Losing Caleb Banks hurts, but framing this as an offensive doomsday scenario ignores how Sumrall builds a team. The idea that a rebuilt defense automatically becomes a liability is a massive assumption. Sumrall's entire philosophy is about creating a physical, disciplined unit that doesn't rely on one player, and his track record at Tulane shows he can develop talent quickly. The focus on a single quarterback's third-down completion percentage is putting the cart before the horse. A physical run game and a defense that generates negative plays are what truly control possession and field position. Last year's third-down struggles were a symptom of a disjointed overall operation, not just quarterback play. Improving from 100s nationally is a low bar, and it will happen through scheme and competition across the board. The notion that the offense must carry a rebuilding defense presumes the defense will be bad, which isn't a given with this staff. Wake the beast up by dominating the line of scrimmage on both sides, not by asking a new quarterback to be a pinpoint artist on third and long. Sustaining drives starts with avoiding those situations altogether through efficiency on early downs, which is where Sumrall's physicality mantra directly applies. The defense will hold its own, and the offense will be balanced, not just a quarterback-centric passing attack.