Plan B

[itseasyas1-2-3]

The upcoming QB situation is what happens when the head coach puts all his eggs in one basket, and we wind up with scrambled eggs. A case can be made, with the exception of Cincy, Michigan and NW, Lateef could have been given 1 or 2 series in almost every other game. It was clear, early on, that Matt was not gonna redshirt TJ, so multiple entrants in games was not going to interfere with any redshirt plan going forward.

Yeah, there's the old saying you're only one play away.....blah, blah, blah, its mostly a bullsh*t theory. Other than Akron and Houston Christian, you can't tell me that TJ didn't know his *** was gonna be parked on the bench, regardless of how well or poorly Dylan was playing. The only way TJ gets into a game is if Dylan gets injured and can't go. So, Saturday,out of the blue Dylan goes down and we expect this kid to come in and operate at a decent level?

This Saturday, at least TJ has the benefit of knowing that he will be operating the offense and that's huge for his mental preparedness. Hopefully, Matt and Dana will not throttle the kid and not even give him the chance to do what he does best. Whatever that is.

We have 18 OLinmen and basically 8 played and then Teddy went down, so now we have issues with Pritchett. The same principle applies here, how are we in Year 3 and we have only 8 of 18 kids that the coaches trust? It's not like our starting 5's have been excellent or were irreplaceable.

When you invest the future with Dylan, and he goes down, you get the chance to reap what you've sown.

 

[dinglefritz]

The upcoming QB situation is what happens when the head coach puts all his eggs in one basket, and we wind up with scrambled eggs. A case can be made, with the exception of Cincy, Michigan and NW, Lateef could have been given 1 or 2 series in almost every other game. It was clear, early on, that Matt was not gonna redshirt TJ, so multiple entrants in games was not going to interfere with any redshirt plan going forward.

Yeah, there's the old saying you're only one play away.....blah, blah, blah, its mostly a bullsh*t theory. Other than Akron and Houston Christian, you can't tell me that TJ didn't know his *** was gonna be parked on the bench, regardless of how well or poorly Dylan was playing. The only way TJ gets into a game is if Dylan gets injured and can't go. So, Saturday,out of the blue Dylan goes down and we expect this kid to come in and operate at a decent level?

This Saturday, at least TJ has the benefit of knowing that he will be operating the offense and that's huge for his mental preparedness. Hopefully, Matt and Dana will not throttle the kid and not even give him the chance to do what he does best. Whatever that is.

We have 18 OLinmen and basically 8 played and then Teddy went down, so now we have issues with Pritchett. The same principle applies here, how are we in Year 3 and we have only 8 of 18 kids that the coaches trust? It's not like our starting 5's have been excellent or were irreplaceable.

When you invest the future with Dylan, and he goes down, you get the chance to reap what you've sown.

Multiple young O linemen have played on special teams but I’m not sure they ever thought that the backups needed reps any more than guys like Pritchett and Gottula. They did get a fair number of game reps in those two home blowout wins.

It was pretty rare I think for anybody 3rd on the O line depth chart to get game reps for Uncle Millie unless we were up by 3-4 TDs late.

 

[SuperBigFan69]

Ehhh, all the games have been close, he played a good amount in 3 games. Not sure how much more he was supposed to play

It is not like DR is some loser out there. He was/is having a really nice season.

 

[itseasyas1-2-3]

Multiple young O linemen have played on special teams but I’m not sure they ever thought that the backups needed reps any more than guys like Pritchett and Gottula.

Well, that's LT only, what about the other 4 OL positions? Other than Gottula had a cup of coffee at RT but that was because Teddy went down.

 

[dinglefritz]

Well, that LT only, what about the other 4 OL positions?

Brix and Sledge have been on the first team kick units. I’m not sure who else would be in play to get reps. I think those two have gotten the equivalent of a couple of quarters of game reps at least.

 

[king_kong__]

one potential positive:

the best coaching job Rhule has done in his time at NU were the 7 games when he was forced to turn to HH in 2023.

the only 2 games we've won under Rhule as an underdog took place during this stretch.

maybe he will go back to what he learned from TO about disciplined, power football now that Lateef has been thrust into action.

 

[itseasyas1-2-3]

Brix and Sledge have been on the first team kick units. I’m not sure who else would be in play to get reps. I think those two have gotten the equivalent of a couple of quarters of game reps at least.

A couple of quarters out of 36 quarters played?

 

[lifer56]

one potential positive:

the best coaching job Rhule has done in his time at NU were the 7 games when he was forced to turn to HH in 2023.

the only 2 games we've won under Rhule as an underdog took place during this stretch.

maybe he will go back to what he learned from TO about disciplined, power football now that Lateef has been thrust into action.

That works better with a solid OL.

 

[itseasyas1-2-3]

one potential positive:

the best coaching job Rhule has done in his time at NU were the 7 games when he was forced to turn to HH in 2023.

the only 2 games we've won under Rhule as an underdog took place during this stretch.

maybe he will go back to what he learned from TO about disciplined, power football now that Lateef has been thrust into action.

We already kinda know what HH brings to the QB position. TJ is still a mystery.

Far as I'm concerned, nothing has changed, its win baby win.

I am a slightly concerned with TJ's ball security and his lack of footwork on something basic like hand offs etc, those have to be automatic.

I'm really looking forward to this game Saturday night. Who steps up? Who disappears? How aggressive will the coaches be in search of a much needed win (and confidence booster)?

This is not the old TO teams that can go to KState and win with the 3rd team QB, or the NU team that can go to Oklahoma and win a road game with Mark Mauer at QB when Turner Gill was unavailable.

It's time to circle the wagons and grow as a team through adversity. This is a test on the way to becoming nationally relevant again.

 

[cubsker15]

Imagine having lost to Maryland and/or NW by a few points while having played TJ a series or two in each game. Yeah, I don't think so.

 

[itseasyas1-2-3]

Imagine having lost to Maryland and/or NW by a few points while having played TJ a series or two in each game. Yeah, I don't think so.

We'll never really know, will we? You think any harm would have been done playing TJ when we were getting our asses handed to us in that blowout loss against Minnesota?

I notice you picked out 2 of the other 7 games. Didn't make any difference in the Akron or Houston Christian games or the losses against Michigan or Minnesota, nor did it make any difference Saturday night.

Unlesss TJ was turning it over, the offense wouldn't have been any less productive in the 3rd quarter than it was when Dylan was running the show.

 

[RedMyMind2.0]

What more can we b!tch about?

 

[Baxter48]

one potential positive:

the best coaching job Rhule has done in his time at NU were the 7 games when he was forced to turn to HH in 2023.

the only 2 games we've won under Rhule as an underdog took place during this stretch.

maybe he will go back to what he learned from TO about disciplined, power football now that Lateef has been thrust into action.

Omg you just won’t let it go!

 

[cubsker15]

We'll never really know, will we? You think any harm would have been done playing TJ when we were getting our asses handed to us in that blowout loss against Minnesota?

I notice you picked out 2 of the other 7 games.

We're just not good enough to not play our best qb at all times. All 4 wins where TJ didn't play were decided in the 4th qtr.

 

[itseasyas1-2-3]

We're just not good enough to not play our best qb at all times. All 4 wins where TJ didn't play were decided in the 4th qtr.

And yet, here we are 6-3 when TJ played in the Akron and Houston Christian games.

 

[king_kong__]

Omg you just won’t let it go!

winning games as an underdog is a great barometer of coaching

Rhule has only done that twice, both in 2023 when forced to go away from what he wanted to do (throw throw throw)

TJ is undeniably a more talented QB prospect than HH, so I am interested to see what we look like with him at the helm (hopefully much less finesse/pass-first wheel spinning)

 

[cubsker15]

And yet, here we are 6-3 when TJ played in the Akron and Houston Christian games.

I could have played in those games.

 

[HuskerBruce81]

maybe he will go back to what he learned from TO about disciplined, power football now that Lateef has been thrust into action

He doesn't have it in him

 

[itseasyas1-2-3]

I could have played in those games.

What number were you? Throw them out as non-games, and NU is 4-3.

 

[cubsker15]

What number were you? Throw them out as non-games, and NU is 4-3.

And we might be 2-5 if our qb had started dropping snaps or tripping our RB on 4th and 1.

 

[RBigredMax1]

Omg you just won’t let it go!

In saying that we need to focus on running the football and put TJ in a position to run the football and open up passing opportunities as a result? All this for a qb making his first start - seems pretty logical to me?

 

[dinglefritz]

We'll never really know, will we? You think any harm would have been done playing TJ when we were getting our asses handed to us in that blowout loss against Minnesota?

I notice you picked out 2 of the other 7 games. Didn't make any difference in the Akron or Houston Christian games or the losses against Michigan or Minnesota, nor did it make any difference Saturday night.

Unlesss TJ was turning it over, the offense wouldn't have been any less productive in the 3rd quarter than it was when Dylan was running the show.

And it wasn’t as if Dylan was playing well at Minnesota. I get your point but I’m not sure I would have been subbing in Lateef in any of the closer wins. We are where we are and we can only speculate on how many live first team reps Lateef got before this week.

 

[dinglefritz]

And we might be 2-5 if our qb had started dropping snaps or tripping our RB on 4th and 1.

You’re not wrong.

 

[Redscarlet]

We'll never really know, will we? You think any harm would have been done playing TJ when we were getting our asses handed to us in that blowout loss against Minnesota?

I notice you picked out 2 of the other 7 games. Didn't make any difference in the Akron or Houston Christian games or the losses against Michigan or Minnesota, nor did it make any difference Saturday night.

Unlesss TJ was turning it over, the offense wouldn't have been any less productive in the 3rd quarter than it was when Dylan was running the show.

There was no reason in hell not to give Lateef snaps in the 4thQ of the Minnesota game. Been good to give him snaps when the game was already decided.

 

[nu2u]

In saying that we need to focus on running the football and put TJ in a position to run the football and open up passing opportunities as a result? All this for a qb making his first start - seems pretty logical to me?

UCLA defense will load up the LOS to stop Johnson and make Lateef prove he can consistently move the sticks with his arm. If he can make them pay, game on.

 

[itseasyas1-2-3]

And we might be 2-5 if our qb had started dropping snaps or tripping our RB on 4th and 1.

Maybe TJ would have 9 turnovers in 5 1/2 games like Dylan too. You act as if Dylan was flawless.

 

[dinglefritz]

There was no reason in hell not to give Lateef snaps in the 4thQ of the Minnesota game. Been good to give him snaps when the game was already decided.

Well you be could say there’s the reason that you don’t want to damage your starter’s confidence. You also have to be concerned about your backup getting a garbage time TD igniting a Qb controversy.

 

[itseasyas1-2-3]

Well you be could say there’s the reason that you don’t want to damage your starter’s confidence. You also have to be concerned about your backup getting a garbage time TD igniting a Qb controversy.

dingle, that's a bullsh*t theory. Minnesota was already treating DR like a 4th string QB all night.

The last coward we had as a head coach who did that was Solich.

 

[itseasyas1-2-3]

Multiple young O linemen have played on special teams but I’m not sure they ever thought that the backups needed reps any more than guys like Pritchett and Gottula. They did get a fair number of game reps in those two home blowout wins.

It was pretty rare I think for anybody 3rd on the O line depth chart to get game reps for Uncle Millie unless we were up by 3-4 TDs late.

I see you added the last sentence when you edited your post. At any rate, we don't have a 2nd team, so why did you skip right to the 3rd team? Apparently, we only have backups at the OT positions.

 

[itseasyas1-2-3]

And it wasn’t as if Dylan was playing well at Minnesota. I get your point but I’m not sure I would have been subbing in Lateef in any of the closer wins. We are where we are and we can only speculate on how many live first team reps Lateef got before this week.

If TJ isn't getting minimal first team reps during the week, that's piss poor preparation by Dana and Matt. Did they not think Dylan kept getting his bell rung almost week after week?

When you have a QB getting bounced around like a pinball week after week, it would seem its only a matter of time til he really got dinged.

You realize I started this thread because I wanted it to be controversial, right?
The deal with Dylan is done, the question is why was Lateef so ill-prepared when he was called on?

Sure, he can cough it up out of bounds cause they likely don't hit the QB much in practice, but something as simple as handing the ball off caused an issue?

Don't we have 44 assistant coaches that could at least make sure that doesn't happen?
If not, then maybe we need a few more.

 

[cubsker15]

Maybe TJ would have 9 turnovers in 6 games like Dylan too. You act as if Dylan was flawless.

Maybe. Maybe not. But your record isn't often going to be better by benching the player you think is better for the player you think is worse. Were you happy Dylan got hurt Saturday, forcong TJ to come in? If not, then I think your logic is flawed.

 

[cubsker15]

I also recall lots of people in the in game thread wanting Dylan benched after bad INTs vs NW and MD. In both cases, Dylan regrouped to lead outstanding drives that won the game featuring numerous clutch throws, something we haven't seen around here in years.

 

[Smallbooster56]

winning games as an underdog is a great barometer of coaching

Rhule has only done that twice, both in 2023 when forced to go away from what he wanted to do (throw throw throw)

TJ is undeniably a more talented QB prospect than HH, so I am interested to see what we look like with him at the helm (hopefully much less finesse/pass-first wheel spinning)

How many games did Nick Saban win as an underdog at Alabama?

 

[itseasyas1-2-3]

Maybe. Maybe not. But your record isn't often going to be better by benching the player you think is better for the player you think is worse. Were you happy Dylan got hurt Saturday, forcong TJ to come in? If not, then I think your logic is flawed.

cubsker, that is not my point, and of course no one wanted Dylan to get hurt, so don't pretend like I said that.

I never said to replace the perceived better player with a worse player, okay? I said, why wasn't TJ afforded some meaningful snaps along the way in a thus far 9 game season that would at least allow him to be fluid in handoffs and better ball security.

I am a bit nervous about the way TJ throws that quick throw to the sideline. Against USC he got the snap, took the quick drop and just threw the ball. The USC defender was only about a step and a half away from picking it off. He needs to be careful or UCLA will bait him into a INT there.

Had TJ been strategically inserted in several games this year, it would be much easier mental exercise for him to enter a game instead of just sitting on the bench knowing if Dylan wasn't injured, he was of little use as a backup. As it turns out, TJ entered in an emergency situation and not prepared beforehand.

 

[itseasyas1-2-3]

I also recall lots of people in the in game thread wanting Dylan benched after bad INTs vs NW and MD. In both cases, Dylan regrouped to lead outstanding drives that won the game featuring numerous clutch throws, something we haven't seen around here in years.

Yes, those games became win from behind games due to untimely INT's and unneccessary sacks, right?

 

[king_kong__]

How many games did Nick Saban win as an underdog at Alabama?

notable Saban wins as an underdog:

• 2009 SEC Championship: Alabama was a 4.5-point underdog against Florida and won.
• 2015 SEC Championship: Alabama was a 1.5-point underdog against Georgia and won.
• 2021 SEC Championship: Alabama was a 6.5-point underdog against Georgia and won.
• 2021 National Championship: Alabama was a 3-point underdog against Georgia and won.

 

[dinglefritz]

dingle, that's a bullsh*t theory. Minnesota was already treating DR like a 4th string QB all night.

The last coward we had as a head coach who did that was Solich.

4th string QB? More like a 20$ *****. Not that I have any experience with that.

 

[dinglefritz]

I see you added the last sentence when you edited your post. At any rate, we don't have a 2nd team, so why did you skip right to the 3rd team? Apparently, we only have backups at the OT positions.

I honestly don’t know how they view what’s left on the bench. I don’t know how many O linemen travel. I do t know who of the freshmen or soph are redshirting. I don’t recall any coach since Tom routinely playing 3rd teamers to get them reps and we’ve been playing I think all of our guys we considered 2nd teamers most of the year due to injuries.

Things are different today IMO from Tom’s tenure as well. Tom could get O linemen to walk on that Austin was offering scholarships. Then you had those 4th and 5th year guys who knew your offense who could step in when you needed them. Clearly our O line recruiting suffered Frost’s last couple of years at least and Rhule’s first class. It’s going to be interesting to see if a Soph or true freshman show up these last few games. Playing guys that young though rarely seems to go well.

 

[dinglefritz]

How many games did Nick Saban win as an underdog at Alabama?

Was he EVER an underdog after year 2? Nm

 

[dinglefritz]

notable Saban wins as an underdog:

• 2009 SEC Championship: Alabama was a 4.5-point underdog against Florida and won.
• 2015 SEC Championship: Alabama was a 1.5-point underdog against Georgia and won.
• 2021 SEC Championship: Alabama was a 6.5-point underdog against Georgia and won.
• 2021 National Championship: Alabama was a 3-point underdog against Georgia and won.

Yep. They were HUGE dogs