A quick preseason scan of the SoCon shows one common ingredient – someone kinda new at quarterback.
Only two teams are returning someone who started every game last season.
Quick! Name them!
/Jeopardy music
Time’s up!
Entering 2012, only two teams – Elon and The Citadel – have a returning quarterback who started every game in 2011. The remaining seven teams have quarterbacks who either played sparingly as a backup, started midway through the season, split time, contributed at another position or transferred into the program this year.
Take a look at last year’s top four teams: Georgia Southern needs to replace two-year starter Jaybo Shaw; Wofford must replace Mitch Allen; Appalachian State (which is probably in the best shape at QB) brings back Jamal Jackson, but he only started the final seven games of the season; and Furman looks to fill the hole of the quarterback who led the FCS in pass efficiency, Chris Forcier.
Sure, El Cid and the Swag are coming back with vets, but they’re El Cid and the Swag. The rest of the league will have a newer look behind center, but the offensive systems and proven talents aren’t that unstable.
At Stink and Wofford, the QB role isn’t as important in the triple option offense as in a more balanced attack. Plus both teams return their top two rushers, all four of whom were among the top 7 runners in the league last year. They should be just fine.
Furman could have some problems. The expected starter, senior Dakota Derrick, has played sparingly the past two seasons. His backup is a true freshman. Severe growing pains won’t be unexpected.
Jackson was the preseason pick for first team all-SoCon at QB. He put up some great passing numbers in his starts, but will be missing some favorite targets. There’s also the question of the App State ground game, ie. will it exist?
So maybe there could be some early concern. Could be.
A mystery man is Terrell Robinson at ‘Nooga. The 2011 freshman of the year played behind starter BJ Coleman, but managed to pass for 336 yards and six TDs and run for another 417 yards and five TDs. In just three starts.
Given those performances, it’s no surprise the Mocs are going to the spread.
When App State made that jump, the immediate results were … uh … unpleasant. But the year after that, POW! … Good times.
In summary, Jackson is the proven starter. Robinson is a wild card. Stink and Wofford should keep on keeping on. Furman is who knows. El Cid and Swag same old, same old.
And the rest? Just that.
I have a feeling we're all underestimating the combination of QB Thomas Wilson and WR Aaron Mellette at Elon.
Someone please remind me why Elon is referred to as "swag" ? I'm drawing a complete blank.
hey sigh…. I think it comes from an article in the /Burlington Times News when they were preparing to play ASU for the conference title in Elon back in 2009…..the article stated that the Phoenix were walking with a new or confident swagger during the week of practice before the game….they even went as far as printing conference championship posters…..thus the name swag
It's the clothes man, it's the clothes. No it's their swagger or swag for short.
AppGrad78, I agree 100%. Last year, Coach Moore said Wilson was the best QB we faced all season.. it might have been coach speak, but I wouldn't take them lightly at all.
I would disagree on the importance of a QB in the TO attack. Any Wofford and GSU will tell you that the offense starts with that position. They are more worried about the QB fitting in than any other issue in 2012. If the QB isn't ready them that offense doesn't get off the ground.
Does the TO ever get off the ground?
Zen, depends on the team for how often, but yes, it does.. It has to in order to keep the defense honest.
This question needs to go somewhere so I am asking. Does anyone know what is happening with ticket sales? There are still several seats (not grass seating) available for the Montana game. I know we have expanded the stadium, but I would have thought there would only be grass seats remaining by now.
With a dissappointing season (compared to the last several) and higher ticket prices, I'm concerned attendance will take a hit.
The quarterback is very important in a triple option offense. The "option" in the offense belongs to him. He doesn't lead the team in rushing, but he decides who will.
If Jamal does what we think he should, we'll be fine.
Even with UTC going to a new offense and with a new QB, I believe they are the scariest team we play cause we continue to underrate them. If you look at the last few seasons, we have barely pulled off a victory against them and they seem to get a little better each year. Its easy for us to get motivated against GSU and Wofford but for some reason each year the week going into UTC we seem unmotivated and lethargic. UTC is definitely a program on the rise.
And…we go there to play this year.
I really am pissed that ccc only got to play AE twice. It really upsets me. I think 79-35 may have happened at least one more time.
Thanks Joe, but it was a rhetorical question.
I hope we dont go in underestimating El Cid. I watched that game last year. When they put in that freshman QB the game got pretty intersting. Dont know what would have happened if there had been more time on the clock.