DRC: Postseason questions series No. 3 -- Can UNT survive without Wilson?

Brett Vito · January 11, 2018

DRC:

http://www.dentonrc.com/sports/mean-green/2018/01/11/unt-postseason-questions-series-no-3-can-mean-green-thrivewithout-wilson

MeanGreenTexan · January 11, 2018

Hoping Torrey brings something exciting into the mix. Also, Siggers will be coming off of his redshirt, and should be able to contribute as well. Could be a crowded backfield: RBBC.

akriesman · January 11, 2018

Wilson is pretty special and it was evident those last 2 games without him. He was always a threat to take it to the house. This is probably why our passing game struggled a bit more without Wilson, especially Guyton who I bet received more attention than normal.

We always seem to do a good job of replacing really good backs. Hopefully, that will continue next year.

Mean Green 93-98 · January 11, 2018

I think there will be a little dropoff without his running ability, but losing his passblocking ability will hurt worse, IMO.

SilverEagle · January 11, 2018

Hmm, seems like someone else was concerned about the need for a power back as a change up to our quick/fast backs.

GrandGreen · January 12, 2018

Two things made Wilson a very special rb. One, there have been very few NT rbs that had the breakaway speed Wilson possessed. Two, his chip blocks were classic and greatly enhanced NT's passing game.

Smith had a good rookie year and Johnson certainly demonstrated he will be a factor next year. Add a juco and redshirt and NT definitely has some depth. So obviously, NT can survive without Smith; but NT is not going to be as strong at the position as they were with a healthy Wilson.

Ben Gooding · January 12, 2018

I want to say yes, but I don't know why I should. We've seen the results of a Wilson-less UNT offense.

UNTLifer · January 12, 2018

:Yes, because we asked the same question after Galbreath, Thomas, Cobbs, Dunbar, Byrd and now Wilson.

southsideguy · January 12, 2018

Love Wilson for sure but i think we will be ok at rb this year and next year for sure. More concern about the defense.

MGNation92 · January 12, 2018

23 hours ago, MeanGreenTexan said:

Hoping Torrey brings something exciting into the mix. Also, Siggers will be coming off of his redshirt, and should be able to contribute as well. Could be a crowded backfield: RBBC.

I'm the most excited about Siggers at 5'8 and 195(probably gonna put on a few more pounds in the offseason). He could be the power guy we've wanted but with the same kind of quickness displayed by the other backs

SilverEagle · January 12, 2018

19 minutes ago, MGNation92 said:

I'm the most excited about Siggers at 5'8 and 195(probably gonna put on a few more pounds in the offseason). He could be the power guy we've wanted but with the same kind of quickness displayed by the other backs

He sounds more like Singletary from FAU to me.

MGNation92 · January 12, 2018

1 hour ago, SilverEagle said:

He sounds more like Singletary from FAU to me.

I think everyone on this board would be ecstatic if Siggers could provide what Singletary has done at FAU

TIgreen01 · January 12, 2018

Isn't this type of question/problem exactly why college coaches get paid so much?

Jeff Wilson was an all-time talent and I think his numbers would have borne that out if wasn't injured so often. Still---it won't be easy, but it must and will be done.

BTG_Fan1 · January 13, 2018

5 hours ago, MGNation92 said:

I think everyone on this board would be ecstatic if Siggers could provide what Singletary has done at FAU

Ecstatic would be an understatement.. If he can do that, it improves this entire team because of the TIme of Possession, continuing drives/closing out games and lightning the pounding fine takes as well.

UNT Mean Green · January 14, 2018

With the addition of Torrey, improvement of Smith and Johnson, and first year for Siggers, we are loaded with athletic running backs (just like receiver). Their performance all hinges on the OL being able to improve, and becoming more physical and reliable in short yardage situations.

BTG_Fan1 · January 14, 2018

7 hours ago, UNT Mean Green said:

With the addition of Torrey, improvement of Smith and Johnson, and first year for Siggers, we are loaded with athletic running backs (just like receiver). Their performance all hinges on the OL being able to improve, and becoming more physical and reliable in short yardage situations.

The question is which one develops into The a pass blocking RB.. Smith got ran over numerous times last year, and the other backs are smaller backs with Siggers being the heaviest.

All About UNT · January 15, 2018

On 1/11/2018 at 6:43 PM, Ben Gooding said:

I want to say yes, but I don't know why I should. We've seen the results of a Wilson-less UNT offense.

FAU was gonna roll us up just like they did the first time and JW wasn't going to change that (he rushed for 49 yards in FAU 1.0). Troy was probably going to brutalize us just the same as well. The other game was against Rice and Nic Smith rushed for 178 yards on his first start.

Ben Gooding · January 15, 2018

18 minutes ago, All About UNT said:

FAU was gonna roll us up just like they did the first time and JW wasn't going to change that (he rushed for 49 yards in FAU 1.0). Troy was probably going to brutalize us just the same as well. The other game was against Rice and Nic Smith rushed for 178 yards on his first start.

Yes. But even with Nic going for 178 at Rice, the offense still looked stagnant and uncomfortable. And that was a very bad Rice defense.

The O isn't the same without Wilson in there. The tune played the same in 2016 when JW was injured. I want to see someone step up and someone will definitely be getting the touches. It's a wait and see game to see the production.