..Riley's extreme like of experience, is kind of why I see the slow burn going forward. I just don't see him throwing TA overboard as a senior unless TA becomes Joe Dailey this year. But that would mean NU isn't off to a great start, and any move towards Wilson/O'Brien then, would be basically a firefighting effort, rather than a move towards a puncher's chance at a title...
The experience factor for Riley is still guiding my opinion, until I see something different.
Rather than Joe Dailey, I prefer the Ruddock/BeatHard comparison that Iowa just provided us. Ruddock wasn't bad, he just wasn't good. TA is not bad, he just isn't a good passer (meaning TA isn't a passing statistical leader). Can TA get to be a good passer, or even a good enough passer to keep his job? Ballparking, 65% completion for good, 60% for good enough (with low INT's)? I would love to be wrong, but I don't see that kind of improvement happening. I don't believe Rome has to be burning to see potential changes brewing. If we are winning games by a very close margin, in spite of a lackluster passing game, will a first-year coaching staff start to weigh/begin implementing a different option (and will there be a viable better option)? That is the question that will be answered after the season is underway.