Winning the off-season,

[fromolwyoming]

This is the exact same D line as last season.

Actually, its not.

Last year, there were three down linemen. This year, there will be four down lineman.

Yep. Also, we had Bernthaler up front, a 260lbs guy trying to play the role of a 300lbs guy. And a DE playing the role of a linebacker.

 

[mwc fan]

This is the exact same D line as last season.

Actually, its not.

Last year, there were three down linemen. This year, there will be four down lineman.

Yep. Also, we had Bernthaler up front, a 260lbs guy trying to play the role of a 300lbs guy. And a DE playing the role of a linebacker.

Ok take Bernthaler out of equation and put in Uso, who rotated with him and put Sonnys hand on the ground. Same guys right? Anyways I do believe the Defensive line has benefitted from the new weights program. Hoping the O line can catch up. I believe most of the " fat " described by Bohl was directed mostly at the O line.

 

[TheRealUW]

We have the best d line in the mw IMO.

On paper, 2 months before the season starts, I think a legitimate argument could be made for UW having one of the top D-lines in the conference. Yarbrough is hands down one of top DE's in the conference. As long as he stays healthy, you can bet he will be a major bright spot for the Pokes this year. Mertens has the skills to be a load in the middle both against the run and creating a pass rush up the middle. Of course, the main issue with him has been his health. Puletasi also has shown flashes that lead many to believe he could have a breakout year.

The MWC isn't known for having strong defenses, especially against the run. The Pokes don't have a great D-line, but they don't have a whole lot of competition when you compare them to other league members. I'd say Nevada is probably the other team with a legitimate argument at this given point.

 

[mwc fan]

We have the best d line in the mw IMO.

On paper, 2 months before the season starts, I think a legitimate argument could be made for UW having one of the top D-lines in the conference. Yarbrough is hands down one of top DE's in the conference. As long as he stays healthy, you can bet he will be a major bright spot for the Pokes this year. Mertens has the skills to be a load in the middle both against the run and creating a pass rush up the middle. Of course, the main issue with him has been his health. Puletasi also has shown flashes that lead many to believe he could have a breakout year.

The MWC isn't known for having strong defenses, especially against the run. The Pokes don't have a great D-line, but they don't have a whole lot of competition when you compare them to other league members. I'd say Nevada is probably the other team with a legitimate argument at this given point.

Peulatasi will have a breakout year now that everyone will be keying on stopping Yarborough. Also Mertens should dominate the los.

 

[J-Rod]

The MWC isn't known for having strong defenses, especially against the run. The Pokes don't have a great D-line, but they don't have a whole lot of competition when you compare them to other league members. I'd say Nevada is probably the other team with a legitimate argument at this given point.

Nevada had the 122nd ranked rush defense. Only one team nationally was worse.

Returning starters can be an overrated stat at times. Nevada and Wyoming return a lot of starters, but in terms of pure talent and depth....Boise, Fresno, Utah State, San Diego State, are all much better up front than Wyoming. None of them are flawless, but deeper no doubt. Recruiting pays off. Again, I see Wyoming as having a middle of the pack D-Line. Not horrible, but there absolutely are MW teams with far more depth and talent.

We expect improvement with Bohl's introduction....but until we see it, it's all hopes and dreams. This is like the billionth off-season in a row that we anticipate both lines to be better. We're well into the "boy who cried wolf" zone. When I see it with my own eyes, I'll believe it. Until then, all I remember is a group that couldn't physically match up up front. They didn't move the opposing line. When I think about the Fresno, Boise, Utah State, Colorado State, etc. games...I have a hard time grasping the idea that Wyoming has the conferences best D-Line. The MW is no NFC West...but the best defenses in the conference still usually rank in the Top 15 nationally.

 

[KansasPoke]

Only thing I have to say, this S&C staff seems a LOT better than what we had. Considering the gains the team has made just during the winter/spring. Can't wait to hear the gains during the summer. Face it people we were a weak and soft team the last few seasons... embarrassing!!!

 

[mwc fan]

The MWC isn't known for having strong defenses, especially against the run. The Pokes don't have a great D-line, but they don't have a whole lot of competition when you compare them to other league members. I'd say Nevada is probably the other team with a legitimate argument at this given point.

Nevada had the 122nd ranked rush defense. Only one team nationally was worse.

Returning starters can be an overrated stat at times. Nevada and Wyoming return a lot of starters, but in terms of pure talent and depth....Boise, Fresno, Utah State, San Diego State, are all much better up front than Wyoming. None of them are flawless, but deeper no doubt. Recruiting pays off. Again, I see Wyoming as having a middle of the pack D-Line. Not horrible, but there absolutely are MW teams with far more depth and talent.

We expect improvement with Bohl's introduction....but until we see it, it's all hopes and dreams. This is like the billionth off-season in a row that we anticipate both lines to be better. We're well into the "boy who cried wolf" zone. When I see it with my own eyes, I'll believe it. Until then, all I remember is a group that couldn't physically match up up front. They didn't move the opposing line. When I think about the Fresno, Boise, Utah State, Colorado State, etc. games...I have a hard time grasping the idea that Wyoming has the conferences best D-Line. The MW is no NFC West...but the best defenses in the conference still usually rank in the Top 15 nationally.

You're completely right on. Depth on the D lines is what separates us from the Utah st. Defense.

 

[McPeachy]

Only thing I have to say, this S&C staff seems a LOT better than what we had. Considering the gains the team has made just during the winter/spring. Can't wait to hear the gains during the summer. Face it people we were a weak and soft team the last few seasons... embarrassing!!!

^ This - well put.

 

[Asmodeanreborn]

Here's a link to Phil Steele's pre-season picks:

http://www.mwcconnection.com/2014/6/3/5775682/phil-steele-mountain-west-all-conference-teams" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

This is cool... we actually have more players on there than I expected.

Wick - 4th team RB
Rufran - 2nd team WR
Jones - 3rd team OG
Rains - 3rd team OT
Puletasi - 4th team DE
Mertens - 3rd team DT
Yarbrough - 1st team DE
Stanton - 2nd team LB
Nzeocha - 4th team LB
Wood - 4th team P

Sure that's not a dominant number of players, but it's nice to see that we have more than 2 or 3 of them there. Especially nice to see 3 defensive linemen!