Random Observations- Ball State

sfcane2

Redshirt Freshman
Premium
Joined
Nov 5, 2011
Messages
601
Missed parts of the game so not complete

- Pure speculation but they are pacing Martinez and some others since they think this could be a 15-16 game season. Martinez and most of CFB have never played a long season like this can be.
- This will be a big theme as the season plays out. Look at NFL rookies and how they slide as the year goes on.

- This is completely different than 2017. 2017 was a lot of lucky bounces. This is a supremely talented team.
- How many talented young freshman and sophmores do we have. I couldn't stop watching the end of the game when we had a team that played in high school last year balling out.
- This is hands down Mario's most explosive team. Both offensively and defensively. Lots of fast twitch guys on both sides.
- This is not the Mario I saw at Oregon. He had Justin Herbert but they never let it loose like this. He is showing incredible growth. In the past he never would have let his OC sling the ball like he did during the time when the game was being decided. The stats made us looked balanced but we threw it when it counted.
- The Chris Johnson TD made me think we have a lot left that we haven't shown and that we're just starting to tap into our potential.
- Cam Ward is a much looser, more confident QB than Justin Herbert was in college. Herbert is great and has unbelievable tools but he did get tense at times and over thought situations.
- How good are Aroyo and Lofton. It's not Bowers and Delp but it's pretty scary.
- Not sure how much rope we should give Sam Brown. He has some explosion so maybe we should look at this like preseason where he's getting acclimated.
- Surprisingly I'm a little disappointed in the Oline depth.
- Alston is a stud but I have PTSD seeing the #11 and thinking of Cory Flagg a step too slow.

Anyway will have more when I watch the game again.
 
Advertisement
- Pure speculation but they are pacing Martinez and some others since they think this could be a 15-16 game season. Martinez and most of CFB have never played a long season like this can be.
I've been pondering the same thing. This has to be it, right?

He only got 3 touches today. He only has like 25 touches total. For the lead back through 3 games, that is nothing.
 
Regarding OL depth..Kinsler and Samson aren’t developing as fast as I think they thought they would. Both should be sure fire starters next year and both look like they still need major work.
Kinsler came in a 3 star and is a redshirt freshman. Give him another year. Samsons injury set him back. Really thought he would be in our top 6-7 guys on the rotation. Obviously still early in the year but with the injuries to Rivers and Rodriguez. Samson and Kinsler have a big opportunity to get more snaps.
 
Regarding OL depth..Kinsler and Samson aren’t developing as fast as I think they thought they would. Both should be sure fire starters next year and both look like they still need major work.
Give them time. Samson is getting his first game playing of his college career and Kinsler is young too. Most Olinemen really don’t produce at a high level until they are juniors and have the necessary strength. Don’t use Cooper and Cici as the norm. They are both physical freaks. Cici is already a stone wall. No one will beat him around the edge.
If Samson isn’t starting by next Fall then I would agree there is a legitimate concern.
 
Advertisement
Give them time. Samson is getting his first game playing of his college career and Kinsler is young too. Most Olinemen really don’t produce at a high level until they are juniors and have the necessary strength. Don’t use Cooper and Cici as the norm. They are both physical freaks. Cici is already a stone wall. No one will beat him around the edge.
If Samson isn’t starting by next Fall then I would agree there is a legitimate concern.
CiCi is a freak and played at IMG he was way ahead of samson coming in, who played in Mass against nobody's
Samson got all the tools but needs time to develop
 
One thing I noticed when Cam went over to Barrow and Baron and told then get up and go support the defense. That is a leader and speaks to the culture Miami is creating. It’s always easier as leader when the troops hold each other accountable and police themselves. The scary thing is this team can still play better and they are killing people.
 
Missed parts of the game so not complete

- Pure speculation but they are pacing Martinez and some others since they think this could be a 15-16 game season. Martinez and most of CFB have never played a long season like this can be.
- This will be a big theme as the season plays out. Look at NFL rookies and how they slide as the year goes on.

- This is completely different than 2017. 2017 was a lot of lucky bounces. This is a supremely talented team.
- How many talented young freshman and sophmores do we have. I couldn't stop watching the end of the game when we had a team that played in high school last year balling out.
- This is hands down Mario's most explosive team. Both offensively and defensively. Lots of fast twitch guys on both sides.
- This is not the Mario I saw at Oregon. He had Justin Herbert but they never let it loose like this. He is showing incredible growth. In the past he never would have let his OC sling the ball like he did during the time when the game was being decided. The stats made us looked balanced but we threw it when it counted.
- The Chris Johnson TD made me think we have a lot left that we haven't shown and that we're just starting to tap into our potential.
- Cam Ward is a much looser, more confident QB than Justin Herbert was in college. Herbert is great and has unbelievable tools but he did get tense at times and over thought situations.
- How good are Aroyo and Lofton. It's not Bowers and Delp but it's pretty scary.
- Not sure how much rope we should give Sam Brown. He has some explosion so maybe we should look at this like preseason where he's getting acclimated.
- Surprisingly I'm a little disappointed in the Oline depth.
- Alston is a stud but I have PTSD seeing the #11 and thinking of Cory Flagg a step too slow.

Anyway will have more when I watch the game again.
that a good point about Martinez.

so funny, im the same way with flagg.
 
My thoughts thru 3 games. Not gonna talk about Cam, X, Baron because we all see it there - elite talent. I’m optimistic that we may have a great team on our hands - but will defer to conference play and not giving up the big upset.

WB31 is better than a lot of people give him credit for. He is playing hard and appears to be growing into a leader by his play. Side note that penalty today was BS.

Horton didn’t get as many opportunities today but he has been really good thru 3 games and has been great with the ball in his hands - better than Brown so far. Should be a sure fire starter and log a lot of plays next year if not this year already. I won’t name names but certain WR’s (more than one) need to hit the leg room and put on some muscle if they want to get YAC.

I like that we are getting the young guys a lot of snaps. It should help with recruiting. Notable to me (today) were CJJr, Dylan Day had the nice ST play, Scott got the sack, Lofton with the TD, Lyle getting a lot of touches,

Riley Williams is no slouch. He’s showed up with nice catches in multiple games. He is a physical (tall) mismatch. Arroyo is great too - just seems like he (Arroyo) can bully guys more after the catch where Williams is more of a receiver.

Emory looked pretty spot on today in his limited time. He dropped that dime right in the bread basket of Lofton. We still may/should hit portal next year (and should every year really IMO) but by the practice reporting and how he did today - he should be in competition.

It will be nice to get Rivers back. Bell is learning and serviceable in these games for sure - but he plays too high and is a bit stiff.

I think JT will get poached from us after this season. Likely as a DC but possibly NFL DL too. What a breadth of fresh air it is to have consistency with both coordinators and staff as a whole though. Since I can remember it seems like we are switching one or both coordinators - it makes a massive, massive difference.
 
I understand everyone’s point about giving Kinsler and Samson time to develop but remember the question from OP was his concern about OL depth. I was just pointing out that Samson and Kinsler were and are a big part of that equation. Definitely have not given up on them. We honestly don’t have the luxury to.
 
Advertisement
When they were stacking the box early, I knew that we’d start to rush the ball in the second half. When you’re up 30+ in the second half of a game in which you are completely dominating, you don’t run RB1 out there.
Plus early in the game when the ground was still wet, it was obvious moving the ball in the air was more effective anyway.
I’m not worried about Martinez. Probably mostly because I don’t see a huge talent gap between him and the other backs, unlike the situation at QB.
 
Regarding OL depth..Kinsler and Samson aren’t developing as fast as I think they thought they would. Both should be sure fire starters next year and both look like they still need major work.
I have my eye on 75 and 55. I’ve liked what I’ve seen in mop up with them. 63 had enough of a seal on the AA’ td run. Bell concerns me. One moment he looks good and the next loses leverage and gets bent in half matrix style. Lou is Lou , he should be nothing more than the human victory cigar. We need somebody to step up because the depth is shaky. Oh and Carpentwr is a stud. My guy is amazing in the open field in the screen / pulling game . Great pickup.

As for rb Ajay , he needs more carries. He’s very complete as a back. Good vision , explosion and catches the ball well. CJ24 looks like the light has came on and the game has slowed down. He’s letting blocks setup and being more patient. Then allowing the jets to be turned on.

Malik is another guy that’s earning more time. Thank gid they stopped the madness of him playing Mike and allowed him to play to his strength.

The wr’s blocking is another strength of the team. X took two guys out on CJ’s td. JG also looks to be taking it to another level . Hopefully he’s ok.

Lastly this front seven is as smart and disciplined as any I’ve seen in years. Very few times of losing gaps or contain and know to stop rushing when sniffing out screens or eye candy. Baron is a cheat code and 10 wrecked havoc all day.
 
Last edited:
Back
Top