Hello all. I'm a Spartan fan with Nebraska ties. My dad lives in Alma and was born in Ainsworth. My wife's family is all from Nebraska with an uncle living in Lincoln. He's a season ticket holder with a big red N on his front door. With that being said I was wondering if there has been any talk about this year's game with San Jose State of the WAC? I subscribe to all the Spartan forums and am a season ticket holder so I know what our fans are saying and what kind of season the Spartans might have. BUT, the Huskers have had a tumultuous last few years under Callahan (we don't care for him out here and Raider fans hate him) so we don't know what to think. Mostly Spartan fans feel about 90% no chance to 10% a chance to win. Nobody is overly confident. I'm one of the 10% and here's why:
Our recruiting class was the lowest rated in the WAC. ??? Our best newcomers are transfers from other D! programs. Jeff Schweiger is a DE that returns to the San Jose area from USC where he started as a freshman but regressed and transfered. One of the highest rated linemen ever to come out of the San Jose area. Coye Francies is a CB from Oregon State. A shutdown corner that will replace our AA Dwight Lowery. Kyle Reed is a freshman QB from Cal who is projected to be a starter but who knows; he IS a freshman. He is in the mold of the Dixon kid from Oregon which is something we haven't had in years. Most of SJS's QBs have been in a prototypical pro mode such as Jeff Garcia. Another newcomer and at the top of the list of our true recruits is a juco WR Avery who is 6'4" and about 200.
So those are the new guys worth mentioning. Returning from last year? Many running backs but none to speak of which is worry number two. Number one is QB. The freshman I've mentioned but we have a few other returners who saw little time last year. Line? Very young last year but a year under the belt with some injured upperclassmen returning. Could be a strength. Receivers. I've mentioned Avery. That gives the Spartans two big wideouts with the best receiver being a little white guy no one can cover; Kevin Jurovich (not fast but always open). That position gets an A but will they have a QB to get it to them, a line to protect, and a running game to keep things honest on your side? Hmm. Too many question marks on the offense.
Defense. The D line could be one of the strongest we have had in years with the addition of Schweiger. Past two years = no pass rush. That will change. Youth here too, but they're good but not overly large. Linebackers? The two best are gone but we return one gem in Ryno Gonzalez (don't you love that name?) and a juco transfer to fill the middle and one somewhere already on the team to step up. Could be at least fair. Defensive backs are good. Chris Owens and Coye Francies might be the best in the WAC if not the west. Safeties are good and strong so that is the strong side of the defense.
So, what might we, as Spartan fans, expect when 12 of us show up in September? I'm planning on a pizza at Valentino's after the game. Is that still done?
Our recruiting class was the lowest rated in the WAC. ??? Our best newcomers are transfers from other D! programs. Jeff Schweiger is a DE that returns to the San Jose area from USC where he started as a freshman but regressed and transfered. One of the highest rated linemen ever to come out of the San Jose area. Coye Francies is a CB from Oregon State. A shutdown corner that will replace our AA Dwight Lowery. Kyle Reed is a freshman QB from Cal who is projected to be a starter but who knows; he IS a freshman. He is in the mold of the Dixon kid from Oregon which is something we haven't had in years. Most of SJS's QBs have been in a prototypical pro mode such as Jeff Garcia. Another newcomer and at the top of the list of our true recruits is a juco WR Avery who is 6'4" and about 200.
So those are the new guys worth mentioning. Returning from last year? Many running backs but none to speak of which is worry number two. Number one is QB. The freshman I've mentioned but we have a few other returners who saw little time last year. Line? Very young last year but a year under the belt with some injured upperclassmen returning. Could be a strength. Receivers. I've mentioned Avery. That gives the Spartans two big wideouts with the best receiver being a little white guy no one can cover; Kevin Jurovich (not fast but always open). That position gets an A but will they have a QB to get it to them, a line to protect, and a running game to keep things honest on your side? Hmm. Too many question marks on the offense.
Defense. The D line could be one of the strongest we have had in years with the addition of Schweiger. Past two years = no pass rush. That will change. Youth here too, but they're good but not overly large. Linebackers? The two best are gone but we return one gem in Ryno Gonzalez (don't you love that name?) and a juco transfer to fill the middle and one somewhere already on the team to step up. Could be at least fair. Defensive backs are good. Chris Owens and Coye Francies might be the best in the WAC if not the west. Safeties are good and strong so that is the strong side of the defense.
So, what might we, as Spartan fans, expect when 12 of us show up in September? I'm planning on a pizza at Valentino's after the game. Is that still done?
