Sunday Morning Thoughts-Divided Fan Base Edition
Yesterday was the definition of UGLY UGLY win, but it was a win and we cannot lose sight of that in the grands scheme.
1. A win is a win. Yes I was pissed and disgusted that we could not move the ball. Yes I was pissed and disgusted at our 4th down decision making. Yes I was pissed and disgusted that we went into the Stansbury Stall with 13 minutes to go in the 3rd quarter. And yes I was pissed and disgusted that our kicker cannot make a 29 yd FG to put the game on ice. Saying all that, WE WON. And at the end of the day you are 4-3 instead of 3-4.
2. Defense played lights out. Yes the Arkansas line is hot garbage, but two weeks ago we could not get pressure on Western Michigan. Whether it was Arnett taking over the playcalling or Brock finally figuring something out we frustrated and flustered Jefferson all day and clogged things up enough where he did not feel comfortable enough to run.
3. Mike Wright can work if you let him be Mike Wright. I thought early on we were calling plays that were beneficial to him and helped him get into a rhythm. We were running zone reads, boots, and play action with short throws. I think we need to continue to open the playbook up a bit more for him and maybe incorporate a little RPO action.
4. Saying all that, Will still gives this team the best chance to win. This offense still operates best when we are able to push the ball down the field. If Will is going to be out more games, which looks like a certainty, we have to find a way to get the ball into the hands of Tulu, Robinson, Mosley, Roberson, Whittemore, etc 10-12 yds down the field and let them go to work. Whether that be RPO, boot out with crossing routes, air raid mesh concepts, etc we have to get our receivers in space a bit more.
5. Point 4 and 5 go hand in hand because we have to get some pressure off our backs. We are going to get Marks killed. He will be running head first into 7 and 8 man boxes next week. Wright is the same way. Our run game needs to be complementary of the pass game. We have to at least make the respect the throw. This is no different than the drop 8 with the AR.
6. Our O line play yesterday in regards to pre snap penalties was inexcusable. We have a veteran group who has played in almost every stadium in the SEC. Pre snap penalties, especially from our GD center are unacceptable.
7. Leave the TEs off the field until we can get a real TE. Harmon is a WR, Elliss is either an OL or DL, and Goede may quite possibly be the worst player we have put on scholarship in the last 20 years. He is up there with King Ani. Like how our staff looked at that kid and thought he deserved a scholarship blows my mind.
8. I have never seen our fan base this divided. It is not just on this board or just on GP and SPS. It is everywhere. I understand some people did not like the AR and that is ok. Some do not like whatever the hell this offense is either. I personally do not like either in the form we ran them in. Both are incredibly boring. We traded dink and dunk passes for dink and dunk runs. Neither is conducive to long term success. Whether you like the scheme or you hate the scheme, none of us are making a decision on the scheme. If it does not work then changes will be made, it is that simple. Whether that means changing the OC or changing the HC I can guarantee you Selmon will do what needs to be done. This is his wait and see period. That ends on the Friday after Thanksgiving.
9. If you do not already, please support the Bulldog Initiative. My god, we need a transfer QB and this is the way. Like it or not, this is how you get stuff done in the new age of college football. And if you do not agree, that is ok. But do not complain. We as a fan base can either be part of the problem or part of the solution. We need to choose to be the latter.
10. WE WON. SMILE. BE HAPPY. AND BEAT AUBURN.
