This season was likely going to be a rough one due to the talent deficiency on O, albeit not helped by the roster decisions (is Lausch just a less experienced version of Sully?) or the playcalling, so let's see what Braun can do with a few of his recruiting classes under his belt, along with the transfer portal (schools like Vandy and Dook made better decisions on their transfer QB).
Ultimately, what will make or break Braun is whether he can field an above average O-line.
Now, that may be a more difficult thing for a defensive minded coach, which is why preferred a HC on the other side of the ball.
Interestingly enough, the Hoosiers ended up hiring Cignetti because he had all the traits that they were looking for - 2 of which were being on the offensive side of the ball and having been a recruiting coordinator (was the RC at Bama).
While this is a gross ove r simplification, it's still funny that CFB fans are saying that the Hoosiers are winning with JMU players + an Ohio QB (who has since been injured; testament to the scheme that they don't seem to be missing a beat with their backup QB).
But while many of the skill players have been transfers (something like 44 players on IU roster were not ranked by the recruiting services), the foundation of the team has been the O-line which is made up of IU recruits (who have managed to stay healthy).
The Cats O under Lujan is supposed to be a run-oriented O; but where does that leave the Cats when they can't run the ball? (granted, losing both starting guards hurt, especially when the O-line was tenuous to b whin with).
After a decade of watching scrappy O-lines, I'm just sick of seeing the same thing over and over again, but in order to be fair to Braun, willing to give him some time to see whether he is the guy who can flip things at the O-line.
Having said that, he and his OC also need to make better decisions at the QB position.