So my thoughts on the game

the problem was we passed too much, by the end of the 3rd Quarter, we passed 23 times and ran 23 times (and 6 of those runs came on our 2nd drive of the game where we didn't pass, but just ran it 6 straight times for a TD)

had we done 2 runs to every pass, we would have dominated the game much more than we did (using our backs to hurt and wear out their front 7, using our running game to control possession, etc)

for example, Florida dominated Tennessee by running it 43 times and only passing 20 (meanwhile Tennessee got crushed throwing it 44 times and only running it 28)

but, I don't see a problem with airing it out like we did vs Idaho to work on our passing game more

 

I didn't made a conclusion....


Edit, I only made a conclusion after we started to tango and I believe it true that that 1st half effort wouldn't have beaten half of our SEC brethren.

 

The play calling was fine imo b/c Mett still needs the reps, it was the efforts of the players.

The things I think that need work are just football fundamentals. That is what was glaring. We clearly didn't give the other team 100% efforts.

 

I wasn't able to see the game so it is hard to comment on the specifics of the game. Based on the first 2 games I attended and listening to this one, it seems that this team like many others has a tendency to relax and not focus on weak opponents. It is hard to tell if this is a difference from last year as we had precious few games that we could take as lightly as NT and Idawho. We focused on UW because they had some hype coming in and wiped the floor with them. I hope and expect the SEC slate will focus them and we will see better performance throughout the rest of the season.

From what I have seen we are in many ways a much stronger team this year. The O has the ability to be dynamic and has really put together some flashes of brilliance. It may be the coaches are still experimenting with players and trying to see what each has as strengths and weakness before critical conference play. Les is also resting players who are nicked so they will be ready for the conference (it seems). Finally while trying new players and plays they aren't giving much away. Coupled with Les' tendenancy not to run up the score our point totalsso far should be freightening to future opponents.

I had thought the D would be a small step worse than last year. I am not so sure that is so. Again it appears that we are experimenting with players to see how they perform and except for a few errors we have done pretty well. Again the perceived quality of the opposition may effect how the team plays. UW was supposed to have a pretty good Pac 12 offense and we stuffed them.
I think this year we have the luxury to rest people and experiment that we didn't last and our schedule demanded more focus throughout.
The test will be if we can bring focus and intensity week in and week out when needed. I wouldn' worry about the details so much as the overall result at this time.

Hopefully the nicked players, Ware, Blue, PJ, Hurst and Losten etc recover and are ready to go starting next week. The barners may be weak this year but they will give their all to push us.
This could be another special year one with a better ending.

 

Dear Sir:

Who is this ER you speak of?

Sincerely,

R. Dudley
Former VP, CAAI (Creative Acronyms And Initials)


TIAFYR

 

ONM It just came to me. Maybe I will reapply for my old job.

 

The types of games are good for only two things.

1. Players picking up bad habits
2. Getting players hurt.
3. Sending $900,000 of Louisiana money to other states.

JMHO

 

If Loston doesn't come back soon, Ronald Martin is taking his spot and never looking back (and I would have no problem with that.) He was good last night.

I choose to believe that the bad 2nd quarter had to do with not being able to get very excited about Idaho--until their QB went all jackass and screwed himself by telling the crowd to get loud. That's right up there with AU's punter getting his butt kicked by our trombonist.

None of us were excited about Idaho; I'm sure it works that way for the players, too.

Mett is trying to do too much sometimes, but I'm thankful, I guess, that we've had such weak early season competition to work some kinks out.

Now, I'm ready to start chewing up some SEC foes.