bugeater17

I take it you think we should Blitz First...

Completely agree. Especially (to the bolded) with two QBs who have struggled with down the field throws.

This x 100.

I'd like to see a matchup with Rutgers, not only a high likelihood of a win but also to face off against Vedral would be cool to see.

Alabama says "sorry, he's ours." (I'm guessing).

I think Miller has become a stable leader and voice on the defense. I'm good with Miller starting and then a rotation of the 3 throughout the game.

We must be watching different games then.

I'm not saying they were Luke's fault at all. One was a bad snap which throws timing off - but every QB has a little different depth to their step. I don't know if I'm correct, but I would bet some of the plays we saw timing issues were a result of split snaps and the personnel maybe only practicing the play once with each other. I would suspect we start to see less and less of that - so long as we get the snap issue fixed which seems to have came back for Jurgens.

Martinez has shown over the last 8 games (that he started) he can't make the short passes to keep drives alive. Sure he completes one every now and then - but his short and intermediate pass game was below average. Martinez trying to complete a bubble screen, pass to the flat, or a screen pass to a rb was downright awful. There is no argument Luke was a significant upgrade in this area; in fact, multiple instances (and comments pointing such out from friends as the game was going on) in the last 6 quarters where Luke has made throws which would have been 1-hopped or uncatchable with Martinez in there.

There were some frustrating timing and mesh point issues - which shouldn't be there since "we've had more practices without a game then any team in history" (per Scott Frost). One possible cause is lack of reps in practice with McCaffrey in practice. Yes, I already know he was splitting reps throughout fall - but hopefully with him being the clear cut guy going into this week he will be able to get more than 1 (or 2) reps with the plays implemented in the game plan. The result should be better mesh points and timing.

Kid is impressive. I expect a big jump in his Rivals rating and he will still be a steal of the class.

Agree. Luke is a baller but I don’t see him as a 4 year starter. His style will take too many hits in a full non- COVID season.

The oline is a hindrance to anything they want to do. You can tell based on the play calling that Frost doesn’t trust the oline or qbs. Further, he doesn’t trust the young wrs at crucial times. Good win but still a long way to go. Look lost with no direction on offense.

No. If Frost had his druthers AM would have continued to play in the 2nd half as a result of good performance. Also, Frost stated they attempted to work Luke in during the 1st half but because of the looks NW gave they went away or checked out of it.

Rivals had Omar's snap count at 4 (with 0 targets).

Aside from the QB and receiver position, I'll be intrigued to see how inside linebacker shakes out. Honas by far played the best in the first game against OSU (Reimer was injured). Reimer by far played the best in the second game gains NW (Honas was injured). Miller has played pretty good as well and is a Captain. Rudd is in a quandary (in a good way). Assuming all are healthy the three will rotate, but do you not start your captain or one of the best performers from weeks 1 and 2? Probably not a big deal overall just an interesting situation and observation.

No, I definitely don't believe they are self sabotaging. I think there isn't enough trust in some of the younger guys who might mess up here and there but have much more talent than a player which might be assignment sound during the week. The frustrating part is a lot of the guys being put out there still make mistakes in game. For instance, Liewer and Falck have committed more penalties and mistakes than they have made contributions in the games so far.

Yup - I expect the same.

Yes and No. Yes as to your base plays. But if you are splitting reps then its difficult to design game plans specific for each game. For instance, if you want to run a variation off of a look you've previously given its tough to give both players a look/reps in practice. Also, the splitting of reps could be a reason we have seen issues in the red zone. Most coaches will dedicate a large chunk of practice on either Wed or Thursday (or both) for red zone offense. In that session its difficult to split the reps and the guy not getting the reps will be significantly behind. If you do split the reps then its tough to have any cohesion with the unit - which I think have witnessed in the first two games.

While I like the competition aspect during the week at QB it is somewhat counter-productive as far as developing a game plan for a young QB. For a young guy like Luke it is much more imperative to get him more reps in the game plan and plays than it is for someone who has the starting experience that Martinez does.

Completely agree - Martinez lacks the necessary 'touch' on swing or bubble passes and its even worse on crossing routes or throws down the field.

The special teams are still a joke. The punt and kickoff coverage are slow and horrendous. The punter gets zero hangtime and (thankfully for the coverage unit) doesn't punt it over 40 yards. The kicker is questionable from inside 40. Special teams are a bit better than last year but still a long way to go.

I think I just read on a Rivals article he didn't make the trip due to an injury... anyone seen confirmation/info re: his absence yet?

I’m sure it’s been said in here already, but really need to give Luke a look or drive.