Post by CrimsonPhantom on Jul 20, 2017 16:02:56 GMT -7
So which team will quietly find its way to eight wins this year? The New Mexico State Aggies, of course.
So what exactly was it that caused Idaho to jump from four wins in 2015 to nine in 2016? Most would probably point to the development of quarterback Matt Linehan but his numbers between 2015 and 2016 are strikingly similar. In fact, he had fewer passing yards per game and only slightly improved his TD/INT ratio last year. The running game did not account for the reduction in passing yards and had nearly the exact same yards per game in 2016 as in 2015. The offense, as a result, averaged 30.8 points per game compared to 30.3 in 2015. The primary cause for the turnaround was the improvement on defense. The Vandals went from 42.1 points allowed per game to 31.3. The run defense saw a major improvement from 273.3 rushing yards allowed per game to just 144.8. The front seven created havoc, recording twice as many sacks in 2016, and the secondary nabbed 17 interceptions.
How does all this relate to New Mexico State? The Aggies are in a better position offensively to improve than Idaho was. NMSU sees the majority of its 2016 production return for this season. Like Idaho last year, the Aggies will have to replace its top receiver but have plenty of experience after him. Unlike the Vandals, NMSU returns one of the most exciting running backs in the Group of Five in Larry Rose III. If Rose remains healthy, the offense will improve behind returning quarterback Tyler Rogers.
So what exactly was it that caused Idaho to jump from four wins in 2015 to nine in 2016? Most would probably point to the development of quarterback Matt Linehan but his numbers between 2015 and 2016 are strikingly similar. In fact, he had fewer passing yards per game and only slightly improved his TD/INT ratio last year. The running game did not account for the reduction in passing yards and had nearly the exact same yards per game in 2016 as in 2015. The offense, as a result, averaged 30.8 points per game compared to 30.3 in 2015. The primary cause for the turnaround was the improvement on defense. The Vandals went from 42.1 points allowed per game to 31.3. The run defense saw a major improvement from 273.3 rushing yards allowed per game to just 144.8. The front seven created havoc, recording twice as many sacks in 2016, and the secondary nabbed 17 interceptions.
How does all this relate to New Mexico State? The Aggies are in a better position offensively to improve than Idaho was. NMSU sees the majority of its 2016 production return for this season. Like Idaho last year, the Aggies will have to replace its top receiver but have plenty of experience after him. Unlike the Vandals, NMSU returns one of the most exciting running backs in the Group of Five in Larry Rose III. If Rose remains healthy, the offense will improve behind returning quarterback Tyler Rogers.
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