I think this program has turned the corner. For the first time in YEARS, I see reasons to be optimistic.
I think Buechelle will end up winning the QB battle. It may not be reflected today, but it's coming. I would guess that this kid will end up winning over any holdouts on the team during summer workouts. The coaches may or may not start him versus Notre Dame, but if they don't it won't be long after that before he's starting for us. Now being a freshman, he's going to make mistakes (some of which may cost us games). But I think this is the type of kid who learns from his mistakes and we will be better off for it in the long run. Tyrone Swoopes may look good in practice, but I know what he looks like when the lights come on and the pass rushers are allowed to hit him and he's a senior now so I don't think he'll be any different this year.
There are playmakers on offense. Obviously you have to start with the RB's. D'onta Foreman and Chris Warren have already shown their skill and I expect them to play even better this season. Collin Johnson, Burt and the other receivers will make enough plays to open up the running game. And as long as they stay healthy (because there is zero depth here), I expect the offensive line to be good (not great but good...as in no longer a liability).
The offense itself will actually work. Charlie Strong deserves every bit of criticism he gets for hiring Shawn Watson in the first place and then not firing him after the first season. Norvell was nothing but a placeholder who wasn't given much chance to succeed. That being said, Charlie finally got it right hiring Sterlin Gilbert (whose parents did him a disservice naming him Sterlin and not Sterling, IMO). I expect Gilbert to have us moving the ball up and down the field this year and points will be in much greater supply than last year, although that's not exactly a high hurdle. But I don't think this offense will be airing it out all of the time. I think we're going to see a lot of running plays from this unit to keep the clock running and help ease the burden of having a freshman quarterback. Still, when defenses stack the box I think Buechelle will be able to make them pay and they'll have to respect the pass more and drop back out of the box. Speaking of the running game, I think Buechelle will be able to help himself by running out of bad situations. How many times last year did we watch Heard scramble away from pressure only to step out of bounds five yards behind the line of scrimmage instead of throwing it away?
As for the defense, the d-line is an obvious concern. But the back seven is going to be damn tough for this conference. The DB unit is chock full of players with more coming in this class. The talent at LB is top notch with Malik running the crew. If we get any production from the defensive line then we'll see scoring numbers drop from last year.
Finally, while I'm super excited that we finally have a group of players on this team, I'm not sure what it will mean for our overall record this season. We still have a really tough schedule and the guys we do have are still young. I think we could see six or seven wins. However, I also think we'll see enough progress on the field that Charlie will keep his job and the next season we'll be in the hunt for a Big XII title and maybe even the playoffs.
Those are my thoughts heading into the 2016 Orange & White game.
I think Buechelle will end up winning the QB battle. It may not be reflected today, but it's coming. I would guess that this kid will end up winning over any holdouts on the team during summer workouts. The coaches may or may not start him versus Notre Dame, but if they don't it won't be long after that before he's starting for us. Now being a freshman, he's going to make mistakes (some of which may cost us games). But I think this is the type of kid who learns from his mistakes and we will be better off for it in the long run. Tyrone Swoopes may look good in practice, but I know what he looks like when the lights come on and the pass rushers are allowed to hit him and he's a senior now so I don't think he'll be any different this year.
There are playmakers on offense. Obviously you have to start with the RB's. D'onta Foreman and Chris Warren have already shown their skill and I expect them to play even better this season. Collin Johnson, Burt and the other receivers will make enough plays to open up the running game. And as long as they stay healthy (because there is zero depth here), I expect the offensive line to be good (not great but good...as in no longer a liability).
The offense itself will actually work. Charlie Strong deserves every bit of criticism he gets for hiring Shawn Watson in the first place and then not firing him after the first season. Norvell was nothing but a placeholder who wasn't given much chance to succeed. That being said, Charlie finally got it right hiring Sterlin Gilbert (whose parents did him a disservice naming him Sterlin and not Sterling, IMO). I expect Gilbert to have us moving the ball up and down the field this year and points will be in much greater supply than last year, although that's not exactly a high hurdle. But I don't think this offense will be airing it out all of the time. I think we're going to see a lot of running plays from this unit to keep the clock running and help ease the burden of having a freshman quarterback. Still, when defenses stack the box I think Buechelle will be able to make them pay and they'll have to respect the pass more and drop back out of the box. Speaking of the running game, I think Buechelle will be able to help himself by running out of bad situations. How many times last year did we watch Heard scramble away from pressure only to step out of bounds five yards behind the line of scrimmage instead of throwing it away?
As for the defense, the d-line is an obvious concern. But the back seven is going to be damn tough for this conference. The DB unit is chock full of players with more coming in this class. The talent at LB is top notch with Malik running the crew. If we get any production from the defensive line then we'll see scoring numbers drop from last year.
Finally, while I'm super excited that we finally have a group of players on this team, I'm not sure what it will mean for our overall record this season. We still have a really tough schedule and the guys we do have are still young. I think we could see six or seven wins. However, I also think we'll see enough progress on the field that Charlie will keep his job and the next season we'll be in the hunt for a Big XII title and maybe even the playoffs.
Those are my thoughts heading into the 2016 Orange & White game.
