Pass defense had a tough time for sure, no excuse giving up 61 and making a previously average QB look like a heisman candidate. That being said, 2 true freshmen started back there, and everyone knows that group is in a major transition from both a personnel and schematic standpoint. Need to give them the 1st 4 games before any major judgements are made.

Looking at the offense, without our starting QB, RB and TE, there is actually a lot to be hopeful about, especially against a good SEC defense:

21 first downs
141 rushing yards
287 passing yards
428 Total

Porter struggled the first half, but played well in the second. Assuming we'll see Roback next week, so the competition seems to be wide open. Do they start Porter, and rotate every series? Each play 2 quarters? Base the rotation on the score and flow of the game? Huge challenge for DeBoer to do this in a way that hopefully identifies the best QB for the rest of the season, without any huge controversies or disruptions to the team.

WR's much better than last year. OL did a good job overall in both pass protection and the run game. 3 new starters inside seem to be playing pretty well. 2 more games together and that group should be in good shape once MAC play starts (barring unforeseen injuries).

Not being a sunshiner, just relaying my 2 cents after watching every snap of the first 2 games.

Curious to see how they bounce back next week, especially the DB's. Good DB's always need to have short memories. Important for them to bounce back and play well. With a more conventional offense, DLine should be more of a factor with pressure, and provide help in the pass game as well.

Glass still half full at this point.

(09-11-2016 01:54 PM)EagleTough Wrote:  Pass defense had a tough time for sure, no excuse giving up 61 and making a previously average QB look like a heisman candidate. That being said, 2 true freshmen started back there, and everyone knows that group is in a major transition from both a personnel and schematic standpoint. Need to give them the 1st 4 games before any major judgements are made.

Looking at the offense, without our starting QB, RB and TE, there is actually a lot to be hopeful about, especially against a good SEC defense:

21 first downs
141 rushing yards
287 passing yards
428 Total

Porter struggled the first half, but played well in the second. Assuming we'll see Roback next week, so the competition seems to be wide open. Do they start Porter, and rotate every series? Each play 2 quarters? Base the rotation on the score and flow of the game? Huge challenge for DeBoer to do this in a way that hopefully identifies the best QB for the rest of the season, without any huge controversies or disruptions to the team.

WR's much better than last year. OL did a good job overall in both pass protection and the run game. 3 new starters inside seem to be playing pretty well. 2 more games together and that group should be in good shape once MAC play starts (barring unforeseen injuries).

Not being a sunshiner, just relaying my 2 cents after watching every snap of the first 2 games.

Curious to see how they bounce back next week, especially the DB's. Good DB's always need to have short memories. Important for them to bounce back and play well. With a more conventional offense, DLine should be more of a factor with pressure, and provide help in the pass game as well.

Glass still half full at this point.

In looking at the DB play, it seemed more like we were out of position and missed tackles, rather than the lack of speed and this attributed to 4 lbig plays or 28 points. You see it even on sundays with pros, DB out of position and can have world class speed and it is hard to catch up. Those are 2 things that are able to be corrected.

Yep, I think the young DB's, and the entire defense led by Neathery, continues to get better with each game, and the added experience. Really important to bounce back and play well this week. Confident we will.

(09-11-2016 11:10 AM)EagleTough Wrote:  Bottom line, we're 1-1, and just lost to an SEC team, on the road, as 25 points dogs, without our starting QB, RB, and Center, AND with 2 TRUE freshman starting at DB........surprise, surprise, the sky is falling, the sky is falling! Haha.

The next 2 weeks will tell the tale.

Exactly.

I have to agree with Eagle Tough and Huron Boy, unlike Western and Central with Veteran quarterbacks, EMU started an average JC QB.

Let's wait for the outcome of the next two games. If Roback plays, we win both games and the earth's axis is back to normal.

Stay calm!