ranters will not like ATVS's breakdown of the game.

quote:

---

This is the best team we’ve played thus far and they rank 51st in the S&P+

---

Wow, now we have to justify struggling to a team not even rated in the Top 50. What a new high for this program

quote:

---

Miles would often revert to conservative styles in ugly games that never pushed his teams to work on weaknesses like making plays in the passing game when the running game isn’t there. It’s never fun to watch but O was clearly trying to work on pain points.

---

Is it wise to work on "pain points" during a competitive game, or is the point to win the game?

You don't work on stuff you don't have down pat during the game. That's what practice is for.

quote:

---

It’s okay, just admit you miss Les.

---

You're damn right I miss Miles.

quote:

---

Our SEC bias stands in the way of acknowledging solid non-con opponents that don’t meet the helmet test. This is the best team we’ve played thus far and they rank 51st in the S&P+, yet all people want to talk about is how “terrible” they are.

---

Wait, so a team that lost at home to Middle Tennessee State is now considered solid competition?

Oh, and about using S&P+ at this point in the season...it has FSU ranked #3 and LSU ranked #12 ( LINK). Seem reliable to you?

Football is literally and figuratively a game of inches. An inch here and an inch there makes a difference. As the defense kind of waxes and wanes with whatever the DL on the field has in the tank at the time of the snap, the offense seems to be taking 2 steps forward and 1 step backwards.

When things were clicking - a little - vs BYU, you could kind of see the pattern, the tapestry that Canada is trying to weave. It's just execution around the edges - a drop here, a very young guard getting caught out of position there -

But, we keep playing these young players and at some point, they'll be veterans - they've already played 1/3 of a season now.

And anyone who doesn't think O and company aren't working on the obvious problems just isn't paying attention. We had no penalties (or maybe just 1) until early in the 4th Quarter. We're not returning kicks all that well (apparent regression), but we're punting and covering punts better.

Every kicker/punter has played at critical moments. Every offensive lineman, whether he's 17 or 23 has played - I think except Deculus (but maybe he got in the early games). Every defensive lineman available for every game has played. We've played true freshmen at every position, I think, except TE and tackle (both ways).

Aranda is proven. Canada's scheme is mostly proven. The talent level on the team is pretty objectively verifiable. They're just inexperienced - couple that with off-season attrition, some off-the-field issues that are rightly being handled with suspensions and a few injuries, the team that is playing is just inexperienced.

That's actually the best problem to have - if you're going to have a problem at all - that problem cures itself over time.

Good analysis