What are your teams early scouting reports? Injuries? Position battles? Depth charts? Surprise stars/starters?

Our coaches seem to be keeping things secret, even from the fans. We lost two TEs early in camp, but no other injuries have been reported. I'm sure someone is dinged up though. We've had our two scrimmages, with reports of the offense having good days. Defense has done some good things too. We got a couple of WRs into camp late, which may help that group become a strength. We've started to work on installing the week one game plan. Our classes start next week, so more walk-ons will probably join practice then.

Starters have not been named yet, but local sports writer Ed Miller has posted his projected starters. Blake LaRussa continues to look like the starter at QB, and we have a red shirt fresman, Isaac Weaver, who appears to have locked down the starting left tackle position. Other than that, we have a ton of familiar faces on both sides of the ball.

Coach Wilder did say today that they are starting to work on the offense for the first game against Albany.

https://pilotonline.com/sports/college/o...7ac87.html

FAU still can not determine the starting QB as de'Andre Johnson can not separate from baby Driskell - it's a heck of competition right now. The Last Chance U guy was expected to walk in and take over that job but Driskell does not want to give up the starting job that was his last year. We also seem to have caught an injury bug all over the roster, so the coaches even cancelled one of the practices to stay healthy. Kiffin is also very unhappy with the WRs.

The rest of CUSA is not going to like what they see when WKU comes out of camp to start the regular season. Sharp and Laser Focused on Three-peat.

(08-22-2017 02:12 PM)GreekTopper Wrote:  The rest of CUSA is not going to like what they see when WKU comes out of camp to start the regular season. Sharp and Laser Focused on Three-peat.

So, 6-6, right?

(08-22-2017 02:13 PM)goliath74 Wrote:  

(08-22-2017 02:12 PM)GreekTopper Wrote:  The rest of CUSA is not going to like what they see when WKU comes out of camp to start the regular season. Sharp and Laser Focused on Three-peat.

So, 6-6, right?

+1

(08-22-2017 02:13 PM)goliath74 Wrote:  

(08-22-2017 02:12 PM)GreekTopper Wrote:  The rest of CUSA is not going to like what they see when WKU comes out of camp to start the regular season. Sharp and Laser Focused on Three-peat.

So, 6-6, right?

6-6? Only if we fall off to FAU level of fail. Last six years haven't seen a 6-6. If young Mr. Sanford pulls a 6-6 out of this hat he'll not show his face in public. Last 6 years.

11-3
12-2
8-5
8-4
7-6
7-5

Few injuries to WKU and a one starter kicked off the team. But depth and next man up mentality should help offset that. WKU defense will be very good this year. Chris Johnson along the defensive line is a name to remember. The kid is almost unblockable when he turns it on. WKU offense line will be a strength again despite losing a couple of key players. And a late WR grad transfer from Arkansas St looks to add a lot of speed to the wings.

(08-22-2017 12:20 PM)ODU AGGIE Wrote:  Starters have not been named yet, but local sports writer Ed Miller has posted his projected starters. Blake LaRussa continues to look like the starter at QB, and we have a red shirt fresman, Isaac Weaver, who appears to have locked down the starting left tackle position. Other than that, we have a ton of familiar faces on both sides of the ball.

Coach Wilder did say today that they are starting to work on the offense for the first game against Albany.

https://pilotonline.com/sports/college/o...7ac87.html

I think I see what your coach did. Glad we don't have you on the schedule.

We just loss are #1 RB on the depthchart with a knee injury. He could come back later in the season. Sucks not having him for Vandy.

(08-23-2017 04:02 PM)MT FAN Wrote:  We just loss are #1 RB on the depthchart with a knee injury. He could come back later in the season. Sucks not having him for Vandy.

That sucks, WKU had several go down right before our game against Vandy last year also.

(08-23-2017 04:29 PM)wkuhilltopperfan Wrote:  

(08-23-2017 04:02 PM)MT FAN Wrote:  We just loss are #1 RB on the depthchart with a knee injury. He could come back later in the season. Sucks not having him for Vandy.

That sucks, WKU had several go down right before our game against Vandy last year also.

It's a conspiracy!

(08-23-2017 10:52 PM)techdawg28 Wrote:  

(08-23-2017 04:29 PM)wkuhilltopperfan Wrote:  

(08-23-2017 04:02 PM)MT FAN Wrote:  We just loss are #1 RB on the depthchart with a knee injury. He could come back later in the season. Sucks not having him for Vandy.

That sucks, WKU had several go down right before our game against Vandy last year also.

It's a conspiraSEC!

(08-23-2017 04:02 PM)MT FAN Wrote:  We just loss are #1 RB on the depthchart with a knee injury. He could come back later in the season. Sucks not having him for Vandy.

I'm not worried about this. IMO, Tucker is a more experienced back who is better suited to RB than WR where they tried to move him last year before he went out with a season ending injury before the season started. He has gotten himself up to 225 in the offseason and is going to be a load. We also have a bunch of similar backs to West that all pretty much are capable of doing the same thing. I had a gut feeling that Tucker was going to come out of camp #1 on the depth chart anyway. The coaches like West because he's a little more shifty.

Neither of them are as dynamic as Mathers, but Tucker can and will break a lot of tackles plus he has great hands and is going to be a force catching balls out of the backfield. I think they are pretty high on that kid out of Mean Green's back yard there in Denton (Gordon). As a back he may be one of the better ones, but he's got to know the pass protection schemes before they put him in.
We are going to throw the ball more this year anyway now that Brent's finally at 100% after the torn labrum.

And they are going to find ways to get Richie James more touches in the running game too.

UTSA seems to look big & fast. Coach Wilson , who just got a raise looks to be building a mini SEC type team. Defense looks to be pretty tough.

Offensively it seems Tech has identified their #1 target in WR Teddy Veal. Many reports had him as the most dynamic WR on the roster last year but he had to sit out. We will see if he is a practice hero or a player. The depth at WR is plentiful. We will see who steps up as the number 2 and 3 guys but options are there. Alfred Smith and Kam McKnight are who I expect. Those 3 will be the starters.

JMar Smith has developed but is still young so fundamentals will be crucial. Also have had a transfer step up to secure the backup role.

RBs are very experienced with 2 SRs. Both have been consistent and will be reliable.

OLine is working on depth and has had projected Tackles have had some minor injuries that have held them out a few practices. Depth should be good at that position but I'm concerned they may be too green, we shall see.

Defensively LBs have been a surprise to some. We are probably weakest at this position but as a unit they will be improved. A little more speed.

Secondary leader has been banged up most of camp. Hope to have him back soon. Otherwise there will be several new guys playing out of position.

DLine will be really good and Tech needs them to be dominate if we want to be any part good on that side of the ball.

They have a former Tech pitcher at deep snapper in Cam Linck. Some of you baseball guys may be able to recall his name.

Reports from UTEP's camp show, as expected, Metz will continue as QB starter but backups have looked good. Looks like a bit more of a passing game this year to take some pressure off of new RB's. OL looks very good and big and deep. DL looks young but bigger and more athletic. Starters from last season are now backups on DL. Defense is more experienced and deep at LB and DB. More speed at WR and good TE transfers. If all that translates to 1-11 then heaven help us.

(08-22-2017 02:07 PM)goliath74 Wrote:  FAU still can not determine the starting QB as de'Andre Johnson can not separate from baby Driskell - it's a heck of competition right now. The Last Chance U guy was expected to walk in and take over that job but Driskell does not want to give up the starting job that was his last year. We also seem to have caught an injury bug all over the roster, so the coaches even cancelled one of the practices to stay healthy. Kiffin is also very unhappy with the WRs.

I was not impressed with Driskell at all last year. Is this due to improvement in his game or has Johnson disappointed?

(08-24-2017 10:20 AM)Gilesfan Wrote:  

(08-22-2017 02:07 PM)goliath74 Wrote:  FAU still can not determine the starting QB as de'Andre Johnson can not separate from baby Driskell - it's a heck of competition right now. The Last Chance U guy was expected to walk in and take over that job but Driskell does not want to give up the starting job that was his last year. We also seem to have caught an injury bug all over the roster, so the coaches even cancelled one of the practices to stay healthy. Kiffin is also very unhappy with the WRs.

I was not impressed with Driskell at all last year. Is this due to improvement in his game or has Johnson disappointed?

Just a guess on my part but after watching last chance u. I bet decision making is the difference. I know we only got a small sample of overall plays Johnson made. But I remember thinking...a few of the passes he made would be INTs against FBS schools.

A lot of times it comes down to learning the system and making the correct read/decision over pure talent. That's my guess on this one.
============================================

Going by what is being said ......

Western coaches are really happy where the team is at. Which is surprising to me with a completely new style/system being played this year.

All of these questions will be answered in a few weeks.

(08-24-2017 10:20 AM)Gilesfan Wrote:  

(08-22-2017 02:07 PM)goliath74 Wrote:  FAU still can not determine the starting QB as de'Andre Johnson can not separate from baby Driskell - it's a heck of competition right now. The Last Chance U guy was expected to walk in and take over that job but Driskell does not want to give up the starting job that was his last year. We also seem to have caught an injury bug all over the roster, so the coaches even cancelled one of the practices to stay healthy. Kiffin is also very unhappy with the WRs.

I was not impressed with Driskell at all last year. Is this due to improvement in his game or has Johnson disappointed?

Driskell has all the necessary tools. He just didn't have the O-line in front of him for pass protection last year. This year he is going to have better protection.