2 Games In. More Questions Than Answers

[CajunT]

I've attempted to stay out of these types of conversations, because I think too many aren't really interested in dealing with reality. Some of the reaction to the game, I believe, is a reaction to the over the top coronation of Napier before he had coached a game. And even more so after we had beaten an inferior opponent in our first game. I have to admit, reading some on this forum, you would have thought Miss St was in trouble with the Cajuns coming to town. So when the results looked very similar to what we have experienced in the past, people matched hyperbole with hyperbole to prove a point. The reality is, in the game against Miss St, people saw what they wanted to see. If you saw "better effort" "more discipline" than Hud's teams, you had to be looking for that and saw what you wanted to see. The results does not support that theory. However, I don't think (at least I hope not) that anyone is suggesting that Napier is in trouble after two games. But I also don't think he has done anything to be announced as the savior or legend of this football program. Much of what I have read about Napier on here I remember reading about Hud a few years ago, we all know how that changed. Whatever the reasons, Hud is gone and Napier is here, we have to let him turn this program into his organization which will not happen over night, but it also doesn't protect him from any criticism. He is a first time head coach, there will be mistakes, but ultimately it's about how we fare in conference and recruiting. Until then, I would hope for less hyperbole and more good discussion. My 2 cents, which I am not sure is even worth that much.

This! Debate is fine, hyperbole is not. But you nailed it here when you said the following, "If you saw "better effort" "more discipline" than Hud's teams, you had to be looking for that and saw what you wanted to see. The results does not support that theory." And not all of it was because of the team on the other side of the football field.

The bottom line is the margin of error is not large for UL this week. We need to play well, with discipline and execute in all phases. We are not close to a finished product, or competing at the top of the SBC yet.

[MetryCajun]

This! Debate is fine, hyperbole is not. But you nailed it here when you said the following, "If you saw "better effort" "more discipline" than Hud's teams, you had to be looking for that and saw what you wanted to see. The results does not support that theory." And not all of it was because of the team on the other side of the football field.

The bottom line is the margin of error is not large for UL this week. We need to play well, with discipline and execute in all phases. We are not close to a finished product, or competing at the top of the SBC yet.

Imagine if Hud called a timeout, called another timeout to avoid a delay of game, had a false start penalty and then failed to convert. People here would have rightly lost their minds. Napier is enjoying the honeymoon effect all new coaches get. Like you I want to see what Roberts has planned this week. He has to generate more pressure on the QB without leaving the middle of the field wide open.

[Clutch0364]

I think a problem most fans will always have is that they see G5 teams upsetting P5 teams and think why not us? The problem is that in 99% of those upsets the P5 team is awful. Troy beat lsu and Nebraska but lets not act like either of those 2 teams were good at the time of being beat. Still great wins for Troy.

In year 4 of the Napier era we may still get skull drug by top 15 type teams, like Mississippi State, but that's what happens when you play teams at that level. G5 upsets happen when you are scheduling the mid to bottom of the P5 conferences, not when facing the upper tier of the entire FBS. It all comes down to scheduling...next year Mississippi State will not be as talented as this season and we play on a neutral field, which will help.

I see great things happening with recruiting and hopefully we can start closing that talent gap but it will take time.

[CajunT]

Imagine if Hud called a timeout, called another timeout to avoid a delay of game, had a false start penalty and then failed to convert. People here would have rightly lost their minds. Napier is enjoying the honeymoon effect all new coaches get. Like you I want to see what Roberts has planned this week. He has to generate more pressure on the QB without leaving the middle of the field wide open.

I think that is fair. Improvement is necessary in order to sell your process to season ticket holders and fans. Understanding the competition that past Saturday, I was expecting marginal improvement on both sides of the football. Small increments of improvement would have been considered reasonable, I just didn't see it.

[Boomer]

Didn't our outmanned defense put Moo State in 3rd and long many times only to fall short? I'm thinking we're going to continue to improve this year. Still expecting a bowl

.......Glad you mentioned 3rd down defense that killed us along with 3rd/4th down offense.....just think about time of possession and what that meant along with field position and it’s effects in scoring opportunities......that was the frustration for many!

[JamesTheJeweler]

I’ve been telling you guys this. We killed the momentum we had with Hud and hit the reset button hiring this guy.

We were just a few plays here and their from 10-2 last season. We were looking to break out with that record this year. Now it’s all out the window.

Delusional much?

[BananaHammock]

We didn't stand a chance in this game from the moment it was put on the schedule, stop being so critical of the performance. Miss State has elite talent that on it's worst days is still better than a lot of teams on their best days. You can't teach size, speed or pure athletic ability.

There is a reason the Bulldogs are ranked in the Top 25 and we are not. The faster most people understand this, the more enjoyable the rest of the season will be and the more you will appreciate why a new coach needs several years to make meaningful changes. Rebuilding a program is a marathon not a sprint.

[cajun_lannister]

We didn't stand a chance in this game from the moment it was put on the schedule, stop being so critical of the performance. Miss State has elite talent that on it's worst days is still better than a lot of teams on their best days. You can't teach size, speed or pure athletic ability.

There is a reason the Bulldogs are ranked in the Top 25 and we are not. The faster most people understand this, the more enjoyable the rest of the season will be and the more you will appreciate why a new coach needs several years to make meaningful changes. Rebuilding a program is a marathon not a sprint.

I was not upset of the performance just upset at the mistakes we made .

Guy beating us over the middle because our guys could not keep up with the speed no problem but backside LBs letting Fitzgerald walk in because they gave up on the play that's a huge problem.

OL played OUTSTANDING & DL did a pretty good job for the most part.

But Raymond should be taken out back and beaten for trying to run it out the endzone

[BeauCajun]

Delusional much?

Dang, after a week Runner still out catching fish. He obviously uses good bait.

[Frenchie35]

I have come to the conclusion that we are what we are. Go back how many years you want and it's a roller coaster of wins and losses. Until we have several seasons of 9-3, 10-2, 11-1 and win the SBC year after year, than other conferences see that we don't belong in the SBC, they might come knocking on our door. It's a catch 22, win and you get the recruits you want. You get the talent recruits you want and you win......Till then enjoy Sat. nights at the swamp.......

[Cajunsmike]

Improve the stadium, yes. Expand the stadium, no. Attendance is going south at all college sporting events. There is absolutely no need for additional seating at Cajun Field. Add more amenities instead.

I would be surprised if seating is not reduced slightly when the upgrades occur.

[Cajunsmike]

I've attempted to stay out of these types of conversations, because I think too many aren't really interested in dealing with reality. Some of the reaction to the game, I believe, is a reaction to the over the top coronation of Napier before he had coached a game. And even more so after we had beaten an inferior opponent in our first game. I have to admit, reading some on this forum, you would have thought Miss St was in trouble with the Cajuns coming to town. So when the results looked very similar to what we have experienced in the past, people matched hyperbole with hyperbole to prove a point. The reality is, in the game against Miss St, people saw what they wanted to see. If you saw "better effort" "more discipline" than Hud's teams, you had to be looking for that and saw what you wanted to see. The results does not support that theory. However, I don't think (at least I hope not) that anyone is suggesting that Napier is in trouble after two games. But I also don't think he has done anything to be announced as the savior or legend of this football program. Much of what I have read about Napier on here I remember reading about Hud a few years ago, we all know how that changed. Whatever the reasons, Hud is gone and Napier is here, we have to let him turn this program into his organization which will not happen over night, but it also doesn't protect him from any criticism. He is a first time head coach, there will be mistakes, but ultimately it's about how we fare in conference and recruiting. Until then, I would hope for less hyperbole and more good discussion. My 2 cents, which I am not sure is even worth that much.

Less hyperbole on a fan message board is very much of a "stretch" goal. After all, fan is short of fanatic. At times, emotion trumps logic when discussing our team. Goes on everywhere, not just here.