LVSun picks win totals
- Thread starter rebneck
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https://lasvegassun.com/news/2019/jul/23/unlv-football-picked-10th-in-mountain-west-preseas/
I guess we were picked 10th? That stings... Not a lot of confidence in the squad
I guess we were picked 10th? That stings... Not a lot of confidence in the squad
Preseason poll has us at 10th, local rag writer thinks under 4 wins is a decent bet. Yeah- not much optimism from the media about the Rebels this season.
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Well since Gilliam hurt his foot and is out for the beginning of the season, I hope he at least lasts the first 3 games before the inevitable injury occurs.
Can't argue too much with the media picks. However, I'd bump UNLV up to third in the West because I think they're better than the "let me look at the historical data trend" media gives them credit for, and because I think they'll actually catch a few breaks this year.
In the Mountain I'd flip USU and AFA. USU brings back Love and little else, and the Aggies' Heisman hype will get Love "Keatoned", like it did Chuckie. AFA lost several close games last year and brings back seven on each side, so I think they'll be a tough out, even for BSU.
In the Mountain I'd flip USU and AFA. USU brings back Love and little else, and the Aggies' Heisman hype will get Love "Keatoned", like it did Chuckie. AFA lost several close games last year and brings back seven on each side, so I think they'll be a tough out, even for BSU.
You know that Oblad's got his nose in the playbook a lot a lot more this summer, knowing he'll see the field more this fall.
He has to prove he can handle getting rushed without getting rattled, something he couldn't do in high school.
The bigger issue is the offense would have to completely change if he were forced to play.
They would have to eliminate a lot of zone read/option stuff. QB designed runs would pretty much have to be scrapped.
Teams could key solely on the running back.
It would hurt the run game if UNLV is forced to play straight up without the threat of Rogers running.
Oblad has good arm talent, but the last thing Coach Sanchez needs is to have to completely overhaul the offense two or three weeks into the season.
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That is reason #1,2,3,4,5&6 as to why Tony should have taught Rogers to slide from day 1. It is not a matter of if he gets hurt, but when. Tony is going to lose his job because he is going to have to scrap his offense in the middle of the season for the 3rd season in a row.
He knows how to slide, he just is playing off instinct. He does need to slide and take everything into consideration, but he competing
It's not as easy as saying 'Slide more.'
Heat of the moment, the guy is fighting for extra yards, trying to make plays etc.
It's a catch-22. You reign him in with the running game you reduce his effectiveness. He has yet to show the ability to drop back 25-30x and win a game solely with his arm.
I get what you are saying. Armani needs to make better decisions when running with the ball. Pick up a first down on a scramble slide or step out of bounds. Just hard to get that to stick in a guys head when he's competing.
If Sanchez is unable to win six games this year, and is replaced, his inability to get the defense turned around after 5 years will be the biggest reason.
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Okay, but I can't remember Roger ever sliding. I tempted to say he has never not given the defense a chance to end his season.
I wouldn't be surprised if someone spoke up to remind us of the one time he did slide. But I would call BS if someone said he has taken a slide twice in his career. (Same with throw aways)
So it is not a heat-of-the-moment thing. Sanchez has encouraged Rogers to try and plow through the defense at every opportunity.
You honesty believe Coach Sanchez is telling Armani to put his head down and bowl over defenders?
Now I would agree that Coach Sanchez and company made a mistake a few season back. I think they should have utilized Stanton inside the red zone or inside the 10 yard line to eliminate wear and tear on Armani.
Stanton was a big physical dude that could execute the zone read and designed QB runs. He was also a competent enough passer to keep defenses honest.
I'd love to see Armani take less hits. But the overall running game would suffer if they dial him back. Lex's numbers were better with Armani vs Gilliam.
Again I agree, he needs to be more selective and willing to take what the defense gives him. Get the first down, slide or step out of bounds.
I just don't think he has been encouraged not to do those things.
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Yes. I remember Sanchez being giddy on the Rebzone after one of Roger’s early performances. They way Sanchez was talking, I certainly got the impression that there is nothing he loves more than when Rogers tries to bully for yards.
If Sanchez has been telling him to slide or throw it away, then he has absolutely failed to develop Rogers, who would be ignoring the staff’s advice.
If Rogers finallystarts using his head, it will be refreshing, but might be too little too late.
You'd be hard pressed to find any coach that wouldn't be giddy talking about a physical run made by a QB.
I don't think it shows or proves he encourages it.
I won't argue that the message to make better decisions about sliding/throwing the ball away or running out of bounds appears to have fallen on deaf ears so far.
I just think it's hard to curb a players natural instinct.
The problem is, if Armani isn't a threat or impactful in the running game, UNLV will be hampered on offense.
Live by the sword, die by the sword.
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Armani is a big, physical guy. And for the most part, he can get away with it at this level. Especially with defenses mostly built for speed at the college level, Armani is bigger that 95% of college 2nd and 3rd level players.
He also has not proven he can be effective trying to stay in the pocket as a drop back passer.
So it's hard to a player to pull back the reigns, especially when your defense is trash and every offensive yard counts.
Bull is right, that he does make the rest of the running game better because of his threat from the option.
We are a better team with him under the helm.
But that being said, I think we need more balance to be a good offensive football team.
First I think we have a talented group of WR's, who are grossly underutilized.
Second, you can win with being a run first offense, but you have to have a defense to match. We don't. And it is extremely difficult to win shootouts with the run. Especially over the season. You only have so many tricks, and if your success is based off of plays where you can stop covering WRs after 3 seconds then you are in trouble.
I wonder if the balance will change with Cotton no longer on the sidelines. Obviously we aren't changing the whole playbook, but maybe more utilization of certain pass plays?
He also has not proven he can be effective trying to stay in the pocket as a drop back passer.
So it's hard to a player to pull back the reigns, especially when your defense is trash and every offensive yard counts.
Bull is right, that he does make the rest of the running game better because of his threat from the option.
We are a better team with him under the helm.
But that being said, I think we need more balance to be a good offensive football team.
First I think we have a talented group of WR's, who are grossly underutilized.
Second, you can win with being a run first offense, but you have to have a defense to match. We don't. And it is extremely difficult to win shootouts with the run. Especially over the season. You only have so many tricks, and if your success is based off of plays where you can stop covering WRs after 3 seconds then you are in trouble.
I wonder if the balance will change with Cotton no longer on the sidelines. Obviously we aren't changing the whole playbook, but maybe more utilization of certain pass plays?
D
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I disagree. There is more evidence that he can not get away with it as he has missed over a third of his career due to injuries.
I don't know...
I would think when your defense is bad or overmatched physically you typically want to run the ball, eat clock and keep them off the field.
Well when you get down 2 touchdowns, it is nice to have the ability to put up points, especially quuckly. Also it's nice to open up more running lanes when again you have to cover recieving targets more than 3 seconds.
Fair point. But what should he do? He obviously doesn't feel comfortable sitting back and trying to throw. He has also had his biggest plays with his legs. In the moment, you don't think about the long term, or the risk, especially when the alternative hasn't been successful and all you are worried about is the game your in and the down you are running.
Hey it drives me crazy too. But at this point, Armani is probably is who he is. And he can still be very dangerous. Even if it is to himself as well.
I get what your saying.
But this team the way it is constructed and who is at QB will live or die buy the run game.
If they can't run the ball effectively this year and have to rely on Armani throwing 25-30x a game....I don't think they make a bowl.
He hasn't shown consistent enough accuracy 'yet' that makes me think UNLV would be able to keep pace in a shootout..
Based on the UNR game last year, putting Armani in the play-action role, and get him moving on his feet before making a throw might be the best bet for him. I don't think he is suited to sit back in the pocket at all.
Get him on the move and he should be able to make plays. He just has to be committed to sticking with the pass plays instead of tucking and running it every time.
Get him on the move and he should be able to make plays. He just has to be committed to sticking with the pass plays instead of tucking and running it every time.
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Armani can still be run dominate and not take a hit on every 2 out of 3 downs. Get out of bounds, slide or throw it away. Get 15 yards from the defense making a mistake rather than lowering a shoulder and giving them free chances to ring your bell.
I think there needs to be balance. There needs to be a threat of the pass. They don't need to be pass heavy, at all.
As for how this team is built, well I think the line is overall a good one, and can pass protect if they had the practice. There is more than enough receiving options on the team.
I think 20-25 actual pass attempts can be a good number, especially in a back and forth affair. Probably not every game, but I'd like to see 15 attempts at least most games.
Mind you I mean actual attempts, pass plays that end up scrambles don't count.
The threat of the pass will open up the run game. I like the idea of roll outs, pass options in the mix. Especially with action that mimic run plays with the blocking schemes.
And to clarify, I am not confident that Armani is capable of this, at least not right now. But I do think it should be the goal, and the focus with the team moving forward. Otherwise I think it heavily limits the potential of this team.
I agree. And I get your point. It is just tough to do when the team is struggling. You are down in a game, and you've broken big plays for long runs and TD's by barreling through when you could have stepped out of bounds or slid. Being more careful is easier to do when you have more plus plays with your arm. And you aren't down 2 touchdowns.
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