After sleeping on it...

[A Clockwork Orange]

I'm still disappointed. This was a game SU really needed to win. With that said, there are signs of improvement, and with young teams it sometimes is the darkest before the dawn.

I think this team may have an upset up its sleeve before the season is out. Sometimes young teams can do that. I'm not sure if we'll get to 6-6 at this point, but I do think the more the offense plays together, the more efficient and better it will be be.

On the defensive side, I really wish they'd move Whigham to a backup role. Get some of the young guys as much run as you can, and see what they can do. I can't imagine it would be much worse than Whigham. I so wish he hadn't gotten hurt in his sophomore year, as he was doing some pretty good things at that point. I'm not sure what happened, but he's not playing anywhere near that level at this point.

Coach Shafer deserves to be supported through the rest of this year. Not all the games have been played, and we have no idea how the rest of the season will shake out. Pessimistically, I see a lot of games that will be difficult to win, but we'll see.

I know someone was throwing out names of replacements if the hits the fan this year. I truly think Shafer deserves another year with these players, but with a new AD who knows what will happen. Here's my name:

Everett Whithers. He was the co-defensive coordinator at Ohio State, and the head coach at UNC during their scandal year in 2011. He guided that team admirably. He's a defensive guy, but his offense at his most recent ob (James Madison University) has been record breaking lights out. It's up tempo, and they're #1 in total offense this year. The team is undefeated and electric to watch.

He also has our old friend Vad Lee, and has upped the recruiting. He will be a great coach in FBS at some point, why not us? He turned the JMU program around in two years. You can see him up close next week, as JMU will host ESPN College Gameday. He's a class guy, and is an up and comer. Only issue is VPI and UVA may be looking at him after this year or next.

With that said, I think coach needs an extra year with his players. Hopefully, they will start winning and this will be a moot point.

 

[SU68]

On the defensive side, I really wish they'd move Whigham to a backup role. Get some of the young guys as much run as you can, and see what they can do. I can't imagine it would be much worse than Whigham. I so wish he hadn't gotten hurt in his sophomore year, as he was doing some pretty good things at that point. I'm not sure what happened, but he's not playing anywhere near that level at this point.

I agree. I said a week ago that his play was going to cost us a game. IMHO it did yesterday along with other errors.

 

[SUskibum]

On the defensive side, I really wish they'd move Whigham to a backup role. Get some of the young guys as much run as you can, and see what they can do. I can't imagine it would be much worse than Whigham. I so wish he hadn't gotten hurt in his sophomore year, as he was doing some pretty good things at that point. I'm not sure what happened, but he's not playing anywhere near that level at this point.

Well I think he had a different position coach pre-injury and post-injury though. Pretty surprised I have yet to see this brought up. I can recall off season quotes from him saying Reed had him using a different technique than he was using previously (ghosting or something?).