Matt Rhule has been particularly confident this offseason, I do not think there is any doubt about that. How nice has it been to have a coach go to media days, interviews, etc. and be so publicly confident in his players, take accountability for his mistakes and what he learned? It is a refreshing feeling and I love listening to this man speak, but I did have a thought cross my mind for a bit.. Does this ultra-confidence change your expectations for 2024 in any way? Let me explain.
I believe we all can agree that as a fanbase, our expectation coming into 2024 is a bowl game. Sure, many of us were disappointed in how 2023 ended, but coming into the season, I am not sure we should’ve expected a ton. Rhule inherited a crappy situation, made worse by injuries. However, Coach Rhule has made it a point this off-season to say this feels more like a “Year 3” team for him as opposed to a “Year 2” team. He has said repeatedly, last season felt like a year two talent, and this season should be the year 3 in terms of results.. Which is saying A LOT, considering at Temple he won 10 games and Baylor he won 11 in Year 3. Should that be the expectation this season?
I would say no, that should not be the expectation, but I do see how the fan base may disagree with me. I would argue that, while Rhule’s confidence is admirable, it might be unwise to adjust our expectations to match the lofty benchmarks he has set in the media. Although all coaches are confident… I am a little worried Coach Rhule is setting a chunk of the fan base up to be let down by being SO publicly confident and doubling down, which would be a bit unfair but I understand it. As this off-season progressed, I believe many of us started at “Let’s just make a bowl game”, and moved to many (myself included) saying 7-8 wins would be very realistic.. But the more Coach Rhule says this feels like a year 3, and the more he hints at this team competing for a playoff spot, winning 7 games might be a letdown if you took his word as gospel. Rhule’s confidence may also be a strategic maneuver to elevate the team’s performance and instill a winning mindset. By publicly setting high expectations, he could be aiming to push both the team and the fan base to embrace a greater level of ambition and accountability. This could be a way to foster a culture of excellence (which we NEED) and drive the team to surpass previous limitations (close losses, turnovers, etc.).
However, this approach also has potential downsides. If Rhule’s confident declarations lead fans to set their expectations too high, there could be a risk of disappointment if the team falls short of the ambitious goals he has suggested. The more Rhule speaks about this season resembling his Year 3 successes, the more there is a potential disconnect between his optimistic outlook and the actual outcomes we might reasonably expect. This disparity could lead to mounting pressure on both the team and Rhule himself, as any shortfall from the high expectations might result in a public relations challenge. Also, if the team fails to meet these ambitious goals, it could diminish the credibility of Rhule’s optimistic outlook and potentially harm his reputation. The focus could shift from the team’s development and incremental successes to an emphasis on unmet promises, overshadowing any positive strides made during the season.
In the end, Rhule’s public confidence might just be a reflection of his belief in the team’s potential, and it’s important for us fans to manage our expectations accordingly. While aiming for a season with 7-8 wins and a bowl appearance is still a reasonable target, it’s wise to remember that exceeding these goals would be a bonus rather than an expectation. Would love to hear other’s thoughts, comment on the NBNR Facebook page, X account, or post in the forum YOUR expectations for the 2024 season!
