Expectations for the 2021 season

[augustabuzz]

Big 10 doesn't allow FCS opponents. Wiscy's SoS in 2019 was 9th. 52nd in 2018 (ours was 60th that year), 47th in 2017 (ours was 17th), 13th in 2016 (42 for GT), 66th for 2015 (14 GT). Their schedule is generally a tad easier than ours but with no FCS opponents and 9 conference games vs 8. I don't know that trading schedules with Wisconsin would dramatically increase our win total.

We get the chance to compare the MAC and FCS in our first two games.

 

[Pointer]

OK, I am gullible but I still anticipate being steamrolled by Notre Dame, Clemson, and UGA with Miami and UNC being more or less run of the mill beatings. Two players, as good as they can sometimes be, are not enough against teams with superior line play on both sides of the ball.

just a fun phrase.

 

[forensicbuzz]

I would say 65/35 but lots of two back sets and some Wing. Shotgun Spread means single back...not much guessing for the defense.

There's a ton of shotgun spread with 2 backs.

 

[jacketup]

Paul Johnson was a master at changing blocking schemes on the fly. As a DE or LB you might be blocked by a different guy on the next play than the last one, or you might not be blocked at all. Like every other scheme, as the talent on the opposing defense improved, the scheme was less effective. It was also became easier over time for opposing coaches to prepare for since they had seen it over and over. That's one reason it was more effective at an independent (Navy) as opposed to playing a conference schedule. There are reasons why no P5 program runs that offense.

GT 2020: When you are starting a FR QB, a FR OT and a FR RB, with limited practice time, it's hard to throw a lot of wrinkles into an offense. Getting the basics down in hard enough.

 

[Augusta_Jacket]

That's one reason it was more effective at an independent (Navy) as opposed to playing a conference schedule.

Navy is not an independent. They've been in the AAC since 2015.

 

[Augusta_Jacket]

GT 2020: When you are starting a FR QB, a FR OT and a FR RB, with limited practice time, it's hard to throw a lot of wrinkles into an offense. Getting the basics down in hard enough.

Exactly. Patience is required.

 

[slugboy]

Big 10 doesn't allow FCS opponents. Wiscy's SoS in 2019 was 9th. 52nd in 2018 (ours was 60th that year), 47th in 2017 (ours was 17th), 13th in 2016 (42 for GT), 66th for 2015 (14 GT). Their schedule is generally a tad easier than ours but with no FCS opponents and 9 conference games vs 8. I don't know that trading schedules with Wisconsin would dramatically increase our win total.

The B1G dropped that restriction a few years ago, back in 2017

 

[Augusta_Jacket]

The B1G dropped that restriction a few years ago, back in 2017

Only in years where they have four conference home games. Still a lot more restrictive than any other conference.

 

[slugboy]

Only in years where they have four conference home games. Still a lot more restrictive than any other conference.

Fair enough. For example, I give Penn State credit for playing Auburn this year. They also play Ball State and Villanova.
I wasn’t sure Villanova fielded a football team.
Wisconsin has Eastern Michigan, and Army as one of their easy games.
They do find easier games, even if it’s not FCS

 

[Root4GT]

Their last losing season was 20 years ago. Since then they are 178-69 (.721) and have had 10 10+ win seasons. I don't care if we run, pass, or kick our way to a win, but I'd LOVE to be where Wisconsin is record wise right now.

Of course they have had the most offensive linemen drafted by NFL teams of any college since 2000. But what the heck run it with a below average line.

 

[Augusta_Jacket]

Wisconsin has Eastern Michigan, and Army as one of their easy games.
They do find easier games, even if it’s not FCS

We both play ND this year. Not sure NIU and KSU are better than EMU and Army. The only trump card we get is constantly being paired against uga and Clemson.

 

[ncjacket79]

Running the ball protects your defense by running clock, limiting opposition's possessions. Incomplete passes take 15 secs of clock...runs up middle for no gain, 45 secs off...
The best 4 skill guys on our team are the three RBs and Sims...
I would never throw it...unless I dumped it to one of the RBs.... LOL!
Seriously 80/20.... and mostly on 2nd and <5 .....never on 3rd and 10+

Well that’s never going to happen so be prepared to be upset.

 

[gtyj18jr]

Fair enough. For example, I give Penn State credit for playing Auburn this year. They also play Ball State and Villanova.
I wasn’t sure Villanova fielded a football team.
Wisconsin has Eastern Michigan, and Army as one of their easy games.
They do find easier games, even if it’s not FCS

Collins would have known.

 

[Heisman's Ghost]

streamrolled? Your faith in us is mighty low

Well, losing to an archrival by an historic margin, losing to the Citadel, winning three games in each of the last two years will do that.

 

[GoJacketsInRaleigh]

Fair enough. For example, I give Penn State credit for playing Auburn this year. They also play Ball State and Villanova.
I wasn’t sure Villanova fielded a football team.
Wisconsin has Eastern Michigan, and Army as one of their easy games.
They do find easier games, even if it’s not FCS

Villanova is actually a really good FCS program. Not on the level of Penn State, of course, but if you're going to play an FCS team that's one of the tougher ones

 

[yeti92]

Navy is not an independent. They've been in the AAC since 2015.

Good thing CPJ stopped being their coach in 2007 then or he probably would've been exposed.

 

[Coloradojacket]

We both play ND this year. Not sure NIU and KSU are better than EMU and Army. The only trump card we get is constantly being paired against uga and Clemson.

I would say Army is better than both and much tougher to play.

 

[Milwaukee]

No, CPJs offense was designed to take advantage of numbers and to allow our line to utilize quickness to block. Also the defense could not attack as the play series run needed to have disciplined defense. While shotgun spread does not. It allows D lineman and LBs to come up and attack.

 

[7979]

Well that’s never going to happen so be prepared to be upset.

I have been a GT fan since 1968.... I am quite used to crushing disappointment...but along with the bitter disappointments comes the absolute euphoria of when we are good...
Think I will spend the evening watching 2014 Orange Bowl replay.... Then Tech v UGa 2008 replay... Wish I could find online replay of Tech v ND 1976... That was a great day...

 

[7979]

Of course they have had the most offensive linemen drafted by NFL teams of any college since 2000. But what the heck run it with a below average line.

Actually, this is something about which I am an "expert"....a below average offensive lineman has a better chance run blocking than he does in pass protection