Let's not forget we were 7-1 last year too

[Cougsocal]

I think Minshew is much better than Falk, but he also has significantly better talent and depth at WR than Falk had last season. It’s no surprise that Falk’s best performances were when Marks, Tav Martin, and Cracraft were healthy.

This season has taught me the importance of having quality talent and depth at WR in the air raid.

Actually Falk was at his best when he had Dom Williams, Marks and Cracraft to throw to - 4600 yards 38 TDs and only 8 Ints. He was the new kid on the block and no one had a real clue how best to defend him. Much like Minshew now, DC were still trying to figure out his weakness. Look at Jake Browning. As the new kid on the block, he lit up the conference, 3400 yards, 43 TDs and only 9 ints Look at him now. Did he really get so much worse, or did men who are paid large sums of money to stop him, find his weaknesses. Throw on top of that he doesn't have Ross and Pettis to throw to.

Don't get me wrong. Minshew is playing better that Falk at his best, but my point is that margin is much smaller than some people think. If you want to compare Minshew with Falk, fairly, you have to imagine how Minshew would have done throwing to slow (Martin jr.) slower (J Mack) and slowest (Sweet), with last years OL and with DC having 30 games of film on him in our system.

 

[cr8zyncalif]

Just two thoughts to add.

The O line is significantly better than last year, pretty much across the board. Better run blocking; minimal sacks; few penalties; almost no confusion. Say what you want about Minshew; certainly he is more mobile than Falk; but the O line is making a lot of that possible.

It is hard for us to get pressure using a straight up 4 man rush. I see a lot of straight up 3 man rush with the 4th guy overloading one side or the other; and also a 4 man front with one of the linemen dropping into a zone while one of the LB's blitzes. We eventually get there regardless of the scheme, but the other team's QB often has 3 seconds or more. Thus far we have not faced a lot of teams with a really good TE who was an active part of the offense. When we have, the other team has had success.

If we don't turn the ball over a bunch we should win by roughly 2 TD's. I predicted 30-17 in one of the other threads, and I suspect that will be in the ballpark.

 

[CougInSpain]

Just two thoughts to add.

The O line is significantly better than last year, pretty much across the board. Better run blocking; minimal sacks; few penalties; almost no confusion. Say what you want about Minshew; certainly he is more mobile than Falk; but the O line is making a lot of that possible.

It is hard for us to get pressure using a straight up 4 man rush. I see a lot of straight up 3 man rush with the 4th guy overloading one side or the other; and also a 4 man front with one of the linemen dropping into a zone while one of the LB's blitzes. We eventually get there regardless of the scheme, but the other team's QB often has 3 seconds or more. Thus far we have not faced a lot of teams with a really good TE who was an active part of the offense. When we have, the other team has had success.

If we don't turn the ball over a bunch we should win by roughly 2 TD's. I predicted 30-17 in one of the other threads, and I suspect that will be in the ballpark.

Although the missed targeting call pretty much cost us the game in the USC game (that and the missed FG), the confusion of the OL on a 3rd & 6 (half thinking it was a run play the other half thinking it was a pass play) also cost us the game in hindsight.

 

[Loyal Coug]

Although the missed targeting call pretty much cost us the game in the USC game (that and the missed FG), the confusion of the OL on a 3rd & 6 (half thinking it was a run play the other half thinking it was a pass play) also cost us the game in hindsight.

Which I still think was the result of Gawdner's bell getting rung by the targeting and driving him headfirst into the turf. Had they flagged the play, called roughing and reviewed for targeting - whether also called or not - would he have had time to get the cobwebs out and call 3 coherent plays and score the TD? I speculate yes.

 

[CougEd]

Which I still think was the result of Gawdner's bell getting rung by the targeting and driving him headfirst into the turf. Had they flagged the play, called roughing and reviewed for targeting - whether also called or not - would he have had time to get the cobwebs out and call 3 coherent plays and score the TD? I speculate yes.

Good speculation . Only time we saw all year the unit on the same page .