flameshaw wrote:ballcoach15 wrote:Truth be known it all will come down to:
Defense
I think we can score points, but...……………………………….
It will come down to the OL and DL. Football games are won in the trenches almost 100% of the time. Our weaknesses in these 2 areas was probably on display more during the JSU game than any. Our inability to run, puts lots of pressure on the passing game. Our inability to put pressure on the QB/stop the run, opens both the running and passing game for the opponent. Will be interesting to see, especially since some are predicting virtually the same starting OL and the step up in competition.
I assume when you say we are predicting pretty much the same OL, you are referring to the piece ASOR did. Manson was understandibly reluctant to project major contributions for Freshmen, because the fact is most OL are redshirted in their FR year. We have 2 really good starters returning in Duff and Sargent, and Lozano is a solid LT with plus athleticism, who is at his best in pass protection, butis a bit on the light side to be a dominant run blocker. We signed 5 Freshmen, all of them well over 300 lbs, and 2 were 3 star prospects. In addition, we have a couple of R-FR. I´m pretty confident our depth will be greatly improved, and I think we will see at least a couple of new guys earn spots in the rotation. It´s just difficult to project that until we have those players in camp.
On the other side of the ball, I think we can project significant contributions from newcomers like Pierson, Elefante, Lemelour, as well as Furtado, who won the most improved defensive player in Spring practice. If we can move Avery outside, we will definately be bigger and deeper, and should be tougher to run on.