Spring is in the air, and soon we'll actually have some on-field happenings to discuss rather than just off-field missteps. We're knee-deep in depth charts and player projections, and this will remain our focus until the season kicks off on September 1.
Until we figure out just what will happen during the 2011 campaign there's still plenty of time to throw out a few gut feelings as to how things may shake out heading into spring, summer and fall. Here's another that's definitely quarterback-heavy.
1. A bit closer to Earth in Stillwater
One key factor at play causes me to think that the 2011 Oklahoma State offense will struggle to operate at a 2010 level. Sure Brandon Weeden and Justin Blackmon are back to terrorize secondaries some more, and the running back spot will be fine even without Mr. Underrated, Kendall Hunter. However the nation's #3 offense loses its director with Dana Holgorsen's move to Morgantown.
I know that new OC Todd Monken has promised to not mess a good thing up. But this whole thing is just strange...hey, you want to be our coordinator and run another dude's system?
2. Does the Oregon offense even have a ceiling?
Oregon's Darron Thomas appears poised to take the next step this Spring, and it'll simply be a question of a small step or a giant leap. 35 touchdowns as a first-year starter mean expectations will be sky high, and Chip Kelly will have plenty of new tricks up his sleeve. Rob Moseley of The Register Guard has a great piece on Thomas heading into 2011.
3. Is there Hope?
Can't say I'm too excited about Purdue heading into the season, however they do return a bunch of defensive starters (sans Mr. Kerrigan) and there is some skill talent looking to return to full health. But I'm interested to see what kind of distance Rob Henry can put between himself and Robert Marve (until Marve returns in August).
4. If there's one freshman ready to take the reigns...
Watch Louisville's Teddy Bridgewater this spring.
5. Andrew Luck over/under: 36 scores and 3400 yards
Coming off a 36-score season that saw him post over 3400 yards from scrimmage in 2010, there's no doubt that Luck is the nation's most talented returner at QB. And the under is a lock. He may be the second coming of Troy Aikman, but there's no way he reaches those totals again.