Tuesday Question - 10/27/09
by Ivory Tower on Oct 27, 2009 5:31 PM EDT
13 comments
Generally, we are the "authors" of "content" around here - "here" being a blog and not a message board. Recognize, we do, that you've come here not to contribute, but to consume. Nevertheless, there is the sporadic occasion where, either for our benefit or for to exercise the thinkifiers of the masses, we ask you a question. Today's question is ...
Is there an offensive letdown on our horizon?
Apparently, the offense has performed well since its self-inflicted genital tripping against Alabama. With only one truly scary defense left on the schedule - not you John Chavis, your old employer - there is reason to believe that, even allowing for a reasonably "slow" day here or there, Ole Miss will not experience the sort of "season-shattering" sensation of those games against South Carolina and Alabama.
On the other hand, Dexter McCluster and Jevan Snead both had career days against Arkansas. Even assuming that Snead left his funk in early October and Dexter will keep striking quickly when he gets to touch the ball, it is a little homer-ish to assume that they can continue to both produce at such a high level in every game. And an Ole Miss offense where only one of them is on target is much easier to contain.
Furthermore, in a road test against Auburn, would it really be so surprising if Houston Nutt decided to be more ... safe with the offense? The days of Snead staring off toward the sideline for 30 seconds in between every play are, hopefully, over, and more touches for McCluster ought to be fuel for the fire. However, being so confident in the offense before a game on the plains is unsettlingly dissimilar from the way most Rebel fans felt for the first quarter of this season.
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I think our potential offensive production is less about Snead and McCluster
and more about the O-line. Obviously, the mistakes that Snead made and the lack of touches for McCluster were big issues, but a good deal of that was directly or indirectly attributable to the still gestating line. I think they performed well against a better than average Arkansas d-line, and that gives me hope for the rest of the season. I think we’ll see some drop off here or there, but by and large, the worst is behind us.
Yeah.
They didn’t even have Rishaw Johnson for that game. His return should help even more.
Red Cup Rebellion - An Ole Miss Blog
Blame the Baptists.
by Juco All-American on Oct 27, 2009 5:52 PM EDT up reply actions
That's an excellent point, RightRev.
And I think it fits well into the explanations Coach Nutt had for our inability to get the ball to Dexter – that three and outs (on account of pressure on Snead, largely) forced us to abandon our game plan.
However, as I alluded to in the post above, I think the offense is running more quickly – from down to snap – than it was in the first five games. One wonders if that is an indicator of more influence by Kent Austin in play-calling, or if it is simply a product of protection allowing us to stick with the game plan.
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Destroying your traditions since [YEAR REDACTED].
by Ivory Tower on Oct 27, 2009 10:09 PM EDT up reply actions
You're right about the speed of the offense.
The tempo seems to have been turned up a notch. Partly, it’s got to be easier to run play after play when you’re constantly seeing first downs rather than third and longs. When you’ve got protection and you’re picking up good yardage, it’s a lot easier to decide how to organize your playcalling. That being said, it does seem that we’re at least attempting more short yardage passes, screen passes, etc. Clearly, that’s a change from the early games. You’d think that maybe that’s Austin asserting his presence, but there’s no telling. Either way, they need to keep doing what they’re doing.
We will prevail at Auburn if
we play fast defense from the line play, and
we play flawless ball on the offensive side – meaning no three and out possessions, and
our special teams play is on the mark.
I feel pretty confident we will win on Saturday and build momentum for the next two games. Tennessee worries me because Shrimp’n Boat Cap’n Eddie O will be using all the gris gris he can muster to put the fluster on the McCluster. He knows our starters and can work against them.
Keep your finger crossed and do step on any cracks for the next few days.
The Rev says, Alabama Polytechnical Institute – 21, Established in 1848 and war tested Ole Miss – 38.
Not saying we'll beat Tennessee, but
after three years of watching Orgeron games, is it really him you’re worried about?
[sorry...computer went nuts and posted before I was through]Nobody asked me, but...
…I think his point was that Coach OJHFOHIEBFBB (his pronunciation) takes orders better than he gives them and his knowledge of our guys might be a leg up for him IF he can tell Li’l Lane what the secrets are and actually have Li’l Lane understand what he’s saying.
"Happiness is riches, complaint is poverty, and the worst I ever had was wonderful." Brother Dave Gardner
I wasn't specifically posting about the Auburn game ...
and I agree that we should be worried about Tennessee, moreso. However, irrespective of our defense, the strides we have made on the offensive side of the ball may be more “peaks and valleys” than “steady improvement.” I hope not.
Red Cup Rebellion - Changing the culture of Ole Miss Athletics
Destroying your traditions since [YEAR REDACTED].
by Ivory Tower on Oct 27, 2009 10:06 PM EDT up reply actions
Coach O might know the players...
but these players want to stick it to him soooo bad. Wasn’t it Dex that said something about getting the chance to show O just how good the players he recruited really could be without him as their coach?
You are correct, sir...
…and I look forward to that day also!
My poor son (now 12) had to suffer through Fast Eddie’s hot mess of a tenure to the point that occasionally he preferred (at the last minute) to stay at his grandparent’s house {they live in Oxford} and ride the 4-wheeler to going to The Vaught and watching another blood-letting.
"Happiness is riches, complaint is poverty, and the worst I ever had was wonderful." Brother Dave Gardner
I appreciate O for the recruiting. I really do.
But our program was an absolute fucking joke under Orgeron. We couldn’t beat anybody and hardly competed in half of the games we play. Nutt, while not perfect nor the recruiter O was, is such an incredible step up it’s unfathomable at times. We are actually competitive and—get this—winning games against SEC teams!
Red Cup Rebellion - Changing the Culture of Ole Miss Athletics
Take a picture, trick.
by The Ghost of Jay Cutler on Oct 28, 2009 10:05 AM EDT up reply actions
No let down coming in the next two weeks for sure.
by poweforheisman.com on Oct 28, 2009 9:27 AM EDT via mobile reply actions
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