73 days to kickoff questions

[cycloneG]

Originally Posted by Wesley

Can we exceeed 2.3 yards per punt return that we averaged last year?

And chance a fumble?

[CyValley]

Originally Posted by sdillon500

I don't think Iowa State's going to have any problems shutting down the run against Iowa, considering their starting running back is walk-on Paki O'Meara (I don't know anything about Nate Guillory, and who knows if Shonn Greene will make it to campus).

Who was that lanky bright-blonde kid during the middle ORF years who was a senior starting RB at eiu? He was from Iowa or Minnesota, I think. Don't remember his name . . . was it Bayless maybe?

He rushed for well more than a 1,000 yards. Tough kid. He was a walk-on there originally. It all starts up front, doesn't it? Hope eiu's OLine isn't anything to write home to the taverns about.

[clonedude]

Originally Posted by BryceC

I agree with you for the most part, but I am worried about the WR's as well. Chizik's quotes around the spring game didn't make me feel super comfortable and we need the newcomers (Carlson and Johnson) to step in and really make an impact. It's tough to count on that.

I really think we will be fine at WR. Maybe no stars, like Blythe, but very, very deep IMO.

We've got Hamilton, Sumrall, Wallace Franklin, Messiah, Sandvig, Jake Williams, along with newcomers like Jason Carlson, Sedrick Johnson, Darius Darks, and Lonzie Range. And don't forget guys like Collin Franklin. I know he's a TE, but he will likely line up at WR at times IMO. He will be a valuable target as well.

[ISUFan22]

Originally Posted by Wesley

Can we exceeed 2.3 yards per punt return that we averaged last year?

Originally Posted by cycloneG

And chance a fumble?

Yeah - turnovers and field position killed us last year. We need to do a lot better in minimizing turnovers, doing something in the punt return game and kicking off to the other team.

And I absolutely can't wait to see what Hamilton can do as the key receiver this year.

[isugcs]

As a unit, there are going to be areas to exploit by opposing teams. Our Oline is going to face the nastiest Dlines in the country and our Dline is going to face some of the most, experienced, decorated Olines in the nation. Opposing teams will have skill players that abound. I'm not trying to be a downer, but every game is going to be a tall order in different ways with each team.

I think the key is coaching. We need game architects to win and we need a team that believes and follows their guidance. Surprisingly, in the final stretch of the season this team had more mental toughness since DMac teams that tirelessly executed the run.

I think the strategy will not be to be flashy or stunning, but deliberate and steady. They will need to slowly gain confidence throughout the season and by the time they meet the titans of the B12 they will need to have experienced what it will take to win games. But it all comes down to game planning and out coaching the competition. Keeping the opponents guessing, while maintaining a punishing offensive attack. This will do wonders towards success. We will also need to have a handful of players that nobody is talking about right now come in as a backup and either maintain or advance the skill at their position. The raw talent is there, but they just need to believe, this is where I think hiring the Chiz will really pay off.. if, and I do mean if, the stars align and success keeps forward every game. It can happen.