My thoughts on the UCLA game

[utisdabomb12]

1-I think a critical point of the game was when Jackson went out with an injury. UCLA started running the ball much better with him out of the game. Hopefully, he's fine.

2-I saw improvement on both sides of the ball, that's all I really wanted to see. 

3-Swoopes can be our QB. Hasn't made any big mistakes in the first two games and his passing technique has improved significantly from last year. You have to also remember that Swoopes is doing all of this with a below average offensive line at the moment. 

4-Having Estelle, Harrison and Daje would have been big this game. I'm all for enforcing the rules so I have no problem with the suspensions. Like I've said before short-term goals like wins can't outweigh the long-term goals like championships. Strong can't sacrifice his rules or he will lose the team. Matter of fact, if Estelle and Harrison aren't going to cut it just get rid of them IMO. Let's get this offensive line some experience and bring guys in that aren't going to be trouble makers. 

5-I saw improvement on the offensive line. Particularly from Raulerson. 

7-Our punter out kicks the coverage. 

8-Jason Hall is proof that recruiting insiders can be wrong. How he was a mid range 3 star is pretty incredible. 

9-Not really sure the hate with Watson. He tried to go down field 5 or 6 times and it either A) just wasn't there B) Swoopes didn't release the ball or C) The offensive line couldn't contain in pass blocking. I personally think Watson has done a decent job when you factor in that 6 preseason starters are out. I won't judge Watson until we actually have an offensive line and a QB with some experience. I will say this, we should run a little more hurry up. That's when Swoopes seems most comfortable. 

10-We are redshirting a lot of players and I like that. 

11-You don't fix the problems Mack left behind in a week. It takes time. I saw progression tonight. 

12-We need a big play threat on offense. Maybe that can be Daje if he comes back. 

13-Also, not real sure why people are blaming Strong/Watson for the mismanagement of timeouts in the second half. You either take those timeouts or take a delay of game penalty. Our offense can't afford to have those penalties so I have no problem with the timeouts. You are going to have a few problems getting plays off when you have a new center and QB, that's just the nature of the beast. I'm surprised we didn't have more problems with QB and center exchanges to be honest. 

 

[utisdabomb12]

Swoopes completed 76 percent of hiss passes tonight and had a 141 QB rating. I honestly thought this was Heard's job to lose but I haven't seen anything from Swoopes that tells me he can't be the guy. If this is the low end of what we expect from Swoopes he's got to be our guy. 

 

[Sirhornsalot]

Swoopes completed 76 percent of hiss passes tonight and had a 141 QB rating. I honestly thought this was Heard's job to lose but I haven't seen anything from Swoopes that tells me he can't be the guy. If this is the low end of what we expect from Swoopes he's got to be our guy. 

Agree and also with your list in the initial post.

I'll add . . . I'll give a game ball to Watson. He did not abandon the run despite the fact it wasn't productive through three quarters. He was patient and that paid off in the 4th.

 

[utisdabomb12]

Agree and also with your list in the initial post.

I'll add . . . I'll give a game ball to Watson. He did not abandon the run despite the fact it wasn't productive through three quarters. He was patient and that paid off in the 4th.

I agree. I think the biggest problem with Watson is there was such a negative preconception about him before he even coached a down. I don't think people grasp how difficult it is when you have an offensive line that has less than 10 starts and a QB that's inexperienced. The fact that the offense isn't turning the ball over a million times right now is a victory to be honest. 

 

[Duke C #11]

Tyrone Swoopes can be a STAR. IMO, run defense is what needs the most work.

 

[Tulsahorn]

1-I think a critical point of the game was when Jackson went out with an injury. UCLA started running the ball much better with him out of the game. Hopefully, he's fine.

2-I saw improvement on both sides of the ball, that's all I really wanted to see. 

3-Swoopes can be our QB. Hasn't made any big mistakes in the first two games and his passing technique has improved significantly from last year. You have to also remember that Swoopes is doing all of this with a below average offensive line at the moment. 

4-Having Estelle, Harrison and Daje would have been big this game. I'm all for enforcing the rules so I have no problem with the suspensions. Like I've said before short-term goals like wins can't outweigh the long-term goals like championships. Strong can't sacrifice his rules or he will lose the team. Matter of fact, if Estelle and Harrison aren't going to cut it just get rid of them IMO. Let's get this offensive line some experience and bring guys in that aren't going to be trouble makers. 

5-I saw improvement on the offensive line. Particularly from Raulerson. 

7-Our punter out kicks the coverage. 

8-Jason Hall is proof that recruiting insiders can be wrong. How he was a mid range 3 star is pretty incredible. 

9-Not really sure the hate with Watson. He tried to go down field 5 or 6 times and it either A) just wasn't there B) Swoopes didn't release the ball or C) The offensive line couldn't contain in pass blocking. I personally think Watson has done a decent job when you factor in that 6 preseason starters are out. I won't judge Watson until we actually have an offensive line and a QB with some experience. I will say this, we should run a little more hurry up. That's when Swoopes seems most comfortable. 

10-We are redshirting a lot of players and I like that. 

11-You don't fix the problems Mack left behind in a week. It takes time. I saw progression tonight. 

12-We need a big play threat on offense. Maybe that can be Daje if he comes back. 

13-Also, not real sure why people are blaming Strong/Watson for the mismanagement of timeouts in the second half. You either take those timeouts or take a delay of game penalty. Our offense can't afford to have those penalties so I have no problem with the timeouts. You are going to have a few problems getting plays off when you have a new center and QB, that's just the nature of the beast. I'm surprised we didn't have more problems with QB and center exchanges to be honest. 

Excellent post.