2014 Outlook - Two Losses Means it's Not Too Early

8/30 - Wisconsin
9/6 - Sam Houston St
9/13 - ULM
9/20 - Miss St
9/27 - New Mexico St
10/4 - @ Auburn
10/11 - @ Florida
10/18- Kentucky
10/25 - Ole Miss
11/1 - BYE
11/8 - Alabama
11/15 - @ Arkansas
11/23 - BYE
11/30 - @ A&M

The schedule is brutal with away games at Florida, Auburn, and A&M, but we get Alabama at home and they draw Florida next year, which makes for a more competitive Western Div.


Key Defensive Seniors: Lamin Barrow, Craig Loston
Key Offensive Seniors: Zach Mettenberger


QB - Jennings is a complete unknown as he has played sparingly in almost exclusively obvious running situations. He could be the next Jameis Winston, he could be the next Jeff Driskel.

RB - Early deflections could spoil this position. On paper, we have an outstanding returning trio in Hill, Hilliard, and Magee, with the *likely* addition of Fournette. However, RB is the only position left where leaving early is clearly of benefit and Hill and Hillard may take the opportunity because of off-field issues and financial issues, respectively.

FB - Losing the battering ram in Copeland as well as a servicable complement in Neighbors. Position is a complete unknown.

OL - Unless there is some surprise, a la Chris Faulk, we will return all 5 starters in Alexander, Collins, Porter, Hawkins, and Turner. This unit may be the best in the SEC next year.

WR - We have Beckham and Landry and nothing else. Should they decide to stay, we'll have two All-Americans lining up. Should they declare, we'll have a whole lot of potential with the guys on the roster and *likely* newcomers Dupre, Noil, and Quinn, but nothing in terms of experience.

TE - Dickson and Smith return, though each have had minimal impact to date. Anxious to see how Cam will use Jacory Washington in packages.


Obviously everything changes if Beckham, Landry, and Hill decide to turn pro early, as they ARE our offense. But should that trio decide to stay, I think the youth on defense should play into our hands next year.

DL - Rasco, Hunter, Freak, and Ego should all return next year giving the team a lot of stability on the line. Depth should be better too with last year's recruits adding some weight and some hopeful names coming soon (Gerald Willis)

LB - Kwon Alexander and Lamar Louis should see plenty of time but it's a fairly weak position. Welter has been highly scrutinized this year, sometimes rightfully so, and we really need a leader to step up in the middle of the field. My bet's on Kwon.

DB - White, Thompson, Robinson, Jefferson, and the Jalens make for an extremely deep and talented secondary. Very possible we see some position changes and one of the CBs gets a spot next to Micah Eugene at safety.



I think heading into next year our Defense can return to its typical form... all a matter of if the offense will be more of the same with Jennings under center, or a complete mess with new names at every position.


Too early to say 11-1?