Biggest Positive/Biggest Concern

[dudeitsaid]

In the most rational way possible, understanding that one game is not the season, but yet still something that can indicate a lot about the team, what did you see as the most positive thing to take away from yesterday's game going into the rest of the season? What is your greatest concern based on what you saw?

For me, I thought McPherson looked like he might be our best running back this year. We haven't had a strong running game in a long while, but he looked like he could give us some of the success we've been looking for in that area.

The greatest concern is that our db's did not cover the pass well at all. I understand that Tech is one of THE best passing offenses in the FBS, but we were nowhere near the ball on most of those completions. For a piece of the defense that was supposed to be a strength, it didn't appear that way yesterday, and that is a concern.

There are other positives and negatives I'm sure we all saw yesterday, but those were the biggest two for me.

 

[kalm]

1). Fundamentals.

Tackling, catching, blocking, and throwing make this a respectable outcome.

2). Offensive rhythm and timing. We know what Gage can do but he was off with crossing routes and over the top balls.

Positive:

One game...We sucked at Cal in '09, and still made the playoffs with a MASH unit at the end of the season. We were terrible in Bozeman in 2010...

 

[LDopaPDX]

I had two serious concerns... First, as kalm said, fundamentals. Specifically, catching and tackling. I knew there'd be a drop off between last years receivers and this years receivers, but I never thought it would be this big of a drop off.

Second, character was a concern. Our "Eastern Kinda Guys" should be able to fight for 60 minutes. We completely gave up yesterday. Our defense mailed it in after the first quarter. Our offense just never had it.

The only positive I can see is that our scheme actually gave us a chance to win. I can't fault our strategy, we had the right plays called. In many cases, Gage delivered good balls to the receivers for nice yardage and our receivers just dropped it. We had a lot of defensive plays where we had an opportunity to shut down the play, but missed the tackle at first contact.

 

[LDopaPDX]

Also, the BIGGEST positive is we need to be 1-1 after two games. Therefore, the Texas Tech game truly doesn't mean much if we come out and win next week.

 

[Strive4H0nor]

Tech fan here. I wanted to see what y'all thought of the game, and felt like I needed to make an account just to say...
1) Sorry for the superfluous s**t-talking. This is universal to all football games (except Texas A&M, the hate is real), but we play a FCS team every year, and every year that school makes headlines with "Texas Tech Sucks and Our Team Will Definitely Beat Them!" It gets annoying, especially because we always find a way to win poorly. It's a good way to hit a nerve with us, so keep that in your pocket for next time Our fans can be really petty, especially since talking smack is about all Tech can do lately
2) I think those most surprised by this game were Tech fans. Most of us thought we would go 3-9 this year. That's still certainly possible, but the improvement on defense and a fairly effective run game (surprise 60/40 runass selection whaaaa) sorta came out of nowhere. It seems like having a DC for 3 years and a consistent scheme makes a defense better...hmm....
3) Everyone "knows" Lubbock sucks, but I actually really enjoy living here. If EW comes to town again, consider coming to watch! It will always be in the middle of nowhere and flat as a tortilla, but it might surprise you.
4) Don't take much from this loss. Without some of those drops by your guys, and that one Tech drive that was basically just EWU penalties, this would have been a much closer game.
Hoping your season gets better from here! Wreck 'em

 

[luckyintheorder]

Positives: OL held its own; McPherson; DL showed flashes; Nzusi & Fettig;

Other: Team was flat in warmups; GG wasn't there; WR's; Weird uncompetitiveness (cant put a finger on it)

the faster we put this behind us, the better.

 

[KHB_Eagle4Life]

NEGATIVES
1. Gage and company didn't look in sync; from the beginning. Dropping catchable balls, and throwing behind receivers. Yes, we lost some talented receivers, but this group is extremely athletic, and has a lot of talent.

2. I felt the running game was a bit forced. I am glad we are doing that, but I also think it's important to let Gage do what he's good at! There was a few times we ran right up the middle 3 straight times and maybe got a yard. It wasn't working!


POSITIVES
1. I really liked seeing McPherson running strong. He looks like he spent the off-season in the weight room. I hope that continues.

2. I was pleasantly surprised at how well the OL held its own.

3. Thought a Nuzuzi and Mitch looked good, too. I so wish Nuzuzi would have had that Pick 6!!! We needed that life line!

4. I saw that high-powered, and explosive offense we all love a couple times yesterday. Gage threw a few of those long beauties to Simba and Stu.

I walked back to my car in Lubbock last night having the same feelings I did when I left Montana in 2015. I can't help but feel that the humidity was a factor in the "lack of effort" that a lot of you have commented on? It was hot, and the humidity made it that much worst. Hard to play in that, especially when you aren't used to it.

I also think that was a very good TTU team that isn't given enough credit. There is a reason their offense was the best in the nation! We won't see an offense like that again, in my opinion.

There is a lot of talent and expertise on this team, I have no doubt we will be just fine. Looking forward to seeing us get our first win of the season vs. the Bison!







Aaron Best knows what he is doing.

 

[Screamin_Eagle174]

As this was only one game, I'll hold off on jumping to any conclusive judgments regarding the players or coaching staff, but as others have stated; we simply were not prepared. Whether that was due to the heat/humidity, lack of experience, or coaching, remains to be seen. We certainly have the talent; we've all seen Sblendo, Stu and Grady make those catches before.

On defense, injuries and opponent played a part for sure, but tackling was pretty bad. If Best & Company haven't already, they need to pound Pete Carroll's Hawk/Rugby tackling into them.

Sendelbach shined on some plays. The Webster twins were great, along with Fettig.

 

[Crabcakes&Football]

Positive: McPherson. I really enjoyed his ability to catch balls out of the backfield last year and was happy to see his run game develop yesterday.

Slight concern: I will echo the previous post of looking like the run was being forced at times. There were 2-3 series where we got into a great passing rhythm and lost all of the momentum each time with a random dive call.

I was upset like a lot of us yesterday, but our guys will adjust and come out strong next weekend.

 

[EWURanger]

Positive: We forced punts on their first three possessions and the defense looked good during that time frame.

Concerns: My biggest concern was netting only 10 points. Our offense looked like it took a big step back in the offseason. Uncharacteristic drops over and over by our WR's, including drops from Sblendo and Stiles who are usually pretty sure handed. Defensively, we couldn't get much of a pass rush from the second quarter onward. The secondary is supposed to be a strength this year, but outside of Fettig they didn't play particularly well. I didn't like the fact that we sat back and rushed three in the second half. We had some early success blitzing and I wish we could have done some more of that. I don't know, it was kind of a damned if you do and damned if you don't with all the players they had on their offense.

 

[marceagfan5]

We are going to be just fine. We lost to a power 5 FBS school, we are supposed to lose those games like nearly all other FCS schools do. I wouldn't put much stock into Saturday's performance.

We will come out this Saturday, kick some bison ass, and all will be forgotten.

Anyone remember the 2010 ass kicking in Bozeman? Things turned out just fine after that...