Five Keys to 2015

[GOUNUII]

1. Oxley and Wyatt don't have to play DT. Will McEvilly and Kuhar return to form and hold up? Will Lancaster and Robbins play to their potential? Without a stout interior DT rotation, I don't see this defense giving our offense a chance to be successful. But with a stout run defense, the 3rd down pass defense personnel are there to make plays and get the defense off the field.

2. Randy Bates coaches up 4/6 LBs in the projected two-deep who were lightly recruited and have played little or no Big Ten football. They don't have to be great, just good enough to execute the scheme, keeping blown assignments to a minimum.

3. We find a serviceable LOT. Are there any realistic options other than Olson or redshirt freshmen Hance and Doles? Not long ago, GCG shot down the notion that Mogus would remain at LOT for the season.

4. Two dependable WRs emerge. Will a healthy C. Jones be one of them? Other than McHugh and Dickerson, who else fits the description of a realistic candidate?

5. Thorson and/or Alviti demonstrate the swagger I believe they have. I will take QBs with the physical and mental talent to succeed over experience every time.

As I look back over these keys, I think 1,3 and 5 are essential. But achieving 2 and 4 will help realize those essential keys for a successful season.

Your thoughts?

GOUNUII

 

[gocatsgo2003]

1) We have a lot of bodies at DT (McEvilly, Kuhar, Lancaster, Robbins, Wyatt, and Oxley all seem like viable options with Thompson an outside shot at playing as a true freshman if he is big enough). Longer-term, I wouldn't be surprised if one of Goens and Gaziano slide inside. For 2015, it's a matter of at least four of them emerging as rotation players. Don't forget that Lowry can ably slide inside in passing situations as well to save reps from the bigger guys.

2) Anthony Walker and Drew Smith are virtual locks to start at MIKE and WILL. Both have played plenty of meaningful snaps. I've also heard very good things about Nate Hall at SAM. JJones, Walsh, and Prater should at least provide serviceable depth in the event of injury. I also expect to see Traveon Henry playing a Brad Phillips-like box safety position a decent amount of the time. While they may not be terribly experienced, this should be one of our most athletic LB corps in quite a while. At least there's good "raw material" to work with.

3) LT scares me a lot, but Hance is a very talented young player. I expect some learning curve if he wins the spot, but has a lot of upside. Also wouldn't be shocked if Doles ends up at LG pushing Mogus for time. He's another big, athletic kid.

4) CJones should be dependable if he can stay healthy, though we probably shouldn't depend on him to break games open like the last time we saw him on the field against Illinois in 2013. There are plenty of candidates to fill out the roles (McHugh, Youngblood-Ary, Shuler, Scanlan, and Wilson), but I do expect to see more 2 SB sets to maximize the talented group of Vitale, Taylor, and Dickerson. That said, there's definitely opportunity for a true freshman WR to contribute (Nagel most likely as I think Roberts is more of a return specialist) and I expect to see Vault taking plenty of reps in the slot. It might be a revolving door until we have a couple guys step up, but at least there are numbers.

5) Thorson. Thorson. Thorson. Thorson.

 

[NJCat83588]

1. Oxley and Wyatt don't have to play DT. Will McEvilly and Kuhar return to form and hold up? Will Lancaster and Robbins play to their potential? Without a stout interior DT rotation, I don't see this defense giving our offense a chance to be successful. But with a stout run defense, the 3rd down pass defense personnel are there to make plays and get the defense off the field.

2. Randy Bates coaches up 4/6 LBs in the projected two-deep who were lightly recruited and have played little or no Big Ten football. They don't have to be great, just good enough to execute the scheme, keeping blown assignments to a minimum.

3. We find a serviceable LOT. Are there any realistic options other than Olson or redshirt freshmen Hance and Doles? Not long ago, GCG shot down the notion that Mogus would remain at LOT for the season.

4. Two dependable WRs emerge. Will a healthy C. Jones be one of them? Other than McHugh and Dickerson, who else fits the description of a realistic candidate?

5. Thorson and/or Alviti demonstrate the swagger I believe they have. I will take QBs with the physical and mental talent to succeed over experience every time.

As I look back over these keys, I think 1,3 and 5 are essential. But achieving 2 and 4 will help realize those essential keys for a successful season.

Your thoughts?

GOUNUII

Good list. To me, #5 is the key, followed closely by #1 and 3. Winning starts with a QB. Hard to think of a decent Big 10 team that didn't have a good QB.

 

[Evanstonian]

3. We find a serviceable LOT. Are there any realistic options other than Olson or redshirt freshmen Hance and Doles? Not long ago, GCG shot down the notion that Mogus would remain at LOT for the season.

Why wouldn't Mogus remain at left tackle if he performed well in the Spring? I would expect him to play there this season.

 

[gocatsgo2003]

3. We find a serviceable LOT. Are there any realistic options other than Olson or redshirt freshmen Hance and Doles? Not long ago, GCG shot down the notion that Mogus would remain at LOT for the season.

Why wouldn't Mogus remain at left tackle if he performed well in the Spring? I would expect him to play there this season.

Because I believe Mogus at LT was mostly so that the first-team offense could operate at something approaching game tempo despite injuries to a bunch of OTs (Hance, Doles, etc.). I also believe the "best five on the field" was more an attempt to churn up some competition in a room that had a bunch of "comfortable twos."

I don't think anyone really expects Mogus to be the answer at LT.

 

[footballfan 76]

Because I believe Mogus at LT was mostly so that the first-team offense could operate at something approaching game tempo despite injuries to a bunch of OTs (Hance, Doles, etc.). I also believe the "best five on the field" was more an attempt to churn up some competition in a room that had a bunch of "comfortable twos."


Mogus will be at left tackle at the start of camp. Doles practiced and was backing Mogus up in spring game. in my opinion doles and hance are not ready or they don't trust them of course that can change through summer workouts and camp. For summer workouts Depietro is backing up Mogus as of now and mertz has moved to left guard with Mahoney backing him up. Doles has been working at backup right tackle behind Olson. I think these changes are about having the top 7-8 lineman ready to go. Obviously a lot can change from now till opener!

 

[CoralSpringsCat]

Any word on the competition between Park and North at the C spot?

 

[NJCat83588]

Any word on the competition between Park and North at the C spot?

What competition? Practice doesn't start for another 7 or 8 weeks. Unlike basketball, the football team has relatively little actual practice time together.

 

[CoralSpringsCat]

What competition? Practice doesn't start for another 7 or 8 weeks. Unlike basketball, the football team has relatively little actual practice time together.

footballfan 76 said: "For summer workouts Depietro is backing up Mogus as of now and mertz has moved to left guard with Mahoney backing him up. Doles has been working at backup right tackle behind Olson. I think these changes are about having the top 7-8 lineman ready to go".

I was curious to see if he knew who was backing up whom in regards to the Center position...

 

[footballfan 76]

North is ahead of park

 

[Figrating]

NU desperately needs a QB that can make plays on his own. We have a couple.

NU ALWAYS needs to recruit 4* QBs for the future. A few winning seasons will help.

 

[DaCat]

NU desperately needs a QB that can make plays on his own. We have a couple.

NU ALWAYS needs to recruit 4* QBs for the future. A few winning seasons will help.

Thorson and Alviti have huge upside at QB. My hunch is that Thorson will grab the job at Kenosha. I like Aidan Smith in the 2016 class. But get over the 4* nonsense already, we are so past that now... we won't settle for less than 5* Hunter Johnson as our next QB recruit.

 

[Deeringfish]

Thorson and Alviti have huge upside at QB. My hunch is that Thorson will grab the job at Kenosha. I like Aidan Smith in the 2016 class. But get over the 4* nonsense already, we are so past that now... we won't settle for less than 5* Hunter Johnson as our next QB recruit.

My Hunch is we are back to the two QB system with both QBs being more balanced in play selection or some new twist of the wildcat. I'm looking forward to that.

 

[Cardiacagoan]

My Hunch is we are back to the two QB system with both QBs being more balanced in play selection or some new twist of the wildcat. I'm looking forward to that.

Couldn't agree more. No matter the football level, it starts and ends with your QB. They make average wr's and ol good and good wr's and ol great. Unfortunately, the opposite also applies with inconsistent play.

 

[FakeFitz]

Thorson and Alviti have huge upside at QB. My hunch is that Thorson will grab the job at Kenosha. I like Aidan Smith in the 2016 class. But get over the 4* nonsense already, we are so past that now... we won't settle for less than 5* Hunter Johnson as our next QB recruit.

We will announce our starter before the Stanford game. It's an open race as of now. Each player has an opportunity to earn the spot. We will use the players who put us in the best position to win.

 

[NJCat83588]

We will announce our starter before the Stanford game. It's an open race as of now. Each player has an opportunity to earn the spot. We will use the players who put us in the best position to win.

"Stats are for Losers!"

"That wasn't us out there today"

"The Wildcat Way"

 

[gocatsgo2003]

My Hunch is we are back to the two QB system with both QBs being more balanced in play selection or some new twist of the wildcat. I'm looking forward to that.

It doesn't make a ton of sense to use two QBs if they're similar. The reason it worked with Colter and Siemian is that they had very different skill sets. We tended to get a bit too predictable with our play calls using those two, but Alviti and Thorson both do a lot of the same things. I think the clear preference is that one of the QBs takes the job full-time. It would be a bad sign to me if we played two with regularity.

 

[hdhntr1]

It doesn't make a ton of sense to use two QBs if they're similar. The reason it worked with Colter and Siemian is that they had very different skill sets. We tended to get a bit too predictable with our play calls using those two, but Alviti and Thorson both do a lot of the same things. I think the clear preference is that one of the QBs takes the job full-time. It would be a bad sign to me if we played two with regularity.

But what if the two were Oliver and either Thorson or Alviti?

 

[gocatsgo2003]

But what if the two were Oliver and either Thorson or Alviti?

Realistically, I don't expect Oliver to be in the competition come fall.

 

[NJCat83588]

Realistically, I don't expect Oliver to be in the competition come fall.

Very interesting. You are one of the few on this board who really seem to know what you are talking about.

 

[hdhntr1]

Very interesting. You are one of the few on this board who really seem to know what you are talking about.

Realistically, I don't expect Oliver to be in the competition come fall.

I understand as a lot do not and some hope he is out on the basis of what they saw against IL. They are hoping to see something better that will be around for a few years.. However he has been in the system for a while but prior to the game he started last year, he had basically no time with the first unit and by that time, the first unit was a shadow of itself as all the top receivers were injured.. He has the arm. Unfortunately, he does not have the mobility or experience starting. Going into this season, who knows what we will see. There have been other NU QBs that looked pretty bad in their first times starting and were much better the second time around. Kafka is such an example.

That said, having Thorson step up would indicate better things going forward but it would also hurt in a couple places. It would make the OL performance even more important because of the greater importance of keeping him healthy as the backup would be a greater step back. Also with him the starter as a Frosh, it might hurt our QB recruiting for a year or two as guys would feel they did not have a shot for a while.

 

[Gladeskat]

That said, having Thorson step up would indicate better things going forward but it would also hurt in a couple places. It would make the OL performance even more important because of the greater importance of keeping him healthy as the backup would be a greater step back. Also with him the starter as a Frosh, it might hurt our QB recruiting for a year or two as guys would feel they did not have a shot for a while.

If Thorson becomes the starter, you'd still have a 4* with some experience in Alviti as a back-up. The OL always needs to protect their QB regardless; the back-up will always be less skilled.

Our QB recruit for the 2017 class would have three seasons of eligibility remaining once Thorson has graduated. Thorson becoming a star (I wish!) shouldn't hurt our recruiting at all.

 

[DaCat]

If Thorson becomes the starter, you'd still have a 4* with some experience in Alviti as a back-up. The OL always needs to protect their QB regardless; the back-up will always be less skilled.

Our QB recruit for the 2017 class would have three seasons of eligibility remaining once Thorson has graduated. Thorson becoming a star (I wish!) shouldn't hurt our recruiting at all.

I agree, if Thorson becomes a star, it would have a positive effect on recruiting because it would indicate that our coaches can "develop" QB's, whether true or not. Let's get Hunter Johnson!

 

[Deeringfish]

I agree, if Thorson becomes a star, it would have a positive effect on recruiting because it would indicate that our coaches can "develop" QB's, whether true or not. Let's get Hunter Johnson!

With any luck Thorson will win the starting job and Smith will beat him out of it as a true freshman due to his exploding talent.

 

[DaCat]

Thorson trumped by Smith trumped by Johnson trumped by....

 

[gocatsgo2003]

Thorson trumped by Smith trumped by Johnson trumped by....

That's the whole concept of recruiting. The aim is to "recruit over" the previous class each and every year.

 

[hdhntr1]

If Thorson becomes the starter, you'd still have a 4* with some experience in Alviti as a back-up. The OL always needs to protect their QB regardless; the back-up will always be less skilled.

Our QB recruit for the 2017 class would have three seasons of eligibility remaining once Thorson has graduated. Thorson becoming a star (I wish!) shouldn't hurt our recruiting at all.

I believe he would only have two. Three for Alviti.

 

[Gladeskat]

I believe he would only have two. Three for Alviti.

No, our QB in the 2017 class would enter the program as a true freshman when Thorson is a RSJunior. That means he would be a RSSophomore with three seasons to play after Thorson graduates.

I don't know what you are saying in the second sentence. If Alviti starts this year and moving forward, then the QB in the 2017 class will have 4 years of eligibility ahead of him free of competition from Alviti (and 3 free of competition from Thorson). Alviti will complete his eligibility in 2017 when that 2017 recruit is a true freshman.

 

[GOUNUII]

3 if he takes a RS in 2017 and 2 if he doesn't. Unless Thorson opts for the NFL instead of a 5th year. In which case it would be 4 or 3 for Johnson.

GOUNUII

 

[NJCat83588]

3 if he takes a RS in 2017 and 2 if he doesn't. Unless Thorson opts for the NFL instead of a 5th year. In which case it would be 4 or 3 for Johnson.

GOUNUII

Thorson could opt for the NFL after his RS Soph season...................

 

[gocatsgo2003]

Thorson could opt for the NFL after his RS Soph season...................

Holy smokes... can we let the kid take a competitive collegiate snap first?

 

[NJCat83588]

Holy smokes... can we let the kid take a competitive collegiate snap first?

I forgot how to indicate sarcasm...............

 

[GOUNUII]

I forgot how to indicate sarcasm...............

Me too NJCat. Relax GCG. Just having some fun.

GOUNUII

 

[NUCat320]

"Stats are for Losers!"

"That wasn't us out there today"

"The Wildcat Way"

"Dan Persa is healthy!"