So serious question....what do you think is the issue? Systemic? Just player development (ie Kiehl)?
We know there is talent. We know our kickers are on lock down. Our OL is average but doing ok considering. Are Grimes and Boulware the only 2 coaches meeting expectations then? Is Trooper coaching our WRs up to par? Is Chizik too hands on witht he coordinators now? I know this may be fruitless because we have no bearing on the product on the field but it's fair to ask what the hell is going on. I think we all agree this is unacceptable.
I wish I knew, but whatever it is I don't see an immediate fix.
Frazier is definitely not the answer at quarterback. I thought that last year but kept hoping I was wrong. He makes Kodi Burns look like Aaron Rodgers. Moseley is worse I'm afraid. I hate Trotter left as bad as he was. And you KNOW Neil Caudle is kicking his parents in the face for having him three years too early.
I'm not sure the receivers are that bad or even not being coached well. In that one picture you've got Blake drawing double coverage across the middle, you've got Lutz in his pattern and in the right position and you've got Bray (I think) exactly where he's supposed to be. Any other quarterback in the SEC could make that throw.
YOU could make that throw.
If they are where they are supposed to be -- and granted I haven't broken down any game film -- then the problem reverts back to QB. Cam had no trouble finding open receivers. Neither did Iron Legs Todd. Boy he looks good today, doesn't he?
I think it's just a case of having zero production at quarterback. We don't have anybody AT ALL who can perform at this level. Not sure why that is. Maybe Cam leaving a year early and then not closing Russell Wilson really did wreck the entire plan. Maybe Malzahn just quit teaching or doesn't know how to teach the game (Cam's mechanics were suspect, but he was just freak enough to overcome). But I do know this. If you have a QB who can't get the ball to open receivers, you're not going to get the kind of talent at receiver that can get open down the road.
Defensively I really think Chizik likes the bend but don't break concept. I don't. He's been successful and guided some tremendous defenses as DC but if you look at his HC gigs (not to go all 5-19) the defenses have been awful. 2005 ISU gives up 230 points. 2006 they give up 369. Under Chizik 381 and 430. Rhoads comes in and it goes back to 284. To be fair the last two ISU teams gave up 346 and 382. Only two other ISU teams in history gave up more than 430 in a year. Third worst defense in the history of a horrible program. Three of the worst defenses in Auburn history. You have to wonder why.
I don't know the answer. If we burn Chizik now who is really going to want to come to the program? We might HAVE to take a chance on somebody like Petrino who needs us as much as we need him.
Would you want to take over the program?
Bowden: Wins a record 20-straight games. Fired/quit during his first losing season.
Tuberville: Beats UA six straight times. Undefeated in 2004 (best team in the country). Four first round draft picks. Wins 11 games in 2006. Has first losing season in ten years and is fired/quits.
Chizik: Wins a NC. Recruits like a motherfucker. Coaches a Heisman winner. May have a losing season ???
What does that say?
Is it the Bryant curse? All three won the national coach of the year award. All three fielded an undefeated team.
Short answer? I don't know. I'm disappointed in the way things are and based on what I saw Saturday not hopeful that it can improve much. Too many things were awry to fix them all. Just don't see any easy answers.