The greatest football coach of all time would have had a coronary if he were alive to witness the defensive debacle at Kyle Field this afternoon. He’d also probably have some choice words about our secondary play, and our pass rush. But Coach Lombardi is long gone, as are our championship hopes. Left in a pile of unsuccessful tacklers and toasted DBs.
Let’s be honest...most of us knew in our hearts, after weighing the euphoria of an offense capable of going all the way with the reality of a defense that would have trouble playing dead in a cowboy movie, that we’d eventually meet up with a team that would out score us. We were hoping and praying that just maybe the D might come to life. But it was not to be. And worse yet, it came at the hands of Jimbo Fischer, who we’d suffered against too often prior to Saturday.
So what are we to do? We’ve waited a long time for this season to start, withstanding the uncertainty COVID-19 cast upon it. We’re disappointed, and rightfully so. The most logical thing is to react within the spirit of the times. Occupy the athletic offices. Loot and burn the Gator Shops. Paint a mural on a wall at BHG depicting our forlorn defenders with the words “Re-Imagine the Gators” boldly displayed. Defund the football program. Cancel Mullen, Strickland, and especially Grantham. Throw in Fuchs for good measure. Or we can do what Gators have done before...voice our displeasure, certainly it will eventually make a difference, but until then, keep plowing.
Let’s review how we wound up on the bottom in College station:
*38 points is usually enough to win most games you are in unless you give up 543 total yds to the opposition, 205 on the ground with much of it coming after contact and missed tackles. It’s not enough when you allow 12 / 15 third and Grantham’s (plus 1 / 1 4th and Grantham’s). It’s not enough when Kellen Mond throws for 338 and three scores. We better find a way to score 50+ the rest of the way.
*The defensive woes, and there are several, begin with the DL. They are just too small overall (save Slaton), too green, and not strong enough. Slaton draws a double team most every play and the other three D front guys can’t defeat one guy. That = no QB pressure and a body between you and a ball carrier.
*And speaking of pressure, Grantham did try to send it quite a bit today, especially in several third down situations. None very successfully. Almost looked like slow motion most times. Even saw several twists and loops from the DL, all of it eaten up.
*Then there was the coverage. Soft zone and man with a big cushion won’t get it done. The scheme part is on the coaches, but given the level of play, I guess I can understand the excess caution. Marco Wilson, for example, just got absolutely lit up. I hope they’ll get him some type of assault or physical abused counseling, as that one white TAMU receiver stuck the ball in every orifice.
*Though no lives appeared to be lost, there were a lot of egos that got buried by the Aggie RBs. Our guys got run over, through, around, and away from with regularity. None should test positive for COVID since they social distanced as well as they did with the ball carriers. If one guy can’t make the tackle, you better have two or more arriving. This part of the game, at week three, is inexcusable.
*Offensively we weren’t quite as potent as expected, but we scored 38 on the road. Trask was 23 / 32 for 312 and 4 TDs, but our RB by committee might have gone past its shelf life. The three backs combined for 77 yds on 18 carries. Though Davis had a couple of nice catches and runs, his fumble helped provide a turning point. He’s had those issues before. Trust is broken, got to be earned back. Someone in the box described Mullen’s sub patterns with regard to the backs as “middle school,” making sure everyone got equal touches. Enough of that.
*McPherson’s got big balls. Misses a 45 yarder that didn’t count due to penalty, then got backed up another five on another penalty, and finally drilled a 55 yarder that would have been good from 65. He’s a special player.
*Though Pitts recorded his 7th TD of the season, he didn’t seem quite himself. Might’ve tweaked his left foot some. Might be that everybody knows about him. Toney stepped up, however. Good to see him producing and just getting the chances.
They used to say a team could recover easier from an early loss. Harder to do with the playoff, but anything’s possible right now. It becomes academic, however, if the D can’t find some way to get better, now. Down the road, it all comes back to recruiting needed positions with talented players. The spectrum goes from “Some” to “All.” We have to get closer to “All,” should’ve already been there, but that point’s moot. A big piece of this depends on what Mullen and Co. can hammer out the rest of the way. They need to be coaching and resurrecting the D like their jobs depend on it. They very well may.
Next up, LSU. They’re struggling too. We’ve got an opportunity to get well. It’ll be interesting to see how we bounce back. Hell, I’m already smelling corn dogs! Go Gators!
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