We lost the last two games of the season by 115-7. Disappointing and embarrassing results but not unexpected based on the expanded injury list.
On the defensive side 2 of 3 starting LBs injured, we had to use a 5th year grad at LB who never played in a single game in his 4 years at Rutgers for most of the season. 3 of 4 S on the 2 deep injured. Add to that a DC that was already ultra conservative in his defensive schemes, this left little room for mistakes by inexperienced players and Marshall & WKU O burnt us over and over again.
On the other side of the ball, season ending injury for our preseason all-conference OG, before the season began followed by 3 OL starters going down by the FAU game. We play mostly 2 TE sets, but when your 2 Mackey Award candidates (Smith & Griner) can't stay healthy and both eventually go down we are left with a QB playing TE. No blocking, no real pass threat.
The bad news is, our 2 senior CBs are in NFL training camps now and Pete Garcia is still AD.
While the DC was an inside promotion, we expect the D to play a little more aggressively but should have more experience. The concerns would be the Dline after losing both starting DEs. The good news is IU no longer has their QB and RB and except for Griner, all the O should be back for us. In addition to McGough, RBs Gardner & Jones should have better blocking with a
healthy OL. We finally have a true FB for goal line efforts. In addition to Smith at TE, we have a Tennessee grad (Branisel) at TE with experience. WR should be good and will add former 4* Freddie Pinder this fall.
Coach Turner plays B1G football, unfortunately, the team goes as the OL goes.