Some quick off the cuff thoughts:
- Despite all the QB talk, for me the most worrisome issue after the first couple of games is the offensive line not dominating at the point of attack when it comes to the running game. Florida is one thing, but against Cincinnati the OL should have been driving the defense a couple of yards back off the line and creating inside running lanes for the backs. Picking up yards between the tackles has continued to be hard to come by, a constant refrain since 2013. This needs to change sooner rather than later if this team expects to challenge for the Big Ten title. We have rushed for a decent amount of yards, but many have been to the outside and often in third and long situations, and more due to the ability and vision of Ty Isaac than due to interior line play (albeit the line has been effective when getting to the second level; it just needs to start beating up the defense upon initial contact). Curious to see if changes don't happen on the right side of the line sooner rather than later.
- Through three senior season games and a 2-1 record we are starting to get some relevant data points on Joe Milton's passing accuracy. He is exactly at 50%, a slight improvement over his career numbers. Still, it begs the question of when the last time was that a career 50% or less high school passer has led his college team to a power five/old BCS conference title? Here are his passing stats:
Total Passing Yards 547
Passing TDs 6
Passing Yards/Game 182.3
Pass Completions 29
Pass Attempts 58
Interceptions 2
-Starting to get very good vibes on how we will close the '18 recruiting cycle. I think it will be with a bang and I think that patience on the part of this staff is a virtue when it comes to this cycle. Not only am I excited about the guys we could close with, but I am also excited about how some of the lower ranked kids, like Turner and Schoonmaker (3 rec for 56 yds in season-opener) have performed thus far this season.
- We have played 14 frosh thus far. Curious to see which ones will start to see more serious time and which may end up being "injured" and redshirted. Also curious to see if they decide to play Filiaga and/or give more reps to Ruiz or Stueber on the OL. Also whether O'Maury will get more touches.
- Air Force should be a solid test. Team was 10-3 last year and is on a seven game winning streak. Could be trouble if we make the same sort of mistakes we did last week.
- Interesting post on an Alabama board about that "foreign" QB from Hawaii. Never know with those foreigners. LOL. In fact a few months ago on this board I "identified" that Italian photographer who was ogling Sarah Harbaugh in front of Jim at the Vatican. Funny thing is only one guy on this board caught on to the last name I gave the guy, which is sort of the Italian equivalent of F you. He didn't let the cat out of the bag, but I confess that I got a kick out of being able to throw in some profanity on this board knowing that it would not be deleted. Yep, gotta watch those foreigners.
- Despite all the QB talk, for me the most worrisome issue after the first couple of games is the offensive line not dominating at the point of attack when it comes to the running game. Florida is one thing, but against Cincinnati the OL should have been driving the defense a couple of yards back off the line and creating inside running lanes for the backs. Picking up yards between the tackles has continued to be hard to come by, a constant refrain since 2013. This needs to change sooner rather than later if this team expects to challenge for the Big Ten title. We have rushed for a decent amount of yards, but many have been to the outside and often in third and long situations, and more due to the ability and vision of Ty Isaac than due to interior line play (albeit the line has been effective when getting to the second level; it just needs to start beating up the defense upon initial contact). Curious to see if changes don't happen on the right side of the line sooner rather than later.
- Through three senior season games and a 2-1 record we are starting to get some relevant data points on Joe Milton's passing accuracy. He is exactly at 50%, a slight improvement over his career numbers. Still, it begs the question of when the last time was that a career 50% or less high school passer has led his college team to a power five/old BCS conference title? Here are his passing stats:
Total Passing Yards 547
Passing TDs 6
Passing Yards/Game 182.3
Pass Completions 29
Pass Attempts 58
Interceptions 2
-Starting to get very good vibes on how we will close the '18 recruiting cycle. I think it will be with a bang and I think that patience on the part of this staff is a virtue when it comes to this cycle. Not only am I excited about the guys we could close with, but I am also excited about how some of the lower ranked kids, like Turner and Schoonmaker (3 rec for 56 yds in season-opener) have performed thus far this season.
- We have played 14 frosh thus far. Curious to see which ones will start to see more serious time and which may end up being "injured" and redshirted. Also curious to see if they decide to play Filiaga and/or give more reps to Ruiz or Stueber on the OL. Also whether O'Maury will get more touches.
- Air Force should be a solid test. Team was 10-3 last year and is on a seven game winning streak. Could be trouble if we make the same sort of mistakes we did last week.
- Interesting post on an Alabama board about that "foreign" QB from Hawaii. Never know with those foreigners. LOL. In fact a few months ago on this board I "identified" that Italian photographer who was ogling Sarah Harbaugh in front of Jim at the Vatican. Funny thing is only one guy on this board caught on to the last name I gave the guy, which is sort of the Italian equivalent of F you. He didn't let the cat out of the bag, but I confess that I got a kick out of being able to throw in some profanity on this board knowing that it would not be deleted. Yep, gotta watch those foreigners.
