AnotherOD

Its in the linked CFN article. I am sure it must be a sign of getting old and complaining about the "old days", but can't CollegeFootballNews give us one proof read through? Just one? (If not for grammar's sake just knowing what spell check can do).

Early, early, early thoughts, but, I could see USC struggle early and Clay strain to keep the wheels on (as calls for a new coach just get louder and louder). Slovis is a solid system guy, but they will need to rebuild 2/3 of the WR group and they really don't run the ball much (or show much desire to do so - last in the Pac-12 in ypg and ypc). They return most of the OL besides Vera-Tucker, but it was a group it seems many Trojans fans openly wonder if it will ever be especially good. The defense loses some key guys on the DL and in the secondary. Some young talent there, but I think Duck fans saw, even young talent often needs some time (even under even the best of circumstances let alone struggles). I haven't been one to jump on the Herm thing at ASU, but I think this has a chance to be a possible breakthrough year there. Probably tough to read too much into stats from this short season, but ASU managed to lead the conference in both scoring offense and fewest points allowed. Their season was probably also especially oddball, where they started the year almost beating USC, then had to take 3 weeks off, then came back and almost beat UCLA, then scored 116 points in their two wins. Only one home game. They ran the ball well, led the conference in rushing, and return all of a veteran defense, including on paper (dare I say) possibly one of the nation's better secondaries. I'd still probably give Utah the edge. Need to settle on a QB (and the unfortunate tragedy at RB) but look solid about everywhere else, including typical solid Utah OLs and front 7s, which has been a working recipe in the South in previous years. They also had a tough season, where they didn't get to kick their season off until nearly Thanksgiving (11/21), didn't have a great opener, then almost beat UW in Washington the next week, then finished with 3 wins. UCLA also showed signs of life at 3-4, and they really were right in all four losses (by 5 at Colorado, by 3 at UO, by 5 to USC, and by 1 in 2OT to Stanford). They lose a couple important guys, but I could see them similarly improved and in the mix again. Even Colorado has a shot to steal a game or two. I see the South beating each other up, and see something like: Utah, ASU, UCLA, USC, Colorado, Arizona. In the North, as was mentioned, UW still should be a decent defensive team, and is gonna play a style that keeps them in games. The wheels probably don't come all the way off unless the offense really implodes (which it is sort of designed to not to). Stanford maybe somewhat surprisingly finished with 4 wins after a slow start (they do lose a bit though). I'm not sure I'm ready to really see a huge breakout at OSU, probably a similar season to 2020, some signs of life, but not over the top yet. Do they wow anyone on either side of the ball yet? In the Pac, I believe they have the five road game season, and a pretty tough home slate (ASU, Stanford, Utah, UW), with trips to UO and USC as well. Oregon needs to find a QB, and overall be more interesting on offense. Not a great schedule either (at UW, at Stan, at Utah, at UCLA, at Colorado). Sounds more familiar but maybe: UO, UW, Stanford, OSU, Cal, WSU. Could be another season of the Pac-12 beating each other up, and the nation tuning the league out early. Optimistically, on paper, it still should be a good chance for Oregon to three-peat - and set up a possible window opening - to possibly do something interesting in 2022/2023. And, not to pile on, I must be getting old, and I understand spell check, but if you are going to publish something attempting to be at least semi-professional online, not at least one read through? "With the return of LB Ryan Bowman for another year, none defensive starters are projected to be back, too" "None starters"? Nine starters? "Tennessee transfer JT Shrout is coming in to battle with better Sam Noyer to do more to take the head off of Broussard." I had to read this like 3 times. "Better Sam Noyer"? Starter Sam Noyer? "Head off"? Heat off?

I would have to imagine there is specific language in the contract for just about any circumstance. Beyond optics, there is a pretty significant financial impact to the AD for carrying out one side of the contract without getting the return. I suppose a number of outcomes are possible, but I would imagine if game one happens, game two will as well, just possibly not until something like 2029 or 2030?

In defense of Shough, he worked behind arguably the weakest OL in the last four years. PFF had the following ratings among Pac-12 OL: OT: Jones #10, Aumavae-Laulu #12, Moore #20 OG: Walk #5, Bass #9 Center: Forsyth #2 In their December 3, 2020 rankings 1 to 127: 32. OREGON The fact that Oregon’s offensive line ranks this high is quite a surprise considering they lost all five starters from last year’s unit to the NFL, graduation and, in Penei Sewell’s case, an opt-out. Left tackle Steven Jones has yet to start a game this year but has proven he deserves to do so with his performance so far. Jones has logged 172 snaps despite not receiving a start, recording the fourth-best PFF grade among Pac-12 tackles (79.1). I believe they ended up ranking the 2019 OL #1 in their final rankings (Oregon-Georgia-Alabama-tOSU). Overall in 2020, maybe about what the consensus was? Solid, with room to grow. Not as successful as 2019, but, losing the top 6, pretty tough to duplicate .

In these new speculations, is ISM thought to be moving back inside? Seems like a guy who would be comfortable playing both near the LOS and dropping into a zone?

PFF had the following ratings among Pac-12 OL: OT: Jones #10, Aumavae-Laulu #12, Moore #20 OG: Walk #5, Bass #9 Center: Forsyth #2 Seems roughly consistent with what we saw this season from the OL? Solid, but room to improve. With a mostly 6 person rotation, Moore allows for a lot of flexibility. His return indeed is good news. Having a 7th OL emerge would seem a priority.

Sophomore year highlights? Recruiting is going to be pretty tricky if the summer camp and fall season are significantly interrupted.

Pass efficiency rating generally is high with a high yards per attempt number (every QB that averaged over 9 yards per attempt ended up with a pass efficiency rating over 160, and every QB over 160 was in the top 15 in the final NCAA pass efficiency list, everyone over 10 y/a at the top). TS was 9.3. I'm not a huge PFF guy, but they do appear to dig a bit deeper (and often better catch the complete picture). Their rating of QBs tracks (and rates) things such as: throws completed into tight windows, completion percentage under pressure, completion percentage from a clean pocket, big time throw percentage, creating outside structure, accuracy, turnover worthy play rate, completion percentage outside the pocket, QB fault/uncatchable throw rate, completions on throws of 10+ yards, decision making, accuracy, etc., etc. For 2020, they rated Shough 11th out of 12 starting QBs in the Pac-12, ahead of only Utah's Bentley. His overall just passing grade was 9th out of 12. This in a season where the Pac-12 didn't really seem overwhelmed with top QB play (Mills, Slovis, Morris at the top).

The Register Guard (Jan. 22) reported DeRuyter earned $825,000 at Cal in 2020. Initial articles just reported the contract's base of $400,000. Incentives brought that up (including $300,000 for retention).

The recruiting bo-bo at Notre Dame didn't seem too bad, anyone know what Todd Lyght's plans are?

As well, things appear to be heating up for another top four star (at a position of need), Avante Dickerson (national #121, CB #8). Snow College JC OL Jordan Moko (#6 JC, #1 OT) also I believe is a guy with a spot if he chooses. JTT of course (national #3, #2 SDE). Uncommitted four star S/WR from Hawaii Titus Mokiao-Atimalala (national #302, ATH #19) is another name that still seems in play.

I've read too it was just a preemptive move to try to keep Sirmon from leaving. Very similar to what the UW did with Kwaitkowski and Lake. Between Wilcox, DeRuyter, Sirmon, and DB coach Marcel Yates, Cal had 4 guys with recent DC experience, it was unlikely Cal could keep them all. I'd imagine TDR has no no more forgotten how to call defenses than Kwaitkowski did.

Haven't seen this one linked here, some nice background on coach TD: https://www.dailycal.org/2017/11/04/change-coming-defensive-coordinator-tim-deruyter-bears-walking/

Coach just dropped his article and I hadn't even thought of a pass rush heavy "2-4-5" with something like a K.Williams-Dorlus front, Funa and KT as walked up OLBs, ISM (or Flowe) and Sewell inside LBs, and whichever 5 DBs. That's putting together a lot of 4 (or 5) player pass rushing ability on the field together while still allowing for 7 (or 6) player coverages.

Always seemed like a good kid and teammate; but, they tried to run him a little against USC and it was: 8 carries for 13 yards (with a long of 3 yards) His only carry of the 1st half was 3 yards for a 1st down. Second half rushes: 1, -1, 2, 3, 2, 1, and 2 One carry in the bowl game, start of the 4th quarter, 3rd and 1 for no gain forcing a punt. He did have a nice 26 yard catch and run from AB in the 2nd. Might be a good fit reuniting with Arroyo, pairing with RB Charles Williams at UNLV.

"4-3"/"3-4" likely makes for a good topic for off-season discussion. I'd still be surprised to see a base "4-3" and I'm not sure exactly how it appears to be a better fit for returning defensive personal? Popo should be able to step into the nose backed up by Jayson Jones. The following several seasons Jones is about as nose tackle as you are gonna find. I'm not sure about turning Funa in an every down DE either. KT-Popo-Williams-Funa would be a pretty smallish "4-3" front. The OLBs on both sides of the DeRutyer "3-4" are considered to be a rush LBs anyway, one side especially so, often manned by a converted DE. You could put ISM at the more traditional OLB spot and then pair Sewell and Flowe inside. If you end up on obvious passing downs (or whenever desired) you can sub in a nickle and walk Funa up in a "4-2-5". With Pickett gone, instead of replacing him, Hill could move into the other S position. Isn't the greater preference in today's college football towards "3-4s" and variations with a (full time) base nickle defense about getting more guys who can play in space on the field against different types of spread offenses? Returning to a base "4-3" seems to be counter to that approach? One thing for sure (Total PLAYS last 5 games): UO 64 UCLA 82 UO 66 OSU 82 UO 60 Cal 79 UO 60 USC 80 UO 46 Iowa State 85 (Drives of 10+ plays and result) OPPONENT'S 10+ play drives (17) 19 plays (td) - Cal 16 plays (td) - OSU 15 plays (td) - Iowa State 14 plays (td) - Iowa State 13 plays (td) - UCLA 13 plays (td) - Cal 13 plays (downs) - OSU 13 plays (fg) - Iowa St. 12 plays (td) - USC 12 plays (fg) - USC 12 plays (td) - USC 12 plays (td) - UCLA 11 plays (fg) - OSU 10 plays (td) - OSU 10 plays (fg) - OSU 10 plays (td) - UCLA 10 plays (fumble) - Iowa State OREGON'S 10+ play drives (6) 14 plays (td) - USC 13 plays (fg) - UCLA 11 plays (fg) - USC 11 plays (td) - OSU 10 plays (td) - OSU 10 plays (fg) - Cal something a little more aggressive will be welcomed. "Bend but don't break" still needed to get off the field at some point - and didn't do so very well in 2020. The big total play discrepancy and long drives allowed these last 5 games are trends that needs to go away in 2021.

Well past time to move on for sure. When people suggest the Pac-12 has had little conception of "urgency", to it's detriment, this appears an excellent example.

Doing some reading around different programs, the message board fan opinion tends to lean toward OC and DC becoming less and less a primary recruiting positions? I don't know if it is now a even stronger emphasis/responsibility put upon position coaches, or an expansion of the role of support staff? Don't really have any conclusions on the matter, but it seems to be out there?

Whoa a bit surprised but my first (and not especially knowledgeable) glance looks good. Some notes I came across from a Cal site: * It's a normal, base 3-4 alignment, with the defensive ends in a '5 technique' in front of the tackles and the nose playing on top of the center. Both outside linebackers are stand-up pass rushers and the top priority for players moving to that position is their ability to rush the passer. *That being said, there isn't a concrete form for this defense... they're going to move around, "be multiple", use a lot of different blitzes and line stunts to confuse protection schemes. When they go to a nickel, it'll be a 4-2-5, with those rush outside linebackers coming down to the defensive end spots. * A big part of a DeRuyter defense is aggressiveness, blitzing, feigning blitzes, causing confusion to the point of forcing turnovers, sacks, and tackles for loss... as far as actual scheme goes, DeRuyter is willing to send both rush ends on a blitz, while trusting his linebackers to provide contain on a blitz. Other times, they'll lay off and rush four, sending one of the rush linebackers into coverage. It's likely that Cal will use converted DEs on one side of the linebacking core, but the other side should be a more traditional outside linebacker that can drop and cover, like on this play...The defense provides solid pressure with a four man rush ...other times, a DeRuyter defense will show blitz, back off, bring pressure from elsewhere, and run a line stunt. *What DeRuyter has brought to the table in past stints as a DC: an aggressive defense that can cause havoc and force mistakes. As far as coverage goes, with the amount of blitzing expected, there should be more man defense played by the Bears... Not the most recent article though:

Found this over on another board (Notre Dame Rivals) for this past year on ratings this year. From something called Sports Media Watch. Had not seen if but forgive if it is a repeat. Who is watching this Pac-12 conference? Most games televised Most viewers in tota Viewers per gamel Change in avg viewership from prior year equivalent game 1: Bama - 12 / 87.6M / 7.3M / 3% 2: N Dame - 12 / 70.5M / 5.9M / 104% 3: Ohio State - 8 / 69.6M / 8.7M / 21% 4: Clemson - 9 / 60.2M / 6.7M / 33% 5: Florida - 11 / 44.3M / 4M / 10% 6: Georgia - 5 / 34.7M / 6.9M / 20% 7: Oklahoma - 10 / 30.7M / 3.1M / -30% 8: Auburn - 8 / 28.7M / 3.6M / 7% 9: Texas A&M - 8 / 27.4M / 3.4M / 47% 10: Iowa State - 12 / 27.1M / 2.3M / -1% 11: Texas - 9 / 26.2M / 2.9M / 3% 12: N Carolina - 8 / 24.2M / 3M / -13% 13: OK State - 11 / 23.9M / 2.2M / -15% 14: LSU - 6 / 23.3M / 3.9M / -8% 15: Miami (FL) - 7 / 21.7M / 3.1M / 24% 16: N'western - 7 / 21.6M / 3.1M / 85% 17: Michigan - 5 / 19.9M / 4M / 22% 18. Oregon - 7 / 19.8M/ 2.8M/36% 19: Penn State - 7 / 18.3M / 2.6M / 69% 20: Indiana - 7 / 18.2M / 2.6M / 10% 21: Wisconsin - 6 / 17.6M / 2.9M / 33% 22: Michigan St - 7 / 17.5M / 2.5M / 43% 23: Tennessee - 5 / 17.3M / 3.5M / 27% 24: Cincinnati - 8 / 16.5M / 2.1M / -12% 25: West Virginia - 10 / 15.5M / 1.6M / 4% 29: USC - 6 /13.4M/ 2.2M / -17.75 65 Power Five teams and, if this is accurate, only two in the top 30? Not exactly new news but still interesting to see in black-and-white. All factors considered, a decent number for Oregon I"d suggest? Other Numbers: The Fiesta Bowl finished 6th in bowls with 6.6M, behind the 3 BCS games and the Peach (Georgia-Cin) and Cotton (A&M-NC). The Pac-12 Championship had 3.85M, ahead of the Big 12 Championship (Oklahoma shows State) at 2.99M. The Huskies had a later game schedule, their 4 games drawing 0.74M, 1.14M, 2.02M, 1.3M for an average of 1.3M per game, which wasn't ranked in the available chart I saw.

It's definitely a fair point. Though perhaps onto a different one to the original thought regarding TS vs. AB. It may actually be a point answering those who see AB's BC numbers and say, "No way (unless no other options)" though. Far from a Boston College expert, but I believe over 2017-2019 they were a pretty run-heavy (two TE), pro-style, play action, drop back vertical passing offense (behind AJ Dillion who rushed for 1600, 1100, and 1700 yards those years, BC appears to have been about 65/35 run versus pass). It's likely playing in that offense is going to show up in the numbers. The concern with AB at Oregon probably would more be learning/fitting into a more RPO/RO offense (where he seemed fine but not a lot to judge) rather than poise, throwing out of the pocket, seeing the field, comfort with vertical throws.

Nobody is going to turn down a Haloti Ngata, but as I understand it (and as far as this terminology still applies), Avalos preferred a "single gap" approach on the DL as opposed to the "two gap" approach previously employed by Aliotti, Pellum, and Hoke. Probably means a recruiting preference for a downsized more athletic DL, rather than more bulky and hard to move ones. I think the UW runs a similar 5 DB base, but has employed "two gappers" up front (Shelton, Vea, Qualls, Gaines). The "single gap" maybe makes more sense if the defense is going to regularly be aggressive up front (UO 2019 maybe more so than UO 2020). Washington I think tends to prefer to play a lot of coverage, so their big guys need to tie up space and eventually collapse the pocket Somebody correct any and all of that which is wrong.

Wilner reported in February Cal's AD had lost $89 million over the previous five years; and, the NYT projected a $24 million 2020 shortfall might reach $55 million with COVID. Not sure exactly on those numbers, but if accurate probably a tough environment to hand out huge coordinator matches (if somebody comes calling). With Sirmon being named co-DC (and apparently given play calling duties last March), keeping both might be seen as even more a luxury. I guess DeRuyter is thought to be interested in being a HC again, and was in the UNLV mix before Arroyo was hired. A name that would surprise me a bit.

I haven't seen anyone suggest Anthony Brown was coming in with some sort of perfect career arc. If so, he probably wouldn't have been a transfer. As for trajectory, its a nice idea, but going back to before Bill Musgrave, I can't see a single case of a starting Duck QB actually fitting that narrative? Marcus is maybe the only one close to it, but Marcus was great as a freshman, a bit better as a sophomore, and a bit better as a junior. He went from like an A- to an A to an A+ over his 3 years. The rest of the guys generally were better as seniors sure, but: Justin Herbert: PE rating went from 149 to 168 to 145 to 157. Completion % started at 64% and ended at 67%, dropped to 59% as a junior. His TD/INT percentage was 0.83 as a freshman and 0.84 as a senior. Darron Thomas: two years as a starter, great as a sophomore and slightly better as a junior. 62% completions both years, passing efficiency 151 to 159, TD/INT 30/9 then 33/7. Jeremiah Masoli: PE rating went from 132 to 130 to 121. TD/INT started 13/5 went to 15/6 finished 14/13. Completions 57% then 58% then 56%. Dennis Dixon: PE rating from 142 to 121 to 161. TD/INT from 6/3 to 12/14 to 20/4. Completion percentage 66% to 61% to 68%. No real trajectory between so and jr. 2007 Chip Kelly era magic as sr. Kellen Clemens: PE rating from 140 to 132 to 153, completions 60% then 60% then 64%. TD/INT 18/9, 22/10, then 19/4. Like Dixon, first year better than second, jumped in third. Joey Harrington: sophomore and junior years very similar statistically, a bit better as a senior (PE 133 to 125 to 144, completions 53%, 53%, 59%, TD/INT 10/3, dropped to 22/14 then improved to 27/6). Tony Graziani: 7 games then 11 games then 6 games, finally threw less picks as a senior but completion percentage 54% all 3 years, PE 120 down to 111 up to 131. Danny O'Neill: PE rating 118 Up to 149 down to 124, completions 56% to 62% down to 53%. INT did improve 11/10 to 22/15 to 22/9. Bill Musgrave: all four years roughly the same: PE rating (137 to 123 to 132 to 130), completions (59 to 51 to 58 then 58), TD/INT (13/8, 8/4, 22/16, 17/12). As odd as it may sound, the one guy on this list that probably "fits" this narrative best is Anthony Brown at BC over his 3 years. PE rating went from 103 to 135 to 155. Completions went from 52% to 55% to 59%. TD/INT ratio improved from 0.55 to 0.69 to 0.82.