Does the offense wake up this week?

[dcut03]

Fresno state's defense has good numbers. Not sure how good they really are.
Just wondering if the rush attack gets some more chunk plays and if the passing game gets more efficient and effective.
Sluka is a warrior, but the offense has been a but underwhelming. I think it is key to our ceiling. If it gets closer to last year, combined with our improved defense then Mw championship and beyond really becomes a possibility. If it doesn't improve I think we are looking at a really good, but not a great year.

 

[reagan21]

They are REALLY aggressive on defense. Chunk plays, most likely won't be on the ground. I'm not talking about Sluka doing his magic on pass plays when no one is open. Designed runs will be necessary to free us up in the pass game or RPO/options plays, but Fresno is pretty good up front.

 

[Boston Rebel 2]

Fresno state's defense has good numbers. Not sure how good they really are.
Just wondering if the rush attack gets some more chunk plays and if the passing game gets more efficient and effective.
Sluka is a warrior, but the offense has been a but underwhelming. I think it is key to our ceiling. If it gets closer to last year, combined with our improved defense then Mw championship and beyond really becomes a possibility. If it doesn't improve I think we are looking at a really good, but not a great year.

If we don't see an improvement this week then we probably are what we are. At this point if you haven't improved your offense over four games it probably ain't coming. I know Sluka got a late start, understanding a new offense etc but it isn't like we are running the run and shoot or something complicated.

 

[dcut03]

They are REALLY aggressive on defense. Chunk plays, most likely won't be on the ground. I'm not talking about Sluka doing his magic on pass plays when no one is open. Designed runs will be necessary to free us up in the pass game or RPO/options plays, but Fresno is pretty good up front.

Yeah, I am not counting Sluka runs on broken play as chunk run plays, though technically they are. We have one break out traditional run play against FBS schools this year, and we didn't do great there against Dixie either.

 

[dcut03]

If we don't see an improvement this week then we probably are what we are. At this point if you haven't improved your offense over four games it probably ain't coming. I know Sluka got a late start, understanding a new offense etc but it isn't like we are running the run and shoot or something complicated.

It did take Maiava to open up the passing game last year. Similar situation, though I think Sluka had more time with the 1s than Maiava did last preseason.
I do think there is some room for improvement, but I doubt it changes drastically after this bye week.

 

[Boston Rebel 2]

Yeah, I am not counting Sluka runs on broken play as chunk run plays, though technically they are. We have one break out traditional run play against FBS schools this year, and we didn't do great there against Dixie either.

Yeah exactly I don't count broken plays either if it isn't by design then it doesn't mean your offense is better it means you got lucky or the defense screwed up. Or in Sluka's case he made a nice play.

 

[Boston Rebel 2]

It did take Maiava to open up the passing game last year. Similar situation, though I think Sluka had more time with the 1s than Maiava did last preseason.
I do think there is some room for improvement, but I doubt it changes drastically after this bye week.

If there is improvement it should be after the bye week for sure otherwise unlikely.

 

[reagan21]

I forgot the rest of my post...

Mikey Keane is improved from last year but he can still be baited into really bad throws. They are a wide open offense. Pressure is key to get Mikey to make bad decisions. If we win the turnover battle I think we win the game. Catalan and Baldwin are primed for 2-3 Ints.

Anyone have word on McDuffie?

 

[LocoRebel]

Anyone have word on McDuffie?

Man i hope he is able to go. I havent listened to the presser from today. I'm guessing it came up.

To me, McDuffie is critical in this game

 

[dcut03]

Do we know even what body part was injured. I have heard "lower extremity injury" which can obvisously be a lot. The way they have discussed it, it seems like he could return. It seems like they would say if it was season ending and he has had surgery.
Which means it could be a MCL which is usually 4-6 weeks depending on the grade of the sprain. It could be a major ankle sprain or a high ankle sprain which can take several weeks. I could also be a smaller fracture. Again no Idea. I haven't seen the injury and they have been purposefully vague.
Either way, I wouldn't expect him back this week.
I do think our LB depth has been very good and key to this season already. Powell has been good filling in.

 

[Rod_the_Rebel]

Can Sluka get his arse in the friggin pocket? Not so much yet ….

 

[dcut03]

Can Sluka get his arse in the friggin pocket? Not so much yet ….

Actually he throws better on the move so far. It is kinda backwards, but he tends to overthrow guys with his feet set.
Is it nerves or adrenaline? Is it timing? Who knows. You'd think that would improve, right?
Either way I would like to see incorporating more pass plays, perhaps RPO's, with him rolling to his right. That awkward cross body sling pass has been his best throw so far this year.

 

[1Tripoda]

I forgot the rest of my post...

Mikey Keane is improved from last year but he can still be baited into really bad throws. They are a wide open offense. Pressure is key to get Mikey to make bad decisions. If we win the turnover battle I think we win the game. Catalan and Baldwin are primed for 2-3 Ints.

Anyone have word on McDuffie?

Game time decision according to Coach O. He just had press conference.

 

[j. spilotro]

Fresno state's defense has good numbers. Not sure how good they really are.
Just wondering if the rush attack gets some more chunk plays and if the passing game gets more efficient and effective.
Sluka is a warrior, but the offense has been a but underwhelming. I think it is key to our ceiling. If it gets closer to last year, combined with our improved defense then Mw championship and beyond really becomes a possibility. If it doesn't improve I think we are looking at a really good, but not a great year.

I hope so. I still think we eke out a win if the passing isn’t great.

Defense has been pretty steady to strong. A bad half vs Kansas. Other than that, strong.

 

[j. spilotro]

I forgot the rest of my post...

Mikey Keane is improved from last year but he can still be baited into really bad throws. They are a wide open offense. Pressure is key to get Mikey to make bad decisions. If we win the turnover battle I think we win the game. Catalan and Baldwin are primed for 2-3 Ints.

Anyone have word on McDuffie?

Get them into third and medium, we will win. They don’t convert well. But I feel it’s similar to Kansas … get some pressure, we will win.

Also, any word yet on Sherrod? Gilliam wasn’t strong filling in.

 

[reagan21]

Get them into third and medium, we will win. They don’t convert well. But I feel it’s similar to Kansas … get some pressure, we will win.

Also, any word yet on Sherrod? Gilliam wasn’t strong filling in.

I'll volunteer to watch the Skipper press conference, I guess. He missed last week but I bet he'll be ready for Saturday. It sounded like Saturday was a precaution against a team they could beat in their sleep.

 

[Bullmastiff 1]

Actually he throws better on the move so far. It is kinda backwards, but he tends to overthrow guys with his feet set.
Is it nerves or adrenaline? Is it timing? Who knows. You'd think that would improve, right?
Either way I would like to see incorporating more pass plays, perhaps RPO's, with him rolling to his right. That awkward cross body sling pass has been his best throw so far this year.

I think it was Caleb Herring that said the over throws are a byproduct of his arm angle/delivery.

He has good arm strength. He doesn't have particularly great touch.


As to main topic.

If UNLV can hit one or two shots downfield early it will go a long way in keeping Fresno from loading the box.

 

[j. spilotro]

I think it was Caleb Herring that said the over throws are a byproduct of his arm angle/delivery.

He has good arm strength. He doesn't have particularly great touch.


As to main topic.

If UNLV can hit one or two shots downfield early it will go a long way in keeping Fresno from loading the box.

That’s exactly what it looks like to me and why I use the term slinger. There are successful quarterbacks that are like that, but they are usually throwers that can sling it when they need to, not full time slingers, if that makes sense.

With weird angles, it can lead to weird spins, trajectories, might get more of a dipping or curve effect (which you aren’t going to detect on TV well) … which in all means a tougher to handle ball. I’m not excusing the receivers at all, they’re good, they need to catch passes. And it’s no excuse for poor routes.

 

[dcut03]

That’s exactly what it looks like to me and why I use the term slinger. There are successful quarterbacks that are like that, but they are usually throwers that can sling it when they need to, not full time slingers, if that makes sense.

With weird angles, it can lead to weird spins, trajectories, might get more of a dipping or curve effect (which you aren’t going to detect on TV well) … which in all means a tougher to handle ball. I’m not excusing the receivers at all, they’re good, they need to catch passes. And it’s no excuse for poor routes.

It does come out of his hand kinda funny. Like a rising fast ball that carries upward more that one might be used to or expecting.

This is something that I think can be adjusted on both ends. The more reps the WR's get with the Sluka, the more accustomed to how it looks coming at them. Also if Sluka consistently delivers it too high, he can adjust too.

It does seem that adrenaline is a factor. With his feet set he just puts too much into it. I think that has potential to improve over time as well.

 

[Masked_rebel]

I'll volunteer to watch the Skipper press conference, I guess. He missed last week but I bet he'll be ready for Saturday. It sounded like Saturday was a precaution against a team they could beat in their sleep.

I think I saw on X from a Fresno reporter that hes questionable for this week as well.

 

[j. spilotro]

I think I saw on X from a Fresno reporter that hes questionable for this week as well.

I think last week was more precautionary, I think he’s going this week … games that coaches play. Don’t blame them.

 

[j. spilotro]

It does come out of his hand kinda funny. Like a rising fast ball that carries upward more that one might be used to or expecting.

This is something that I think can be adjusted on both ends. The more reps the WR's get with the Sluka, the more accustomed to how it looks coming at them. Also if Sluka consistently delivers it too high, he can adjust too.

It does seem that adrenaline is a factor. With his feet set he just puts too much into it. I think that has potential to improve over time as well.

I think you’re right, at this point it’s more of adjusting to what is rather than trying to mechanically change something.

I just don’t see it in my mind - Sluka dropping back for steps and delivering a lofty soft sideline bomb perfectly in stride with White.

 

[dcut03]

I think you’re right, at this point it’s more of adjusting to what is rather than trying to mechanically change something.

I just don’t see it in my mind - Sluka dropping back for steps and delivering a lofty soft sideline bomb perfectly in stride with White.

Perhaps, but the deep balls have been better than the short crossers.
Since his delivery is a bit lower the rising action is what makes it tougher to catch Longer throws the initial trajectory becomes pretty much inconsequential.

 

[LVRebel2000]

Perhaps, but the deep balls have been better than the short crossers.
Since his delivery is a bit lower the rising action is what makes it tougher to catch Longer throws the initial trajectory becomes pretty much inconsequential.

I agree. He's actually thrown a lot of nice deep balls, including in the Kansas game. We just didn't connect. One of the RW stopped running and the ball landed right where he would have been if he kept running. Another one RW didn't see and it hit him right in the chest. I'd have to rewatch the game, but I feel like he had another 1 or 2 well thrown balls that would have resulted in big gains. We've had some big ones called back due to penalties also.

 

[reagan21]

There was a drop by deJesus as well.

 

[j. spilotro]

This is all true, but I think it’s more of a compatibility thing that ability thing. I think they need more catch/throws. It’s not the same, not nearly the same extreme, but could be somewhat similar to a knuckle pitcher usually preferring certain catcher. And usually reps is what works out the kinks.