Expectations for the 2012 Football Season??

[Guest CardAmbassador]

So since spring camp has been over for a while now, our roster is nearly full and we have little else to entertain ourselves I thought it might be time to rally the troops and figure out what we're all expecting from this season.

 

I must say last year we all missed. I thought we would at least be competitive and might possibly be a good team. Well, I was wrong as were most.

 

So this year knowing that we're young, but with new energetic coaches, what are your expectations?

 

This is what I would like to see in 2012

1. Don't lose to sub D1

2. If we lose don't lose by more than 20 (keep it respectable with SHSU and SFA) (we can exclude Hawaii from this)

3. finish 5th or better in the SLC.

 

Is that really all that much to ask for? number 2 is the most important. Blowout losses really take the excitement out of the fan base, and we've had them both years.

[Guest LU4LIFE]

I had high hope for this team last year and we all know how that played out so i'm going to be more realistic with my expectations this season. No blow out loses and being competitive in all games and i'll be happy. If we could have a winning record that would be the icing on the cake.

[SFA Fan]

 

This is what I would like to see in 2012

1. Don't lose to sub D1

2. If we lose don't lose by more than 20 (keep it respectable with SHSU and SFA) (we can exclude Hawaii from this)

3. finish 5th or better in the SLC.

 

Is that really all that much to ask for? number 2 is the most important. Blowout losses really take the excitement out of the fan base, and we've had them both years.

 

#1?, Yes, for sure. LU should never lose to a sub classification school, and I don't think the Cards will again.

 

#2? Thats a real tall order. LU lost by 59 at home to SFA, and goes to SFA this year. Then Sam comes calling after a 60-something win last year. If LU holds both games within 30, that would be an accomplishment. BTW, I am not sure if SFA can even stay within 20 of Sam this year. Sam may very well win it all in 2012.

 

#3? Yes, I think LU can finish 5th. Good luck to the cards in 12.

[coachacola]

I would like to see LAMAR win 6 games. Here's why I think it's possible:

 

1. Defense was simply one of the worst in all of FCS football last year. We should see a much improved defense because (1) Bill Bradley is the new DC, (2) Woodard has signed some JUCO players that should make an impact, and (3) several key players will be back from injuries.

 

2. Offensive line was not that good. Two starters are gone but with a new coach, more experience, a few new faces, the OL should be at least a little better.

 

3. Special teams should also be better than last year with new coach and better personnel.

 

4. The offense may suffer a little to start the season due to a new OC, new QB, and experienced WRs. But the running game and TEs should be better to offset some of that. The offense should be stronger in the second half of the season as they learn the new system and the young guys get more experience.

 

Where will the wins come from?

 

2 wins against the sub-D1 opponents. The McMurry game could be close so these are not gimme games. 2 loses against UL and Hawaii. Beating one of these teams would be a historic accomplishment.

 

That leaves 8 games against FCS opponents (7 conference games plus Prairie View). They play Priarie View, SE Louisiana, SHSU, and Nicholl at home so they need to win 3 of those games, and outside of SHSU they should have a good chance of winning.

 

To get to 6 wins they'll need to win at least 1 road conference game. Nw State? Maybe, Central Arkansas? Doubtful, SFA or McNeese? Doubtful.

 

To win 6 games they need to keep improving every week and not get knocked down by injuries. Is this team finally deep enough to overcome adversity and compete in all 12 games? To me that's the key question.

[SFA Fan]

I would like to see LAMAR win 6 games. Here's why I think it's possible:

 

2 wins against the sub-D1 opponents.

 

Priarie View, SE Louisiana, Nicholl at home

 

at Nw State? Maybe,

 

Thats your 6.

[Guest CardAmbassador]

I would like to see LAMAR win 6 games. Here's why I think it's possible:

 

2 wins against the sub-D1 opponents.

 

Priarie View, SE Louisiana, Nicholl at home

 

at Nw State? Maybe,

 

Thats your 6.

 

Personally I'd give us a better shot at beating McNeese, we played with them the entire game until last 7 minutes of the fourth. NWST got away from us early. NWST was the better team last year.

[Mike]

So since spring camp has been over for a while now, our roster is nearly full and we have little else to entertain ourselves I thought it might be time to rally the troops and figure out what we're all expecting from this season.

 

I must say last year we all missed. I thought we would at least be competitive and might possibly be a good team. Well, I was wrong as were most.

 

So this year knowing that we're young, but with new energetic coaches, what are your expectations?

 

This is what I would like to see in 2012

1. Don't lose to sub D1

2. If we lose don't lose by more than 20 (keep it respectable with SHSU and SFA) (we can exclude Hawaii from this)

3. finish 5th or better in the SLC.

 

Is that really all that much to ask for? number 2 is the most important. Blowout losses really take the excitement out of the fan base, and we've had them both years.

 

 

In fairness #1 shouldn't be listed as an "expectation" for the LU football team. They haven't and will not lose to a sub D1 school and you know the expectations for this season are set higher that that.

[West]

I will be surprised if we have a better record than we had this past season at 4-7.

[peckemtech11]

I wanna shoot higher than a 6 win season..im calling it now (or at least trying to). Im gonna say 7. Its our third year, not as many people attending games which means our fan base is losing faith and a 7+win season is whats needed to stir our fans and community up.

Will it happen? I really dont know, depends on how bad our guys really want it. The talent is there, the personell (players+coaches) is there. Might need some time to marinate, but its only a matter of time.

We're returning some starters on both sides. Got a qb with a cannon who is mobile enough to make plays. Gotta killer instinct LB squad. Ladies and Gentlemen, our defense is gonna be sick this year, mark these words. Wouldve been even better if Woodard wouldve picked up LB Collin Garrett(West Brook, Univ. of KAnsas). Not to mention, our running game should be peppier with Garrett, Washington, Byrd, Harmon, Venson and some other dude from Waco. My only worries is our O-line. I mean i dont think losing Oden is gonna hurt us at all. Heck, he didnt do squat when he was here. His attitude wasnt peachy at all. Billy Chavis? nothin, maybe 2 tds since he set foot on campus.

People we gotta better chance.

[Guest CardAmbassador]

I know we haven't lost to a sub DI, I just don't want to start now. I think if the defense is improved (really hoping this is the case) then things will be alot more peachy around here come late October.

[Mike]

Wow, everyone is down after last season but what did the team actually lose off last years team? They lost a lot at WR, they lost their leading tackler at LB, they lost their starting QB and they lost an O-lineman that was with his 2nd team in two seasons then quit.....yet everyone was highly optimistic going into last season.

 

So what gives??

 

Well since last season ended Lamar has:

 

- signed what I consider a solid recruiting class

- Updated their coaching staff on both sides of the football

- signed a JUCO o-lineman that can be as good or better than Oden was

- shouldn't have another QB controversy with people clamoring for JJ

- will have more talent at RB than they've ever had since football returned

- have key players in the secondary that weren't available at all last season

- have a kicker coming in that can boom the kickoffs for touchbacks

- switched to a 3-4 defense which should help with the personnel they have on campus

- another year of workouts and experience for a lot of guys that have been forced to start since they were Freshmen

 

All this adds up to a better season than many are predicting here and other places.

 

My expectations are this team will be forced to be a run first team early in the season. With the offensive line learning under Dennis McKnight, a healthy DePauldrick Garrett and more depth at the RB position they'll be able to run the football more consistently than they have in the past. This will take the pressure off their inexperienced WR's and QB. It will also keep the clock moving helping the defense stay fresh when they are on the field. I think Ryan Mossakowski starts and surprises a lot of people by playing well and improving as his WR's gain more experience as the year progresses. I would also not be surprised if you see the Cards nab an experienced WR this Summer. Just call that a hunch.

 

With Bill Bradley coming on as DC we should see a much improved defense. The 3-4 switch matches up with the strength of the personnel they have on campus. IMO guys like Blake Chavis and Marcus Malbrough will excel playing with their hands off the ground and raise more havok in the opposing teams backfields. Another big issue with the defense last season was the banged up secondary they were forced to play with. With Branden Thomas and Steven Murray Sesay healthy now along with the other guys we should see better play from the secondary in 2012.

 

Special teams should be better as well with Coach Woodard and McKnight putting a lot of emphasis on it. Expect to see improvement in the battle for field position in the upcoming season. You could easily tell how passionate Coach McKnight is about Special Teams play during Spring Practices.

 

All these things added up equal a better season for the Cardinals. How much better? We'll find out.

 

 

 

 

[Guest bigred360]

Because of all the comments made by this guy.^^^^^I'm believing for 6 wins this season!

[LOVE-THE-CARDS]

SFA Fan says #1?, Yes, for sure. LU should never lose to a sub classification school, and I don't think the Cards will again.

 

My question is when did they ever lose to a sub D I school anyway?

 

[SFA Fan]

SFA Fan says #1?, Yes, for sure. LU should never lose to a sub classification school, and I don't think the Cards will again.

 

My question is when did they ever lose to a sub D I school anyway?

 

Sorry, my bad. I didn't follow LU that close this past year, and I thought I heard they lost to some small school at some point. I apparently misspoke, no offense intended.

[Guest LU 17]

Well in 82 we lost to a very good Southwest Texas state team 30-0. At the time Southwest was a D2 school. The program is in better hands with the current staff.

[Guest LU 17]

I expect us to win or compete in all our games. Some of these schools that moved up to FBS used to be conference opponents like La Tech and La. Monroe and Lafayette. We ain't scared...I realize our program is starting over, but we pushed a good Central Arkansas team last season. We also hung in with Mcneese until the 4th quarter. The coaches are getting talent so I am always optimistic.

[Mike]

I expect us to win or compete in all our games. Some of these schools that moved up to FBS used to be conference opponents like La Tech and La. Monroe and Lafayette. We ain't scared...I realize our program is starting over, but we pushed a good Central Arkansas team last season. We also hung in with Mcneese until the 4th quarter. The coaches are getting talent so I am always optimistic.

 

 

Thanks for joining and posting LU 17

[Guest LU 17]

Mike, I was reading your expectation post on page 1. You said you had a hunch we would pick up an experienced WR this summer. Nice call...we just picked him up.

[Guest eagle eye]

Expectations are always high in the spring and just before the beginning of the season. Ask any Cowboys fan! My hope is Lamar goes +.500. I would love to see the Cards go 6-5 or 7-4. For a third year program that would be pretty darn good!

[coachacola]

Expectations are always high in the spring and just before the beginning of the season. Ask any Cowboys fan! My hope is Lamar goes +.500. I would love to see the Cards go 6-5 or 7-4. For a third year program that would be pretty darn good!

You forgot about the 12th game this year! LAMAR will go at least 6-6.

[TBonesLU]

Mike, I was reading your expectation post on page 1. You said you had a hunch we would pick up an experienced WR this summer. Nice call...we just picked him up.

 

He had that hunch based on a tip from a source a while back... ;D

[Guest Hookem14]

My expectations for the 2012 season would be to see a team on the field in which every single player gives 100% on every play. That is something that was far from happening last year as many of the players were giving up in numerous games and it was very apparent to many fans. If not giving up and playing hard on every down happens, winning will start to take care of itself.

[lu cards]

i wont give a win/loss predection this year but rather what i hope to see on the field and on the sidelines.i expect to see more organiztion with our entire program.dont need to see 2,000 people on the sideline,players looking at coaches with there hands up in the air as the ball is snapped,players talking to fans as the game is going on,special teams break downs.need to see a focused group of young men ready to play every saturday,defense prepared for every formation,offense getting better than 1 yrd a carry,coaches worried about winning and not the f-ing endzone angels.i dont give a shit if we go 2-10(actually i do)we better atleast look like a college team that has its shit together.i like what has happened this off season and i hope it continues this fall.

[QB 22]

How about players dressed alike not yellow leggings.

[puddin tane]

expectations........i think well have a winning season....and get trashed by slam.....

beat PV,Lang,SE,Nich,McMurr,Mcsleeze...loses to oo-la-la, hawaii, sfa, uca, nw...tossups