After watching the Irish eke out a win against the San Diego State Aztecs this week, my hand is poised over the giant red panic button in my brain going into this week's matchup with Michigan.
there are certain things I wanted to see out of this team, and some of them I did, others I didn't. And from a purely on-paper standpoint, this team looks somewhat improved from last year.
That said, we were dangerously close to going down two scores late in the game to San Diego frickin' State University.
I'm not pushing the button quite yet, but if there isn't marked improvement between last week and this week, well... let's just say that my support for Coach Weis hangs in the balance.
I did see much improved pass protection, albeit it was against a severely depleted defensive line. And I did NOT see the "pound it" attitude that Coach Weis promised in the offseason. Which should have been on proud display against the aforementioned depleted Aztecs front four.
I did see more accurate passing, and more deep passes than last year's dink-and-dunk offense. But I did not see anyone truly emerge as a "breakaway" type player. Tate showed some more promise, as did true frosh Floyd. I'm about to give up on Armando Allen as a breakaway threat - he just doesn't have the vision.
I did see an aggressive, attacking defense. I did NOT see the shutdown secondary I remembered from last year.
All told, I'm giving this team a C- for their performance against SDSU. Passing (we did get a W, something I no longer take for granted after last year), but just barely.
And so this week brings us to a turning point for the program.
Michigan sucks. They may have their worst team in the past generation this year. No QB, no real running threats.
But they do have a talneted defense.
If we can move the ball and put up some points en route to a victory, I'll chalk up SDSU to first game jitters and shaking off the rust from last year.
If we can't beat the Skunkbears in our own backyard, with them fielding their worst team in decades, I'm ready to throw in the towel on Coach Weis.
Pressure's on. It's put up or shut up time.
6 comments:
Not a shutdown secondary? SDSU threw for less than 50% and averaged less than 4.5 per attempt, if that is not shutdown I don't know what is.
I feel like this is return of Jerry Faust. How poorly prepared! Special teams still look inept. Can anybody kick the ball past the thirty? Hello... If I see another OLman fall on the ground in an attempted cut block only to have the DLman walk over him.... Pray my brothers because without divine intervention Michigan I fear will own our a$$es.
No break away threat? Which game were you watching? Tate and Floyd ran by defensive backs like they were standing still on several plays, not just the ones that Jimmy threw them the ball.
The corners were fine. The only completions of more than 15 yards the defense gave up all day was a blown coverage by the safeties and a good route and throw over a safety.
There was much to be concerned about in that game--namely the play of the offensive line and the mistakes/turnovers, but don't overstate the case, it wasn't all bad.
I do not agree that there were no signs of a breakaway threat. How bout Tate for about 100 yards including that 40 yrd go ahead. Plus, JC missed him wide open in the end zone. If there was a single good sign, it was the emergence of Tate, especially as he was having a problem becoming a receiver last year. He is fast and looks capable of being that guy.
I think you have too much of a "Chicken Little" mentality. Last year this team would not have had the composure to come back. Another thought: There were a number of highly ranked teams that nearly lost to "tune up" teams, but they are just viewed as looking past them to bigger games. Seems like a no win situation to me. I did see a lack of fundamentals in blocking etc. and I am not sure all of the position coaches are of the quality we need. Latina comes to mind here; good recruits, but poor productivity. Lets see how they get through the Big 11. After Purdue, we will have a good picture. By that time the inexperience factor has to be voided.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wrTex7rn2XQ
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