A road conference win against a bowl-winning team....not bad

[HammerOfTheDogs]

It sure was ugly, but it was still a win. I remember thinking by the end of the first half that the first team to score a TD wins. Neither teams' Quarterbacks were very good. However, both our lines were beating theirs and I thought the only way Vandy would score was with a Pick-6.

This weekend shows the importance of Quarterback play in today's college football. Washington's Quarterback Jake Locker was the difference in upsetting USC. Don't forget that the Huskies were 0-12....ZERO AND FREAKING TWELVE last year.........and Locker was injured for much of the year. Now, they're 2-1 and undefeated in conference play. OMiss was 0-8 two years ago with Brent Schaffer trying to run a pro-style offense. Now, they're going to be #4 in the nation with Jevan Snead at the helm. Even USM showed that it's a good team with Austin Davis running the offense.

Once upon a time, you could get by with a barely serviceable QB if you had a good offensive line and strong running backs. Now, you HAVE to have a QB who can be a game-changer. We will probably lose to LSU because we are so one-dimensional at QB. I just hope that Dan Mullen keeps recruiting Cam Newton, develops Tyler Russell into a great passer, and turns Chris Relf into an NFL prospect at Tight End or H-back.

 

[Shmuley]

No. No, you don't.

Sincerely,

Nick Saban

 

[HammerOfTheDogs]

<table> <thead class="super-head"> <tr> <th colspan="10">Passing</th> <th colspan="5">Rushing</th> </tr> </thead> <thead> <tr> <th>Year</th> <th>Team</th> <th>G</th> <th>Rating</th> <th>Comp</th> <th>Att</th> <th>Pct</th> <th>Yds</th> <th>Y/G</th> <th>Y/A</th> <th>TD</th> <th>INT</th> <th>Rush</th> <th>Yds</th> <th>Y/G</th> <th>Avg</th> <th>TD</th> </tr> </thead> <tbody> <tr> <td>2009</td> <td>Alabama Crimson Tide</td> <td>3</td> <td>161.7</td> <td>46</td> <td>69</td> <td>66.7</td> <td>0</td> <td>0</td> <td>9.4</td> <td>4</td> <td>1</td> <td>13</td> <td>30</td> <td>10</td> <td>2.3</td> <td class="td-last">1</td> </tr> </tbody> </table>
True, two of the games were against scrubs. However, a 161 rating is pretty good no matter where you are. McElroy made yesterday's game into an easy blowout.

 

[Shmuley]

nm

 

[HammerOfTheDogs]

,

 

[MSUCostanza]

4 TD's in 3 games? And two of those games against N Texas and FIU? And he's only attempting 23 passes a game. McElroy is playing very well, but he's not going to win games for them singlehandedly.

 

[HammerOfTheDogs]

I saw him throw passes downfield, to receivers who stayed running, and actually caught the passes. Maybe seeing QB's who actually can throw a pass to somebody on the numbers, and not throw it 5 yards behind him, is too much for me to expect as an MState fan.

If Bammer doesn't win the West, it will be because McElroy is exposed. I can see LSU, OM, and Auburn stacking the box against the run and daring McElroy to beat them.

 

[Griffdawg]

I'm sure you've seen TR play several times. Does he have the talent to be a difference maker or will he be a game manager type of QB? What kind of arm strength does he possess and can he move around in the pocket to buy time?

 

[HammerOfTheDogs]

In the South Panola game. I wouldn't say he was a superb runner, but he's gutsy plus he can hit an open receiver on the run. He seemed to move well in the pocket, and he's very intelligent. He was looking off receivers, and often went to his third and fourth checkdown.

Once he gets used to the speed of the college game, he could do the same thing for State. I hope he's using this year to bulk up, get used to college life, get used to the speed of the players, and studying the playbook. We'll see how well he does when Spring practice starts.</p>