Writer and Analyst ACC Forecasts

Chas_Jacket

Jolly Good Fellow
Messages
323
Truly a shame he got hurt last year - he is is already at an NFL level. The separation between Gibbs and everyone else is amazing and indicates what an elite RB he is.
 

slugboy

Moderator
Staff member
Messages
10,755
Iā€™d like to see him in the slot occasionally, with another RB, so other teams would have to guard the run from two positions, and we could get him in space easily with a pass, plus run him with a quick sweep. UCF was doing that in 2018/19.
Just as a once in a while setup, so other defenses could sweat and be confused
 

GCdaJuiceMan

Helluva Engineer
Messages
1,937
Iā€™d like to see him in the slot occasionally, with another RB, so other teams would have to guard the run from two positions, and we could get him in space easily with a pass, plus run him with a quick sweep. UCF was doing that in 2018/19.
Just as a once in a while setup, so other defenses could sweat and be confused
I donā€™t think he needs to be in the slot but a two back set with McGowan in the slot is going to give defenses nightmares.
 

YJMD

Helluva Engineer
Messages
1,597
OL is definitely going to be a big determiner of what we can do on offense this year. We have some serious weapons with flexibility in the pass and run game with Gibbs and McGowan. We have some guys who have the potential to pose further matchup nightmares with Boyd stretching the field and Blackburn's size. And Sims of course is a big threat in the running game both in some form of option/direct QB run and in scrambling. He's got the ability to threaten everywhere on the field with his arm. I expect to continue to be limited by decision making and execution, but what's important is maintaining enough of that to continuously threaten all of this stuff. Then it will simply be up to us to execute it to succeed. For all this to work, we need the OL to hold up in pass game and be more consistent in the run game. If we allow guys to make plays in the backfield or near the LOS, that will severely limit our ability to make use of the versatility of our personnel.
 

GCdaJuiceMan

Helluva Engineer
Messages
1,937
What the would the nightmare be?
Simply put? The mismatches that having four athletes like Jahmyr, McGowan, Mason and Sims creates. Defenses having to account for them is also going to help open stuff up on the outside as well. Sims just needs to read and execute. It seemed like every time we went to a two back set (when I watched) last year we had a positive play of 5 yards or more.
 

Buzztheirazz

Helluva Engineer
Messages
2,294
So what are we saying? A couple big recievers out wide, mason in the backfield and then McGowan in the slot(just off tackle) on one side and then motion Gibbs to the slot(just off tackle) on the other?
 

FlatsLander

Ramblin' Wreck
Messages
824
So what are we saying? A couple big recievers out wide, mason in the backfield and then McGowan in the slot(just off tackle) on one side and then motion Gibbs to the slot(just off tackle) on the other?
Could you imagine having McGowan and Gibbs as A-Backs? that would be fun to watch! The last time we had what I would call "big" A-backs was early 2014 when Synjyn was still there. Maybe you could say Charles Perkins was a big A-Back.
 

ncjacket79

Helluva Engineer
Messages
1,237
Could you imagine having McGowan and Gibbs as A-Backs? that would be fun to watch! The last time we had what I would call "big" A-backs was early 2014 when Synjyn was still there. Maybe you could say Charles Perkins was a big A-Back.
Except teams would just let the QB keep it.
 

slugboy

Moderator
Staff member
Messages
10,755
At first glance, Iā€™d say weā€™re not a ā€œthrow for doughā€ offense, but we did not tear up the passing game last year. However, yards per drop back is better than you might think:
 

Gtswifty81

Jolly Good Fellow
Messages
435
At first glance, Iā€™d say weā€™re not a ā€œthrow for doughā€ offense, but we did not tear up the passing game last year. However, yards per drop back is better than you might think:

Iā€™d be curious to know how much the scramble yards helped our rank in that case. We definitely improved our passing game last year, but we need to be more efficient and complete a higher percentage of passes. That on top of reducing turnovers and penalties leaves a lot of room for improvement.
 

BainbridgeJacket

Helluva Engineer
Messages
1,210
Until our defense can get back to <30 ppg, then we should be considered a bottom tier team in the ACC. In all likelihood, we need to be closer to 20 ppg allowed in order to win 9 games. That is a pretty drastic difference from where we currently stand.
 

SOWEGA Jacket

Helluva Engineer
Messages
1,865
Patience is the key. We are seeing a program being built. That doesnā€™t happen very often as usually P5 schools just wander aimlessly from coach to coach. GT is willing to take chances ala the TO and now an unproven head coach. We are playing youngsters all over and at the most important position. Weā€™ve taken our lumps for 2 years and those lumps may continue. However, weā€™ll also see some things that surprise us and bring us hope. Like last year where there were stretches where Sims looked like Vince Young. And Gibbs from the first play became our best player since Calvin. These guys may not get to the mountain top but they are laying the foundation for the next batch of studs who could get GT over the hump and be that consistent team we all want where defense and offense and special teams all are legit. So I say enjoy the process and know that somewhere there are 7th to 10th graders who will choose GT because of guys like Gibbs and Sims. Itā€™s a process and Collins is well on his way but we still have a young team who are trying to come together with a tough schedule.
 
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