Let me introduce this respectable group of rational fans to Casey Bauman, a 247Sports 3 star recruit. https://www.hudl.com/profile/3330694/Casey-Bauman
Bauman is physical specimen at 6’7” and 240 pounds and a rocket arm, and he’s surprisingly athletic and moves quite well for his size. Is he another Andersen or Murray (or Sneed for that matter)? Nope. Not even in the same universe as those guys, but he’s plenty good enough to pick up some first downs when necessary. In his HS career he had 26 rushing touchdowns to go with his 65 passing touchdowns. He very well put together and benefited greatly from a year in the weight room during his RS year. This idea floating around this site that he’s somehow fragile and destined for an injury is fake news.
Also of note is that Nuanez brothers were on record pretty early that he was clearly the best choice for QB1 based on their assessment from the first handful of practices, and it wasn’t even close. He earned this spot in a fair and open competition.
Just for fun, here’s a link that shows him shattering the glass on a baseline dunk in a HS basketball game. He’s athletic folks. https://www.greatfallstribune.com/story/sports/high-school/2018/01/05/msu-commit-shatters-backboard-dunk/1009060001/
So what’s the problem? He came from a small HS and he is still developing his ability to read and make good decisions when bullets are flying. The Cats will need to simplify that offense early in the season and let the kid develop at a metered pace. The Cats will need to be effective in the run game led by Ifanse and the very experienced OL. If the Cats win against SEMO and WIU it will be because we were running downhill most of the game and Bauman did a good enough job finding the check downs and short-range guys that are open due to scheme and good play calling.
The Cat receivers need to elevate their game, particularly with the 50 50 balls. Bauman will need to go downfield several times a game, and particularly early in the season, they will be mostly prayers. Jonsen has already proven himself as a guy who will win the 50 50 ball, and as you recall did a good job in last years Brawl. McCutcheon needs to improve dramatically, and it’s been a point of emphasis for him starting last spring. He’s making great strides this fall camp and even won Player of the Day once for attacking the ball at the highest point. Kassis will continue to be steady and effective and will be the primary target in the short and medium range throws.
As has been well documented, the Cats have a very favorable conference schedule. Even with a 1-3 start, it very possible (even probable) that the Cats win their first 6 conference games even with a developing freshman QB. A trip down to UC Davis and the Brawl in games 7 and 8 will make or break the season. As has been the case lately, I can easily see the winner of the Brawl getting a playoff spot and the other season coming to a close.