10 Questions (part one)

Columbia conducted its first full pad practice of training camp today, and hopefully that's helped to answer some questions the coaching staff must still have about the team coming into the season.

As fans, we're obviously not as in the loop as the coaches and players. But from our perspective, here are what have to be the top 10 ten questions coming into 2018 in ascending order, (Part One 10-6):


10) How Will the Lions Handle Higher Expectations?

For the first time in forever, Columbia is expected to finish in the top half of the league after surprising most pundits with the Lions 2nd place performance in 2017.

Whether that means Columbia will have to adjust their own mental preparations or face opponents more mentally prepared to face them is the question.

The good news is that unlike the last time the Lions were coming off an 8-2 season, they aren't having to face a new year without an all-time great player. After the 1996 campaign, Columbia graduated Marcellus Wiley, and the team didn't have any winning season until 2017.

9) Punting Pivot

Columbia has been blessed with consistently excellent punting for years. It's been so good that three of CU's recent graduated senior punters were snatched up by SEC teams for graduate eligibility seasons.

With Parker Thome the latest to go that route, it's time for another punter to try to keep that streak going. The most likely candidate is sophomore Drew Schmid, who came to Columbia last year as its most highly regarded punting recruit in school history. 

Can he keep up the excellence?

It's hard to gauge just how much Columbia's excellent punting has helped the team since 2015, but the guess here is it's a lot. Any drop off in that level well be noticeable.


8) Returners up to It?

Sophomore Will Allen was a revelation last season as a kickoff returner, but if he gets more playing time in the secondary will he be able to carry the load and maintain return speed?

Josh Wainwright is certainly dangerous as the lead punt returner, but it seemed like he was on a tight leash on returns as his importance to the team at WR is just too important to risk.

Will this season see some new faces at the return positions given these questions?


7) Linebacker Starters

Many of us were not surprised when Columbia's completely new set of starting linebackers performed well above expectations last season. That's because the talent and depth level at that position were well known.

But that talent has kept growing and it's possible that we may see a new starter based on talent alone. Sophomore Justin Woodley seems poised to challenge for a starting spot after his explosive freshman season as a situational player last year.

Defense wins championships and linebackers anchor the defense.

Having overflowing talent here is a good problem to have.


6) Will Oren Bounce Back?

PK Oren Milstein did not have a bad season in 2017. But there's no denying he was not as stellar as he was in his 2016 campaign.

Columbia didn't lose any games due to Milstein's slight drop in accuracy last year, but the Lions may need him to be close to perfect to seal games this season.