List Your Team's "Question Marks" (READ INSTRUCTIONS CAREFULLY)

[jmufan999]

I realize that because the season hasn't started, optimism is through the roof for just about everyone. That's normal.

So I could care less about your team's strengths right now, because it would be a list a mile long for a lot of you.

I want to know about your "question marks". Not necessarily weaknesses, but areas that could POSSIBLY be an issue.

Here are some rules that I'm guessing will be totally ignored, but I'll try anyway:

1. Please present in some type of bullet format, because it's much easier to read. If you want to expand on these ideas, do it in a paragraph AFTER the bullet points. If you write a novel all bunched in one paragraph, no one will read it anyway. Example:

*depth of our ______
*health of our _____ who is returning from an ACL tear

What I meant on my first point was blah blah blah

2. Can we try not to derail the thread in 5 seconds with the same arguments we constantly see (FCS vs. FBS, NDSU vs. UND, Montana/Montana State, JMU vs. UD/ODU, etc).

3. This isn't really a rule, I just want to reiterate that football is unpredictable. Just because someone says something is a question mark now doesn't mean they're wrong in 2 months when it's actually a strength. Again, QUESTION marks.

FINALLY, AND MOST IMPORTANTLY:3. THIS THREAD IS NOT AN EXCUSE FOR YOU TO FIND A WAY TO COMPLIMENT YOUR TEAM, OR EVEN FISH FOR COMPLIMENTS FROM OTHERS: A GSU Fan saying that "we need to be able to run the ball effectively" is not a question mark, it's an obvious strength. You're just looking for someone else to give a compliment. That was just an example, not saying that I've seen GSU fans write this.

I'm looking for brutal honesty here, take off your fan hats as much as you can. Have at it!

[Gordon Shumway]

Is it OK to list the painfully obvious like QB and UNH. With an otherwise solid team, I am praying there is another Ricky Santos somehow buried at the bottom of the depth chart like in 2004. xlolx

[asumike83]

Two big ones for Appalachian:

-Defensive tackle. Our 1st and 2nd string DT's were seniors last season and it is a very important spot in a 3-4 scheme.
-Wide receiver. We have two returning WR's with starting experience but need somebody to step up as a true #1 now that Brian Quick has moved on.

We have some very talented kids at both positions, just unproven. I expect Sean Price and Malachi Jones to make an impact at wide receiver as freshmen, while Andrew Peacock is my choice to step up as the top guy this season. Freshmen Darian Small and Greg Milhouse will be fighting for a chance to start at DT. Too early to tell but based on the film I've seen, I like Small to win the job and be successful as a true freshman.

[clenz]

Only 2 concerns I have for UNI - one really isn't a concern as more of a question mark

* Defensive front 7 for UNI. Lost 6 starters from a very talented group. All that are stepping in saw action last year, but how well/quickly will they come together.

* Who is the starting QB? UNI lost 2 year starter Tirrell Rennie. After last year if anyone was asked you would've assumed Jared Lanpher who was the back up last year. However, it appears he has fallen to 3rd string. rFr QB from Jenks, OK Sawyer Kollmorgen was the man after spring ball - however SMU transfer Stephen Kaiser has since transferred in and seems to be pushing Sawyer for the job. I trust all three (Sawyer and Stephen the most) but who will get the nod...and will the staff pick a QB and stick with it - unlike 2010 that caused a controversy that ripped the locker room (and fan base) apart.

[CID1990]

Can we throw and complete 3-4 passes in each game?

If yes, then we win 7. Maybe 8.

[HailSzczur]

-Will a very healthy Norman White be as effective as he was 2 years ago?
-How will the O-Line hold up, or is it just going to be the Shirey show up front?
-Who steps up to replace the suspended Jamal Abdur-Rahman? Will it be Monangai, Medley, or a freshmen?
-Can QB Chris Polony cut down on turnovers?
-How well will we fill the only hole on D, the CB spot occupied by James Pitts?

[Ivytalk]

For Harvard: running back, O- line, and the hardy perennial: pass defense.

[RichH2]

1. QB Colvin very experienced running Wildcat has not swown well in fullO
2. D front 7 lost alot both on line and at LB.

[BisonFan02]

*Offensive Line - Lost two pretty key guys on the line. Usually we have a pretty deep cupboard on the OL, but it is always a worry as we like to pound the rock.
*Depth at WR/Skill positions - Yeah, I just said we like to pound the rock, but after losing McNorton, Veldman, and Holloway to graduation...that was 100% of our TD receptions.
*Kicking - Both were seniors last year. Looked fine/good during spring game, but it will still be something to watch.

Okay, I'm done. *puts homer hat back on*

[Go Lehigh TU Owl]

- QB, Colvin has a lot of experience so he won't be in "awe" of the moment. He needs to improve his passing, doesn't need to be Lum, just productive with a solid TD/INT ratio. Should benefit from a strong running game an an All-American at wr.
- Depth along the front 7, there's solid experience at LB and DT but depth is an unknown.
- Special teams, have been below average for a few years now, cost them against UNH and really hurt the hawks against NDSU last year.

[SU DOG]

Replacing our QB
Health of DT Jeremy Towns

Transfer QB Andy Summerlin(6-5 228lbs) or 3 year man Ben Neill(smaller at 5-11 182lbs) are the contenders.
Big DT Towns(6-4 312lbs) missed all of last year with an injury. If he is not 100% depth at DT might be an issue.

[CropDuster]

1. QB - JR Jerrick McKinnon and RSO Izzy Youyoute have been competing for the starting job all spring and summer. Coach Monken said today that they both will play QB and both will probably play another position on offense (probably slot back) when they aren't in at QB. As the saying goes, "if you have 2 QBs you don't have any". It kind of worries me. Our #3 QB will also be one of 3 true freshmen.

2. OL - we lost three SR OL from last year.

3. Kicking - we lost our starting punter, place kicker and long snapper from last year.

4. Secondary - we'll have two new starting CBs, but a transfer from Illinois should help out along with a SR laden front 7.

[bjtheflamesfan]

Liberty:

1. Quarterback
2. Kicking
3. Wide Receiver
4. Running Back

Quarterback is the biggest one because we have one guy who had fewer completions than the starter (Mike Brown now with the Jacksonville Jaguars) had touchdowns and the other redshirted and as such hasnt taken a collegiate snap. As for kicker, when you have a kicker and punter who were perennial all conference the previous year, you do wonder how the new players will adapt.

[UAalum72]

Albany:

1. Quarterback - with DiLella graduated and backup Leathley no longer listed on the roster, it's down to a soph who's 0-1 passing in his career, and two freshmen
2. Offensive Line - aggravating #1, three starters graduated
3. Defense - six starters gone, three in the line, two safeties and a corner
4. Placekicker needs to be replaced.

[CrazyCat]

1.LT
2.LG
3.RT
4.RG

[eiu1999]

EIU:

LB: Lost two starters plus top backup.

New coaching staff, how quickly will it come together.

[TheRevSFA]

- QB: Can Brady Attaway break out and have a stellar season, or will he play like he did the first 6 games of last season (1-5 record)

[darell1976]

1. QB-- last year UND didn't have a pure passer but with UNC (Tar Heels) transfer Braden Hanson he could be the passer UND needs.
2. Secondary--last year it was very poor...UNC (Bears) passed over 400 yards on our secondary, hopefully UND fixed that problem
3. Scheduling-- last year 2 FBS games, 4 conference games, 1 FCS OOC game, and 3 NAIA/DII games. Now 1 DII game, 1 FBS game 1 FCS OOC game and 8 conference games, very big difference.

[carney2]

LAFAYETTE

1. thru 10. = OL: Has been a total disaster for two years. The key to almost everything.

11. = RB: One deep ain't gonna get it done

12. = Defensive Front 7: A shambles last year. Hoping for better.

13. = Coaching: Phone it in games are becoming quite common. Perhaps this is Number One.

[Bison06]

1. Offensive Line-usually seems to work out ok, but we lost two great players(Richard and Cornick) and the situation is in flux. Just had another major contributor if not starter(Hinz) go down for the season with a pec tear so we'll see.

2. Kicking game-Lost starting PK and P, field position is such an important factor in NDSU's gameplan, hopefully the new guys can step up to the plate.

3. WR-Lot's of unproven talent so could turn out to be a major plus, but since we only have one guy returning with major game experience(Smith) this is a definite point of interest for Bison fans.

[Sammy94]

Offensive scheme - The addition of a new OC will change things (no huddle, more passing schemes). Hopefully the offense will not lose a step with those changes and be even better.

Center - Replacing one of the few Seniors from last year's team.

[McNeese75]

Can the team stay healthy? We have been decimated the last few years. After that I don't even know where to start.

[wapiti]

1.LT
2.LG
3.RT
4.RG

Since we lost our kicker to graduation that will be a ? too.

[SpeedkingATL]

For App:

-Young offensive line
-Inexperience and youth at defensive tackle
-Experience at WR
-No RB has surfaced yet as the "everydown" back
-No experienced back up at QB
-Most App fans have weakness for "shine" on gamedays.

[Apphole]

For App:

-Young offensive line
-Inexperience and youth at defensive tackle
-Experience at WR
-No RB has surfaced yet as the "everydown" back
-No experienced back up at QB
-Most App fans have weakness for "shine" on gamedays.

How is that a question mark? xlolx

[bluehenbillk]

-Will a very healthy Norman White be as effective as he was 2 years ago?
-How will the O-Line hold up, or is it just going to be the Shirey show up front?
-Who steps up to replace the suspended Jamal Abdur-Rahman? Will it be Monangai, Medley, or a freshmen?
-Can QB Chris Polony cut down on turnovers?
-How well will we fill the only hole on D, the CB spot occupied by James Pitts?


Isn't Shirey out for the year due to injury??

[bluehenbillk]

Delaware:

-OL - 3 new faces, how well can they protect the QB & open up running lanes for AP
-QB - below average play there last year, can transfer Hurley take the reigns or can Sasek come back from a serious knee injury?
-DB - just depth issues - starters should all be solid

[Silenoz]

QB - status of starter is up in the air, (mediocre) 2nd stringers are both no longer with the team
Coaching Staff - new coach and coordinators
D tackles - inexperience
Corners - inexperience
Kicker - inexperience

[jmufan999]

JMU

-CB's (lost both starters from last year)
-FBS transfers at S, DT, CB, and backup QB: Can they play? Who knows, until you actually see them
-lost at least 2 DT's that I can think of (1 starter)
-Can QB Justin Thorpe stay healthy and/or not get suspended? Can he continue improving?
-replacing RT and C
-#1 WR (my projection) Quintin Hunter missed a full year due to an achilles tear in Spring 2011 (maybe before that). Bad injury - is he healthy?


Notes
FBS transfers are tough. We always expect them to be great or at least good, but sometimes they are god awful. Who knows?... Thorpe is improving, but I need to see improvement in his ability to go through his progressions. Sometimes inconsistent in that area.... I worry a little about our DT depth: Are we stout enough/deep enough at the point of attack?

[jmufan999]

Just thought of another one, which is embarrassing because it is far and away our biggest weakness:

*Special Teams: everything but the kicker needs improvement

We have a clutch kicker with a pretty decent leg. Cool as a cucumber, won 2 road games last year on last second kicks. Punter has a strong leg, not great at landing it inside the 20, though.

However, we really struggle in coverage. We've adopted a philosophy on kickoffs where we kick the ball a mile in the air. The point is to limit big returns. The problem is, teams start off on their own 45 yard line or even midfield. I'd rather take my chances and kick it deep and teach our special teamers how to make tackles.

Punt coverage and protection is also poor. Had a punt blocked against Richmond and several others were close calls. Part of this is the punter's fault as his motion takes too long.

We also haven't had a great returner (or even a good returner in my opinion) in a few years. Kerby Long had a kickoff return avg of 21.5 yards/return, good for roughly 80th in FCS. Dae'Quan was better in punt returns, but I'd still like to see more explosive plays there. Kickoff returns must improve, though.

We were 116th in punt return yardage defense. Not acceptable.

[Screamin_Eagle174]

EWU:

-Rushing. By far our biggest weakness. We had less than 900 yards rushing as a team last year, and our leading rusher only had 419.
-Rush Defense. From all accounts, it will be one of our biggest strengths this year. But that remains to be seen, after it was one of our biggest weaknesses last year.
-Injuries. We had an abnormally high number of injuries to starters last year. Whether from plain bad luck or poor conditioning, we need to have less.
-PR/KR. Had too many miscues last year. Need more consistency and production in the return game.

[McNeese72]

Can the team stay healthy? We have been decimated the last few years. After that I don't even know where to start.

About the big one.

1. With a new OL coach and some OL coming back healthy (especially "Goat") will the OL get back to form to open holes for our wealth of runningbacks and give Cody and the other QB some time to throw the ball? IMO, that was our weakest link last season and the main reason with lost two or three of the games we lost.

And a second one.

2. Will our DL be as good as it is being predicted?

If those two questions are answered positively, we will have a very good year and surprise some people.

Doc

[ngineer]

1. QB Colvin very experienced running Wildcat has not swown well in fullO
2. D front 7 lost alot both on line and at LB.

Agree on #1, but not on #2.
I think the D will be just as good as last year, if not better. While starters were lost to graduation, there is alot of game experience returning. I think the LB corps looks faster than last year's and the secondary is very experienced.

My #2 concern after QB is Wide Receiver---yes we have Spadola, but who else to take off the pressure? Haggins (TE) should be a weapon, but someone else in the WR corps needs to "step up" and be the next Drwal. Otherwise, Ryan is double covered all day.

#3, as usual, is the kicking game--mainly PK. We haven't had a long distance FG kicker in years, and consistency between 30-40 yards has also been lacking.

[uofmman1122]

I hear they're replacing the Griz on our helmets with a bunch of question marks. lol

* QB - We have no idea who it's going to be, and, like last year, none of them have any meaningful game experience. If it weren't for our O-Line and RB strengths, I'd be panicking.

* CB - No matter how you slice it, losing the best CB in FCS and arguably the second best CB in the BSC last year is gonna suck, not to mention that the annually underachieving backup to both is also now in the NFL. If this group can't get it together, our secondary is going to get torched, especially against teams like SUU and EWU.

* WR - To go hand in hand with the QB challenges, we lost our #1 WR and another great possession guy. Only one returning player has shown any consistency in actual games. Others are an unknown quantity.

* DL - We lose basically everyone from this unit from last year. The guys coming up have had some game experience, due to our heavy defensive rotation, but we don't know how effective they'll be.

* Safety - we have one known quantity in Hermanson, but his counterpart is a complete unknown, which sucks given our CB situation. The guy who got most of the reps last year looked to be losing his spot in spring ball, which is disconcerting.

* K/P - Our do everything kicker/punter is gone, and we're once again trying to replace a great one with an unknown. So far we're 4 for 4 on awesome replacements, but how will this one work out? Both candidates are new to the program.

* Coaching - Welp, everything changed in such a short time this spring. New HC, OC, DC and specialists. Rosenbach is the only main new face, as we have our old LB coach as DC and RB coach ad HC. I think Rosie is a step up from Smith, and Coach Ty's defense will be a little less balls out than Breske's was, but Pflu was our offensive genius, so it'll be interesting to see which direction our offense heads.

* %$*¥&?!!!! - Basically how will this team deal with being "the other Penn State"? Nearly everything that could go wrong for this team pretty much has, and although lots of Griz fans think they'll use this as motivation and destroy people, anyone who watched the first quarter of the SHSU game could see how much this affected the team's focus. I hate to say it, but this could really be a make or break year for the Griz.

[Engineer86]

Agree on #1, but not on #2.
I think the D will be just as good as last year, if not better. While starters were lost to graduation, there is alot of game experience returning. I think the LB corps looks faster than last year's and the secondary is very experienced.

My #2 concern after QB is Wide Receiver---yes we have Spadola, but who else to take off the pressure? Haggins (TE) should be a weapon, but someone else in the WR corps needs to "step up" and be the next Drwal. Otherwise, Ryan is double covered all day.

#3, as usual, is the kicking game--mainly PK. We haven't had a long distance FG kicker in years, and consistency between 30-40 yards has also been lacking.

I agree with your adds and I would also add

- recovery of RB Barkett

[van]

Agree on #1, but not on #2.
I think the D will be just as good as last year, if not better. While starters were lost to graduation, there is alot of game experience returning. I think the LB corps looks faster than last year's and the secondary is very experienced.

My #2 concern after QB is Wide Receiver---yes we have Spadola, but who else to take off the pressure? Haggins (TE) should be a weapon, but someone else in the WR corps needs to "step up" and be the next Drwal. Otherwise, Ryan is double covered all day.

#3, as usual, is the kicking game--mainly PK. We haven't had a long distance FG kicker in years, and consistency between 30-40 yards has also been lacking.

Not sure who is the next Drwal, but there are some pretty talented WRs in the pipeline and one should step up, Kurfis is my guess. Agree with Engineer86, Barket health more of concern to me than WRs.

[Sycamore51]

KICKING! If we can knock down 20-35 yarders on a regular basis then INST should win 7-9 games. If not then we're looking at 5-6 again. It looks like the Syc's may have landed on Mike Perrish, SO. Transfer from western Michigan, at QB. I honestly think we will be fine there, just kicking

[ngineer]

Not sure who is the next Drwal, but there are some pretty talented WRs in the pipeline and one should step up, Kurfis is my guess. Agree with Engineer86, Barket health more of concern to me than WRs.

I think Barket will be fine, but we also have some decent depth at RB. Also agree Kurfis appears to be the 'next' in line of the WRs and hopefully he comes through. Guess that's why they're question marks...

[eiu1999]

For EIU I'll also adding running back to this because the passing offense is only going to be as good as the occasional run threat will give. There's a lot of quantity, not much quality.

[TwoFeathers]

Tribe:

QB - Horrible experiment last year. The worst year at QB I can remember.
RB - Losing the program's all-time leading rusher and CAA's most decorated player Jonathan Grimes. But they have a stud in the wings.
Kicking/Special teams - Punter was atrocious last year.

[katstrapper]

Bearkats are pretty deep at all positions and everyone stayed healthy last year, but one area that does concern me is ...

* KICKING GAME

Place Kicker .. Kats only have one on roster and he was taken out of place kicking duties and delegated to kickoffs only due to inconsistency.

Punter .. Current starter was Second Team All Conference last year, but there is no backup if he gets hurt

Kick/Punt Returner.. Kats lost their main returner from a year ago due to graduation. No clue who will step up in this position.

* NEW OFFENSIVE COORDIATOR

Kats have a new OC in Doug Ruse and also has new OL Coach and new WR Coach. How much will the offensive schemes change?

[TheRevSFA]

Bearkats are pretty deep at all positions and everyone stayed healthy last year, but one area that does concern me is ...

* KICKING GAME

Place Kicker .. Kats only have one on roster and he was taken out of place kicking duties and delegated to kickoffs only due to inconsistency.

Punter .. Current starter was Second Team All Conference last year, but there is no backup if he gets hurt

Kick/Punt Returner.. Kats lost their main returner from a year ago due to graduation. No clue who will step up in this position.

* NEW OFFENSIVE COORDIATOR

Kats have a new OC in Doug Ruse and also has new OL Coach and new WR Coach.

I think if the Kats stay healthy then they will coast to the playoffs again..however with 2 FBS games and no bye week (due to a week 1 bye) hopefully their conditioning is on par.

[katstrapper]

The key to Kats success last year was no major injuries to the key players or team. I think that says a lot about their strength and conditioning.

[TheRevSFA]

The key to Kats success last year was no major injuries to the key players or team. I think that says a lot about their strength and conditioning.

That was last year. Hopefully they kept it up.

[Sam_Kats]

- Overcome ROUGH schedule (@ Baylor, @ Texas A&M)

- Replace 2 key OL from last yr.

[WeAreNorthDakota]

- QB: If Hanson lives up to the hype and stays healthy, no problem. But almost ZERO experience behind him so Hanson staying healthy is incredibly important.
- Safety: Neither safety spot was a strength last year and we graduated both starters. Need last year's backups or JUCO transfers to step up big time.
- Schedule: Back-2-Back road trips to California starting with San Diego State and our first run through the Big Sky. Nobody really knows how we stack up against a tough conference.

[344Johnson]

The key to Kats success last year was no major injuries to the key players or team. I think that says a lot about their strength and conditioning.

Mostly good luck. You can lift and condition all you want, blown out ligaments happen.

[Walkon79]

- Only one returning starter on the OL
- DL Depth
- Finding another Elvis :)

[penguinpower]

Is it OK to list the painfully obvious like QB and UNH. With an otherwise solid team, I am praying there is another Ricky Santos somehow buried at the bottom of the depth chart like in 2004. xlolx

UNH always has a great QB. Look at the history. Santos was outstanding. UNH and Delaware have had some good ones.

[Brad82]

Rhode Island =confidence?
Look at the first 4 games (W-L). Need to be at least 2-2 or watch out!

[coover]

Cal Poly's Question Marks? ...

Defense ... for the last few years teams have passed the ball against us with little to stop them. The defensive line was not able to get to the QB quickly enough, and though our defensive backs were quick and covered well, any decent QB had sufficient time to find an open receiver. However, this year, with the transfer of 3 defensive linemen from Wisconsin and UCLA, along with a couple of home grown standouts, we may make life for opposing QBs and RBs very interesting, not enjoyable, just interesting.

Our offense is sufficient to win most games. There are very few question marks there. Much better than average QB, very good running backs, good receivers, and a decent O-line should keep the team scoring.

[katstrapper]

- Overcome ROUGH schedule (@ Baylor, @ Texas A&M)

- Replace 2 key OL from last yr.

SK,
Honestly I think the OL will be fine. Only one I would question at this point is the Center position. Travis Watson was a rock at that position the last couple years. Other than that the other 4 (Hopson, Jenkins, Rogers and Smith) should be good

[OL FU]

QB - probably the senior that has played little. OF course we had that problem last year but this year's QB isn't UCLA transfer.

Defense - we saw the return of aggresssion and intensity on the Furman d.
Last year they did a great job on turnovers and and big plays but still gave up lots of points. The question is can they turn that intensity into a defense that keeps the other team out of the endzone.

[skinny_uncle]

SIU

1. Placekicker. Supposed to be improved, but we shall have to wait and see.
2. Secondary. Supposed to have more depth, but injuries can change that in a hurry as we've learned the last couple of years.

[lsu2469]

Isn't Shirey out for the year due to injury??

They won't make a decision until the after the second or third game. He is progressing.