You have no idea about Lock's psychological and

Posted on: August 25, 2016 at 11:21:56 CT

mental makeup going into this year. But yes, it's all speculation.

I will say it again, though. We were 2nd to the bottom in the entire FBS in total O last year. Worst than even ku, who didn't win a game. We averaged 9 points a game in Conf play. Our average before last year was just over 24 points a game. Our D gave up an average of 18 points in Conf play last year. Considering the O couldn't sustain drives, the D was probably a 13-point D last year but we'll go with 18. So if we averaged a few points less than our traditional SEC avg. in points and scored 21 a game (we didn't play LSU or 'Bama either), sustained drives, and the D was able to regroup more, then we would've won the East again. That's how good the D was and how bad the O was last year.

So it's not a rebuilding job, necessarily. It's a retooling with a different staff with coaches in the right place. And it's a maturation of the guys on O, a lot of them were still green and young last year. Just by virtue of playing time and struggling, they should all be a notch better than they were. We know the D will be salty and in football, that's the key. If your D is elite, your O just has to be competent. We'll see soon enough, but a very good season wouldn't surprise me at all. In fact and barring injuries like '12, I'd be shocked if this year's team isn't very good.