vs. Akron (10/9)

[BillyLP]

In the desert...you could go from drinking from a pond to "s**t...this is sand" in seconds. It's called a mirage.

Sure we could win a few more this year...maybe all of them..it's not like the MAC is a decent conference...but we could also lose them. From my perspective...it almost doesn't matter. Looking at the trajectory of the program, Loeffler's insistence on running an offense that was dated 10 years ago and his in game decisions...it's hard to see us becoming the power we were under Clawson.

FWIW...I was one oft he few people on here who was always in Clawson'c corner...even when we were losing big...because I could see what he was trying to do. I don't get the same sense of direction from Loeffler

I don't know that anyone would argue that Loeffler is Clawson, but the fact that he recognizes that is the way to build BG back up is better than what was previously here (and I include Dino in that). I don't see how you could say this team winning another couple of games doesn't matter, though. Even now from last year and two years ago, it's a pretty visible difference in what is on the field, and winning 3 or 4 games helps that materialize for the players and the fans. My concern with not winning anymore this year would be the number of defections that could result in another reset of some sort.

[roguewarrior]

Part of This weeks game plan includes 1 WR sets…What is that 14? Or 32? …. I watched a bit of the Kent game and they did a graphic where They were running a play every 12 seconds. We have not had a single game yet in this era where we do not waste at least two time outs because the clock is running out. I usually walk out when it is on 4th down and we are punting (and not on purpose for the 5 yards of extra space)….

[Flipper]

Beating bad football teams is a sign of progress...I guess...if all you want to do is beat bad football teams. I hope I'm wrong about this, but I don't think Loeffler is the guy to take us beyond beating bad football teams

[jpfalcon09]

Beating bad football teams is a sign of progress...I guess...if all you want to do is beat bad football teams. I hope I'm wrong about this, but I don't think Loeffler is the guy to take us beyond beating bad football teams

Given 75% of the MAC falls in this category, hard to really measure. The Minnesota game looks extremely anomalous at this point, I'll say that much. Honestly I think the team we saw vs. South Alabama is the true nature of where the program is at. The effort and competitiveness is there, but the execution is sorely lacking and the same bugaboos keep happening week after week.

My issue with Loeffler is that he talks about how much he loves his players, but every press conference after a loss, he's laying the consistent problems at the feet of the players. He mentions poor practices, well what's being done to fix that? Been mentioned before that he talks a good game, but accountability seems to be lacking in a lot of in-game scenarios. I'll be very curious to see how the team plays in these final six games as it'll say a lot about truly where this program is headed.

[MarkL]

We are 23 games into the Loeffler era and he has won 5 (22%). As a comparison, after 23 games Jinks had won 6 games (26%). Jinks would coach 8 more games in his time here and win 1 more for a record of 7-24 (23%). There are 6 more games this season and I don't see any that are winnable. We may have a chance in the second game of the 2022 season when we host Eastern Kentucky. It is time to use the same measuring stick across coaches.

Missing context.

Loeffler inherited Jinks' mess, including but not limited to:
- the national leaders in arrests
- a physically weak and out of shape team
- a team that could not line up
- a losing culture all around

Jinks inherited:
- a divisional champ and bowl winning QB
- the nation's most experienced offensive line
- half the starters from a championship defense
- a team with four straight winning seasons that knew the work needed to win

Any competent coach would have won the MAC east, recruited well, and continued building. Unfortunately the prior AD managed to hire perhaps the worst coach in FBS history. And then Jinks went 7-24 and tanked the program. Loeffler is generally pointing this thing up, but when your starting point is a crater, it takes a while to hit surface. By his own metric we should see light at the end of the tunnel this year. I'm already seeing that. Next year is the year to see competitive football and that's when Loeffler really needs to produce.

[kdog27]

I find it convenient that Loeffler gets to set the timeline, a quite long one at that. Guys it’s okay that we stink because it’s year three and we’re supposed to still stink. 5 years is a long time to put a championship team on the field. Nobody gets 5 years anymore to have a championship team, that’s just how it is. He no doubt inherited a s**t show. I definitely see improvement but there is still so many stupid mistakes, penalties and turnovers. This is the Mac, it shouldn’t take this long to have a decent Mac football team in my opinion.

[MarkL]

It was a bit foolish if you ask me to set those expectations, but they're out there so be it. Year four, next year, should be consistently competitive football. That's the expectation and I expect also the mark by which the Loeffler tenure will be judged.

[mbenecke]

It was a bit foolish if you ask me to set those expectations, but they're out there so be it. Year four, next year, should be consistently competitive football. That's the expectation and I expect also the mark by which the Loeffler tenure will be judged.

I'm in this camp.

We get the rest of this year to work out most of these issues, and then we should be a flat-out competitive football team early on next year. If we aren't at that point... I think we know it's time to reset.

But I'm keeping the faith that we're still on the path we've been told about all along. It certainly lines up with what I've seen from the team. It's obviously disappointing and frustrating at times, but it's supposed to be at this point in the rebuild. Just have to keep grinding and getting better. I'm hoping for a bounce-back performance this weekend at NIU.

[hammb]

Can set whatever expectations you want. Can see whatever progress you want to see.

Loeffler can't coach. He couldn't coach in his decade or so as an OC, and he hasn't been able to coach in his 3 years here as HC. Keep trotting him out there. Maybe he'll build a roster that can consistently defeat the crapfest that is MAC football, but I don't see it changing. Dude can't coach. It's been obvious since day 1.

Hell, he may prove to be a better program builder than Jinks, but he's a worse coach. That's sad.

[hammb]

Part of This weeks game plan includes 1 WR sets…What is that 14? Or 32? …. I watched a bit of the Kent game and they did a graphic where They were running a play every 12 seconds. We have not had a single game yet in this era where we do not waste at least two time outs because the clock is running out. I usually walk out when it is on 4th down and we are punting (and not on purpose for the 5 yards of extra space)….

It'd either be 13 personnel or 22, most likely. 1RB, 3TE, 1WR or 2RB, 2TE, 1WR.

Never know though, maybe we're gonna really go old school with 14. We don't need no stinking WRs.

Loeffler's anthem...


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GgD9FyE60hs

[roguewarrior]

Our fastest guy Embry runs left to right on faux jet sweeps, or real ones into the short side, to get rocked. Never a pass. No one is onto this yet; the same exact thing every game for last 10… ugh. Why not on the outside to run off defenders and clear space?

Kinsey hasn’t taken a snap this year. Good for morale.

Someday, maybe, we will throw a safe fade to one of our 6’5 guys…..

[Schadenfreude]

I find it convenient that Loeffler gets to set the timeline, a quite long one at that.

Loeffler is setting a timeline in with approval and buy in from the athletic director.

5 years is a long time to put a championship team on the field. Nobody gets 5 years anymore to have a championship team, that’s just how it is.

Dave Clawson got five years, and he didn't step into anywhere near as bad a situation as this one.