2nd in the east aint saying much. I mean besides UF, no one should should stand a chance with us, GA, and UF. So we're 2nd of 7, with 4 being trash schools. We can't stand a chance against Bama now and now GA is out recruiting them and will continue, obviously cause the state is loaded and they are successful right now. So we're 6th overall. Bama, Auburn LSU, and aTm. Again Arkansas, and the Mississippi school's are trash. Either way, we're stuck in the middle where we've been.
you say it ain't saying much, but you just showed why, relatively speaking, it is. the two programs that are two of our cheif rivals, are 1 and 2 in the country in recruiting, and just played each other for a natty.
we're not there obviously. but relative to Auburn, LSU, UF, USCe, we're at that level, and ahead of a couple of those. you're opinion of those other schools being trash is also relative. USCe, MSU, Ole Miss have all made pretty big strides competitively speaking, both on and off the field. it just is what it is right now. giong forward, if 3-4 years from now, i'd say we should see exactly what you described, UF, UT, and UGA pulling away from the rest of the East, with UGA having at least a 2 year head start on us.
As others have stated, the top 10 is only current. And it is overrated because it won't stick when it's all over with. It's like preseason rankings. Say we start out 4-0 and sneak in the top 25. It won't matter cause soon as we lose to GA, BAMA, and Auburn, we're dropping again.
Your last statement is possible, but other schools could have recruits due a bump too....
people pay waaay to much attention to the ranking. the ranking will take care of itself, and as always, it's fluid. there's still a lot of moving parts to it, and i would imagine you'll see our current committment list change some beofre signing day, and you'll probably see some pretty good additions....and at the end of the day, when you look at the roster and have ?'s about competitive depth at OL, DL, and DB, i give you the 2019 class as the solution to that problem. if nothing else, we've addressed those 3 main concerns.
If we can manage an 8-4 type season, win a bowl game and not get blown out by the big 3. I expect recruiting will pick up. On the other hand GA more than likely takes the East and recruiting remains high obviously. Lose to UF and they'll jump us in recruiting next year more than likely, lose to SC and Missouri and we're going to remain stuck in the middle recruiting, unless Pruitt some how takes off in year 2 with these avg. classes. That's why this recruiting cycle and this season is so critical. We're already too far behind talent wise. And who knows, maybe Pruitt will take off and do more with less. Or he could be a complete bust. I just know, I'm sick of being stuck in the middle and celebrating moral victories. And knowing this class is far from a true top 10 class as is, the future feels like more of the same. I'm cautiously optimistic, though fwiw
Pruitt has been quoted by commits and prospects alike that he's not sugar coating what the prospects could be for the 2018 season. so while i agree what happens this season it's going to be important to show that we're not that far away, i don't think that means we have to win 8 or 9 games. GA and BAma are going to have the 2 best classes in the country. not much is going to change that at this point. point being, i don't think we're going to have a great season, but i don't think we're going to see a repeat of last year either. win the games you're supposed to. maybe get an upset or two in there...but go to a bowl, and just have the ability to show you can compete, and that we really are just needing upgraded personnel to consistently compete with the UGA's, Bama's etc...of the world.
it's not that he gets a pass for this year, as much as it is that he's set the right expectations with prospects.
if i had to pick a single game on the schedule that doesn't need to go badly, i'd say UF. huge recruiting weekend for the 19 and 20 classes.
for now though, i think you just have to acknowledge it for what it is....a really good class that addresses major needs. and coming off the season, and coaching search, we had, i think it bodes well for the future.