A few thoughts
Morris is accurate, confident and decisive. We still need to see how he responds to a pass rush that beats him up and turning it over, but he looks legitimately above average at the very least and probably good. Even his deep ball issues seem to be improving. If he can stop the Jake Locker ten yard overthrows he's going to be really tough to beat. He might even hold Sam off for a year if that happens.
The receiver drops are massively aggravating but I think they will work themselves out. Everyone is trying too hard to make a play right now, as they settle in it will start to come. The more important thing for me is they're all open - the lot of them. Not counting the TE's we have five or six receivers who can consistently get open and a scheme that gets them open. The catches will come.
This team believes in itself and is having fun. Jimmy Lake is a cocky son of a bitch and it may bite him in the ass at some point but right now he has this team believing and enjoying itself for the first time since Azeem Victor died and someone else inhabited his body. The emotion of Ulofoshio and Morris especially is so refreshing and contagious. We've long dreamed of a team that talks shit, now we have a team and a coach who do. Enjoy it while we can.
The defense is NASTY. Aside the two drives where OSU got to us on the ground (with probably the best RB in the conference) the first and second team defense have been nails. They shut down Arizona for three quarters yesterday while only getting one turnover despite hitting hard, rushing the passer well and being constantly around the ball. They'll play better opponents but even so they'll get more TO's most games. Best talent we've had yet + Kwat back at DC = best UW defense of the Pete/Lake era.
I can't remember a bigger turnaround from one game to the next from a ST unit. Didn't look like the same unit aside from the Henry misses. Coverage units should be good with as much speed and athleticism as we have. Returners should be good at worst. This unit should make some things happen.
Speaking of ST: The fake FG set the tone for the game. Jimmy No Balls big balled the first drive and we never looked back. Absolutely love the decision, the play call, the execution. Cockiness comes when coaches believe their players can impose their will. Contrast that with Pete's infamous unwillingness to go for it on fourth down early in his tenure. If there's one area Lake seems to have potential to be a clear upgrade over Pete it's in his mentality. That shit's contagious and it appears to already be spreading.
I'm assuming guys like Cam Davis (who has surprisingly good hands), Heimuli and Smalls are going to get more and more PT as we go. Which brings me to my last thought:
This team is YOUNG. Aside from two corners (where we simply reload), Kirkland and maybe Otten) what major contributors are we likely to lose after this season? They could be really good for awhile. Especially if Morris takes a step (he should) and/or Sam is even better (he should be).
The defense collapse down the stretch is disconcerting and the over reliance on the running game still has me nervous, but damn that shit was impressive yesterday. Hard not to be cautiously optimistic. Gotta destroy teams and keep the foot on the gas going forward.
Comments
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A simpler way of saying things:
Throughout the Pete era we had two major weaknesses talent wise (QB and edge) and one major weakness culture wise (mindset).
Right now we seem to have an above average QB, All American edge and badass mindset.
Ho. Lee. Shit. -
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Dammit, I forgot to sign into my @Tequilla handleCFetters_Nacho_Lover said: -
I'm not even considering it a defensive collapse in the the 4th. Most guys playing weren't even in the 2 deeps. Lots of true freshman and rsfr out there, many of them getting their first D1 game experience going up against Arizona's starters. I will say I expected a bit more from Irvin, hopefully it is something along the lines of the kid has been hurt his whole time here and he is just getting back into the swing of things.
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Well Jimmie was out of his MIND for running the fake punt but the team obviously liked the obvious Balls move and the ultimate vote of confidence so that’s a powerful statement to make right off the bat while everyone is wondering how good your offense is
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Look. The older fans here that watched this program win a national fucking championship have every right to be unsatisfied with the 4th quarter performance.BeerThirty said:I'm not even considering it a defensive collapse in the the 4th. Most guys playing weren't even in the 2 deeps. Lots of true freshman and rsfr out there, many of them getting their first D1 game experience going up against Arizona's starters. I will say I expected a bit more from Irvin, hopefully it is something along the lines of the kid has been hurt his whole time here and he is just getting back into the swing of things.
Those if us that barely remember Rick have only Pete and player development and this kind of a program.
Getting your 3 deeps experience so you can get some of them ready for next year is perfectly reasonable, to us.
Irvin I thought many of the tbs'ers shit themselves over, he clung to those wideouts like a fly on shit, he just needs experience and to turn his head around quicker. Keep the program going.
Sidney jones looked really bad in 2014 at times. He wasn't as talented as this kid coming out of hs. -
The 2 TDs given up by Irvin reminded me a lot of VAJ lighting us? up in 2014.haie said:
Look. The older fans here that watched this program win a national fucking championship have every right to be unsatisfied with the 4th quarter performance.BeerThirty said:I'm not even considering it a defensive collapse in the the 4th. Most guys playing weren't even in the 2 deeps. Lots of true freshman and rsfr out there, many of them getting their first D1 game experience going up against Arizona's starters. I will say I expected a bit more from Irvin, hopefully it is something along the lines of the kid has been hurt his whole time here and he is just getting back into the swing of things.
Those if us that barely remember Rick have only Pete and player development and this kind of a program.
Getting your 3 deeps experience so you can get some of them ready for next year is perfectly reasonable, to us.
Irvin I thought many of the tbs'ers shit themselves over, he clung to those wideouts like a fly on shit, he just needs experience and to turn his head around quicker. Keep the program going.
Sidney jones looked really bad in 2014 at times. He wasn't as talented as this kid coming out of hs.
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tldr: 2024 will be SPECIAL
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The biggest thing about Morris is he is willing to stand in the pocket and take a hit. I noticed it vs. OSU but it was even more apparent last night. Numerous plays where he converted a third down with the pass rush just tenths of a second from getting home.
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I watched the program win a national fucking championship. I also realize that this year doesn't mean shit besides getting guys some quality experience. The real score last night was 37-0. Arizona will tell you that toohaie said:
Look. The older fans here that watched this program win a national fucking championship have every right to be unsatisfied with the 4th quarter performance.BeerThirty said:I'm not even considering it a defensive collapse in the the 4th. Most guys playing weren't even in the 2 deeps. Lots of true freshman and rsfr out there, many of them getting their first D1 game experience going up against Arizona's starters. I will say I expected a bit more from Irvin, hopefully it is something along the lines of the kid has been hurt his whole time here and he is just getting back into the swing of things.
Those if us that barely remember Rick have only Pete and player development and this kind of a program.
Getting your 3 deeps experience so you can get some of them ready for next year is perfectly reasonable, to us.
Irvin I thought many of the tbs'ers shit themselves over, he clung to those wideouts like a fly on shit, he just needs experience and to turn his head around quicker. Keep the program going.
Sidney jones looked really bad in 2014 at times. He wasn't as talented as this kid coming out of hs.





