Thoughts - Week 1

[The Prowler]

Leach is a good coach. And they run the air raid well. They are going to get their yardage, high risk high reward. Probably the highest octane passing game we will see all year aside from maybe Aaron Murray.

We will not see another passing team like WSU. Coach Johnson decided to forgo defending against the run, knowing that Coach Leach would rarely run the ball, he made this decision towards the end of the 2nd qtr. Coach Leach's mistake and it's a mistake that he has always made, he'll continue to call up passing plays regardless of what the defense is doing and regardless if the running game is successful.

[The Six]

1) Marshall didn't scare anybody.

Even the losing Cougs QB agrees:

“They ran the ball real, real, real well,” Halliday told The Spokesman-Review. “If they could find a quarterback, they’d be a top-five team in the nation. They just don’t have a guy who can throw it. That running game was something very, very impressive.”

http://www.al.com/auburnfootball/index.ssf/2013/09/washington_state_quarterback_c.html

[The Six]

Furthermore, I've a read a number of folks bang on Mike Leach for not sticking with run. That's not on him. He RARELY calls run plays. He expects the QB to know when and where to check down to the run. So, that's on Halliday more than Leach.

[Townhallsavoy]

Furthermore, I've a read a number of folks bang on Mike Leach for not sticking with run. That's not on him. He RARELY calls run plays. He expects the QB to know when and where to check down to the run. So, that's on Halliday more than Leach.

::Washington State punts or throws an interception::
"Hey kid, what's going on out there?"
"They're dropping off into coverage.  I can't even figure what the fuck #5 is doing when we snap the ball.  He's just running all over the place."
"You need to check to the run."
"Oh, ok coach.  Good call!"
::Washington State racks up 553 rushing yards in the 4th quarter to trounce Auburn 77-31::

[bgreene]

You guys got it bad. I was sure we would see a request for pics by now!

So where are those pics?

[JR4AU]

::Washington State punts or throws an interception::
"Hey kid, what's going on out there?"
"They're dropping off into coverage.  I can't even figure what the fuck #5 is doing when we snap the ball.  He's just running all over the place."
"You need to check to the run."
"Oh, ok coach.  Good call!"
::Washington State racks up 553 rushing yards in the 4th quarter to trounce Auburn 77-31::

Not sure that Leach gives his QB the freedom or not, but have heard Dana Holgorsen relate this story from when he was Leach's OC:

Leach: "What's going on there, why didn't that work?"
Holgorsen:"Coach, they're dropping 8 in coverage, we probably need to run the ball"
Leach: "Fuck it, if you won't call a pass, I will". 

Fact is though, WSU lead for a quarter and a half, and never trailed by more than 7.  They drove the ball late to threaten a tying score too, and did it "doing what they do".  They ran the ball effectively when they did run it, but that's simply not what Leach does, it's not what they practice, it's not a big part of their game plan, nor were they ever in a position to be forced out of their game plan.  If we'd have been playing Georgia Tech, I would not have expected Johnson to abandon the run at any point during that game under the same circumstances.   

[Godfather]

If I said WSU sucks, then I misspoke, but I don't think I said that.  They are a good team, as in well coached.  They lack top level talent. 

Our defense isn't good.  It's purely lack of talent.  They appear to be much better coached.  Whether we "suck" or not, I guess, is a matter of opinion.

Wasn't directed at you, just quoted you cause you were the last one that had said our defense sucked.

[Godfather]

We will not see another passing team like WSU. Coach Johnson decided to forgo defending against the run, knowing that Coach Leach would rarely run the ball, he made this decision towards the end of the 2nd qtr. Coach Leach's mistake and it's a mistake that he has always made, he'll continue to call up passing plays regardless of what the defense is doing and regardless if the running game is successful.

Some folks need to go watch the game again, Prowler is right we were effective against the run until we said fuck it and just played coverage.  The reason they were able to run against us was draw plays that caught us flat footed.  I would have said 3rd quarter.

[wesfau2]

Some folks need to go watch the game again, Prowler is right we were effective against the run until we said fuck it and just played coverage.

I'd say it was a sound strategy.

First half:
21 points, 24/36 264yds 1 TD

Second half:
3 points, 11/29 80yds 0TD

[Townhallsavoy]

Some folks need to go watch the game again, Prowler is right we were effective against the run until we said fuck it and just played coverage.  The reason they were able to run against us was draw plays that caught us flat footed.  I would have said 3rd quarter.

It was the image of seeing both Jake and Frost get swallowed by offensive guards that makes me worry.  I understand that they were passing all night, but every time they ran, our MLBs were absolutely stuffed.  And when they weren't?  They were juked or the missed the tackle or they were too slow to get to the runner. 

[Godfather]

It was the image of seeing both Jake and Frost get swallowed by offensive guards that makes me worry.  I understand that they were passing all night, but every time they ran, our MLBs were absolutely stuffed.  And when they weren't?  They were juked or the missed the tackle or they were too slow to get to the runner.

This is true

[WiregrassTiger]

Sorry I'm late. I know you guys have been anxiously waiting.

D line and defensiive backs look pretty good. I figured our D line would be our strong area and I remember a couple of people on here thought that our d backs would be a strong area. I thought you were idiots. Well, I still think that but you were certainly right. Damn they looked much improved to me. In tackling and most coverage.

Linebacker--Still suspect just like we figured. I don't have much hope for big improvement.

QB: I know it's first game but I'm a little disappointed. I don't like his throwing motion. I didn't know it looked that akward. But he's fast and I bet Gus can work some magic with him.

Receivers--Could have been much better. Think they will improve.

O line and RB's really impressed me. Overall, I think we beat a decent team and I think if we continue to improve we can win 6. Carry on.

[chinook]

additionally, strength and conditioning improvements in the program could be seen through the game. 

[Godfather]

additionally, strength and conditioning improvements in the program could be seen through the game.

Hadn't been mentioned and I agree completely defense definitely looked in shape.

[djsimp]

Hadn't been mentioned and I agree completely defense definitely looked in shape.

They sure did. They looked like they could have gone a whole other quarter of play.

[Snaggletiger]

I liked what I saw Saturday.  Marshall, the receivers and this entire offense will get much better.  If this offense had played even a little above average Saturday night, the game isn't that close. 

As has been said, we won't face anything like that again.  3-9 or not, WSU is coached by Leach.  They moved the ball and scored on just about everyone last year.  They'll do it again against everyone this year. Probably better than last year.

If you were at the game, you saw a constant rotation of our front 4.  Even without Whittaker, we played 8-9 guys all night.  Every 3-4 plays, they ran 2 and sometimes 4 new players out there.  Get Ford back and they will only get better.

We were competitive.  This team fought to the end.  God, I missed that. 

[Tiger Wench]

I agree on the conditioning. Adams is a freaking big boy and he was still freakishly fast in the fourth Q.

[Buzz Killington]

I liked what I saw Saturday.  Marshall, the receivers and this entire offense will get much better.  If this offense had played even a little above average Saturday night, the game isn't that close. 

As has been said, we won't face anything like that again.  3-9 or not, WSU is coached by Leach.  They moved the ball and scored on just about everyone last year.  They'll do it again against everyone this year. Probably better than last year.

If you were at the game, you saw a constant rotation of our front 4.  Even without Whittaker, we played 8-9 guys all night.  Every 3-4 plays, they ran 2 and sometimes 4 new players out there.  Get Ford back and they will only get better.

We were competitive.  This team fought to the end.  God, I missed that.

I agree with everything you said.  Scary, huh?
Did I miss an announcement about Whittaker though?  Was he hurt?  In the doghouse?  On his period?
Wright, Bradley and Adams are going to be beasts against the run when we see a more conventional offense, imo.

[Godfather]

I agree with everything you said.  Scary, huh?
Did I miss an announcement about Whittaker though?  Was he hurt?  In the doghouse?  On his period?
Wright, Bradley and Adams are going to be beasts against the run when we see a more conventional offense, imo.

Whitaker had a procedure on his right knee

[Saniflush]

Even the losing Cougs QB agrees:

http://www.al.com/auburnfootball/index.ssf/2013/09/washington_state_quarterback_c.html

Like he would know.  How many picks did he throw?