Okay, I focus on the Rockets' opposition in my weekly articles on the upcoming opponents, but I do watch the games. [therocketnation.com] That said, the Rockets, IMO, are pretty damn good. That have grown up on all three aspects of the game; defense, offense and special teams. My perspective is that the offense is gaining gaining ground on the defense and special teams play. They are still peaking! The MAC West is heads and shoulders above the MAC East save one team. If the Rockets clean up the snap snafus, they are as good as any team in the NATION. I do not predict scores or winners or losers BUT this Rocket team is really, really good.

My only wish is that the Rocket Nation turn out to the Glass Bowl en mass to cheer this exceptional group of student athletes!

GO ROCKETS!

Our Rocket Nation does turn out I'd imagine. That's maybe all the bigger it is.

And we've seen next to nothing from Hunt this year. Very disappointing but you have to think he'll have an impact eventually. Our propensity to throw two INTs to start or snap into the EZ to start, etc. will bite us in the end in the end if we don't start starting better. Can't rely on huge second quarters every game.

(10-17-2015 10:12 PM)eastisbest Wrote:  Our Rocket Nation does turn out I'd imagine. That's maybe all the bigger it is.

Then we all need to grow the nation!

(10-17-2015 10:23 PM)H2Oville Rocket Wrote:  And we've seen next to nothing from Hunt this year. Very disappointing but you have to think he'll have an impact eventually. Our propensity to throw two INTs to start or snap into the EZ to start, etc. will bite us in the end in the end if we don't start starting better. Can't rely on huge second quarters every game.

I was trying to put myself in his head. I screw up and have to sit the first two games and discover that other running backs can more than meet the challenge. I am not the greatest thing since sliced bread. Point is clear: there is a LOT of talent on this team. Don't whine - produce.

IMO, Zo has learned this lesson. He is important but not the only go to receiver. Kudos to all the WRs for not only making big plays but blocking their collective butts off!

(10-17-2015 10:23 PM)H2Oville Rocket Wrote:  And we've seen next to nothing from Hunt this year. Very disappointing but you have to think he'll have an impact eventually. Our propensity to throw two INTs to start or snap into the EZ to start, etc. will bite us in the end in the end if we don't start starting better. Can't rely on huge second quarters every game.

I feel that in the capacity they are playing him, he is being saved for November.

(10-17-2015 10:34 PM)42 of Blue Crew Wrote:  

(10-17-2015 10:23 PM)H2Oville Rocket Wrote:  And we've seen next to nothing from Hunt this year. Very disappointing but you have to think he'll have an impact eventually. Our propensity to throw two INTs to start or snap into the EZ to start, etc. will bite us in the end in the end if we don't start starting better. Can't rely on huge second quarters every game.

I feel that in the capacity they are playing him, he is being saved for November.

Hope someone asks Coach Campbell about his conversation with Kareem on the bench Monday during the Coach's show.

(10-18-2015 12:30 AM)NewMex RocketFan Wrote:  

(10-17-2015 10:34 PM)42 of Blue Crew Wrote:  

(10-17-2015 10:23 PM)H2Oville Rocket Wrote:  And we've seen next to nothing from Hunt this year. Very disappointing but you have to think he'll have an impact eventually. Our propensity to throw two INTs to start or snap into the EZ to start, etc. will bite us in the end in the end if we don't start starting better. Can't rely on huge second quarters every game.

I feel that in the capacity they are playing him, he is being saved for November.

Hope someone asks Coach Campbell about his conversation with Kareem on the bench Monday during the Coach's show.

I missed the game. What happened? BTW, another factor in determining how good we are is looking at our schedule. So far we've beaten the dregs of the SEC, the dregs of the Big Twelve, a middling SB team and the dregs of the MAC. Anyone see a theme here? We are out of dregs after next week.

What I say will probably receive some flack, and maybe rightfully so, but I think this rocket team is the real deal and could probably compete in ANY other conference. Niu officially does not scare me, history aside, and western are central still have Michigan in their names. BG, on the other hand, is the only one that has my mind even close to scared. I really like their offense but no one has seen them play against a real defense. I am confident in our defensive abilities and I do not think bgsucks will reach 30 points and our offensive depth will prove too much to their inferior d. But I will take history into account here, 6 in a row over your fiercest rival is tough to do for anyone, but if there was ever a squad capable of making it 6 for 6, and maybe 7 for 7, it is the 2015 midnight blue and gold.

BTW how sweet would 7 in a row taste this December.

Optimistic as usual, JCannon

(10-18-2015 06:09 AM)JCannon21 Wrote:  What I say will probably receive some flack, and maybe rightfully so, but I think this rocket team is the real deal and could probably compete in ANY other conference. Niu officially does not scare me, history aside, and western are central still have Michigan in their names. BG, on the other hand, is the only one that has my mind even close to scared. I really like their offense but no one has seen them play against a real defense. I am confident in our defensive abilities and I do not think bgsucks will reach 30 points and our offensive depth will prove too much to their inferior d. But I will take history into account here, 6 in a row over your fiercest rival is tough to do for anyone, but if there was ever a squad capable of making it 6 for 6, and maybe 7 for 7, it is the 2015 midnight blue and gold.

BTW how sweet would 7 in a row taste this December.

Optimistic as usual, JCannon

Agree totally!

(10-18-2015 05:42 AM)H2Oville Rocket Wrote:  

(10-18-2015 12:30 AM)NewMex RocketFan Wrote:  

(10-17-2015 10:34 PM)42 of Blue Crew Wrote:  

(10-17-2015 10:23 PM)H2Oville Rocket Wrote:  And we've seen next to nothing from Hunt this year. Very disappointing but you have to think he'll have an impact eventually. Our propensity to throw two INTs to start or snap into the EZ to start, etc. will bite us in the end in the end if we don't start starting better. Can't rely on huge second quarters every game.

I feel that in the capacity they are playing him, he is being saved for November.

Hope someone asks Coach Campbell about his conversation with Kareem on the bench Monday during the Coach's show.

I missed the game. What happened? BTW, another factor in determining how good we are is looking at our schedule. So far we've beaten the dregs of the SEC, the dregs of the Big Twelve, a middling SB team and the dregs of the MAC. Anyone see a theme here? We are out of dregs after next week.

It was in the second half and Matt Campbell was talking directly with Kareem who was sitting on the bench. Hunt and Swanson both had nine rushes for the game, IIRC, and that was the most touches for any RB.

(10-17-2015 10:23 PM)H2Oville Rocket Wrote:  And we've seen next to nothing from Hunt this year. Very disappointing but you have to think he'll have an impact eventually. Our propensity to throw two INTs to start or snap into the EZ to start, etc. will bite us in the end in the end if we don't start starting better. Can't rely on huge second quarters every game.

Hunt will be ready in November, when the real games begin. With the other backs we have, we, don't need to play him every down. he will become the force he was last year, when we need him.

(10-18-2015 05:42 AM)H2Oville Rocket Wrote:  

(10-18-2015 12:30 AM)NewMex RocketFan Wrote:  

(10-17-2015 10:34 PM)42 of Blue Crew Wrote:  

(10-17-2015 10:23 PM)H2Oville Rocket Wrote:  And we've seen next to nothing from Hunt this year. Very disappointing but you have to think he'll have an impact eventually. Our propensity to throw two INTs to start or snap into the EZ to start, etc. will bite us in the end in the end if we don't start starting better. Can't rely on huge second quarters every game.

I feel that in the capacity they are playing him, he is being saved for November.

Hope someone asks Coach Campbell about his conversation with Kareem on the bench Monday during the Coach's show.

I missed the game. What happened? BTW, another factor in determining how good we are is looking at our schedule. So far we've beaten the dregs of the SEC, the dregs of the Big Twelve, a middling SB team and the dregs of the MAC. Anyone see a theme here? We are out of dregs after next week.

I have the same concerns. The D has been doing a remarkable job bending but not breaking. At some point a few of those FGs will be TDs. Also, the Offense has had a number of slow starts. Yesterday UT was down 0-6 in the 2nd Qtr before going uptempo on Offense and scoring (converting on 4th down at least once). I get that it was EMU, so it's hard to "get up" or them, but this isn't the first game UT started slow. Against better competition this could come back to haunt us. Hopefully the more difficult competition will correlate with even better play.

Note: We are splitting hairs here. The guys are undefeated & ranked. Keep it up Rockets!!!!!!!!!!!!

(10-18-2015 10:02 AM)NewMex RocketFan Wrote:  

(10-18-2015 05:42 AM)H2Oville Rocket Wrote:  

(10-18-2015 12:30 AM)NewMex RocketFan Wrote:  

(10-17-2015 10:34 PM)42 of Blue Crew Wrote:  

(10-17-2015 10:23 PM)H2Oville Rocket Wrote:  And we've seen next to nothing from Hunt this year. Very disappointing but you have to think he'll have an impact eventually. Our propensity to throw two INTs to start or snap into the EZ to start, etc. will bite us in the end in the end if we don't start starting better. Can't rely on huge second quarters every game.

I feel that in the capacity they are playing him, he is being saved for November.

Hope someone asks Coach Campbell about his conversation with Kareem on the bench Monday during the Coach's show.

I missed the game. What happened? BTW, another factor in determining how good we are is looking at our schedule. So far we've beaten the dregs of the SEC, the dregs of the Big Twelve, a middling SB team and the dregs of the MAC. Anyone see a theme here? We are out of dregs after next week.

It was in the second half and Matt Campbell was talking directly with Kareem who was sitting on the bench. Hunt and Swanson both had nine rushes for the game, IIRC, and that was the most touches for any RB.

This may be at least part of the conversation since Terry Swanson started the EMU game at RB.

Quote:Campbell said Toledo will determine which running back should start on a week-by-week basis based off which players practice well.

(10-18-2015 06:29 PM)NewMex RocketFan Wrote:  

(10-18-2015 10:02 AM)NewMex RocketFan Wrote:  

(10-18-2015 05:42 AM)H2Oville Rocket Wrote:  

(10-18-2015 12:30 AM)NewMex RocketFan Wrote:  

(10-17-2015 10:34 PM)42 of Blue Crew Wrote:  I feel that in the capacity they are playing him, he is being saved for November.

Hope someone asks Coach Campbell about his conversation with Kareem on the bench Monday during the Coach's show.

I missed the game. What happened? BTW, another factor in determining how good we are is looking at our schedule. So far we've beaten the dregs of the SEC, the dregs of the Big Twelve, a middling SB team and the dregs of the MAC. Anyone see a theme here? We are out of dregs after next week.

It was in the second half and Matt Campbell was talking directly with Kareem who was sitting on the bench. Hunt and Swanson both had nine rushes for the game, IIRC, and that was the most touches for any RB.

This may be at least part of the conversation since Terry Swanson started the EMU game at RB.

Quote:Campbell said Toledo will determine which running back should start on a week-by-week basis based off which players practice well.

#JusticeLeague

Back to the topic: How Good Are The Rockets?
Just remember, "Defense wins championships!!!" And running the football makes passing the football a whole lot easier.
Go Rockets!!!

(10-19-2015 06:26 AM)letsgoblue Wrote:  Back to the topic: How Good Are The Rockets?
Just remember, "Defense wins championships!!!" And running the football makes passing the football a whole lot easier.
Go Rockets!!!

And playing a bad team makes it even easier.

My observations on the quality of this team: in past years (recent past), when we have had a good teams, even 9-3 bowl winning teams etc., we always seemed to disappoint more often than not as challenges presented themselves throughout the season. The ability to finish against power 5 teams. The ability to overcome early game adversity and still blow out an opponent like you are supposed to etc. The ability to come up with big stops against a good passing team...

On offense, while those past teams usually didn't disappoint, they still didn't have the potential that this offense has. If Kareem gets to be 100%, he will be our workhorse down the stretch, no doubt. And, whether he is is healthy or not, we don't have to overburden him since the Justice League has shown that we have as much depth and talent at this position as any team in FBS. To be honest, DJM, Swanson, and Remy are all good enough to start on any MAC team, and a few power 5 teams. The O-line continues to mature and is getting better at opening holes. They have overachieved in pass protection as everyone knows. Ely can throw a nice ball and his cool head is an asset to have at the helm. As he and his receivers become even more comfortable with each other (and less balls are being dropped), this crew has the potential to be scary good, maybe even close to what BG has going on by the end of the year.

On defense, I will not say much since I don't have to. While years past defenses had some bad ass players no doubt, this years defense knows how to play as a team and seem to have the knack to come up big when they have to. Years past defenses couldn't contain and even had trouble tackling at times, minus the few core studs. As defensive unit, this team seems to be as good as the team that beat Penn State. And honest, from my view (on offense), the defensive line's physicality and depth appears to be better from my viewpoint. Hopefully the loss of Jaylen Coleman can be accounted for, but it will hurt while we scramble to fill his shoes.

So yes, NewMex, I totally agree!

(10-19-2015 08:20 AM)Boca Rocket Wrote:  

(10-19-2015 06:26 AM)letsgoblue Wrote:  Back to the topic: How Good Are The Rockets?
Just remember, "Defense wins championships!!!" And running the football makes passing the football a whole lot easier.
Go Rockets!!!

And playing a bad team makes it even easier.

But how do we measure that "bad" team gave a NC contender a run for their money?

(10-19-2015 12:26 PM)eastisbest Wrote:  

(10-19-2015 08:20 AM)Boca Rocket Wrote:  

(10-19-2015 06:26 AM)letsgoblue Wrote:  Back to the topic: How Good Are The Rockets?
Just remember, "Defense wins championships!!!" And running the football makes passing the football a whole lot easier.
Go Rockets!!!

And playing a bad team makes it even easier.

But how do we measure that "bad" team gave a NC contender a run for their money?

LSU players said they were laughing about playing EMU during their week of practice. Obviously the Eagles were taken for granted. It was a different LSU that played UF last Saturday.