(saw a couple posts on it in the free board, but prefer to post only on this forum)
While we still have a bowl game left to play (and for the record, while I hate this matchup, it is going to be an entertaining game), have been thinking a bit about the 2017 team and the future.
Really believing that 2017 has the chance to be a special year (knock on wood) for several reasons (not in order of importance).
1) Schedule - Non-Con of Nevada, Bowling Green and @Duke. Nevada will be breaking in a new coach, BG will be losing some of their best players, and Duke is, well, Duke. In Conference, we miss Michigan and Ohio St, and get Iowa, Mich St and Penn St all at home. Wisky and Nebby on the road will be tough, but hasn't scared us in the past. All in all, our most favorable schedule since 2012.
2) Another year of development for Thorson - what a jump for the kid. When you remember he wasn't even a full time QB in HS, he has had a very steep learning curve. Still a few head-scratchers on throws, but getting better in almost every game.
3) Minimal player losses - only one that stands out for me is Carr (who will definitely be missed), but think Nagel has the chance to step into those shoes. From what I am hearing, it would take a lot for Walker to leave. Not sure if Long is leaving or not, but having him back will definitely help our short game (he was fantastic in 2015).
4) Team talent - can't remember a Wildcat team with more NFL talent. Besides Walker, Igwebuike & Lancaster, can also see Thompson, Jackson, Hall, Gaziano, Dickerson playing on Sundays (still wait and see on Moten, Vault, Miller, and Hartage).
5) Experience for our secondary - with Watkins going down, the reps Hartage and Williams are getting are invaluable. Think after another year of development, you will have three experienced, starting caliber CBs (if Williams does not move to safety) that you can interchange.
6) Addition by subtraction on the OL - pretty self-explanatory. Looking for some big things from our freshman and sophmore classes next year. Plus an additional year for Doles and Hance will go a long way (plus maybe some new coaching talent?)
7) Recruiting - loved the 2016 class, but love the 2017 class even more. Think we are going to get a talent infusion and at least two freshman starters/significant role players right away. Plus, I am going to go out an say that I think the 2018 class (as it is shaping up though WAY to early to tell) is going to rival the 2014 class in terms of talent.
All-in-all, think it is going to be a pretty special year, and am already getting excited. Will very much hinge on 1) OL improvement, 2) a replacement for Carr, and 3) consistent DE play - if ANY of those three fail to materialize, it could be a very frustrating year.
Interested to hear your thoughts...
While we still have a bowl game left to play (and for the record, while I hate this matchup, it is going to be an entertaining game), have been thinking a bit about the 2017 team and the future.
Really believing that 2017 has the chance to be a special year (knock on wood) for several reasons (not in order of importance).
1) Schedule - Non-Con of Nevada, Bowling Green and @Duke. Nevada will be breaking in a new coach, BG will be losing some of their best players, and Duke is, well, Duke. In Conference, we miss Michigan and Ohio St, and get Iowa, Mich St and Penn St all at home. Wisky and Nebby on the road will be tough, but hasn't scared us in the past. All in all, our most favorable schedule since 2012.
2) Another year of development for Thorson - what a jump for the kid. When you remember he wasn't even a full time QB in HS, he has had a very steep learning curve. Still a few head-scratchers on throws, but getting better in almost every game.
3) Minimal player losses - only one that stands out for me is Carr (who will definitely be missed), but think Nagel has the chance to step into those shoes. From what I am hearing, it would take a lot for Walker to leave. Not sure if Long is leaving or not, but having him back will definitely help our short game (he was fantastic in 2015).
4) Team talent - can't remember a Wildcat team with more NFL talent. Besides Walker, Igwebuike & Lancaster, can also see Thompson, Jackson, Hall, Gaziano, Dickerson playing on Sundays (still wait and see on Moten, Vault, Miller, and Hartage).
5) Experience for our secondary - with Watkins going down, the reps Hartage and Williams are getting are invaluable. Think after another year of development, you will have three experienced, starting caliber CBs (if Williams does not move to safety) that you can interchange.
6) Addition by subtraction on the OL - pretty self-explanatory. Looking for some big things from our freshman and sophmore classes next year. Plus an additional year for Doles and Hance will go a long way (plus maybe some new coaching talent?)
7) Recruiting - loved the 2016 class, but love the 2017 class even more. Think we are going to get a talent infusion and at least two freshman starters/significant role players right away. Plus, I am going to go out an say that I think the 2018 class (as it is shaping up though WAY to early to tell) is going to rival the 2014 class in terms of talent.
All-in-all, think it is going to be a pretty special year, and am already getting excited. Will very much hinge on 1) OL improvement, 2) a replacement for Carr, and 3) consistent DE play - if ANY of those three fail to materialize, it could be a very frustrating year.
Interested to hear your thoughts...
