Okiefan

So based on the comment that many young guys played and Earle made some big plays late, it sounds like some have tossed in the towel on the defense. From my understanding the true 1's and2's didn't allow a first down until the 3's took the field and gave up a few big plays with freshmen playing. They were also playing around with a 4 man front with blitzes. Finally, the defensive starters only got about 15-20 plays before it turned into a mixed bag of players with the young guys getting the majority of the snaps late. Earle made some big plays which sounds exciting. Lets wait and see a real game before we start throwing in the towel.

He has been in the past. This new scheme has changed a lot of things. I think there will be multiple LB‘S play but each LB position is very different in terms of responsibilities and checks. They are not interchangeable. For example SLB will play in space most of the time vs a traditional SLB would be a box guy. Not in this scheme. Let’s all be patient and see how the new scheme plays out.

Gray, In all due respect I believe you are a little off base for multiple reasons. For example you don’t even mention Smith who has been taking #1 reps at SLB.

IMO, from what I have been told, some summer weights have been impacted by the increased workout intensity and the nutrition hasn't been as strong as it was in the spring for some reason. The heights are exact barefeet with no rounding.

I think that Leota has to learn the techniques and assignments needed at the LB position as he has been a pure edge rusher but has the athletic ability to contribute for sure. I expect him to be a package guy on pure passing downs off the edge. I haven't heard much of anything about Van Zandt as he didn't even get reps at the spring game. Maybe that knee injury was more significant then reported.

From what I have been told about the 3/3/5 Iowa State scheme, the MLB is dedicated to stopping the run (tackle to tackle) and fitting the opposite A/B gap from the NG responsibility. SLB will be at the hash on trip formations and dedicated to playing in space in most situations. WLB will be 1/2 box and 1/2 weak side hash to flat coverage depending on coverage calls.

I see Wood at WLB, Kropp at MLB, and Brown at SLB. From what I have read across multiple publications, others seem to agree on the three even though some had them in different spots. In addition, I think Wesloski will be the back-up WLB and get reps. They will need some rotation with the front 6. I also think thee will be some packages run in certain situations that will allow for a a rush end or even a dime coverage with an extra DB. I like the odd stack for its versatility. Especially playing an option team like Navy, they need to be able to adjust. My biggest question is do we have a NG that can take on two in the middle.

It is interesting when some of these writers appear to have not even visited with staff and make so many mistakes. The defense depth chart listed doesn’t even line up correctly with the scheme. For example Wood is not a MLB, he is a Will. We don’t have an edge defender position now. Phil Steele had it correct.

I was told it was 4-5 players tops, and the amount was < than 10K. Just look at the captains from last year and it might give your an indicator. I expect this staff to operate differently and try to do more if resources are made available.

When a player can transfer to a school and receive a 100K paycheck in addition to free school and monthly stipend, it is better than 99% of the athletes would receive in their first job out of school. In my opinion, playing time may not the first priority for many of these transfer players with only one season left, especially G5 starters moving up. For the COVID extra year players at P5 schools with a strong NIL program, some are not on the 85 scholarship roles anyway. I personally know players following this path. NIL allows them to expand the roster so to speak through payments directly to the player to pay for expenses. Without a strong NIL program, schools are limited and at a tremendous disadvantage.

I think we will be fine defensively. There were a lot of guys rotating and Mazin wasn't available all spring. The front 6 will be active. In my opinion finding a 2-gap nose guard in the portal would make the most impact. Without that skill set, you need to blitz or compress space more to be gap sound.

Coming out of the first scrimmage it looked like Ruder was the QB1, RB room is strong, and the defense was stout and physical against the run. Who are the defensive standouts? Is there a clear QB1? What is our offensive identify?

Just a few thoughts regarding the first scrimmage. 1. Defense won the day overwhelmingly. There were a number of different faces active today as they work through the new scheme. Good depth and rotations in the front 6 with a number of options as it looked like they were mixing and matching to some degree. LB group very active. Run defense was solid and there were multiple pass break-ups and knockdowns demonstrating good pressure and field presence. Offense looked more like our 2022 playbook as I was expecting more Texas Tech style dink and dunk approach with quick WR screens, etc. Overall offense looked like they could use more tempo. 2. QB- Ruder appeared to be the guy with the most confidence and leadership when he was in. The offense tempo was quicker during his sets. Rogers didn't look confident and lacked some strength on the deep balls today. Looks like he prefers to run. We have to stretch the field/ The QB spot is wide open as no one has stepped up. 3. RB group is deep and will continue to be a strong position group. 4. Kicker was a little rough. Mooney will be missed. Hopefully the Baylor kicker will improve the group. Punter was solid and the punt coverage team included some defensive starters which is a strategy change. Overall energy was good and you can tell there is a different vibe.

Solid kicker who also holds an OSU offer. Was the kickoff specialist for Baylor.

In my opinion, If you look at the Iowa State scheme they have a true Mike linebacker that stays in the box for a true run fit responsibility. It looks like the Sam and Will backers are more flexible to blitz, cover, and fit. I think we have the backers to play the scheme. I see Nixon, Brown, and Wood as flex guys that can play Will/Sam as that is mainly what they have already done. Kropp and Wesloski would be good fits for Mike. Iowa State played a guy at 250 at Mike this year. Its good to have a number of experienced guys at LB that have been cover guys in the old scheme. Bennett played his hybrid "Devil" more like a DE at UNT then he did at Baylor or Arizona State. This Iowa State scheme allows more rush lanes and concepts to get to the QB. Excited to see it in action.

We need to do something to create a better entrance structure instead of the wide open gate in front of the Eagle. Our guys just standing there out on the open takes the buzz out of an intro. It would be cool if we could replicate the conference championship entrance. The conference actually threw us a bone on that one.

In stock at the Denton location.

From a SI article- Not sure if he will follow this exactly as it was Big 12 and he was a position coach- Iowa State runs a multiple 3-3-5 defense. It will have three to four linebackers on the field at all times, and the Cyclones mix up their pre-snap looks and post-snap movements throughout the game. Defensive coordinator Jon Heacock is not an overly aggressive coordinator. He’ll attack, but his defense is sound, well-schooled and physical. He lacks talent, but the scheme puts the players in position to be quite successful. When Iowa State gets in trouble it is primarily due to a lack of talent, either by an Iowa State defender losing a one-on-one matchup or Heacock having to bring extra pressure to compensate for matchup deficiencies.

Let me first say I don't chime in often but have with this topic. We did win more this year, at least 7 games. My care and concern is focused 100% on the players. Most of the other comments on this topic and forum are targeted at replacing Seth at all costs. Everyone says win more and fans will show up. We made it to the championship game and very few in green showed up. Regardless of the rules involving how we got there, we did and it didn't matter to the fans. So I repeat that everyone is focused on Seth regardless of record, bowl destination, or season ticket requests! I just want the best for the players that suit up trying to win.

This repeat destination is a big disappointment. I feel for the players that bust their tails trying to advance the program. We accomplished more this year and unfortunately face the same consolation prize as last year. Boise travels well and there will be lots of blue in the stands.

Tulsa is low on funds / facilities and will probably go after a young coach hoping to find some success. Montgomery only made 1.6M.

It looked like Ruder was warming up several times when we were moving the ball in the 2nd half. Maybe it was his turn at Red Zone QB. However the scenario didn't happen.

It was the play at the goal line when he tried to cross and met a guy head on and he lowered his shoulder. He showed some moxy and ability to work the red zone where we have struggled. At least we used a different look.

The defense played better partly because of rotation up front and we defended on 3rd down better than we have all season. Fresh players on defense provided a boost even without 5 active. We still need to do better on the run. We left 3 and 19 on an island too many times when KD was sent off the edge.

We are in original and hard headed. Using 5-6 scholarships on QB’s is mind boggling to me. We have had more at one time. We don’t rotate on defense at all. What is we ram the same RB all game? It would not go well. That is exactly what we are doing on defense. Get fresh guys on the field even for just a few plays when drives get long. Too much more to list.