Things you want to see in the first game

[gamecockcat]

Obviously, a comfortable win with no injuries. But, further than that...

1. Control/dominate the LOS on both sides
2. Getting in and out of the huddle and snapping the ball before we're in low single digits on the play clock
3. BV going through his reads on a few plays and hitting the 2nd or 3rd option
4. Consistent pass rush
5. Much tighter coverage from the DBs - no more 10 yard cushions
6. No dumb penalties - illegal motion, hitting a guy out of bounds, holding 15 yards off the ball, jumping the snap when it's 3rd and short, etc.
7. A comfortable enough lead that both Wimsatt and Allen get to play and actually run plays from the playbook vs straight handoffs and/or taking a knee. Let the 2nd and 3rd team guys run the offense!
8. Much better control of the middle 8 - no just-before-half scores by the opponent and prevent a long scoring drive coming out of halftime

 

[Pelosigalore]

Total domination, dont get up 14 and go conservative and squeak out a win.

 

[EKCAT4YRS]

Obviously, a comfortable win with no injuries. But, further than that...

1. Control/dominate the LOS on both sides
2. Getting in and out of the huddle and snapping the ball before we're in low single digits on the play clock
3. BV going through his reads on a few plays and hitting the 2nd or 3rd option
4. Consistent pass rush
5. Much tighter coverage from the DBs - no more 10 yard cushions
6. No dumb penalties - illegal motion, hitting a guy out of bounds, holding 15 yards off the ball, jumping the snap when it's 3rd and short, etc.
7. A comfortable enough lead that both Wimsatt and Allen get to play and actually run plays from the playbook vs straight handoffs and/or taking a knee. Let the 2nd and 3rd team guys run the offense!
8. Much better control of the middle 8 - no just-before-half scores by the opponent and prevent a long scoring drive coming out of halftime

Of all the things on your wish list i think the most unlikely is 7! Thats very very unlikely to happen. Coaches will say(maybe correctly) that bv needs all the snaps. Wimsatt might get a few, Allen not likely at all!

 

[catsfanbgky]

Simple for me, O-Line pass protect, run block, and Vandergriff hit open receivers. Those things happen, I will lose a lot of pre-season concerns for this team.

 

[UKWildcats1987]

To look like a well coached and competent football team. Stay healthy and win the essentially pre season type game and then on to the real game against sc in week 2.

 

[BlueRaider22]

Southern Miss likely will lose their coach after this yr. He's been pretty poor there going into his 4th year. And they usually lose pretty bad.


-I want to see a balanced attack.
-I want to see a win something along the lines of 45-7........or 52-10. I want a convincing win both on offense and defense.

 

[gamecockcat]

Of all the things on your wish list i think the most unlikely is 7! Thats very very unlikely to happen. Coaches will say(maybe correctly) that bv needs all the snaps. Wimsatt might get a few, Allen not likely at all!

Sadly, you're probably correct. For the life of me, I plain don't understand this 'strategy' at all. We all know that it's unusual for a QB to go a full season without getting nicked up or roll an ankle or whatever. Knowing that, why do we (and many other teams, to be fair) hesitate to put in the backups and let them do what they may be called upon to do later in the year? I can't imagine any coach getting pissed off if our 3rd string offense puts together a 75-yard drive against the opponent's 3rd string. If they do, screw 'em. You don't want our backups to score, that's your responsibility to stop them. Now, running a fake punt (Ole Ball Coach) or double reverse when you're up by 4 TDs is a dick move. But, having your backups running the offense they may have to run against Georgia's first team just seems like being prepared for the unexpected. Having a backup QB turn and hand the ball off 3 times or take a knee (thanks, Scang!) is just plain dumb. You can get backups live reps within the system without completely trying to run up the score.

 

[swflakat]

Use the tight ends and slot receivers early to open up the run game. Then run for good yardage to set up play action to Brown, Key, et al. Stay on the field (no 3 and outs) and wear down their defense.

 

[Deeeefense]

First game I just want to see some level of consistency and cohesion from the offense. Hamdan has his work cut out for him installing a new system with a QB new to the team and other new pieces including two new position coaches. I don't expect things to go 100% smooth by any stretch but I just hope they are able to move the ball consistently, Convert 3rd downs, and show an ability to dial up good plays that are successful. Not worried about the defense, but anxious to see how they use both Afari and Childress in the box at the same time, and also the play of Dumas-Johnson and Waller who are new.

 

[UKBlueBlood]

Mark me down for #2. Please no more glacially paced offense.

 

[docholiday51]

Obviously, a comfortable win with no injuries. But, further than that...

1. Control/dominate the LOS on both sides
2. Getting in and out of the huddle and snapping the ball before we're in low single digits on the play clock
3. BV going through his reads on a few plays and hitting the 2nd or 3rd option
4. Consistent pass rush
5. Much tighter coverage from the DBs - no more 10 yard cushions
6. No dumb penalties - illegal motion, hitting a guy out of bounds, holding 15 yards off the ball, jumping the snap when it's 3rd and short, etc.
7. A comfortable enough lead that both Wimsatt and Allen get to play and actually run plays from the playbook vs straight handoffs and/or taking a knee. Let the 2nd and 3rd team guys run the offense!
8. Much better control of the middle 8 - no just-before-half scores by the opponent and prevent a long scoring drive coming out of halftime

Your second point X 100, I want to see the defense get off the field on 3 down,#6 is a key also.

As to how the game plays out I want to see us hold So Miss to 10 or less. Find a RB that can give us 75 to 100 yards rushing.

 

[The-Hack]

Keep their score below reasonable total season hopes/expectations . . . 14 or less.

 

[cat tat2]

A legit SEC team at home, should dominate Southern Miss start to finish and win by 40-50.

 

[bigblueinsanity]

To make the mundane look mundane. Thats a stoopism i really like.

 

[THE_HOOK]

Running and passing game, right now they are both unknowns.

 

[Cat_Man_Blue]

Obviously, a comfortable win with no injuries. But, further than that...

1. Control/dominate the LOS on both sides
2. Getting in and out of the huddle and snapping the ball before we're in low single digits on the play clock
3. BV going through his reads on a few plays and hitting the 2nd or 3rd option
4. Consistent pass rush
5. Much tighter coverage from the DBs - no more 10 yard cushions
6. No dumb penalties - illegal motion, hitting a guy out of bounds, holding 15 yards off the ball, jumping the snap when it's 3rd and short, etc.
7. A comfortable enough lead that both Wimsatt and Allen get to play and actually run plays from the playbook vs straight handoffs and/or taking a knee. Let the 2nd and 3rd team guys run the offense!
8. Much better control of the middle 8 - no just-before-half scores by the opponent and prevent a long scoring drive coming out of halftime

You are a mind reader. This is exactly what I would like to see.

 

[bigblueinsanity]

Much tighter coverage from the DBs - no more 10 yard cushions

I do want to address this because i see it often and it is a misunderstanding.

If we have the players to play press man, we play it. See bossman and echols both who went to the nfl and played several snaps and at least echols is still there.

If we dont, we usually have one man cb and we let that cb play man on his side. See max and Valentine. That lets those guys display man skills and makes the coverage a bit more complex.

On the other side, or if we dont have a man cb, we play zone. Unless you have elite guys, zone is by far the better option because 1) sec wrs are elite and inherently a mismatch vs even good cbs and 2) you have more favorable rules than in the nfl about downfield contact.

Zone has defenders playing off with eyes on the qb. This playing off is what people complain about. It isnt soft. The way we play it is very aggressive and attacks the ball in the air and either makes a play on the ball or immediately tackles the wr.

There is nothing wrong with the scheme or playing off. Of course we give up plays just like everyone else but this is the sec with the best players and coaches. If we have elite guys we play man. We usually have one guy thats borderline elite. It is what it is but playing zone for at least half the field is exactly what we should do.

 

[trueblujr2]

Defensively, we shouldn't see the typical first game jitters and mistakes we see routinely. We have enough returning experience and depth, that the Defense should know the system and be clicking on all cylinders from day 1.

Offensively, new system, new coaches, will likely see some jitters, but hopefully talent overrides and we over come those pretty fast. Would like to see a pass on the first play from scrimmage, and get the tight ends involved. hope we can finally use the tight ends much like The 49ers use Kittle and the Chiefs use Kelce. We have a couple of guys who could thrive with that.

Mainly though:
No giving up cheap scores inside the last minute of the first half. We gave up a TD or a FG with 34 seconds or less on the clock in FIVE games last year. This is something that has plagued us for years.

Please, Please, PUUUUUHHLLLEAASE stop making us cover our eyes and cringe when facing a 3rd and Long on defense. We play lights out on 1st and second down to get a team behind the chains on third down then proceed to give up the farm way too often.

 

[Boz]

Simple; line up and execute properly with no penalties.

 

[maroon79]

Come out on Offense looking crisp and sharp

 

[katwest]

In addition to what gamecockcat and Doc say, get stops on 3rd down, score first and tighter coverage on opponents' receivers. Also, when we get inside the 10, we have to get a TD.

 

[gamecockcat]

I do want to address this because i see it often and it is a misunderstanding.

If we have the players to play press man, we play it. See bossman and echols both who went to the nfl and played several snaps and at least echols is still there.

If we dont, we usually have one man cb and we let that cb play man on his side. See max and Valentine. That lets those guys display man skills and makes the coverage a bit more complex.

On the other side, or if we dont have a man cb, we play zone. Unless you have elite guys, zone is by far the better option because 1) sec wrs are elite and inherently a mismatch vs even good cbs and 2) you have more favorable rules than in the nfl about downfield contact.

Zone has defenders playing off with eyes on the qb. This playing off is what people complain about. It isnt soft. The way we play it is very aggressive and attacks the ball in the air and either makes a play on the ball or immediately tackles the wr.

There is nothing wrong with the scheme or playing off. Of course we give up plays just like everyone else but this is the sec with the best players and coaches. If we have elite guys we play man. We usually have one guy thats borderline elite. It is what it is but playing zone for at least half the field is exactly what we should do.

You're probably correct. However, for the less astute (like me), when it's 3rd and 3 and our DBs are 8 yards off the LOS, it looks like we're conceding a first down. Yes, we don't want to give up the big play. But, allowing the opponent to string together 5 or 6 first downs is just as bad as allowing the periodic big play, imo. Our 3rd down defense last year was, statistically and anecdotally, abysmal. Whether it's accurate or not, the perception is that we played a lot of soft zone on 3rd downs and conceded the underneath easy catches, many of which went for first downs. Even Stoops has said they've concentrated and are focused on getting off the field on 3rd down. A better, more consistent pass rush would be a huge factor in achieving that. Also, imo, playing tighter coverage at the LOS to knock the receivers off their route/timing even when we're dropping into a zone would be an upgrade.

 

[bigblueinsanity]

You're probably correct. However, for the less astute (like me), when it's 3rd and 3 and our DBs are 8 yards off the LOS, it looks like we're conceding a first down. Yes, we don't want to give up the big play. But, allowing the opponent to string together 5 or 6 first downs is just as bad as allowing the periodic big play, imo. Our 3rd down defense last year was, statistically and anecdotally, abysmal. Whether it's accurate or not, the perception is that we played a lot of soft zone on 3rd downs and conceded the underneath easy catches, many of which went for first downs. Even Stoops has said they've concentrated and are focused on getting off the field on 3rd down. A better, more consistent pass rush would be a huge factor in achieving that. Also, imo, playing tighter coverage at the LOS to knock the receivers off their route/timing even when we're dropping into a zone would be an upgrade.

I agree its subpar but its most all personnel.

If theyre doing what theyre taught, they drop but are sitting on the underneath stuff ready to drive with help over top. Of course it all varies if an opponent comes out in a formation or personnel grouping where they take shots. Then its a chess match.

Now we have every right to complain why we had people like Robinson we kept trying to play despite knowing he was awful. Or keeping childress in when he routinely blew his deep third or quarter.

Given our success in putting dbs in the nfl, we should be recruiting cb better. We kill it with safety. No reason we are typically under talented at cb. Granted our guys are plenty good, that's just a talent comparison to the elite sec wrs we always face.

So i agree generally with the complaint. I just agree for a different reason.

 

[footerball]

i feel like Charle brown, i know lucy will pull that ball out from under me, but I would like to see Stoops not humiliate the OC and send him to the hospital. Let Hamdan run the off.

 

[BlueRaider22]

You're probably correct. However, for the less astute (like me), when it's 3rd and 3 and our DBs are 8 yards off the LOS, it looks like we're conceding a first down. Yes, we don't want to give up the big play. But, allowing the opponent to string together 5 or 6 first downs is just as bad as allowing the periodic big play, imo. Our 3rd down defense last year was, statistically and anecdotally, abysmal. Whether it's accurate or not, the perception is that we played a lot of soft zone on 3rd downs and conceded the underneath easy catches, many of which went for first downs. Even Stoops has said they've concentrated and are focused on getting off the field on 3rd down. A better, more consistent pass rush would be a huge factor in achieving that. Also, imo, playing tighter coverage at the LOS to knock the receivers off their route/timing even when we're dropping into a zone would be an upgrade.

Agree with most of this. We do usually have much better 3rd down efficiency, but personnel didn't allow for high efficiency last yr. We "should" be better for this yr.

I did "bold type" one statement above though. There is a big difference. There's a reason why a dam lets out some water on occasion to avoid a collapse. It's not that you want to give up any yardage......its more that you don't want a collapse. Disallowing big plays.....and the momentum that comes with it......is YUGE...

 

[gamecockcat]

Agree with most of this. We do usually have much better 3rd down efficiency, but personnel didn't allow for high efficiency last yr. We "should" be better for this yr.

I did "bold type" one statement above though. There is a big difference. There's a reason why a dam lets out some water on occasion to avoid a collapse. It's not that you want to give up any yardage......its more that you don't want a collapse. Disallowing big plays.....and the momentum that comes with it......is YUGE...

^True. But, long drives, even if they don't result in points, tires out the defense over a game/season. Also, it results in a flipped field and bad field position (especially with our mediocre punting last year). We just have to be better at getting off the field on 3rd down and being better and holding opponents to 3-and-out a lot more than we did last year.

As BBI stated, much can be attributed to personnel. But, sometimes, you can scheme around personnel and it didn't appear to me that we did that too often last year. And I'm not a football coach so it's purely my uninformed opinion.

 

[m080470]

It's all been listed here already but defensively, get off the field on 3rd and long. It was damndest thing last year feeling a lot better about forcing a punt when the opposing team was 3rd and 3 or 3rd and 2 versus 3rd and 10 and knowing they'd play soft zone coverage and give up a first down every single time.
On offense, O-line has and QB has to be better this year.

 

[Pelosigalore]

I think Brad White had an awful year last season. We had Alex Afari, Hairston, and Dru Phillips back there and we still got roasted because of the soft coverage.