The real opportunity and silver lining. With such a weak schedule we should be able to get a lot of
playing time for young guys. This will help build a strong, deep team for 2025. Playoffs are possible considering the schedule but a one-dimensional offense or relying on the D to win 4 or 5 playoff games won't get it done. The game is much different now. It's not Saban 20011-style offense.
The injuries stink and I hope the guys get better. On the OL it will force more PT to an already inexperienced group, but that should help long term. On the DL, the young backups look much more aggressive and talented than the starting group. Injuries along with a weak schedule could play in our favor here. We might see a lot more pressure and sacks than what we've been accustomed to the last few years. The younger D guys seem much more instinctive, athletic, and seem to smell blood.
At RB we should have Price and Love on the field in most packages - thunder and lightning. They are two of the most dynamic offensive players we have.
The glaring issue is QB, we won't be able to run into 8 and 10-man boxes against good D's. Teams that have good coaching/scheme (see NIU) or teams that have a capable offense (unlike Tx A&M game) will find a team without a passing identity easy to stymie. Downfield passing has to be part of the plan, unless we get lucky and every D is as bad as Purdue. It's possible, but I wouldn't bet on it. Each game getting Angeli PT will count, especially towards 2025. If we go up big, getting other QBs PT will help create a real battle for next year's starter. This is needed since our staff tends to just hand the job out without a real competition. Angeli and Carr (4 games or less) getting time would help us really see their skills. Minchey would most likely be auditioning for NIL, but who knows.
If Denbrock can put together a good plan each week for the next 9 it could really help us build momentum for 2025.