I thought our conditioning was much better than previous seasons for sure. I think we still have some depth issues so that impacts starters a little as it relates to conditioning. No hands on the hips.....I do think our lack of defensive depth showed more than our offensive side.
In reality, conditioning can never replicate "real world" activities. IMHO, missing that first game against Akron hurt more than I would have initially guessed. No time to work out the kinks, jitters, adrenaline etc....It probably takes a game or 2 for the guys to get the "mental" aspect of 60 minute games programmed again in their heads. Not just NU, but probably every team in the country. I think that's why coaches always say the biggest improvement is between games 1 and 2. Guys get everything worked out, coaches can see some actual areas to improve on/correct and guys bodies get used to being live and keyed up for several hours...
Another season in the S&C and we will truly look like a different team from top to bottom. Watching a lot of football yesterday, we "look" much better than previous seasons, but some teams still immediately pass the eyeball test from top to bottom....We are getting there. And that's a start.
