ponyinNC wrote:If we win 1 out of the 3 games against Big 12 teams, i'll be happy. If we win 2 of those, i'd say we would be ranked in the top 25 at that time. If we won all 3, my head would explode.
Take care of business in CUSA and we will be fine. Go 2-2 in OOC schedule, maybe 3-1
Completely agree with all that, including head explosions.
I can't get over the fact that this thread is almost all positive. Do you guys not know that PonyFans is a place for doom and gloom? I mean...take a look at my avatar...
It is a VERY good statement for the program when a team looks to 'downgrade' in a number of key positions and people still have realistic hopes for winning a conference championship.
As far as predictions, I'll only say that as GG goes, so the team will go.
nervous about Line. Not a nothing injury to come back from.
cautious optimism about Oline
D allowed 10 YARDS TOTAL on the ground vs Pitt. Yes they were in the dumps but come on - 10 YARDS TOTAL. that is exciting if we can keep that push on the front 3 as strong as it has been.
Is GG mobile? I know JJ doesn't like his QB's to run but he may have to against TCU and TAMU, and maybe against Baylor (I don't know how good their DLine is) while the line gels.
leopold wrote:Is GG mobile? I know JJ doesn't like his QB's to run but he may have to against TCU and TAMU, and maybe against Baylor (I don't know how good their DLine is) while the line gels.
I agree he'll need to be and he seems to look pretty mobile at the 1 minute mark in this video:
ojaipony wrote:We are going to be VERY good next year. Let's look at the facts across the board by position versus last year where we are upgrading pretty much across the board:
- QB (enough said assuming GG makes it). If not, look at CP: "Compiled 29-1 record as a starting quarterback at Junipero Serra... LED THE STATE with over 3,500 passing yards and 42 touchdowns, earning first-team All-State and All-CIF honors... Ranked as the No. 2 quarterback and No. 13 player overall in the state by CaliHiSports.com... Guided his team to an undefeated 15-0 season in 2009, throwing for 44 touchdowns" ... The ONLY reason this guy wasn't a 4 (or even 5) star was his height. We are very lucky to have him. He LED THE STATE. #2 QB IN THE STATE ... California ... Dude threw to Robert Woods. Time to give this guy his props. Solid, solid backup.
- RB. Enough said. Best in conference, one of best in the nation. And, with KC healthy and lil' Fridge (Wimbley), we will be even deeper there this year which I hope makes Zach even better (more rest for him).
- WR. DJ is probably best in the conference now. Thompson, Holman, JJ, and Holleman are all now a year older/more experienced and you have a Parade All-American in backup role (Dieter) plus Lagassi which is probably an upgrade to Beasley. And they will ALL be working with one of the best WR coaches in all of college football (definitely an upgrade in coaching there for sure).
- OL. Here's the debate. Personally IMHO, we are upgrading at center (Junk, former all conference, probably the best center in the conference now) and another OL (Gottschalk - just look at the guy's bio: 14th-best center in the nation by Rivals... All-CIF Pac-5 Division First-Team selection... Serra League Most Valuable Lineman) with another very experienced OL (Collins). We will be deeper here than we've been in a while. The only REAL replacements are 2 guys. Biggest question mark but I feel we'll be better. Beach's position will not be an upgrade nor, probably, will be Lereibus. But others will be. And an upgrade in coach here as well.
Defense...
Dline: NG is same, all conference. Margus is a freak, all conference. And Christian Holloway (possibly the best athlete on the entire defense) and Grenier on the other end.
LB: Enough said. By far, the best LB corps in the conference. Probably 3 all conference next year.
DB: Acker is solid and Middleton is an upgrade.
Safeties: They will certainly be bigger and Roundtree looks to be a beast. We will be deep here with AJ Justice and perhaps Randolph. Upgrade athletically at this position.
Special Teams will be rock solid - there are lots of guys competing for PT and will be working hard to impress, especially some young talented guys.
So, my fellow PF-ers, it's time to realize (contrary to what some of you want to believe) we will be VERY good next year. (And with that home schedule, THIS will be our break out year - people will be talking about SMU next year nationally). If we didn't have Baylor, TCU, AND aTm on the schedule I'd go as far as saying we finish top 25 but I'm not sure right now if I'm ready to say that yet. We should all be expecting to be conference champs next year and getting behind this team. We haven't been anywhere near this talented across the board since 1986.
What about our totally deficient kicking game in all aspects. Crucial special teams need and we are more than weak.
I still think the OL is an unknown. A year's experience in the weight room and growing for linemen can make a world of difference...more so than skill positions. I'm assuming all were skilled and increased in strength and muscle. I look forward to seeing how they play. They could possibly surprise EVERYONE.
As for quarterback, I think we have 2 or 3 candidates that could be exciting additions...sling that ball around the field and post great numbers. That would mean that the receivers will have some great opportunities to put up numbers too. And, they will.
I would guess rb is our biggest known strength at this point.
Defense is solid all around. I love to watch Hunt! Beast!
AusTxPony wrote:No mention of the kicking game...what's up there?
I think it's the same - same punter/placekicker - I think we'll be okay there. Not great, but ok.
The punter will change, as Matt Stone is graduating. Incoming freshman Derek Longoria (who signed in 2011 and greyshirted because of injuries) is a candidate to be the punter while also playing linebacker.
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