Looking Ahead to 2015

[Jrship35]

Sure, but we can revisit this when we see next year's schedule.

Please elaborate ................ Not sure what the schedule has to do with developing the young recruits ?

Thanks

[K92]

Also caught on TB's last show that every single freshman redshirted this season.

Let me play the devil's advocate here. The Zips just went 3-5 in the easiest MAC schedule they will ever see. Are we to believe that none of the freshmen could have contributed for a couple of more wins this year?

Redshirting an entire class is a fantastic sign for a team that went 9-3. I'm not sure it means the same thing for a team that went 5-7.

[Zips Win!]

Please elaborate ................ Not sure what the schedule has to do with developing the young recruits ?

Thanks

I appreciate the fact that Bowden has a plan and it entails developing young recruits. But we had a chance to win 9 or more games with the easiest schedule the last 6 weeks of the season and we failed. Miserably.

So even if we develop young recruits, and we have NIU, Toledo and Western on the schedule, what will it mean? Another 5-7 or 4-8 season and back to the drawing board playing for the following year.

Like GP1, I have been at this for 30 years. Started in 1984. Playing for next year blows! All we do is develop and build. I want to win. Now!

[LZIp]

Let me play the devil's advocate here. The Zips just went 3-5 in the easiest MAC schedule they will ever see. Are we to believe that none of the freshmen could have contributed for a couple of more wins this year?

Redshirting an entire class is a fantastic sign for a team that went 9-3. I'm not sure it means the same thing for a team that went 5-7.

valid point. I personally have no opinion on it. Just thought it was worth mentioning. See the positives and negatives.

[Jrship35]

I appreciate the fact that Bowden has a plan and it entails developing young recruits. But we had a chance to win 9 or more games with the easiest schedule the last 6 weeks of the season and we failed. Miserably.

So even if we develop young recruits, and we have NIU, Toledo and Western on the schedule, what will it mean? Another 5-7 or 4-8 season and back to the drawing board playing for the following year.

Like GP1, I have been at this for 30 years. Started in 1984. Playing for next year blows! All we do is develop and build. I want to win. Now!

I can understand your point and the utter frustration. It was frustrating for a rookie Zips

The only question I would have is that after 6 games and a 4-2 record, it appeared that there was no reason to play these freshmen and a red shirt year was most certainly a good decision. Heck even at 4-4 and still in the hunt for the division, the decision was still a good one for the future (IMO) ..... There was no way that any of those freshmen would have saved the season

As for the schedule next year, I haven't seen it so cannot really comment on the 5-7 or 4-8 scenario in your post. I just know that this miserable season is over and I actually do feel confident that we will be a better team next season. Again, I understand your comment of wanting to win and you veteran fans certainly deserve a winner.

[Jrship35]

Let me play the devil's advocate here. The Zips just went 3-5 in the easiest MAC schedule they will ever see. Are we to believe that none of the freshmen could have contributed for a couple of more wins this year?

Redshirting an entire class is a fantastic sign for a team that went 9-3. I'm not sure it means the same thing for a team that went 5-7.

At 4-2 and having some nice momentum, there was no reason to lean on the freshmen (IMO) ...... Red shirting them was the right call. I personally agree with the red shirting as by the time we would have pulled the red shirts, maybe it would have help stop the bleeding, but most likely not and it would have been a wasted year of eligibility.

Tough call ...... But it's in the rear view.

[Jrship35]

Can't get any read on everyone's concern about the OC for next year ......... Have heard anything and Coach danced around the question when I asked him. He said that the offense will look more like a Auburn type offense with more concentration on a run/pass mix ........................ Hell I thought that was the offensive philosophy, we just forgot to mix the run and pass LOL

[Dr Z]

He said that the offense will look more like a Auburn type offense with more concentration on a run/pass mix. I thought that was the offensive philosophy

I agree, I'm just happy he is "looking in to it." I'm happy the answer is not, "we just didn't execute", I hate that answer from a coach.

The word "spread" is commonly used to describe Gus Malzahn's teams, but that term can't accurately describe an entire offense. Usually, the word just means the quarterback is in shotgun and there are four wide receivers. But that's just a formation, and in Auburn's case, it's not even the most common one. Each week, Tiger fans see many formations: five wide, three backs, unbalanced lines and many others. Here is a good look at the 2013 offense, I'm not knowledgable enough about the 2014 Tigers offense to know if it basically stayed the same.

[Jrship35]

I agree, I'm just happy he is "looking in to it." I'm happy the answer is not, "we just didn't execute", I hate that answer from a coach.

The word "spread" is commonly used to describe Gus Malzahn's teams, but that term can't accurately describe an entire offense. Usually, the word just means the quarterback is in shotgun and there are four wide receivers. But that's just a formation, and in Auburn's case, it's not even the most common one. Each week, Tiger fans see many formations: five wide, three backs, unbalanced lines and many others. Here is a good look at the 2013 offense, I'm not knowledgable enough about the 2014 Tigers offense to know if it basically stayed the same.

You are correct and the 2014 offense for Auburn was in fact the same ........... many different formations and offensive looks. The other bonus is the personnel to run the offense

[skip-zip]

Let me play the devil's advocate here. The Zips just went 3-5 in the easiest MAC schedule they will ever see. Are we to believe that none of the freshmen could have contributed for a couple of more wins this year?

Redshirting an entire class is a fantastic sign for a team that went 9-3. I'm not sure it means the same thing for a team that went 5-7.

Yep, there could be another side to that......

The worst being that none of them were deemed to be good enough to play in front of someone else in a higher class, which might be alarming, considering the performances of many of the players on this team during a below average year.

If a few of these guys could have possibly helped us win another game or two THIS year, then I would be pissed if they were sitting. And if they really weren't good enough to play, then the fact that we were somehow "saving them" for the future isn't something to get too excited about.

[johnnyzip84]

I believe the decision to redshirt this year’s entire recruiting class (with the exception of O’Leary) was a calculated gamble on the part of the staff that the program had reached a point where it could BOTH achieve success in 2014 AND build quality depth for the future. Obviously, the gambled failed (at least to some degree) in the end. But at 4-2, it sure looked like a fantastic decision to me.

At what point should they have allowed Newman or others to play? The OU game looked to be heading our way until the fumble with but a few minutes left, so it’s completely understandable that you wouldn’t burn any redshirts in that one. You’re still 4-3 and leading Ball St by 8 at the half. The bottom falls out of course, but it’s very difficult for me to imagine Newman, Chandler or any other of the freshmen coming in and turning that thing around. That brings us to 4-4 with BG coming to town and KP16 returning to duty. In my mind, this might be the only time (in retrospect) where it makes even the slightest sense to possibly burn some redshirts. But the way BG handled us along both fronts, I just don’t think it would have made much difference. Buffalo physically dominated us as well. Without Frohnapfel, we didn’t need any help in blasting UMass. Burning redshirts in the last game of a season reeks of desperation to me, and once again it LOOKED like we might not need to used them to win the game.

The bottom line is this. There were only two close games in that lousy stretch where a few extra talents might have made a difference. The 1^st came when the Zips were still 4-2 and apparently headed to good things. The 2^nd was the last game of the year. Considering this, it’s hard for me to complain too much about the staff making the decisions they did regarding redshirts this past year. It also tells me that they’re probably just as concerned as I am about their own dependency on short-time transfers over these 1^st few years.

[K92]

At 4-2 and having some nice momentum, there was no reason to lean on the freshmen (IMO) ...... Red shirting them was the right call. I personally agree with the red shirting as by the time we would have pulled the red shirts, maybe it would have help stop the bleeding, but most likely not and it would have been a wasted year of eligibility.

Tough call ...... But it's in the rear view.

Right on. There is really just one guy that I wonder about. Might he have been able to win us 2 or 3 more games? We will never know.

[K92]

He said that the offense will look more like a Auburn type offense

I thought Bowden Ball was supposed to be the evolved Air Raid offense. The Auburn offense would be quite a stark diversion from that. If this change really is planned, we might as well just come right out and say that Tra'Von Chapman is the new starting quarterback.

[Jrship35]

I thought Bowden Ball was supposed to be the evolved Air Raid offense. The Auburn offense would be quite a stark diversion from that. If this change really is planned, we might as well just come right out and say that Tra'Von Chapman is the new starting quarterback.

I can only relay what I was told ............... And although it was never "officially" stated when I asked about the QB situation, Mr Chapman was a big part of the answer.

Official line ................... " The QB spot is wide open and there will be an interesting competition in the spring" ............... Then Mr Chapman was spoken highly of for his athletic ability !!!

I would agree with your math Sir as I also get 4 when I add 2 and 2 together !!!! ...................... I can only hope that we incorporate more of the multi formation Auburn look

[johnnyzip84]

Count me in among those not so disappointed that we're changing offensive philosophy a bit. The Air Raid approach, even in full execution, seems to fall short for the most part. Malzahn is one of the true innovators out there. I'd rather copy him than Leach, Holgorsen, etc. Find the spread that works for the Zips, especially considering the talent currently on the roster.

[Dr Z]

we might as well just come right out and say that Tra'Von Chapman is the new starting quarterback.

Per coach Bowden's end of the year presser, he doesn't want to hand it to him, he wants him to compete and win it. I liked that answer. I'm not getting too excited about a change in scheme untill I actually see it. The last time I got excited about a change in scheme JD told me he was going to run a defense like we never seen in the MAC. We all know how that turned out. But I am glad to hear that something is being done, from my evaluation, it was one of two things that needed addressed.

[InTheZone]

God help us if Chapman is the starting QB. He sucked at a D2 school. The improvement Ashland made this year with pretty much the exact same team, save a new QB, was marked. This kid shouldn't even be on scholarship.

[zippy5]

Per coach Bowden's end of the year presser, he doesn't want to hand it to him, he wants him to compete and win it. I liked that answer. I'm not getting too excited about a change in scheme untill I actually see it. The last time I got excited about a change in scheme JD told me he was going to run a defense like we never seen in the MAC. We all know how that turned out. But I am glad to hear that something is being done, from my evaluation, it was one of two things that needed addressed.

I think he meant to say "you'll never want to see again"

[K92]

Per coach Bowden's end of the year presser, he doesn't want to hand it to him, he wants him to compete and win it.

OK, but. . .

Which one of the current quarterbacks could pose any serious challenge to him in the read option offense?

[Blue & Gold]

Anyone know what kind of offense would best suite Jacob Harrison, that stud 4**** QB from Dayton we have coming in after next season?

[Jrship35]

Anyone know what kind of offense would best suite Jacob Harrison, that stud 4**** QB from Dayton we have coming in after next season?

Haven't seen him ................ If he is a 2016 guy, I would probably wait a little while to make sure he is a solid commit.

If he is a 4 star rated dual threat QB, he is gonna get courted pretty hard in his Senior year

[Jrship35]

Anyone know what kind of offense would best suite Jacob Harrison, that stud 4**** QB from Dayton we have coming in after next season?

After looking at his film, he would fit into the read option just fine ............... But again, not sure from his film, of his read ability

But looks like a dang good commit

[Dr Z]

OK, but. . .Which one of the current quarterbacks could pose any serious challenge to him in the read option offense?

I don't know, I would need to see them play against Div I talent to have an opinion.

[Balsy]

I can only relay what I was told ............... And although it was never "officially" stated when I asked about the QB situation, Mr Chapman was a big part of the answer.

Official line ................... " The QB spot is wide open and there will be an interesting competition in the spring" ............... Then Mr Chapman was spoken highly of for his athletic ability !!!

I would agree with your math Sir as I also get 4 when I add 2 and 2 together !!!! ...................... I can only hope that we incorporate more of the multi formation Auburn look

Jrship35, thanks for comments that come from personal experience! I always enjoy reading them!

As for the Chapman, I'm all for it...so long as we run an offense like we had in 2012.

[GJGood]

In saying "Auburn offense" do we mean the one being run now by the Tigers or the one Bowden himself ran at Auburn? I, for some reason, took it to mean the latter but most of the discussion here seems to assume the former.