Washusker
Starter
Let's face it - this is not a championship-caliber team. After four games, I'd rate us behind Mizzou, Kansas, Texas, OU, Texas Tech, and Ok. State. Unless something drastic happens on defense, we have no business winning the North or the Big 12.
However, there were a few positives from what was possibly the worst win in program history:
Sam Keller is the real deal. I don't care that he was playing against Ball State. When we needed to score, he got us a score, or at least put us in position to score. He needs to work on ball possession, but I'm confident with him behind center. He's much better than Zac Taylor.
Dillard, Brandenburg, and Thenarse are in the mix. I think we saw a change in the Blackshirts personnel today. Dillard and Thenarse saw much more action, as did Brandenburg before he hurt his ankle. I said earlier this week that these three need to be starting - hopefully that will happen. NOTE: I would also move Culbert back to defense and have him play safety. Asante is garbage.
Special teams are much improved. Our kicking game is solid, and Grix is actually a good little returner. He needs to break one, but I'll take starting at the 30 after each kickoff.
WR play is much improved. This includes the emergence of Sean Hill at TE. Purify is FINALLY becoming that #1 we've been waiting for, Peterson should be starting, and Hill is the man. Few drops today.
The natives are restless. I think Cosgrove is now on the hot seat. Can't explain this one away. This wasn't USC. This is three straight games where the defense has been outcoached, outexecuted, and outhustled. That's on Cos, and I think he's in trouble. That's a good thing.
However, there were a few positives from what was possibly the worst win in program history:
Sam Keller is the real deal. I don't care that he was playing against Ball State. When we needed to score, he got us a score, or at least put us in position to score. He needs to work on ball possession, but I'm confident with him behind center. He's much better than Zac Taylor.
Dillard, Brandenburg, and Thenarse are in the mix. I think we saw a change in the Blackshirts personnel today. Dillard and Thenarse saw much more action, as did Brandenburg before he hurt his ankle. I said earlier this week that these three need to be starting - hopefully that will happen. NOTE: I would also move Culbert back to defense and have him play safety. Asante is garbage.
Special teams are much improved. Our kicking game is solid, and Grix is actually a good little returner. He needs to break one, but I'll take starting at the 30 after each kickoff.
WR play is much improved. This includes the emergence of Sean Hill at TE. Purify is FINALLY becoming that #1 we've been waiting for, Peterson should be starting, and Hill is the man. Few drops today.
The natives are restless. I think Cosgrove is now on the hot seat. Can't explain this one away. This wasn't USC. This is three straight games where the defense has been outcoached, outexecuted, and outhustled. That's on Cos, and I think he's in trouble. That's a good thing.
