Thoughts on the USF Game

[JasonB]

I'll start out with a shoutout to the USF QB. He was outstanding I thought during the game. Kind of reminded me of Ramon back when SMU was horrible and he was really the only good player we had. He is someone they will be able recruit around and build that team back up quickly. That said, you have a true freshman QB, and you call a play with 9 seconds left in the first half and no timeouts?

- The game wasn't perfect yesterday, but we beat USF by more than BYU or Florida did, and McClain didn't start the Florida game. McClain makes up for clear deficiencies they have on the OL and at the WR position. Without them, they have nothing offensively. I wasn't thrilled with our performance, but going in I said I would be happy if we had 40 and they had under 20. So in the end we met expectations.
- A lot of the offensive inconsistencies in the first half were J Thomas. He was clearly carrying an injury and was getting beat off the edge a lot. It led to the interception and several other hits on Mordeci. Overall, the passing game in the first half was a giant scramble drill.
- The shift was interesting - Ali out to LT, Ervin came in for a while at LG, and Hickman at C. The first TD drive in the second half was with that OL package. Hickman was inconsistent at C, but Ali played really well at LT. Surprised me. Morris was in street clothes. Not playing Bryant out there is a statement. Purdue must not be ready just yet. But the shift of Ali really cleaned things up the rest of the game. Which is an important difference about this team. In the past, we made our starters play through injury a lot, and got punished for us. WHen we can bring in new players and actually improve execution, it is just another sign of the improved depth on the team.
- Also interesting that we really trust that Osborne+Bryant combination in the running game. Both of them struggle with footwork in pass protection, but we strongly favor running to that right side now. Bryant has become a very effective run blocker. We have been waiting for a dominant run blocker to develop, and I think he is going to be that guy.
- Bentley was really missed. We had a couple plays where our strong side was right, and we had all the WR bunched right, and ran a play at LG. The "bounce" was available to pop outside the LT and space to run for 25 yards. But Siggers doesn't have that ability. Bentley would have eaten them alive on a couple of running plays. Upton has more bounce than Siggers, but isn't at the same level as Bentley. It was nice to see him get some time.
- If Gray cleans up the drops, he is an NFL receiver. Not sure if it is hand size or what, but he just needs to get better at catching with his hands. The long play at TCU was a great example - all of our other great receivers - Proche, Sanders, Beasley, Sutton - catch that ball with their hands, away from the body. He waited for the ball to come in and pinned it to his body. That is something he can clean up and it will take him to the next level.
- Really surprised that targeting wasn't called on that play to GC in the endzone. Clearly was helmet to helmet
- This was the first game there were a couple of plays were Tanner threw to WR before they made their cuts. It was a planned route and the first read, but it is a step forward. Tanner still gets caught locking in on certain routes, and doesn't scan the entire field quickly. Clock moves a little slow, especially early in the game. The clock and the anticipation need to speed up before we get to the Houston game, because that defense is pretty solid.
- That said, there was one real NFL throw in the third quarter, where he anticipated the WR coming back for the ball and zipped a ball in between three defenders. That was outstanding and shows the potential.
- I'm complaining about potential with a guy with 24 TD passes.
- We scored 41 points when missing our RB the whole game, and our starting LT for the second half. Not bad.
- It seems like every play Moore makes defensively is either hot or cold. It is either great or a mistake. He absolutely blew up a couple of plays with great tackles, especially on that one run behind the line of scrimmage. But then he can't wrap up on the run to the outside near the goalline- just not enough strength to take the player down. And he took an absolutely horrible angle on the QB on a scramble to the outside.
- Really interesting to see Leavitt hold the blitz in his bag. Played pretty generically for a lot of the game, but had that blitz in the bag for when he needed it in order to confuse the young QB. Pretty interesting to watch the playcalling.
- That is one thing I really like that the staff does. They call the game early on both sides to see what the kids can do on their own, and not try to win by scheme alone. They rotate players in all over the place early to get everyone involved. They have enough confidence in the team that they aren't afraid to come out a little slow. we actually rotated WR after the first first down of the game. I dont think anyone else does that.
- Chatman was awesome. The other guy who has been playing really well is Newman, I sure hope he is ready for Navy. He will be a really important piece in that game.
- Jimmy Phillips has had 3 straight really good games. There was a play early on where he took a wide rush at left end, too wide, and it created a huge gap between tackle and guard that their RB hit on a run. But Phillips still circled back and made a tackle, keeping it to a 4 or 5 yard gain. If he didn't react and make that play, that RB had 20+ yards in front of him. He caused the problem, but he is good enough now that he limited the damage. The past couple of years, the RB runs forever.
- I thought the safeties really struggled in coverage. Lots of missed communication, especially on the long plays at the end of the first half and beginning of the second. I *think* Denbow was at fault a couple of times.
- Nice to see Massey get the start. He is going to be awesome.
- QBs are starting to avoid Crossley.
- Rogers had a rough stretch. One of his PI was a good play - he was beat and it was better to have a pass interference than give up a reception. The other I thought was an iffy call. But there were a couple of other plays where a top level QB completes the pass and he gives up the TD. Important to remember he is new at the position, and still developing as a CB. But the Tulane QB, Ritter, and the UCF QB (if he is back then) will hit those passes, and it is something to keep an eye on.
- McMorris is a true frosh, and just like Rogers is still learning. But when his hips aren't set, he really rounds out his movement on an out-route. Causes a lot of separation. Good passing teams are going to take advantage of it if his technique isn't smoothed out. The nice thing is that he isn't targeted for the deep ball - he keeps up well and has good length.
- All that said, it was the first mobile QB and play action game the young secondary has faced. It can be hard, especially for a team that is taught to swarm to the ball. All in all, giving up under 20 points in today's football is really good. The secondary had a rough night, with no INT and no PBU. But the result is a win, and we move on with the third straight year of a 5-0 start.

As for the next game, this team is deep enough across the board to have our best defensive performance against Navy in a long time. Especially if Newman is able to play. That is a really important piece. But I think it is also important to recognize that I have searched all over, and I don't think Leavitt has ever coached against Navy. That might be an issue.

[dalpony]

Thanks JasonB - excellent analysis of our play against USF

[PNW_Stang]

It blows my mind how much you see when you watch a football game. I see 1% of that ha.

[crazy horse]

It was not that long ago when an opponent trotted out a new starter, we usually turned them into a star. Glad those days are behind us.

1st Quarter 4:40ish - If that was not targeting in the End Zone against TE Calcaterra, they need to further clarify the rules.

USFs QB McClain had some very good throws. However, his footwork was awful. On one, it looked like he hopped before throwing downfield, overthrowing a sure TD. (1st half) He was a decent runner. If he improves his accuracy, USF will start winning again.

I may be wrong, but there was little competitive energy with our team for much of the game. They went through the motions and scored as needed. But it appeared there was a TCU hangover.

That must not be the case with a Navy team that is now playing with confidence.

[SMU_Alum11]

It blows my mind how much you see when you watch a football game. I see 1% of that ha.

Shhh Jason will start a substack if he hears this.

[well travelled pony]

Excellent points all around. I wondered about Thomas, as that was not the guy we have seen the last couple of weeks.

As for the non targeting...I was watching the game with some golden domers sitting nearby at a bar. As they were losing to cincy, they took up some interest in our game. They both saw the hit on Calcaterra. They looked at me after everything and said, "wtf? That was a helmet to helmet hit. What? Are all the referees blind?"

And that didn't account for the little facemask, and cheap shots . Two golden domers looked at me and said, "SMU getting no respect."

[BUS]

Coach Dykes tells the guys the same thing. If you don't work harder to get a win, they are not going to give it to you. They don't want SMU to be good. The team is going to have to EARN every point. Don't stop and rest. Earn every point. Prove them wrong.


I have seen this team not have its best and still win, but that will not work against better teams. Keep Preaching Sonny.

[ponyboy]

One wonders how good USF actually is. All of their losses against teams currently ranked.

[JasonB]

That throw their QB made to the 1 was amazing. Put it in the perfect spot.