Piggybacking on the bold predictions thread, what are some things that have stood out for everyone so far into the season?
A concern/surprise.
The QB competition is interesting, and also concerning.
I honestly didn't expect anything out of Leidner, so I'll say that's a plus. I still think Nelson starts until he goes down with injury.
QB depth however is a concern. all these 7 to 9 win predictions go out the window with a true freshman at the helm again IMO.
A surprise I see:
Freshmen playing early, year 3.
Reports seem to paint Wolitarsky, Carter, Edwards, Wozniak, and even Streveler/Jones as not redshirting. Add in potentially playing Dixon/Laster at LB and you've got alot of young guys in the mix I don't think we expected to be.
Wildcards:
Defense not taking a step back. Even forward with better run D?
Claeys might be blowing smoke, but it sure doesn't seem like he's all that worried about losing Carter/Stoudemire/Wilhite/Rallis/Cooper.
If the D can simply play as well as it did last year, and get some help from an O that almost has to get better then we may be in business. Especially if the improvement on O comes in the form of a running game that can eat up time and let the D rest.
Once the pads start popping I wonder how Campbell/Lynn will hold up at LB. Good athletes look phenomenal in shorts, but the pads tend to even the athletes out with the less athletic gamers.
A fierce pass rush and/or a turnover greedy D can make an average season into a big one. I see the potential for INTs and sacks with this crew, and I wonder if the run D just can't get better by default.
Go Gophers!
A concern/surprise.
The QB competition is interesting, and also concerning.
I honestly didn't expect anything out of Leidner, so I'll say that's a plus. I still think Nelson starts until he goes down with injury.
QB depth however is a concern. all these 7 to 9 win predictions go out the window with a true freshman at the helm again IMO.
A surprise I see:
Freshmen playing early, year 3.
Reports seem to paint Wolitarsky, Carter, Edwards, Wozniak, and even Streveler/Jones as not redshirting. Add in potentially playing Dixon/Laster at LB and you've got alot of young guys in the mix I don't think we expected to be.
Wildcards:
Defense not taking a step back. Even forward with better run D?
Claeys might be blowing smoke, but it sure doesn't seem like he's all that worried about losing Carter/Stoudemire/Wilhite/Rallis/Cooper.
If the D can simply play as well as it did last year, and get some help from an O that almost has to get better then we may be in business. Especially if the improvement on O comes in the form of a running game that can eat up time and let the D rest.
Once the pads start popping I wonder how Campbell/Lynn will hold up at LB. Good athletes look phenomenal in shorts, but the pads tend to even the athletes out with the less athletic gamers.
A fierce pass rush and/or a turnover greedy D can make an average season into a big one. I see the potential for INTs and sacks with this crew, and I wonder if the run D just can't get better by default.
Go Gophers!