We're halfway through the season now, sitting at 3-3 just like I thought we would be....game for game on the predictions, in fact. We could still have a nice season, we could still have an awful season, we could still have a "meh" season. My prediction for this season was 7-5, with some improvement from the defense, an offense that had issues but would gradually improve as the season progressed, and some younger guys stepping into important roles. At the mid-point of the season, we have a ways to go in several areas.
So far, this defense is exactly what I thought it would be....improved, but not dominant. All that I ask, is that our defense puts our offense in a position to compete in games....then improve each year, as time goes on. This defense has done just that. Yesterday and the Tech game saw us give up big yards and plenty of points, but in both of those games our offense could realistically outscore the opponent....if they can answer the call. Our defense still misses plenty of assignments, Hayes does some weird things but also some good things, we still have issues with lateral speed and so forth.
Offensively, it all starts in the trenches. This line is not getting the job done in the run game, period. Jones is an adequate back, Warmack has speed, Barnes has physicality....if the line cant create push, none of them will do diddly shit. We look good running against FCS teams and Tech, but this is a huge area of deficiency. This really allows opposing defenses to dictate to us a good portion of our passing game, we need balance offensively! All that being said, where has the HB screen gone? How about the WR jailbreak screen? In recent years we've scorched some teams (looking at you oSu) with the basic wheel route? This offense struggles a lot at anything/everything related to a 3-step drop passing game.....nearly everything we do is 5-step. Opposing defenses stack the box, blitz constantly, and play press coverage against us....some basic proficiency in slants, curls, outs, etc would alleviate much of that! Last year these routes were largely unavailable because of our receivers lack of speed, but this issue has improved a lot this season.....quit chucking it deep on early downs! Wide receivers also need to quit dropping catchable passes deep down field and in the endzone....killer. Alex Delton looks kinda undersized to be a great passing QB, and in limited time hasn't looked great throwing the ball. This offensive line may get that young man killed if we tried to go all "Collin Klein/Daniel Thomas" with him. If Delton was ready to play, he would already be on the field.
I've said this in many threads but regardless of gripes on playing calling, step 1 is doing things right! Bill Snyder's entire gameplan is based on being better than your opponent on every single snap, playing with great physicality, and wearing them down over the course of a game. The unforced penalties, procedural issues, getting snaps off, horrendous gaffs in coverage, etc are all completely inexcusable and gets back to coaching. Being sloppy is the difference between being 4-2, or even 5-1, right now and being 3-3. Being sloppy is why we are blowing late leads, that is anti-Snyder in every way.
I think anyone that is calling for coaching changes here in mid October is being a drama queen.....the nastier stuff is just insane....tis the way of a message board, I suppose. If we are sitting here in December at 6-6 (or worse) again....I would loudly proclaim that the whole staff needs to be gutted. Mo Lattimore, Sean Snyder are the only 2 that have their respective groups playing well.....and no, that's not an endorsement of either of them for anything more than keeping their current jobs! Perhaps if a change at OC's/DC etc is demanded, Coach Snyder would step down, I hope not. If we are sitting at 7-5 (or better) with visible improvement, let the hall of famer do things his way and progress towards 2017 with positive momentum.
In the mean time, let's all pump the brakes a little. This team needs their fans behind them, we actually have a nice home schedule this year and we need all the purple (not TCU) we can get at all of our road games too. Support these players, support this program, support these coaches, support your school!
So far, this defense is exactly what I thought it would be....improved, but not dominant. All that I ask, is that our defense puts our offense in a position to compete in games....then improve each year, as time goes on. This defense has done just that. Yesterday and the Tech game saw us give up big yards and plenty of points, but in both of those games our offense could realistically outscore the opponent....if they can answer the call. Our defense still misses plenty of assignments, Hayes does some weird things but also some good things, we still have issues with lateral speed and so forth.
Offensively, it all starts in the trenches. This line is not getting the job done in the run game, period. Jones is an adequate back, Warmack has speed, Barnes has physicality....if the line cant create push, none of them will do diddly shit. We look good running against FCS teams and Tech, but this is a huge area of deficiency. This really allows opposing defenses to dictate to us a good portion of our passing game, we need balance offensively! All that being said, where has the HB screen gone? How about the WR jailbreak screen? In recent years we've scorched some teams (looking at you oSu) with the basic wheel route? This offense struggles a lot at anything/everything related to a 3-step drop passing game.....nearly everything we do is 5-step. Opposing defenses stack the box, blitz constantly, and play press coverage against us....some basic proficiency in slants, curls, outs, etc would alleviate much of that! Last year these routes were largely unavailable because of our receivers lack of speed, but this issue has improved a lot this season.....quit chucking it deep on early downs! Wide receivers also need to quit dropping catchable passes deep down field and in the endzone....killer. Alex Delton looks kinda undersized to be a great passing QB, and in limited time hasn't looked great throwing the ball. This offensive line may get that young man killed if we tried to go all "Collin Klein/Daniel Thomas" with him. If Delton was ready to play, he would already be on the field.
I've said this in many threads but regardless of gripes on playing calling, step 1 is doing things right! Bill Snyder's entire gameplan is based on being better than your opponent on every single snap, playing with great physicality, and wearing them down over the course of a game. The unforced penalties, procedural issues, getting snaps off, horrendous gaffs in coverage, etc are all completely inexcusable and gets back to coaching. Being sloppy is the difference between being 4-2, or even 5-1, right now and being 3-3. Being sloppy is why we are blowing late leads, that is anti-Snyder in every way.
I think anyone that is calling for coaching changes here in mid October is being a drama queen.....the nastier stuff is just insane....tis the way of a message board, I suppose. If we are sitting here in December at 6-6 (or worse) again....I would loudly proclaim that the whole staff needs to be gutted. Mo Lattimore, Sean Snyder are the only 2 that have their respective groups playing well.....and no, that's not an endorsement of either of them for anything more than keeping their current jobs! Perhaps if a change at OC's/DC etc is demanded, Coach Snyder would step down, I hope not. If we are sitting at 7-5 (or better) with visible improvement, let the hall of famer do things his way and progress towards 2017 with positive momentum.
In the mean time, let's all pump the brakes a little. This team needs their fans behind them, we actually have a nice home schedule this year and we need all the purple (not TCU) we can get at all of our road games too. Support these players, support this program, support these coaches, support your school!
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