Here is a thought and I think it may have some truth.

[rugbdawg]

Our defense under Croom has certainly improved, but it has not been nearly as good as we all think it is.

Here's why:

Opposing teams know for a fact that we can't move the football. They know we can't score touchdowns and we can't kick field goals consistently. So, as a result, many teams we play go "Croom" or go "vanilla" when they get any sort of reasonable lead against us. They know the only way they can lose to us is if their offense gives our defense some points.

I really think there may be a little bit truth to this. Look at the three games last year that we played against competent offenses where our offense also excelled:

Arkansas-Arkansas had their way with us offensively
South Carolina-ditto, beat us up front and threw circles around Pegues.
Kentucky-our most complete performance as a team. D played very well but interceptions prevented UK from scoring some points they probably earned.

Now certainly, we still have a very good defense. But I don't think we are as special on that side of the ball as we think we are.

 

[dawgatUSM]

"D played very well but interceptions prevented UK from scoring some points they probably earned."

This has to be the single most ridiculous statement I've ever read. Please don't ever make fun of croom in his press conferences...

Dang that Henig, we probably earned 6 TDs against LSU last year before he threw those dang'd interceptions

 

[rugbdawg]

UK moved the ball on us pretty well but did stupid **** so they couldn't get points. Kind of like the Auburn game.

We act like we completely shut down Auburn's offense. We really didn't, they got over 300 yards. But they did some really stupid **** once they got close to scoring.

Btw, I would kill to have 300 + yards in an SEC game this year.

Edited to add: If Henig had thrown 6 interceptions last year against LSU and we had 300 plus yards and 0 points, that would be the most dominant offensive performance in Croom history against LSU. That's sad.

 

[karlchilders.sixpack]

Stats prove out that our O has not ...what ever! D has done it's part, and everyone ...brings their best game, and will bludgeon you if they can.

 

[drunkernhelldawg]

but bend don't break is pretty normal in college football. The game is not designed to favor the defense. That's why we are aghast at our total inability to move the football.

But I think you're overanalyzing this to keep from giving Croom credit he deserves. He has brought us to a point in which we have a chance in most of our games. That is a far cry from the utter futility he inheritied. His scheme is probably not the best use of our talent, and he has made some boneheaded calls, but we actually did win 8 games last season. We actually have had a chance to win all three of our games this season. We actually will have a chance to win at least half of our remaining games (GT, Ark, OM . . . hell, I give us a chance in every game. Not fifty fifty, but a chance).

I do agree that Croom should give up the offense to a true college coordinator, but the almost-universally held belief that we will always suck as long as we have Croom is far from proven. I'd love to see our offense gain 225 yards and score 17 points. It better, because our defense is not likely to keep GT and LSU out of the endzone. So somebody has to find a way to get the job done.

But my bottom line is you're mostly off with this idea that other teams know our offense sucks, so they'll have their offenses suck when they play us. That's actually ridiculous. Although the competition level has some effect, you're still going to try to play your game. That's all you can do.

 

[CivilDog]

would have been no doubt better if they would have counted his interceptions as completions. Damn the NCAA.