Athlon's SEC predictions are out

[Todd4State]

The stat about Tyler is very telling. 8 picks in 2 games? That means he threw 2 in in 11 games? And two of those opponents were Bama & LSU. Play calling on offense was horrible! Blame the right people. Tyler should've been pulled Vs. NW and if he was we in all likelihood win & we feel better heading into this year.

Are you saying that the play calling was bad just in those last two games or on the entire year? I'm confused as to what you are saying with the sentence about the picks behind it.

I disagree about pulling Tyler. I don't think Dak had mastered enough of the offense to make us unpredictable, and I think Northwestern would have shut us down after they figured out what we were doing. In fact, that pretty much happened when we put Dak in. We had a couple of good runs, and then Northwestern shut it down. Win or lose, you pull Tyler, and now Dan has created yet another QB controversy in the off season. Let's not forget- a BIG reason why we lost the Egg Bowl was because Dak couldn't complete a very simple pass on fourth down which flipped momentum to Ole Miss's side big time and cost us points. I think Dak has a lot of talent and a great future for us, but it's simply not quite his time yet. Much like it wasn't Tyler's time when he was a RS freshman. But I would much rather Dak learn this year rather than take the reigns unless it is absolutely necessary.

[Todd4State]

nm

I just hope the rumors of Dan taking over more of the play calling are true. I remember when we had to turn our head sets off against Auburn a couple of years ago which pretty much forced Dan to call plays, and all of a sudden our offense got a LOT better.

Les just seems to get into a rut sometimes and calls the same thing over and over.

[msstate7]

I just hope the rumors of Dan taking over more of the play calling are true. I remember when we had to turn our head sets off against Auburn a couple of years ago which pretty much forced Dan to call plays, and all of a sudden our offense got a LOT better.

Les just seems to get into a rut sometimes and calls the same thing over and over.

I certainly would rather him call plays than coach special teams

[Coach 57]

Todd, we lost the Egg Bowl because our offense couldn't produce pts in the 1st half after our defense gave them 4 turnovers & a bad punt which also gave us incredible field position. We score TDs on 2 of those and we win. Football is a game of momentum. When it was close at the half, I knew we were going to lose as they had weathered the storm of turnovers. Even Dan said at halftime "we SHOULD be up by 21pts." And if that goes down we keep the energy level down, crowd out of it but most importantly it would've given our offense confidence to step on their throat.

The play calling wasn't terrible ALL year. I saw a few gafs in the Troy game, USA, aTm, and in the Bama game. But I think the best offensive playcalling we had was perhaps in the LSU hand. We just had poor execution in spots. As far as the Tyler thing. You are as wrong as you can be. Dak's ability to run overcompensates his inability to throw great passes. How on earth do you think we won with Relf? Dak at this point in his career is easily better than Relf was at passing accuracy. When you are a dual threat guy the passing windows get bigger as the defense has to honor your ability to run. Dak can make those throws better than Relf did. Plus Dak is faster. We were a finesse football team last year. You tell me how can this school, since it's inception can or has been successful by being that way and I'll blow my whistle for you. It can't the ONLY way is if we had 5* WRs to throw the ball to who can break press coverage or blow the top off of a cover 3. We don't have it and we can't win that way. Basically a spread w/ a dual threat is a manufactured running game which in turn makes us, more physical, cuts down possessions, allows the defense longer breaks as T.O.P is going to be better & is and always has been the formula for success for the Maroons. Physical running game and defense! Championship football hasn't changed guys.

[Duke Silver]

I definitely agree 34 that we'll be good at DE and TE. I can see us hanging with okie state for awhile but we're gonna give up too many big plays to win. I do think we've gotta good shot of beating ark and Ole miss this year cause they'll both be down at the end of the season but I'm terrified of the Auburn game. Still scarred from 2011.

If we employ much more under center/2 TE sets this season and give Russell a chance to throw more rhythmic passes off of play action then I think we can be a much improved team. If the offense is the same as last year then we're not gonna do anything.

[Hump4Hoops]

If this is another year of "PERKINS UP THE MIDDLE" I'm going to drown myself in the bathtub.

[msstate7]

I definitely agree 34 that we'll be good at DE and TE. I can see us hanging with okie state for awhile but we're gonna give up too many big plays to win. I do think we've gotta good shot of beating ark and Ole miss this year cause they'll both be down at the end of the season but I'm terrified of the Auburn game. Still scarred from 2011.

If we employ much more under center/2 TE sets this season and give Russell a chance to throw more rhythmic passes off of play action then I think we can be a much improved team. If the offense is the same as last year then we're not gonna do anything.

Osu has 4 new ol. We're gonna create havoc. I think we're gonna cancel out the big plays we give up on defense with the ones we create. Preston smith and Autry are going to have big days. I also look for us to score and score big against them. I'm fairly sure we're gonna win, but I fairly often wrong.

[Todd4State]

Todd, we lost the Egg Bowl because our offense couldn't produce pts in the 1st half after our defense gave them 4 turnovers & a bad punt which also gave us incredible field position. We score TDs on 2 of those and we win. Football is a game of momentum. When it was close at the half, I knew we were going to lose as they had weathered the storm of turnovers. Even Dan said at halftime "we SHOULD be up by 21pts." And if that goes down we keep the energy level down, crowd out of it but most importantly it would've given our offense confidence to step on their throat.

The play calling wasn't terrible ALL year. I saw a few gafs in the Troy game, USA, aTm, and in the Bama game. But I think the best offensive playcalling we had was perhaps in the LSU hand. We just had poor execution in spots. As far as the Tyler thing. You are as wrong as you can be. Dak's ability to run overcompensates his inability to throw great passes. How on earth do you think we won with Relf? Dak at this point in his career is easily better than Relf was at passing accuracy. When you are a dual threat guy the passing windows get bigger as the defense has to honor your ability to run. Dak can make those throws better than Relf did. Plus Dak is faster. We were a finesse football team last year. You tell me how can this school, since it's inception can or has been successful by being that way and I'll blow my whistle for you. It can't the ONLY way is if we had 5* WRs to throw the ball to who can break press coverage or blow the top off of a cover 3. We don't have it and we can't win that way. Basically a spread w/ a dual threat is a manufactured running game which in turn makes us, more physical, cuts down possessions, allows the defense longer breaks as T.O.P is going to be better & is and always has been the formula for success for the Maroons. Physical running game and defense! Championship football hasn't changed guys.

How did we win with Relf? Relf was a good college QB. But he only went 7-6 as a senior so it's not like he was Colin Kaepernick out there. Relf as a junior and a senior- and let's not forget that Relf was actually benched in favor of Tyler his senior year- had mastered the offense more than Dak had as a true freshman. You can't compare a guy that was a senior and a guy in his RS freshman year. Of course Dak is ahead of where Relf was- Relf lost two years due to being coached by Croom and playing high school in a wishbone offense for most of his life. And Dak will be better than Relf was when he is a junior and a senior, and probably as a sophomore as well for that matter.

We don't need 5* WR's to break press coverage- we need taller WR's that can catch. And that was something that Dan neglected in recruiting.

[Coach34]

Osu has 4 new ol. We're gonna create havoc.

I think this is where people are overlooking our advantage. I look for us to be able to get pressure on these guys

[mic]

I think this is where people are overlooking our advantage. I look for us to be able to get pressure on these guys

Our Defense is going to be TOTALLY different than last year. We saw a glimpse of it at the Gator Bowl with Collins calling the shots and that was with less than a month of his schemes ..
Our front 4 will the best depth wise since CDM has been here. 2 deep.. and all talented.
LB's are going to be legit. From what I saw this spring. When BB and RB are fighting just for playing time that's all you need to know there..
Cb's will be better coached with DT and will still be good. and the S play will be much better . You saw how good Nickoe looked at the Bowl Game.

[Coach 57]

Todd, so you say we need "taller WRs" to break press coverage. Dude, just hush! Memphis had a WR who was 6'7 or 6'8 how much taller do you want them to be? And the kid couldn't beat press from ANYBODY! There's actual skill involved with hand technique in WRs almost as much as at DL. It takes more than height to break even an average press DB much less an SEC press. You are aware Relf had fractured ribs after the Auburn game his Sr. year right? Are you aware the ribs being injured affects the throwing motion?

[Pollodawg]

Relf also had a broken thumb after the LSU game that year from what I understand. I know someone one that used to work in an ER in Starkville. They were there when he was brought in.

[Todd4State]

Todd, so you say we need "taller WRs" to break press coverage. Dude, just hush! Memphis had a WR who was 6'7 or 6'8 how much taller do you want them to be? And the kid couldn't beat press from ANYBODY! There's actual skill involved with hand technique in WRs almost as much as at DL. It takes more than height to break even an average press DB much less an SEC press. You are aware Relf had fractured ribs after the Auburn game his Sr. year right? Are you aware the ribs being injured affects the throwing motion?

That's why I said taller AND can catch. Regardless, we don't need 5* guys that can do that. Our only red zone weapon last year was Malcolm Johnson. We need someone that can run a fade in the red zone and go up and get the ball and come down with it. That wasn't Bumphis, Jameon, Morrow- because he couldn't catch, or anyone else.

I was aware that Relf had broken ribs. However, aside from the last three games of his junior year, he never was all that accurate for the most part. I'm glad he beat Ole Miss three times but looking at the big picture, he was average. Ultimately, Tyler is on pace to have about as many wins as Chris did as a starting QB with a 6-6 season. At any rate, Dak as a freshman is not as good as Relf was as a junior or a senior.

[Coach 57]

Todd no disrespect as I appreciate your baseball prowess & knowledge. But you just proved to me you don't know a whole lot about football with that statement about Dak & Relf.

[Goat Holder]

Coach57.......In my nicest internet voice, "Geez, not this shit again". You have your opinion, I have mine, on Tyler Russell, the offense, and the defense. No matter how much coaching background you have, I am not changing my mind. No matter how many times you try and patronize other posters nor how many times you declare something to be true, it still doesn't make a shit. The season will be played, one of us will be right, the other will be proven wrong. Or somewhere in the middle.

But just so we're clear.....CRYSTAL f*cking clear on this (in Auggie Garrido voice):

- I think your notion that Dak should start over Tyler is insane. Not getting into the reasons for it. I just want you to know.
- I think defense was the problem on the whole of last year. The WHOLE, not just two games. You talk about momentum, I think that's variable. Some steer toward it (Houston Nutt), some steer against it (Nick Saban).
- I think we win big this year (for MSU, and against this schedule, 8-9 wins is winning big). The OL and Sr. QB/RB will allow this. Defense gets better with Geoff Collins too (see Gator Bowl).
- I will be satisfied with 6-6, happy with 7-5, but I think we hit our high mark this season at 8-4. Again, let me be clear....our expectations should be 6-7 wins, but I think this is one of our 'up' years. I am NOT saying we should EXPECT to win 8 or 9 games. It's just my prediction when considering all the factors.

I know you disagree. That's fine. But no sense in having this discussion 48 times between now and September. Bottom line, I think the offense and Tyler Russell have an outstanding year. I hope Dak Prescott gets in on the action (not starting, but just playing).

[Todd4State]

Todd no disrespect as I appreciate your baseball prowess & knowledge. But you just proved to me you don't know a whole lot about football with that statement about Dak & Relf.

That's fine, but it seems like our coaches are agreeing with me.

[cheat2win]

OK State sets the tone this year obviously, if we lose that one I dont think there is any way we can get more then 6 W's. When I look at the schedule I only see 4 sure wins (Alcorn St, Troy, Bowling Green, UK). ARK may be down but to expect us to win that game is expecting us to do something we never have. Hopefully Coach34 is right here, but I am not as optimistic. Realistically I think we go 6-6 wins vs (Alcorn State, Auburn, Troy, Bowling Green, UK, Ole Miss) and spending New Years in Memphis for the Liberty Bowl

[Coach 57]

Coaches agree with WHAT? You said that Relf in his Jr & Sr year was better than Dak is now? How are the coaches agreeing with you? Is Relf still on the team? The fact is that Tyler IS a good QB. No doubt about that. IF (big IF) he's used correctly. Let me clarify before I become the villan here (might very too late Lol). If Dan keeps using Tyler as he was used in Meridian or in the spread option game, Dak is the better option. Period! But if Dan utilizes him properly there is NO DOUBT Tyler is the better option to win games. I don't want you guys thinking I think Tyler is a bad QB. Actually I think Tyler can be our first legit pro prospect QB. But we (our coaching staff) aren't doing him any favors by the way we used him last year. He is too good for no better than the way we used him.

[SignalToNoise]

Coaches agree with WHAT? You said that Relf in his Jr & Sr year was better than Dak is now? How are the coaches agreeing with you? Is Relf still on the team? The fact is that Tyler IS a good QB. No doubt about that. IF (big IF) he's used correctly. Let me clarify before I become the villan here (might very too late Lol). If Dan keeps using Tyler as he was used in Meridian or in the spread option game, Dak is the better option. Period! But if Dan utilizes him properly there is NO DOUBT Tyler is the better option to win games. I don't want you guys thinking I think Tyler is a bad QB. Actually I think Tyler can be our first legit pro prospect QB. But we (our coaching staff) aren't doing him any favors by the way we used him last year. He is too good for no better than the way we used him.

I've always thought that Tyler would succeed in a Mike Leach "air raid" type of system. Would like to get your thoughts on this.

[Todd4State]

Coaches agree with WHAT? You said that Relf in his Jr & Sr year was better than Dak is now? How are the coaches agreeing with you? Is Relf still on the team? The fact is that Tyler IS a good QB. No doubt about that. IF (big IF) he's used correctly. Let me clarify before I become the villan here (might very too late Lol). If Dan keeps using Tyler as he was used in Meridian or in the spread option game, Dak is the better option. Period! But if Dan utilizes him properly there is NO DOUBT Tyler is the better option to win games. I don't want you guys thinking I think Tyler is a bad QB. Actually I think Tyler can be our first legit pro prospect QB. But we (our coaching staff) aren't doing him any favors by the way we used him last year. He is too good for no better than the way we used him.

They agree with me by starting Tyler over Dak. I said (meant) that Relf as a junior/senior was further along than Dak was as a freshman. He may still be since Dak has been out all spring- we'll see in the fall. I think Dak will catch up to Relf the junior/senior version by the end of the year at worst though.

But let's not forget- the play calling Relf's senior year wasn't exactly stellar either. Which is why I am not happy that Les is still around. Yes, our o-line sucked that year, but the play calling was very bland and predictable.