A lot of focus is being placed by BYU fans and opponent fans alike on the lack of experience behind center at QBU. They also point out that BYU's offense is rebuilding (or reloading if you wear blue-goggles) and can not possibly expect to replace the output of last year's seniors.
What everyone, and I include myself in this statement, forgets is that every team loses seniors and has turnover. That is the nature of college football. Today we'll revue all of the MWC to see who else is in the same boat:
BYU: How could I not start with the team I know best? Max Hall (So) has been tabbed the starting QB after beating out the #1 and #2 JC QB's in the nation. He has a year of tutoring under the Becks, Doman and Anae. I'm not predicting a repeat John Beck's stellar TD/INT ratio, but he will be effective and lead his team to a winning season.
My 3 Cents Grade: B - Has all the right tangibles and training for a great start, but too much unknown to give any higher.
Air Force: Shaun Carney (Sr) has a tough year ahead of him. I already thought Air Force was going to struggle due to a head coach and offensive scheme change, but the guy brought on as Offensive Coordinator just jumped ship for Arkansas yesterday, leaving the team high and dry with 6 weeks to go. This offense will likely be lethargic at best, not having a proper scheme or personel for the change. Carney is often described as an accurate passer, completing 83 of his 137 attemps (60%) last year for 1,192 yds and scoring 12 TDs to his 3 INTs. However, I think this success was based more on the option offense they ran. They averaged a little over 10 passes a game in a run offense. When he did throw the ball, the defense was likely playing tight and not expecting it. Will he have nearly as much success? I see his TD to INT ratio taking a major hit this season.
My 3 Cents Grade: D- - Carney was brought in to Air Force to run the option, not a modified spread. The obstacles for the entire offense are too big for this season and he will likely struggle.
Colorado State: Caleb Hanie (Sr) had his hands full last year, leading the attack backed up by the 113th best running game in the country. Few quarterbacks are capable of carrying a team with no help and Hanie threw more INTs (12) than touchdowns (11.) He was accurate when he wasn't throwing at the defense, completing 209 of 342 passes (61%) (For comparison, Beck completed 69% of his throws.) Hanie only stands to improve with the return of Kyle Bell.
My 3 Cents Grade: C - While his accuracy isn't awful by any stretch, his decision making needs to be a step better to avoid throwing INTs.
New Mexico: Donovan Porterie (So) earned the Lobo's fans admiration by stringing 3 back-to-back comeback wins. Porterie can be labeled a game. While his stats (58% completion and 967 yards in 8 games) aren't too impressive, he has a decent TD/INT ratio (6/2.) Porterie really blew up against Utah, throwing for 350 yards and 3 touchdowns, but only threw for more than 150 yards two other times. If he wants to be a contender in the league, he needs to be more consistent.
My 3 Cent Grade: C+ - Needs to improve his consistency while maintaining his TD to INT ratio. He proved he can be a gamer, but needs to do it every game, not 3 in 8.
San Diego State: Kevin Craft, whose welcome party to D-1 football was in LES, transferred away to play for his dad. He was only playing due to injury to the starting QB and this years leader, Kevin O'Connell (Sr.) When O'Connell wasn't injured, he "performed" in 6 games to the tune of 635 yards (58%) and threw 5 INTs and 3 TDs, adding two more on the ground. This is another case of great tangibles (6'6, 225, good mobility) but no production to show for it.
My 3 Cents Grade: C- -This is being generous. If he stays healthy for a full year, he may deserve better, but his production flat out stinks.
TCU: I think many are underestimating what the loss of QB Jeff Ballard will mean for TCU. Ballard won games. It was that simple. Marcus Jackson (So) finished up the game against Baylor last season, but lacked good decision making skills in spring ball. The running game will have to carry this team if they are thinking of BCS busting or even MWC championships.
My 3 Cents Grade: B- Also a unknown. What little he showed was good (2 TDs against Baylor) but may not be ready to take over the team based on Spring ball.
UNLV: A lot was expected out of USC transfer Rocky Hinds (4 star recruit in 2004) but he never produced due largely to an ACL injury. He too has the tangibles (6'5, 220, good mobility) without results: 13 INTS to 8 TDs, 58% of passes completed for 2,148 yards and -49 rushing.
My 3 Cents Grade: C - All the tools, good receivers, but no production. He sat out spring, so he lost the chance to build the chemistry. If he can play up to 50% of the hype, he may turn out to be better than a C, but I doubt it.
Utah: As you have undoubtedly heard, media darling Brian Johnson (Jr) is back. Johnson is being made out to be the next big thing out of the MWC but I will hold judgment on that. Of the returning QB's, he has had the most success. In 2005 he threw for 2892 yards, completing 64% of his throws for 18 touchdowns and 7 interceptions. He too needs to work on decision making skills. He has a good cast of receivers returning which well help.
My 3 Cents Grade: A- - Johnson hasn't taken a snap in a game or gotten hit in over a year. His knee should be 100% and has a good supporting cast. If he can get his TD/INT ration better, he might be the best QB in the MWC this year if Jackson (TCU) or Hall (BYU) don't explode onto the scene.
Wyoming: Karsten Sween (So) got thrown to the wolves last year 4 games into the season. He did a great job but trailed off as the season progressed. Sween threw for 1,304 yards (60%) and 9 touchdowns. Again, another player with tangibles without matching results (6'4, 204), throwing 8 INTs, nearly a 1-to-1 TD to INT ratio.
My 3 Cents Grade: C - Like other QB's that got a C, he has the physical traits but not the results you would expect. If Wyoming is going to go bowling, he needs to learn to throw the ball to the guys dressed in brown.
My 3 Cents: In writing this, I realized only BYU, Utah, Wyoming, New Mexico and TCU have QB's coming back for 2008. The question might arise why two quarterbacks that are untested got better grades than some who have played full seasons. The answer is simple: Supporting cast and expectations. TCU and BYU have great offensive lines, good receivers and a running game to take the pressure. They are unproven, but not bad. Those with a C or lower have earned their grades.
[Edit: Added New Mexico, sorry about the omission!]
What everyone, and I include myself in this statement, forgets is that every team loses seniors and has turnover. That is the nature of college football. Today we'll revue all of the MWC to see who else is in the same boat:
BYU: How could I not start with the team I know best? Max Hall (So) has been tabbed the starting QB after beating out the #1 and #2 JC QB's in the nation. He has a year of tutoring under the Becks, Doman and Anae. I'm not predicting a repeat John Beck's stellar TD/INT ratio, but he will be effective and lead his team to a winning season.
My 3 Cents Grade: B - Has all the right tangibles and training for a great start, but too much unknown to give any higher.
Air Force: Shaun Carney (Sr) has a tough year ahead of him. I already thought Air Force was going to struggle due to a head coach and offensive scheme change, but the guy brought on as Offensive Coordinator just jumped ship for Arkansas yesterday, leaving the team high and dry with 6 weeks to go. This offense will likely be lethargic at best, not having a proper scheme or personel for the change. Carney is often described as an accurate passer, completing 83 of his 137 attemps (60%) last year for 1,192 yds and scoring 12 TDs to his 3 INTs. However, I think this success was based more on the option offense they ran. They averaged a little over 10 passes a game in a run offense. When he did throw the ball, the defense was likely playing tight and not expecting it. Will he have nearly as much success? I see his TD to INT ratio taking a major hit this season.
My 3 Cents Grade: D- - Carney was brought in to Air Force to run the option, not a modified spread. The obstacles for the entire offense are too big for this season and he will likely struggle.
Colorado State: Caleb Hanie (Sr) had his hands full last year, leading the attack backed up by the 113th best running game in the country. Few quarterbacks are capable of carrying a team with no help and Hanie threw more INTs (12) than touchdowns (11.) He was accurate when he wasn't throwing at the defense, completing 209 of 342 passes (61%) (For comparison, Beck completed 69% of his throws.) Hanie only stands to improve with the return of Kyle Bell.
My 3 Cents Grade: C - While his accuracy isn't awful by any stretch, his decision making needs to be a step better to avoid throwing INTs.
New Mexico: Donovan Porterie (So) earned the Lobo's fans admiration by stringing 3 back-to-back comeback wins. Porterie can be labeled a game. While his stats (58% completion and 967 yards in 8 games) aren't too impressive, he has a decent TD/INT ratio (6/2.) Porterie really blew up against Utah, throwing for 350 yards and 3 touchdowns, but only threw for more than 150 yards two other times. If he wants to be a contender in the league, he needs to be more consistent.
My 3 Cent Grade: C+ - Needs to improve his consistency while maintaining his TD to INT ratio. He proved he can be a gamer, but needs to do it every game, not 3 in 8.
San Diego State: Kevin Craft, whose welcome party to D-1 football was in LES, transferred away to play for his dad. He was only playing due to injury to the starting QB and this years leader, Kevin O'Connell (Sr.) When O'Connell wasn't injured, he "performed" in 6 games to the tune of 635 yards (58%) and threw 5 INTs and 3 TDs, adding two more on the ground. This is another case of great tangibles (6'6, 225, good mobility) but no production to show for it.
My 3 Cents Grade: C- -This is being generous. If he stays healthy for a full year, he may deserve better, but his production flat out stinks.
TCU: I think many are underestimating what the loss of QB Jeff Ballard will mean for TCU. Ballard won games. It was that simple. Marcus Jackson (So) finished up the game against Baylor last season, but lacked good decision making skills in spring ball. The running game will have to carry this team if they are thinking of BCS busting or even MWC championships.
My 3 Cents Grade: B- Also a unknown. What little he showed was good (2 TDs against Baylor) but may not be ready to take over the team based on Spring ball.
UNLV: A lot was expected out of USC transfer Rocky Hinds (4 star recruit in 2004) but he never produced due largely to an ACL injury. He too has the tangibles (6'5, 220, good mobility) without results: 13 INTS to 8 TDs, 58% of passes completed for 2,148 yards and -49 rushing.
My 3 Cents Grade: C - All the tools, good receivers, but no production. He sat out spring, so he lost the chance to build the chemistry. If he can play up to 50% of the hype, he may turn out to be better than a C, but I doubt it.
Utah: As you have undoubtedly heard, media darling Brian Johnson (Jr) is back. Johnson is being made out to be the next big thing out of the MWC but I will hold judgment on that. Of the returning QB's, he has had the most success. In 2005 he threw for 2892 yards, completing 64% of his throws for 18 touchdowns and 7 interceptions. He too needs to work on decision making skills. He has a good cast of receivers returning which well help.
My 3 Cents Grade: A- - Johnson hasn't taken a snap in a game or gotten hit in over a year. His knee should be 100% and has a good supporting cast. If he can get his TD/INT ration better, he might be the best QB in the MWC this year if Jackson (TCU) or Hall (BYU) don't explode onto the scene.
Wyoming: Karsten Sween (So) got thrown to the wolves last year 4 games into the season. He did a great job but trailed off as the season progressed. Sween threw for 1,304 yards (60%) and 9 touchdowns. Again, another player with tangibles without matching results (6'4, 204), throwing 8 INTs, nearly a 1-to-1 TD to INT ratio.
My 3 Cents Grade: C - Like other QB's that got a C, he has the physical traits but not the results you would expect. If Wyoming is going to go bowling, he needs to learn to throw the ball to the guys dressed in brown.
My 3 Cents: In writing this, I realized only BYU, Utah, Wyoming, New Mexico and TCU have QB's coming back for 2008. The question might arise why two quarterbacks that are untested got better grades than some who have played full seasons. The answer is simple: Supporting cast and expectations. TCU and BYU have great offensive lines, good receivers and a running game to take the pressure. They are unproven, but not bad. Those with a C or lower have earned their grades.
[Edit: Added New Mexico, sorry about the omission!]
6 comments:
What about New Mexico? Portier, had some great moments and some bad onse. Is he the projected starter this year?
So going 5-2 gets a redshirt freshman QB a C. But an unproven BYU or TCU QB get a B?
Afterall, we are talking QB's here and not lines right?
Anonymous #1: Not sure how I skipped New Mexico. I'll make sure to add that soon.
Anonymous #2: We are talking QB's, not wins/losses is probably the right way to phrase it. Putting the whole load on the QB, for better or for worse, isn't fair. I wasn't taking into account if they were winning or not (in which case SDSU and UNLV would have gotten F's) or what year in school they were, but how the quarterback performed.
Throwing nearly equal amount of TDs/INTs in my book equals out to be average.
Thanks for leaving your thoughts! I only reply to questions left on this boards, not on others.
I think you are underating Caleb Hanie and Portier. Especially Hanie because the Rams get Kyle Bell back who could be the best RB in the conference to balance out the offense. Also this is for QB play and for Vegas Rocky Hinds is a QB with Ryan Wolfe who was all conference as a Frosh and they have a good 2nd reciever so a C for them is a bit low. This conference has better then average QB's overall.
Portier was just too inconsistent to be a "good" or better QB. To have such a great WR tandem and to do so poorly reflects badly on the QB. I didn't mention Hinds but he may be the better of the two.
Hanie couldn't put the ball in the end zone. It is a bad stat to have more INT's than TD's period. It doesn't matter how accurate you are if you are more likely to turn the ball over than throw a touchdown.
While I agree that Porterie has been average up to this point, I also think he has the chance to really break out this year. He had some growing pains last year, but the ability is definitely there. While I don't think New Mexico is going to win a whole bunch of games, Porterie won't be the reason.
I'd give him a B- rather than a C, just because I think his potential this year is a little more important than his body of work so far.
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