The case for LIFPO

This is what I hope is true:

We were “too young,” but not anymore.

Of our 25 "starters", 19 are from the 2011 and 2012 recruiting classes. Of those, 16 became starters their first or second year in the program.

Starting in 2010, and accelerating in 2011 and 2012, Sark has been playing his guys, rather than the guys he inherited from the classes of 2006-2008. Some of the players he inherited were major contributors, but he has had to play an inordinate number of first and second year players.

In 2011 we were starting 13 guys in their first or second year in the program. That really is “too young.” Last year we would have been much less young were it not for injuries to Kohler, Porter, Tanigawa, Callier, Riva, Kevin Smith, and Kikaha.

All of this can be used a reason to have patience with the inconsistency, the blow outs, and the lack of improvement the last three years. (although I still think bad coaching cost us a handful of games the past 4 years)

But now Sark has what every college coach wants: a roster dominated by kids he recruited who are upperclass veterans. 19 of 25 are JRs and SRs, and there is only one new starter, John Ross. Only 4 are in their first or second year in the program.

That’s why these next few weeks are so critical. This team should be dramatically and obviously better than the 2010-12 teams. So far it has been. If we keep winning we can conclude that Sark is building the program we all want. If not, there are no intellectually defensible excuses to fall back on.

Jim Owens and Don James reached their turning points in year 3. For Sark, that turning point has been reached. The argument will be over in a few weeks.

Find more posts tagged with

Comments

Rancid

Alabama is playing 11 true freshmen this year.

Next excuse, please.
Wrong. 19 of Alabama's starters are JRs or SRs.
Not so good with the whole reading thing, huh?
So playing on special team is the same is starting on offense or defense? The point is, upperclassmen >>>>>Freshmen

Noted Football Genious and Nose Picking Exhibitionist Paul Wulff agrees with your philosophy.

TierbsHsotBoobs

Since Auburndoog is too lazy, I did some research on offensive and defensive starters.

The 2010 opening day depth chart, by class:
9 seniors
9 juniors
5 sophomores
0 freshmen

The 2013 opening day depth chart, by class:
6 seniors
11 juniors
4 sophomores
1 freshman

NOTE: The numbers add up to 23 because Sark likes listing an extra WR on the depth chart.

Summary: If UW was too young in 2010, it's still too young in 2013.

Tailgater

So, Sark has a veteran squad in 2013 composed mostly of upperclassmen at least in starting roles with some experience in backup positions. How do you explain the record setting penalties in the past two games? Upperclassmen have been around long enough to avoid such brain cramping or lack of focus, especially after playing their first game against a ranked opponent without such errors.

I watched ten seasons of Husky Football coached by Jim Owens and although he wasn't at times the most disciplined of coaches, I don't recall any of his teams, not even his frosh or JV squads being penalized 16 times in a single contest. As for Don James......well, with 10 flags in the first two quarters, the Dawgfather would've had his entire roster running stairs at halftime.

Upperclass usually means more experience which typically results in fewer mistakes....... if it's coached with the skill we should expect. Enough said about LIFPO when watching Husky Football with RCPAG.

CheersWestDawg

If your team only wins when it has junior and senior starters, your head coach is Mike Price fucking stupid and needs to be fired.

[Deleted User]

If your team only wins when it has junior and senior starters, your head coach is Mike Price fucking stupid and needs to be fired.

Doogs think Mike Price is a good coach though.