I‘m a fan. I’m not a realist and I’m not a media member and I don’t have to be unbiased and I certainly don’t have to be fully objective. Fan is short for fanatic not for unbiased sports analyst.

I swear some of you go over the top to search out any possible nugget of negativity and then you hold on to it like it is the most important thing in the world.

As a fan, it is ok to have optimism at the beginning of the season. You can always find reasons to hope. What fun is it to be pessimistic about your team every year. Maybe they let you down but there’s always next year!

I think our defense will be much improved this year and I believe that the improvement will all start on the line.

According to some, Kaufusi is an NFL quality defensive end. We already know that Takitaki can get to the quarterback. I know that he is moving to outside linebacker but I suspect that he will be used a lot to rush the quarterback. He and Kaufusi hopefully will do what was not done last year and put heat on the other teams QB. According to Tuiaki, Tonga also has NFL potential. Last year he was fresh off of his mission and was not fully trustworthy and really didn’t know what he was doing. He was also affected by injuries. He’s had an off-season to prepare himself and to heal and to become more knowledgeable. The sky is the limit for him.

Taliauli is better than people think and I hear tha Mo’unga is now healthy and if Kirby can reach his potential and if Lorenzo Fauatea can regain his health, there is real hope that the defensive line can be a strength for this team.There are a few others with potential as well that I did not mention but we will see.

I think linebackers will be stronger than many are expecting. I realize that we lost Warner and that is a big loss But I believe that Butch will regain his form from two years ago. Anderson is one of the fastest players on the team and will bring a lot to the outside linebacker spot. By moving Anderson from safety, we are actually replacing a starter with another starter. I can’t wait to see how he performs. Putting Takitaki on the other side strengthens the group as well.

I also feel that the safety position will be a strength of this team. Moving Troy and Dayan to safety automatically make that position group a strength. I also feel that Lee is very much underrated and will provide good depth.

The coaches wouldn’t be moving our two starting cornerbacks to safety if they did not have confidence in the corners that are in the pipeline. Last year(2017) at media day, coach Tuiaki talked about how Wilcox was pushing the starters. His length, speed, and athleticism scream potential. Another year in the system could help tremendously. I can’t wait to see how he performs. I also love the experience of Michael Shelton. He’s under sized but is very athletic and has made plays in the past and is a senior! I think he is underrated. I’m not certain that he starts but I suspect that he will get a lot of playing time and it wouldn’t surprise me if he starts.

I love the offensive coaching staff. It sounds like they are bringing a lot of discipline and excitement to that side of the ball. Despite what the pessimists have said on this board, I also feel like they have significant talent to work with.

I think the quarterback position will be a strength of this team. The competition last spring and extending into the summer has motivated all of these players. I fully expect Mangum to take/win the starting position. He was named the 2015 Freshman of the Year by the Touchdown Club of Columbus. Look at the list of previous winners. You don’t just lose that talent. He had personal issues going on last year. He also was in the wrong system for his talent. He was unprepared. By all accounts, he has worked incredibly hard in the off-season. He has reshaped his body. He has lost weight and he now has a lot more experience than he had as a freshman. I believe that he will take the starting position. I also am optimistic about Hoge behind him.

We have a potential all American at tight end for our quarterback to throw to—Regardless of who wins that position. I am also optimistic about the return of Moroni providing death to that position.

I get the concerns regarding Receiver. However, we have a lot of returning players. Simon showed flashes last year. Shumway also showed well when he wasn’t hurt. As Ben Criddle has said, no one can guard Hifo. Coaches have said good things about the potential of Akile Davis and Neil Pau'u. When we combine these players with promising incoming players (such as Collie and Romney), I am optimistic that we will find depth and talent. There are others that I am also hopeful about as well. I would love to see Dye finish strong and I have wondered how Inoke has developed since his return from his mission. Brayden Cosper may also surprise some people.

We do have a lot of experience and significant speed at running back. We saw flashes last year. I’m excited about Canada. We have heard that Lopini Katoa was very good in spring ball. We will see how Burt has developed his game. Hopefully Hall has recovered. I have heard that Kavika may be healthy for this season as well. From this group, I am confident that the coaches will find a good running game.

Lastly and most importantly, I am extremely optimistic about the offensive line. Blaine Fowler mentioned that he would be confident if any of 10 potential players were starting and mentioned that he has not been able to say that in a long time. We have depth and we have talent and we have experience. The game is played on the line.

I fully expect to win nine games this year (eight in the regular season plus the bowl game). I am hopeful that we will even do better than that. Hope springs eternal and as always I am hoping for a magical season.

I think we are going to be amazing this year. That is my optimistic “fan” perspective!