Phil Steele Returning Starters

Mon Jan 05, 2015 1:26 pm

http://www.philsteele.com/Blogs/2015/JAN15/DBJan05.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Wyoming ranks last in the MW. Time will tell if that's really bad news, or addition by subtraction. I expect a little of both.

Mon Jan 05, 2015 1:44 pm

Well, losing Mertens will hurt, as well as Rufran, Claiborne, Nzeocha and Harris. Though we had a lot of receivers rotate in and out all season. Mertens was our most consistent guy on the d-line, and Nzeocha was the best tackler (him going down mid-season really hurt us afterwards).

Mon Jan 05, 2015 1:46 pm

fromolwyoming wrote:Well, losing Mertens will hurt, as well as Rufran, Claiborne, Nzeocha and Harris. Though we had a lot of receivers rotate in and out all season. Mertens was our most consistent guy on the d-line, and Nzeocha was the best tackler (him going down mid-season really hurt us afterwards).

Defense couldn't stop anyone towards the end of last season....but yeah, losing those guys and depth on the DL certainly won't make the job easier.

Mon Jan 05, 2015 3:40 pm

Our position within the MWC won't get any worse. Same story next year: top few teams then absolute toss-up after that. MWC will be bad overall again next year. Really, BSU is the only thing that resembles the MWC of old. Yeah, there will be better teams than us, but there won't be a lot of teams that are vastly better.

It is what we always wanted; we are competitive because everyone else also sucks.

Mon Jan 05, 2015 3:50 pm

ragtimejoe1 wrote:Our position within the MWC won't get any worse. Same story next year: top few teams then absolute toss-up after that. MWC will be bad overall again next year. Really, BSU is the only thing that resembles the MWC of old. Yeah, there will be better teams than us, but there won't be a lot of teams that are vastly better.

It is what we always wanted; we are competitive because everyone else also sucks.

Hard to argue against this, especially after the way the MW played during the bowl season.

Mon Jan 05, 2015 4:09 pm

J-Rod wrote:
ragtimejoe1 wrote:Our position within the MWC won't get any worse. Same story next year: top few teams then absolute toss-up after that. MWC will be bad overall again next year. Really, BSU is the only thing that resembles the MWC of old. Yeah, there will be better teams than us, but there won't be a lot of teams that are vastly better.

It is what we always wanted; we are competitive because everyone else also sucks.
Hard to argue against this, especially after the way the MW played during the bowl season.

On the bright side the MW did better than the Big XII in the bowl season.

Mon Jan 05, 2015 4:10 pm

Wyokie wrote: On the bright side the MW did better than the Big XII in the bowl season.

That and the MW has more NY6 bowl victories than the SEC does after year 1 of the new system. Stupid, I know...but a fact for now.

Mon Jan 05, 2015 4:13 pm

J-Rod wrote:
Wyokie wrote: On the bright side the MW did better than the Big XII in the bowl season.
That and the MW has more NY6 bowl victories than the SEC does after year 1 of the new system. Stupid, I know...but a fact for now.

Plus the MW didn't have anyone get embarrassed like Florida State did.

Mon Jan 05, 2015 4:19 pm

Wyokie wrote: Plus the MW didn't have anyone get embarrassed like Florida State did.

Well, Fresno came pretty close. Never thought I'd say this, but I'm disappointed they won't be on the schedule next season.

Mon Jan 05, 2015 4:45 pm

I am thinking that losing the likes of Andrea Jones and Blair Bear will be a HUGE UPGRADE.

Mon Jan 05, 2015 4:52 pm

The good news is we will have our O line back, mostly. The offense should be OK simply because of that fact and Brian 'BeastMode' Hill.

Mon Jan 05, 2015 4:56 pm

LanderPoke wrote:The good news is we will have our O line back, mostly. The offense should be OK simply because of that fact and Brian 'BeastMode' Hill.

And we get Wick back.

Mon Jan 05, 2015 4:59 pm

I'll make an early bold prediction: C.J. Johnson starts at WR as a true freshman.

Mon Jan 05, 2015 5:14 pm

J-Rod wrote:I'll make an early bold prediction: C.J. Johnson starts at WR as a true freshman.

A josh doctson type ?

Mon Jan 05, 2015 5:27 pm

J-Rod wrote:I'll make an early bold prediction: C.J. Johnson starts at WR as a true freshman.

+1 I think he's going to be a difference maker. I'm excited for Kevin Jackson, too. Tall receivers who can run and get open will help us tremendously. Running game could be unstoppable with a decent passing attack.

Mon Jan 05, 2015 5:47 pm

laxwyo wrote: A josh doctson type ?

I think he's this classes Brian Hill. That guy that, based on his high school tape, you can't figure out why he isn't highly sought after. Fingers crossed he doesn't get poached late. Stay away Mike Riley!

Tue Jan 06, 2015 8:42 am

i have a feeling the real "rebuild" begins next year and I see us 4-8, 5-7 again, sorry, but hopefully I'm wrong, just hoping we have better QB play this year

Tue Jan 06, 2015 8:49 am

stymeman wrote:i have a feeling the real "rebuild" begins next year and I see us 4-8, 5-7 again, sorry, but hopefully I'm wrong, just hoping we have better QB play this year

Our schedule is more favorable this year. I think we have A LOT of work to do, but I see the Pokes busting out 6-7 wins this year.

USU is imploding right now. No Offensive or Defensive Coordinators. Both gone. Other than Boise State, the MWC will once again be "meh."

Tue Jan 06, 2015 10:21 am

Agree 6-7 wins is a definite possibility, with our schedule. The O line returns 4 out of 5 and a couple other guys had started at some point last year. Wick and Hill are solid and Coffman has the experience that Kirk lacked. We have a lot of hungry young defensive players, who will have to step up this year. My biggest concern will be the defensive front. A lot of underachieving last season. Hell Seth Edeen had 2 solo sacks and played in some big games and made some big plays as an extremely undersized walk on. Why can't the rest of players perform like he did ? This is a question that i just cannot understand.

Tue Jan 06, 2015 11:25 am

mwc fan wrote:Agree 6-7 wins is a definite possibility, with our schedule. The O line returns 4 out of 5 and a couple other guys had started at some point last year. Wick and Hill are solid and Coffman has the experience that Kirk lacked. We have a lot of hungry young defensive players, who will have to step up this year. My biggest concern will be the defensive front. A lot of underachieving last season. Hell Seth Edeen had 2 solo sacks and played in some big games and made some big plays as an extremely undersized walk on. Why can't the rest of players perform like he did ? This is a question that i just cannot understand.

i guess the studs we used to get may not have it anymore, maybe we do need to get more Wyo kids to walk on and show them what Cowboy Tough really is, that is if they wanna be just that!!!