I know this isn't enough to satisfy anyone, nor should it be. It is year six. However, I don't think all year sixes are the same. And, while there are a handful of coaches that have turned the ship around much more quickly, I just need the thing to be turned around at some point. Very soon. And, if we're not there yet, where is the progress?
Final record: TBD. Last year was 6 and 7. There is still a chance to finish with 8 wins. That would mean a bowl win and hopefully some momentum heading into the Spring.
Loss differential: We had a couple of close losses last year but, when it got out of hand, we really folded. Our 3 worst losses were by 18, 22, and 24 points. So far this year they are all by 6 to 9 points, except for Ole Miss.
Coaching: Still making some head-scratching decisions that backfire. Still plagued by really stupid mistakes and penalties. At least 1 or 2 losses can be attributed to those. Special teams are better. The team is fighting all the way to the end of the game. The effort is there.
Roster: OL and DL depth is deeper. DB play has shown some really good signs though they've been outmatched several times. Inexperience and youth, along with injury, have made a significant difference at the QB position. There's plenty of talent there though. RB is deep. Is there any position that is worse this year? I don't think so.
Recruiting: I like the way this is shaping up for this year's class. DL class looks phenomenal. Would love to see this continue and get to the point where we are playing mostly JRs and SRs, and RS almost everyone in each class.
I think once we get through the assumed bowl game and see how signing day goes, we will have a much better guage of where this thing is headed. I hope we can keep some continuity in the coaching staff and build some momentum. It feels as though we are finally going to be fielding a full, and experienced team next year. Somehow the penalties and the dumb mistakes have to be coached out this off-season.
Either way, we've likely got 3 games left and then it is going to be a looooong wait for Fall camp.
Final record: TBD. Last year was 6 and 7. There is still a chance to finish with 8 wins. That would mean a bowl win and hopefully some momentum heading into the Spring.
Loss differential: We had a couple of close losses last year but, when it got out of hand, we really folded. Our 3 worst losses were by 18, 22, and 24 points. So far this year they are all by 6 to 9 points, except for Ole Miss.
Coaching: Still making some head-scratching decisions that backfire. Still plagued by really stupid mistakes and penalties. At least 1 or 2 losses can be attributed to those. Special teams are better. The team is fighting all the way to the end of the game. The effort is there.
Roster: OL and DL depth is deeper. DB play has shown some really good signs though they've been outmatched several times. Inexperience and youth, along with injury, have made a significant difference at the QB position. There's plenty of talent there though. RB is deep. Is there any position that is worse this year? I don't think so.
Recruiting: I like the way this is shaping up for this year's class. DL class looks phenomenal. Would love to see this continue and get to the point where we are playing mostly JRs and SRs, and RS almost everyone in each class.
I think once we get through the assumed bowl game and see how signing day goes, we will have a much better guage of where this thing is headed. I hope we can keep some continuity in the coaching staff and build some momentum. It feels as though we are finally going to be fielding a full, and experienced team next year. Somehow the penalties and the dumb mistakes have to be coached out this off-season.
Either way, we've likely got 3 games left and then it is going to be a looooong wait for Fall camp.
