It is hard to believe that 2 months away from the start of the 2019 season. I don't know about anyone else, but I excited to get this season started. I think we are going to surprise a few people. I even heard a podcast, from someone that I had not heard of, that thinks that we could challenge for the Big Ten West this year. I think our youth make that more likely next year. Hey, if everything falls into place, I would not be shocked to see that statement come true. We were in it last year until we had a couple of really bad games.
My thoughts on what needs to happen to challenge for the West this year:
1. Stay relatively injury free - we know there will be injuries from being being banged up as the year goes on, but we cannot afford to lose key people where we have no depth.
2. OL line has to be gel - there are major questions with our line, and we do not have a graduate transfer this year to shore this area up. Our QB, more than likely Sindelar, needs time to throw to use the weapons that we could have this year from the receiving corp.
3. Sindelar needs to have that breakout year that he has shown glimpses of - besides being healthy a whole year, which has been difficult, and getting the line to hold up, this is the year that it is Sindelar's year to be the undisputed #1 QB. He has the talent and experience to make this a special year. I am hoping the injury bug will stay away. I see no reason why he could not lead the Big Ten in passing yards and TDs this year, if he were to stay healthy.
4. Pressure on the opponents QB - Last year, our defense let QBs have time to write a book at times. We were inexperienced and there was a lot of youth, but we still did not have the ability to pressure the QB. I know he is young, but I think Karlaftis will help with this tremendously this year. It would be nice to have another bookend like the early Tiller years where we could bring pressure from either side. With a little push from the interior, maybe someone else will show up to be that other pass rusher.
5. Someone to take the pressure off Moore - every team will concentrate their game plan on Moore. We saw last year that this did not stop Moore from still putting up big numbers. However, to make Moore even more effective, we need a couple of our young wideouts to step up, because we know that one of them are going to be open when Moore is double and triple teamed. I believe this is where Bell is going to provide such a big boost. I realize that we have Wright, Anderson, Sparks, Sheffield, Rice, etc. that could step up too, but Bell was not listed as a top 100 recruit for nothing. Just as Moore created match up problems as a slot, we need Bell to be that match up problem on the outside. Hopkins will help in the area too.
6. Lastly, we just need a little luck. We were in almost every game we lost last year, except for Minnesota. We need to make the plays when we needed it. Defense has to stop the personal fouls that killed 3rd down stops and let our opponents then score on that drive. We have to be able to get a single yard on offense when needed. That is why I wish Worship was healing quicker. It does not sound good with him the last I heard. We need a back that will not get pushed back from obtaining a single yard in a key 3rd and 1 or 4th and 1.
-There are obviously other keys to the season, finding our top #1 RB (injury questions and youth questions still in this area), better up the middle defense from our LBs, kicking consistently, etc. These were my top six though to have that special year.
I am ready for the season though! Boiler Up!!
My thoughts on what needs to happen to challenge for the West this year:
1. Stay relatively injury free - we know there will be injuries from being being banged up as the year goes on, but we cannot afford to lose key people where we have no depth.
2. OL line has to be gel - there are major questions with our line, and we do not have a graduate transfer this year to shore this area up. Our QB, more than likely Sindelar, needs time to throw to use the weapons that we could have this year from the receiving corp.
3. Sindelar needs to have that breakout year that he has shown glimpses of - besides being healthy a whole year, which has been difficult, and getting the line to hold up, this is the year that it is Sindelar's year to be the undisputed #1 QB. He has the talent and experience to make this a special year. I am hoping the injury bug will stay away. I see no reason why he could not lead the Big Ten in passing yards and TDs this year, if he were to stay healthy.
4. Pressure on the opponents QB - Last year, our defense let QBs have time to write a book at times. We were inexperienced and there was a lot of youth, but we still did not have the ability to pressure the QB. I know he is young, but I think Karlaftis will help with this tremendously this year. It would be nice to have another bookend like the early Tiller years where we could bring pressure from either side. With a little push from the interior, maybe someone else will show up to be that other pass rusher.
5. Someone to take the pressure off Moore - every team will concentrate their game plan on Moore. We saw last year that this did not stop Moore from still putting up big numbers. However, to make Moore even more effective, we need a couple of our young wideouts to step up, because we know that one of them are going to be open when Moore is double and triple teamed. I believe this is where Bell is going to provide such a big boost. I realize that we have Wright, Anderson, Sparks, Sheffield, Rice, etc. that could step up too, but Bell was not listed as a top 100 recruit for nothing. Just as Moore created match up problems as a slot, we need Bell to be that match up problem on the outside. Hopkins will help in the area too.
6. Lastly, we just need a little luck. We were in almost every game we lost last year, except for Minnesota. We need to make the plays when we needed it. Defense has to stop the personal fouls that killed 3rd down stops and let our opponents then score on that drive. We have to be able to get a single yard on offense when needed. That is why I wish Worship was healing quicker. It does not sound good with him the last I heard. We need a back that will not get pushed back from obtaining a single yard in a key 3rd and 1 or 4th and 1.
-There are obviously other keys to the season, finding our top #1 RB (injury questions and youth questions still in this area), better up the middle defense from our LBs, kicking consistently, etc. These were my top six though to have that special year.
I am ready for the season though! Boiler Up!!
Last edited:
