It would be nice if we can reduce/eliminate the Sama negative run plays. Hansen was much better of avoiding the negative plays.
Which Position Group needs to "prove it" this season?
- Thread starter OscarBerkshire
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SR year Jaylin was dangerous on punt returns. Up until that point I feel they just told him to fair catch everything.
Offense is deeper but has less high-end talent... Defense seems more talented but not as deep
We shall see!
Everyone has good points about the OL, WR & DL and I can't argue with any of it. However, LB play IMO has been piss poor since Mike Rose. I know some of that was injury related, but some was just poor play. I really hope some of them can take the next step.
2020 i wouldn't even say it was really good... we used a ton of three tight end sets that year and had the best running back in college football, so the rushing numbers jump off the page but it wasn't truly elite. I think the line was simply competent that year. I would take last year's offensive line group over 2020's
When last year's run defense gets brought up it always comes back to the injuries at LB, that is fair but it also puts some pressure on them to solve that problem now that they're healthy.
I’d say both WR and DL.
That said, I’m not really worried about either one managing to do so.
Or the safety room. Or corners.
That said, I’m not really worried about either one managing to do so.
Or the safety room. Or corners.
Hah!
Seneca’s junior year. 2001.
I’m not joking. And people wonder why we’re hesitant about the OL?
Definitely, they have a lot to prove. Cooper went from an all conference type player to almost a liability. James wasn’t good but did improve late. Both he and Neal played well in the bowl game. Surges was out all year. Patton has not done a lot to live up to the recruiting hype. I think that we have the talent to get it done but there are more questions than we’re used to.
I voted for linebackers. Will be interesting to see who emerges from that group.
Our linebackers have the most to prove. Going 8 deep or whatever is great as long as they play at a high level. Last year there were stretches where our LB play was atrocious. They were young and inexperienced so I'm not faulting them for it. Just calling a spade a spade. I'm bullish on them this year though.
Our OL will be good again. Most people have too high of expectations for this group year in and year out. They get far too much blame and rarely get any credit. I thought they were pretty good last year and I have a lot of confidence in Clanton.
Rocco has had two very good seasons but he still misses on a lot of routine throws where Higgins and Noel really bailed him out. I think if he plays more consistent we won't see a drop in the passing game production.
I think Sama and the RB room will surprise. I also like what I'm hearing about the DL and TEs.
Our OL will be good again. Most people have too high of expectations for this group year in and year out. They get far too much blame and rarely get any credit. I thought they were pretty good last year and I have a lot of confidence in Clanton.
Rocco has had two very good seasons but he still misses on a lot of routine throws where Higgins and Noel really bailed him out. I think if he plays more consistent we won't see a drop in the passing game production.
I think Sama and the RB room will surprise. I also like what I'm hearing about the DL and TEs.
The hole at LB was pretty glaring though. Our secondary was getting beat over the top because they were cheating forward on what were "predicted" rushing downs.
I would like to answer 'The Middle' of the defense - NG, ILB and Safeties. I am going to with safeties. I think the def line got a bit of a bum wrap last year. It was easy for offenses to focus on them because our LBs were so battered. I am confident our LBs will be the strength of our def this year. The best thing that can happen to our defensive line is if our safeties can play the run tough ala Freyler. They will also need to provide some leadership and help to the CBs that are unproven.
O-line. Not sure people realize how good Travis was at LT last year, and ISU needs to run the ball a little better this year to have a solid season. Probably a lot to ask of the O-line as they will get no credit if things go well anyway.
Per CFBstats.com, Iowa State ranked 16th in Sacks allowed per game (1.14). Iowa State ranked 43rd in TFL's allowed per game (4.86), which does not include 0 yardage plays.
That lines up to my initial 'unvalidated' thoughts (granted Hansen and Sama had injuries), and with your point, the running game needs a bit more consistency this year.
I went with linebackers. I feel like CW has been way too confident in that group just because a lot of guys gained experience last year. There was no reason to expect them to perform well with how deep we had to go, but I don't think it automatically translates to that group being a + position group. The starters that went down were in the position to "prove it" in 2024. I'm not doubting that they could have had they'd been healthy, but they haven't proved it yet.
One of the biggest misconceptions in football fandom is that most punts are returned. The vast majority are fair catches these days because punters are better and more focused on it.
Brezina flashed some Rose potential last season but couldn't stay healthy. Bacon is a stud. Gotta keep the best at that position healthy, because I agree, the position has been lackluster since Rose/Hummel/Spears/Lanning
