Signs Of Life

With the end of the Cougar Camp (as well as a shift towards "game prep") where do we stand? Was our perception changed towards any specific divisions? Have we answered any questions? Many aspects of the different areas or realms of "our game" have become much more evident. There are certain things which have definately begun to show some signs of life with the program in camp that are very likely to continue to happen this year. They are as follows...

Six Often Like fast food this Cougar offense should feast on the endzone and often. Whether its to stay or go (home or away) they should be able to strike quickly and frequently at will. There are just too many weapons. It all begins in the trenches and the offensive line this year is absolutely amazing. There should be no question that Heisman Candidate Max Hall should have ample of time to "camp out" and locate his targets. Names like Hall, Pitta, Collie, Unga, Reed, etc will keep coming at you and so will the points.

Youth Of The Nation Bronco isn't afraid of playing youth so long as it gives the Cougs the best opportunity to win especially if there is a confidence where he can trust them. We saw it from Ian Dulan in 2006 and last year with Eathyn Manmaleuna. Examples of that this year can be found in Di Luigi, Ashworth, So'oto, Chambers or even Matt Reynolds.

Boys To Men Going into the offseason this year there (at least to me) one glaring weaknesses was especially having the visual of absolutely not one single returning starter in the secondary. Scott Johnson former Timpview defensive star first team and all state has turned some heads in the Cougar Camp. Both Fowler and Howard played in all 13 games last season. Tafuna suffered a season ankle injury in 2007 but was a significant contributor in 2006 to a defense that only gave up 14.7 points per game (ranked 10th nationally). The blue jerseys in the Cougar secondary might get a crash course possibly against Northern Iowa but look for the growth of the secondary to happen right before our eyes this season.

Home Sweet Home Cougar fans are dedicated and absolutely diehard. In 2007 the average attendance was 64,497 which is an average of 100.71 percent! The Cougs enter the 2008 season riding a 12 game home streak. Defending home turf is critical. When San Diego State rolls into town on November 8th look for the streak to continue to 18.

Games in HD Each of the last three seasons have had a trend of opening with a 1-2 record. At halftime of a basketball game Bronco framed 2008 by asking fans to join the team in a "quest for perfection". The cougs are used to postseason trips to Vegas but are definately ready to take the next step for something more. Like HD in television there is a clear picture or goal with a focus on one game at a time. This season that opening trend will change and if the jerseys of blue play staying completely focused, leaving everything on the field one step at a time look for an eventual BCS invite.