Predict how the QB situation plays out vs Memphis

[markymark.sixpack]

I could see this going several different ways; just looking for some conversation on the topic. How does everyone expect this to go?

I expect us to score on one of our first two possessions and to see Russell enter the game on the third series. I think Mullen would like to get Russell a decent amount of real game experience during this game, and not just mop up duty. I think he will want to see how he does in situations that "matter". Maybe not if we get behind early, but if we are up by one or two scores. However, I have finally come to the conclusion that Coach is right about the Auburn game...Relf is taking close to all the snaps in that one (barring an injury or something). So, while you want to get Russell ready in case he has to play in any of the next 3 games, you want Relf to get into a rhythm going into Auburn. Then again, you have a short week for Auburnso youwould like to keep the 1st team fresh.

All that in mind, I think Russell plays early and logs some significant time in this game. I think he plays 3 series in the first half, 1 series in the 3rd Qtr, and virtually all of the 4th Qtr in mop up duty.

 

[jcdawgman18]

I don't expect us to be totally sharp offensively, and I think we might have to play our way into the game in the first half. So, I have no idea how it's all going to play out.

 

[Sutterkane]

we should crush them by 3 touchdowns.

 

[TheStateUofMS]

I think against Memphis Russell will take about 20 snaps. If we are sharp offensively and are up by a wide margin, he'll play the whole 4th quarter, and Mullen won't be trying to sit on the lead either. I think Mullen would like to turn the whole offense over to Relf. I don't think we see Russell until at least the 4th series of the game, unless Relf is horrible the first two series.

 

[TheStateUofMS]

we should crush them by 3 touchdowns.

Shoot they better now score more than 10 points. I'm counting on us absolutely crushing them 40 something to 10 or less.

 

[markymark.sixpack]

new coach, lots of lost starters from a bad team...this will be one of the worst memphis teams we will every play. I don't look for them to be much better than JSU was last year. I know it took a half to get rolling against JSU last year, but that was our first time running this offense. I think we will have a really easy time moving the ball up and down the field. I'm thinking 35-10 or so.

 

[Coach34]

he comes in on the 3rd series as well, especially if we have a lead- maybe gets one more series in the 2nd quarter...and then plays the 4th quarter...Relf needs to get in a rhythym himself before Auburn comes rolling in

 

[jcdawgman18]

1) Where did I say we wouldn't end up winning by a margin like that? I was saying we might START slow, meaning the fourth quarter wouldn't necessarily be mop up duty. I still think we end up winning by about that margin (or at least I hope so).

2) In 98, we beat Memphis 14-6 in the second game of the year. In 99, we beat Memphis 13-10 in the second game of the year. Those are the two best years we've had in decades, and we still could barely beat Memphis both times. It tends to be a difficult game for us. And for us to be successful this year, we need to be like those teams. I don't think our offense will carry us (running back and the passing game are both question marks, whether we'd like to admit it or not) and our defense is going to need to be stout.

ETA: In 2000, we beat them 17-3. 2001 we beat them 30-10. I went back and looked more, and it's funny. The years where we put the most points up on Memphis were the years we had losing records and sat at home for bowl season, while the years where it was a close game we had winning records and went to bowls. Go figure.

 

[patdog]

Russell won't come in until late in the 3rd quarter at the earliest. And he won't see any action at all unless we're up by more than 2 TDs.</p>

 

[markymark.sixpack]

but his offense had trouble scoring against virtually everybody. We were defense oriented back then, so i don't think those stats apply now.

Mullen has proven he can and will find a way to move the ball against most defenses. Especially ones that bad. Now, finishing drives with TDs instead of FGs or turnovers...that's what our players have to figure out how to do. That will determine how badly we beat them this year.

 

[MrHooch]

IF you have a perfect storm and we are never in fear of losing (which I believe will be the case), I would give the first half of the game to Relf and the second half to Russell. I'd rather give Relf a complete half to do his best and then turn the reins over instead of benching him at some point in the half, especially if he encounters some difficulty. He needs to learn how to work through that in a real game situation if we're going to surprise some of these people we plan on surprising to get into our bowl game...

 

[War Machine Dawg]

He just lined up, ran right at them, and let our greater talent & depth beat them. The one year he tried to run it up a little on Memphis, we did.

 

[Xenomorph]

Play the QB you think has the best chance to move the football towards, and into, the endzone every single play. If at some point you feel the game is no longer in doubt, play the next guy.

 

[Todd4State]

that I have no HC experience, but I would imagine that it would be a little bit cocky to say "we're definately going to use Russell in the fourth quarter".

I think going into it, we need to just plan on starting Relf, and IF we get a big lead (I think we probably will, but you never know) then put in Tyler appropriately and then just see how things play out.

I don't like the idea of playing him in the third series or whatever because that might break the tempo of the offense, or at least that seemed like what would happen a lot when we would put in Greg Plump or Rodney Hudson back in the day.

 

[AccountingDawg]

I would hand the offense to Relf to start the game. He stays in the game until the offense scores 2 touchdowns, however long that takes. Hopefully it doesn't take long and the score at this point is 14-0 by the end of the first, early second qurter. At this point you give the offense to Russell for the remainder of the first half if things stay in good shape score wise. Relf takes over to start the third quarter and remains in the game until approximately the five minute mark in the fourth. Give it back to Russell to close out and let Relf relish on the sidelines and enjoy the remainder of the game.

This way, you allow Relf plenty of game time to have the ups and downs we all know are gonna happen. The coaches will get to see how he reacts to the various game situations that will be presented. You also allow Russell to have enough minutes to get some feel of how he can respond to certain situations and get a feel for what situations will be best suited for his services.

I see this game being blown open early and then slowed down due to Mullen and staff trying out some new plays for later in the season. I'm thinking it ends up somewhere around 30-10.

I do feel Russell will see playing time against Auburn but nowhere near the time he gets in the Memphis game. Mullen will want to bring Relf out at some point in that game and have a man-to-man with him if things get out of hand and Russell will be asked to keep it close at this point.

 

[jbulldog]

nm