A 6-6 season seems salvageable for this Georgia Southern squad but the Clay Helton allure started to wear off in the 2nd half of the season. After their rivalry game agaisnt Georgia State, the wheels came off the bus. They went 0-4 and didn't have more than a 23% post-game win expectancy in any of their final 3rd of season contest. Both the offense and defense really struggled and the losing streak included losses to Marshall and Old Dominion as a favorite.
Offense
Brin was the guy last year at QB but he graduates after posting 3700 yards and 24 touchdowns. He was a little bit careless with the ball with 19 INT but he was able to help this team put up points. It will likely be JC French or Dexter Williams in command this season. French barely had a cup of tea last year, but is a mid 3* guy who should be able to add some with his legs as well. Williams is also a mid 3* prospect who transfers in from Indiana. Both may have questionable passing. If they can find that, it would change the complexion of this offense.
They lose top WR Hood but they return Burgess Jr and Cobb. Cobb could have elite potential. He had 601 yards a season ago with 2.3 yards/rr. Burgess had 2 TDs. They'll need to rely on depth to step in and fill the gaps here with some graduations to Hood and the depth but this offensive scheme is pretty condusive to WRs stepping in.
They lose 3 starters on the OL with 2 graduating and 1 leaving via the portal. They have Broadway who got 300 snaps last year at RT who will likely be a plug and play option there but they'll need to find 2 new starters.They haven't recruited this position well but they should have alot of depth ready to contirbute. Still, losing 3 starters isn't ideal and position probably takes a step back.
The top 3 RBs of White, Arnold and Mbadinga all return here. The first 2 were the 2 leaders of the room and they both averaged around 5.5 yards per carry but White did it over double the amount of carries that anyone else had. The run game should be in good hands if they OL comes around.
This may be a much more run focused offense. French has that as a part of his game, they lose their top WR, have a new QB and have experience at the RB spot. I would expect them to lean on that, but the success will be determined by how good the OL can be. Slower paced offense if I had to guess.
Defense
Both of the Rhodes are back on the DL and they were a pretty disruptive group, but more important they return Walker and Fall as well here. Those 2 combined for 13.5 TFL and 10 sacks and Davis is back as well adding ot the depth. They return nearly everyone who took snaps on this DL, making this one of the deepest positions on the roster. They should improve quite a bit here.
They have back team leading tackler at LB in all-conference Watson-Trent who also was disruptive with 12.5 TFL, 3.5 sacks, 2 INT but lose Jackson and Lee. They are replaceable, but it's going to be a combination of some players that have little playing experience. Turnover here, but not the end of the world.
The top 3 DBs by tackles are back but they lose corner Bartholomew - he had 13 passes defended. They also lose Hickman. They'll look to Meyers and Williams to step in but there is turnover here at 2 of the key corner spots. They knew that depth could be challenged here so they went to new FBS Kennesaw St and brought in Chance Gamble and Deontre Morris who have started for a season in the secondary. They may not be top end talent but they do have experience that could translate.
The D should take a step forward as long as they can get average CB play. They return their entire defensive front and their best LB and quite a few safeties so a lot will hinge on their coverage on the outside. Think they are a better unit.
Summary
The offense will probably be different just with Brin graduating but it still will likely be decent - dependent on the OL. The defense should take a step forward but the downside scenario here falls onto the CBs. This is likely a better team and one to back, and maybe an under team.
Opmerkingen