Thought this article might fit here somehow. Buck Belue's thoughts. . . .
Not Sure 'Dogs are Top 10 in 2012
Hearing a lot of talk about the 'Dogs being a Top 10 rated team heading into the 2012 season. Let me just say that I'm not on board yet. A Top 25? Sure. Top 10? Nope.
We've got some work to do up front, on both sides of the ball. Until then, we are hanging around the same spot...somewhere between 15 & 25.
On the O-Line, we lose 3 senior starters. So, we are looking for a center and 2 OTs. Question: What are the 3 most important spots on the OL? Answer: Center and both tackles. Question: Do we have experienced upperclassmen ready to step in, in those 3 spots? Answer: Maybe in 2 of the 3.
Chris Burnette looks like the best option at center. Best I can tell, he played guard out of necessity this season. But he would take over the center spot as a junior, with starting experience. The other option is to go with an unproven, redshirt freshman in David Andrews.
At tackle, junior Kenarious Gates is expected to grab one spot. He did come on strong late this season at guard, but it remains to be seen if he can deliver at tackle. The other spot is wide open. It looks like one of the young pups will have to play. That's not a situation Top 10 teams typically deal with.
On the D-Line, who are the impact players? Jenkins is legit, but he's taking on double teams. I don't see "difference-makers" at DE. Top 10 teams have impact players at those spots. I over-valued Geathers. Garrison Smith could emerge. Abry Jones wasn't that impressive. There are question marks.
We are loaded at WR and LB. Set at QB. Solid in the secondary. It's on the LOS where we have issues. And the best I can tell, you can't beat Top 10 teams, when you're not winning up front. But what's new? This has been the same story for years now.
No mention of his good friend Bobo. Also, does the offensive side of the ball not fall somewhere on the OC's shoulders . . . Just asking. Realize we have the same OC for next season.
