As I look at 2024, it can be a great year. I am thinking 8-4 is out there. It would be nice to start the non conf strong and start 3-0. That is such a struggle for us some years. I am significantly more worried about the defense than the offese this year, here is why:
1) The offense has a top 3 QB in the league in Rocco. We have above avg running backs in Sama, Hansen, and the new guy from Arizona Dylan Lee is supposed to be a stud. The WRs are excellent with Higgins and Noel. The TE position is set with a future pro in Brahmer. OL should be improved as well
2) Depending on analytics site you use,
our total defense last year ranged from #45 to #50 overall:
https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/years/2023-team-defense.html
So if you assess the power 5 is about 65 teams, being ranked about 45 is bottom half to bottom third. That isn't the type of defense that allows you to win conference titles.
I like Tyler Onyedim on the edge, he's a future pro. Our safeties in Verdon and Cooper are also future pros and all conference caliber. Who outside of these guys strikes fear into the opponent though?
I feel pretty good about Purchase and Jontez Williams at CB. The LBers and D line have a ways to go for me (outside of Oneydim).
I also fear that opposing teams in the league have figured out our rush 3 drop 8 scheme. It worked early on because it was so unique. Now - a lot of teams have copied this. We also don't have a Will McDonald anymore to beat double teams when we rush 3. Our sack numbers were abysmal in '23.
I would love to be proven wrong this year but I fear the defense could hold us back. I seriously hope we get some development in scheme (can we use Zachery Lovett more in a pure speed edge rushing role, he's good at that), or can we use more blitzers off the edge more. We need to get more creative on D I feel.
I also want to see certain guys on D take the next step. Dom Orange, Will McClaughlin, we need both of them to up their game in a big way, they're talented athlets and have that potential. Also, can transfer Kenard Snyder from Louisiana make a difference in the pass rush game?
Long story longer, I have many more questions on the defense than the offense. I feel the offense is going to thrive in most games. Two toughest games will be at Iowa and at Utah. This is a good year that we get to skip Colorado as they will be kinda stacked.