Five Keys to Beating Texas State – From the Bird's Nest

[moorecajun]

Not a shred of evidence that is truth. We've got as inconsistent an offense as almost anybody in FBS. Our run defense is okay not great, but pass defense more than makes up for that perceived strength.

We've got a great punter, average place kicker, and a great running back whose lame, and no real holes to run through.

TxSt and UL essentially a pick it. Vegas does give us a double digit road favorite as they did for App State.

It'll be a dogfight. Just be happy with any win.

You still feel that way?

[CajunEXPRESS]

Yes, I'm just astounded about how bad TxSt offense played. Clearly they've established themselves as the worst offense in FBS. Jones was a pretty good QB in his first three seasons. Did he regress, or is this new coaching stafff that depleted of talent? Sixty-six scholarship players. Ricky Bustle started with forty-eight.

I'm going to refrain from expressing more specific criticism of any individual players.

[CharlieK]

Yes, I'm just astounded about how bad TxSt offense played. Clearly they've established themselves as the worst offense in FBS. Jones was a pretty good QB in his first three seasons. Did he regress, or is this new coaching stafff that depleted of talent? Sixty-six scholarship players. Ricky Bustle started with forty-eight.

I'm going to refrain from expressing more specific criticism of any individual players.

My God. That offense made ours look like the 2007 Patriots.

[zephyr]

Yes, I'm just astounded about how bad TxSt offense played. Clearly they've established themselves as the worst offense in FBS. Jones was a pretty good QB in his first three seasons. Did he regress, or is this new coaching stafff that depleted of talent? Sixty-six scholarship players. Ricky Bustle started with forty-eight.

I'm going to refrain from expressing more specific criticism of any individual players.

I'd prefer to think our defense had more to do with it than you want to give them credit for. We are top 50 in total defense in the country and this has been a trend now through the first half of the season. They are a top 50 passing team and average 24 pts per game so they are capable of putting points up as they have put up over 50 twice I believe.

BTW, their problem is not Jones. He has played well this year. It is their OL. They are one of the worst rushing teams in the country and they clearly have problems in pass protection.

[CajunNation]

I don't remember another play where he made a really bad decision. I thought Jennings looked pretty good. He didn't make a lot of big plays but he didn't make bad decisions either and he was much more on target than recent weeks. Its just a shame because playing Texas State was just putting a band aid on a major wound. When we get back to playing better teams, our offense will have to be much better if we want to beat people.

Actually, the way things have worked out this season, Jennings reminds me an awful lot of Haack.

[Just1More]

Actually, the way things have worked out this season, Jennings reminds me an awful lot of Haack.

I thought Jennings resembled Haack when Hud pulled him and put Nixon in the game. That did look similar.

[CajunEXPRESS]

I'd prefer to think our defense had more to do with it than you want to give them credit for. We are top 50 in total defense in the country and this has been a trend now through the first half of the season. They are a top 50 passing team and average 24 pts per game so they are capable of putting points up as they have put up over 50 twice I believe.

BTW, their problem is not Jones. He has played well this year. It is their OL. They are one of the worst rushing teams in the country and they clearly have problems in pass protection.

Somebody on the staff did an outstanding job of scouting and preparing for their offense. The announcer kept commenting on how the Cajuns defense seemed to be in complete knowledge of the play they were running.

[31Ragin97]

Actually I disagree, the interception was a typical 50/50 throw that is part of our game plan each week. Barnes had both hands on the ball and the CB hit the ball , and the safety made a great play to get the ball before stepping out. Anytime a receiver gets both hands on the ball, I don't blame the QB for the interception. It's Barnes job to make the reception at its highest point or knock it down against a 5-10 DB. He threw the ball high where it needed to be placed.

Are those two diff types of ints tracked statistical? Asking seriously....

[Cajunsmike]

Yes, I'm just astounded about how bad TxSt offense played. Clearly they've established themselves as the worst offense in FBS. Jones was a pretty good QB in his first three seasons. Did he regress, or is this new coaching stafff that depleted of talent? Sixty-six scholarship players. Ricky Bustle started with forty-eight.

I'm going to refrain from expressing more specific criticism of any individual players.

Texas State had scored over 30 points in every game but Houston. Prior to Saturday, their offense was more than solid. Now the Cajuns offense has struggled some in most games. Protection issues may improve as the line gets developed but Jennings has to be able to run more effectively for real progress. Ankle may limit that all year.

[CajunT]

Are those two diff types of ints tracked statistical? Asking seriously....

From an official statistics standpoint,no. From coaches grading his play,yes.

[Just1More]

From an official statistics standpoint,no. From coaches grading his play,yes.

But many fans do not evaluate turnovers at all. I find it very hard to listen to a coach tell his defense to "go force turnovers". Then listen to him tell his offense "don't turn the ball over". I completely understand teaching fundamentals. But to act as if "your" defense forced the turnover... but their defense didn't... is one ignorant coach. And to act as if "your" offense coughed up the ball... but their offense didn't... is one ingorant coach.

I cannot tolerate talking about "turnover battles" any more than I can tolerate "tighter shoestring battles". You teach players a multitude of things. If you're going to give speeches to a "team" about "turnovers"... I'd like to smash your head with a iron skillet. And to have explained it 1000 times to people... and still get a jock's interpretation of it... infuriates me.

But as you stated... you don't capture all of the circumstances surrounding a turnover... but the coaches with a smidgeon of sense... certainly grade out the play and look for opportunities to teach the individuals involved.

[Crawfish]

I was watching a game a couple weeks back, and the defense was stripping the ball. They did this at least twice, once right before the ball carrier crossed the goal line. This was a game changer. In these cases, the ball carriers were somewhat at fault for not having the ball tucked away well enough, but the defenders were well schooled in recognizing the opportunity tho strip the ball and took advantage of it. So I can see both sides of this.

But many fans do not evaluate turnovers at all. I find it very hard to listen to a coach tell his defense to "go force turnovers". Then listen to him tell his offense "don't turn the ball over". I completely understand teaching fundamentals. But to act as if "your" defense forced the turnover... but their defense didn't... is one ignorant coach. And to act as if "your" offense coughed up the ball... but their offense didn't... is one ingorant coach.

I cannot tolerate talking about "turnover battles" any more than I can tolerate "tighter shoestring battles". You teach players a multitude of things. If you're going to give speeches to a "team" about "turnovers"... I'd like to smash your head with a iron skillet. And to have explained it 1000 times to people... and still get a jock's interpretation of it... infuriates me.

But as you stated... you don't capture all of the circumstances surrounding a turnover... but the coaches with a smidgeon of sense... certainly grade out the play and look for opportunities to teach the individuals involved.