nelsonmuntz
Point Center
- Joined
- Aug 27, 2011
- Messages
- 44,577
- Reaction Score
- 34,341
Offense
Teddy Bridgewater is going to be a star this year. I am going all in on this. He is going to have a monster season. You could see him improving week to week last year, and he closed with 24 points or higher in 5 of the last 6 games, including 3 games over 30 against WVU, UConn and USF. The kid that looked so confused against Marshall, UNC and FIU you would have thought he was taking a calculus exam, is gone forever.
I don't see a top line running back, which is a bit odd given how well Strong has been recruiting elsewhere. RB is one of the easiest positions to fill. Anderson is gone, but he was a shell of his former self after all the injuries. I think this will be a pass heavy offense, but none of the receivers really stand out. Chichester, who was hopelessly overrated, is gone. Parker has potential to be a good deep threat.
The offensive line gave up a ton of sacks, but some of that goes to Bridgewater. 4 of the 5 starting linemen return, and I expect a big improvement in both running and passing.
Defense
The defense carried this team last year, and the line was a rock. I believe these are all Strong recruits, and most of the defensive line returns. There were a lot of injuries last year, so lots of guys got playing time too, which means there is good depth. I like the tackles Philon, Brooks and Dunn in particular. The line gets to the QB too, with over 30 sacks each of Strong's two years.
The linebackers played well too. Preston Brown will get all conference honors, and I think they beat last year's impressive 3.0 ypc average. They have a very good pair of corners in Johnson and Bushell, and return both safeties.
Louisville has a big, physical defense that plays aggressive and hits hard. They are susceptible to big plays because they gamble so much, although I expect Strong to play more "assignment football" on defense as the team matures, which will cut down the big plays.
Schedule
The non-conference is manageable, with likely wins against Kentucky and Missouri State at home and at FIU. I think Southern Miss and UNC will be tough. UNC in particular returns a lot of talent despite the legion of violations by Butch Davis and his players. What does a kid have to do to be kicked off the team at UNC?
Only 3 BE road games, @ Pitt, @ Syracuse and @ Rutgers, so the schedule sets up nicely for the Cardinals.
Conclusion
I don't think Strong is a X's and O's genius, but installing confidence and discipline in a team goes a long way. He has recruited well, and now his recruits are reaching the prime of their college careers. He loses Victor Anderson and Dexter Heyman, and Heyman is the only really big loss. The schedule is friendly, there is a incredibly talented QB, and the defense should be among the best in the country.
This is a really good team ready to have a breakout year.
10-2 (6-1)
Teddy Bridgewater is going to be a star this year. I am going all in on this. He is going to have a monster season. You could see him improving week to week last year, and he closed with 24 points or higher in 5 of the last 6 games, including 3 games over 30 against WVU, UConn and USF. The kid that looked so confused against Marshall, UNC and FIU you would have thought he was taking a calculus exam, is gone forever.
I don't see a top line running back, which is a bit odd given how well Strong has been recruiting elsewhere. RB is one of the easiest positions to fill. Anderson is gone, but he was a shell of his former self after all the injuries. I think this will be a pass heavy offense, but none of the receivers really stand out. Chichester, who was hopelessly overrated, is gone. Parker has potential to be a good deep threat.
The offensive line gave up a ton of sacks, but some of that goes to Bridgewater. 4 of the 5 starting linemen return, and I expect a big improvement in both running and passing.
Defense
The defense carried this team last year, and the line was a rock. I believe these are all Strong recruits, and most of the defensive line returns. There were a lot of injuries last year, so lots of guys got playing time too, which means there is good depth. I like the tackles Philon, Brooks and Dunn in particular. The line gets to the QB too, with over 30 sacks each of Strong's two years.
The linebackers played well too. Preston Brown will get all conference honors, and I think they beat last year's impressive 3.0 ypc average. They have a very good pair of corners in Johnson and Bushell, and return both safeties.
Louisville has a big, physical defense that plays aggressive and hits hard. They are susceptible to big plays because they gamble so much, although I expect Strong to play more "assignment football" on defense as the team matures, which will cut down the big plays.
Schedule
The non-conference is manageable, with likely wins against Kentucky and Missouri State at home and at FIU. I think Southern Miss and UNC will be tough. UNC in particular returns a lot of talent despite the legion of violations by Butch Davis and his players. What does a kid have to do to be kicked off the team at UNC?
Only 3 BE road games, @ Pitt, @ Syracuse and @ Rutgers, so the schedule sets up nicely for the Cardinals.
Conclusion
I don't think Strong is a X's and O's genius, but installing confidence and discipline in a team goes a long way. He has recruited well, and now his recruits are reaching the prime of their college careers. He loses Victor Anderson and Dexter Heyman, and Heyman is the only really big loss. The schedule is friendly, there is a incredibly talented QB, and the defense should be among the best in the country.
This is a really good team ready to have a breakout year.
10-2 (6-1)
