I don't think we thought our offense was going to be that good the beginning of the year. If we didn't have the down game (only 7 points and 234 total offensive yards) against Penn State due to Nate and Jordan being out, we would've ranked in the 10-15 range. I thought we could be a top 20 team but that was assuming Camion Patrick was going to be cleared. Don't think I would've been so bold after he became ineligible. But Howard was definitely better than advertised, and he came in pretty highly advertised. It gets me excited hearing Kevin Wilson say something like Patrick being the best on the team after we just put two kids on first team All Big Ten.
But what are the predictions for next year's offense? In almost every situation, even at prestigious programs, it's a pretty big dropoff when you lose a QB of Nate's calibur. Let alone our program. We've seen what our offense is like with somebody like Diamont or Cameron. My opinion is that it wouldn't be explosive. So I wouldn't expect our offense to be as good next year but two reasons why I could be wrong. One, Lagow looks good on film. His arm strength and accuracy stood out. I watched his high school film and he can make any throw. He threw past the far hash at his 35 to the sideline at the opponents' 15. Crazy arm strength. His decision making stood out for the wrong reasons though, and it shows up in his stats. He had quite a few balls where he just threw it up. I'm guessing that can change with good coaching though. Seems like the talent is there. Second, J-Shun back with Cobbs maturing and adding a Patrick to the mix with a Howard threat from the backfield. Step back and think about that and try not to get excited. Does a QB really need to do that much? I'm expecting our offense to cause a ton of problems. Add a TE threat and we'll cause so many headaches to a defense I'd expect our pass catchers to be open quite a bit. I don't think our QB will be having to throw into a lot of tight windows.
Plus, thinking about the Big Ten in general, Big Ten East pretty much loses all its quarterbacks. Us, MSU, PSU, and OSU lose NFL QBs, though Barrett will be back. Michigan loses their QB. Maryland's QB situation is a mess and Purdue is what it is, so it'll be exciting and I would expect the Big Ten East to be pretty wide open next year. Would think it'll come down to which teams find a QB that can keep the continuity going within their offenses. If we can be that team, then would think next year would be a year to take advantage of a down Big Ten East. Too bad we couldn't have redshirted Nate.
But what are the predictions for next year's offense? In almost every situation, even at prestigious programs, it's a pretty big dropoff when you lose a QB of Nate's calibur. Let alone our program. We've seen what our offense is like with somebody like Diamont or Cameron. My opinion is that it wouldn't be explosive. So I wouldn't expect our offense to be as good next year but two reasons why I could be wrong. One, Lagow looks good on film. His arm strength and accuracy stood out. I watched his high school film and he can make any throw. He threw past the far hash at his 35 to the sideline at the opponents' 15. Crazy arm strength. His decision making stood out for the wrong reasons though, and it shows up in his stats. He had quite a few balls where he just threw it up. I'm guessing that can change with good coaching though. Seems like the talent is there. Second, J-Shun back with Cobbs maturing and adding a Patrick to the mix with a Howard threat from the backfield. Step back and think about that and try not to get excited. Does a QB really need to do that much? I'm expecting our offense to cause a ton of problems. Add a TE threat and we'll cause so many headaches to a defense I'd expect our pass catchers to be open quite a bit. I don't think our QB will be having to throw into a lot of tight windows.
Plus, thinking about the Big Ten in general, Big Ten East pretty much loses all its quarterbacks. Us, MSU, PSU, and OSU lose NFL QBs, though Barrett will be back. Michigan loses their QB. Maryland's QB situation is a mess and Purdue is what it is, so it'll be exciting and I would expect the Big Ten East to be pretty wide open next year. Would think it'll come down to which teams find a QB that can keep the continuity going within their offenses. If we can be that team, then would think next year would be a year to take advantage of a down Big Ten East. Too bad we couldn't have redshirted Nate.
