[81alum]

I am highly encouraged by the UC Davis game.  At the very least, no warning flags were raised and some green players got experience.  However, I do not think it helps us prognosticate the season much at all.  I'll reserve my judgment until after SC.

Davis is, in fact, a much worse team than Fresno.  Fresno won 11 games last year.  Also remember that Davis is a run-first team with its top three running backs out of the game.  They were running a true freshman and a redshirt freshman against our front seven.  Williams was going to redshirt this year but was pressed into service against us.

So, everything was positive yesterday, but it has little meaning.

Here are my key questions I want to see answered against SC.  If they all get answered in a positive way, then I'll jump on the national championship bandwagon:

1)  Can we run between guards against Leonard Williams and a good defensive line?  We don't have to be able to do this against 8, 9, or 10 in the box any more, given the improved passing game, but can we generate 4 yards up the middle against SC's front seven?  If we can, it will tell me our O line and running back questions have been answered. 

2) Will our pass defense improve over last year?  Can we stop Cody Kessler and Marqise Lee Nelson Agholar with our base defense?  Kessler was 25/37 for 311 yards last year and we can expect more of the same unless we improve.  If we can, then I think we can stand up well to any passing game we are likely to encounter. 

3) Will Hogan be able to "look off" the SC safeties and throw open his receivers when under some pressure?  Last year Hogan was 14/25 with 2 INTs.  Saturday will be a true test of whether he has improved--especially since we will be more dependent on him in the post-Gaffney era.  If he keeps his head up and snaps briskly from receiver to receiver even when rushed, then I will know he has improved over a year ago and there may be no limits to our success.

[81alum]

I am highly encouraged by the UC Davis game.  At the very least, no warning flags were raised and some green players got experience.  However, I do not think it helps us prognosticate the season much at all.  I'll reserve my judgment until after SC.

Davis is, in fact, a much worse team than Fresno.  Fresno won 11 games last year.  Also remember that Davis is a run-first team with its top three running backs out of the game.  They were running a true freshman and a redshirt freshman against our front seven.  Williams was going to redshirt this year but was pressed into service against us.

So, everything was positive yesterday, but it has little meaning.

Here are my key questions I want to see answered against SC.  If they all get answered in a positive way, then I'll jump on the national championship bandwagon:

1)  Can we run between guards against Leonard Williams and a good defensive line?  We don't have to be able to do this against 8, 9, or 10 in the box any more, given the improved passing game, but can we generate 4 yards up the middle against SC's front seven?  If we can, it will tell me our O line and running back questions have been answered. 

2) Will our pass defense improve over last year?  Can we stop Cody Kessler and Marqise Lee Nelson Agholar with our base defense?  Kessler was 25/37 for 311 yards last year and we can expect more of the same unless we improve.  If we can, then I think we can stand up well to any passing game we are likely to encounter. 

3) Will Hogan be able to "look off" the SC safeties and throw open his receivers when under some pressure?  Last year Hogan was 14/25 with 2 INTs.  Saturday will be a true test of whether he has improved--especially since we will be more dependent on him in the post-Gaffney era.  If he keeps his head up and snaps briskly from receiver to receiver even when rushed, then I will know he has improved over a year ago and there may be no limits to our success.