Bad win for fans, great win for players

[Ozcuse]

Not counting the injuries which I hope I truly hope Dungey, Ish and the others can fully recover from this is a very good win from a coach and player perspective and pretty crappy from a fan perspective.

There are a ton of teachable moments from this game and opportunities for coach growth (Play calling and confidence in your players) and player growth (rally to win, overcome adversity) while still getting the W. If we blew CMU out of the water what could the coaches point to in film to show players how to improve?

Now from a fan perspective we are shell shocked because of the perception. It was just a MAC team, we completely fell apart in 2nd half, and we suffered emotional trauma seeing our future qb get assaulted on the field and our team go into a shell for most of the 2nd half.

At the end of the day we still won. The win counts the same if we won by 100. Perception may not be as strong but there is a lot more to learn and grow from a game like this than from a beat down like the Rhode Island game.

Our 9 hardest opponents are still ahead. Next week doesn't look good but if we look at it as we have 9 games to win 3 and get bowl eligible, it's much more palatable. Let's get healthy and find 3 more wins even if they are as ugly as today.

 

[OrangeXtreme]

It's only a bad win if you gave the 6.5 points.

 

[rocklloyd]

It's only a bad win if you gave the 6.5 points.

Freaking Vegas...

 

[Halfmooncuse]

I think it was a bad win because of how we felt about this team with Dungy at the helm. Then in the second half we set a school record for having the lowest yardage in a half. Also Dixon putting CMU in a whole numerous times only to watch CMU drive the ball downfield. The tackle against CMU on 3rd down in OT forcing the FG was a key play that allowed SU to win and not much discussion about it on board.

 

[ImperialOrange]

Personally my head is still reeling trying to figure out this team, injuries, coaching calls, etc BUT we are 3-0.

Our defense has the requisite play makers in the front 7 but are inconsistent. Our pash rush is non existent for large chunks then all of the sudden they're unstoppable for a spell. Chalk it up to youth I guess.

Our pass defense... I mean we give up a lot of yards and completions but not the point totals to match. Our lb's and safeties are not yet seasoned enough to play zone and "feel" where they should be rolling to. That is one area where we can make massive improvement and film on this game will help with that.

As a whole our defense somehow held together enough despite being gassed from being on the field non stop. Amazing fight and heart to do that. Astonishing really.

Dungey... man I hope the kid is alright to play in 3 weeks. Not even worth the risk next week given the remainder of this season and the 3 years to follow. He has "it" and its amazing to have a true dual threat playmaker at qb again. Best we've had sine DMac5 and not a stretch to say he throws a better ball. When he went out both sides of the ball and the coaches tightened up. D can play loose knowing the O can score points. Much tougher when they can't. Every play is magnified.

Our play calling the 2nd half... well everyone saw it. Without our qb and our top wr we couldn't move the ball. That pick right after the fumble was effectively a punt but you have to run some clock there to give the D a rest... HAVE to. Why run the read option with a qb that has no interest in keeping it? Wilson couldve run for 5-10 multiple times because cmu wasn't even honoring the him as a run threat. As such we had 2-3 guys tracking the rb each time giving them no chance. Why wasn't that addressed? The 4th and 1 punt... don't even get me started there. 1 yard potentially seals it... instead we chose to lean on our gassed defense again.

I like this coaching staff and want them to succeed but they need to wake the hell up on some of these play calls. Will be really interesting to see what they draw up for lsu. I'm not really sure what they can but maybe they have something in mind that they've been hiding.

Almost forgotten is the refs. They called back that long Estime return and I'm not sure they called cmu for holding once. Please explain to me, watching that game, how they weren't called for holding at least once a drive. Yes their oline was big and strong like expected but our edge rushers shouldn't all have their jerseys stretched like that by the end of the game.

End game we're 3-0 but with Dungey we woudlve won going away. CMU knew that which is why they did what they did. Hopefully the d is hooked up getting iv's because we will lean heavily on them until sunshine returns.

 

[Briancuse]

I have no problem with the way that we won, I just wish that I had some faith in my hc to make some good decisions.

 

[Cheriehoop]

#1 Ohio St is basking in their 20-13 win over Northern Illinois, Central Michigan's conference mate.

 

[upperdeck]

imagine if OSu had played their #5 qb since the 2 heisman guys struggled with NI

 

[Full_Rebar]

You know what's funny. Ohio State, the defending National Champ, is quite concerned about their play, despite being 3-0. It's ok to be happy with a record and not entirely pleased with the performance leading to the record. The two don't have to be mutually exclusive.

 

[Cheriehoop]

You know what's funny. Ohio State, the defending National Champ, is quite concerned about their play, despite being 3-0. It's ok to be happy with a record and not entirely pleased with the performance leading to the record. The two don't have to be mutually exclusive.

There's also common sense and hopefully a sense of proportion too. I can imagine Ohio St as #1 would be having "concerns" regarding their healthy quarterbacks play and in fact their entire scheme watching them play Northern Illinois.

No one has mentioned the stellar play of Central Michigan's quarterback. Wonder how they would have fared if forced to play their backup less their 3rd and 4th backup? We might not like and be frustrated by reality and the necessary adjustments but it's foolish to ignore it.