I like Napier. He built that Louisiana program from the ground up.
I think all 3 of those are winnable. Pitt it would not surprise me to see us run all over Pitt I think we go into that game with something to prove and last year they got us at the right time. Florida and LSU yes they have talent but we have a very difficult scheme to guard. When you look at years past with Dooley, Jones, and Pruitt those 3 did not have anything that made them different. It was easy to just show up and out talent them. They did not have anything that allowed them to take control of the game they just had to coach the game and hope they other guy allowed them a chance to win. I will give Jones a little credit he did have a system that allowed him to create some breaks but he handicapped his team so much that they usually didn't have a chance against talented teams. Dooley and Pruitt in the end it's was kinda crazy to think they should have been on the same field. With Heupel and his offense he just has something that allows him to step up and take control of a game and he creates his own breaks. I think this year because of this being the 2nd year in the system with everyone in key position being more comfortable and confident and more understanding of what they need to do I think that we will be in the position to beat teams that may be more talented than us. JMO
Like I said, I think all of the games are winnable except probably Bama and UGA. Still too big a depth/talent deficit there. We could win all 3 of LSU, Florida and Pitt, but I think it's probably unlikely we win all 3 and hold serve against USCjr. and UK also. Those last 2 I expect to win but a slip up isn't unthinkable against either. UK was close last year and if Rattler plays up to his potential (he had a Nico-like rating coming out of HS), that game could be closer on the road as well. I'm thinking 8-4, possibly 9-3 for us. The 2nd year thing will be great for the offense but I'm not sure we can expect much improvement from our defense based on the personnel.
We will beat two of these three. I actually think all 3. Pitt lost their qb and all American wr apparently. UF coaches first time around on JH offense as well as LSU. And we will be a better team this year correcting some of our weaknesses.
10-2 would probably put us in the Sugar Bowl if the SEC gets 2 teams in the CFP, probably the Citrus if not. Either way, that would be an amazing year. I like your pitcher analogy, the only thing I would say though is that our year 1 tape is still out there so that mitigates the surprise element somewhat, as does the fact that Florida and Pitt's players will have faced our tempo before and be familiar with it.
