Random Observations after UMass and heading into FIU

Wow Trent and Carlos are special. They are the best 1-2 in the biz right now. It's embarrassingly difficult for the other team when they are firing on all cylinders. I can't wait to see what they do every week. I don't know if it's the case, but they are raising the stakes against each other every week. Narionally - Trent is first in yardage and Carlos third.

Higgins is getting better as this season matures. He keeps making better decisions with the ball. He took some unnecessary chances today, but he also made lots of plays. Oh and he's second nationally is yardage despite missing a game.

Our offensive line played well, but they need to save that film. UMass' front was good. The different looks and blitzes threw us off all evening. We dealt with it well overall, but we need to clean it up. This group is good, and they may be the difference in the season.

Craft is having a great season that is being overshadowed by all the other playmakers. Boston Scott is pushing for more time too, and it is hard to find enough plus for everyone. I think we'll continue to spread things out. Since we cannot get a third receiver heavily involved other than Craft, we could see more of Scott.

We have to find a way to get Xavier and Jaylon involved more. Jaylon ruins his side of the line on almost every snap, but our pressure is inconsistent every place else. I think we should seriously consider bringing Jaylon after the QB from multiple positions. For a team who had 7 sacks, it appeared as if we could have 17.

We know we lack the talent and playmakers on defense, so we need to get Xavier to either rush or be more active around the line. I think Umass QB completed so many balls because he had time to deliver after the initial rush moved him side to side.

Our coverage units need some better leadership or scheme. It's one or the other. I don't play for the team nor coach for the team, but we need that facet of the game to step it up. There's something wrong there for sure.

I hope we destroy FIU.

Great overall post Rockdog. I also liked the way we pulled Woods down to LB to cover the TE in the 2nd half. It forced one of the drive-ending sacks as the UMass QB was clearly trying hit the TE over the middle and X was right there with him every step. If he had thrown that pass X would have pick-6'ed it.

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Originally Posted by rockdog

Jaylon ruins his side of the line on almost every snap, but our pressure is inconsistent every place else. I think we should seriously consider bringing Jaylon after the QB from multiple positions. For a team who had 7 sacks, it appeared as if we could have 17.

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That is a great suggestion. Move him around, isolate him on their weakest lineman, or even put him at a LB position that is going to blitz that play.

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Originally Posted by DogsWin

Great overall post Rockdog. I also liked the way we pulled Woods down to LB to cover the TE in the 2nd half. It forced one of the drive-ending sacks as the UMass QB was clearly trying hit the TE over the middle and X was right there with him every step. If he had thrown that pass X would have pick-6'ed it.

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I didn't notice that but that is a great defensive call. On obvious passing situations, take an LB out and put in a DB to cover a speedy back or TE. Some of us on here have been strongly suggesting that since the TT game.

Was it just that one play or did a DB play in the LB position other times?

I only noticed it on that drive so I don't know. The UMass QB was locked in the whole way on the TE and Woods shut it down. The pocket collapsed and he got sacked.

Not sure if refs were an independent crew, Big 12 crew, or a mix, but they did a pretty good job.

It took them a little longer to start calling the holds that it should have, but once the first one was called on us, it was "game on" after that.

Picking up the targeting flag after review would never have been done by an SEC or C-UAB crew. Good pick up, but it should have never been thrown.

We got great call on Henderson TD pass-- usually we get offensive pass interference

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Originally Posted by Dogsince65

We got great call on Henderson TD pass-- usually we get offensive pass interference

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I didn't think it was PI after looking at the replay, but I agree. We normally don't get that call.

When listening to live radio, there was an 11 second delay from the CW on Comcast here in West Monroe.

I decided I'd see if the Red Peach Ap was closer...The Red Peach KXKZ Ap was 5 seconds behind the CW on Comcast TV.

Anybody else check delay times with various providers?

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Originally Posted by PawDawg

When listening to live radio, there was an 11 second delay from the CW on Comcast here in West Monroe.

I decided I'd see if the Red Peach Ap was closer...The Red Peach KXKZ Ap was 5 seconds behind the CW on Comcast TV.

Anybody else check delay times with various providers?

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Red peach was about 2 plays ahead of the ESPN stream. Huge delay for the stream yesterday

I don't have a problem with the targeting flag being thrown. The emphasis is being placed on player safety and cleaning up head injuries. If a player is hit in the head, it's better to look at it. They've changed the rule to where not only can they overrule the disqualification but also the penalty itself (the original rule was ludicrous in that even if replay showed it wasn't targeting, the 15-yard penalty stood). It takes a little while to sort things out and delays the game a bit, but I'm willing to deal with that headache if it cuts down on helmet-to-helmet hits.

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Originally Posted by HogDawg

This was Rick Loumiet's officiating crew from the AAC.

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make sure he gets a nice bonus this year ;)

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Originally Posted by sportdawg

make sure he gets a nice bonus this year ;)

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LOL! He and I were texting back and forth immediately after the game. I thought he and his crew did a good job, save for the bogus holding call on LA Tech at 5:52 of the 1st qtr. But they caught the UMASS OL holding several times.

Sokol, Driskle, and Higgins. I think we have a pretty good QB coach. Doesn't get enough credit.

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Originally Posted by Beaver-Dog

I think we have a pretty good QB coach. Doesn't get enough credit.

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We do this year. It is Tim Rattay. It is his first year as QB coach.

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Originally Posted by Beaver-Dog

Sokol, Driskle, and Higgins. I think we have a pretty good QB coach. Doesn't get enough credit.

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Shhhhhhhush! That's our secret.

THIS is fun-- like we all on sugar high! With a little more defense we can win this division and the conference. Everybody in on that?

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Originally Posted by DogsWin

Shhhhhhhush! That's our secret.

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It's pretty cool thinking no one is coming after our offensive staff. We kind of figured Sonny was gone with these kind of numbers. Keep building it!

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Originally Posted by DogsWin

Shhhhhhhush! That's our secret.

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Ooops. Sorry.

BOY, THAT BAKER GUY IS REALLY A GOOD COACH! HOPE NOBODY TRIES TO STEAL HIM AWAY FROM US.

Our offense is extremely difficult to contend with at this point. Pretty sure Henderson missed the entire game against UTEP and sat out much of the previous game against Middle Tennessee. Going forward, we've got 2 guys who have proven they cannot be consistently defended one-on-one. Then you have a sneakily dangerous threat at rb--both running or receiving. What I think that does is push the door wide-open for secondary threats like McKnight or Smith (either one) or Gaines to emerge. What's interesting to me is that Holtz isn't really doing this by playing the tempo game, we are truly multiple and rarely seem to be in a hurry. That's remarkable considering the ridiculous offensive numbers we're putting up. In an inconspicuous way, Holtz is emerging as one of the best offensive coaches we've had here.

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Originally Posted by HogDawg

LOL! He and I were texting back and forth immediately after the game. I thought he and his crew did a good job, save for the bogus holding call on LA Tech at 5:52 of the 1st qtr. But they caught the UMASS OL holding several times.

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Do you guys work together?

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Originally Posted by theprofessor

I don't have a problem with the targeting flag being thrown. The emphasis is being placed on player safety and cleaning up head injuries. If a player is hit in the head, it's better to look at it. They've changed the rule to where not only can they overrule the disqualification but also the penalty itself (the original rule was ludicrous in that even if replay showed it wasn't targeting, the 15-yard penalty stood). It takes a little while to sort things out and delays the game a bit, but I'm willing to deal with that headache if it cuts down on helmet-to-helmet hits.

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I understand the intent of the rule, but there is no way, IMHO, in can be fairly enforced. As often as not, it seems to me, the helmet to helmet contact is caused by a movement by the offensive player which the defensive player has no time in which to adjust.

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Originally Posted by boxerdog

Our offense is extremely difficult to contend with at this point. Pretty sure Henderson missed the entire game against UTEP and sat out much of the previous game against Middle Tennessee. Going forward, we've got 2 guys who have proven they cannot be consistently defended one-on-one. Then you have a sneakily dangerous threat at rb--both running or receiving. What I think that does is push the door wide-open for secondary threats like McKnight or Smith (either one) or Gaines to emerge. What's interesting to me is that Holtz isn't really doing this by playing the tempo game, we are truly multiple and rarely seem to be in a hurry. That's remarkable considering the ridiculous offensive numbers we're putting up. In an inconspicuous way, Holtz is emerging as one of the best offensive coaches we've had here.

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Yes he is!

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Originally Posted by Beaver-Dog

Ooops. Sorry.

BOY, THAT BAKER GUY IS REALLY A GOOD COACH! HOPE NOBODY TRIES TO STEAL HIM AWAY FROM US.

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Just imagine if someone like the cajuns hired Baker away from us, or even worse hired Baker and our hot shot AD away from us. We would be immediately relegated to Div 2 status while they would become the clear #2 (if not #1) in the state. Gives me nightmares just thinking about it. Good news is they would have to sign them to long term million dollar/year contracts to fully lock in their new status. I don't think they have that kind of cash.

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Originally Posted by TYLERTECHSAS

Yes he is!

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Ditto!!

I would like to see some refs willing to call the holding and illegal contact that opposing DB's are doing on Trent Taylor.

Positive spin: They are helping him prepare for the next level.:D