by watching several minutes of the 2014 K-State, T-Tech, Ok St, W.Virg., and Texas games. In a way it was like picking off a scab, and opening a not-quite healed wound given how the Clones were in a position to win each and every one of those games at certain points. And while it was disappointing to be reminded how those games were lost, I am beginning to come around to the point of view that this season can be a remarkable turn-around in terms of wins and losses.
(Warning: Kool-Aid Alert, do not read on if optimism offends you)
I was surprised and encouraged at how competitive the team played in those games in spite of significant lack of depth/talent after some key injuries depleted the roster. The coaches still had the team in position to win those contests. At times the team played like they expected to win, IMO. Given better luck on the injury front, the 2015 contest should be more talented, and mature on paper. The losses of Farniok and Mutcherson are the only two personnel changes where we should not expect to be improved on the field. Maybe add MLB as Miller played pretty good football after he was moved to that spot, and Harris is new. Losing Nealey was disappointing, but his play has not been nearly impressive enough to outweigh what I perceive was a detrimental attitude in the locker room.
Looking at the game footage, it looks like improvement in three areas will make a world of difference if progress can be made - stop the run better on defense, run it better on offense, and sustain a winning attitude. In the losses mentioned earlier, if the team had been better at just one of those three areas, wins would have happened.
So I suppose the million dollar question is, will an offseason, one more year of physical and mental maturation, be enough to improve the physicality, explosiveness, and toughness of the following young men who are going to be the key to the season:
Aka (R.Jr.)
*Ayeni (R.Jr.)
Trent (R.So)
Luna (R.Jr.)
White (R.Jr.)
Taylor (Sr.)
Garcia (R.So)
Madison (R.So)
Cousin (R.Jr.)
*Tucker (R.Jr.)
Meyers (R.Jr.)
Pierson (Sr.)
Burton (R.Jr.)
Campos (R.So.)
Dagel (R.Sr.)
Lalk (R.Sr.)
Omoile (R.Sr.)
*Scoggins (R.Jr.)
Taiese (R.Sr.)
* means they haven't played a snap of Big 12 football.
There's much in that list to evoke optimism. Lots of guys with at least 3 years in the program. Lots of 21-22 year olds in the list, meaning they are now at the age in their college career when it is reasonable to expect them to be ready physically. Those that haven't been with the program as long are some of the more highly recruited players on the roster. Out of those 19 players who I think we can agree are those expected to get the majority of snaps on the line of scrimmage, 14 are upper classmen. 14 upper classmen, who have played meaningful snaps to date, to fill 9 spots. I like those numbers. There should be a lot of big, ugly, loyal sons who are hungry for some wins this fall.
If my optimism is misplaced, and in spite of what looks to be a solid, veteran group on paper, the losses pile up. I think it is fair to then consider that perhaps many of these guys lacked the upside, when recruited, to ever be effective Big 12 linemen. Certainly that may be true when evaluating the classes on a cumulative basis. And if that is the case, it will be a long year, and could be the end of the road for our classy coach.
But I don't believe this team doesn't go bowling. They do look mature, and veteran on paper, and I believe it will manifest on the field. Given the early season opportunities, this team will remember how to win, and led by a surprise 1st Team All-Big 12 QB, will play the type of football fit for the football cathedral that has been built for them. The Jack will rock. Coach gets off the hot-seat, and Cyclone Nation will be treated to a season to remember, and out-do the 2009 resurgence. Then hold on in 2016.
(Warning: Kool-Aid Alert, do not read on if optimism offends you)
I was surprised and encouraged at how competitive the team played in those games in spite of significant lack of depth/talent after some key injuries depleted the roster. The coaches still had the team in position to win those contests. At times the team played like they expected to win, IMO. Given better luck on the injury front, the 2015 contest should be more talented, and mature on paper. The losses of Farniok and Mutcherson are the only two personnel changes where we should not expect to be improved on the field. Maybe add MLB as Miller played pretty good football after he was moved to that spot, and Harris is new. Losing Nealey was disappointing, but his play has not been nearly impressive enough to outweigh what I perceive was a detrimental attitude in the locker room.
Looking at the game footage, it looks like improvement in three areas will make a world of difference if progress can be made - stop the run better on defense, run it better on offense, and sustain a winning attitude. In the losses mentioned earlier, if the team had been better at just one of those three areas, wins would have happened.
So I suppose the million dollar question is, will an offseason, one more year of physical and mental maturation, be enough to improve the physicality, explosiveness, and toughness of the following young men who are going to be the key to the season:
Aka (R.Jr.)
*Ayeni (R.Jr.)
Trent (R.So)
Luna (R.Jr.)
White (R.Jr.)
Taylor (Sr.)
Garcia (R.So)
Madison (R.So)
Cousin (R.Jr.)
*Tucker (R.Jr.)
Meyers (R.Jr.)
Pierson (Sr.)
Burton (R.Jr.)
Campos (R.So.)
Dagel (R.Sr.)
Lalk (R.Sr.)
Omoile (R.Sr.)
*Scoggins (R.Jr.)
Taiese (R.Sr.)
* means they haven't played a snap of Big 12 football.
There's much in that list to evoke optimism. Lots of guys with at least 3 years in the program. Lots of 21-22 year olds in the list, meaning they are now at the age in their college career when it is reasonable to expect them to be ready physically. Those that haven't been with the program as long are some of the more highly recruited players on the roster. Out of those 19 players who I think we can agree are those expected to get the majority of snaps on the line of scrimmage, 14 are upper classmen. 14 upper classmen, who have played meaningful snaps to date, to fill 9 spots. I like those numbers. There should be a lot of big, ugly, loyal sons who are hungry for some wins this fall.
If my optimism is misplaced, and in spite of what looks to be a solid, veteran group on paper, the losses pile up. I think it is fair to then consider that perhaps many of these guys lacked the upside, when recruited, to ever be effective Big 12 linemen. Certainly that may be true when evaluating the classes on a cumulative basis. And if that is the case, it will be a long year, and could be the end of the road for our classy coach.
But I don't believe this team doesn't go bowling. They do look mature, and veteran on paper, and I believe it will manifest on the field. Given the early season opportunities, this team will remember how to win, and led by a surprise 1st Team All-Big 12 QB, will play the type of football fit for the football cathedral that has been built for them. The Jack will rock. Coach gets off the hot-seat, and Cyclone Nation will be treated to a season to remember, and out-do the 2009 resurgence. Then hold on in 2016.
