ESPN's view of our Non-Con

[Coug95man2]

I think his "thoughts" at the end are spot on.

Interesting to see the outside perspective on our non-con.

Rutgers is really our test. Sounds like the QB is "lights out". We might be defending the East Coast version of the Air Raid. But Lombardi is right on this one. Our Defense is what killed not only last years Rutgers game but pretty much all of the games we lost… Grinch has a pretty big plate he's gotta clear.

Also sounds like they have a couple D players that could be interesting…
http://espn.go.com/blog/pac12/post/_/id/87220/nonconference-primer-washington-state-cougars

 

[CougPatrol]

Their QB is highly regarded, but unproven. He also hasn't won the starting job yet. Their other QB (Loviano) is also well regarded.

 

[cr8zyncalif]

You know, you could fill a large gym (probably several large gyms) with the bodies of all the highly regarded QB's that didn't prove out in D 1.

 

[How_did_this_happen?]

I think his "thoughts" at the end are spot on.

Interesting to see the outside perspective on our non-con.

Rutgers is really our test. Sounds like the QB is "lights out". We might be defending the East Coast version of the Air Raid. But Lombardi is right on this one. Our Defense is what killed not only last years Rutgers game but pretty much all of the games we lost… Grinch has a pretty big plate he's gotta clear.

Also sounds like they have a couple D players that could be interesting…
http://espn.go.com/blog/pac12/post/_/id/87220/nonconference-primer-washington-state-cougars

I'm actually somewhat optimistic (at least for a downtrodden Wazzu fan) that we have a reasonable chance BECAUSE this is a road game. I know...weird.

 

[cr8zyncalif]

I'm not sure that your observation is weird. Seems to conform to recent trends. My personal theory regarding our relative success on the road vs. home is that some combination of youth, team leadership and coaching leadership has been successful at achieving better focus by the kids at the start of road games than home games. My main reason for thinking this is the often repeated tendency of young teams to be both easily distracted and more easily intimidated. It would make sense that they would be more easily distracted at home. The good news is that it is pretty clear that in most cases they were not intimidated, particularly on the road where you might think that would be the case. The overall age of the starters will be greater this season, and we have a lot of new D (and special teams) coaches. Hopefully that translates into actually being ready to play for home games, which IMHO was our biggest single fault last season.

 

[B1GRU91]

Looking forward to hosting you folks this year!

I would say we have gotten better in defense, special teams and offensive skill positions. Two question marks are QB and O-line, however, we have a triple headed running back crop that should be stout.

 

[wulffui]

Looking forward to hosting you folks this year!

I would say we have gotten better in defense, special teams and offensive skill positions. Two question marks are QB and O-line, however, we have a triple headed running back crop that should be stout.

From what you've seen, which of the two QB's looks most likely to win the job, and would the offense look much different under Rettig or Laviano?

Congrats on your bowl win last year, and hopefully a game like last year, just with a different result at the end.

 

[B1GRU91]

Laviano was leading early and into the spring game.

Both Laviano and Rettig are similar QB's, so I don't see a big change in the offense, however Laviano has more roll-out of pocket potential, so this would be the only difference.