Offense: We look pretty good. Big concern about Travis Greene's status though, he's our clear #1 back and it would be awful to lose a starter in game one like we did last year. Box looked good out there too but we missed having Greene out there in the second half. I love seeing Matt Johnson back out there and our WR's look great. The OL did decent all things considered but our OT's were overmatched on the outside with that speed today. They shouldn't (hopefully) see speed like that again.
Defense: We just might be even worse than last year, and that comes as no surprise at all. We lost a bunch of guys who ended up in NFL camps, had two All-MAC guys dismissed, and had a lot of holes to fill. All offseason we've heard about improvement and I see it nowhere. Yes, I know Tennessee is a darn good team, but the same problems that haunted us last year we present across the board today, all day long. And they're not going away. I can't really think of a single guy who I would say stood out on that side of the ball. The defense can only improve. The question is, will it? Talk is talk and everything we heard doesn't stack up to the proof in the pudding. This unit is a major concern.
Special Teams: The actual kicking (FG's, PAT's and punts) were pretty good but the punt and kick return units need major work. The kick coverages were horrible, too many penalties and yes, we allowed another blocked kick.
Other: Way to many penalties again. Last year they plagued us and today they were back in full force.
Summary: We're gonna have to rely on the offense big time. Sure today we passed the ball all over an SEC defense, but come November when we're playing at night in the cold and wind, it'll be much tougher. Our offense is gonna keep us in a lot of games but it's gonna boil down to our defense as to how many of those games we win. And if the Special Teams don't improve, that could cost a game or two also. I did see some positives out there, and I am bring realistic considering the opponent, but the negatives (defense and special teams) outweighed the positives (offense) - opponent withstanding.
What we know after Tennessee game
What we know after Tennessee game
GO BG!!!
Re: What we know after Tennessee game
When you play this style of football you are relying on the offense by default the 85 Chicago bears would give up a ton of yards and points if their offense tried to do what ours does. It really wasn't that bad today. In fact I think our defense forced more stops than theirs did. Our offense just shot themselves in the foot more than theirs...and our special teams coverage was awful.
If we start forcing some turnovers the defense is fine. This style of football makes for fugly defensive stats, but that doesn't mean they aren't helping us win. Several times today they stopped ut on back to back drives. Had the offense held up their end of the bargain it's a different win.
I know it's weird to most old school folks, but the way we are trying to play football scoring 30 points on 500 yards or whatever isn't good enough... Not even close. This team is supposed to score 50 points. If they don't they won't win.
Luckily I think we will average over 50 against our Mac schedule.
If we start forcing some turnovers the defense is fine. This style of football makes for fugly defensive stats, but that doesn't mean they aren't helping us win. Several times today they stopped ut on back to back drives. Had the offense held up their end of the bargain it's a different win.
I know it's weird to most old school folks, but the way we are trying to play football scoring 30 points on 500 yards or whatever isn't good enough... Not even close. This team is supposed to score 50 points. If they don't they won't win.
Luckily I think we will average over 50 against our Mac schedule.
Re: What we know after Tennessee game
This offense is better than every MAC defense. Problem is, the defense is worse than almodt every MAC offense.
This team will walk a tight rope every game. If they can score 40 and force a few turnovers they will win. If they score 40 and don't force any or the offense turns it over a few times, they will lose. Still think this team is a year away from what Babers wants to do.
That's a tough pill to swallow after what this team returned after winning a MAC title.
This team will walk a tight rope every game. If they can score 40 and force a few turnovers they will win. If they score 40 and don't force any or the offense turns it over a few times, they will lose. Still think this team is a year away from what Babers wants to do.
That's a tough pill to swallow after what this team returned after winning a MAC title.
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jpfalcon09
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Re: What we know after Tennessee game
Defense needs help...many issues are correctable but I'm concerned about the lack of speed and size we have at LB. We were all spoiled with Martin and Lynch playing there. I hope once the guys see film they'll notice their bad routes on zone reads and poor pursuit angles. I am honestly concerned about the lack of depth on that side of the ball though.
Offense was electric before the delay but the extra time off allowed UT to make some adjustments in coverage which largely negated what BG was trying to do.
Penalties are inexcusable and obviously weren't addressed in camp. Babers was vindicated for what he did as that non-DPI call was a game changer.
Game was lost at the end of the first half...have them at 21-20 and then allow 2 scores in the final 5-6 minutes to officially seal it.
Special teams were atrocious and embarrassing to watch. Game was ultimately lost on that as the defense was faced with short fields and had their backs against the wall.
We'll see what happens next week. Maryland would be wise to line up and play power football and run it own our throats.
Offense was electric before the delay but the extra time off allowed UT to make some adjustments in coverage which largely negated what BG was trying to do.
Penalties are inexcusable and obviously weren't addressed in camp. Babers was vindicated for what he did as that non-DPI call was a game changer.
Game was lost at the end of the first half...have them at 21-20 and then allow 2 scores in the final 5-6 minutes to officially seal it.
Special teams were atrocious and embarrassing to watch. Game was ultimately lost on that as the defense was faced with short fields and had their backs against the wall.
We'll see what happens next week. Maryland would be wise to line up and play power football and run it own our throats.
The longer the walk, the farther you crawl.
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Critical Thinker
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Re: What we know after Tennessee game
Our defense is bad. We knew that before the game started. But based on what I saw today, I think they're more than capable of keeping games competitive enough for our offense to come up and get the win. They just have to stop shooting themselves in the foot with penalties and learn how to wrap up and tackle low.
MAC schools, even the west, don't have a prayer of stopping our offense if we can keep throwing over cornerbacks' heads like they did today. They're only hope is going to be putting up 50 on our defense.
MAC schools, even the west, don't have a prayer of stopping our offense if we can keep throwing over cornerbacks' heads like they did today. They're only hope is going to be putting up 50 on our defense.
Re: What we know after Tennessee game
I agree with Hammb. We have the QB to win this way now. Defense got them off the field at key times but the offense stalled too many times in the red zone. 2 empty trips inside the ten and 3 FGS. There is your game. Get ten more points out of that and we're possibly leading this game in the second half. Penalties have to be cleaned up some though but we were homered.
Had fun. Great seeing Freak, Majorfalcon, and a few others from here.
Had fun. Great seeing Freak, Majorfalcon, and a few others from here.
Re: What we know after Tennessee game
Overal grade - B to many positives today to be down on the team
Offense - B - looked unstoppable at times but also settled for field goals when TD's were within reach
Defense - C not really bad considering the short field they had multiple times but lack of turn overs hurts
Special teams - no grade. Kickoff went through end zone, unless they didnt, at which point it became a 80 yard return. Penalties committed for no reason. Stupid!
Atmosphere - A vols fans were 99% great
Offense - B - looked unstoppable at times but also settled for field goals when TD's were within reach
Defense - C not really bad considering the short field they had multiple times but lack of turn overs hurts
Special teams - no grade. Kickoff went through end zone, unless they didnt, at which point it became a 80 yard return. Penalties committed for no reason. Stupid!
Atmosphere - A vols fans were 99% great
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Flipper
- The Global Village Idiot
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Re: What we know after Tennessee game
I know we aren't as good as a pretty talented SEC team.
It's not the fall that hurts...it's when you hit the ground.
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Schadenfreude
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Re: What we know after Tennessee game
I'm encouraged. The fact that BG moved the ball this well against a team some are picking to win the SEC East augers well for us the rest of the season.
The defense, while not great, did get a few stops. This game produced a lot of film to learn from, and I think our defenders can improve. Given the youth of this team, I would expect a lot of growth this next week. I don't know that the Falcons have the bodies on that side of the ball to be truly outstanding right now, but they can get better because they can learn to play smarter. Some of the mistakes we saw on that side of the ball, like angles of pursuit and containing the end, can be fixed.
The same is true for special teams. The punt and kickoff return coverage was atrocious. In some cases, our players were physically overmatched. In other cases, players were in the wrong position, and that can be corrected.
This game reminds me a bit of Bowling Green's opener at No. 2 Oklahoma 11 years ago. We lost 40-24, but we could tell Omar Jacobs and the offense were going to be very good. That team finished 9-3. This team could reach 9-3, too.
The defense, while not great, did get a few stops. This game produced a lot of film to learn from, and I think our defenders can improve. Given the youth of this team, I would expect a lot of growth this next week. I don't know that the Falcons have the bodies on that side of the ball to be truly outstanding right now, but they can get better because they can learn to play smarter. Some of the mistakes we saw on that side of the ball, like angles of pursuit and containing the end, can be fixed.
The same is true for special teams. The punt and kickoff return coverage was atrocious. In some cases, our players were physically overmatched. In other cases, players were in the wrong position, and that can be corrected.
This game reminds me a bit of Bowling Green's opener at No. 2 Oklahoma 11 years ago. We lost 40-24, but we could tell Omar Jacobs and the offense were going to be very good. That team finished 9-3. This team could reach 9-3, too.
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bgdodgeball4
- Chick
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Re: What we know after Tennessee game
Offensively we are as good as anyone in the MAC and probably will develop into one of the top units in the country. There is just so much talent - definitely more talent than offensively than any team in the last decade and up there with the great BG teams of the early 00's. So many weapons at WR, plus a dominant O-Line and QB - I am not worried about that side of the ball at all. With a couple breaks (like the 3 times where we were inside the 10 yard line and got 3 total points) this game is completely different.
Defensively I saw a lot of positives for a unit that is basically depleted from the MAC championship of 2 years ago because of injuries, graduations, and disciplinary actions. I understand the defense isn't designed to shut teams down, but there is talent and they'll have some games where they look very good. Keep in mind, Dobbs is a legit NFL talent, Hurd is a monster who ran all over SEC teams last year, and Kamara was once a highly touted recruit. It's not like their offense is WKU of last year; they're pretty impressive and we stuck with them for most of the game. The biggest issue I see with the defense is size - they're so small on the defensive line which hurts in the running game and some of the younger guys on the line are going to have to step up (in addition to some recruiting efforts on that side of the ball). The secondary impressed me because, though they gave up some yards, they had no help from the defensive line. We got no pressure on Dobbs and he was able to pick apart the zone. However, just like the offense, a couple breaks here and there (like not starting drives in BG territory, sacking Dobbs on that 2nd down where he picked up 10 on a scramble, etc.) and it's a different game.
Special teams will come around; that unit looked rough yesterday, but you've got true freshmen out there. We'll see improvement, plus Tate looked very solid. They are going to have to be better as soon as next week though, because Maryland's PR just set a Big Ten record for PR yards in a game (gulp).
Overall, I'm more confident in the team after yesterday than I have been since Clawson left. I'm starting to see the system come together and when they start clicking, its going to be something special. If they can bring it together next week in Maryland (that game won't be 29 points either), look out.
Defensively I saw a lot of positives for a unit that is basically depleted from the MAC championship of 2 years ago because of injuries, graduations, and disciplinary actions. I understand the defense isn't designed to shut teams down, but there is talent and they'll have some games where they look very good. Keep in mind, Dobbs is a legit NFL talent, Hurd is a monster who ran all over SEC teams last year, and Kamara was once a highly touted recruit. It's not like their offense is WKU of last year; they're pretty impressive and we stuck with them for most of the game. The biggest issue I see with the defense is size - they're so small on the defensive line which hurts in the running game and some of the younger guys on the line are going to have to step up (in addition to some recruiting efforts on that side of the ball). The secondary impressed me because, though they gave up some yards, they had no help from the defensive line. We got no pressure on Dobbs and he was able to pick apart the zone. However, just like the offense, a couple breaks here and there (like not starting drives in BG territory, sacking Dobbs on that 2nd down where he picked up 10 on a scramble, etc.) and it's a different game.
Special teams will come around; that unit looked rough yesterday, but you've got true freshmen out there. We'll see improvement, plus Tate looked very solid. They are going to have to be better as soon as next week though, because Maryland's PR just set a Big Ten record for PR yards in a game (gulp).
Overall, I'm more confident in the team after yesterday than I have been since Clawson left. I'm starting to see the system come together and when they start clicking, its going to be something special. If they can bring it together next week in Maryland (that game won't be 29 points either), look out.
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Flipper
- The Global Village Idiot
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Re: What we know after Tennessee game
We have a new DC and a ton of new starters.... anyone who is disappointed because w e gave up yards and points to a SEC team with a pair of top five recruiting classes has unrealistic expectations. We are not... not... not... going to face that much talent in the MAC. WMU is close, Franklin is really good, Terrell is good enough that he forced **** QB recruit Chance Stewart to transfer, but they aren't at Hurd and Dobbs level. UT?..... no... not even close.
The offense needs to start on time, the defense needs to tighten up on the tackling and generate some TO's and the special teams need work. Do all those things and we probably win the MAC.
The offense needs to start on time, the defense needs to tighten up on the tackling and generate some TO's and the special teams need work. Do all those things and we probably win the MAC.
It's not the fall that hurts...it's when you hit the ground.
Re: What we know after Tennessee game
The sky isn't falling. This team should run through the MAC. What bothers me is all the pats-on-the-back for a very winnable game where we lost by 29 points. Tennessee did not play well yesterday. Yes, they're an SEC team with SEC talent. But BG has enough talent to win a game like that yesterday. When you make a big name hire like Dino Babers, its to win a game like that every few years
I'm not worried about the rest of the season. Maryland/Memphis will prove tough tasks, I expect to win one, lose one. And then run through the MAC, but the attitude that games like yesterday don't matter because we were expected to lose and we should pat ourselves on the back for losing by 29 and getting 557 yards is so incredibly stupid.
If Clawson were coaching and we lost 31-3 yesterday instead of 59-30, we'd be freaking out. The end result is the same.
I'm not worried about the rest of the season. Maryland/Memphis will prove tough tasks, I expect to win one, lose one. And then run through the MAC, but the attitude that games like yesterday don't matter because we were expected to lose and we should pat ourselves on the back for losing by 29 and getting 557 yards is so incredibly stupid.
If Clawson were coaching and we lost 31-3 yesterday instead of 59-30, we'd be freaking out. The end result is the same.
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Falconwriter
- Peregrine
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Re: What we know after Tennessee game
No problems with the offense, generally, or even the defense -- although I just don't understand why better tackling techniques can't be taught and learned by BG players.
Special teams are atrocious. Beyond atrocious. They can't seem to be able to block on a punt or kick return without committing a penalty; and they don't stay in their lanes, or are unable to shed blocks to make tackles on kickoff and punt coverages.
Bottom line: the same issues, for the most part, that cost this team dearly a year ago are still present, and the main culprit is A LACK OF DISCIPLINE. I'm not talking about how players are punished; I'm talking about a coaching staff that apparently can't keep players from making stupid mistakes or freelancing (on defense and special teams) instead of staying in their lanes and covering their assigned areas.
Add to that the ridiculous penalties, again a discipline issue, and you've got the main reasons for the loss. It wasn't that the offense didn't score enough; it's that every other facet of the game was BAD in some way. Heck, even the offense had problems with some penalties, but the lack of discipline on that side of the ball was less noticeable than on defense and special teams.
When Babers lost his cool on the bad call in the end zone, and it cost BG 15 yards and a much more make-able field goal, it pretty much epitomized how I see this head coach and his staff. They have trouble controlling their own emotions, and maintaining discipline and decorum; so why would be expect the team to be any better?
This team will likely win the East pretty easily, if only because the opposition hasn't been that good (although I suspect Ohio and a couple others to be much better than the last two years) -- but I don't see them beating Toledo, and I don't see them winning in the MAC title game should they get there. You can't make stupid mistakes throughout a game and expect to win -- and I don't have any confidence in this coach or his staff to mostly eliminate those mistakes.
I hope he (and the team) prove me wrong.
Special teams are atrocious. Beyond atrocious. They can't seem to be able to block on a punt or kick return without committing a penalty; and they don't stay in their lanes, or are unable to shed blocks to make tackles on kickoff and punt coverages.
Bottom line: the same issues, for the most part, that cost this team dearly a year ago are still present, and the main culprit is A LACK OF DISCIPLINE. I'm not talking about how players are punished; I'm talking about a coaching staff that apparently can't keep players from making stupid mistakes or freelancing (on defense and special teams) instead of staying in their lanes and covering their assigned areas.
Add to that the ridiculous penalties, again a discipline issue, and you've got the main reasons for the loss. It wasn't that the offense didn't score enough; it's that every other facet of the game was BAD in some way. Heck, even the offense had problems with some penalties, but the lack of discipline on that side of the ball was less noticeable than on defense and special teams.
When Babers lost his cool on the bad call in the end zone, and it cost BG 15 yards and a much more make-able field goal, it pretty much epitomized how I see this head coach and his staff. They have trouble controlling their own emotions, and maintaining discipline and decorum; so why would be expect the team to be any better?
This team will likely win the East pretty easily, if only because the opposition hasn't been that good (although I suspect Ohio and a couple others to be much better than the last two years) -- but I don't see them beating Toledo, and I don't see them winning in the MAC title game should they get there. You can't make stupid mistakes throughout a game and expect to win -- and I don't have any confidence in this coach or his staff to mostly eliminate those mistakes.
I hope he (and the team) prove me wrong.
The poster formerly known as BGwriter
Re: What we know after Tennessee game
I'm not patting anyone on the back after yesterday. I don't travel to these games to see us lose I can guarantee you that.
I'm not happy with the offenses inability to finish drives. They had several chances to keep it a one score game and they failed one way or another.
Special teams and penalties need no further mention. Have to get better.
Defense is young and lacks a standout stud player that they can turn to make a play. Still I don't think they played that awful. They got Tennessee off the field several times when it looked like they were about to shut the door. Yes Tennessee struggled offensively last year BUT, that was until Dobbs established himself as QB. They then won 4 of their last 5 and beat Iowa in their bowl game. If you believe WMU and Toledo have better or equal talent on offense than that then all I can say is you are simply wrong because they do not.
Yeah we did end up losing by 29 but anyone who watched this game knows it wasn't the blowout the final score indicated.
I'm disappointed but encouraged. We still face some good teams but we won't see a D line nearly as good. I doubt Roger Lewis faces a better corner than that again either. Greatest improvements happen from week one to week two so I'm not throwing my hands up and saying this is last year's team already. I'm still giving the coaches, D and special teams a chance to right the ship.
I'm not happy with the offenses inability to finish drives. They had several chances to keep it a one score game and they failed one way or another.
Special teams and penalties need no further mention. Have to get better.
Defense is young and lacks a standout stud player that they can turn to make a play. Still I don't think they played that awful. They got Tennessee off the field several times when it looked like they were about to shut the door. Yes Tennessee struggled offensively last year BUT, that was until Dobbs established himself as QB. They then won 4 of their last 5 and beat Iowa in their bowl game. If you believe WMU and Toledo have better or equal talent on offense than that then all I can say is you are simply wrong because they do not.
Yeah we did end up losing by 29 but anyone who watched this game knows it wasn't the blowout the final score indicated.
I'm disappointed but encouraged. We still face some good teams but we won't see a D line nearly as good. I doubt Roger Lewis faces a better corner than that again either. Greatest improvements happen from week one to week two so I'm not throwing my hands up and saying this is last year's team already. I'm still giving the coaches, D and special teams a chance to right the ship.
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Schadenfreude
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Re: What we know after Tennessee game
I don't remember anyone saying this.ikenyon wrote:the attitude that games like yesterday don't matter because we were expected to lose and we should pat ourselves on the back for losing by 29 and getting 557 yards is so incredibly stupid.
