I do have to admit that I think ISU is going with Kyle Morris at quarterback today which is interesting. I have to give it to Kyle, he has made some very solid progress. I guess the feeling is that Kyle is going to be the Bengals’ quarterback of the future, so why not go with him this season. I’m sure the coaching staff, with so many solid juniors, doesn’t want to start all over again at QB next year. Even so, though, Russel Hill looked awful good last week, even if it was after the game had been decided. It’s hard for me to believe that he’s not the Bengals’ best chance to win. However, the coaches obviously get a good look how each runs the offense. And perhaps, I’m wrong and they will start Hill on Saturday.

Whoever plays QB, it’s going to be tough with a rebuilt offensive line. We will find out early if ISU can run the ball.

Jay

It certainly was an odd pre-conference season for Idaho State, which went exactly to form. Yes, the Bengals beat the team they were supposed to beat and got handled by the team in the higher division.

So what does that mean for the Big Sky?

It’s hard to tell.

Having not covered the IAA level before, I really do need to go around once to see what the Big Sky is all about. Sure, I’ve covered IAA teams before, but always in the situation where they were playing up, facing a higher division opponent.

My gut feeling tells me that Idaho State is going to be pretty good against the run. Monga is a force inside at any level. It would appear that the Bengals need some more pressure off the edge and a little better containment.

I know the Bengals didn’t run well against Utah State, but in the Big Sky, I think their running game will be functional. If Burel plays like he did in the fourth quarter against Utah State, I think the passing game will flourish.

I worry about speed in the secondary, but I think it’s probably OK for the Big Sky. We will see. However, a bigger pass rush would help.

ISU has solid kickers so I don’t worry too much about special teams.

All in all, I think ISU has the tools to win now. They are thin, so injuries could knock them down. But I don’t think they will get out-talented.

Jay

Things I was most impressed with from the opener

1. Tavoy Moore is the real deal. I’m not sure why a top division school didn’t scoop him the second time around. I know he could play at that level.

2. Offensive line run blocking. I thought these guys got after it and I know they are going to average more than 1.6 yards per carry this season.

3. Tight end Josh Hill. This kid is a monster. If he does everything the right way, his career might continue after ISU.

4. Defensive tackle Jordan Monga is the real deal inside. He should have quite a few tackles for loss this season.

5. The kicking game looks like it is in good hands.

On the make-me-worry side:

1. Quarterback situation. We saw a little freeze frame action on Saturday and with a developing offensive line that’s going to make some mistakes, that’s scary.

2. Too much time for opposing quarterback to pass. They just weren’t getting to the NAIA guy, and that doesn’t bode well for rest of schedule.

3. Greg Melendez injury. The guy is a beast and they need him back.

Jay

It will be interesting to see what ISU offensive coordinator Phil Earley does with Tavoy Moore, who has been running snaps at running back. I know that position is thin, especially with the slow recovery of Jahmel Rover from an ankle injury early in camp. However, I see Moore as the player who can make defensive backs back away from the line of scrimmage when he lines up at wide receiver. When he is in the backfield, secondaries might be able to crowd the line. I know it’s easier to get him the ball when he is in the backfield, but I think there is a definite trade off there.

It looks like we are headed for one of those quarterback controversies. Kyle Morris is going to start on Saturday and I would be shocked if he doesn’t play well and have success. So what do you do if you are the coach for the next week when your starter from last year is back to full health? This is about to get interesting.

Jay

It will be interesting to see how the Bengals respond to the bad news about Kelvin Krosch being ineligible for the season due to poor academic standing. Although Krosch didn’t practice most of camp due to having his appendix removed, and the coaching staff kept him down the depth chart knowing he likely would be ineligible, it will be a mental hurdle to overcome. He was their top receiver a year ago and he had a solid connection with senior quarterback Russel Hill, who obviously will miss him in more ways than one. He also gave the Bengals that fade option down by the end zone that they won’t be so eager to throw now.

It will be interesting to see if Russel Hill plays in the opener. I think it’s important because you are setting a tone and it’s also an opportunity for Hill to enjoy some success. That’s important. As it stands, it appears he might not make his debut until Utah State. We will keep an eye on him this week.

It wasn’t going to be a scrimmage where fans were going to see all the things the Bengals hope to do in Phil Earley’s offense. Mostly, Earley wanted his guys to play a little smashmouth running game against the defense. Reeling in all the possibilities, the defense had the upper hand, and I doubt that was unexpected.

Two weeks to go until the opener and I think the scrimmage pointed out a few things.

The Bengals need to:

1. Get QB Russel Hill back on the field as soon as possible. He says he could play right now if it was during the season. The Bengals are trying to be smart with him, but I think this offense really needs all its starters to be on the field for drills.

2. Find a set lineup on the offensive line. Four of the positions are pretty much set, but is Jon Van Vliet the guy at left guard? David Tyler was shifted over to offense and he is getting a look there. Hopefully they will come to a decision soon.

3. A good situation exists at linebacker and, to a lesser extent, on the defensive line. Coordinator Brian Strandley should be able to keep some fresh legs in the lineup with a little more depth at his disposal. Coach Zamberlin said he will have a depth chart done on Monday or Tuesday, so we will get a look at where the guys stand. So far, there has been a lot of flip-flopping going on. With another solid scrimmage, transfer Jordan Monga  is firmly in the mix.

4. Phil Arias is expected back this week and it will be interesting to see where he stands. With A.J. Storms, J.T. Albers and Basim Hudeen looking good, he is going to have some competition for snaps. All a good thing for the team. Leki Fuapau is a physical presence, but he still has a lot to learn. Also, transfer Jack Francis has been impressive he looks like he has earned some time. It will be interesting to look at the depth chart. There may be some A and 1A players instead of first team and second team.

5. They have to get Rover up and running so they have an idea what he can do.

6. Both the offense and defense has to do a better job staying onsides with a hard snap count. It might not seem like a big deal during practice, but it could be huge in the games. Who was it that said you play like you practice?

Jay

You have to give running back Corey White credit because he has taken a beating and kept on chugging through camp. With other running backs nicked up, it has been extremely important to have a top of the line back available so the offensive players can get a feel for the new offense. White crushed yesterday when center Mark Clampitt ran into him accidently. Clampitt gave his knee a pretty good shot. White limped around a bit, but got right back in there. Later in red zone drills, he coughed up the ball, which annoyed the heck out of the coaching staff. Even so, he deserves a pat on the back, and perhaps even a day off.

Things got a little testy on Wednesday morning as the coaching staff is trying to get the players through some dog days. They are all pretty sore about now, and the coaching staff, which has been overwhelmingly supportive, has let them know they have to keep things at a high level if they expect to take the step forward this season.

It certainly added a spark that wide receiver Kelvin Krosch practiced on Tuesday after being cleared by the medical staff. ISU now has a complement to Tavoy Moore. Now, if they can get their quarterback in the mix.

The Bengals added freshman wide receiver Ryan Coleman to the roster on Tuesday. Coleman went to Carter High School and is out of Rialto, Calif. Didn’t really get to see much of him on Tuesday other than he looks about 6-1, somewhat slender. More later.

If practice wasn’t important, college football seasons would begin with the first game.

That’s why it is difficult to see ISU starting quarterback Russel Hill (sprained MCL), wide receiver Kelvin Krosch (still out after appendix was removed), wide receiver Isaiah Burel and running back Jahmel Rover (ankle) all on the sideline while a bevy of freshmen and sophomores take their place in drills.

While the defense also has its share of nicked up players, the absence of so many front line players on offense has to make it difficult for new offensive coordinator Phil Earley to put his system into action.

Hill said on Monday that if it was during the season, he would be ready to play. Obviously, ISU coach John Zamberlin is attempting to be cautious so he has all his stars ready for the season opener, or at least for Utah State in the second game.

Fortunately for Coach Zamberlin, Hill has experience working with Krosch and Burel, so they most likely will get back on the same page quickly. Rover is new to the program so he really does need the reps.

Coach Zamberlin is going to have some tough decisions to make in the near future. He doesn’t want to rush a  player back and risk doing damage that will keep the player out long term. And yet, the Bengals have a chance to gain some momentum for the program early in the season.

I guess that’s why he makes the big bucks.

Jay

I know there are a lot of long suffering fans out there because I have been hearing from them. It seems that there is little to no hope, and yes, I understand. Believe me, through the years I have covered a lot of losing teams, and winning ones.

Programs get caught in the Catch 22. If they bail out on a coach, they lose continuity and then get criticized (many times deservedly so) for not sticking with a program and letting a coach build. If they stick with a coach and losing continues, then they look pretty stupid, too.

The hope at ISU should be that coach Zamberlin and staff turn out to be a story like Rich Brooks at Kentucky. I’ve got to hand it to the Wildcats administration, they hunt with Brooks through 4-8, 2-9 and 3-8 seasons. They were paying a lot of money for Brooks with little return those first three seasons. And you might say, well at least he was winning some games, unlike Idaho State, but if you look closely, those wins in those first three seasons were set ups. They even scheduled and beat Idaho State in 2005. Now, I am not trying to be flip, but other the games he was handed on a silver platter, Brooks was not winning, That fourth season, though, with his plan in place, Brooks and Kentucky turned the corner. It was bowl time.

I’m not saying the 2010 Bengals are going to make the playoffs, but I do believe they can make some positive strides. Hopefully, they do enough to bring some of the fans back, because fans DO make a difference. You need a fun, loud environment. Football is an emotional game. The Bengals need YOU.

Jay