Go Gophers Rah
Section 238 Row 21
- Joined
- Nov 13, 2008
- Messages
- 2,374
- Reaction score
- 195
- Points
- 63
Half of the season is now in the books. While most of us knew it would be a building year, nobody thought it would be this bad. My thinking is that we're not quite as bad as the last two games would appear because Kill is using these games as an audition (including Shortell). On the other hand, I can't explain away the NMSU and NDSU losses.
I do think that Kill could be the right guy in the long run, but what worries me now is that the losses will really hamper recruiting. With a weak recruiting class this year, we would extend the "rebuilding" phase by another year and - ultimately - it may start a negative feedback loop that leads to more poor seasons, worse recruits, etc.
So I would like to have some hope for the remainder of the season. Here is what I'd like to see:
1) A healthy team and coach.
Getting Stoudermire back on the field would really help the secondary and he is a better tackler than many on D right now. Hopefully, the off-week will give Marquis' turf toe some time to heal. And finally, Kill having a seizure-free remainder of the season will help the coaching staff maintain some rhythm and will reduce some of the distractions this team has had.
2) Kill settling on his players.
We had starters yesterday that I had never hear of in August - guys like Amaefula and Haviland. I presume that they were not getting the kind of reps at practice that a starter would expect in August and September, so this is kind of like their September 1 game playing against October 7 opponents. I hope that Kill has now decided on the guys that will/can play and lets this team practice as a squad and develop some chemistry.
3) A few offensive players stepping up their game.
I am more disappointed in McKnight than any other player. His half-hearted play has kept points off the scoreboard. A guy like Du'ane Bennett is playing his hardest with less natural talent than many other players. I'd like to see 2 or 3 players really step up their game. Marquis, one of the receivers (McKnight, Green, Moulton, somebody) and for Kirkwood to keep the ball in his hands.
4) Better defensive game planning.
We have given up 28, 38 and 31 points respectively in the first half of the last 3 games. The players shoulder much of the blame and so does the offense for its frequent 3 and outs, but I have to believe that the defense just didn't have the right game plan for those opponents.
5) a little luck.
A fumble bouncing our way, a call going our way, the sun in the other guy's eyes, whatever. We could sure use a little good luck.
If some of these things happen, maybe we can show some overall improvement, give the fans (and more importantly - the recruits) a little hope for the future and maybe even pull off an upset.
Go Gophers!
I do think that Kill could be the right guy in the long run, but what worries me now is that the losses will really hamper recruiting. With a weak recruiting class this year, we would extend the "rebuilding" phase by another year and - ultimately - it may start a negative feedback loop that leads to more poor seasons, worse recruits, etc.
So I would like to have some hope for the remainder of the season. Here is what I'd like to see:
1) A healthy team and coach.
Getting Stoudermire back on the field would really help the secondary and he is a better tackler than many on D right now. Hopefully, the off-week will give Marquis' turf toe some time to heal. And finally, Kill having a seizure-free remainder of the season will help the coaching staff maintain some rhythm and will reduce some of the distractions this team has had.
2) Kill settling on his players.
We had starters yesterday that I had never hear of in August - guys like Amaefula and Haviland. I presume that they were not getting the kind of reps at practice that a starter would expect in August and September, so this is kind of like their September 1 game playing against October 7 opponents. I hope that Kill has now decided on the guys that will/can play and lets this team practice as a squad and develop some chemistry.
3) A few offensive players stepping up their game.
I am more disappointed in McKnight than any other player. His half-hearted play has kept points off the scoreboard. A guy like Du'ane Bennett is playing his hardest with less natural talent than many other players. I'd like to see 2 or 3 players really step up their game. Marquis, one of the receivers (McKnight, Green, Moulton, somebody) and for Kirkwood to keep the ball in his hands.
4) Better defensive game planning.
We have given up 28, 38 and 31 points respectively in the first half of the last 3 games. The players shoulder much of the blame and so does the offense for its frequent 3 and outs, but I have to believe that the defense just didn't have the right game plan for those opponents.
5) a little luck.
A fumble bouncing our way, a call going our way, the sun in the other guy's eyes, whatever. We could sure use a little good luck.
If some of these things happen, maybe we can show some overall improvement, give the fans (and more importantly - the recruits) a little hope for the future and maybe even pull off an upset.
Go Gophers!
