Yes, it is going to be hard to get competent QB play out of a group of six underclassmen with minimal experience and with minimal recruiting buzz.
Cam Thomas is the most experienced, I fully expect him to start game 1. He threw 5 INTs in 66 attempts last year.
No competent QB play means everyone stacks the box and our skill players can't operate. You can't game plan around that in the B1G, you need a QB who they at least respect.
We win that USF game, and I agree with you (maybe even throw in Purdue). We lose it, and it's a 2-win season.If I were a betting man...
Sat, Sep 01_W_Kent State_________________________11:00am BTN
Sat, Sep 08_W_Western Illinois___________________6:30pm BTN
Sat, Sep 15_W_USF (Soldier Field, Chicago, IL)___2:30pm BTN
Fri, Sep 21_L_Penn State_________________________8:00pm FS1
Sat, Sep 29___--bye--
Sat, Oct 06_W_@Rutgers
Sat, Oct 13_L_Purdue (Homecoming)________________2:30pm or 3:00pm
Sat, Oct 20_L_@Wisconsin_________________________11:00am
Sat, Oct 27_L_@Maryland
Sat, Nov 03_W_Minnesota
Sat, Nov 10_L_@Nebraska
Sat, Nov 17_L_Iowa
Sat, Nov 24_L_@Northwestern
5-7 because we're still the Illini. We coming up though...
I hope we do not see more than 2 QBs all year. Whomever they see fit to start, I want them getting as many reps as possible in before B1G playThat's an excellent point, especially with the new redshirt rule. From a continuity standpoint it'd be nice to know who's taking the snaps from week to week. Even with the IF's mentioned, one of these 4 new guys and an older Thomas will be an improvement. My money is on Robinson. He has experience in a similar system and was handpicked by RS.
Yes, it is going to be hard to get competent QB play out of a group of six underclassmen with minimal experience and with minimal recruiting buzz.
Cam Thomas is the most experienced, I fully expect him to start game 1. He threw 5 INTs in 66 attempts last year.
No competent QB play means everyone stacks the box and our skill players can't operate. You can't game plan around that in the B1G, you need a QB who they at least respect.
Partially in terms of my thoughts on those players, but also in terms of what it would seem to say about what's going on behind the scenes, here are our QB's in order of how optimistic it would make me to have them be the opening day starter:
1. Bush - If he wins the job, it's because he's genuinely a cut above of the others
2. Rivers - Same as above, and likely because he has shown an unusual degree of polish for a freshman
3. Thomas - If he's the starter, we can be reasonably sure he wasn't a total disaster throwing the ball in camp
4. Taylor - If his raw tools get him the job, that probably says something bad about the group as a whole
5. Robinson - It would make me very concerned that Rod Smith doesn't like the tools he's inherited
6. Being hit by a car
7. Anyone else
If a true freshman is under center for the majority of this season, then mark us down for 2 wins
This. Which becomes a LOT easier if the OC is planning and calling to the QB's strengths.So much changes if we can get even mediocrity from the QB position.
Partially in terms of my thoughts on those players, but also in terms of what it would seem to say about what's going on behind the scenes, here are our QB's in order of how optimistic it would make me to have them be the opening day starter:
1. Bush - If he wins the job, it's because he's genuinely a cut above of the others
2. Rivers - Same as above, and likely because he has shown an unusual degree of polish for a freshman
3. Thomas - If he's the starter, we can be reasonably sure he wasn't a total disaster throwing the ball in camp
4. Taylor - If his raw tools get him the job, that probably says something bad about the group as a whole
5. Robinson - It would make me very concerned that Rod Smith doesn't like the tools he's inherited
6. Being hit by a car
7. Anyone else
I don't think that's a bad thing...My super early and possibly wrong prediction after watching the first day of camp:
AJ Bush will start.
Agreed. He doesn't look like a world beater but looked much better throwing and making decisions than anyone else on the field today. Had a crisp 45 yarder to one of the freshman too.I don't think that's a bad thing...
My super early and possibly wrong prediction after watching the first day of camp:
AJ Bush will start.
My expectation is 3-9 with wins over Kent, WIU, & Rutgers and majority of the losses being competitive.
My bet would be on Minnesota for a 4th win.
Agreed. He doesn't look like a world beater but looked much better throwing and making decisions than anyone else on the field today. Had a crisp 45 yarder to one of the freshman too.
According to Roberts Twitter, Shaedon Meadors (grad transfer WR) is out for the year with an injury.
Suuuucks.
I am really excited to see Palcewski at OT finally and to see what Kendrick Green can do at guard, loved his footwork and punch on film coming in.