The Downside - Washington State

[SWC75]

- We keep letting the other teams stay in the game. A 14-21 first quarter. Two fourth quarter touchdowns. Kyle and the boys just wouldn’t let us lose. But we never did play four strong quarters.

- Our early season punt protection problems resurfaced. It seemed like we had to score to avoid punting. When I asked why we were using two backfield protectors instead of three like most teams, Fran got defiant and said I should “see what happened next week.” They did get the punts off the next week and I congratulated in on that. There isn’t a next week, but there is a next year.

- Those other two ten win teams in this century followed up with 4-8 and 5-7 seasons. It will be a tough row to hoe but hopefully Fran can do better than that next year.

 

[OttoinGrotto]

It's hard to complain, but it would have been nice to have played a more complete game so we could have gotten more young guys in on the action.

 

[HtownOrange]

The point is valid. I think the issue is the winning mentality has not yet been fully developed. Most of the team is used to scrapping snd lacks the experience to know to keep the pedal down until there is no chance for an opponent to get back in the game. Fran is getting there but there is still the visible play when SU is up by 2-3 scores to let off the gas. Just my take on this matter. It will be interesting to see what the coaches on this board think.

 

[AlaskaSU]

Why does our special teams coach still have a job?

 

[P Vasiloff]

I think Coach Brown needs to have a sit down with Coach Robinson regarding his defensive scheming. Last night was a great victory and I am thrilled with the ten wins, but the defense on this team is the achilles heel. Part of it may be personnel, but a bigger part of it is scheme. You can't allow an opposing quarterback all day to throw. That kid from Washington hadn't played since August in a game and he was carving up the defense. It's Coach Robinson's first year as a DC and we won ten games so who am I to complain. However moving forward I hope lessons were learned because next years schedule is unforgiving. Go Orange!!!!

 

[SU68]

I don't know about the defensive scheming, but I know that execution desperately needs work. How many long runs against us happened because of "whiffs" and arm tackling?

 

[MGraves5]

The special teams was definitely back to mid-season form last night, 1, almost 2 punts blocked, missed FG, failed 2pt conversion, big KO return against us. At least we had a couple of nice returns. But overall that was a disaster and looked alot like the special teams we saw in September. I was so happy we didn't see an onside kick attempt...

 

[USMCSnyper]

Tackling, angles, pressure and ST are our weaknesses.

 

[Atlcuse44]

If McCord moves on, I am concerned that our Offense may not be able to bail the D out like they did so many times this year. I hope we see some portal movement and bring in some LBs and DBs, especially with next year's schedule. We have some young talent coming in but most will need time to be game ready.