re: The win was great, but Etling scares me.

The pass protection combined with what seems to be Etling not trusting himself to make the throw on time when he sees it scares me. It looks like he either doesn't trust his arm or his protection. I think he doesn't trust the protection. Here's why:

1. Often he starts to bail out too early because he's already made the decision he's not throwing it on time. This could be not trusting his read/arm or protection.

2. The overthrow to Williams makes it look like he doesn't have a good feel to throw accurately over 10 yards, but then he has made some nice throws in the BYU game and even threw the ball with accuracy against MSU until the 4th quarter. I think its mental, and is something he needs to work out early in the game with high percentage throws, and It looked like Canada tried that in this game, but Etling started trying to press the ball when throwing downfield because he starts to "feel" pressure whether it is there or not. The overthrow to Williams seemed rushed when he had time, and the throw over the middle in the 4th when it should've gone to Williams in the flat were 2 examples of rushing and not seeing the progression because he feels rushed.

As a second year starter and a senior he should not be making these mistakes. He should be coached to move up in the pocket only with the intent of finding a throwing lane and stay poised. His pocket presence seems to be his biggest problem.

I do like his guts and above average running ability to convert 3rd and manageable though.

Here's to hoping his pocket presence improves!!!