After five weeks of the season, we’ve played four games and stand at 2-2. We’ve been there before, of course. In fact, over the past dozen years, we’ve been at 2-2 eight previous times. We won the next game twice and lost it on six occasions. Losses in this “crossroads” game resulted in disastrous seasons. After starting 2-3 in those years, we only won 4 of the remaining 42 games. In the two years we won (last season and in 2013) we fared a little better. In 2013, we went 4-4 the rest of the way. Last year we dropped the next six before hammering UCONN in the season finale. Thus, winning game #5 doesn’t necessarily ensure success, but losing it has, historically, led to embarrassing failure.
According to Massey’s composite ranking (https://www.masseyratings.com/cf/compare.htm), we have a consensus rank of #72 from the 84 services who have contributed their inputs so far this week. In the past dozen years, through 190 weekly ratings, we’ve only been ranked higher on 3 occasions, all in 2013. Our highest weekly ranking since early 1999 according to Massey was #64 after the bowl win in 2002 against Hawaii. Could this be our best team since then? The game against Tulsa could be the start to answering that question.
We’ve played Tulsa for the past twelve straight years and only won once. Eleven times (all Tulane losses), they scored at least 30 points. Other than our one win (14-7 in 2013), we were rarely competitive. In fact, on nine occasions we lost by more than three TD’s. In the eleven defeats, we were outscored 479 to 191 (44 to 17 on average).
Of course, coming off of their loss to Navy, Tulsa is ranked #89 by the Massey composite. Thus, we are, at least according to the consensus of pollsters, somewhat better than them. And betters have us as a 4.5 point favorite. Regardless, it’s a game we can win and must win to retain a solid shot at a 6 win season.
Looking at our remaining schedule, ECU is rated at #114 by Massey and, even on the road, we should be favored. It’s a tough place to play, however. FIU is rated #97 and is another really solid opportunity for a win despite having to do so in Florida. Cincinnati is rated at #84 and “home field” advantage will be in our favor. Along with Tulsa, those appear to be our best chances at victory.
At this point, Memphis (#47), SMU (#45), Houston (#40), and USF (#23) would be solid to heavy favorites over the Wave. That doesn’t mean we have no chance, it simply means that pollsters and odds-makers don’t see our chances as very good— at least for now.
Going into the final seven regular season games at 3-2 would give us a good shot at a bowl. If they were played today, we’d be favored three times and underdogs in the other four. If odds hold to form and we sneak in an upset, we could go 7-5, though it could obviously go the other direction also. But, before we play those seven, we need to take down Tulsa. History suggests we need to REALLY be up for this game.
Roll Wave!!!
According to Massey’s composite ranking (https://www.masseyratings.com/cf/compare.htm), we have a consensus rank of #72 from the 84 services who have contributed their inputs so far this week. In the past dozen years, through 190 weekly ratings, we’ve only been ranked higher on 3 occasions, all in 2013. Our highest weekly ranking since early 1999 according to Massey was #64 after the bowl win in 2002 against Hawaii. Could this be our best team since then? The game against Tulsa could be the start to answering that question.
We’ve played Tulsa for the past twelve straight years and only won once. Eleven times (all Tulane losses), they scored at least 30 points. Other than our one win (14-7 in 2013), we were rarely competitive. In fact, on nine occasions we lost by more than three TD’s. In the eleven defeats, we were outscored 479 to 191 (44 to 17 on average).
Of course, coming off of their loss to Navy, Tulsa is ranked #89 by the Massey composite. Thus, we are, at least according to the consensus of pollsters, somewhat better than them. And betters have us as a 4.5 point favorite. Regardless, it’s a game we can win and must win to retain a solid shot at a 6 win season.
Looking at our remaining schedule, ECU is rated at #114 by Massey and, even on the road, we should be favored. It’s a tough place to play, however. FIU is rated #97 and is another really solid opportunity for a win despite having to do so in Florida. Cincinnati is rated at #84 and “home field” advantage will be in our favor. Along with Tulsa, those appear to be our best chances at victory.
At this point, Memphis (#47), SMU (#45), Houston (#40), and USF (#23) would be solid to heavy favorites over the Wave. That doesn’t mean we have no chance, it simply means that pollsters and odds-makers don’t see our chances as very good— at least for now.
Going into the final seven regular season games at 3-2 would give us a good shot at a bowl. If they were played today, we’d be favored three times and underdogs in the other four. If odds hold to form and we sneak in an upset, we could go 7-5, though it could obviously go the other direction also. But, before we play those seven, we need to take down Tulsa. History suggests we need to REALLY be up for this game.
Roll Wave!!!