First the Bad News
1. JA's inexperience showed last night. Held the ball too long and made some bad decisions.
2. OL is a huge issue even though Sawchuk had a good game. We are not
CONSISTENTLY sound.
3. Defense is solid.....or terrible. The secondary was horrific for much of this game. Stutsman had to
THROW a LB towards his proper alignment. The TE (his responsibility) makes the catch for a 1st down.
Being assignment sound, and too soft coverage is still killing us. Tackling is suspect. We miss too many
TFL opportunities.
4. Personnel accountability - Why is ANYBODY on the field if there's a better (even if younger) player
standing on the sidelines? Farouq has been more of a liability, as has Freeman this year. Can you say
Brennan Pressley or Jayen Gibson?
The Good News
1. JA will be a baller with elite talent. This game was a learning experience and he will be just fine going forward.
2. We have some young studs coming it on the OL. Mix & match them with our current roster.
PLAY THEM!
3. I don't have a solid answer in the D. Mysterious how we can be so good at times, then give up huge plays & allow long drives.
With some stud incoming DL coming in, much like the OL......
PLAY THEM.
4. Personnel accountability - Upperclassmen or not if you're not assignment sound, and continually hurt the team,
WELCOME TO THE BENCH!
Conclusions
1. In spite of the loss, the sky is not falling.
2. We will not win the SEC next year, but neither will we get our butt handed to us. Worst case 8-4, best case 10-2.
3. Year 2 in the SEC we will win it, make the playoff and play for it
ALL. It's been
TOO long......and we're over due for # 8!
4. Hopefully this comes off as a realistic look for us going forward.