Wolverine247 Board

I think this is how I'd set it too, but the multiple different looks Mattison likes on the defensive front, combined with Bolden's talent and need to see the field makes it difficult to actually say what our official starting lineup is.

However it shakes out, having a glut of talent to choose from is a problem that we haven't had in years, and I'd much rather have that than any lack of talent.

I know Dymonte is a true freshman but I am really hoping that him enrolling early makes him ready to see the field. He is an absolute upgrade in pure talent from what we have had at safety.

Ross seems to have a body that adds muscle very easily... Saw him for the first game of his SR season and he looked at least 30 pounds heavier when he took the field the past fall... If he can keep his speed, he should be a household name by the end of the ND game... I can't see Beyer and Morgan holding onto starting spots... I think there are better athletes at those positions... I think both get some serious snaps but will be situational players... Its nice to have talented guys like them who have played alot in a short time being pushed by younger guys... Talent is starting to show on the defensive end.

I wanna see how R. Jenkins-Stone has improved. Also, Ringer may get some playing time this year if he returns back to normalcy. I was impressed with that kid in the spring before his injury. But I think the starters will Ross III, Bolden, Ryan with Morgan, Ringer, RJS getting some PT. Also, I'm hoping to see someone step up big time as the Nickel Corner. Avery has been serviceable, but we need someone to help lockdown the slot guy. Countess and Taylor can hold their own, but after watching Ace Sanders destroy us in the slot...need someone with some lockdown abilities. And lastly, I like Strobel and Wormley and I think one of them gets some major PT.

That would be a dream come true, nut I think kt may be too much to learn since he plays a lb/ safety hybrid. But thats speculating on my part. I have no idea what he will be able to do

That's what off seasons are for, to gain that strength. Wilson got trucked, this happens. Players get "mossed" on a go route and can be trucked. It happens in the pros, why shouldn't it happen in college. On top of the fact there were true freshman. How many true freshman come in day 1 with a body to play sad try or LB? they were on the field because of their ability and because they surpassed the other options on the team. I said all of that to say I'm not worried, in fact I'm encouraged

No im with you. What im not sure of, is if they can get it all from year one to year two. Although this tends to be the year players make the biggest jump, im wondering if they have added the necessary size to not just be effective, but can they take it up another notch.
I mean, of course that was going to happen last year. But this is stemming from people in the 14' thread thinking we are going undefeated, and right nkw we dont knkw how big of a jump these players are going to make.

Well, regarding the notion of going undefeated I'm with you. But I also don't think those folks in the 14' thread are that off the hinge. Green is a a freshman but he looks like he can be that guy to be reliable in the run game, similar to what lattimore was his freshman yr.

THe only other question marks are WR and DL in my eyes. The secondary was exposed last yr because the QB either had time to throw on a 4 man rush or we had to blitz thus going man and getting exposed. We need the DL to get pressure with 4/5 guys and I'm optimistic the redshirt fresh can provide thy boost along with our current guys. Then we just need ball catchers at wr and this team can be formidable.

That is still a lot of unknowns but certainly not wishing on a star so the optimism is understandable.

I expect Funchess to put up big numbers this year.

I've been told a lot of good things about Chesson this off-season.

This would be ideal for pash rushing situations

I think you can add the interior OL and CB to that list. While I'm kind of expecting the OL play to get better next year, that's mostly because of just how terrible it was at many times last year. I think when you can't pound it against Air Force, then you're in for a long year. Even if we had Green last year, I don't think the run game would have been a whole bunch better. It's tough to run effectively when you're beating pulling linement to the hole or dodging countless opponents in the backfield. However, plugging a bunch of first time starting underclassmen into the interior also doesn't scream "effective run-game" to me either. I'm not expecting greatness, but I'm certainly hoping for it.

As for the CB, who starts opposite Taylor? The obvious answer is Countess, but who knows how he'll be post injury? It's mostly hoping for the best at this point. We still have Richardson, and he can probably be good if he's added the weight. Avery has shown he's not really cut out for the outside CB position. Plus Taylor, while looking good, is also not an elite CB either. He's gotten burned a few times, but was just picked on less than Floyd. Look at S. Carolina, and their receivers are no worse that what we'll face against ND or OSU.

While I think we'll be better than last year and, hopefully, finish better, there are still plenty of question marks in the way of us being B1G champions at this point.