my look into what i think are everyone's strength and weakness as "perceived coming into the season".
ps "in question"= could be good but comes in with serious questions
and if i didn't mention a aspect it means i consider it decent but not enough to be a "strength' or "weakness"

Cincinnati:
strength: overall defense, WR
weakness: kicking and run game
in question: QB

UConn:
UConn doesnt have an obvious strength coming in
weakness: Run game
in question: general defense

Temple:
strength: Dual threat QB
weakness: kicking game, secondary
in question: WR

UCF:
strength: defense, WR
weakness: QB
in question: OL

USF:
strength: roster talent, kicker
weakness: entire offense
in question: defensive consistency

Memphis
strength: Dline
weakness: Turnovers
in question: passing, secondary

Tulane:
strength: defense
weakness: offensive consistency, depth
in question: QB, WR, TE

Houston:
strength: Turnover margin, Run defense, WR
weakness: Run game
in question: QB growth, pass defense

ECU:
strength: QB, WR
weakness: Secondary
in question: RB, OL, Dline

SMU
no obvious strength coming into the season
weakness: Run defense, Run game,
in question: WR, QB, Secondary

Tulsa:
no obvious strength coming in
weakness: QB, run defense
in question: RB, Secondary

did i miss anything? did i get something wrong? let me know

ECU's D-line is not in question. Coach said its the deepest we have ever had. All conference NG and experienced DEs

(05-28-2014 10:54 AM)NBPirate Wrote:  ECU's D-line is not in question. Coach said its the deepest we have ever had. All conference NG and experienced DEs

Agreed. No questions on the dline. I agree with the rest of his assessment

Uconn's strength is low expectations. Maybe surprise some people this year and get things going forward again in football.

(05-28-2014 10:54 AM)NBPirate Wrote:  ECU's D-line is not in question. Coach said its the deepest we have ever had. All conference NG and experienced DEs

your run defense, and sacks nearly jumped 50 spots in national ranking from 2012 to 2013, you can believe its because of the new coordinator but i notice a huge drop in competition

like i said in-question means it could be good but comes in with questions, and the questions coming in for your dline is can they sustain the performance returning to playing good teams on a regular basis

(05-28-2014 10:58 AM)EastCarolinaU. Wrote:  

(05-28-2014 10:54 AM)NBPirate Wrote:  ECU's D-line is not in question. Coach said its the deepest we have ever had. All conference NG and experienced DEs

Agreed. No questions on the dline. I agree with the rest of his assessment

YEP. Same here. Well thought out, pesik.

(05-28-2014 11:03 AM)pesik Wrote:  

(05-28-2014 10:54 AM)NBPirate Wrote:  ECU's D-line is not in question. Coach said its the deepest we have ever had. All conference NG and experienced DEs

your run defense, and sacks nearly jumped 50 spots in national ranking from 2012 to 2013, you can believe its because of the new coordinator but i notice a huge drop in competition

like i said in-question means it could be good but comes in with questions, and the questions coming in for your dline is can they sustain the performance returning to playing good teams on a regular basis

We held that same VT squad that ran rampant all over Alabama to like 50 yards rushing last year. Its because the kids are good.

(05-28-2014 11:04 AM)NBPirate Wrote:  

(05-28-2014 11:03 AM)pesik Wrote:  

(05-28-2014 10:54 AM)NBPirate Wrote:  ECU's D-line is not in question. Coach said its the deepest we have ever had. All conference NG and experienced DEs

your run defense, and sacks nearly jumped 50 spots in national ranking from 2012 to 2013, you can believe its because of the new coordinator but i notice a huge drop in competition

like i said in-question means it could be good but comes in with questions, and the questions coming in for your dline is can they sustain the performance returning to playing good teams on a regular basis

We held that same VT squad that ran rampant all over Alabama to like 50 yards rushing last year. Its because the kids are good.

and thats why it could be good, you stopped VT but marshall also ran 250+ yards on you guys.. mix that in with the fact your increasing your competition this year, (more Marshall caliber and better teams).
again not saying it will be bad, just saying it is i question

same with gunner kiel, cincy fans feels he could very well be the best qb in the league but he still comes in with some questions

UConn's weakness will be the young offensive line. However, if the offensive line can do their jobs, then our run game should be solid with the arrival of Arkeel Newsome. This guy is for real:
http://www.theuconnblog.com/2014/2/5/538...conn-husky


UConn's secondary is the only glaring weakness on defense as we lose some experience. However, the defensive line is solid with the returning starters. I am really not worried about the defense. I fully expect the young secondary to be reliable (even if it takes them a few games of getting burned by some big pass plays - which is the reason why I worry about the timing of the BYU and Boise State games to start the season).

(05-28-2014 11:04 AM)NBPirate Wrote:  

(05-28-2014 11:03 AM)pesik Wrote:  

(05-28-2014 10:54 AM)NBPirate Wrote:  ECU's D-line is not in question. Coach said its the deepest we have ever had. All conference NG and experienced DEs

your run defense, and sacks nearly jumped 50 spots in national ranking from 2012 to 2013, you can believe its because of the new coordinator but i notice a huge drop in competition

like i said in-question means it could be good but comes in with questions, and the questions coming in for your dline is can they sustain the performance returning to playing good teams on a regular basis

We held that same VT squad that ran rampant all over Alabama to like 50 yards rushing last year. Its because the kids are good.

Over half their yards came from one run, IIRC.

(05-28-2014 11:01 AM)mike012779 Wrote:  Uconn's strength is low expectations. Maybe surprise some people this year and get things going forward again in football.

i was contemplating putting geremy davis as a strength but him alone wasnt enough reason to put your entire wr core as a strength, but they are good, same with cochran, he's good, but but im not sure he's done enough to be a "strength" coming in

Pretty good assessment of Temple pesik.

Temple has done a lot to address the weakness in the secondary and kicking game but until we see how they perform at game speed it’s just wishful thinking. The D-line seems to have shown some improvement at the spring game with a few player shifts and a player coming back who missed last season, that along with 2 freshmen D linemen coming in who can make an impact as situational players right away getting to the QB will help take some pressure off the secondary as well.

WR, lots of new good talent there and some bigger more physical receivers coming in but its definitely a question mark.

(05-28-2014 11:17 AM)UConnHusky Wrote:  UConn's weakness will be the young offensive line. However, if the offensive line can do their jobs, then our run game should be solid with the arrival of Arkeel Newsome. This guy is for real:
http://www.theuconnblog.com/2014/2/5/538...conn-husky

just googled him he has some video game monster stats

but his 40 speed is horrible, like really horrible, he is going to need to improve on his speed if he wants to be as productive in college

(05-28-2014 11:26 AM)pesik Wrote:  

(05-28-2014 11:17 AM)UConnHusky Wrote:  UConn's weakness will be the young offensive line. However, if the offensive line can do their jobs, then our run game should be solid with the arrival of Arkeel Newsome. This guy is for real:
http://www.theuconnblog.com/2014/2/5/538...conn-husky

just googled him he has some video game monster stats

but his 40 speed is horrible, like really horrible, he is going to need to improve on his speed if he wants to be as productive in college

Good point. I am hoping that under Diaco's diet/conditioning program, his speed and strength improve and enable him to excel.

(05-28-2014 11:17 AM)UConnHusky Wrote:  UConn's secondary is the only glaring weakness on defense as we lose some experience. However, the defensive line is solid with the returning starters. I am really not worried about the defense. I fully expect the young secondary to be reliable (even if it takes them a few games of getting burned by some big pass plays - which is the reason why I worry about the timing of the BYU and Boise State games to start the season).

diaco was brought in for his defensive prowess at ND

the defense didnt look to good last year but i think diaco could make huge strides there

(05-28-2014 10:53 AM)pesik Wrote:  my look into what i think are everyone's strength and weakness as "perceived coming into the season".
ps "in question"= could be good but comes in with serious questions
and if i didn't mention a aspect it means i consider it decent but not enough to be a "strength' or "weakness"

Cincinnati:
strength: overall defense, WR
weakness: kicking and run game
in question: QB

UConn:
UConn doesnt have an obvious strength coming in
weakness: Run game
in question: general defense

Temple:
strength: Dual threat QB
weakness: kicking game, secondary
in question: WR

UCF:
strength: defense, WR
weakness: QB
in question: OL

USF:
strength: roster talent, kicker
weakness: entire offense
in question: defensive consistency

Memphis
strength: Dline
weakness: Turnovers
in question: passing, secondary

Tulane:
strength: defense
weakness: offensive consistency, depth
in question: QB, WR, TE

Houston:
strength: Turnover margin, Run defense, WR
weakness: Run game
in question: QB growth, pass defense

ECU:
strength: QB, WR
weakness: Secondary
in question: RB, OL, Dline

SMU
no obvious strength coming into the season
weakness: Run defense, Run game,
in question: WR, QB, Secondary

Tulsa:
no obvious strength coming in
weakness: QB, run defense
in question: RB, Secondary

did i miss anything? did i get something wrong? let me know

Gotta disagree with the SMU assessment. Think SMU's defense will keep the games somewhat competitive. . . Problem is SMU's offense & special teams will suck big time

^^Agree, there is much more experience/talent in the Defensive Line and Secondary, so expect better year. LB still unsettled, but just signed ALL-CUSA transfer LB from Rice... Many more questions on Offense this year than defense.

(05-28-2014 11:48 AM)The Real LHS81 Wrote:  Gotta disagree with the SMU assessment. Think SMU's defense will keep the games somewhat competitive. . . Problem is SMU's offense & special teams will suck big time

i know june has be praising your defense this spring.
i noted in the title "perceived" as smu's defense was extremely bad last year and most things arent built over night (or 1 season)

your defense could be decent but just off last season you have to put it in weakens/questionable area

(05-28-2014 10:53 AM)pesik Wrote:  my look into what i think are everyone's strength and weakness as "perceived coming into the season".
ps "in question"= could be good but comes in with serious questions
and if i didn't mention a aspect it means i consider it decent but not enough to be a "strength' or "weakness"

Cincinnati:
strength: overall defense, WR
weakness: kicking and run game
in question: QB

UConn:
UConn doesnt have an obvious strength coming in
weakness: Run game
in question: general defense

Temple:
strength: Dual threat QB
weakness: kicking game, secondary
in question: WR

UCF:
strength: defense, WR
weakness: QB
in question: OL

USF:
strength: roster talent, kicker
weakness: entire offense
in question: defensive consistency

Memphis
strength: Dline
weakness: Turnovers
in question: passing, secondary

Tulane:
strength: defense
weakness: offensive consistency, depth
in question: QB, WR, TE

Houston:
strength: Turnover margin, Run defense, WR
weakness: Run game
in question: QB growth, pass defense

ECU:
strength: QB, WR
weakness: Secondary
in question: RB, OL, Dline

SMU
no obvious strength coming into the season
weakness: Run defense, Run game,
in question: WR, QB, Secondary

Tulsa:
no obvious strength coming in
weakness: QB, run defense
in question: RB, Secondary

did i miss anything? did i get something wrong? let me know

I don't think Cincinnati's run game is going to be a negative this year. They return the entire unit from last year and 3/5ths of the offensive (the two replacements played a lot last year). The lead the league in rushing yards per game.

If anything the run game is going to be bostered by the fact Tuberville will utlize Ralph David Abernathy more as a slot receiver, while ocassionaly mixing it up by lining RDAIV in the back field. Look for Junior Tion Green (6'2 225 lbs) to get a lot more carries. He has a lot of speed and explosiveness. He just did not get the carries last year because he needed to work on blocking out of the backfield. Also look for EJ Junior to contribute significantly out of the backfield. Yes, his father is the same guy who was a Pro Bowl Linebacker in the NFL.

As the OP noted Cincinnati's biggest weakness is going to be the kicking game. I would also add that the defensive line is a question mark, but the strengths at linebacker and defensive end will make up for that.

(05-28-2014 12:09 PM)CliftonAve Wrote:  

(05-28-2014 10:53 AM)pesik Wrote:  my look into what i think are everyone's strength and weakness as "perceived coming into the season".
ps "in question"= could be good but comes in with serious questions
and if i didn't mention a aspect it means i consider it decent but not enough to be a "strength' or "weakness"

Cincinnati:
strength: overall defense, WR
weakness: kicking and run game
in question: QB

UConn:
UConn doesnt have an obvious strength coming in
weakness: Run game
in question: general defense

Temple:
strength: Dual threat QB
weakness: kicking game, secondary
in question: WR

UCF:
strength: defense, WR
weakness: QB
in question: OL

USF:
strength: roster talent, kicker
weakness: entire offense
in question: defensive consistency

Memphis
strength: Dline
weakness: Turnovers
in question: passing, secondary

Tulane:
strength: defense
weakness: offensive consistency, depth
in question: QB, WR, TE

Houston:
strength: Turnover margin, Run defense, WR
weakness: Run game
in question: QB growth, pass defense

ECU:
strength: QB, WR
weakness: Secondary
in question: RB, OL, Dline

SMU
no obvious strength coming into the season
weakness: Run defense, Run game,
in question: WR, QB, Secondary

Tulsa:
no obvious strength coming in
weakness: QB, run defense
in question: RB, Secondary

did i miss anything? did i get something wrong? let me know

I don't think Cincinnati's run game is going to be a negative this year. They return the entire unit from last year and 3/5ths of the offensive (the two replacements played a lot last year). The lead the league in rushing yards per game.

If anything the run game is going to be bostered by the fact Tuberville will utlize Ralph David Abernathy more as a slot receiver, while ocassionaly mixing it up by lining RDAIV in the back field. Look for Junior Tion Green (6'2 225 lbs) to get a lot more carries. He has a lot of speed and explosiveness. He just did not get the carries last year because he needed to work on blocking out of the backfield. Also look for EJ Junior to contribute significantly out of the backfield. Yes, his father is the same guy who was a Pro Bowl Linebacker in the NFL.

As the OP noted Cincinnati's biggest weakness is going to be the kicking game. I would also add that the defensive line is a question mark, but the strengths at linebacker and defensive end will make up for that.

Kiel's downfield passing should help open up the Bearcat run game.
UC will have an early test against a good Toledo team that will already have 2 games(New Hampshire and Mizzou) under their belt.