2010 version of the Rodents

[Ogee Ogilthorpe]

When was the last time we went into a season knowing as LITTLE about what kind of team will take the field as this year? On both sides of the ball, we literally have no clue what to expect for the most part.

>> How much improved will the O-line be

>> How much more comfortable will our 4th year starting QB be with a simplified playbook and an offensive coordinator who actually HAS coached many years at the college level (unlike Fisch)

>> 9-10 new starters on defense. Inexperienced, yes. But by all accounts bigger, faster, and stronger than any they've fielded in recent memory.


This is finally Brewster's team; the roster consists almost entirely of HIS recruits, the guys he brought in. It's time to see once and for all if he's upgraded the roster as much as many have said he has.

Amazingly enough, despite an absolutely BRUTAL schedule, I'm as optimistic as I've been in a long time. While some may bristle at the thought, Weber is a big reason I'm optimistic. It's VERY rare to have a guy at the helm who's entering his 4th year as a starter. He played all of last year injured and trying to handle a playbook that would have given Peyton Manning difficulties with just a few months of preparation.

Forget about the numbers/records that he either already owns or will own, if for no other reason than by default of being a 4-year starter. Weber has the opportunity to go down as one of the greatest QB's in Rodent history with a STRONG showing this year.

Can't wait to get this season under way!

 

[Bayfieldgopher]

I expect we use every player on the traveling roster against MTSU due to the heat. The good thing about that is the coaches will have a good eval and also the untested will get tested. Hopefully more of the same against SDU so we can put our best healthiest players on the field against USC. That game will tell us a lot.

 

[mkAz]

I'm cautiously optimistic. I can see why some pundits are not expecting much (brutal schedule, inexperienced defense, no Decker, etc) but I can also finally see the light at the end of the tunnel, they are bigger, they are faster and they are more athletic than they've been in any time in recent memory and I really feel a lot better about this coaching staff than any we've seen under Brewster (the recent additions of Horton, Watson, Davis, Cosgrove, et al have all been good additions). I can't wait til Thursday!

 

[Go Gophers Rah]

This is finally Brewster's team; the roster consists almost entirely of HIS recruits, the guys he brought in. It's time to see once and for all if he's upgraded the roster as much as many have said he has.

I know I could look this up if I had the inclination...
But does anyone know how many 5th year seniors we have on this team (ie Mason recruits) the we expect to start or see significant playing time?

Obviously Weber, but who else?

Also, I'm not sure if I'd consider players drafted in January and February 2007 to be complete Brew guys. My guess is that many (most) of these guys had begun the recruiting process under the old regime. Those that were last minute adds by Brew were likely those passed over by other AQS teams by that point.

 

[mkAz]

I know I could look this up if I had the inclination...
But does anyone know how many 5th year seniors we have on this team (ie Mason recruits) the we expect to start or see significant playing time?

Obviously Weber, but who else?

Dom Alford, RJ Buckner, Eric Ellstad, DJ Burris, can't think of any others.

 

[50PoundHead]

I'm cautiously optimistic. I don't want to put too much pressure on one guy, but as Weber goes, so may we. I think the simplified playbook is going to help a ton.

Lots of athletic talent on the team. This is a classic example of a team that will be much better by the end of the season (provided there are no major injuries). If they can steal a game or two early, it could be a surprisingly good season.

 

[gold04]

It's a very valid point. We have no idea how good or bad the offense or defense will be. I think the offense will be suprisingly good this year and the defense will be suprisingly bad. I hope that both end up being suprisingly good!

 

[josh087]

I expect we use every player on the traveling roster against MTSU due to the heat.

I heard in order to make way for the 312 industrial fans and 6,782 water coolers they are bringing to the game because of the immense heat they will be facing they had to trim the traveling roster down to 25 - The 11 starters on both sides of the ball, Gray, Ellestad, and Orseske. Weber will pull double duty as a holder for the first time in his career.

 

[Ogee Ogilthorpe]

Furthermore

I'm cautiously optimistic. I can see why some pundits are not expecting much (brutal schedule, inexperienced defense, no Decker, etc) but I can also finally see the light at the end of the tunnel, they are bigger, they are faster and they are more athletic than they've been in any time in recent memory and I really feel a lot better about this coaching staff than any we've seen under Brewster (the recent additions of Horton, Watson, Davis, Cosgrove, et al have all been good additions). I can't wait til Thursday!

One more reason for optimism about the direction of the program in general (for me at least);

It certainly seems like the best players on the roster, on either side of the ball, are sophomores, freshmen, and RS freshmen, particularly on the O-line.

 

[Schnoodler]

This year is a bit different. There are unknowns, but in a different way. I think more than any other year in my memory I have a pretty good handle on the team as far as the roster and who might be getting playing time. So in that regard there are fewer question marks. I also don't feel like I'm wondering if we're going to be crappy or mediocre like I usually do. For me it's just about wondering how good we might be and if it's enough to make a dent in the tough schedule.

I'm extremely confident that we'll be a much better team than we've seen in quite awhile. Does that actually amount to anything tangible? That's the real unknown for me.

 

[Gopherhurrin]

Beside the fact that this is an away game, is there any reason why we should not beat Middle Tennessee State? As a Big Ten team we should win this game. Why not?