Sounds like they are pretty much where we are right now in terms of replacing starters. Plus they're experiencing major coaching changes.
Non-Smack Talk Perceptions:
1. USU as a whole must learn a whole new scheme with a whole new coaching staff. We've been through that and our guys are in their 2nd year under CBJ & Co. Advantage--UT
2. Both replacing their OL, both apparently have players who saw some action last season. Admitting bias, I think our guys are more field tested. talent-wise, we might and I do stress might, have a advantage there. But USU program is known for having hard working players who perform on the field, win, lose, or draw. Advantage--Even
3. Both are replacing their DL. Our guys are higher rated overall but never dismiss the ferocity of Polynesian players. I've seen them in action. take them lightly at your own enormous risk. It lookslike both teams will employ a lighter and faster DL. This will be a game in which the real factor is who has the better DL coaches. Advantage--USU because they've had such DL longer.
4. I believe without question, our LB corps is just flat out better. Especially with the Maggit - Johnson tandem with the others not being slouches by any means. If the DL plays even halfway decent, the LB corps is going be murderous. Advantage--UT
5. USU seems to have promising players at this position who showed improvement as the season progressed. Like us and except for Sutton, and I dare to add that walk on guy, Swafford, we both have relatively unproven but talent people in the secondary. However, we have "unproven" talent that played exceptionally as JUCOs and that will be the balance tipper. Advantage--UT
5. Quarterback? Don't even debate it. USU's back from injury stud is a proven stud. Don't even try to debate it. Advantage--USU
6. Frankly, I will be shocked beyond belief if USU's secondary can stop our WRs. We have a bunch of Ponderosa Pine and Sequoia trees, now combined with speedsters playing these positions. And they were baptized last year in fire and brimstone. They're ready now. USU WRs aren't far behind and actually have more experience. So until proven otherwise, Advantage--Even
7. Special teams, I'd say USU has the better one. Because we have too many uncertainties. Who and how good will our P/PK be? We have decent KRs but how good will the blocking be or the guys running down field to tackle opposing KRs? On that basis, I'd say Advantage--USU
8. Coaches, quite frankly, I can't honestly claim to know who has advantage here. CBJ has been with his team longer than the new guys at USU. But that isn't enough to say which coach is better. Plus I don't really know anything about the new USU guys. I know the Butch is driven and determined to win. I know he aims to leave his mark on the UT program. I know he puts his money where his mouth is when he talks about relentless effort. But all i know, the USU is the same. So I can't say yet who's the better coach. My heart says BUTCH but my head says "You don't know that."
