Our guy is good for six or seven wins, only if we have a FCS and a Tulane on the schedule. Thank the Lord we skipped a beatdown from Central Florida. Not only do we lose to Virginia, but we have to show our *** by talking trash before the game. 40 points to Virginia. 40. let that sink in. FORTY POINTS. Looking forward to a colonoscopy from Cutcliffe. Let's hear from the contingent that had us winning the Coastal. Crickets. I thought so.
I understand your frustration but I think you are overreacting a bit. The primary issues, as I see them are:
1) Recruiting of linemen both offense and defense must improve
2) Special teams in all phases with the possible exception of punting are very poor especially the return teams
3) Marshall is perceived as being ineffective and gun shy. Given the lack of protection, it is understandable. That said, it may be time to see what if anything LJ and JJ are capable of doing. I appreciate his heart and the way his teammates respond to him.
4) Our defensive backs are outclassed against good receivers. That said, the main problem is an utter lack of creativity in blitzes and little pressure from our defensive line.
5) In 2014 teams that tried to crowd the line of scrimmage as Virginia did so often were badly burned by the Smelter/Waller combination. We lack playmakers on the outside with the notable exception of Ricky
6) Most teams have taken away the pitch resulting in few touches for the A backs. Something has to be done about this. Our A backs are capable of making big plays on both pass and run plays but not when forced to go east/west by run blitzing safeties and outside linebackers who are doing this with impunity knowing that we cannot get separation on pass plays.
7) A team that loses to Clemson and Miami is one thing but a team that loses to UVA, and Tennessee is something else again. The plain fact of the matter is that we are, at best right now a middling ACC team. To lose to a team like UVA (no offense Bronco but getting your clocked cleaned by BC and Pitt pretty much tells the tale) should be regarded as a wake up call to PJ that he desperately needs better players.
8) The most disappointing part about this season has been the offensive line. I thought they would be dominant and it is apparent they are just average. Given the injury issues and the people leaving maybe it is understandable but it was thought that they would be the best unit in quite some time. With all the other problems we needed the line to be great.
9) We really miss Brant and AJ today. I have to admit (as a former critic) that Mitchell has really improved over what we saw last year.
10) Benson plays very hard and is a bright spot but often he has to work so hard because of the constant gap blitzing and going up against 7 and 8 man lines with linebackers and safeties up so fast.
11) People complain about the play calling but if your opponent has 8 people in the box with a safety or linebacker shooting a gap there are not many plays that will work if receivers are not getting quick separation.
12) Going to a bowl should be the least of concerns facing this team. They need to get better, a lot better, in all three phases of the game because Duke, Virginia Tech and UGA promise to be a tough row to hoe.