3 of our final 5 games on the road where we havent played well.
But 5 winnable games. ( though remember, the OSU game was a sure loss.....)
Coming off the brilliant defeat of OSU, now WE will be the favorites in every game. That brings its own pressure.
Without continued good or improving health, this team is vulnerable to 1-2 upsets.
What will happen? Dunno, but I continue to sense a real coming together of a bunch of young OL, DL, LBers, in particular. I sense a team chemistry that hadnt existed under CJF. A GREAT team chemistry. I sense a real buy in to what the coaches are trying to do. So, somehow my preseason 10-2 prediction ( based on everything going right, and despite everything going wrong) is still a possibility. Dont you just love college football!?
I hope we will now see the continuing growth of our O, especially the running game. SB (99 yards on I think 15 carries vs OSU) is reportedly frustrated by his lack of carries and contributions, but will have opportunities for some big games in the final five. McS has to be a totally new QB -mentally, after the miracle of beating OSU. where he [put together two critical drives to keep hopes alive. I think he is feeling things around him coming together, and is making far quicker and better decisions. Such a cool headed QB....reminds me a lot of JT Barrett, another class kid.
Kudos to Paris Palmer. He was much more active out there and didnt play intimidated ball. Some of his drive blocks were really impressive going 3-4 yards downfield, to one side or the other. And he has learned when opposing DE's out-quick him and get a step, to roll back and cut them off closer to the QB as McS Steps up into the pocket.
We will not face another D nearly as good as OSUs this year, so the opportunity is there for the O to start to shine, statistically. Right now they manage to do just enough, and doing just enough teaches character and confidence of its own, to a team on the mend.
Go Lions!
But 5 winnable games. ( though remember, the OSU game was a sure loss.....)
Coming off the brilliant defeat of OSU, now WE will be the favorites in every game. That brings its own pressure.
Without continued good or improving health, this team is vulnerable to 1-2 upsets.
What will happen? Dunno, but I continue to sense a real coming together of a bunch of young OL, DL, LBers, in particular. I sense a team chemistry that hadnt existed under CJF. A GREAT team chemistry. I sense a real buy in to what the coaches are trying to do. So, somehow my preseason 10-2 prediction ( based on everything going right, and despite everything going wrong) is still a possibility. Dont you just love college football!?
I hope we will now see the continuing growth of our O, especially the running game. SB (99 yards on I think 15 carries vs OSU) is reportedly frustrated by his lack of carries and contributions, but will have opportunities for some big games in the final five. McS has to be a totally new QB -mentally, after the miracle of beating OSU. where he [put together two critical drives to keep hopes alive. I think he is feeling things around him coming together, and is making far quicker and better decisions. Such a cool headed QB....reminds me a lot of JT Barrett, another class kid.
Kudos to Paris Palmer. He was much more active out there and didnt play intimidated ball. Some of his drive blocks were really impressive going 3-4 yards downfield, to one side or the other. And he has learned when opposing DE's out-quick him and get a step, to roll back and cut them off closer to the QB as McS Steps up into the pocket.
We will not face another D nearly as good as OSUs this year, so the opportunity is there for the O to start to shine, statistically. Right now they manage to do just enough, and doing just enough teaches character and confidence of its own, to a team on the mend.
Go Lions!
