[JohnR34231]

[quote author=CTcard link=topic=18454.msg220321#msg220321 date=1515164190]
[quote author=qwerty49 link=topic=18454.msg220310#msg220310 date=1515135058]
The defense in particular looked primed to approach the glory years again. There were stars in the making in the backfield (remember all the articles that this would be our best ever secondary?), a large solid corps of LBers, and worries on the DL but one star and some younger guys who should be coming along.

[/quote]

You measure great players by their impact on the field -- and the void they leave when they're gone (in Solomon Thomas' case, with two years eligibility left).

Is it fair to ask how many potential 2017 wins -- Alamo Bowl included -- went with him?
[/quote]

Well, it is conceivable that with him in there we could have stopped the fourth quarter drives by SDSU, Wazzu, and U$C in the CCG, winning the conference and ending the regular season with a 12-1 record. Would that have put us in the playoffs? Doubtful, but you never know.

[JohnR34231]

[quote author=CTcard link=topic=18454.msg220321#msg220321 date=1515164190]
[quote author=qwerty49 link=topic=18454.msg220310#msg220310 date=1515135058]
The defense in particular looked primed to approach the glory years again. There were stars in the making in the backfield (remember all the articles that this would be our best ever secondary?), a large solid corps of LBers, and worries on the DL but one star and some younger guys who should be coming along.

[/quote]

You measure great players by their impact on the field -- and the void they leave when they're gone (in Solomon Thomas' case, with two years eligibility left).

Is it fair to ask how many potential 2017 wins -- Alamo Bowl included -- went with him?
[/quote]

Well, it is conceivable that with him in there we could have stopped the fourth quarter drives by SDSU, Wazzu, and U$C in the CCG, winning the conference and ending the regular season with a 12-1 record. Would that have put us in the playoffs? Doubtful, but you never know.