6) How big of an impact will the return of Mario Jenkins and Taison Manu have on the defense?
Apart from Tanner Gueller, can you name someone more crucial to Idaho State than Jenkins or Manu? Those two combined for 230 tackles, 18.5 tackles for loss, four sacks and four interceptions in 2014. They made plays and were all-league talents.
Manu is the prototypical Big Sky football player. He’s undersized and too small for schools like Boise State, but he’s a tackling machine and, my goodness, the Bengals missed his presence. He’ll be the solidifying factor in a defensive backfield that’s going to be young and largely inexperienced.
Then there’s Jenkins. His physical size and athletic ability are not typical of the Big Sky. He’s big and burley, yet quick and fleet-footed. Jenkins is the anchor of a linebacking corps that might be the deepest unit on the team. Hayden Stout, Jake Pettit, Joe Martin, Kody Graves (among a couple others) are the foundation of a defense that’s been downright lousy since … well … since what feels like forever. But if you’re looking for hope that things might be better in 2016, look to the linebackers.
7) Beyond the LBs, is there any kind of depth?
The cornerbacks are inexperienced — but I do like Anthony Ricks — the free safety (Jayson Miller, I’m assuming) is a true sophomore, and the defensive line … goodness. I mean, do y'all really want to count on JonRyheem Peoples? I love Rasheed Williams as a talent and Chance Salutregui is very intriguing.
But, oh boy, Tyler Kuder covered up a lot of poor play along the D-line. With him off to Green Bay, Jenkins and Manu not only need to start 11 games, they probably need to play like literal superheroes. It just appears like Idaho State is going to have to rely on youth and/or transfers in the secondary and defensive line. That’s tough — especially when you’re at Portland State, at Northern Arizona, at Montana and at Eastern Washington.
8) When will Idaho State’s rushing defense become even marginally OK?
Not to beat up the defense, but this is a unit that hasn’t come together for Kramer and the Bengals. The switch from the 3-4 to the 4-3 doesn’t mean much with the proliferation of spread offenses. Idaho State was in its Nickel defensive package (five defensive backs) most of the time anyway.
But that rush defense. That’s all that really matters here, right?
2015: Idaho State was 13th (last) in the Big Sky and 121st in the nation allowing 268.8 rushing yards per game (5.3 yards per carry)
2014: ISU was 6th in the Big Sky and 75th in the nation allowing 183.7 rushing yards per game (4.5 yards per carry)
2013: ISU was 12th in the Big Sky and 111th in the nation allowing 238.6 rushing yards per game (5.6 yards per carry)
2012: ISU was 13th (last) in the Big Sky and 121st (last) in the nation allowing 362.7 rushing yards per game (6.7 yards per carry)
2011: ISU was 9th (last) in the Big Sky and 116th in the nation allowing 249.3 rushing yards per game (5.6 yards per carry)
Every year in the Mike Kramer era, except 2014, Idaho State has been either last or second-to-last in the Big Sky stopping the run. Just look at those numbers above and OF COURSE the Bengals have gone 16-41 the past five seasons.
9) Can the turnover ratio stabilize?
In 2014, Idaho State had one of the nation’s best turnover rations. In 2015, Idaho State had one of the worst. A bunch of factors morphed together two seasons ago. First, the offense was spectacular and protected the ball. Second, ISU’s defense forced 26 turnovers, the second-most in the Big Sky.
Turnovers, however, are finicky. Certainly, some skill is involved, but a guy pouncing on a fumble (Idaho State had seven of those in ’14) or diving for a tipped pass (19 interceptions) is partially dependent on luck. In 2015, Idaho State grabbed seven fumbles and nabbed eight interceptions. Throw in 30 offensive turnovers — 30! — and Idaho State’s turnover ratio (-15) was in an entirely different stratosphere from the season before (+10).
10A) Special teams, what the heck is going on here?
Roll punt or traditional punt? Who is going to punt? Is anyone going to return punts? Who is kicking off? How about the coverage teams … are there enough quality backups to ensure that frontline starters don’t have to play on special teams? Is Kramer changing anything in terms of practice methods or emphasis to make sure special teams is, at the very least, kinda OK? … rather than a glaring wound that’s begging for an opponent to take advantage …
Just in the past year, Kramer has fired himself as the special teams coordinator and rehired himself between spring ball and the Big Sky Kickoff a couple weeks back. Kramer said in Park City that he was abandoning the roll punt … BUT THAT WAS AFTER SAYING IN SPRING BALL he intended to use Tom Jewell as the team’s starting punter, which would have necessitated roll punting.
Aside from punting, Idaho State hasn’t been good at covering punts or kickoffs, returning kickoffs, returning punts — everything, literally everything associated with special teams has been a downright disaster for Idaho State.
Kramer is once again the special teams coordinator, and I honestly have no freakin’ clue why. It’s clearly not a priority for him. But blocked punts and botched coverages are undercutting the team’s chances of winning time and again.
10B) Can red zone efficiency improve?
Another question for the offense and defense. Blame it on the quarterbacks. The running game vanishing. The change of coordinators. The turnovers. Whatever. ISU stunk in the red zone in ’15. Keep in mind, since the Bengals are an atomic bomb of tragedy in special teams, they can’t settle for field goals when they’re inside the 20. They’ve got to get six points down there.
On the bright side, if Gueller — doesn’t it seem to all come back to him? — can stabilize the QB position, there’s no reason to assume Idaho State won’t post an improved offensive red zone scoring percentage (ISU was 11th in the Big Sky a season ago).
Apart from Tanner Gueller, can you name someone more crucial to Idaho State than Jenkins or Manu? Those two combined for 230 tackles, 18.5 tackles for loss, four sacks and four interceptions in 2014. They made plays and were all-league talents.
Manu is the prototypical Big Sky football player. He’s undersized and too small for schools like Boise State, but he’s a tackling machine and, my goodness, the Bengals missed his presence. He’ll be the solidifying factor in a defensive backfield that’s going to be young and largely inexperienced.
Then there’s Jenkins. His physical size and athletic ability are not typical of the Big Sky. He’s big and burley, yet quick and fleet-footed. Jenkins is the anchor of a linebacking corps that might be the deepest unit on the team. Hayden Stout, Jake Pettit, Joe Martin, Kody Graves (among a couple others) are the foundation of a defense that’s been downright lousy since … well … since what feels like forever. But if you’re looking for hope that things might be better in 2016, look to the linebackers.
7) Beyond the LBs, is there any kind of depth?
The cornerbacks are inexperienced — but I do like Anthony Ricks — the free safety (Jayson Miller, I’m assuming) is a true sophomore, and the defensive line … goodness. I mean, do y'all really want to count on JonRyheem Peoples? I love Rasheed Williams as a talent and Chance Salutregui is very intriguing.
But, oh boy, Tyler Kuder covered up a lot of poor play along the D-line. With him off to Green Bay, Jenkins and Manu not only need to start 11 games, they probably need to play like literal superheroes. It just appears like Idaho State is going to have to rely on youth and/or transfers in the secondary and defensive line. That’s tough — especially when you’re at Portland State, at Northern Arizona, at Montana and at Eastern Washington.
8) When will Idaho State’s rushing defense become even marginally OK?
Not to beat up the defense, but this is a unit that hasn’t come together for Kramer and the Bengals. The switch from the 3-4 to the 4-3 doesn’t mean much with the proliferation of spread offenses. Idaho State was in its Nickel defensive package (five defensive backs) most of the time anyway.
But that rush defense. That’s all that really matters here, right?
2015: Idaho State was 13th (last) in the Big Sky and 121st in the nation allowing 268.8 rushing yards per game (5.3 yards per carry)
2014: ISU was 6th in the Big Sky and 75th in the nation allowing 183.7 rushing yards per game (4.5 yards per carry)
2013: ISU was 12th in the Big Sky and 111th in the nation allowing 238.6 rushing yards per game (5.6 yards per carry)
2012: ISU was 13th (last) in the Big Sky and 121st (last) in the nation allowing 362.7 rushing yards per game (6.7 yards per carry)
2011: ISU was 9th (last) in the Big Sky and 116th in the nation allowing 249.3 rushing yards per game (5.6 yards per carry)
Every year in the Mike Kramer era, except 2014, Idaho State has been either last or second-to-last in the Big Sky stopping the run. Just look at those numbers above and OF COURSE the Bengals have gone 16-41 the past five seasons.
9) Can the turnover ratio stabilize?
In 2014, Idaho State had one of the nation’s best turnover rations. In 2015, Idaho State had one of the worst. A bunch of factors morphed together two seasons ago. First, the offense was spectacular and protected the ball. Second, ISU’s defense forced 26 turnovers, the second-most in the Big Sky.
Turnovers, however, are finicky. Certainly, some skill is involved, but a guy pouncing on a fumble (Idaho State had seven of those in ’14) or diving for a tipped pass (19 interceptions) is partially dependent on luck. In 2015, Idaho State grabbed seven fumbles and nabbed eight interceptions. Throw in 30 offensive turnovers — 30! — and Idaho State’s turnover ratio (-15) was in an entirely different stratosphere from the season before (+10).
10A) Special teams, what the heck is going on here?
Roll punt or traditional punt? Who is going to punt? Is anyone going to return punts? Who is kicking off? How about the coverage teams … are there enough quality backups to ensure that frontline starters don’t have to play on special teams? Is Kramer changing anything in terms of practice methods or emphasis to make sure special teams is, at the very least, kinda OK? … rather than a glaring wound that’s begging for an opponent to take advantage …
Just in the past year, Kramer has fired himself as the special teams coordinator and rehired himself between spring ball and the Big Sky Kickoff a couple weeks back. Kramer said in Park City that he was abandoning the roll punt … BUT THAT WAS AFTER SAYING IN SPRING BALL he intended to use Tom Jewell as the team’s starting punter, which would have necessitated roll punting.
Aside from punting, Idaho State hasn’t been good at covering punts or kickoffs, returning kickoffs, returning punts — everything, literally everything associated with special teams has been a downright disaster for Idaho State.
Kramer is once again the special teams coordinator, and I honestly have no freakin’ clue why. It’s clearly not a priority for him. But blocked punts and botched coverages are undercutting the team’s chances of winning time and again.
10B) Can red zone efficiency improve?
Another question for the offense and defense. Blame it on the quarterbacks. The running game vanishing. The change of coordinators. The turnovers. Whatever. ISU stunk in the red zone in ’15. Keep in mind, since the Bengals are an atomic bomb of tragedy in special teams, they can’t settle for field goals when they’re inside the 20. They’ve got to get six points down there.
On the bright side, if Gueller — doesn’t it seem to all come back to him? — can stabilize the QB position, there’s no reason to assume Idaho State won’t post an improved offensive red zone scoring percentage (ISU was 11th in the Big Sky a season ago).
