I think this years a tricky year to predict because there are so many unknowns around. There's no way our O isn't completely dominant next year in my opinion. I'm expecting Taylor to do what he did last year and put in serious off season work. I think that with Colin K. out in SF, there's new hope that maybe he could make it pro.
I think our O-line gets better. A lot of guys got experience this year, I think with the Juco guys coming in, we can shift Arod to guard where he belongs. Our WR's are going to be fantastic this year, very excited about the group. Additionally, despite what the guy on page one suggested, our RB's are going to be insane, even without Heard. If we can get him to stay all the better. I'm a little concerned about TE, but I'm sure we can get it figured out, just not a ton of experience.
D is where things get interesting. We have a lot of talent coming in that got red shirted and Bo's saying he's willing to play more true freshmen. Our LB core gets an immediate upgrade it's a position group that I'm pretty pumped about. Still worried about our line, but I think that we'll have bodies at DT with lots of upside, and that Gregory will be a good fill in for lost talent like Martin. Still concerned about the secondary, I think it's a very inconsistent group. They held their own most of the season but were exposed during the bowl game. Luckily this won't bite us in the rear until the bowl game. All that being said, we're going to have a lot of unknowns on the field next year on D, if they can limit the mental mistakes we're fine.
Prediction wise here's what I've got.
Wyoming--W
Southern Miss--W
UCLA--W - The added speed on our side and loss of Franklin for them will be enough for us to win this game. Look forward to sweeps not going for 80 yards each play this year.
SDSU--W
Illinois--W
@ Purdue--W
@ Minnesota--W
Northwestern--W - they have a lot of returning starters and our well coached, but we're at home and not happy about losing to them last time at home.
@ Michigan--W - I'm not sold on Gardner as a QB of the future. They're always going to be talented but I think again our influx of speed will help against the style of football they play.
Michigan State--W
@ Penn State--W
Iowa--W
OSU in champ game - L well coached, no obvious flaws and a qb that kills us. I don't see a win against OSU anytime soon with the talent they bring in.
Bowl - See us in the rose against Stanford where we lose a close one. Hate to see us keep losing bowls but I think it's a decent outlook
