A Sea Of Red

As we go inside 10 weeks until the first game against Kent State (and to hopefully get some discussion going during this slow period), I thought Id ask, besides whether or not we will make the playoffs (which someone would no doubt have mentioned), what is the biggest question for the football team at the start of the 2013 season?

Flames Nation's Top 10 storylines series touched on the biggest one for me: Who is going to step up among the wide receivers? With Pat Kelly graduating, we have no receivers returning with at least 20 catches the previous year (Jaquan Glover has the most catches among the returners...with 7)

When will we play our first game in the SEC? 2014? 2017?

Will Liberty be able to finally put Coastal Carolina in their rearview mirror?

Will our offensive line be ready to compete on day 1? Our defense and special teams should be better. I also expect us to feature more explosive playmakers (the return of Fogg, a maturing Abner & Peterson + the transfer of Richardson).

Interior D-Line

I think something big will be who will be able to replace that man child Bryant L at the NG spot. He led the team in sacks if I'm not mistaken. Whomever our tackles are, they are going to have to step up big to stop the run to force teams to hopefully pass into what should be a strength for the team, in the secondary. If we can't stop the run its going to be a long season.

forbidden wrote:Interior D-Line

I think something big will be who will be able to replace that man child Bryant L at the NG spot. He led the team in sacks if I'm not mistaken. Whomever our tackles are, they are going to have to step up big to stop the run to force teams to hopefully pass into what should be a strength for the team, in the secondary. If we can't stop the run its going to be a long season.

Bryant did have a great senior year. Francis Bah may be the most gifted Dtackle at LU in a long time. Maybe ever. If he can stay healthy, he has a chance to play on Sundays. From what I have heard, his ¨measurables¨are the kind that would open eyes at the combine. I also look for Jibrelle Fewell to step it up a notch for his senior year

Here are the weights for our returning d-linemen (not including those that walked on last semester):

Bah-295
Bowman-245
Davis-250
Dessources-225
Fewell-300
Freeman-265
Holt-275
Spicer-260
Uzowihe-240

Here are the weights for the incoming freshmen on the d-line:

Cook-260
Greene-295
Hunt-285
Karnezis-260
Wilson-245

Youve got 4 players at better than 270 pounds including two at 295 and one at 300. I think there will be plenty of beef available to plug the middle, and some very athletic players on the ends to clean up as well.

How will going FBS Independent affect our schedule?

I think that our biggest question mark is backup QB. If Woodrum goes down then it is up to true freshman Masha unless Shashati has anything. That could all change if we were to get Simms but things are not looking too good with getting him. All other positions we should be fine with a lot of potential at WR and OL.

Everything I have heard indicates the staff really likes Shashaty at backup QB. But there is no question that it is a huge question mark for us with no one with experience.

I've heard nothing but great things about Stephon Masha from some of the players. Apparently he's got a cannon and is a serious threat with the legs. I'm going to step out and say he will become the backup to Woodrum.

I won't go so far as pretty and crown him the backup just yet like pretty but Masha is certainly talented and had lots of good things to show on tape and I look forward to how he stacks up in practice in a few weeks. QB is certainly going to be one to watch.

Does this trend of significant injuries continue?

A fair question...it seems we have had an issue with the injury bug in some form or fashion the last couple seasons