I don't think Frost gave the defenses of the B1G the kind of respect they were due when he made his "they will have to adjust to us" remarks. Plays to routinely went for big yards at UCF would get strung out at the line of scrimmage against quite a few B1G clubs. His offense isn't set up to use the run to set up the passing game. McAffrey leading a run first offense could have worked, but only with a healthy stable of backs that could get the tough yards. Luke would also have needed to improve his passing acumen.
1. I don't think it had anything to do with Frost lacking respect. Its primarily talent, in my opinion, along with competing against some very physical and sound Big Ten defenses and generally being overmatched at the LOS post 2018. In 2018 the left side with So. Jaimes (5.7) Foster (5.8) and Sr. Farmer (5.9 top 100) more than held than held there own and results followed riding Martinez, Morgan, Spielman and Zig.
There was a massive drop off in game ready O-line and WR talent in 2018 and that line quite simply got its *** handed to them more often then not, even against teams like South Alabama and you cannot coach around that. Slowly but surely (despite attrition) we have accumulated nearly double the number of 5.7 or better players and double the top 100 players who will be key contributors on the 2021 offense compared to 2018. I believe this will be extremely evident in 2021 as the offensive line starts holding there own and winning matchups even against the more physical big ten defenses. We are going to have an offense that moves the ball up and down the field effectively just like Martinez did in 2018. Points and wins will be dictated by whether someone develops into a stud at WR, turnover margin, how much the stupid penalties get cleaned up and special teams.
2. Hickmann is a guy that is 6'6" and you cannot coach that height and frame but is absolutely not strong enough for TE and not effective enough to get open on the edge at this point. He may have a small amount of utility in 2021 with his knowledge of play book. Could seem him effectively blocking on screens and in run game and catching a couple of pases. If he can gain 30 lbs and works to develop elite route running he could help the team by his Jr year. If he isn't working towards those things, I would guess the scholarship frees up.
In the meantime, if we are looking at guys that will help the team in that role now, I would think Jr. Allen has developed really nicely as a big and fairly athletic target for Martinez in middle and Fidone is the freaking poster child for what you are looking for or the exact opposite of a tweener. This simply isn't being talked about enough. I know we are all a little gun shy about recruits panning out but Fidone is absolutely perfect for this offense and we are so fortunate that he happened to be in the 500 mile radius and chose us. I won't predict anything because recruiting is such a crapshoot, but Fidone is the type of recruit that could be a game changer in this offense. As effective as the 2018 team was on offense, it simply did not have the elite athlete like Fidone, Betts or Manning. Doesn't mean those guys will meet or exceed Morgan/Spielman but it certainly gives you a chance
3. This offense requires a good decision maker and accurate passer to be effective, particularly to use the WR talent accumulated as that will likely be a strength for the tam. For Luke it was the combination of accuracy and significantly below average college arm strength that limited the likely hood that he was going to be effective in the future for this team in that capacity and the reason he cannot beat out talented but mistake prone Martinez
I do believe the o-line will develop enough in 2021 that you could begin winning games with a player like Luke and particularly a play like Smothers if he is accurate and you adjust the play calling like some have noted in other posts. I am hopeful Martinez stays healthy, has some success and we don't have to really find out for two years. I also agree with other posters who have said if there $5M a year job and legacy was dependent on QB, they would have brought in more guys and you would never only take 1 developmental QB in a class like we have done twice. Probably hubris on staffs part as noted by another poster.
I do think it will be very obvious in the spring game if Smothers simply doesn't have the arm strength and accuracy to play at this level. I assume they will go and try to find another body in the portal but at that point the staff has kind of made there bed, so to speak and better hope Martinez is effective and doesn't get hurt
