Coaches Scoop

  Photo Courtesy of Ohio State University Athletics By Nate McCray My Predicted score for the Ohio State – Texas Matchup:  Ohio State 28 – Texas 20 This game is poised to be a tight, low-scoring thriller driven by red-zone execution, turnover avoidance, and quarterback poise under pressure. Key Areas to Watch Julian Sayin (Ohio State) : A newcomer stepping into the spotlight. Texas will test his readiness via heavy pass rush pressure. Offensive Line Battle : Texas has revamped its O-line, replacing four starters. Ohio State’s offensive front, led by new transfers, must step up to protect Sayin while opening lanes. Jeremiah Smith (OSU WR) : A top offensive weapon—Texas’ secondary under pressure to contain him, especially since past defenders who limited him are now in the NFL. My Predicted score for the Florida St – Alabama Matchup:  Alabama 24 – Florida State 17 This game tilts in favor of Alabama, especially given talent and depth advantages. Still, the wea...

  Photo Courtesy of the Chicago Bears By Nate McCray In his preseason debut against the Buffalo Bills, Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams wasted no time showcasing poise and precision in Head Coach Ben Johnson’s offense. The Bears opened the game aggressively, scripting a series that highlighted both timing and versatility in Williams’ passing game. The first play from scrimmage was a crisp play-action pass to tight end Colston Loveland on a flat route, setting the tone for rhythm-based execution. Williams followed that with a sharp three-step drop back, firing a strike to tight end Cole Kmet on a timing route. After a short curl completion of five yards, the Bears shifted to shotgun, where Williams continued to look natural, finding Colston Loveland once again to open the field. Four-for-four and 60 yards deep into the first quarter (11:29), the Bears QB1 looked as though the game was slowing down for him. Buffalo dialed up pressure on 2nd-and-5, forcing Williams to roll...

  By Nate McCray Earlier this week, I found myself reminiscing of the daily position meetings with my running backs at Carthage College during the 2022 season in Kenosha, Wisconsin. My office was our sanctuary. I would sit with my running backs, the lights dimmed, my mini projector humming, and we’d dive into the short and wide footage like detectives on a case. I taught them to look beyond the ball; to study the twitch of a linebacker’s feet, the subtle tilt of a safety’s shoulders, the way a defensive end loaded his weight before the snap. Those little tells were gold. In my mind, the game was always won before Saturday. “See that?” I said to the room, rewinding the clip. “That linebacker’s leaning. He’s coming.” What I wanted the group to understand was that on Saturday, in the split second between the quarterback’s cadence and the snap, that tiny detail could be the difference between a one-yard loss and a 40-yard touchdown run. For college running backs chasing greatness, ...

Photo Courtesy of Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions By Nate McCray In the NFL, preseason games are often seen as testing grounds, opportunities for backups to make statements and coaching staff to evaluate potential contributors. For Detroit Lions backup quarterback Kyle Allen, Thursday night’s Hall of Fame Game against the Los Angeles Chargers offered just that: a chance to command the huddle and flash his grasp of the offensive system. While the stat sheet showed flashes of efficiency, it also revealed areas of concern that will need to be cleaned up if Allen hopes to cement himself as the Lions' trusted QB2. Allen finished the night with 91 passing yards and a 64% completion rate, going 9-of-14 through the air. However, the two interceptions he tossed cloud what could’ve been an otherwise solid outing. Both turnovers were more mental than mechanical, telegraphed throws where Allen fixated on his primary target. The first came under pressure on a blitz, and while the throw completion p...

Photo Courtesy of Mike Nowak - Los Angeles Chargers By Nate McCray The Los Angeles Chargers opened the 2025 preseason with a commanding 34–7 victory over the Detroit Lions in Thursday night's NFL Pro Football Hall of Fame Game in front of 18,144 fans at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium in Canton, Ohio. Neither team played their starting quarterbacks, as the Chargers Justin Herbert, and Lions, Jared Goff, both sat out of the first preseason game.  Fueled by early defensive takeaways and sharp quarterback play from backup Trey Lance, the Chargers never trailed, setting the tone for what they hope becomes a promising season. The Lions' misfortunes began immediately. On the opening kickoff, returner Grant Stuard mishandled catching the kick, and the Chargers' Kendall Williamson pounced on the fumble at the Detroit 28-yard line. Wasting no time, Los Angeles capitalized on the turnover. Just five plays later, quarterback Trey Lance found tight end Will Dissly for a touchdown, gi...