THE GOOD:
I'm not sure we learned much about this team that we didn't already know (other than the OL being very overrated by a few). Still think it's going to be a fight to get to 6 wins, as this offense is going to really struggle scoring in conference play. This defense is good, but they're still going to get torched from a yards perspective against better teams because of Hayes' scheme. If this offense struggles to sustain drives and forces the defense to be on the field longer...it might get ugly, imo. UTSA is not a good team (regardless of how they performed against a severely undermanned 'Zona defense that isn't very good anyway). Will be interesting to see what goes down in Stillwater in a few weeks.
- Justin Silmon and Dalvin Warmack - These two clearly need to be getting a much larger percentage of the carries from now on.
- Joe Hubener - He had quite a few beautiful passes down the seam and looked a heck of a lot like CK on a few occasions running the ball. Still struggles throwing to the flat (wide side in particular), but I thought he played well overall.
- Kody Cook and Andre Davis - Cook made a couple of great catches after the drops last week. Davis finally got on the field and was immediately a difference maker. This offense desperately needs him to step up and be a #1.
- The defense, particularly along the interior line - Britz and Geary are studs. Marquel Bryant also looked good at DE. Will Davis finally looked like a serviceable P5 MLB. Also looked like McDaniel learned to wrap up instead of just laying the wood.
- Special teams - Cantele stepped up and went 3-3, but hopefully McCrane's plant leg isn't seriously hindered. Morgan Burns is now averaging 57.5 yards per kick return on the year.
- The pop pass - I can't begin to describe my love for that (illegal) play. Glad they used Dimel rather than Gronk, too, as he looks to be quicker, imo.
- The score - This team went on the road and did what they were supposed to against an inferior team. Finally broke the dome streak.
- The OL - Looked really bad overall, and it floors me how so many continue to defend Dickey. Whitehair was embarrassed on multiple occasions and the entire right side was a dumpster fire. They're going to get mauled when the competition steps up.
- Charles Jones - Constantly taps the B button. He didn't quite get the running lanes that Silmon and Warmack had, but he just seems incapable of running north and south, and he isn't quick enough to get to the outside. Needs to be third on the depth chart, imo.
- The WRs, particularly Deante Burton - Very little separation (as a whole) and it took great throws from Hubes to move the chains. I don't know if I've ever seen anyone drop as many catchable balls as Burton does (he did get one, though!).
- Nate Jackson - Had the worst day of anyone on defense. Has no playmaking ability, and is on the field only to keep passes (and 20 yard catches) in front of him. Looked like an idiot going for the shoulders on Morgan instead of the lower body. Someone has got to step up and overtake him.
- Elijah Lee - Looked lost most of the game, after a solid outing a week ago. Hopefully he'll get better with experience.
- The playcalling - Lot of wtf playcalls in the first half, although it got a little better as the game progressed. Still have no idea why you'd throw a pass with under a minute until the break and the opponent is out of timeouts. I swear UTSA's OC was just playing Madden '13 the entire game.
I'm not sure we learned much about this team that we didn't already know (other than the OL being very overrated by a few). Still think it's going to be a fight to get to 6 wins, as this offense is going to really struggle scoring in conference play. This defense is good, but they're still going to get torched from a yards perspective against better teams because of Hayes' scheme. If this offense struggles to sustain drives and forces the defense to be on the field longer...it might get ugly, imo. UTSA is not a good team (regardless of how they performed against a severely undermanned 'Zona defense that isn't very good anyway). Will be interesting to see what goes down in Stillwater in a few weeks.
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