We CAN pass the ball: WCU game analysis

Lots of takeaways from the 45-3 win. Mostly positives, but obviously there is still room for improvement on the offensive side of the ball.

We still don't know what to do with the running backs. All of the tailbacks played well Saturday, with Mangus, Edmunds, and Caleb all scoring. I think Caleb could find a place in the run game to relieve Edmunds on a few third downs. He's quick since he's not a "big back," but he certainly doesn't shy away from contact. Coleman played great for his first game this season, averaging over five yards per carry. Edmunds, however, should still be the primary back, and I hope the coaches give him 15-20 carries every game. Because of the depth, 25 carries is not necessary for him.

Mangus is a different story. He obviously is quick and has the moves in space, but he should be the guy in the position coaches had originally designed for DJ Coles. Moving from the slot position to H-Back and vice versa keeps him flexible, and he could be very effective catching the ball on screens or out of the backfield.

Wide receiver overhaul. Everybody noticed that Coles didn't get into the game until the second quarter, and even after he caught the touchdown, he never got another catch. Not only that, but Logan obviously wasn't looking in the direction of Coles or even Demitri Knowles near as often as last game. Willie Byrn had four catches, as did Josh Stanford, who I think is our best receiver right now. He has the surest hands on the team based on what we've seen so far in game play.

New tight end. We don't quite know if Kalvin Cline will take over as the starter at TE, but he certainly got the most looks in the passing game. DPM was in on a lot of run plays, but it was Cline who caught four balls, and should have had a fifth for a touchdown. The true freshman appears to have a planned role for the future as a pass-catching threat.

Personal note: I still hate the deep ball. Against Alabama, the deep ball may have been used to open up the run game and keep the safeties honest. But only one problem occurred: we didn't complete them. Teams won't be afraid of the bombs if we can't connect on them. In the WCU game, Logan attempted less passes downfield, but what happened when he did? First attempt: interception. Later in the game, a 25-yard attempt: interception. I haven't looked at the film to see exactly how many 20-yard attempts he had, but it was between 4-6, and no more than 2 were completed. In my humble opinion, I would much rather A) pound the rock, or B) attempt high-percentage passes, where it's easier for the WRs to make the catch and easier for Logan to be more accurate.

Lastly, I was glad to see a few starters on special teams, as zero big plays were given up on punts or kickoffs.

The ECU game will be the first true measuring stick for our offense. We've played a great defense, and a not great defense. ECU is a team we should lay at least 30 on, but they're more of an in-between D compared to our first two games. I'll be looking for an earlier commitment to the run, as well as the progression of Byrn, Stanford and Cline. Also, the defense putting everybody on their ass once again. That will be fun too.