Just back from the game
I’m typing this before I even read anybody else’s comments so that I won’t be affected by other comments. Here a few of my observations:
1. Let me be clear at the outset; I am not advocating getting rid of Mullen. That being said, this loss is all on him and he said as much in his post-game comments this afternoon. I’m just agreeing with him. I cannot begin to comprehend how, after the embarrassment in Tuscaloosa, that he would not have the team ready to play but he didn’t. He is the one who hires the other coaches and recruits the players or has them recruited at his direction. The buck stops with him.
2. Chris Wilson and our defense had absolutely no answer to aTm’s offense. Johnny Football is good; I’m not denying that but he is not the whole offense. Their receivers typically had a 5-10 yard cushion from our pass defenders all afternoon. Not just one or two plays; all afternoon. Wilson needs to be good or be gone.
3. We couldn’t tackle a third-grader. Our defenders don’t wrap up and they apparently lack all fundamental knowledge of tackling techniques. I don’t know how many broken tackles aTm had but it was a bunch. I know that they ran 97 plays during the game and had thirty-high-something first downs. I think we had 15 for the game but I’ll save that for my comments on our offense.
4. Our defensive players had their hands on their hips before the half. What kind of conditioning is that? I’m a Balis fan but – tired before the half? They may have plenty of strength but I’m beginning to question the conditioning. Yeah, I know aTm ran a bunch of plays but whose fault is it that we couldn’t get them off the field? I think that aTm punted ONCE in the game.
5. Special teams were poor as usual. At least they’re consistent. At least we’ve got a good punter.
6. When we were on offense, Russell rarely had time to throw the ball. On the few occasions when he did have time they were mostly good throws, however. There is no doubt that Johnny Football is a better scrambler than Russell but I still believe that Russell is a better pure passer. We just didn’t have any pass protection. The pass to the end zone was high but he was rushed. I’m not taking up for Russell though. One thing he really needs to work on is getting rid of the ball quicker. You can’t wait for your receiver to come open and then throw the ball. This usually gives the defense time to cover. Russell is good but he needs to be able to read what the defense is giving him quicker and more accurately. He also needs to have more confidence in his receivers. I know they’re going to miss some that they should have caught but that’s the price of doing business. The net result would, on average, be more catches for more gains.
7. We looked like we were in slow motion all day; especially on defense. Most of the time Johnny Football or whichever other Aggie happened to be carrying the ball at the time would put one fake move on one of our players and then run right by or they would just zip by them in a straight line. They looked like they were on roller skates and we looked like we were running in knee-deep molasses on a cold day.
8. Pass blocking – what’s that? I can’t believe that we weren’t sacked more than we were.
9. What happened on Russell’s interception? Did somebody run the wrong route or was it just a bad pass. It didn’t look like Russell ever saw the defender; on the other hand, maybe he did because it sure was a pretty pass right to him.
10. I don’t think we have to worry any other big schools coming after Mullen any time soon. It’s a good thing that Megan seems to like it here. Again, I’m not ready for him to leave either but performances like today make him less desirable as a hire.
11. At this point, I’m not completely sure that we win another game. LSU next week – yeah, right. Earlier in the season I actually thought we might have an outside chance in Baton Rouge. Now I am expecting to lose – not wanting to but expecting to. Arkansas here the week after that. This is probably our best shot for win #8. At TSUN next and I’m scared to death about that one. They will likely be playing for a bowl and it’s at their house. If Mullen gets them ready then like he did for today, I’m certain we will lose. I’m hoping that he decides to make it happen. We have better overall talent and we should win if we are properly prepared and go in there with the right attitude but I don’t know any more.
12. If it snows in Shreveport again this year we may get another chance to go to a Snow Bowl.
13. I’m a MSU graduate and I’ve been a fan for about 5 decades. This is starting to feel like teams of old when we hoped to win but expected to lose. I don’t like that feeling but right now it’s back. I wish it would leave again. I want to expect to win. That was a good feeling while it lasted.
OK, rip into me – at this point I don’t care.
I’m typing this before I even read anybody else’s comments so that I won’t be affected by other comments. Here a few of my observations:
1. Let me be clear at the outset; I am not advocating getting rid of Mullen. That being said, this loss is all on him and he said as much in his post-game comments this afternoon. I’m just agreeing with him. I cannot begin to comprehend how, after the embarrassment in Tuscaloosa, that he would not have the team ready to play but he didn’t. He is the one who hires the other coaches and recruits the players or has them recruited at his direction. The buck stops with him.
2. Chris Wilson and our defense had absolutely no answer to aTm’s offense. Johnny Football is good; I’m not denying that but he is not the whole offense. Their receivers typically had a 5-10 yard cushion from our pass defenders all afternoon. Not just one or two plays; all afternoon. Wilson needs to be good or be gone.
3. We couldn’t tackle a third-grader. Our defenders don’t wrap up and they apparently lack all fundamental knowledge of tackling techniques. I don’t know how many broken tackles aTm had but it was a bunch. I know that they ran 97 plays during the game and had thirty-high-something first downs. I think we had 15 for the game but I’ll save that for my comments on our offense.
4. Our defensive players had their hands on their hips before the half. What kind of conditioning is that? I’m a Balis fan but – tired before the half? They may have plenty of strength but I’m beginning to question the conditioning. Yeah, I know aTm ran a bunch of plays but whose fault is it that we couldn’t get them off the field? I think that aTm punted ONCE in the game.
5. Special teams were poor as usual. At least they’re consistent. At least we’ve got a good punter.
6. When we were on offense, Russell rarely had time to throw the ball. On the few occasions when he did have time they were mostly good throws, however. There is no doubt that Johnny Football is a better scrambler than Russell but I still believe that Russell is a better pure passer. We just didn’t have any pass protection. The pass to the end zone was high but he was rushed. I’m not taking up for Russell though. One thing he really needs to work on is getting rid of the ball quicker. You can’t wait for your receiver to come open and then throw the ball. This usually gives the defense time to cover. Russell is good but he needs to be able to read what the defense is giving him quicker and more accurately. He also needs to have more confidence in his receivers. I know they’re going to miss some that they should have caught but that’s the price of doing business. The net result would, on average, be more catches for more gains.
7. We looked like we were in slow motion all day; especially on defense. Most of the time Johnny Football or whichever other Aggie happened to be carrying the ball at the time would put one fake move on one of our players and then run right by or they would just zip by them in a straight line. They looked like they were on roller skates and we looked like we were running in knee-deep molasses on a cold day.
8. Pass blocking – what’s that? I can’t believe that we weren’t sacked more than we were.
9. What happened on Russell’s interception? Did somebody run the wrong route or was it just a bad pass. It didn’t look like Russell ever saw the defender; on the other hand, maybe he did because it sure was a pretty pass right to him.
10. I don’t think we have to worry any other big schools coming after Mullen any time soon. It’s a good thing that Megan seems to like it here. Again, I’m not ready for him to leave either but performances like today make him less desirable as a hire.
11. At this point, I’m not completely sure that we win another game. LSU next week – yeah, right. Earlier in the season I actually thought we might have an outside chance in Baton Rouge. Now I am expecting to lose – not wanting to but expecting to. Arkansas here the week after that. This is probably our best shot for win #8. At TSUN next and I’m scared to death about that one. They will likely be playing for a bowl and it’s at their house. If Mullen gets them ready then like he did for today, I’m certain we will lose. I’m hoping that he decides to make it happen. We have better overall talent and we should win if we are properly prepared and go in there with the right attitude but I don’t know any more.
12. If it snows in Shreveport again this year we may get another chance to go to a Snow Bowl.
13. I’m a MSU graduate and I’ve been a fan for about 5 decades. This is starting to feel like teams of old when we hoped to win but expected to lose. I don’t like that feeling but right now it’s back. I wish it would leave again. I want to expect to win. That was a good feeling while it lasted.
OK, rip into me – at this point I don’t care.
