Morning Everyone. Been on the board for several months now, but this is my first time posting. Wanted to share thoughts on the opening game:
Team Notes:
1. Very happy with the defensive effort, discipline, and tackling. Held UTEP to 28 yards on the ground, thought the front 7 played the run incredibly well. As has been the case the past few years, I think our defensive strength will be stopping the run. First time I can recall in years seeing that level of gang-tackling and guys swarming to the football.
2. I’ve seen a lot of people concerned with our pass defense, particularly the zone coverage. Some of the soft zone and deep drops/soft cushions were frustrating, but we still held them to just over 5 yards average completion. I’ll take that all day vs. busted coverages and explosive pass plays.
3. I agree with a lot of folks on here that BV/Roof kept the scheme pretty simple. Thought we were pretty light on overall stunts and blitzes. I think we will see the defensive pressures and creativity ramp up against Nebraska.
4. Offensive line gives me hope. Thought we got some great push and running lanes at the LOS. Think the interior 3 have a chance to be really, really solid. One thing I’ve noticed with Bedenbaughs units over the past several years is that they tend to start slow the first half of the season, but then kick it into gear in the back half of the schedule. I think this unit could be the best OL since 2019 by the end of the year, but that’s completely dependent on the OTs and their progression.
5. Not putting a ton of stock into Gabriel’s day. Missed some throws, forced one slant that should’ve been picked. I actually thought the offensive scheme was pretty vanilla today. Passing-wise, We saw heavy quick-game in the 2nd half, several “pop passes” (play action with TE releasing down the seam), but I was surprised with the lack of “intermediate” passes. Seemed like our passing concepts were either quick-hitters or deep shots off of PA.
Player Notes:
1. I think Gabriel’s expectations need to be tempered. He’s not Caleb, Baker, or Kyler, and he might not even be overall as impactful on the game as Jalen. If he can be an above average: limit turnovers, convert on 3rd down, get the ball to our skill guys in space, we will still have a chance to be a great offense. I like Dillon a lot, I just think this team can rely on its run game and defense to win games more than we’ve been accustomed to in the past.
2. Impressed by Grimes, Coe, Kelley, and Downs. I’ve seen some people underwhelmed with Downs. I think Downs (along with most of these guys) will be rock-solid against the run, the problem is we lack speed and explosiveness with our pass rushing. That’s where the loss of IT and Bonitto kills us. I’m not quite buying R Mason Thomas or Stripling being able to fill that role this year. To me, the lack of edge pass rushers is the biggest flaw of this defense.
3. Love our RB room. Gray might not be the home run hitter we were expecting him to be when he transferred here, but I think he will give us solid production. Major runs HARD, closest we’ve had to Rhamondre in terms of a physical back. Barnes pops off the screen when he touches the ball, just seems like he has a different level of explosiveness. Excited to see these guys moving forward, they complement each other well.
4. My concerns: David U worries me. He’s just fine between tackles, but in-space I think there are some deficiencies. Jaden Davis gave us the Jaden Davis experience: a couple great plays (that read on the screen was my favorite play of the day), then a couple whiffs in the open field. Guyton had some less then stellar moments in pass-pro. Could be wrong, but thought I saw a few reps with Congel at Guard. I’d rather role with Savion or even plug Congel at C and kick Raym over to G if we ever get short handed at G.
5. Turk is fantastic, and legitimately one of the most important players on this team. His ability to flip the field is a tremendous weapon.
Sorry for the long post. Curious to see what you all think!
Team Notes:
1. Very happy with the defensive effort, discipline, and tackling. Held UTEP to 28 yards on the ground, thought the front 7 played the run incredibly well. As has been the case the past few years, I think our defensive strength will be stopping the run. First time I can recall in years seeing that level of gang-tackling and guys swarming to the football.
2. I’ve seen a lot of people concerned with our pass defense, particularly the zone coverage. Some of the soft zone and deep drops/soft cushions were frustrating, but we still held them to just over 5 yards average completion. I’ll take that all day vs. busted coverages and explosive pass plays.
3. I agree with a lot of folks on here that BV/Roof kept the scheme pretty simple. Thought we were pretty light on overall stunts and blitzes. I think we will see the defensive pressures and creativity ramp up against Nebraska.
4. Offensive line gives me hope. Thought we got some great push and running lanes at the LOS. Think the interior 3 have a chance to be really, really solid. One thing I’ve noticed with Bedenbaughs units over the past several years is that they tend to start slow the first half of the season, but then kick it into gear in the back half of the schedule. I think this unit could be the best OL since 2019 by the end of the year, but that’s completely dependent on the OTs and their progression.
5. Not putting a ton of stock into Gabriel’s day. Missed some throws, forced one slant that should’ve been picked. I actually thought the offensive scheme was pretty vanilla today. Passing-wise, We saw heavy quick-game in the 2nd half, several “pop passes” (play action with TE releasing down the seam), but I was surprised with the lack of “intermediate” passes. Seemed like our passing concepts were either quick-hitters or deep shots off of PA.
Player Notes:
1. I think Gabriel’s expectations need to be tempered. He’s not Caleb, Baker, or Kyler, and he might not even be overall as impactful on the game as Jalen. If he can be an above average: limit turnovers, convert on 3rd down, get the ball to our skill guys in space, we will still have a chance to be a great offense. I like Dillon a lot, I just think this team can rely on its run game and defense to win games more than we’ve been accustomed to in the past.
2. Impressed by Grimes, Coe, Kelley, and Downs. I’ve seen some people underwhelmed with Downs. I think Downs (along with most of these guys) will be rock-solid against the run, the problem is we lack speed and explosiveness with our pass rushing. That’s where the loss of IT and Bonitto kills us. I’m not quite buying R Mason Thomas or Stripling being able to fill that role this year. To me, the lack of edge pass rushers is the biggest flaw of this defense.
3. Love our RB room. Gray might not be the home run hitter we were expecting him to be when he transferred here, but I think he will give us solid production. Major runs HARD, closest we’ve had to Rhamondre in terms of a physical back. Barnes pops off the screen when he touches the ball, just seems like he has a different level of explosiveness. Excited to see these guys moving forward, they complement each other well.
4. My concerns: David U worries me. He’s just fine between tackles, but in-space I think there are some deficiencies. Jaden Davis gave us the Jaden Davis experience: a couple great plays (that read on the screen was my favorite play of the day), then a couple whiffs in the open field. Guyton had some less then stellar moments in pass-pro. Could be wrong, but thought I saw a few reps with Congel at Guard. I’d rather role with Savion or even plug Congel at C and kick Raym over to G if we ever get short handed at G.
5. Turk is fantastic, and legitimately one of the most important players on this team. His ability to flip the field is a tremendous weapon.
Sorry for the long post. Curious to see what you all think!
