What to expect from the SoCon this season...

[FCS_pwns_FBS]

1. First and foremost, expect GSU to be the best offensive team but have a big problem defending the pass.

2. App. State runs the ball more with Satterfield returning. Will be good defensively but they can't exactly pick up where they left off on offense from 2009 and 2010.

3. Chatty runs the ball more with Robinson being the QB. Passing game drops off big.

4. Furman's return to the Bobby Johnson brand of football is complete. Will make a run for the SoCon title.

5. Wofford keeps doing what they are doing...won't drop off too much from last year.

6. Elon will pretty much look like they did last year...lots of passing yards and turnovers.

7. El Cid gets better...but not good enough to finish in the top 4.

8. Samford and Western bring up the rear.

[cbarrier90]

"Can't pick up from where they left off offensively in 2010..." Because Satterfield helps the offense discover that it is acceptable to throw the ball DOWN the field instead of screens once in awhile and lets the TEs know that it is completely acceptable for them to be targeted in pass plays.

As it was last season, health on the O-line will be the biggest key for ASU's offense. Jackson can scramble if need be, but he doesn't outrun everyone like DeAndre and doesn't make something out of nothing like Armanti.

Overall, nice summary (even if it does have that one school ranked at the top.) :D

[FCS_pwns_FBS]

"Can't pick up from where they left off offensively in 2010..." Because Satterfield helps the offense discover that it is acceptable to throw the ball DOWN the field instead of screens once in awhile and lets the TEs know that it is completely acceptable for them to be targeted in pass plays.

As it was last season, health on the O-line will be the biggest key for ASU's offense. Jackson can scramble if need be, but he doesn't outrun everyone like DeAndre and doesn't make something out of nothing like Armanti.

Overall, nice summary (even if it does have that one school ranked at the top.) :D

That's not my predicted order of finish (sorry, should have said that).

[PaladinFan]

Pretty good analysis. I don't think you give Samford or Elon enough credit. GSU dodged a major bullet and got to see both of those teams in the early part of the season when neither was playing very well. Both of those clubs really improved over the course of the season and were playing good football the last few weeks. I would wager a shiny nickel that the Eagles would have had a fight on their hands a la the Citadel game had the schedule been set up differently.

If Furman can avoid self-inflicted wounds, I do think they will be in the conversation late in the season. Same with UTC. Both of those teams struggled closing out football games last season, and ended up dropping very winnable contests.

[ncguitarplyr]

Ga Southern is definitely the preseason favorite. I think App & Chattanooga have to be roughly tied at 2nd. Furman & Wofford there in 3rd but with an outside shot at pulling it off. Samford, Citadel, and Elon can probably only hope to pull off an upset or 2.

[citdog]

gents at the risk of sounding like a giant homer I am going on record now and saying that The Citadel Bulldogs will crack the top 3 teams in the Southern Conference this season and will be in the race to determine the league champion until the final weekend and will earn an at large bid to the the national playoffs.

we will beat

Charleston Southern
WCU
Elon
VMI
Chatt
vermin
pig's ***, ga
samford

the third year of the triple option will be the charm for the Cadets.




http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J0n4izWmWug

[eaglewraith]

I actually don't see us being the favorite. We have to replace way too much for it to be certain right now. QB, OL, PK and Punter, Secondary....all of those are big question marks for us.

Not saying I don't think we'll be good, just way too many questions. Our offense might even look downright atrocious until the OL and QB areas are figured out.

[SU DOG]

There is NO way that Samford will bring up the rear in the SoCon this year. Granted Pat has to find a QB, but it isn't like he doesn't have any talent(including our xfer) to choose from. The O-Line lost only one starter, and we have potentially 2 of the
best backs in the SoCon returning in Fabian Truss and Jeremiaha Gates. Gates emerged late last season as a true Fr. after Truss was hurt and blistered The Citadel and Auburn(119 yards rushing). The defense will be rock-solid and AA candidate Cameron Yaw returns as the place kicker.

No bold prediction here about where we finish, but this is likely to be the best team we have fielded in the SoCon. We won't have to wait long to have some answers. There's no way to describe how big a game that opener at home against Furman will be.

[eaglewraith]

There is NO way that Samford will bring up the rear in the SoCon this year. Granted Pat has to find a QB, but it isn't like he doesn't have any talent(including our xfer) to choose from. The O-Line lost only one starter, and we have potentially 2 of the
best backs in the SoCon returning in Fabian Truss and Jeremiaha Gates. Gates emerged late last season as a true Fr. after Truss was hurt and blistered The Citadel and Auburn(119 yards rushing). The defense will be rock-solid and AA candidate Cameron Yaw returns as the place kicker.

No bold prediction here about where we finish, but this is likely to be the best team we have fielded in the SoCon. We won't have to wait long to have some answers. There's no way to describe how big a game that opener at home against Furman will be.

Ya'll have kinda gotten the short end of the stick this year and last with your opening opponents.

[PaladinNation]

Interesting point about Furman returning to the Johnson era… Johnson is a major influence it would appear for Fowler, but so was Sheridan. I think Johnson's influence shows in many things; being prepared, discipline, and fundamentals. Then Sheridan shows up, Fowler is a great communicator to his players. Fowler sees himself as a leader, and wants to model that behavior for his players to do the same. Offensively, Fowler seems to be more open… Furman had killer offenses under Sheridan, run, run, run, that sets up the pass. Which Furman did last year.

This spring the Furman defense appears to be ahead of last year, yes corners need to be developed but the d-line and the linebackers are playing well. Look for the Dins safeties Worthy and Wade to be one of the better units in the SoCon.

I think Furman is two years away from being back on both sides of the ball.

[Milktruck74]

I'm not going to say which 3, but the SoCon gets three in the playoffs again this year...and there are two or 3 more that are playing for a spot after week 7 or 8. Looking at this years SoCon, there are going to be two or three pretty good teams sitting at home watching the playoffs. It is a pure craps shoot at this point. GO MOCS!!!!

[ASU_Fanatic]

I disagree with Elon, I think they have 7-4 potential

[T-Dog]

I disagree with Elon, I think they have 7-4 potential

Thing is, you could make an argument that seven out of the nine SoCon teams have 7-4 or better potential.

[blueballs]

App and Chatty both played a LOT of young talent last year and I would put them one and two heading into the season.

I think GSU takes a big step back this year after losing Shaw, Maxwell, Moore, Scott, Tinsley, Douglas, and the specialists. If they win over 7 games it will be a good year.

Furman and Wofford will both be good- not great- and Citadel is the huge sleeper.

I see a bunch of decent teams but no world beaters and would be shocked if a SoCon team advances to the semis this year.

[OL FU]

gents at the risk of sounding like a giant homer .




http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J0n4izWmWug

Too late and you are too full of **** to believe your predictions:pxlolx

[OL FU]

Furman showed some great capabilities last year beating Wofford and ASU. and showed problems losing to Samford and Elon. Not a knock on those teams (both were good and better than their records, but playing at home and especially with what was at stake with Elon), one would think we could have pulled it off.

I agree with those that say 2013 or 2014. I think we are on the way back but I will be pleasantly and hugely surprised if we are in the mix at the end of the year.

[seantaylor]

App and Chatty both played a LOT of young talent last year and I would put them one and two heading into the season.

I think GSU takes a big step back this year after losing Shaw, Maxwell, Moore, Scott, Tinsley, Douglas, and the specialists. If they win over 7 games it will be a good year.

Furman and Wofford will both be good- not great- and Citadel is the huge sleeper.

I see a bunch of decent teams but no world beaters and would be shocked if a SoCon team advances to the semis this year.

GSU played more young talent than either of those teams. We will be picked preseason first by just about everyone. Only 2 big losses were Maxwell and Scott. We'll be better on offense this season when we are actually running the triple with a legit third option.

[PaladinFan]

GSU played more young talent than either of those teams. We will be picked preseason first by just about everyone. Only 2 big losses were Maxwell and Scott. We'll be better on offense this season when we are actually running the triple with a legit third option.

As one of your fellow fans noted, GSU scored 35 a game with over 430 yards of offense a game. The odds of them improving on those numbers are very small (I mean, just how many yards can a team put up in 60 minutes?). More likely, they will put up less.

[seantaylor]

As one of your fellow fans noted, GSU scored 35 a game with over 430 yards of offense a game. The odds of them improving on those numbers are very small (I mean, just how many yards can a team put up in 60 minutes?). More likely, they will put up less.


Both of those numbers are low for a GSU option-led team. Go look at the numbers of any PJ led or even Sewak led team. We have players in the third year transistioning, and now the majority of those players were recruited to run the offense. You are kidding yourself if you think Jaybo Shaw is what a true GSU QB is supposed to be. We score 40+ a game this season.

[Apphole]

Both of those numbers are low for a GSU option-led team. Go look at the numbers of any PJ led or even Sewak led team. We have players in the third year transistioning, and now the majority of those players were recruited to run the offense. You are kidding yourself if you think Jaybo Shaw is what a true GSU QB is supposed to be. We score 40+ a game this season.

You might average 40 after you drop 80 points on Western, but there is no way GSU, or any other school for that matter, drop more than 24 or so against App's D this year.

[Eaglesrus]

GSU played more young talent than either of those teams. We will be picked preseason first by just about everyone. Only 2 big losses were Maxwell and Scott. We'll be better on offense this season when we are actually running the triple with a legit third option.

Personally, I think the losses of Adrian Mora and Charlie Edwards are pretty large.

[eaglewraith]

Personally, I think the losses of Adrian Mora and Charlie Edwards are pretty large.

And Moore. And Heyden (granted lost him early in the year).

The QB question isn't answered. We've all seen how sloppy it can be breaking in a new QB in this system. Jayson Foster had doubters at least halfway through his first season, and it was because he looked like crap at times. Expect fumbles at the QB/B-back mesh and less pitches until whoever it is becomes comfortable with the reads. Biggest key is the OL. We lost 2 of our best blockers, and arguably the best one at Center. That's going to hurt early if those guys don't learn quick.

It could be a long year honestly. All depends on how the team bounces back from losing everyone that we lost. We may be picked preseason first, but honestly, I don't believe it and no one else should either. Too many questions.

[PaladinFan]

Both of those numbers are low for a GSU option-led team. Go look at the numbers of any PJ led or even Sewak led team. We have players in the third year transistioning, and now the majority of those players were recruited to run the offense. You are kidding yourself if you think Jaybo Shaw is what a true GSU QB is supposed to be. We score 40+ a game this season.

Not to state the obvious, but Sewak and Johnson coached in a much easier rendeition of the SoCon. Those offenses saw maybe two or three good defenses a year in the regular season. Maybe.

And, let's not forget, they were the only triple option show in town. Teams never saw nor could prepare for GSU's "where's the ball?" offense. Now, half the teams in the SoCon run it and teams see it regularly, and thus, defenses are better prepared.

Not saying they can't score more than last year, but offenses have a saturation point. Even the greatest football teams of all time could only score so many points per game, and put up so many yards per game. There are just so many minutes in four quarters.

[SU DOG]

What amazes me is the seemingly lack of appreciation that the GSUers have for the job that Jaybo did. That guy was, IMO, almost machine-like. Now they may have a kid with more speed there, but a couple of bad decisions, and you have turnovers and all kind of troubles. This is not a knock on the players there now, nor the coaches. I just wonder how the new QB will be able to accomplish all this fantastic point production from the get-go. If the Eagles have such a QB, then yeah - look out.

[eaglewraith]

What amazes me is the seemingly lack of appreciation that the GSUers have for the job that Jaybo did. That guy was, IMO, almost machine-like. Now they may have a kid with more speed there, but a couple of bad decisions, and you have turnovers and all kind of troubles. This is not a knock on the players there now, nor the coaches. I just wonder how the new QB will be able to accomplish all this fantastic point production from the get-go. If the Eagles have such a QB, then yeah - look out.

seantaylor is about the only guy you'll see talk like that. Everyone I know of totally appreciates the leadership and toughness that Jaybo brought to the position. While he did seem to slow down his decisions a little too much sometimes, he still made great calls and put the ball where it needed to be. He was also a heck of a passer in the short game. He didn't have the downfield cannon, but he could burn you over the top if you weren't paying attention. He would gut out some runs to get the yards you needed when you needed it, but he was never going to be the feature guy like we've had in the past (Foster, Williams, Revere, Hill, etc).

While we're gaining speed at the QB position, we're losing someone with a great command of the offense and a true leader on the field. It's going to be hard for someone to step in that position right away. If you look at a previous post of mine I noted that we should expect to see fumbles at the mesh between the QB/B-Back (always a point of trouble for a new QB in this system) and less pitches until the new QB is comfortable with making those reads. Jaybo wasn't scared to pitch, and even with some of the really high risk ones he made at times, he burned lots of teams by pulling them in tight and putting the ball out to an A-Back with no one around him.

You don't just have someone come in and replace Jaybo Shaw. That's why I'm expecting things to be rocky at best to start the season, along with the changes on the OL. Hopefully it'll start clicking before we get too far into the season. I am glad of one thing though.....Jaybo Shaw will be on the sidelines this year as part of the staff.

[seantaylor]

What amazes me is the seemingly lack of appreciation that the GSUers have for the job that Jaybo did. That guy was, IMO, almost machine-like. Now they may have a kid with more speed there, but a couple of bad decisions, and you have turnovers and all kind of troubles. This is not a knock on the players there now, nor the coaches. I just wonder how the new QB will be able to accomplish all this fantastic point production from the get-go. If the Eagles have such a QB, then yeah - look out.

I just don't think people understand the option. Jaybo was zero threat to run. A lineman or backside lb would run him down constantly. So, teams were never really game planning to stop Jaybo. And he was a fumble machine. It is funny those that say he was a good passer. I would bet his completion percentage and tds thrown per game were among the lowest in GSU history.

We still have some fans that are Hatcher guys because of where he is from. There is absolutely zero chance GSU doesn't make the playoffs like Murray State.

[Eaglesrus]

seantaylor is about the only guy you'll see talk like that. Everyone I know of totally appreciates the leadership and toughness that Jaybo brought to the position. While he did seem to slow down his decisions a little too much sometimes, he still made great calls and put the ball where it needed to be. He was also a heck of a passer in the short game. He didn't have the downfield cannon, but he could burn you over the top if you weren't paying attention. He would gut out some runs to get the yards you needed when you needed it, but he was never going to be the feature guy like we've had in the past (Foster, Williams, Revere, Hill, etc).

While we're gaining speed at the QB position, we're losing someone with a great command of the offense and a true leader on the field. It's going to be hard for someone to step in that position right away. If you look at a previous post of mine I noted that we should expect to see fumbles at the mesh between the QB/B-Back (always a point of trouble for a new QB in this system) and less pitches until the new QB is comfortable with making those reads. Jaybo wasn't scared to pitch, and even with some of the really high risk ones he made at times, he burned lots of teams by pulling them in tight and putting the ball out to an A-Back with no one around him.

You don't just have someone come in and replace Jaybo Shaw. That's why I'm expecting things to be rocky at best to start the season, along with the changes on the OL. Hopefully it'll start clicking before we get too far into the season. I am glad of one thing though.....Jaybo Shaw will be on the sidelines this year as part of the staff.

Yeah, I'm not sure where SU Dog's observation comes from, everyone I know has a great appreciation of Jaybo's contributions.

[PaladinFan]

I just don't think people understand the option. Jaybo was zero threat to run. A lineman or backside lb would run him down constantly. So, teams were never really game planning to stop Jaybo. And he was a fumble machine. It is funny those that say he was a good passer. I would bet his completion percentage and tds thrown per game were among the lowest in GSU history.

We still have some fans that are Hatcher guys because of where he is from. There is absolutely zero chance GSU doesn't make the playoffs like Murray State.

He was not a zero run threat. He netted 420 yards on the ground last season and had 14 rusing touchdowns. That is to say, he put up better numbers than many teams in the conference had at running back, and particularly out of a non-featured back. No, he was not the school's all time leading rusher, but he was efficient.

[Apphole]

Jaybo had as much football IQ as any other stink player I've ever seen. His replacement might run a faster 40, but he ran that offense very well. He was also a very efficient passer in every game he played outside of Boone last year.

[asumike83]

I expect a return to the up-tempo spread offense and improved production for ASU, along with a pretty stout defense. I expect GSU will have some initial growing pains breaking in a new QB but should be a very explosive offense by year end. Chattanooga will return a lot of talent but I have questions about their ability to pass the ball consistently and finish games. Samford will have to replace a senior QB but I expect improvement overall. I expect Elon to score points and put up big passing numbers but their running game and defense will have to improve to be a contender. Furman has some big shoes to fill with Steed, Forcier and Anderson but I expect a hard-nosed, defensive football team that is going to win some ballgames. Wofford will have to replace Mitch Allen but I think Brian Kass is going to do very well. Good athlete from a football family, the Terriers will have their say. The Citadel showed some promise last season and I think they will improve and win 5-6 games. Western will have a new system to break in and a tough schedule with two FBS opponents. I think Speir will turn them around but 2012 is going to be tough sledding again in Cullowhee.

Pretty sure I got everybody in there!

[eaglewraith]

Jaybo had as much football IQ as any other stink player I've ever seen. His replacement might run a faster 40, but he ran that offense very well. He was also a very efficient passer in every game he played outside of Boone last year.

Stupid wind.

[Apphole]

Stupid wind.

http://www.freedomsphoenix.com/Uploads/Graphics/001/11/001-1121220649-DrEvil-Riiight.jpg


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1I8c7uhlNBw

2:09 Clearly not the wind. It was good coverage and terrible passes

[eaglewraith]

http://www.freedomsphoenix.com/Uploads/Graphics/001/11/001-1121220649-DrEvil-Riiight.jpg


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1I8c7uhlNBw

2:09 Clearly not the wind. It was good coverage and terrible passes

Yea I know, it was good coverage. Not disputing that.

Wind did have an affect on the passing game though. I just conveniently left out the good defense part....cause I knew it would piss ya off :)

[ASUMountaineer]

Yea I know, it was good coverage. Not disputing that.

Wind did have an affect on the passing game though. I just conveniently left out the good defense part....cause I knew it would piss ya off :)

I hear ya...that's why I have to post this. xsmiley_wix

http://i43.tinypic.com/2vmv5uc.jpg

[Apphole]

Yea I know, it was good coverage. Not disputing that.

Wind did have an affect on the passing game though. I just conveniently left out the good defense part....cause I knew it would piss ya off :)

Whose pissed off? We won.

Anyway, if it affected the passing game so much, why is a GaSo fan using it as an excuse? Are you saying that your OC opted out of more pass plays because of the wind? Because we threw the ball twice as much.

Passing:
Comp Att
App 13 26
GaSo 4 11

[eaglewraith]

Whose pissed off? We won.

Anyway, if it affected the passing game so much, why is a GaSo fan using it as an excuse? Are you saying that your OC opted out of more pass plays because of the wind? Because we threw the ball twice as much.

Passing:
Comp Att
App 13 26
GaSo 4 11

It prompted an image and a video in your response. It definitely struck a nerve ;)

Do I really need to attach a trollface to a post where I troll you?

[Apphole]

It prompted an image and a video in your response. It definitely struck a nerve ;)

Do I really need to attach a trollface to a post where I troll you?

Haha nah. I look for any excuse to post that video. I looked for that meme because that's the exact sound I made when I read your post. "Riiiiiight" (Dr. Evil voice)

[Milktruck74]

I expect a return to the up-tempo spread offense and improved production for ASU, along with a pretty stout defense. I expect GSU will have some initial growing pains breaking in a new QB but should be a very explosive offense by year end. Chattanooga will return a lot of talent but I have questions about their ability to pass the ball consistently and finish games. Samford will have to replace a senior QB but I expect improvement overall. I expect Elon to score points and put up big passing numbers but their running game and defense will have to improve to be a contender. Furman has some big shoes to fill with Steed, Forcier and Anderson but I expect a hard-nosed, defensive football team that is going to win some ballgames. Wofford will have to replace Mitch Allen but I think Brian Kass is going to do very well. Good athlete from a football family, the Terriers will have their say. The Citadel showed some promise last season and I think they will improve and win 5-6 games. Western will have a new system to break in and a tough schedule with two FBS opponents. I think Speir will turn them around but 2012 is going to be tough sledding again in Cullowhee.

Pretty sure I got everybody in there!

I find nothing I can disagree with here. Good and FAIR assessment of the SoCon.

[PaladinFan]

I find nothing I can disagree with here. Good and FAIR assessment of the SoCon.

I'm of the opinion that so long as Wofford has Britenstein they will be formidable.

[blueballs]

I'm of the opinion that so long as Wofford has AYERS they will be formidable.

FIFY... ;-)

[SpeedkingATL]

I expect a return to the up-tempo spread offense and improved production for ASU, along with a pretty stout defense. I expect GSU will have some initial growing pains breaking in a new QB but should be a very explosive offense by year end. Chattanooga will return a lot of talent but I have questions about their ability to pass the ball consistently and finish games. Samford will have to replace a senior QB but I expect improvement overall. I expect Elon to score points and put up big passing numbers but their running game and defense will have to improve to be a contender. Furman has some big shoes to fill with Steed, Forcier and Anderson but I expect a hard-nosed, defensive football team that is going to win some ballgames. Wofford will have to replace Mitch Allen but I think Brian Kass is going to do very well. Good athlete from a football family, the Terriers will have their say. The Citadel showed some promise last season and I think they will improve and win 5-6 games. Western will have a new system to break in and a tough schedule with two FBS opponents. I think Speir will turn them around but 2012 is going to be tough sledding again in Cullowhee.

Pretty sure I got everybody in there!

I agree with most of your accessment. Keys for App are the play of the o-line must improve and someone has to step up on the interior line on the defense, and the overall coaching has to be better. I think every team but WCU is capable of winnng 6-7 games and the difference may come down to key injuries with depth always a little thin on most FCS teams. It's also Apps turn to travel to Eagle Creek.

[Blue Eagle]

Without Jaybo we do not make the last 2 semi-finals!

The SoCon will be very interesting in 2012. At least 3 play-off teams maybe more - with at least 6 teams capable of making the play-offs. And as was in 2011 there will be some good teams left out.

If Ga. Southern's defense improves significantly the Eagles should be an outstanding team capable of winning the SoCon and National Championship!

GO EAGLES
"JUST ONE MORE TIME"

[FCS_pwns_FBS]

There was one common denominator in GSU's worst games offensively (Chatty, App, El Cid, NDSU) and that was that the defenses covered the pitch man and dared Jaybo to try and run the ball. I loved Jaybo as a player...tough and very smart..but he was a liability because he can't create many big plays running the ball. There were many plays I saw over the year that were stuffed for short gains that any of GSU's past option QBs would have turned into 10-15 yard gains. Can't believe I'm agreeing with seantaylor, but he's right on this one. xtwocentsx

[blueballs]

There was one common denominator in GSU's worst games offensively (Chatty, App, El Cid, NDSU)

The others were turnovers and failure to convert short yardage situations.

[Mocs123]

The Mocs D should be very formidable this year, maybe even moreso than last year, but the offense, is still very young with a lot to prove. We very likely may be starting 8 sophomores on the offensive side of the ball! If we grow up fast and can throw the ball we can have a very good year, but if not we may struggle to move the ball. 2013 should be a better year as we only have 3 or 4 (depending on who wins the job) Senior starters.

[344Johnson]

There was one common denominator in GSU's worst games offensively (Chatty, App, El Cid, NDSU) and that was that the defenses covered the pitch man and dared Jaybo to try and run the ball. I loved Jaybo as a player...tough and very smart..but he was a liability because he can't create many big plays running the ball. There were many plays I saw over the year that were stuffed for short gains that any of GSU's past option QBs would have turned into 10-15 yard gains. Can't believe I'm agreeing with seantaylor, but he's right on this one. xtwocentsx

or #20 Colten Heagle just hit Jaybo before Jaybo would pitch the ball.

But in all seriousness, we ran the option in high school (im in college, I still remember) and we had a QB like Jaybo. If the QB isn't a real threat to make big plays with his feet in addition to making good decisions, the offense can get bogged down....and becomes rather painful to watch.

[seantaylor]

There was one common denominator in GSU's worst games offensively (Chatty, App, El Cid, NDSU) and that was that the defenses covered the pitch man and dared Jaybo to try and run the ball. I loved Jaybo as a player...tough and very smart..but he was a liability because he can't create many big plays running the ball. There were many plays I saw over the year that were stuffed for short gains that any of GSU's past option QBs would have turned into 10-15 yard gains. Can't believe I'm agreeing with seantaylor, but he's right on this one. xtwocentsx

Starting to show some true guineaness.

Both McKinnon and Izzy are going to start, which I love. Gives us probably the two fastest guys in the conference. And I would not be surprised if the Prince gets some snaps in the games. We will be dynamic and much tougher to gameplan this season.

[PaladinFan]

There was one common denominator in GSU's worst games offensively (Chatty, App, El Cid, NDSU) and that was that the defenses covered the pitch man and dared Jaybo to try and run the ball. I loved Jaybo as a player...tough and very smart..but he was a liability because he can't create many big plays running the ball. There were many plays I saw over the year that were stuffed for short gains that any of GSU's past option QBs would have turned into 10-15 yard gains. Can't believe I'm agreeing with seantaylor, but he's right on this one. xtwocentsx

But again. Same question. How many playoff games did Jason Foster and Chaz Williams win?

I just do not see the logic in the argument that I'd rather have "player A" because he could reel off a 15 yard run in a mid-october game against Elon, and not "player B", who was not as athletic, but fargin won football games when it mattered.

And, let's also not forget one crucial point: Jaybo Shaw's SoCon was a far cry from what earlier GSU option quarterback's faced. Those other guys (great quarterbacks all) never ever faced the level of competition in the conference that Shaw did. In William's senior year GSU had an amazing offense, but their schedule was laughable (as was Furmans and Apps) compared to 2011.

[straightshooter]

or #20 Colten Heagle just hit Jaybo before Jaybo would pitch the ball.

But in all seriousness, we ran the option in high school (im in college, I still remember) and we had a QB like Jaybo. If the QB isn't a real threat to make big plays with his feet in addition to making good decisions, the offense can get bogged down....and becomes rather painful to watch.

The difference in the next GSU QB and Jaybo will clearly be foot speed and quickness. There is a huge difference football speed of what you saw the past two seasons and what you will see from GSU in the future. The offense will be much faster this year. And don't be surprised if GSU has an answer for strong safeties who run to the QB like Heagle and the SS from Delaware in the two playoff losses for GSU. That does leave a big open hole in the defense behind the LB, and I think you'll see the Eagles take advantage of it.

[eaglewraith]

But again. Same question. How many playoff games did Jason Foster and Chaz Williams win?

Chaz won 2 and was close to winning 2 more. Jayson only played QB in 1 playoff game.

I know what you were getting at though.

[eaglewraith]

or #20 Colten Heagle just hit Jaybo before Jaybo would pitch the ball.

But in all seriousness, we ran the option in high school (im in college, I still remember) and we had a QB like Jaybo. If the QB isn't a real threat to make big plays with his feet in addition to making good decisions, the offense can get bogged down....and becomes rather painful to watch.

Yea, cause the pitch alley was shutdown. That's what he was getting at. Heagle could have hit Jaybo all he wanted, but if that pitch man had been free we would have destroyed NDSU. Ya'll did a great job of taking away everything and forcing Jaybo to hold the ball.

We were able to get some success up the middle with our inverted wishbone shotgun formation but for some reason we stopped using it after we scored our only TD. Other than that we were shut down in all aspects.

[seantaylor]

But again. Same question. How many playoff games did Jason Foster and Chaz Williams win?

I just do not see the logic in the argument that I'd rather have "player A" because he could reel off a 15 yard run in a mid-october game against Elon, and not "player B", who was not as athletic, but fargin won football games when it mattered.

And, let's also not forget one crucial point: Jaybo Shaw's SoCon was a far cry from what earlier GSU option quarterback's faced. Those other guys (great quarterbacks all) never ever faced the level of competition in the conference that Shaw did. In William's senior year GSU had an amazing offense, but their schedule was laughable (as was Furmans and Apps) compared to 2011.

How was GSU's schedule tougher in 2011 than in 2004? I dont see it. We played a D2 team and another D2 team masquerading as D1.

Chaz won at least 2 playoff games. Possibly more. Was Chaz the QB in 2002?

[FCS_pwns_FBS]

But again. Same question. How many playoff games did Jason Foster and Chaz Williams win?

I just do not see the logic in the argument that I'd rather have "player A" because he could reel off a 15 yard run in a mid-october game against Elon, and not "player B", who was not as athletic, but fargin won football games when it mattered.

And, let's also not forget one crucial point: Jaybo Shaw's SoCon was a far cry from what earlier GSU option quarterback's faced. Those other guys (great quarterbacks all) never ever faced the level of competition in the conference that Shaw did. In William's senior year GSU had an amazing offense, but their schedule was laughable (as was Furmans and Apps) compared to 2011.

I agree with what you are saying about the SoCon schedule from last year. But we also have some key advantages we didn't have from 2002-2005. Monken is arguably a more competent head coach overall than Sewak and with a better staff. We have a great group of slots who I'd argue are better than any group Sewak had (definitely better than the '03, '04, and '05 groups.) We also (at least in '10) played better defense than we did for most of the Sewak era.

If GSU doesn't drop off too much on the OL and if a QB emerges who can run the offense I think we should have a scoring offense in the high 30s. Not saying we will light it up every game, but you won't see games like we had against App, NDSU, and Chatty (second half) this year.

[blueballs]

I love Jaybo but there isn't any way in hades he was better than Chaz Williams.

Chaz was the SoCon offensive POTY in 2002 and losing in the semis that year fell squarely on the defense, who couldn't hold a lead in the last 2 minutes against WKU- giving up a 4th and 13 and a 50 yard pass on 4th down. Chaz was never healthy in 2003 (shoulder surgery, pulled hammy) and led an offensive juggarnaut in 2004 that lost in the rain to UNH despite his 150+ on the ground. Chaz was a very underrated passer as well, easily Shaw's peer if not better. He certainly had a stronger arm. You put Chaz at QB on the 2011 GSU squad and that's a whole different scenario, it would have been scary.

As for Jayson Foster, he only QB'ed one year in the GSU option so you can't really say anything except he had around 1500 yards rushing the one year he did QB in the option. I shudder to think what GSU would have been offensively if Foster had all three years at QB running the GSU option with the o-line he had and Chris Covington at FB, which was the original plan.

[PaladinFan]

How was GSU's schedule tougher in 2011 than in 2004? I dont see it. We played a D2 team and another D2 team masquerading as D1.

Chaz won at least 2 playoff games. Possibly more. Was Chaz the QB in 2002?

In 2004, GSU had an out of conference schedule of Georgia, Johnson C. Smith, South Dakota State, and FIU. Georgia was good. FIU had just started its football program two seasons earlier. South Dakota State was terrible (and had to come to Statesboro), and GSU would have had a tougher game against the local 4H than Johnson C. Smith.

In the conference, there were four awful teams (Elon, UTC, the Citadel, and WCU). There were two mediocre teams (App and Wofford) that had winning records by virtue of the previous four teams being so bad (and GSU got to play both at home). Finally, there were two good teams (Furman and Georgia Southern).

In 2004 GSU put up staggering offensive numbers against bad competition (averaging 54.5 ppg in their wins), and lost three times to the only quality teams they played (Georgia, Furman, and UNH).

In my opinion, the comparison to that schedule and the SoCon in 2011 really isn't even an argument. GSU was better than all of them this season, but you had to show up every week to get the win, and some of those were nailbiters (even against some of the bad teams). All that is to say, I just think Shaw had to face better teams on a week in week out basis. The SoCon is just tougher now than it was then.

[ThompsonThe]

Just hope we have a better offense to go with a pretty good defense.
No matter what GaSo loses, and Jaybo was good, they will improve under Monken.

The Citadel was better than their record last year. Don't know what they lose but seem to be on an upswing.
UTC lost so many games by a point or so that they could be a giant this year with their running QB if their recruits are decent.

Elon should be improved with their coach recruiting the triad, and having time to see the competition.
Sanford is actually always tough. Kind of like The Citadel, always a tough game.

Western Carolina should be improved with their new head coach from App State, but too much to have to improve so fast, would be Herculean to expect many wins this year. But even that will be an improvement.
Wofford, what can anyone say. Their running back from Boone will do the job again and Ayers is a great coach, could show everyone whats what this year.
Furman - wow they improved last year with a new coach. New stadium improvements should help recruiting and could turn out, like Wofford, as one of the teams at the top part of the SoCon.

[GoAgs72]

As is always the case in every pre-season prediction: Almost every team is improved and is a threat for the conference championship and maybe the playoffs. By the third week of the season, reality starts to sink in.