Speed in Space
Photo credit and information crest: Winged Helmet Media.
This was Josh Gattis's Speed in Space vision. It is incredible to think of where we were back in 2020 and where we are today:
Ronnie Bell
Darrius Clemons
Andrew Anthony
Cornelius Johnson
Amorion Walker
Eric All
AJ Henning
Roman Wilson
Donovan Edwards
If we can remain healthy on the offense, I think we have the highest ceiling potential in the BIG 10 for this season.
August 3rd, 2022 at 10:24 AM ^
*Andrel Anthony
August 3rd, 2022 at 10:27 AM ^
Nice Catchaspellingerror.
August 3rd, 2022 at 12:43 PM ^
Nice catch, YekAttack
August 3rd, 2022 at 10:24 AM ^
And somehow Blake Corum isn't included. Let's not forget he has 4.4 speed and he nearly ran for 1,000 yards last year (he absolutely would have if he hadn't gotten injured).
This offense is going to be really fun to watch this year.
August 3rd, 2022 at 10:27 AM ^
So many weapons and I forgot one of the biggest on team. Also forgot Schoonmaker.
August 3rd, 2022 at 10:28 AM ^
Also forgetting Sainristil but I think he is on defense now?
August 3rd, 2022 at 11:08 AM ^
He's definitely playing some on defense, but I imagine he'll also contribute a little on offense, given he has some incredible hands (see this amazing 1 hander off a JJ pass against Maryland):
Or this great grab vs Nebraska:
August 3rd, 2022 at 11:20 AM ^
Those are two amazing plays. These are plays that kept us in the game and weren't bread basket throws/catches.
August 3rd, 2022 at 12:34 PM ^
Yeah, Schoonmaker isn't slow, he's a pretty good all-around player and a nice complement to All, who is an even better all-around player. I love those guys.
Don't forget the QB's: McNamara isn't a fantastic runner but he can get the job done and McCarthy is legitimately fast. Also: does Corum not count?
August 3rd, 2022 at 10:25 AM ^
Andrel (not Andrew) Anthony, please.
Edit - Yak already pointed it out.
August 3rd, 2022 at 10:26 AM ^
I agree...and you forgot to include Andrel Anthony.
I'm amazed at the amount of underclassmen talent on that list. Bell, Johnson and All should be the only guys we lose from that list.
August 3rd, 2022 at 10:27 AM ^
Great pics. The one point I think of is - accurate delivery of the football - hitting the receiver in stride. The route doesn’t matter - quality of execution.
I think the offense will have a foundation of run - and, the potential for a very solid passing game to complement it. It’s not Rocket Science - run effectively, force the D to play one or two steps closer to the LOS, and go to the air - ideally with some separation.
Go Blue
August 3rd, 2022 at 10:30 AM ^
I wonder if anyone has tried doing crystal meth aboard the International Space Station?
Anyway...yeah. Think of where we were back in the "Speed is overrated at the wide receiver position" Hoke days? That receiving core has the speed the gash any defense in America. We know the line will get it blocked. Cade and J.J. can get the ball to them. If J.J. starts, with Corum and Edwards in the backfield and All at TE, this can be the most explosive offense in college football.
We certainly have loads of potential, but being completely objective, its still hard to top OSU's absolute embarrasment of riches on offense:
- Jaxon Smith Njiba (nation's top returning wide receiver)
- CJ Stroud (probably 2nd best QB in the nation after Bryce Young)
- Trevion Henderson (easily 1 or 2 RB in the conference)
They put Garret Wilson and Chris Olave in to the first round of the NFL draft, but their returning wide receiver room is still loaded:
- Marvin Harrison Jr (son of hall of famer, absurd athlete)
- Julian Fleming (#1 ranked WR in the 2020 class)
- Emeka Egbuka (#1 ranked WR in the 2021 class)
- Brandon Iniss (Five star, #3 WR in the 2022 class)
I love our guys, but hard to say we're better than OSU offensively right now, at least on paper.
This is undeniable.
And yet...Michigan's offense might be good enough, in a relative sense, to compensate for its defense, should it take the predicted step down from 2021. In past years, we could never "keep up" as the Buckeye offense got rolling. Now, it appears we have the arsenal to do just that. And if Coach is correct in his "sneaking suspicion" that the defense may just be pretty good, then I like our chances in November.
So true, trustBlue. Michigan's offense has a lot of explosiveness and the capability of being among the best in the conference...
...but highest ceiling in the B1G, OP?
I don't think it's cut and dry.
Aside from a track record of more aggresive offensive play calling, what advantages does OSU have at this very moment that puts their ceiling any higher than Michigans?
Yeah, has your "Mr. Spock" done crystal meth aboard the International Space Station? No. So you both know nothing of Speed in Space.
August 3rd, 2022 at 10:31 AM ^
If we can remain healthy on the offense, I think we have the highest ceiling potential in the BIG 10 for this season.
I agree the ceiling is vast, probably the highest since 2006 on paper, but in terms of overall potential - which I take to mean overall talent level + experience - I have to think OSU still has the edge. I'm not super familiar with their roster and the experience level, but sad to say purely in terms of talent I don't think there's any program in CFB that tops them on the offensive side of the ball.
August 3rd, 2022 at 10:45 AM ^
The Bucks have a very solid roster. I haven’t looked for any “full roster talent” rankings recently, but - my guess is: the roster in Columbus is one of the three deepest in the country - Bama’s probably first - followed by the Bucks and Georgia (in either order),
I believe it comes down to execution, and the ability for a D to disrupt an opposing offense’s tempo and timing - as we saw last year in the regular season finale in Ann Arbor. (Oh, I forgot, that game was in a blizzard - and, visibility of a football was limited to about 180 yards.)
At the WR, Slot, and TE - speed is good, length is good, and a combination of speed and length is ideal.
August 3rd, 2022 at 10:47 AM ^
You're correct. Michigan might have a claim to having one of the 3-5 best skill position groups in the country, but OSU is definitely at the top of the list in the B1G and nationally.
August 3rd, 2022 at 11:06 AM ^
Yeah, OSU has so many weapons. They lost Olave and the other WR prior to rose bowl and they still put on a clinic...
August 3rd, 2022 at 11:39 AM ^
To be fair to Utah, weren't they down to converted running backs playing in their secondary?
correct. OSU definitely has great talent, but that poor Utah pass D wasn't prepared to defend any above-average passing attack that game.
August 3rd, 2022 at 11:07 AM ^
So last year they had the BEST OFFENSE TO EVER WALK THEE PLANET EARTH. However, our defense from Pluto held down the Juggernauts to only 27 free throws. I'll take Michigan every time!!!
GO BLUE
August 3rd, 2022 at 11:15 AM ^
Fuck Ohio.
It’s like watching a robot malfunction.😂
August 3rd, 2022 at 11:05 AM ^
Easily tha Best!!!
GO BLUE
August 3rd, 2022 at 11:18 AM ^
craiyon doesn't know what it is talking about.
August 3rd, 2022 at 11:24 AM ^
This Michigan offense will rival Ohio State's offense, something very rare to compare to. They will be fun to watch. (Stay healthy!)
August 3rd, 2022 at 11:26 AM ^
I am told that the speed of light is still the fastest speed in space, but this looks fast too.
August 3rd, 2022 at 12:01 PM ^
Can a worm hole allow for travel / movement faster than the speed of light?
August 3rd, 2022 at 11:29 AM ^
When I hear Speed in Space I always think back to the Muppets skit of Pigs in Space.
August 3rd, 2022 at 12:57 PM ^
Where's that voice coming from?
August 3rd, 2022 at 11:31 AM ^
Related in a way, since Josh Gattis's name was brought up ... as I scan the football landscape for the upcoming season, there are some teams I'm interested in keeping tabs on because of the coaching changes:
- Miami (YTM) -- Josh Gattis took a lateral to go there;
- Oklahoma -- Venables is filling the shoes of departed Lincoln Riley;
- USC -- Lincoln Riley is taking over a struggling team in a talent-rich area;
- UMass -- Don Brown's new HC location;
- LSU -- Brian Kelly's new location;
- Notre Dame -- Marcus Freeman is taking over for a departed Brian Kelly.
In addition to those new coaching stories ...
- Clemson -- does Swinney have any gas left in the tank, especially absent Venables?
- Texas A&M -- can Fisher rise to become the king of the SEC west?
- Ohio State -- they are supposedly loaded on the offensive side ... can they capitalize?
- Michigan State -- is this the year that Mel Tucker reverts to mean?
This is why the college game is so fun!
August 3rd, 2022 at 11:40 AM ^
I wouldn't call 2021 Mel Tucker "nice".
August 3rd, 2022 at 12:18 PM ^
Don, great list of teams. I think the following as I gaze into my crystal ball.
Miami needs time to right the ship, though - the ACC is the place to be to turn things around quickly.
Oklahoma’s D will improve, but - their O will take a step back.
USC - incredible question mark. Let’s see what Riley can do in his first year. Oh, he might start by making sure the USC Collective(s) actually follow up on what they promised to transfers.
UMass - wishing Don Brown and the Minutemen well. After all, they’re an Independent, like ND.
LSU - hmmmm, “We aren’t in Kansas anymore, Toto”. Welcome to the SEC Brian Kelly, though Southern U, New Mexico, and UAB are on this year’s schedule.
ND - five ACC teams, two B1G teams (Bucks and Trojans), with Navy, Syracuse, Marshall Cal, etc.
Clemson - Dabo seems to have misplaced his guts.
A&M - hmmm, can Jimbo actually coach.
Bucks - looking forward to the season finale. I doubt there will be any speed bumps.
MSU - October will be fun to watch…
For the first-year coaches, what I'll be interested in seeing is whether there's evidence, however slight, of an upwards inflection. I don't mean just wins ... I'm speaking of those "things" a team on the rise has: confidence, buy-in, cohesion, etc.
I'm not a fan of Brian Kelly, so my expectation is LSU will go sideways, and won't have those things. I expect we'll see USC tick upwards, and Notre Dame as well. I have my doubts about Miami, but I'll admit being wrong if they turn things around. Texas A&M feels oily to me ... they may win, but I don't sense they'll become a gelled team, if that makes sense.
Tucker at MSU? I've been predicting the collapse of Franklin at PSU for several years, so that shows what I don't know. Still, justifying that $95M contract Tucker has may induce some stress on him.
I love this time of year ... so much anticipation ... so many what-ifs.
To answer your questions:
Clemson - It was one down year for Clemson, which was still a ten win season after the bowl game is factored in. I'm giving them the benefit of the doubt in a very weak ACC. Miami needs time to get right under Cristobal, Kenny Pickett is gone from Pitt, FSU is still a mess until further notice, and the rest of the ACC is a whole lot of blegh. I don't know if they'll necessarily be the national title caliber program next year that they'd been the last 5-6 years prior to 2021, but I'd circle them as the ACC favorites at the very least.
Texas A&M - If they can find a QB then maybe, but Alabama rules that roost until they don't. Alabama has a QB and A&M, for now, doesn't. Even with all that talent A&M has recruited, I put my money on Saban because why shouldn't I?
Ohio State - Can they capitalize on offense? By and large, when have they not done that the last decade or so? Offense will not be what holds OSU up from its goals next season. The question will just be if Knowles can get the defense to be at least average, and then not be a sieve in critical games. The first one shouldn't be a problem. The second one remains to be seen.
Michigan State - I'm done making predictions about MSU. Took me a long time to learn my lesson when they had Dantonio, and when I thought they'd fall off a cliff under Tucker, they did the exact opposite. They're probably somewhere between 8-4 to 10-2 this year, so my gut says 9-3.
With respect to Clemson ... my question there is based on a perception, perhaps faulty, that Dabo Swinney lost some of his fire, or something. I can't put my finger on it, but he just seems a different man from what he was in some of his earlier Clemson teams. That's what I'm curious to see if it returns.
(In some ways, it's like what we saw of Harbaugh: he went into a "this doesn't seem like the Jim Harbaugh we knew" period, then he came out of that in 2021 and had a new enthusiasm.)
Was Clemson a product of Dabo's belly-fire diminishing, or a result of QB Ungualualua (whatever the hell name he has) just not performing? And the defense they fielded... Man, that wasn't a typical Clemson defense from the last several years, and that was squarely on Venables.
Don't know ... which is why I'm curious to see what Clemson does this year, and how they do it.
Clemson's defense was still championship caliber last season. Specifically, it was poor O-line play that caused Clemson's & Ungalaylay's [whatever] issues.
August 3rd, 2022 at 11:41 AM ^
Tyler Morris and Darrius Clemons are keeping this train going, not to mention the young TEs that are also extremely fast for their size.
August 3rd, 2022 at 11:43 AM ^
I know its a stacked room already, but seeing Donovan spread out as a receiver has me giddy. The dude has great hands and route running ability. If Hart can get him to get his knees up and avoid getting shoe stringed on his rushes then he has the ability to put up video game offensive stats. Oh, and he throws a nice ball too. I agree with Klatt that he’s a dark horse Heisman contender. Wheel routes coupled with JJs elusiveness has me wishing it was September
August 3rd, 2022 at 12:18 PM ^
I think Donovan has a chance to be one of the best players in the league this year. I may be getting ahead of my skis, but I see a Saquon type of player when I watch him. Even if he falls short of Barkley he’d still be one of the best. I’m ready for football but not the god awful winter months that follow.
August 3rd, 2022 at 12:52 PM ^
Not ready for winter either. Thats why I moved!
We’ve been shopping winter homes but can’t seem to find anything that a pickup truck couldn’t move in my price range.
August 3rd, 2022 at 11:45 AM ^
I mean...on paper it looks pretty good. But when was the last time we had a dynamic passing attack?
Last year #66 in the country. Before that #42, #48, #80,#108,#83,#47,#111.....
I could go on but lets just say...the results on the field in regards to the passing game haven't been there.
Id like to say we have a good chance at being great in that area this year. But really it is a question mark. Our WR room was not special at all last season and the loss of Ronnie only compounded that fact.
Before I annoint us the new Kings of the Passing Game in the conference, they need to prove that on the field. Right now, the title has to go to OSU.
Jaxon Smith-Njigba is probably the most talented WR in the conference, and I would take Marvin Harrison Jr over any of our guys we have right now.
Add in Julian Fleming- former #1 overall WR- 5 Star and Emeka Egbuka- also former #1 overall 5 Star. Its downright scary.