The reality at QB in 2026 vs 2024

#1
LittleVol

LittleVol

Of course I can help you, Coach Heupel.
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#1
I said in November 2025 that Faizon will be the starter in 2026 but that doesn't mean GMAC won't play.
When I mean play I mean his own script of plays not mop up.

In 2024 you had RS FR Nico. With a strong run game and strong defense. Nico was a part of that run game. But you only had Thornton really on the outside.

In 2026 you have two big time proven WRs. Ethan Davis and Dasaan Brame at TE. Strong running game and what looks to be a good defense again.

In 2024 we let Nico be the guy and let Merk RS. In 2026 you already have RS GMAC from 2025. So Heupel can with good conscience let GMAC develop in game situations WHILE allowing Faizon to develop as a true freshman.

I think GMAC leaves but Heupel will let him play so he can have tape for other colleges come transfer portal. If it's fairly close GMAC could even be a 5 star in the Transfer portal and demand a boat load of money!

This 2026 team is much better than the 2024 team. The schedule may not show that, but this "bad season" talk is absolutely ridiculous.

We're a playoff team this season. Easily.
 
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#3
#3
LittleVol said:
I said in November 2025 that Faizon will be the starter in 2026 but that doesn't mean GMAC won't play.
When I mean play I mean his own script of plays not mop up.

In 2024 you had RS FR Nico. With a strong run game and strong defense. Nico was a part of that run game. But you only had Thornton really on the outside.

In 2026 you have two big time proven WRs. Ethan Davis and Dasaan Brame at TE. Strong running game and what looks to be a good defense again.

In 2024 we let Nico be the guy and let Merk RS. In 2026 you already have RS GMAC from 2025. So Heupel can with good conscience let GMAC develop in game situations WHILE allowing Faizon to develop as a true freshman.

I think GMAC leaves but Heupel will let him play so he can have tape for other colleges come transfer portal. If it's fairly close GMAC could even be a 5 star in the Transfer portal and demand a boat load of money!

This 2026 team is much better than the 2024 team. The schedule may not show that, but this "bad season" talk is absolutely ridiculous.

We're a playoff team this season. Easily.
Click to expand...
I don’t think we’ll have a 🔝 10 defense like 2024, but as others point out, those defenses struggled against UGA& OSU.

Offensively…that’s the major question mark. I think our line has a chance to be better and our WRs as well. QB has to minimize mistakes but we need to hit 🧨 plays early in games, so we can run the 🏈 and bleed clock towards the end of the game.

Idk what to think about this year. If you told me we were 10-2 I could see it or 7-5 I could see it. We MUST beat Texas. That’s a very critical game at the start of conference play. Win that and we build confidence. Lose and then we play Auburn, which is a carbon copy offense that we should be familiar with.

I don’t think the premise is entirely off base. We have playoff type talent. It’s gonna depend on the swing games (Texas, Bama, LSU, South Carolina, OU, A&M).
 
#6
#6
6-7 wins. Schedule is brutal, team is young. New system on defense. Heupel himself being just slightly above average. I wouldn’t expect much, but I do expect a bowl game at least. Hopefully it’s one of those seasons that makes a big difference for the future through experience for young players
 
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#7
#7
Berry4Heisman14 said:
6-7 wins. Schedule is brutal, team is young. New system on defense. Heupel himself being just slightly above average. I wouldn’t expect much, but I do expect a bowl game at least. Hopefully it’s one of those seasons that makes a big difference for the future through experience for young players
Click to expand...
That is where I'm at when considering all the components. IMO, I do believe getting JA back would increase the ceiling to 8-10 wins.

I really hope GMAC or Faizon ball out this year or at least show some huge flashes to set up the next season.
 
#9
#9
Whoever the Qb is will have to have a really solid year in order for this team to be a playoff team. I'm thinking 8 wins is the ceiling unless someone really shows out at Qb, especially with this schedule.
 
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#11
#11
Berry4Heisman14 said:
6-7 wins. Schedule is brutal, team is young. New system on defense. Heupel himself being just slightly above average. I wouldn’t expect much, but I do expect a bowl game at least. Hopefully it’s one of those seasons that makes a big difference for the future through experience for young players
Click to expand...
WRs elite
RBs elite
Offensive line possibly elite
Dline good
LBs elite
DBs exceptional
QB ????

Team could be elite depends on QB play.
 
#13
#13
Berry4Heisman14 said:
6-7 wins. Schedule is brutal, team is young. New system on defense. Heupel himself being just slightly above average. I wouldn’t expect much, but I do expect a bowl game at least. Hopefully it’s one of those seasons that makes a big difference for the future through experience for young players
Click to expand...
We’re not that young. The roster is more “new” but we brought in boat load of transfers.
Only at QB. And Heupel can manage the offense like we did in 2024 except there’s more weapons on offense in 2026.
 
#14
#14
tennesseeduke said:
WRs elite
RBs elite
Offensive line possibly elite
Dline good
LBs elite
DBs exceptional
QB ????

Team could be elite depends on QB play.
Click to expand...
Our Oline gets absolutely blown up at times by dominate interior dlinemen. Oklahoma in particular took our lunch last season. We’ve just struggled a little too much there for me to think we’re elite. That’s going to be an issue with young QBs and having to lean on the running game this year. Just my worthless opinion though.
 
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#16
#16
LittleVol said:
We’re not that young. The roster is more “new” but we brought in boat load of transfers.
Only at QB. And Heupel can manage the offense like we did in 2024 except there’s more weapons on offense in 2026.
Click to expand...
I think the biggest difference between 24 and 26 is we don't have a gamebreaker like Dylan Sampson. Sampson carried the O on his back in 24, literally. 258 carries for 1491 yds and 22 tds is wild. For comparison, Bishop had 182/1076 and 16 tds last season.

Id love to see Bishop take the next step to elite status. I think they will ride him more like they did Sampson in 24 if he can stay healthy since there's not a ton of experience behind him and no clear cut starter at Qb yet. The problem is all good D's are always going to try to take the run away, so you gotta have production from the Qb.
 
#17
#17
Berry4Heisman14 said:
6-7 wins. Schedule is brutal, team is young. New system on defense. Heupel himself being just slightly above average. I wouldn’t expect much, but I do expect a bowl game at least. Hopefully it’s one of those seasons that makes a big difference for the future through experience for young players
Click to expand...
Agree. At only 6 wins though, I can't imagine there would be anyone on this forum that would want Heupel back for a 7th year.
 
#18
#18
The question for me is, are we better at QB now than we were at this point in 2024? I would say yes. The schedule this year is gonna be a killer. Not many slam dunks. If we can have above average defensive play and the o-line holds up, 10 wins is very possible. If the QB is running for his life and making bad decisions...we are in lots of trouble.
 
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#19
#19
superdave1984 said:
The question for me is, are we better at QB now than we were at this point in 2024? I would say yes. The schedule this year is gonna be a killer. Not many slam dunks. If we can have above average defensive play and the o-line holds up, 10 wins is very possible. If the QB is running for his life and making bad decisions...we are in lots of trouble.
Click to expand...
QB could be better. Hell defense could be better as I think 2024 was mostly great on paper. Like you said though the schedule is going to be the issue.
 
#20
#20
LittleVol said:
I said in November 2025 that Faizon will be the starter in 2026 but that doesn't mean GMAC won't play.
When I mean play I mean his own script of plays not mop up.

In 2024 you had RS FR Nico. With a strong run game and strong defense. Nico was a part of that run game. But you only had Thornton really on the outside.

In 2026 you have two big time proven WRs. Ethan Davis and Dasaan Brame at TE. Strong running game and what looks to be a good defense again.

In 2024 we let Nico be the guy and let Merk RS. In 2026 you already have RS GMAC from 2025. So Heupel can with good conscience let GMAC develop in game situations WHILE allowing Faizon to develop as a true freshman.

I think GMAC leaves but Heupel will let him play so he can have tape for other colleges come transfer portal. If it's fairly close GMAC could even be a 5 star in the Transfer portal and demand a boat load of money!

This 2026 team is much better than the 2024 team. The schedule may not show that, but this "bad season" talk is absolutely ridiculous.

We're a playoff team this season. Easily.
Click to expand...
We could be a playoff team but it will depend on two things …is the D back to dominance…and whatever qb manages ball security the best, because both seemingly have the talent.
 
#25
#25
LittleVol said:
I said in November 2025 that Faizon will be the starter in 2026 but that doesn't mean GMAC won't play.
When I mean play I mean his own script of plays not mop up.

In 2024 you had RS FR Nico. With a strong run game and strong defense. Nico was a part of that run game. But you only had Thornton really on the outside.

In 2026 you have two big time proven WRs. Ethan Davis and Dasaan Brame at TE. Strong running game and what looks to be a good defense again.

In 2024 we let Nico be the guy and let Merk RS. In 2026 you already have RS GMAC from 2025. So Heupel can with good conscience let GMAC develop in game situations WHILE allowing Faizon to develop as a true freshman.

I think GMAC leaves but Heupel will let him play so he can have tape for other colleges come transfer portal. If it's fairly close GMAC could even be a 5 star in the Transfer portal and demand a boat load of money!

This 2026 team is much better than the 2024 team. The schedule may not show that, but this "bad season" talk is absolutely ridiculous.

We're a playoff team this season. Easily.
Click to expand...
You know nothing Jon Snow
 
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