SandySprings, your morning scene is me exactly. And the fact that we are in the third year of this makes it that much worse. I will add that I was for bringing in a PJ disciple, not a coach with a new offense. But I have seen some things this year that lead me to believe that if I can remain patient, this is going to work out.
Collins was brought in because it was believed he could increase the talent level. If you look at our backs, receivers, slot receivers, and the quarterbacks, I think he has. These guys all have big play speed. And they should be around a while. If he got those, he should be able to add to them in years to come. When Sims thew the high arching touchdown pass Saturday, that completed the deal for me. Before he always tried to make that throw too flat. He can run well and make all the throws. He just needs to keep growing, but we can win at a high level with him.
We were missing some starting offensive linemen. Just okay offensive line performance would have meant a very different game. The early turnovers probably wouldn't have happened. Our inability to punch in touchdowns or short yardage first downs was because in those situations you must get some push from your line, and we couldn't.
Someone who posts on the HIve as 57something pointed out that most of Key's line recruits are freshmen. I looked at the whole team's class standings on the above the line for Pitt. The ratio of freshmen to seniors across the board is amazing, but especially on both lines.
Saturday was pretty awful, but I have seen enough good play calls both defensively and offensively to think our coordinators are not idiots. Let us hope that Collins and the coordinators are learning and growing too.
I have no answer for the defense, other than to say we saw them play well just two weeks ago.
It has been made clear that our budget is not going to allow for a coaching change any time soon. Besides, I don't want to see the chaos of another complete turnover with three more years of a new staff
with no guarantee that the new staff will be better. Kim King said that the greatest factor in college football success is coaching continuity.
Let's let the season play out. Maybe there will be more UNCs and fewer Pitts in our future.