ECU was completely demolished by JMU last night. Game was not close, at all.
ECU was completely demolished by JMU last night. Game was not close, at all.
I think we all know that and many are not surprised the Lions played well. The transfer rule often helps FCS teams and it has SLU. Although we respect SLU and admire their performance, that does not mean we are not correct to be disappointed our team did not play well at times.
The transfer rule makes a big difference if you get top talent at QB or the other skill positions. If the Power 5 split ever happens, the G5 should pull out all the stops and get the same transfer advantage as the FCS schools do now.
Forget the win or the loss or anything like that. I think what is burning every one of our fans today is the way the game went. You nearly doubled us in first downs, had over 300 yards rushing alone when stopping the run was a strength of our team last year and netted over 500 yards on us even with all the special teams craziness that went on for both teams and quite frankly, you guys controlled both lines of scrimmage. Those things are just not supposed to happen. I knew that SLU was going to be better than we perhaps gave you guys credit for and you had some FBS talent on both sides of the ball but a program that had been on the rise over the last 5+ years was supposed to have more talent on the field than we did and was expected to at least wear you guys down during the course off the game. That didn't really happen. That is worrisome.
I thought you guys were pretty good, and have plenty of talent on both sides of the ball. But we're good on offense, regardless of level, especially on the offensive line, even though we were missing two O-line starters last night. We've known that all along, even before Maea Teuhema transferred in. We also have good running backs and wide receivers, and obviously a 4-star transfer QB who played significant snaps as a true freshman in the SEC. We'll move the ball and score on a lot of people.
I don't know how many games you guys will win, but I bet your season goes better than what the perception is right now. You're offensive scheme is improved with your new OC, and you have plenty enough weapons to score points. And you'll play better defense and special teams as the season goes along.
Hope you are right. However, I really am concerned about the defense moving forward. Our linebackers are inexperienced, undersized and played out of position all night. When you are essentially running a 4-2-5 all night, those guys better be able to play gap sound physical football like our LB studs last year could do that. I really don't think these guys are those types of players. While I'm sure it will get better, the question is how much better and I don't think the ceiling is that high. You guys played well and I think you will have a great season as long as you don't get too banged up along the way.
Dave, JMU is a ranked FCS program. They would have scored 60 on us last night. While SLU may be better than predicted, they are not a TOP 10 FCS program. We were lucky to win the game last night. Every team has poor performances every once in a while, but this was SLC team. Based upon last nights performance, we are 3 pts. better than a 2nd or 3rd place SLC program at this point. This is year 7 in the Hudspeth era, that was unacceptable period.
I don't disagree with you T. My point was how poor ECU is not how good JMU is. I live in NC and I will tell you I have spoken to two ECU fans who will tell you that this is the worst FBS team in the country and arguably the worst coached. Remember this is a team that a few years ago we played in the New Orleans Bowl.
ECU would not have scored 60 on us, I can promise you that. But we may have scored that on them
Programs rise and programs fall, and there's usually a coaching change involved with the cycle. Our program is on a downward trajectory and will continue to be so until Hudspeth's contract runs out and we get rid of him.
We all got way too exuberant when Hudspeth got lucky and turned thing round for us as quickly as he did. In hindsight, we should have let Tulane hire him and be the ones to overpay for his services.
Things will improve at UL, but only after Hudspeth is gone. Until that day, what we see is what we get.
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