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...I believe that there's a very good chance we make the playoffs. If everything solidifies like I think it will, then we have a chance for a NC run with some help from Lady Luck.

CJ Carr is a very smart guy, both in and out of football. He understands complex patterns, and can make quick decisions on the fly. He also knows to throw the ball away instead of taking a hard hit. That was my one gripe about Steve Angeli, that he simply held onto the ball for too long at times.

He'll have plenty of weapons at his disposal, especially when it comes to the RB corps, and a very deep and talented offensive line, even with the Jagusah and Lambert injuries (both should be back in mid to late September). He will be well protected in the pocket. It won't be anything like what Jimmy Clausen had to endure, thanks to Lionel Tyrone Willingham's inept recruiting at the offensive line position.

All three of our top running backs are very good in the passing game as well, both blocking and receiving.

The receiver corps will be better than last year because:

1) We brought in a bona fide WR1 in the way of Malachi Fields, and Will Pauling is also a high talent (bad luck with injuries last year). Pauling was definitely looking like he was ready to break out as a WR1 after that 2023 season. One of these guys (or maybe both) will definitely eclipse what Beaux Collins did last year.

2) We have two proven guys ready to fly in the way of Greathouse and Faison. Greathouse especially stepped up his game in the later part of the year, looking like he could break out as well.

3) There's a trio of talented sophomores (Williams, Gilbert, Saldate) who are all high level talents, and now that they've had a year of experience, should be ready to play. The freshmen, as talented as they are, shouldn't have to be pressed into service right away.

4) I feel a lot better about having Mike Brown as the WR coach than I did with Stuckey or Alexander.

The only aspect I'm not sure about is the TE position, simply because our two top guys returning have had bad luck with injuries (Raridon, Bauman). Cooper Flanagan, who was really starting to emerge, is out for at least the first half of the season, and I'm guessing that he'll probably take a medical redshirt. James Flanigan may very well be the guy who seizes the spot as a true freshman.