This team is officially improved from last year in my view. After this win I feel like that is a credible view. Here is my bullet point list of reasons why:
- obviously 6 wins is better than 4 - that one is easy
- road win at Arkansas this year - got blown out at home against Arky last year
- beat KSU this year, not competitive against them last year
- played TCU, OSU, WVU competitively this year with a legit chance to win - non competitive against TCU and OSU last year
- will be bowl eligible this year - were not last year
- offense is a legit Top 10 offense this year - was not last year
You may say what about the defense? There is no improvement there?
That may be true but the last two games the defense has shown better ability to play the run
and the young LB's seem to be showing some improvement so I will give a nod to the defense
for some possible slight improvement.
Overall, I don't see any doubt that the team as a whole is improved and the results prove it to me.
This win was one of the most important Kliff has had imo. I say that because it changes the perception of the program as one that trends downward towards the end of the season to one that managed to solidify bowl eligibility. The bowl itself is almost meaningless for me. It will be a minor bowl. But the opportunity to get all they younger players the extra practices and reps is huge for this program. Particularly the younger players on defense starting to show signs of progress. This win also will help solidify the recruiting class I would think. Lots of young players on the offensive side will benefit as well.
This win takes a lot of pressure off the program and allows the team to enter the UT game relaxed knowing the bowl bid is already in hand. We can play that game loose and to win and not conservatively and afraid to lose. We can approach that game kind of like a bowl game.
A win at UT will move this year solidly ahead of last year and would be somewhat like icing on the cake for me. It's definitely doable and should be a little easier to get done after the win today.
I hope this win will allow the staff to settle in now and work on continuing to build the program and move forward regardless of the outcome of the UT game.
- obviously 6 wins is better than 4 - that one is easy
- road win at Arkansas this year - got blown out at home against Arky last year
- beat KSU this year, not competitive against them last year
- played TCU, OSU, WVU competitively this year with a legit chance to win - non competitive against TCU and OSU last year
- will be bowl eligible this year - were not last year
- offense is a legit Top 10 offense this year - was not last year
You may say what about the defense? There is no improvement there?
That may be true but the last two games the defense has shown better ability to play the run
and the young LB's seem to be showing some improvement so I will give a nod to the defense
for some possible slight improvement.
Overall, I don't see any doubt that the team as a whole is improved and the results prove it to me.
This win was one of the most important Kliff has had imo. I say that because it changes the perception of the program as one that trends downward towards the end of the season to one that managed to solidify bowl eligibility. The bowl itself is almost meaningless for me. It will be a minor bowl. But the opportunity to get all they younger players the extra practices and reps is huge for this program. Particularly the younger players on defense starting to show signs of progress. This win also will help solidify the recruiting class I would think. Lots of young players on the offensive side will benefit as well.
This win takes a lot of pressure off the program and allows the team to enter the UT game relaxed knowing the bowl bid is already in hand. We can play that game loose and to win and not conservatively and afraid to lose. We can approach that game kind of like a bowl game.
A win at UT will move this year solidly ahead of last year and would be somewhat like icing on the cake for me. It's definitely doable and should be a little easier to get done after the win today.
I hope this win will allow the staff to settle in now and work on continuing to build the program and move forward regardless of the outcome of the UT game.
