Why Not, Here's a What-If

[javadoc]

Had Pugh not been injured, what would our record have been in the first 4?

 

[ImperialOrange]

Had Pugh not been injured, what would our record have been in the first 4?

Would he be playing on punt coverage vs NW, or @ CB vs U$C?

 

[javadoc]

Would he be playing on punt coverage vs NW, or @ CB vs U$C?

Maybe. Or maybe we don't have to punt as much.

 

[CU44SE]

The only game I believe that may have been different is the Minnesota game. That was Alexanders worst game by far, their pass rush was in Nassib's face all game. The Northwestern game may have turned out differently, but there was way to many mistakes all around that game for one offensive lineman to correct. More of the issues in the Northwestern game were special teams and 2 freak turnovers (lateral behind smith and the kicked up interception). Not Sure Pugh corrects that. The USC game our offensive line played well, dont think Pugh would have made that big of a difference. Maybe a little difference in the Rutgers game because Pugh was still rusty and not in midseason form. Still frustrating we lost that game, we shouldn't have.

 

[ImperialOrange]

Maybe. Or maybe we don't have to punt as much.

or maybe he would've taken out that scumbag ref before he handed NW a first down at the end.

We should've beat NW regardless but he probably couldve flipped the Minne game and perhaps been in better shape for Rutty but him slipping in that game cost us a 10 point swing.

 

[GoSU96]

Would he be playing on punt coverage vs NW, or @ CB vs U$C?

14 instead of 6 on the first two possessions. Maybe SU doesn't punt, or is punting another 10-15 yds upfield.

My guess would be 3-1, and being on a roll the Rutgers game might have been different.

 

[ImperialOrange]

14 instead of 6 on the first two possessions. Maybe SU doesn't punt, or is punting another 10-15 yds upfield.

Same issues with him playing the first half in the USF game though.

Knee jerk reaction is to say we'd have been better but the offense wasn't the biggest issue the first 2 games. They put up 550 and 450 respectively.

 

[CaliCuse]

Had Pugh not been injured, what would our record have been in the first 4?

It might have been "better"!:noidea:

 

[arbitragegls]

^+!...great point Cali!

 

[rrlbees]

The same. 1 player doesn't change every phase of the game.

Sent from my DROIDX using Tapatalk 2

 

[orange79]

While I tend to agree with Bees' point above, you have to wonder what having Pugh would have meant for one drive here or one drive there. One FG drive that is turned into a TD, or one drive that ended in a punt that could have ended in a TD or FG could have turned around 2 or 3 of the games we've played. Best case 7-1, worst case 4-4.

What if - fun game to play.

 

[javadoc]

What if - fun game to play.

Absolutely. And since I didn't say it in the original post, I think we go 3-1, with the U$C loss by 10 or less.

 

[OrangeAl]

The only game I believe that may have been different is the Minnesota game. That was Alexanders worst game by far, their pass rush was in Nassib's face all game. The Northwestern game may have turned out differently, but there was way to many mistakes all around that game for one offensive lineman to correct. More of the issues in the Northwestern game were special teams and 2 freak turnovers (lateral behind smith and the kicked up interception). Not Sure Pugh corrects that. The USC game our offensive line played well, dont think Pugh would have made that big of a difference. Maybe a little difference in the Rutgers game because Pugh was still rusty and not in midseason form. Still frustrating we lost that game, we shouldn't have.

Minnesota absolutely turns to a W. That game was ours if the right side of our line didn't keep caving in.
Northwestern: the botched lateral pass was on the left side of the line, where Pugh would have stopped the penetration that threw the play off. Highly speculative, but call it a win as well.