(08-17-2018 09:44 AM)DETLTU Wrote:  

(08-17-2018 09:35 AM)HogDawg Wrote:  

(08-17-2018 09:21 AM)DETLTU Wrote:  

(08-16-2018 05:53 PM)SouthernMiss3613 Wrote:  Why are y'all so excited about J'Mar? His stats from the spring game weren't very good.

Starting quarterback and Blue team signal caller J'Mar Smith was a bit high on his throws for much of the afternoon and finished 13-for-34 for a game-high 113 yards. 

It's been pretty frustrating to watch. We can see he has the physical tools, but he has a tendency to throw balls into the dirt or over the receiver's heads at times. He has to clean that up. Practice reports have been promising, but we need to see it in a game.

(08-16-2018 06:25 PM)Side Show Joe Wrote:  

(08-16-2018 05:53 PM)SouthernMiss3613 Wrote:  Why are y'all so excited about J'Mar? His stats from the spring game weren't very good.

Starting quarterback and Blue team signal caller J'Mar Smith was a bit high on his throws for much of the afternoon and finished 13-for-34 for a game-high 113 yards. 

I agree. LA Tech fans seem high on his ability to improve this season, but I have yet to see him produce on the field at a level that makes me believe there is going to be a dramatic improvement over his play from last season. In truth, if he plays at the same level he did last season, Tech will probably be in trouble. Most defenses know his tendencies, and will make things uncomfortable for him.

I just don't see a high ceiling for Smith, and I don't believe he will become one of the better QB's in C-USA. Even with a good defense, a team with a mediocre offense will struggle in C-USA. UTSA had an outstanding defense for most of last season, and they finished 6-5 (3-5 in conference play). I see a similar situation for LA Tech this season. I know it isn't a popular opinion, but it's how I think this plays out.

I think that is fair enough. None of us have seen it in a game yet. After seeing what they did with Ryan Higgins though I don't doubt the ability to develop a quarterback and JMar has a lot more physical tools than Higgins had. I also think our depth at QB and strength at other positions will allow them to give JMar a little more leeway.

(08-16-2018 06:30 PM)Dawgxas Wrote:  

(08-16-2018 05:53 PM)SouthernMiss3613 Wrote:  Why are y'all so excited about J'Mar? His stats from the spring game weren't very good.

Starting quarterback and Blue team signal caller J'Mar Smith was a bit high on his throws for much of the afternoon and finished 13-for-34 for a game-high 113 yards. 

Yeah, not sold on him either. Surprisingly JMar was 4th in CUSA in passing last year, but pretty bad in the red zone. He has the tools cannon arm, size, and speed.

The red zone thing killed us last year. That has to improve. It absolutely killed us. We were pathetic in the red zone - playing for field goals. Really need to get more aggressive. Not sure if we will.

You'll know if LA Tech is getting more aggressive this year if J'Mar doesn't come out "sliding" again (when he's running the ball). I hated that. He slid more in one season than any college QB I've ever seen. It was as if he was afraid of contact. I think someone on the Tech bench needed to remind J'Mar that he isn't Tom Brady.

I think that goes back to coaching. They were very protective of Jmar last year. I also think that is why he had so few INTs. They are going to have to get more aggressive in all aspects if we are going to have the kind of offense we are used to. It would be a terrible shame to let this defense go to waste with a mediocre offense. The pieces are in place to have a good offense. WR talent is high and depth is much better than last year. Offensive line should be improved. Running backs might be a step back, but they might surprise us too. I'm not sure Scott and Craft were used as well as they could have been and if the line is improved and we make some more noise in the passing game that should open up some options in the running game. With our conservative style last year I think we were too one dimensional to really have the running game break loose.

Because our RB situation is less established going into 2018, I think we'll see J'Mar tuck it and run more often this season. At least early in the season.

Smith shed 10 pounds in the offseason- down to 220 lbs. He will be much more mobile again.

(08-16-2018 02:37 PM)AustinFromUNT Wrote:  

(08-16-2018 02:31 PM)Dawgxas Wrote:  "Somehow manage to beat UNT" 4- 1point wins and horrible performances against Sunbelt Team and CUSA title game. Dose of reality coming Sept29 my friend

You mean the Sunbelt team that beat up your big brother that’s gonna beat you by 21+

Tech dominated the Undefeated Sunbelt Champs in the NO Bowl in 2015.

I can guarantee to you after having month to prepare for a bowl and having our injured players heal, Tech would not have got emabarrasseed like that UNT ass whooping. Pitiful performance by North Texas

(08-18-2018 01:54 AM)Dawgxas Wrote:  

(08-16-2018 02:37 PM)AustinFromUNT Wrote:  

(08-16-2018 02:31 PM)Dawgxas Wrote:  "Somehow manage to beat UNT" 4- 1point wins and horrible performances against Sunbelt Team and CUSA title game. Dose of reality coming Sept29 my friend

You mean the Sunbelt team that beat up your big brother that’s gonna beat you by 21+

Tech dominated the Undefeated Sunbelt Champs in the NO Bowl in 2015.

I can guarantee to you after having month to prepare for a bowl and having our injured players heal, Tech would not have got emabarrasseed like that UNT ass whooping. Pitiful performance by North Texas

Maybe, but UNT did not get a month to prepare for the bowl game. They might have gotten 2 1/2 weeks.

(08-18-2018 06:05 AM)FAU Connoisseur Wrote:  

(08-18-2018 01:54 AM)Dawgxas Wrote:  

(08-16-2018 02:37 PM)AustinFromUNT Wrote:  

(08-16-2018 02:31 PM)Dawgxas Wrote:  "Somehow manage to beat UNT" 4- 1point wins and horrible performances against Sunbelt Team and CUSA title game. Dose of reality coming Sept29 my friend

You mean the Sunbelt team that beat up your big brother that’s gonna beat you by 21+

Tech dominated the Undefeated Sunbelt Champs in the NO Bowl in 2015.

I can guarantee to you after having month to prepare for a bowl and having our injured players heal, Tech would not have got emabarrasseed like that UNT ass whooping. Pitiful performance by North Texas

Maybe, but UNT did not get a month to prepare for the bowl game. They might have gotten 2 1/2 weeks.

Im not going to continue whatever he is trying to say, im just going tosay that to prepare specifically for our opponents they would have had the same amount of time. From selection Sunday to the bowl.

(08-16-2018 11:01 PM)HogDawg Wrote:  

(08-16-2018 06:25 PM)Side Show Joe Wrote:  

(08-16-2018 05:53 PM)SouthernMiss3613 Wrote:  Why are y'all so excited about J'Mar? His stats from the spring game weren't very good.

Starting quarterback and Blue team signal caller J'Mar Smith was a bit high on his throws for much of the afternoon and finished 13-for-34 for a game-high 113 yards. 

I agree. LA Tech fans seem high on his ability to improve this season, but I have yet to see him produce on the field at a level that makes me believe there is going to be a dramatic improvement over his play from last season. In truth, if he plays at the same level he did last season, Tech will probably be in trouble. Most defenses know his tendencies, and will make things uncomfortable for him.

I just don't see a high ceiling for Smith, and I don't believe he will become one of the better QB's in C-USA. Even with a good defense, a team with a mediocre offense will struggle in C-USA. UTSA had an outstanding defense for most of last season, and they finished 6-5 (3-5 in conference play). I see a similar situation for LA Tech this season. I know it isn't a popular opinion, but it's how I think this plays out.

.....says the guy who literally didn't know anything about LA Tech's secondary.

For the record, J'Mar is already "one of the better QB's in CUSA". Only Mason Fine returns to a CUSA team in 2018 with better 2017 statistics.

http://www.espn.com/college-football/con...conference

Just because 3 of the 6 quarterbacks that were named to the All-Conference Team graduated or quiet, does not mean Smith is going to be one of the better QB's this season. Almost half of the starting QB's in C-USA got "all conference" recognition by our 14 head coaches, but Smith was not one of them. He simply has yet to wow anyone like other QB's in the conference (Fine, Stock, and Erdely) have. You can look at the good QB's from last season by following this link. We know the three returning all conference QB's are good. We will have to wait and see if Smith is ready to step up his game. http://www.conferenceusa.com/news/2017/1...h=football

You can also look at Smith's completion percentage, which ranked 11th in C-USA. While Mason Fine ranked 4th,

http://www.espn.com/college-football/con...nPct/id/12

Or, you can look at Smith's QB Rating. which ranked 10th in C-USA. While Mason Fine ranked 2nd. Smith's numbers are just not good. He has accuracy issues. He was not among the best QB's in C-USA.

http://www.espn.com/college-football/con...ting/id/12

Today, I was at North Texas picking up my season tickets, and got to watch some of the scrimmage. I'm not giving any details as to what I saw, but I left very happy and ready for the season to start. And, I think those who want to believe last season was some kind of a fluke are in for a rude awakening.

So who is on our schedule again and what our projected W's & L's? Seems like this thread went off track

It's all about UNT, Winston. We need to stop worrying about LSU, Mississippi St, USM, and the Lane Train. Some serious stuff went down at UNT's scrimmage today and it got "Side Show Joe" all excited. He isn't divulging any info either!

(08-18-2018 10:54 PM)Side Show Joe Wrote:  

(08-16-2018 11:01 PM)HogDawg Wrote:  

(08-16-2018 06:25 PM)Side Show Joe Wrote:  

(08-16-2018 05:53 PM)SouthernMiss3613 Wrote:  Why are y'all so excited about J'Mar? His stats from the spring game weren't very good.

Starting quarterback and Blue team signal caller J'Mar Smith was a bit high on his throws for much of the afternoon and finished 13-for-34 for a game-high 113 yards. 

I agree. LA Tech fans seem high on his ability to improve this season, but I have yet to see him produce on the field at a level that makes me believe there is going to be a dramatic improvement over his play from last season. In truth, if he plays at the same level he did last season, Tech will probably be in trouble. Most defenses know his tendencies, and will make things uncomfortable for him.

I just don't see a high ceiling for Smith, and I don't believe he will become one of the better QB's in C-USA. Even with a good defense, a team with a mediocre offense will struggle in C-USA. UTSA had an outstanding defense for most of last season, and they finished 6-5 (3-5 in conference play). I see a similar situation for LA Tech this season. I know it isn't a popular opinion, but it's how I think this plays out.

.....says the guy who literally didn't know anything about LA Tech's secondary.

For the record, J'Mar is already "one of the better QB's in CUSA". Only Mason Fine returns to a CUSA team in 2018 with better 2017 statistics.

http://www.espn.com/college-football/con...conference

Just because 3 of the 6 quarterbacks that were named to the All-Conference Team graduated or quiet, does not mean Smith is going to be one of the better QB's this season. Almost half of the starting QB's in C-USA got "all conference" recognition by our 14 head coaches, but Smith was not one of them. He simply has yet to wow anyone like other QB's in the conference (Fine, Stock, and Erdely) have. You can look at the good QB's from last season by following this link. We know the three returning all conference QB's are good. We will have to wait and see if Smith is ready to step up his game. http://www.conferenceusa.com/news/2017/1...h=football

You can also look at Smith's completion percentage, which ranked 11th in C-USA. While Mason Fine ranked 4th,

http://www.espn.com/college-football/con...nPct/id/12

Or, you can look at Smith's QB Rating. which ranked 10th in C-USA. While Mason Fine ranked 2nd. Smith's numbers are just not good. He has accuracy issues. He was not among the best QB's in C-USA.

http://www.espn.com/college-football/con...ting/id/12

Today, I was at North Texas picking up my season tickets, and got to watch some of the scrimmage. I'm not giving any details as to what I saw, but I left very happy and ready for the season to start. And, I think those who want to believe last season was some kind of a fluke are in for a rude awakening.

I'm just tickled pink that you finally reduced the size of that sigline photo.

(08-18-2018 11:20 PM)Dogluva Wrote:  It's all about UNT, Winston. We need to stop worrying about LSU, Mississippi St, USM, and the Lane Train. Some serious stuff went down at UNT's scrimmage today and it got "Side Show Joe" all excited. He isn't divulging any info either!

Ha! Not even close. I didn't derail this thread. In post #36 another poster asked why LA Tech fans are high on Smith and I agreed. In post #40, Dawgxas, made the ridiculous comment about Smith being better then Fine. I just called him out for making that dumb statement. HogDawg, tried to prop up an argument for Smith with a weak yardage stat and I pointed out his bad completion percentage and QB rating.

I was content to post my breakdown and let the thread go. But some touchy LA Tech fans had to make ridiculous comments, and I responded. Maybe you should direct your outrage at some of your fellow LA Tech posters.

(08-18-2018 11:29 PM)TechRocks Wrote:  

(08-18-2018 10:54 PM)Side Show Joe Wrote:  

(08-16-2018 11:01 PM)HogDawg Wrote:  

(08-16-2018 06:25 PM)Side Show Joe Wrote:  

(08-16-2018 05:53 PM)SouthernMiss3613 Wrote:  Why are y'all so excited about J'Mar? His stats from the spring game weren't very good.

Starting quarterback and Blue team signal caller J'Mar Smith was a bit high on his throws for much of the afternoon and finished 13-for-34 for a game-high 113 yards. 

I agree. LA Tech fans seem high on his ability to improve this season, but I have yet to see him produce on the field at a level that makes me believe there is going to be a dramatic improvement over his play from last season. In truth, if he plays at the same level he did last season, Tech will probably be in trouble. Most defenses know his tendencies, and will make things uncomfortable for him.

I just don't see a high ceiling for Smith, and I don't believe he will become one of the better QB's in C-USA. Even with a good defense, a team with a mediocre offense will struggle in C-USA. UTSA had an outstanding defense for most of last season, and they finished 6-5 (3-5 in conference play). I see a similar situation for LA Tech this season. I know it isn't a popular opinion, but it's how I think this plays out.

.....says the guy who literally didn't know anything about LA Tech's secondary.

For the record, J'Mar is already "one of the better QB's in CUSA". Only Mason Fine returns to a CUSA team in 2018 with better 2017 statistics.

http://www.espn.com/college-football/con...conference

Just because 3 of the 6 quarterbacks that were named to the All-Conference Team graduated or quiet, does not mean Smith is going to be one of the better QB's this season. Almost half of the starting QB's in C-USA got "all conference" recognition by our 14 head coaches, but Smith was not one of them. He simply has yet to wow anyone like other QB's in the conference (Fine, Stock, and Erdely) have. You can look at the good QB's from last season by following this link. We know the three returning all conference QB's are good. We will have to wait and see if Smith is ready to step up his game. http://www.conferenceusa.com/news/2017/1...h=football

You can also look at Smith's completion percentage, which ranked 11th in C-USA. While Mason Fine ranked 4th,

http://www.espn.com/college-football/con...nPct/id/12

Or, you can look at Smith's QB Rating. which ranked 10th in C-USA. While Mason Fine ranked 2nd. Smith's numbers are just not good. He has accuracy issues. He was not among the best QB's in C-USA.

http://www.espn.com/college-football/con...ting/id/12

Today, I was at North Texas picking up my season tickets, and got to watch some of the scrimmage. I'm not giving any details as to what I saw, but I left very happy and ready for the season to start. And, I think those who want to believe last season was some kind of a fluke are in for a rude awakening.

I'm just tickled pink that you finally reduced the size of that sigline photo.

You are welcome. I've actually been wanting to reduce it for some time, but being old, I didn't know how. ODU Aggie was kind enough to help me out.

This is Holtz's most experienced team. I predict they'll beat everyone but LSU, FAU, and Mississippi State, and will play Marshall in the championship game. They lose that one, go 9-4, and destroy someone in a bowl game. So, 10-4. And I wouldn't be surprised to see them go 11-3. I think they'll be that good.

(08-18-2018 11:38 PM)Side Show Joe Wrote:  

(08-18-2018 11:20 PM)Dogluva Wrote:  It's all about UNT, Winston. We need to stop worrying about LSU, Mississippi St, USM, and the Lane Train. Some serious stuff went down at UNT's scrimmage today and it got "Side Show Joe" all excited. He isn't divulging any info either!

Ha! Not even close. I didn't derail this thread. In post #36 another poster asked why LA Tech fans are high on Smith and I agreed. In post #40, Dawgxas, made the ridiculous comment about Smith being better then Fine. I just called him out for making that dumb statement. HogDawg, tried to prop up an argument for Smith with a weak yardage stat and I pointed out his bad completion percentage and QB rating.

I was content to post my breakdown and let the thread go. But some touchy LA Tech fans had to make ridiculous comments, and I responded. Maybe you should direct your outrage at some of your fellow LA Tech posters.

Please read before you post and dont post inaccurate statements. Nowhere did I say Smith was better than Fine.

You made the comment that Smith ceiling was is not very high and I say his ceiling is high even higher than Fine. which is 100% accurate. Smith is faster, more allusive, much stronger arm. His raw talent is much higher than Fine. Fine does not have a strong arm that is one of the reasons he threw more INT's than any other QB. There is need for soft touch but Fine's passes are all soft and the DB's worked him over good.
Smith throws so hard that his passes just bounce off DB hands, happen many times last year.

I know to UNT fans Fine is greatest QB ever because they have seen very little talent at that position but Tech fans know QB talent. We know how a NFL QB throws and run. UNT fans dont know talent so I cut you some slack this time.

(08-18-2018 11:45 PM)Ourland Wrote:  This is Holtz's most experienced team. I predict they'll beat everyone but LSU, FAU, and Mississippi State, and will play Marshall in the championship game. They lose that one, go 9-4, and destroy someone in a bowl game. So, 10-4. And I wouldn't be surprised to see them go 11-3. I think they'll be that good.

Good assessment from an outside perspective.

(08-19-2018 12:40 AM)Dawgxas Wrote:  

(08-18-2018 11:45 PM)Ourland Wrote:  This is Holtz's most experienced team. I predict they'll beat everyone but LSU, FAU, and Mississippi State, and will play Marshall in the championship game. They lose that one, go 9-4, and destroy someone in a bowl game. So, 10-4. And I wouldn't be surprised to see them go 11-3. I think they'll be that good.

Good assessment from an outside perspective.

Nah. I'm a huge Rice fan and I read Phil Steele. But thanks.

Keep putting UAB down as a win. We may be 0-12.

(08-19-2018 08:46 AM)ATTALLABLAZE Wrote:  Keep putting UAB down as a win. We may be 0-12.

Physically speaking- UAB is the biggest team in C-USA this year and has probably the most overall experience due to all of the transfers in last year. There are no guaranteed "W"s vs UAB fpr anyone on your schedule except Texas A&M.

(08-16-2018 06:35 PM)Dawgxas Wrote:  He’s got a high ceiling, more so than Fine. Faster, stronger, better arm but doesn’t necessarily translate to a better QB

To update the "not-so-great Fine/Smith Debate".

After 2 weeks of football...

Mason Fine
862 yards
7 TD's 1 Int
72.2 Com%
431 YPG Avg

Smith
589 yards
4 TD's 3 Ints
65.2 Com%
294.5 YPG Avg

I'm still not seeing Smith's high ceiling.

(09-09-2018 04:09 PM)Side Show Joe Wrote:  

(08-16-2018 06:35 PM)Dawgxas Wrote:  He’s got a high ceiling, more so than Fine. Faster, stronger, better arm but doesn’t necessarily translate to a better QB

To update the "not-so-great Fine/Smith Debate".

After 2 weeks of football...

Mason Fine
862 yards
7 TD's 1 Int
72.2 Com%
431 YPG Avg

Smith
589 yards
4 TD's 3 Ints
65.2 Com%
294.5 YPG Avg

I'm still not seeing Smith's high ceiling.

Smith threw the ball very well yesterday and our WR's also played better - I guess we will see the 2 play each other in a couple of weeks

(09-09-2018 04:09 PM)Side Show Joe Wrote:  

(08-16-2018 06:35 PM)Dawgxas Wrote:  He’s got a high ceiling, more so than Fine. Faster, stronger, better arm but doesn’t necessarily translate to a better QB

To update the "not-so-great Fine/Smith Debate".

After 2 weeks of football...

Mason Fine
862 yards
7 TD's 1 Int
72.2 Com%
431 YPG Avg

Smith
589 yards
4 TD's 3 Ints
65.2 Com%
294.5 YPG Avg

I'm still not seeing Smith's high ceiling.

Can't take these stats at pure face value. Fine has thrown the ball a minimum of 40 times in each game. Highest amount of attempts J'Mar had was 37 in the game last night. Tech wants to run the football and that's why we have multiple backs getting 50 yards or more last night and two over 100 yards in the first game. North Texas can't run the football or doesn't want to so y'all throw it a bunch and don't have a back with more than 50 yards in a game. The only number that really matters is the turn overs and right now Fine has J'Mar beat in that category. It'll be interesting to see what the turnover numbers look like at the end of the season though.