I listen to CPJs pressers every morning on my podcasts when I jog. He always speaks in CPJisms, but his tone and reactions can tell you a lot. 2014 he was reputed to be on the hot seat, but he was having fun, said it was a 'good group of guys'. In 2015, he was really frustrated at the media and their post-2014 expectations. I remember him saying something to the effect of 'You all are ready to crown them ACC champs, but you haven't watched them practice.' 2016 he was pretty calm, talked a lot about staying healthy. Last year, the refrain was 'There's a lot of parts of the team I'm more worried about than QB' (Since the media kept harping the QB competition).
This year, he seems pretty happy. I only remember him ragging on the team once; for effort from the offense (really hot day early in camp). After that, all the players who had media availability talked up effort, pushing through, and acclimating to the heat. Couple days later CPJ said the effort and toughness had been really good, said the team was "hardnosed". Likes what he's seeing from TaQuon, the WRs and LBs in particular. A little worried about depth on the lines. He's noted the D out-playing the O a couple days as well, but seemed pretty happy. Didn't gripe about the O playing sloppy, just the D had a good day. Said one day that the O and D take turns making big plays. Won't know until "three games in" how we stack up against other teams. Only thing he's been consistently unhappy with is the kicking. We've "got some guys with ability" and "they've done some things". Coach thinks we'll be "pretty good if we stay healthy".
CPJs 'pretty good teams' have won 8-10 games. So, I predict 8-4. The kicking game costs us a near win. The defense wins us a game with a huge play and blows a game with a huge bust.
The offense had UT, Miami and UVA won last year. Just needed some sign of life from the Defense, we'd have gone 8-3. New-scheme excitement might be enough for this year, like the offense in 2008. Offense should be as good or better with a healthier/deeper O-line and experience at QB/BB. Need to find a go-to receiver, but TaQuon has had an offseason as QB1 to build rapport with his receivers.
In other (fake) news:
I'm skeptical that uGA will live up to the hype this year. I think the SEC East is going to catch up to the Dwags faster than they think.UT and UF have resources and talent. They're not going to stay down forever. Muschamp's USCe might never be great, but they'll be a tough out, especially at home. Cross conference, AU and LSU could each be great or terrible this year. Last year, uGA lost to the two best teams they played and the 3rd (Sooners) had every chance to win. They lose a ton of players on D and their RBs.
The hype that Fromm is a top tier QB is a shallow analysis based on where the team got to last year. Fromm only attempted 291 passes last year, 68th in attempts among QBs. Was 119th in efficiency rating. Vs 670 rush attempts for the RBs. Great experienced RBs and a cupcake schedule is a nice combination for a any QB. There were only 3 games they couldn't probably have won without throwing a single pass (slightly TIC). They went 1-2 in those games. Against ND, take out Fromm's negative rushing yards/attempts and the RBs had a higher average per attempt on rushes than Fromm did passing. For them to win 10+ and the SEC, Fromm is going to have to win games for them this year. We haven't really seen if he can yet.
They still have a cupcake schedule and should win 9 games minimum. I predict the fans invent a QB controversy after a close win over UT. Fromm looks lost against a good-at-home LSU. And follows up with a loss to UF after a two-week Fromm bashing on local media. UF goes to the SECCG on the tie-break (Their schedule is even cupcakier than uGA. They have talent. Could have been decent last year if not for drama and hurricanes). Tech extends its road streak against a disappointed uGA squad.
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