It's a good opening game for the team to get real reps in a live situation, blah, blah, blah. Of course we all want to see how JT Daniels plays, etc.
But here's why I think the UNLV game is immensely valuable. Post Cotton Bowl.
The UNLV defensive front 7 is really substandard. At the same time UNLV has a new Defensive Coordinator who will try lots of different looks, stunts, blitz, etc.
Post Cotton Bowl, this Offensive Line & Coach have no more excuses. The UNLV game may be a contrary leading indicator for rest of season.
I'm confident our D, our QB, our WR, our RB's are solid. These units will take us to victory on Saturday regardless of our O-Line.
But here's why I think the UNLV game is immensely valuable. Post Cotton Bowl.
The UNLV defensive front 7 is really substandard. At the same time UNLV has a new Defensive Coordinator who will try lots of different looks, stunts, blitz, etc.
Post Cotton Bowl, this Offensive Line & Coach have no more excuses. The UNLV game may be a contrary leading indicator for rest of season.
- If our O-Line looks average against UNLV? We will be facing a very long season. My 10-2 expectation will look dicey. I don't expect major improvements during the course of the season. They are who they are.
- If our O-Line consistently dominates the front 7 of UNLV then we must wait until Stanford game for another assessment. Our O-Line dominating UNLV is only a "Meet Expectations" performance.
- In particular I will be watching pass protection. How good/bad is our O-Line pass protection.
I'm confident our D, our QB, our WR, our RB's are solid. These units will take us to victory on Saturday regardless of our O-Line.
