(12-19-2019 09:54 PM)Saint3333 Wrote: Is this guy for real?
Hes a troll acting a role. Knot for real.
Thoughts on the bowl game. UABs defense proved to be legit against Tennessee. I wasnt sure prior to that, in spite of their outstanding stats, due to the horrific strength of schedule. But the defense manhandled Tennessees line. I was impressed, although the UAB offense wet the bed.
That said, for some reason FAU completely manhandled our defense. No sacks. Only two tackles for loss. Whipped UABs ass after the first series, in a manner we hadnt experienced all year. Little QB pressure. Didnt look like themselves at the line of scrimmage. Never found the rhythm of the game. FAU offensive line attacked and dominated and their Qb totally commanded the game.
Frankly, Kiffin outcoached our staff. So did Helton at WKU. Southern Miss loss, harder to say. Freshman QBs first start.
Bill Clark is fantastic but I think he is still learning to adapt when he encounters top notch, innovative coaching. The mad scientist at FAU coached circles around his team. But Clark seems to be a rapid learner.
Also, not surprisingly, FAU dominated the UAB Oline, and shut down our ground game, but so did Alabama State, Akron, WKU, Tennessee, and Southern Miss. The right side of the Oline has struggled mightily most games against better Dline competiton. To be fair Akron probably doesnt count based on how they sold out to load the box.
Johnston is a good QB, but it seemed to me that any game where the opponent could pressure him he struggled mightily with rapid reads and quick decisions. Yet he threw the ball very well against Texas A&M as a freshman. He regressed a bit this year, in bigger games. Frankly, I dont think he fully trusted our Oline this year whenever he faces better competiton and so he forced his throws. 3 first half INTs and a fumble at UT. Worst first half Ive ever seen a QB play. His left tackle didnt play the UT game. I think he walked into the stadium feeling like a marked man. He wasnt wrong, and left on crutches.
But if johnston is healthy and confident and if the line protects him, it will be a competitive game. If not, or if the freshman QB plays,’then expect something closer to the FAU outcome. UAB is young, and about a year,and two significant player upgrades on the Oline, away from national competitiveness.
But Bill Clark was embarrassed on national TV by the FAU performance, and they've had multiple weeks to prepare and heal. I would not want to be the coach on the other sideline facing an angry, embarrassed Bill Clark who had weeks to prepare.