We got beat by the better team today. We had more than just a

[scotteagle]

'punchers' chance', we had a real opportunity. But the best team won. Especially with 4 of our guys out, 3 of them good players, though I don't know who the fourth was. 3 of our 5 losses were due to getting whipped up front, MSU, WKY, and UW had D-lines that beat us without them having to do a lot of blitzing etc. UW did some stunting but when you cannot run block you lose. We couldn't run block and we lost.
It would be hard to overestimate how much we will miss Mike Thomas. Casey Martin too, but Thomas makes Nick way better. We loaded up on wide-outs from the JUCOs but I am not sure how many of them can run. DJ Thompson cannot run a lick, so I hope some of our new guys can run and catch. And we better find us some tackles and our guard play was exposed all year long, but we do have a good deal of experience at guard back so maybe we will improve there.
What concerns me is if we will be able to compete on defense at the tackle positions and at MLB. We are two players short and I am not sure the guys are here yet. We have bodies at DT but not much quality. And we need a stud at MLB but who will that be? We got whipped there today and LSU is on our schedule.
On a positive note, we look good at QB, TE, RB, and Center, and on defense we look really good at end and DB, especially safety. Our coaching staff is mostly intact, recruiting is improving, and much of what we lack in raw talent we make up for in mental toughness. Our guys are tough. I admire what they have fought through and how they don't quit. We look like high character guys. I appreciate that. We can get whipped, but we won't quit.

 

[usmstud]

We should be fine at receiver. Hard to replace Thomas, but we'll be deeper than we were this season.

 

[80's eagle]

If I remember right, when Thomas was recruited he came with Kyle Foster who got kicked off the team back during the summer. Thomas was not considered the stud of those two. Point is that there is probably another Thomas in the bunch we have coming in. They are all different but someone will step up.

When you have someone like Thomas come in and set a standard, the others coming in behind him will have goals to reach for. I bet money our coaches will emphasize the shoes that have to be filled.

Given the way Monken brought in 5th year guys and late Juco's don't be surprised when he pulls another rabbit out of his hat. He knows what holes need to be filled and I would be surprised if he doesn't have a plan.