Until proven otherwise (on the field), we are still a question mark at QB. Relf showed he could win games, but that was with Dixon on his hip. I would say our biggest areas of concern next year (at least until we see how things go this spring) are:
1. QB - IF Russell continues in his development and we are able to effectively use Relf as a package QB, this position could move behind CB on the list.
2. RB - this is really the biggest ?, but it is hard as a state fan to put any position above QB until proven otherwise. We will have a slew of players at the position, we just need someone to pan out/step up. Elliott/Conner/Perkins/Neal/Griffin/Ballard - maybe Wells if we put him on offense.
3. WR - Good in the slot with Bumphis/Heavens/Ricco/Berry. Outside still a concern. Hopefully Wilder continues to develop. Carr might make an impact here. Humphrey if we get him and Sanders would be huge, but we probably won't get him. I still think we are better than last year because my boy "B-MAC" didn't do shat.
4. CB - Broomfield definitely helps move this closer to the strong side. Still need to see if Langston is going to work or perhaps get something out of Freshmen Hughes/Love/Lewis.
Strong points:
O-Line - crazy right? Sherrod, Brignone and Lawrence are solid SEC starters. Saulsberry came on last year. Tobias Smith...we will see. I think we might see Gabe Jackson backing him up and doing a hell of a job.
D-Line - McPhee, Boyd, Cox, Carmon. Boyd and Cox will be sophs. They will be stronger and will improve. Carmon is our run stuffer. Still have to figure out the other DE, but McKenzie may lock that down and I really liked Ferguson coming on at the end of last year.
TE - Green
LB - Still have Wright and White. Skinner could make an instant impact...and maybe one the freshmen contributes here as well (Bohanna perhaps). 2 out of 3 solid LB's ain't bad.
Safety - Banks and Mitchell - I think we will see some contributions from Nickoe Whitley and Thames here too. This should be improved considering what we suffered the first half of 09. Banks should only be better with added weight and experience.
As for the record, we will beat Memphis, Alcorn State and UAB. We will beat Kentucky at home. I think we might even beat Houston this time around, even with Keenum coming back. After that, wins are going to be hard to come by. The Egg Bowl in Oxford is always tough, but I think we will have the better team. Maybe we can get one out of Auburn/Georgia/Arkansas at home, but it will be tough. Bama, Florida, LSU on the road...gag.
The offense should also improve by virtue of having another year to learn the system. Regardless, it will still be an uphill climb to get to a bowl game.
