Sammy, do you expect that with Martin out, the staff will look to work in a 3rd back again this year, like they did with Martin last year after Beebe got hurt? Do you feel like Cuano would be the guy that would get that opportunity?

@kkott Yeah, both Cuono and Campbell should get some run this week. However, I think they'll follow what they did last year and mostly play 2 backs until garbage time

@thehoosierhuddle My only thought was with Beebe coming off an injury, they might sub for him more just to develop someone and lighten his load since they pretty well know what they have in him and Turbo. I don't expect we'll see it much until the B10 and maybe not until NB or OSU, but I really hope they give Turbo more chances with screens and like that swing pass from Saturday. That was so smooth and I think we're better off having our backs running the ball on screens and dump offs as much as possible versus Hoover running. Hoover's got fine mobility and I think when he knows he can pick up a first down or TD, he'll tuck it and run, but otherwise I think he'll move more in the pocket to extend plays than Mendoza did.

Turbo and Beebe remind me a lot of the running style of Black.  Run hard in the interior and are both short and compact.

Posted by: @big-red-cb-v-2-0

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Turbo and Beebe remind me a lot of the running style of Black.  Run hard in the interior and are both short and compact.

@kkott I think that thinking may pop up on KO return instead, but i'm not sure.

I've asked this before, what is up with Beebe's teeth?

@walt542 agree 💯. The RB’s are not on the same level as last year, and that’s ok. Hopefully we get the run game working.

Posted by: @doggy1

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@walt542 agree 💯. The RB’s are not on the same level as last year, and that’s ok. Hopefully we get the run game working.

I think many of us are guilty of comparing this new team after week one with last year's team during the playoffs. I know I've caught myself doing it.

I think our RBs are as good or better than last year, or will be with Khobie. I think Turbo is slightly higher end as an all-around back. I think our receivers are as good , and have a chance to be better. I think our QB is as good, as the Heisman winner. (LOL, but yeah.)

@openwheel So hard to judge, but I'd agree "on paper" or by HS rankings. The thing about last year's team was the chemistry of those guys together. Cig has upended the thinking of what constitutes "talent" in a football player, and everyone's still struggling to figure it out.

@unclemark I keep coming back to this thought... Overall, we looked better in most facets of the game, in this years opener than we did in last years, or the year before, for that matter.  Defense getting off the field on third down, I would say, would be the only area that was worse.  I think as good as we all thought Ponds was, we might be under estimating how big of a loss he was.  Eliminating plays to the boundary, as Ponds effectively did... had such an enormous impact on our defense.  And this year, it appears like that won't be a strength.  I trust that Haines and Cig will figure something out.

Posted by: @iunorth

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I think as good as we all thought Ponds was, we might be under estimating how big of a loss he was.  Eliminating plays to the boundary, as Ponds effectively did... had such an enormous impact on our defense.  And this year, it appears like that won't be a strength.  I trust that Haines and Cig will figure something out.

No question about Ponds. But after losing two starting DBs early, it's hard to know how good our secondary will be based on this first game. Time will tell. 

Ponds was elite in run defense, recognition and making the tackle.

Like having another LB on the field.    

If you rewatch that NT TD, I was left wondering what the hell Gandy was thinking/doing as he turned his head and watched that TD.