Now that the dust has settled how does everyone feel about the prospects for this team.

On offense I think they could be very good if they can minimize turnovers. Some of those young receivers need to contribute. It'll be interesting to see who replaces Jackson at RB. Turner/Vann could be even better.

The new blood on defense will help but the biggest "addition" will be the return of Harris, O'Conner, Zappone, etc. If the team stays healthy they should not be pathetic. I'd settle for the 10th best MAC defense.

With the softer schedule the team should finally win a few games.

I agree with you, 'Nickle.

We really need to think 2 or even 3 years down the road (2017, 18) for most of our h.s. kids to make 'significant' contributions.

I've always felt the biggest problem college football recruiting is unrealistic expectations for freshmen. I still maintain that frosh are much more likely to contribute in college basketball, than college FB.

I, too, am looking for the biggest improvement on D coming from the new DC and scheme, and POC, Harris, Zappone, Matt, etc. + Keel and maybe Mike Smith Jr. who might be big enough and strong enough to play as a frosh. "A little here and a little there just might get it done..."

There is always a possibility that we might win the 'numbers game' in the secondary. With 5 touted newcomers, maybe one or two can make the 2-deeps as a frosh and make a contribution.

We need to be patient with players such as Justice Williams and esp. the frosh offensive linemen who needs a lot of weight and might not be a contributor until 2017.

(02-04-2016 08:57 AM)TheWoodenNickle Wrote:  Now that the dust has settled how does everyone feel about the prospects for this team.

On offense I think they could be very good if they can minimize turnovers. Some of those young receivers need to contribute. It'll be interesting to see who replaces Jackson at RB. Turner/Vann could be even better.

The new blood on defense will help but the biggest "addition" will be the return of Harris, O'Conner, Zappone, etc. If the team stays healthy they should not be pathetic. I'd settle for the 10th best MAC defense.

With the softer schedule the team should finally win a few games.

Optimism rules right after signing day - just like for Lions fans after the draft. But why not!

We need better and smarter QB play - cut out the silly interceptions.

Better defense against the run - curious if the new defensive scheme will work out. Seems the right type of DBs would work in this, not sure we have them right now

Continued improvement with the run game - with Shaq and all returning O-Line this should be our strength

And for goodness sake - please stop the big play

Kicking game remains strong

Better depth also - we clearly faded after September.

Solve these issues and a bunch more not listed here - and we can enjoy the pride of being a .500 team real soon.

I really do not want to comment on our recruiting class or predict the number of wins for next season. You never know who might be a surprise add, a surprise leave or if we have an injury that could tilt us the wrong direction.

However, I will say that we all know that having a very good QB is the most important position in football to influence wins or losses. With that said, I truly believe we have one of the best QBs (Brogan Roback) in the MAC conference. I watched him make great throws and poor ones as well last season. A lot of his poor throws were due to Brogan having to try and make plays because we were always coming from behind most of the time. In addition, we do not have any top flight WRs. If our defense can improve so that our offense can keep the opposing team guessing if we are passing or running, Roback should have a very nice year. His 2017 season could lead us to a bowl. The bottom line is we have a very good QB in Roback.

Regarding our defense, we will improve because there's only upward mobility from the bottom. Need to stay healthy!!!!

We must win next season, or Recruiting classes will diminish in talent.