1952132075575779732
I am hoping for big things from Stokes.
8 Likes
I get it. That was me. Especially in basketball. Coming up through the early 90s to the mid 2000s and our fall off was beyond frustrating. This climate of NIL and roster turnover - just doesn’t deserve that level of emotional investment from me.
I like Tim. I think we finally have a solid coach for the first time in program history and I do want us to win and I will enjoy it if we win, but I am not giving this crap more emotion than it deserves.
If nothing else I want the coach to finish their contract for once. The sudden turnover of coaches is bad for everyone. Even if the coach loses each year, consistency is key. For the kids especially
5 Likes
Defense is my main concern. Are we big enough and deep enough up the middle to stop the run? Is our secondary able to hold up if we can’t get edge pressure?
1 Like
I think DT will be fine. Holley is back, which helps. Hopefully tifase takes a step forward. I expect big things out of taz williams. I expect safety to be a strength with conley, mcgee, curtain and gill, but CB is a bit less certain
2 Likes
I dislike this whole thing. Just as I said about a coach finishing up his contract, just name one of these guys already. If it’s even, name the guy who has the fewest years of eligibility left. You’re supposed to run the system where the upperclassman has superiority. What are we afraid of? Them leaving? Well they’ll all do it anyway after the season ends, and they’ll all do it if they have to keep sharing first team reps and not be the main guy through the season. It’s already a different group of kids from last year, which was different from the year prior (except Ivey).
This tells me we are capable of getting quality transfers every year. So just pick the oldest one and let him play. Hope the underclassmen stay, then if the upperclassman transfers or graduates, put in the next guy. Keep it consistent, even if they don’t play to expectation.
https://x.com/Hunter_Bailey45/status/1952471207074549970
https://www.charlotteobserver.com/sports/college/charlotte-49ers/article311574615.html
3 Likes
Depth is okay at DT IMO. Will they be a stellar group, probably not, but we have the LBs and edge rushers to help.
Below are guys that can immediately be plugged in and serviceable:
Jalar Holley (CLT): 6-3, 315
Ayo Tifase (CLT): 6-4, 285
Jamarrion Solomon (FIU): 6-0, 270
Taz Williams (Utah State): 6-1, 280
Cheick Kaba (Troy): 6-2, 285
Then we have younger guys that could make an stride for PT like:
Xavier Miles (Syracuse): 6-3, 320
Caleb Irving (Purdue): 6-1, 290
Jaylen Doss (HS): 6-2, 270
Also have DJ Burgess who is typically on the edge but has the stockiness to go up the middle, if needed.
3 Likes