Delaware opens its 2013 football season tonight with more curiosity and, perhaps, enthusiasm than usual. That's what happens when a new coach takes over, and Dave Brock has said and done all the right things so far to win over the Blue Hens faithful and prepare Delaware to be its best.
Tubby Raymond Field is painted and pretty for tonight's Blue Hens opener.
Now comes the important part: Winning games.
Delaware has a chance to win a lot. It has a veteran offense playing an open, uptempo style that will exhibit more creativity and keep defenses guessing in a way last year's did not. Brock promises to set his defenders loose, too. And if Delaware is as good up front as it believes, that defense could wreak some havoc.
So how will the Hens fare in 2013, when they play 12 games? Navy and Villanova are the toughest foes, with Towson likely next. If Delaware drops those three, it could likely only afford to lose one other to make the expanded 24-team FCS playoffs -- and JMU and Richmond at home are tough and Maine is also pesky on the road.
I'm gonna give them 8-4 -- minimum -- and in the playoffs, where, as we've seen, the sky's the limit.