Unrealistic Expectations?

[couch 'em]

It really feels like the offense is struggling, but is it really?

Padron has wonderful stats, we aren't committing many turnovers, Line is running effectively for the most part. We SHOULD feel pretty good about it.

Do we feel like we are having problems because:

1. we are?
2. pass-happy offense causes a lot of 3-and-outs which feels worse than punting on 4th-and-1?
3. we know Padron's potential and have raised the bar?
4. We are comparing to Hawaii, which we look nothing like?

I'm not sure which.

[fivemon]

we are having trouble converting 3rd downs

[RGV Pony]

I'd like to see a comparison of our opponents 3rd down % vs our 3rd down %

[Nacho]

it feels like other teams have figured us out.

[cutter]

I say, #1 and #4, with part of #3.

it's still a relatively young crew with KP and the receivers (mostly KP), that is still acquiring a solid grip on the offense. yet, you can see improvement in every game. I think, that's all you can ask from these kids. they are playing tough and with intensity. they are learning.
I think, we'll see good development of the offense over the course of the season. next year, I'd like to say 'wow' (okay, maybe towards the end of this season would be nice).

[Harry0569]

The Hawaii Bowl win spoiled us. Period.

We are an extremely young team on offense, and we cannot reasonably expect things to go right every single play. As much as I get frustrated, I have to take a step back, and realize that it will get better down the road.

Our offense will be fine. I have faith that JJ and the offense will work out the kinks. We have seen flashes of brillance, and now we just need to see it all the time.

[George S. Patton]

it feels like other teams have figured us out.

Yes, Rice figured us for 42 points and 375 yards

Yes, Tulsa figured us out 21 points (we had terrible field position the entire night) and 370 yards.

Keep it up. You and couch'em are giving me great material for the upcoming Panic thread.

[ponyboy]

Yep, we are EXACTLY where we should be, if not slightly ahead of where we should be. Chill.

[Tailgate#33]

I'd like to see a comparison of our opponents 3rd down % vs our 3rd down %

Third Down Efficiency SMU 4-13 Tex Tech 9-18

Third Down Efficiency SMU 3-13 UAB 3-10

Third Down Efficiency SMU 5-12 Wash St 4-14

Third Down Efficiency SMU 2-13 TCU 5-11

Third Down Efficiency SMU 6-11 Rice 12-19

Third Down Efficiency SMU 7-14 Tulsa 6-14

Third Down Efficiency SMU 6-13 Navy 7-14

[Harry0569]

I'd like to see a comparison of our opponents 3rd down % vs our 3rd down %

Third Down Efficiency SMU 4-13 Tex Tech 9-18

Third Down Efficiency SMU 3-13 UAB 3-10

Third Down Efficiency SMU 5-12 Wash St 4-14

Third Down Efficiency SMU 2-13 TCU 5-11

Third Down Efficiency SMU 6-11 Rice 12-19

Third Down Efficiency SMU 7-14 Tulsa 6-14

Third Down Efficiency SMU 6-13 Navy 7-14

Because I'm too lazy to look at this, what is the avg. yard to gain on ours/opponent's 3rd down conversions. I have to assume that we are looking at less manageable 3rd downs that our opponents.

[Nacho]

we have lost three games.
it's kind of tough when we send out four wrs and the other team drops back 7-8 in coverage. may be why padron is taking time. line couln't find a hole in the second half so we had that going for us.

[RGV Pony]

better than I thought...but still underperforming our opponents. 37% us vs 44% opponents avg

[davidpaul123]

I'd like to see a comparison of our opponents 3rd down % vs our 3rd down %

Third Down Efficiency SMU 4-13 Tex Tech 9-18

Third Down Efficiency SMU 3-13 UAB 3-10

Third Down Efficiency SMU 5-12 Wash St 4-14

Third Down Efficiency SMU 2-13 TCU 5-11

Third Down Efficiency SMU 6-11 Rice 12-19

Third Down Efficiency SMU 7-14 Tulsa 6-14

Third Down Efficiency SMU 6-13 Navy 7-14

Because I'm too lazy to look at this, what is the avg. yard to gain on ours/opponent's 3rd down conversions. I have to assume that we are looking at less manageable 3rd downs that our opponents.

Not sure it matters. A 3rd and 4 for Navy is prolly about the same as a 3rd and 8 for us.

[Pony_Fan]

Padron's untimely turnovers killed us - end of story.

[mrydel]

Our 3rd down efficiency is not great, but if anyone keeps the numbers I would wager we make a first down on 2nd down much more often than our opponent. It has always seemed to me that Jones likes 5 or more yards a pop. When we get to 3rd down he starts trying to play mind games with the defense, and not concentrate on the yargage needed to gain. Just my observation.