Yeah, I know, camp is still a month away but I'm bored and what else do I have to do but stick my neck out by drinking some serious Maroon Kool-Aid right before the Fourth?! So here are a few reasons I'm feeling so Aggie Optimistic:
Talent minus loose heads - For me, it has to start with QB. I see two really tough dudes we can win with, if push comes to shove. My only questions are really how long they take to pick up the offense, ball security and how quickly the line comes together. But as I've said in other posts, I'm cautiously optimistic on the line. Petrino has to be absolutely giddy when he looks up and down his skill positions. We are deep at WR, RB and TE. He will have the calls. We block, we catch, we hold onto the ball, we score.
On defense, I think we will be a problem for our opponents if we just keep it simple. I think Durkin was a bit of a kid in a candy store last year. Bring it to them in waves, especially the line. But the kids have to stay disciplined and remember their gaps. Looking for huge years from Nolen, the Shemars, Overton, Jackson and Diggs. Linebackers?! I think Durkin coaching them directly will be big. I think they will realize they don't have to make every play and thus their play will be much improved. Decent is enough. I'm a big believer the secondary will be as good or better than last year.
Manageable Schedule - We've got a few tough ones on the road but if last year taught us anything it should have been that we can't take anyone lightly. I don't think we will. I just don't buy Miami, even on the road. Same with Auburn and South Carolina and we have them at home. Arkansas may be a tough out, but I think Kiffin will do something goofy and we will win there. That leaves Bama (at home), LSU and Tennessee on the road. LSU is always going to be tough there and Bama is Bama. We'll be up for them big time and not sure who their QB will be. We certainly could pull that game out. The Vol game is very interesting. Could be a track meet. Can we score with them?! I don't know.
Confidence - Say what you want, but a lot of sports is still about confidence. When a team starts losing a lot, no matter what you say on the outside, your confidence is shaken. Last year, for example. I think this team will be building confidence when we start winning, and mind you, I do think we will start winning big this year, hence the post. It's how we react when we get knocked back a little that we'll see the true measure of where we are as a team. I'm looking forward to that. Can't wait for the season!
Gig'em!!!
Talent minus loose heads - For me, it has to start with QB. I see two really tough dudes we can win with, if push comes to shove. My only questions are really how long they take to pick up the offense, ball security and how quickly the line comes together. But as I've said in other posts, I'm cautiously optimistic on the line. Petrino has to be absolutely giddy when he looks up and down his skill positions. We are deep at WR, RB and TE. He will have the calls. We block, we catch, we hold onto the ball, we score.
On defense, I think we will be a problem for our opponents if we just keep it simple. I think Durkin was a bit of a kid in a candy store last year. Bring it to them in waves, especially the line. But the kids have to stay disciplined and remember their gaps. Looking for huge years from Nolen, the Shemars, Overton, Jackson and Diggs. Linebackers?! I think Durkin coaching them directly will be big. I think they will realize they don't have to make every play and thus their play will be much improved. Decent is enough. I'm a big believer the secondary will be as good or better than last year.
Manageable Schedule - We've got a few tough ones on the road but if last year taught us anything it should have been that we can't take anyone lightly. I don't think we will. I just don't buy Miami, even on the road. Same with Auburn and South Carolina and we have them at home. Arkansas may be a tough out, but I think Kiffin will do something goofy and we will win there. That leaves Bama (at home), LSU and Tennessee on the road. LSU is always going to be tough there and Bama is Bama. We'll be up for them big time and not sure who their QB will be. We certainly could pull that game out. The Vol game is very interesting. Could be a track meet. Can we score with them?! I don't know.
Confidence - Say what you want, but a lot of sports is still about confidence. When a team starts losing a lot, no matter what you say on the outside, your confidence is shaken. Last year, for example. I think this team will be building confidence when we start winning, and mind you, I do think we will start winning big this year, hence the post. It's how we react when we get knocked back a little that we'll see the true measure of where we are as a team. I'm looking forward to that. Can't wait for the season!
Gig'em!!!
