2008 = BCS Season?

[BGDrew]

If this is the best 3 we've had, they had a terrible senior season.

[Bleeding Orange]

I think all of the BCS bowl talk for 2008 around here may be a bit of "irrational exuberance" (to quote someone around these parts (fliccbone, maybe?)). I guess I say that becuase it would seem to me that, even if we do run the table in the non-conference slate, Pitt, Minny, and Wyoming would have to have killer years for those wins to mean much to the eternally biased national pollsters. I guess Hawai'i this year may be proof that it is possible as I certainly don't recall them beating anyone truly notable this year (althought the Boise win was huge last week), but I could be forgetting a game or two this year.

And after typing that, I decided to look at the Warriors' schedule, and I could be way off base in my initial reaction. Their OOC schedule this year was Northern Colorado (word, GB), Charleston Southern (WTF?), and Washington. Unless I'm mistaken, the WAC plays nine conference games, so in this year that Hawai'i is ranked number 10 in the BCS standings, they have beaten all of their conference foes and two 1AA teams, with the Huskies waiting in the wings. It could be the fact that June Jones naturally garners national attention, but even so. Wow. What a creampuff schedule compared to ours next year (although we don't really have a Nevada or Fresno type program in this weak-arsed conference).

Boy, upon reflection, next year could be really special if things come together. I'm not entirely sure that our OL situation will be as easy to fix as some have insinuated here, but for all of the gripes we have collectively leveled against Brandon, the one thing we can't take away from him is his recruiting ability. We can debate his ability to utilize it effectively, but this program is flush with talent at all positions thanks to Coach B. Still, the offensive line is reffered to as a unit for a reason - they must play together as one to be effective, no matter how big or talented they are individually. I have no doubt that our O-line players will put in a TON of practice over the offseason and into the spring and summer, but we'll find out how they are going to work quickly next year. Luckily, we have a QB who, while not as mobile as a Josh Harris, knows how to move outside the pocket very well, and (bonus) can throw very, very accurately on the run.

I hope you all enjoyed reading my convoluded thought process nearly as much as I enjoyed the headache and the heart palpatations at the thought of what next year might bring!

[Warthog]

O-Lineman easy to replace?

In our system, yes, absolutely. They pass block 80% of the time and there is no pulling on running plays. All they really need to learn is picking up blitzes. Was there a huge drop off in other seasons when we lost o-lineman?

There is a lot more to it...Im not slaming you on this but seriously its like saying all the Qb has to be able to do is throw the ball or hand it off, or that corners just has to be fast.
If we dont have well developed linemen ready to step up and fill these huge GAPs from those 3 leaving guys...dont expect alot...this was likely one of the top 3 O lines we have ever had.

Let me say that of all the positions on the field, I would argue that offensive lineman are the easiest to replace. I am not dissing OL at all. I played all three postions in high school. In fact, I was starting at tackle one season. Two weeks into the season a staring guard broke his leg at practice on Tuesday. I played about half the game that next Friday at guard after practicing there one day. And started the rest of the season at guard. Then moved to center the following season and was second team all conference. My point is that is you have some talent, it is not that difficult to move around and fill in on the OL. And these guys are a lot more talented then I ever was.

We have six returning OL from the latest two-deep chart. Yes, Korey's leadership and skills will be hard to replace. But we do have players in place to step in and take over. It's not like throwing a true freshman out there at QB and expecting to win a championship. I have total confidence that OL will NOT be a problem next season. (Or any season soon after that given the recruits we are bringing in.)