So, most around here have been very negative after this game. While this is somewhat understandable given the expectations surrounding this game, there are a lot of positives that we are all overlooking.
(1) Our offense is outstanding. Unbelievable, for the most part. While there were some times that it appeared the pressure of having to carry the game affected the offensive unit, they never gave up and hung 42 on a defense that, while young, is still very, very big and very, very fast.
(2) We have two *feature* backs. This is something that we have known to a certain degree for a while, but it was impressive to see B.J. Lane step in there and not skip a beat when P.J. went down.
(3) Chuckie had an off day. The positive here? Don't expect to EVER see that again!
(4) This team never gives up. No matter what you want to say about how poorly the defense played, the stops in the fourth quarter said a great deal about the quality of athletes that we have playing on that unit. The offense, too, could have very easily given up after the defense gave up three seemingly uncontested touchdowns in the third (and early fourth) quarter. They didn't, and credit this to the leadership of people like Lichtensteiger and Jacobs.
(5) We have A LOT of very good, young players. Partridge looked outstanding - Magneresque, if you will, and Smith was all over the place on pass protection. He also "Bobby Bouchet'ed" Stocco! Look for this team to continue improving year in and year out for the forseeable future.
(6) It's a long season. We have a lot of time for our D to come together and to find a real kicker (I'd be looking at the men's soccer team, and if there is nothing there, the women's soccer team
). The Ball State game will be a great opportunity to rest the guys who need it and get some practice with different defensive sets and stunts before a big game against Boise. Temple will also be another game that we can play around with in order to solidify all of our units.(6) We'll not see this type of game again until possibly the bowl season. Say what you will about Wisconsin, but they are an impressive team. Often under-rated, they always come up big in big games (and I am no Big11 appologist as you all well know). We all knew going into this that our run defense has never been very good, which is why this loss wasn't *too* much of a suprise to me.
I know there are more that I'm not thinking of right now, but methinks I've had a bit too much beer for breakfast. Seriously, this game ended at like 12:45 here...
Just think about these things before writing off the season as many seem to have already started to. Nothing I've said today has been intended to tear anyone down personally - just to help put some of this admittedly frustrating game in perspective.
Back to the bottle!
