(12-24-2014 11:42 AM)Thegoldstandard Wrote: How many starters does Marshall lose to graduation?
Off the top of my head, 6 on D. 3 linemen, both LB, and corner #7.
Both LB were studs, CB was one of our better ones we have ever had. D line was average anyway. LB core is deep and talented. Not so worried there. We need someone to step up at CB. Cpuld be a weakness next season. Dline play wasnt stellar this season, so i think we can maintain there.
On offense we lose 3 linemen i think (maybe 2, 1 of which being our center) QB, and Shuler and Fro.
TE wont be an issue. Yurachek contributed thi season and is honestly better than Froh. Shuler can seem like a big loss but #2 foster will step right in and has already proven himself as a worthy replacement. Linemen hurt here, especislly center. But we are relatively deep, but will lose some depth and take a small ste back on our oline, which can still mean a great line next season.
Cato.... how do you replace your school's statistical leader at the position in every category? You don't. No one is going to be a Cato for us next season. We have some potentials there next year, and having a loaded backfield and wr core helps, but we need decent QB play to go above 7 wins. I think we can win 7 games purely on the shoulders of johnson and butler. But we won't overthrow WKU as the favorite.
So we lose 6 on offense. 12 starters gone. Many of which are lined up to have good players step up due to our good depth.
We need a CB to step up in a bad way. Roberts was a beast and our other CB was very average frankly. This is my 2nd biggest concern next to QB going into spring.
Prognosis - we will see. Will offer my thoughts after i see the team practice in spring. Too soon to tell Gut says 8 wins. Good QB play (cato like) and CB gets sured up, and we are probably undefeated or 1 loss again going to WKU to decide the east. (One can dream :)