2015 checklist:
1. Look like a competitive team.
2. Beat Nova, Tulane, USF and Army.
3. Win at least six games.
4. Win a bowl game.
5. Beat either BYU or Missouri.
6. Win the AAC.
#4-6 aren't likely, but playing in a bowl game should be the goal this season. I'll be disappointed if they fall short, but how disappointed depends on #1-2.
I'm being honest, I just want to see #1.
2. I don't expect them to run the table on these 4 games, so I can't be disappointed if they don't.
3. Again, looking at the roster and the schedule, I don't see 6 wins, so like 2014, I don't think it's fair to judge Diaco on whether we make a bowl this year or not.
4. See #3 above.
5. Crazier stuff has happened in sports, but this is just not going to happen with both games on the road.
6. See #2-6 above.
What you didn't mention, is coaching. I don't want to hear about preseason games. I don't want to see 50 plus guys rotating in and out. I don't want to see a QB platoon in any way. I don't want to hear what a mess he inherited and how the team stinks. I don't want to see our best players on the sidelines for important downs (see Davis, Geremy). I want to see better decisions regarding punts/FG's. I don't want to see a game like we saw against USF ever again.
I don't even care one iota about what he says anymore as long as he's not telling everyone how much the kids stink. I want to see evidence of them responding and buying in. I want to see evidence of Diaco learning from some of his mistakes last year. I'm willing to give him a blank slate this year. I don't expect more than 4 wins, so I'm not gonna judge him on the number of wins. But if I see the same nonsense that we saw last year, I'm not going to keep quiet.
This team has a questionable and young OL with no QB right now. Temper the expectations.