I feel like Nico has shown improvement

[Berry4Heisman14]

I’ve seen some people saying Nico only played okay against Georgia. I actually think he played quite good. He’s still missing the deep balls but the improvement from the Arkansas game and now is very noticeable. He’s a redshirt freshman, you can tell the pressure doesn’t get to him. If we go 10-2, 10 wins with a redshirt freshman starting for an entire season for the first time is impressive. He’s improved dramatically since earlier this season, next season it’ll be an even bigger jump. We should be thrilled to have him.

 

[ButchPlz]

10-2 is a great season, if we can finish there. Especially since most people on this board I think had us between 7-5 and 9-3.

The bad part of this expanded playoffs is that we're all going to be looking at a season through the lens of making the playoff, and that knocks all the shine off of an otherwise great season.

 

[Berry4Heisman14]

10-2 is a great season, if we can finish there. Especially since most people on this board I think had us between 7-5 and 9-3.

The bad part of this expanded playoffs is that we're all going to be looking at a season through the lens of making the playoff, and that knocks all the shine off of an otherwise great season.

I had us at 8-4 so 10-2 I’ll be happy. There’s still a great chance we make the playoffs

 

[GAVol]

I’ve seen some people saying Nico only played okay against Georgia. I actually think he played quite good. He’s still missing the deep balls but the improvement from the Arkansas game and now is very noticeable. He’s a redshirt freshman, you can tell the pressure doesn’t get to him. If we go 10-2, 10 wins with a redshirt freshman starting for an entire season for the first time is impressive. He’s improved dramatically since earlier this season, next season it’ll be an even bigger jump. We should be thrilled to have him.

Based on the amount of pressure he was facing, he played just fine.

 

[DaddyChad]

WR corp is disappointing this year. Worst group on the field by far Saturday

 

[RDU VOL#14]

I’ve seen some people saying Nico only played okay against Georgia. I actually think he played quite good. He’s still missing the deep balls but the improvement from the Arkansas game and now is very noticeable. He’s a redshirt freshman, you can tell the pressure doesn’t get to him. If we go 10-2, 10 wins with a redshirt freshman starting for an entire season for the first time is impressive. He’s improved dramatically since earlier this season, next season it’ll be an even bigger jump. We should be thrilled to have him.

I’m with you. I kept waiting for the scene in Athens to rattle him and he always looked under control. UGA took away any chance we had for deep shots, again, but Nico threw some great passes in small windows and extended drives multiple times on 3rd and longs. I think he’s played very well since the 2nd half of the Bama game .

 

[volbound1700]

He has shown improvement and he wasn't the reason we lost Saturday.

 

[EZE]

I had us at 8-4 so 10-2 I’ll be happy. There’s still a great chance we make the playoffs

8-4 to 9-3 for me.

So, 10-2 (have to finish strong) while conclusively ending the Fl and Al curses is great to me. Throw in a playoff berth and it is a grand slam.

Still need to get over the Ga hump, but we are getting there. That was a competitive game well into the fourth quarter.

Finally, I feel like this program is just now getting its foundation set, recruiting is finally getting into the Top 10, and I am very bullish on the future.

 

[Nicovfl8]

I’ve seen some people saying Nico only played okay against Georgia. I actually think he played quite good. He’s still missing the deep balls but the improvement from the Arkansas game and now is very noticeable. He’s a redshirt freshman, you can tell the pressure doesn’t get to him. If we go 10-2, 10 wins with a redshirt freshman starting for an entire season for the first time is impressive. He’s improved dramatically since earlier this season, next season it’ll be an even bigger jump. We should be thrilled to have him.

and the 2nd half vs Bama, he has improved noticably.

 

[Berry4Heisman14]

I guess what worries me is the future of our OL. They say Elarbee doesn’t recruit well, it also seems like the development hasn’t been there on the OL like why is a walk on still getting playing time on the OL? The starter has bad knees. We’ve failed overall at OL. David sanders will be a true freshman so hopefully he doesn’t play next season. Im more worried about Nico running for his life next season than anything else

 

[Berry4Heisman14]

8-4 to 9-3 for me.

So, 10-2 (have to finish strong) while conclusively ending the Fl and Al curses is great to me. Throw in a playoff berth and it is a grand slam.

Still need to get over the Ga hump, but we are getting there. That was a competitive game well into the fourth quarter.

Finally, I feel like this program is just now getting its foundation set, recruiting is finally getting into the Top 10, and I am very bullish on the future.

We gotta improve on the OL or we will not take the next step

 

[lukeneyland]

He looked great IMO. Pass protection was terrible also made a beautiful throw that ended up dropped

 

[EZE]

We gotta improve on the OL or we will not take the next step

The coaches know that…and that we need to improve at almost every position group. Recruiting is just now getting there.

This was a decimated roster in Year One. It’s actually remarkable that we are competing with Ga and Al and their Top 5 recruiting classes this soon IMO.

 

[busper]

We gotta improve on the OL or we will not take the next step

Hard to be great running around dodging defensive lineman and linebackers

 

[BernardKingGOAT]

I guess what worries me is the future of our OL. They say Elarbee doesn’t recruit well, it also seems like the development hasn’t been there on the OL like why is a walk on still getting playing time on the OL? The starter has bad knees. We’ve failed overall at OL. David sanders will be a true freshman so hopefully he doesn’t play next season. Im more worried about Nico running for his life next season than anything else

We've had some stud freshmen lineman that have come in their first year and performed well.

 

[Gandalf]

I’ve seen some people saying Nico only played okay against Georgia. I actually think he played quite good. He’s still missing the deep balls but the improvement from the Arkansas game and now is very noticeable. He’s a redshirt freshman, you can tell the pressure doesn’t get to him. If we go 10-2, 10 wins with a redshirt freshman starting for an entire season for the first time is impressive. He’s improved dramatically since earlier this season, next season it’ll be an even bigger jump. We should be thrilled to have him.

Based on what we have seen thus far this year, I am definitely NOT worried about Nico next season. I AM very much worried about the OLine who cant give him a pocket, especially with Cooper Mays leaving. Couldnt NIL help him come back as like a 12th year senior or something while getting his PhD in athletics? I think he is likely to be a UFDA at this point, so not sure how much more money he would be getting in NFL.

 

[DaddyChad]

We've had some stud freshmen lineman that have come in their first year and performed well.

Maybe. We’re going to have to make some additions through the portal as well.

 

[Nico ee-ah-MAH-LAY-ah-va]

I’ve seen some people saying Nico only played okay against Georgia. I actually think he played quite good. He’s still missing the deep balls but the improvement from the Arkansas game and now is very noticeable. He’s a redshirt freshman, you can tell the pressure doesn’t get to him. If we go 10-2, 10 wins with a redshirt freshman starting for an entire season for the first time is impressive. He’s improved dramatically since earlier this season, next season it’ll be an even bigger jump. We should be thrilled to have him.

It seems like he is catching up to the game and doing more anticipating rather than reacting how plays unfold. Also looks more disciplined with the ball and throwing more passes where only our guys have a chance.

He was not rattled at all in that environment. The kid has ice in his veins.

 

[Clad in Big Orange]

10-2 is a great season, if we can finish there. Especially since most people on this board I think had us between 7-5 and 9-3.

The bad part of this expanded playoffs is that we're all going to be looking at a season through the lens of making the playoff, and that knocks all the shine off of an otherwise great season.

I do agree that it’s now “playoffs or failure” in the minds of most (me too). Might be a good discussion topic on what are realistic expectations going forward. Playoffs 50% of the time, more or less?

 

[Brave Volunteer]

I had us at 8-4 so 10-2 I’ll be happy. There’s still a great chance we make the playoffs

Yeah I had us pegged at 9-3, so 10-2 is certainly a nice surprise. That Arkansas loss is still tough to swallow though.

 

[ENGRVOL]

Had us at 9-3 but given how bad Oklahoma turned out this season, Arkansas being at best a .500 team and Georgia being very vulnerable this year 10-2 will feel a little dissapointing if we don’t make the playoffs.

However at the end of the day being disappointed about a 10 win seasons feels like we are back in the 90s and shows just how good of a job Heupel has done.

 

[EZE]

Nico will very likely be a Top 10 draft pick, and possibly Number 1. And maybe as early as next year.

He is progressing on a good trajectory.

 

[OldandStillaVol]

10-2 is a great season, if we can finish there. Especially since most people on this board I think had us between 7-5 and 9-3.

The bad part of this expanded playoffs is that we're all going to be looking at a season through the lens of making the playoff, and that knocks all the shine off of an otherwise great season.

Agree. I don't remember any of the 'experts' who write about college football having us making the playoffs preseason. I'll be happy if we finish 10-2 even if we miss the playoffs.

I don't worry about Nico next year except if he gets injured. Need someone to step forward as the number 2. Much more concerned about OL - it's time for the younger players to step up. Don't think the portal is the best place to look for OL - portal is more suited for positions like WR and DB in my opinion.

 

[RDU VOL#14]

Agree. I don't remember any of the 'experts' who write about college football having us making the playoffs preseason. I'll be happy if we finish 10-2 even if we miss the playoffs.

I don't worry about Nico next year except if he gets injured. Need someone to step forward as the number 2. Much more concerned about OL - it's time for the younger players to step up. Don't think the portal is the best place to look for OL - portal is more suited for positions like WR and DB in my opinion.

There were some pundits that had us in the CFP. Andy Staples had us in as 11 seed all the way back in July. That may come to fruition.

 

[Sea Ray]

The issue this year was not losing in Athens on Saturday. It's the Arkansas loss. That's the blemish. Other than that it's been an outstanding year but we can't ignore the loss. It happened