Let me preface by saying that I have been justly accused of being a Mizzou homer ala Tiger John Cleek.
Let me also say that this call is made purely on speculation and gut feeling...I have seen nothing with my own eyes other than the Spring Game and that didn't tell me a whole lot.
I think we have a very tough assigment tommorrow and for the season.
I like Barry Odom...a LOT if you haven't noticed. But make no mistake...he has been given a tough assignment.
I like Nick Saban a lot too...and I remember his first year at Alabama he went 7-6 and lost a home game to Louisiana-Monroe....and this was a guy whith a lot more experience than Odom...including an NCAA Championship in his previous stint at LSU.
I am trying to be very objective here...and I know the odds are against it...but I think we WIN tommorrow at Morgantown,,,something like 23-20.
I think Odom has been very smart to keep his troops under wraps...not only to keep WVA a little in the dark...but also to keep his team in "Fox Hole" mode.
I like what I hear about the new skill players and the new staff and schemes...but most of all I like what I hear about the way this team has worked and bought in to Odom's vision for what this program needs to become.
I think our offense will be multiple, tougher, and harder to predict and prepare for...and I think some play makers will emerge.
I think people will be amazed at who much better Drew Lock will play...collectively because of improved experience, more phyical and emtional maturity, and better coaching and better playmakers around him. Drew is a STUD...and it will start to show this year.
I look for our return game to be 200% improved...and the return guys will get the bulk of the credit...but with Odom coaching these units himself...look for vastly improved blocking and execution all the way around.
Our defense will be tough again...but Gabe is absolutely right...they may give up more points and yards because opposing OC's will be dialing up more against them. And we WILL miss both Brothers and a certain DE who is also no longer with us.
On the season...I would pick us at 7-5 or 8-4...depending on the way this first game goes vs. WVA.
I think our absolute ceiling would be 10-2 this year and by all rights...that should not happen. I cannot see this team finishing any worse than 6-6 under any circumstances...because Barry Odom just won't let it happen.
The future is VERY bright...we have our perfect Head Coach for the nect 20-25 years. Barry Odom is a super star and will only keep getting better.
He is as good of a person as he is a Coach...and that is really important for longevity.
As a Coach...he has so many great skills and qualities. He can filter out what is not important and is able to maintain razor sharp focus on the task at hand. This will really show up in his game day coaching...he will have a plan and make solid decisions and adjustments on the fly.
Barry Odom is the EXACT type of Coach you do NOT want to play against...he will always work hard and be extremely prepared...he will always have his guys ready to play...and he will OUT-COACH you on game day as well.
Sit back and enjoy the ride folks...it's gonna be fun!
Let me also say that this call is made purely on speculation and gut feeling...I have seen nothing with my own eyes other than the Spring Game and that didn't tell me a whole lot.
I think we have a very tough assigment tommorrow and for the season.
I like Barry Odom...a LOT if you haven't noticed. But make no mistake...he has been given a tough assignment.
I like Nick Saban a lot too...and I remember his first year at Alabama he went 7-6 and lost a home game to Louisiana-Monroe....and this was a guy whith a lot more experience than Odom...including an NCAA Championship in his previous stint at LSU.
I am trying to be very objective here...and I know the odds are against it...but I think we WIN tommorrow at Morgantown,,,something like 23-20.
I think Odom has been very smart to keep his troops under wraps...not only to keep WVA a little in the dark...but also to keep his team in "Fox Hole" mode.
I like what I hear about the new skill players and the new staff and schemes...but most of all I like what I hear about the way this team has worked and bought in to Odom's vision for what this program needs to become.
I think our offense will be multiple, tougher, and harder to predict and prepare for...and I think some play makers will emerge.
I think people will be amazed at who much better Drew Lock will play...collectively because of improved experience, more phyical and emtional maturity, and better coaching and better playmakers around him. Drew is a STUD...and it will start to show this year.
I look for our return game to be 200% improved...and the return guys will get the bulk of the credit...but with Odom coaching these units himself...look for vastly improved blocking and execution all the way around.
Our defense will be tough again...but Gabe is absolutely right...they may give up more points and yards because opposing OC's will be dialing up more against them. And we WILL miss both Brothers and a certain DE who is also no longer with us.
On the season...I would pick us at 7-5 or 8-4...depending on the way this first game goes vs. WVA.
I think our absolute ceiling would be 10-2 this year and by all rights...that should not happen. I cannot see this team finishing any worse than 6-6 under any circumstances...because Barry Odom just won't let it happen.
The future is VERY bright...we have our perfect Head Coach for the nect 20-25 years. Barry Odom is a super star and will only keep getting better.
He is as good of a person as he is a Coach...and that is really important for longevity.
As a Coach...he has so many great skills and qualities. He can filter out what is not important and is able to maintain razor sharp focus on the task at hand. This will really show up in his game day coaching...he will have a plan and make solid decisions and adjustments on the fly.
Barry Odom is the EXACT type of Coach you do NOT want to play against...he will always work hard and be extremely prepared...he will always have his guys ready to play...and he will OUT-COACH you on game day as well.
Sit back and enjoy the ride folks...it's gonna be fun!
