Just reviewing the roster, we did lose a lot to the portal/graduation. Most notably, 4 of 5 starting OL players plus some talented reserves. On defense, Jurriente Davis was a man and Gregory Grate was an all CUSA kind of guy.
With that being said, we've actually done OK in the portal and return plenty of talent. I believe the defense is gonna be there in championship form for us. Scott always has his guys ready to play, and we are as strong as anyone on the defensive line led by one of the best in the conference Jordan Ferguson. We picked up some very athletic guys at the LB position from Louisville & Miss St. in Zay Peterson and Timar Rogers. Jonathan Butler returns as well at LB and we have a lot of young talent competing for playing time like Raquon Hartley who should be all over the field for us. I really feel like Scott is gonna have this defense ready to play and potentially be a top 3 defense in the conference IF the offense doesn't leave them out there on the field the whole game. It's very possible the offense goes 3 and out way too many times or we score too fast and our D gets tossed back out there for 10+ series a game. In that kind of scenario it would be difficult to be top 3 in conference but if the offense keeps things balanced I really think our D will be there. Key to a successful season for us is going to be balance. Both on offense and defense.
Special teams should be fine with Kyle Ulbrich returning for punt duties (3rd best in CUSA last year) and Zeke Rankin back with placekicking duties. Special teams should be top half of the league if not top 3 as well.
The big enigma is going to be the offense. This season will be determined by new offensive coordinator Mitch Stewart and our new OL. I suspect Chase will win the job at QB for us and Ervin/Sparrow/Peasant will push for the starting RB job. WR position for us will continue to be one of the best and deepest in CUSA led by Jaylin Lane. OL will be a big mystery. Jordan Palmer will be at Center for sure but it's tough to tell who wins the guard and tackle jobs. We've got a big influx of transfers, recruits, and back up's from last season that will push for time. With regards to the OL, I actually believe the talent is there but I really worry from a coaching standpoint. I have little to no faith in our OL coaches. But, I think the OL unit has the potential to be more than serviceable and might be running people over in the second half of the season once we've ironed out the starting 5 and key back ups and they have some experience under their belt. Just looking at GBR, the pedigree and size is certainly there for us at the OL. Just gotta get the right guys at the right positions and play down hill.
Sadly, I think this will be a classic Rick Stockstill team that starts poorly but finishes strong. My heart wants to believe we can push for the East, but my brain is telling me this is just another 6-6 season that starts poorly and ends with a whimper. A traditional view says this is a team that will need 3-4 games under their belt before they really iron things out with so many new faces and a new OC. It sucks because every game on the schedule is winnable outside of Miami. If we could just find a way to start the season 2-1 before we head down to Miami I would feel really good about things. That would put us back at home 2-2 with conference play opening up Week 5 against UTSA. I know for Rick the season doesn't start until Week 5 when we play UTSA at home but that's just bullshit in my opinion. Week's 1 and 2 are super important when it comes to having people respect your program and showing people you know what you're doing. Losing at both JMU and Colorado State would just affirm what everyone else mostly suspects, that this program is weak and doesn't strive for greatness. We have looked pathetic lately in OOC play (The 42-0 Army game nightmare comes to mind...over and over and over and over again....) and it's time to change that.
With that being said, we've actually done OK in the portal and return plenty of talent. I believe the defense is gonna be there in championship form for us. Scott always has his guys ready to play, and we are as strong as anyone on the defensive line led by one of the best in the conference Jordan Ferguson. We picked up some very athletic guys at the LB position from Louisville & Miss St. in Zay Peterson and Timar Rogers. Jonathan Butler returns as well at LB and we have a lot of young talent competing for playing time like Raquon Hartley who should be all over the field for us. I really feel like Scott is gonna have this defense ready to play and potentially be a top 3 defense in the conference IF the offense doesn't leave them out there on the field the whole game. It's very possible the offense goes 3 and out way too many times or we score too fast and our D gets tossed back out there for 10+ series a game. In that kind of scenario it would be difficult to be top 3 in conference but if the offense keeps things balanced I really think our D will be there. Key to a successful season for us is going to be balance. Both on offense and defense.
Special teams should be fine with Kyle Ulbrich returning for punt duties (3rd best in CUSA last year) and Zeke Rankin back with placekicking duties. Special teams should be top half of the league if not top 3 as well.
The big enigma is going to be the offense. This season will be determined by new offensive coordinator Mitch Stewart and our new OL. I suspect Chase will win the job at QB for us and Ervin/Sparrow/Peasant will push for the starting RB job. WR position for us will continue to be one of the best and deepest in CUSA led by Jaylin Lane. OL will be a big mystery. Jordan Palmer will be at Center for sure but it's tough to tell who wins the guard and tackle jobs. We've got a big influx of transfers, recruits, and back up's from last season that will push for time. With regards to the OL, I actually believe the talent is there but I really worry from a coaching standpoint. I have little to no faith in our OL coaches. But, I think the OL unit has the potential to be more than serviceable and might be running people over in the second half of the season once we've ironed out the starting 5 and key back ups and they have some experience under their belt. Just looking at GBR, the pedigree and size is certainly there for us at the OL. Just gotta get the right guys at the right positions and play down hill.
Sadly, I think this will be a classic Rick Stockstill team that starts poorly but finishes strong. My heart wants to believe we can push for the East, but my brain is telling me this is just another 6-6 season that starts poorly and ends with a whimper. A traditional view says this is a team that will need 3-4 games under their belt before they really iron things out with so many new faces and a new OC. It sucks because every game on the schedule is winnable outside of Miami. If we could just find a way to start the season 2-1 before we head down to Miami I would feel really good about things. That would put us back at home 2-2 with conference play opening up Week 5 against UTSA. I know for Rick the season doesn't start until Week 5 when we play UTSA at home but that's just bullshit in my opinion. Week's 1 and 2 are super important when it comes to having people respect your program and showing people you know what you're doing. Losing at both JMU and Colorado State would just affirm what everyone else mostly suspects, that this program is weak and doesn't strive for greatness. We have looked pathetic lately in OOC play (The 42-0 Army game nightmare comes to mind...over and over and over and over again....) and it's time to change that.
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