1. In terms of the big goals - winning the Big Ten, making the playoffs - I've always been focused on 2021 and beyond. I've never thought we're capable of beating OSU on the road this year as long as Fields is still there. Quarterback is easily the most important position in college football, and he's a superstar.
2. So, while losing Ambry, Mayfield, and Collins certainly makes our team worse, we were going to have to replace all three next year anyway. If there's a "bright side" to this, it's that we'll be breaking in new starters during a year with slightly lower expectations.
3. The loser in the McCaffrey/Milton competition was very likely to walk. They are both good enough to be starting QBs somewhere. Milton is a year behind McCaffrey, and McCarthy comes in next year. If he wasn't going to win the job this year, it wasn't going to happen for him. He seems like a great kid, I wish him the best. I will say that if McCaffrey had won the job, I was very scared Milton would leave, and I didn't want that to happen because McCaffrey has been injury prone. It also sounds like McNamara is better than people think.
4. I feel good about Milton. People who are saying he's "looked awful" haven't been paying attention. He's always had the physical talent; the reports about his improved mechanics and work ethic are super encouraging.
5. I also feel good about our WRs. Can't wait to see Milton throwing bombs to Roman Wilson. I like Bell to continue improving (he did lead us in receiving yards last year), and I thought all of Johnson, Jackson and Sainristil looked promising last year. Add Wilson and Henning to the mix, as well as the 2021 and potential 2022 kids, and the room looks deep and talented.
6. I'll wait to predict an outcome until I see the schedule, but aside from OSU, I feel fine about any of our potential opponents this year. There is plenty of talent on this team - Hutchinson, Paye, Hill, and McGrone being the most obvious candidates for all conference honors and beyond. I would also think Hinton and Smith make their presence felt this year. At the positions of uncertainty (DB and OL), we have probably our two best position coaches. The key to being great in 2021 will be QB development, OL development, and bringing back a few of the aforementioned guys.
2. So, while losing Ambry, Mayfield, and Collins certainly makes our team worse, we were going to have to replace all three next year anyway. If there's a "bright side" to this, it's that we'll be breaking in new starters during a year with slightly lower expectations.
3. The loser in the McCaffrey/Milton competition was very likely to walk. They are both good enough to be starting QBs somewhere. Milton is a year behind McCaffrey, and McCarthy comes in next year. If he wasn't going to win the job this year, it wasn't going to happen for him. He seems like a great kid, I wish him the best. I will say that if McCaffrey had won the job, I was very scared Milton would leave, and I didn't want that to happen because McCaffrey has been injury prone. It also sounds like McNamara is better than people think.
4. I feel good about Milton. People who are saying he's "looked awful" haven't been paying attention. He's always had the physical talent; the reports about his improved mechanics and work ethic are super encouraging.
5. I also feel good about our WRs. Can't wait to see Milton throwing bombs to Roman Wilson. I like Bell to continue improving (he did lead us in receiving yards last year), and I thought all of Johnson, Jackson and Sainristil looked promising last year. Add Wilson and Henning to the mix, as well as the 2021 and potential 2022 kids, and the room looks deep and talented.
6. I'll wait to predict an outcome until I see the schedule, but aside from OSU, I feel fine about any of our potential opponents this year. There is plenty of talent on this team - Hutchinson, Paye, Hill, and McGrone being the most obvious candidates for all conference honors and beyond. I would also think Hinton and Smith make their presence felt this year. At the positions of uncertainty (DB and OL), we have probably our two best position coaches. The key to being great in 2021 will be QB development, OL development, and bringing back a few of the aforementioned guys.
