Don't tell me it's a talent-deficiency problem...

[Deuga]

I think Clemson looked at SU game film and decided to let Watson throw the ball all day. Up to now, who wouldn't against SU. In most games this year, the Tigers have run more than passed. Watson of course racked up a big yardage day, but SU won the turnover battle 3 to 1 and The Tigers 3rd down efficiency was only 33%, amongst their lowest of the year. I think the D is improving.

FSU and UL both switched QBs on us where the replacement is a pocket passer who checks down and the normal starter is a scrambler who doesn't check. In both cases it appears we spent all week preparing for a scrambler/runner. A young team won't adjust as easily to this change. With Clemson, we got the QB we spent all week preparing for. With a young team, I think getting the opponent you were expecting is a big deal.

 

[AZOrange]

The stats disagree with you: he had what was for him a slightly below average game, with a 146 rating vs his season average of 160.3; an adjusted qbr of 78.1 vs 85.6 with a YPA of 7.66 vs 8.42 for the season. Certainly our defense deserves some credit for a well played game but this was a let down game after Florida St for Clemson. If we get their best effort this game isn't close, imo.

Come again? The guy accounted for 465 yards of offense...

 

[Millhouse]

Yards surrendered is only one stat. More significantly, we gouged them for 242 yards on the ground and held them (the #1 team in the country) to 37 points. That's more than respectable, given that we spotted them 2 early scores (one was a freebie with the fumble). After that, we settled down on D and played them even. The Clemson offense couldn't even score a TD in the entire second half against us (2 FGs). In the meantime, our offense moved the ball against them. Considering these facts and the serious talent deficit, I think we benefited from solid coaching and an amazing effort.

[By Edit: And I forgot to mention, Clemson really gained 525 yards. The other (45) yards were added by game officials with funny accents and quick whistles on SU players]

only 525. what kind of cookie should we bake for them?

 

[Millhouse]

I think Clemson looked at SU game film and decided to let Watson throw the ball all day. Up to now, who wouldn't against SU. In most games this year, the Tigers have run more than passed. Watson of course racked up a big yardage day, but SU won the turnover battle 3 to 1 and The Tigers 3rd down efficiency was only 33%, amongst their lowest of the year. I think the D is improving.

FSU and UL both switched QBs on us where the replacement is a pocket passer who checks down and the normal starter is a scrambler who doesn't check. In both cases it appears we spent all week preparing for a scrambler/runner. A young team won't adjust as easily to this change. With Clemson, we got the QB we spent all week preparing for. With a young team, I think getting the opponent you were expecting is a big deal.

I agree with this. It's smart to throw all day against SU and SU actually did play better pass defense than I expected. they at least made a couple plays which is an improvement. but it's all relative, i wasn't expecting much

 

[IthacaBarrel]

I agree with this. It's smart to throw all day against SU and SU actually did play better pass defense than I expected. they at least made a couple plays which is an improvement. but it's all relative, i wasn't expecting much

Offenses are just toying with us at this point, they can pretty much do whatever they want because we cant get off the field on 3rd down. I know, the kids the kids!!!

 

[Statesman1]

South Florida has better talent than SU.

It would be nice if SU had so many good players in its backyard.

Wouldn't matter if we did, we don't keep many of the good ones now anyway

 

[orangenirvana]

Well, you're entitled to your opinion. I'm as frustrated with losing as you are. However, I do see progress. Any "game plan" relies on execution, and when you compete with lesser talent the only possible explanation is that your coaches are doing something right. Clemson is loaded top to bottom and we were outmatched at every position except punter. Despite this disparity, we played them pretty even for 3 quarters, held them to 0 TD's in the second half and moved the ball with a 5th string QB and our best RB out of the game. The only reason we didn't get blown out is good coaching.

You see progress? We have five or so threads a week from knowledgeable posters here demonstrating how in fact the program is not only not progressing, but regressing.

I'm not as frustrated by the losing as I am the dumb gameday decisions and the lack of urgency from much of the fanbase. It's so obvious that Shafer is over his head based on the Gerg-like statistics alone. Yet people want to give him more time because they think he's their buddy.

It's insane to me.