We get to ease into the season for once --

by omahadomer, Tuesday, July 28, 2026, 20:25 (4 hours, 53 minutes ago) @ Larz

Yes, I know we've had early season disasters, though they came after huge games.

We don't have to open with a rookie QB, on the road, against what turned out to be the national runner-up. So we'll presumably have more of a chance to assess personnel.

Carr was the right choice at QB, but I honestly think we might have beaten Miami with Minchey. They had the training wheels on Carr and Minchey could've made more off-schedule plays. So it goes.

QB: Yes, we need a true back-up and a true third-string guy. Somebody has to take reps with the 2nd team and somebody has to run the scout team. Fair enough.

OL: It's not like we have five returning starters, but in the portal era nobody of significance has 5 returning starters. I think we're deep enough and have enough position flexibility that the line will probably be a bit better than last year. Maybe a lot better. Get a rash of injuries, then maybe not as good.

RB: It's a fair point when you lose two first round picks. But I'm a big fan of Williams and watching that PSU game again I get to be a bigger fan. At least one of those guys behind him might be the next Love. But that's a legitimate concern.

TE: We haven't really had a TE who was a huge weapon since Mayer. Raridon was a good player. If we get major production out of that position it will be an upgrade.

WR: This is widely considered the weakest group on the offense but it was last year too. Fields and Pauling were nice players and Fields gave us a big bodied guy of the kind I like who can keep the chains moving. I think we'll get an upgrade here mostly because we're starting from a relatively low level and Carr can throw guys open like nobody probably since Clausen (and Carr has a much stronger arm).

I suspect we'll probably score at least as much as last year, in part due to the schedule. I think we'll see what we've really got when we play BYU and Miami.

--
"Somewhere in Middle America"