OL/DL depth can't be understated. That is the sign of a strong program.

Interesting group potentially returning next season. We will have an entire spring and off season to dive into that, but a national title run is realistic. Montana comes here, Montana State isn't on the schedule. Very favorable schedule as a matter of fact.

One would think that the NCAA will grant the Connors' another season. My feeling is that coming off of the injuries, the market may not be what it might have been last year, and the likelihood of a return becomes greater. Vargas, who knows.

Psyk will be the hardest grad transfer to replace. Garretson helps, as does Few.

Possibly the biggest shoes to fill (figuratively and literally) will be Eli Simonson at Left Tackle. Pro body, three year starter, that hit is massive. Maybe an area of the portal I would sniff around in.

Admissions office is a challenge at Poly. Limited "exceptions" in that process, limited recruiting budget, things like that. Things that Plough speaks publicly about and fights for like summer classes and housing, feeding the players properly, NIL, all of that is lacking.

Wulff & Co. went all in on transfers the last two years in an effort to save their jobs. As usual, it didn't work. He's a very good and highly respected football coach. He just got caught in the whole "win now" insanity of college football, even at places that don't give a rip about their football program like SLO. If Cal Poly would've had the patience to allow them time to construct it with high school players, get into the new building, improve the infrastructure, all that, he would have turned it. Skipper will be successful if he gets that leeway. Yes, they were more talented this season than they had been, but they were obviously uninspired at times (Portland State for example) and that gets coaches like Wulff and James Franklin fired these days. I get the impression that the admin is clueless. That place is always full of excuses. Hopefully Skipper can turn the tide all across their beautiful campus, but that is going to be a job unto itself. There is a reason Coach Madden was NEVER involved with the program (it was his estate that gave the gift) at his alma mater.

Pena reminds me of the Sac State edge rushers.
Bummer for their RT, that's heartbreaking but it is also part of the game.
Every team that is still playing is banged up in some regard.
The teams with the most/best depth and who get or make the breaks (with bounces, injuries, bracket draws, playing at home, etc.) typically advance.

Skipper isn't Marion... Cal Poly's problem is Cal Poly. Wulf was at least figuring out how to work around some of the BS and they were better this year. Now they start over again. "Three years, this guy sucks, we need a new coach!"

My gut and a little film tells me that our Defensive Line and Front 7 personnel > URI's Offensive Line. Coombs will dial up pressure not just by blitzing, but by line stunts and movements against a smallish interior OL.

Their QB will get the ball out quick and he will get some. He will also get hit. A lot.

Makes sense

Good point on the stats. I threw him into the mix based on the HT/WT measurables, traditionally strong HS program, and yes, pedigree. Who else is there in the QB room aside from Guess (who will likely get moved) and Wrighster? Probably ends up with Cleeland as the #2 with Eason/Wrighster battling for #3?

The Cleeland-Eason competition will be interesting after next season. Expect them both to travel next year with Cleeland heading into spring ball as the #2. Looks like a very healthy situation in the QB room

For Sac to have 34 commits means there was or is a mass exodus and major roster overhaul in progress. The only other explanation would be that they are offering 100+ scholarships under the guise of their FBS jump. That could be it.

Looks like the Ags are doing what they do: recruit for development. Good looking group of signees, way to go coaches!

Great comp with the SIU stadium, looks like a clone to ours. I like your concept with the upper deck at ours, but doesn't seem like that will fit with the current plans?

As would be expected against most FBS opponents in the OL/DL realm. Our D has to make Farrell uncomfortable somehow, I think that is one of the keys to the game, if not the key factor. He's a dealer. This is going to be fun to watch with two elite QBs going at it.

There's no question that Guess can play, but it's likely not QB at this level IMO, Here we go again, me popping off about QBs... :rofl: I see his measurables as a potential Sam Gbatu comp speed- and quickness-wise. Can he catch? Slot slash kick/punt return man might be his ticket.

And it sounds like Lupoi is officially returning to his alma mater at Cal as of a few minutes ago.

Will Stein got the Kentucky gig, good hire by them.

Should settle everyone down who thought there was a chance our guy would take the money and run ini this cycle. Too close and too much unfinished business. Go Ags!

Tim Skipper to Cal Poly would be an absolute coup for the Mustangs. Home run hire if they can get it finalized. Maybe he can find the original giant horseshoe trophy and send it back to us as a goodwill gesture.

Haha! No apology needed, I asked for it. Sounds very unique, and that is some nice summertime water temperature. This is a great time in Southern California on some of the south-facing breaks up near Ventura and Santa Barbara, but that's a long way from Sac/Davis.

Back to football. Your RB is a Stanford bounceback? Is he an East Coast kid? My impression of your Offensive Line was that, aside from the Left Tackle, they seemed on the shorter side. They were well coached, especially in pass pro and picking-up stunts and pressures, but looked undersized. They're obviously effective with the URI offensive numbers.

Thanks for the back story, I was really impressed with his abilities, his energy, and perceived leadership. He is the heart and soul and they do a nice job moving him around. Aside from Corners, Defensive Linemen are probably the hardest to find at this level because if they can walk and chew gum, they'll get paid more and/or poached. Pretty cool that he loves URI and came back, and that your staff thought so highly of him that they let him back.

Your head coach looks like he could be driving a lobster boat the other 7 months a year. I enjoyed seeing him celebrate with the kids and for their success, which you don't see a lot of times out of coaches our age. His RHODY FOOTBALL sweatshirt was nice too, like his style.

Sounds like you know the ropes around NorCal, I don't have any recommendations for things to do or places to see

I don't know Sailorgabe, but he is knowledgeable about QB play I can tell you that. We sound like NFL GMs working over these guys, all of us with differing tastes. My #1 criteria if I were in that chair, would be DOES HE WIN? From there, you figure out WHY he wins, then you figure out why he CAN'T win at your level. Then you make the call; is he the right FIT for what we do? At UC Davis, he is a tremendous fit.

We all enjoy watching CP operate it sounds like. We are all frustrated at times by his lack of ball security or a couple of the picks he's thrown. What I have observed over the last couple games is a knack for climbing the pocket; he's working forward with his eyes downfield rather than escaping out the side, which got him into some trouble early. He is not throwing across his body or forcing throws. All signs of growth. Rarely have I been frustrated by his reads or decision making. We can win and win often with him as our QB, but on December 2 of his RS Freshman year, he's not an NFL QB. Can he become one? Absolutely, especially with the growth and development he's showing. He also has elite QB coaching at Davis. They're invested in him. And if he leaves, there are young QBs behind him that we can dissect when their time comes. Go Ags!

Top surfing school, tell us more! That is an awesome fact. I knew there were some breaks up and down the East Coast, I've surfed Florida, but never even considered your area out of ignorance, the movie Jaws, and your water temps. There's an 18 degree +/- water temp difference between your place and mine, and I vowed to never buy a wetsuit that thick, booties, or a cap. I'm not that serious about the sport.

Aside from liking your QB, that #8 on defense is a bad hombre. He's a guy who will get some NFL looks I would guess.

There's also power in free tee shirts and tickets as well. No reason the Athletic Department can't buy and offer a bunch of free seats.