Gameday: MTSU thread

[mcfalcons83]

we need a touchdown before half not a field goal

[Falconwriter]

Anyone who was hoping BG might get a win if Doege played well are forgetting just how horrible BG's defense is, particularly the pass defense. This is a BAD, BAD, BAD tackling team, and they get caught out of position far too often. Just horrible.

Doege has been a nice surprise, and it's obvious that change was needed. But unless they can start finding DBs, safeties and LBs who can cover and/or tackle, it won't make any different. Two wins, max, looks like the best bet -- and they will lose several MAC games by 30 points or more, including to Toledo.

[kdog27]

Second half adjustments badly needed on defense. Offense will be fine.

I'll see more adjustments in my nephews middle school game.

[gmartin]

The 'Bad News Falcons'

[gmartin]

You are down 11. You take the FG there to make it 1 possession game. Coaching 101

[Falconwriter]

Okay, add some new and better offensive linemen to my wish list, to go with better DBs, safeties and linebackers. Really, really bad OL play so far this first half as well. It's like they can't cleanly block MT. Lots of penalties and too many bad snaps. All of these issues seem to be related to fundamentals, for the most part. Penalties, bad snaps and poor tackling are obviously poor fundamentals.

And that all comes back to coaching.

On a bright note: Doege is your QB. If he gets any protection at all, he is deadly accurate and has a nice touch. With BGs receivers, they should be able to score points in bunches...but with the line issues, that probably won't be happening, either.

[MarkL]

How many snap issues can we have in a half? I liked the call to go for it but that was about the worst result. No conversion and a big loss.

[Schadenfreude]

You are down 11. You take the FG there to make it 1 possession game. Coaching 101

Fourth and goal from the two? I agree with the decision to go for it there.

[Falconwriter]

You are down 11. You take the FG there to make it 1 possession game. Coaching 101

Normally, I'd agree. But given how bad BG's defense is, and how poorly the OL has been playing, you are going to have to take chances on 4th down to have even a prayer of winning this game.

[kdog27]

We've all learned on the job before, we just didn't get paid a half mil a year to do so

[MarkL]

Quick halftime thoughts ...
- Doege looks good. He's making some great throws and his receivers are playing outstanding
- Defense is getting torched by a bunch of backups. Adjustments are needed but the fundamentals just are not there.
- Every play it seems MTSU's offensive line is getting a good push. It is hard to play solid defense when your defensive line is getting shoved around.
- That bad snap on fourth down is looking to hurt us badly. I like the aggressive call to go. Even if you don't get it barring disaster, you pin MTSU back with potential for a safety. Disaster happened. At least MTSU so badly mismanaged the short clock so we did not give up any more points.
- Better defense and no bad snaps and we could be winning this game, and that's even with an offensive line that has blown some assignments.

[ZuluWarrior]

Can Doege replace our D too?

[MarkL]

Here's the state that's bugging me the most. MTSU averages less than 70 per game on the ground on the season. They have 84 right now. And most likely they'll run the ball much of the second half.

[BGSU33]

You are down 11. You take the FG there to make it 1 possession game. Coaching 101

Normally, I'd agree. But given how bad BG's defense is, and how poorly the OL has been playing, you are going to have to take chances on 4th down to have even a prayer of winning this game.

I agree. I like the call to go for it, but we fell apart again trying to execute it. That drive had a TD come off the board and we ended the drive with a botched snap and no points. That was a killer and another example of why we won't win this game.

[MarkL]

That was nearly as good of a start to the second half as possible. Another stop please!