I've gotta ask you the same thing ... w/o scrounging over reams of box scores ... what's our 3rd down percentage? numbers of 3rd downs? TOP?
Those in/of themselves don't win football games, but when they consistently result in putting the defense on the field that much longer, and usually with a relatively short field? That's a significant contributor to whatever perceived failure is happening in the defense. (recall Leon Fuller in Mackovic's first year ... was Fuller's last season for daring to state such)
Naw, our D has played well enough to win. Only in the Tech game has the offense "scored enough" with the D fumbling and there are at least 4 circumstances in that game which if any one are normal, we win. If all 4, we win BIG. the pittsburgh steeler fluke TD, dozen/so playstation play calls, the one occasion the D was NOT ready for anything let alone the fake kneel, AND the depth chart which became shallower than a 2A HS squad.
if and butts ... I know.
As I review my little list of 4 ... the D isn't without shortcoming, but I'll stick with the 1:12 ratio. The biggest problem this year has been QB play and play calling. Charlie has seen it this way, too. That's where he's made personnel changes. I really hope Bueschell is the real deal!!!! Tired of "wait 'til next year."
I REALLY wish he'd have 86'd that 4th down bomb. "I don't care how you do it, but #25 gets the ball" Maybe we still TOD ... but that play call screamed "desperation"
Last edited: Nov 29, 2015