This Season = the 2010 season

[MSUDC11]

I see a ton of similarities between this team and Mullen’s second team.

Both teams heavily dependent on the running game. I would say Fitz is a slightly better version of Relf at this point, but it’s not by as much as we would like.

Both teams had issues at WR. Bumphis, Clark, Smith, and Heavens were also an undersized group that weren’t going to do much unless they got a big assist from the running game.

Both defenses are talented and would be considered solid, but not elite. The 2010 defense had some very good performances, but also laid an egg in three of our four losses.

Both teams got big home wins early against struggling blue bloods (UGA in 2010, LSU in 2017).

Very interesting if you really think about it. Perhaps this weekend’s trip to The Plains can mimic our 2010 victory in Gainesville. We shall see.

 

[missouridawg]

Fitz slightly better than Relf? You should put down the sauce.

 

[Maroonthirteen]

I think that is good comparasion.

Fitz looks quicker than Relf was. Passing skills isn't a fair comparison. I don't recall Relf being asked to pass as much as Fitz.

 

[patdog]

Fitz is a much better runner than Relf was, 6.9 YPC vs 3.9. Right now, they're about a push passing, both right at passer rating of 130.

Relf stats

Fitz stats

 

[Wizard of bulldogery]

Chris Relf att com c% yards yd p/a td int rating

JR

QB

13

129

220

58.6

1789

8.1

8.1

13

6

141.0

<tbody>
</tbody>

Fitz

JR

QB

4

57

99

57.6

626

6.3

6.4

7

3

128.0

<tbody>
</tbody>

 

[johnson86-1]

I think that is good comparasion.

Fitz looks quicker than Relf was. Passing skills isn't a fair comparison. I don't recall Relf being asked to pass as much as Fitz.

By the end of 2010, Relf seemed to be better than Fitz is now at passing. But four games in, I don't think there is any difference. For both of them, if you stacked the box to stop the run they are/were good enough to make you pay but still were a little inconsistent. But neither were good enough to beat people with their arm. And neither really had a true number one wide receiver. Although I'd probably give the slight nod to Leon Berry over Gray. But that may be just that my expectations of WRs at state were much lower in 2010 than in 2017.

ETA: As much as I like Relf, I don't think it's fair to say that Fitz is a little better than him. He's still a good bit better than him even if he's about the same as a passer.

 

[coach66]

It's really pretty simple, we got tackled Saturday night and when that happens

it doesn't end well for us. Give GA credit, they put on a tackling exhibition. We depend on breaking tackles to make our
offense go and it didn't happen. Add in the fact that they didn't respect our receivers and 3 points is what you get.

 

[MSUDC11]

The “slightly better than Relf” comment was mostly in reference to the passing game. Fitz definitely has more upside but the results are fairly similar.

And while I also think Fitz is a better runner, Relf was still effective.

Fitz is better, but it’s not by as much as you think. Partly because Relf wasn’t as terrible as some seem to think, and also because Fitz is still really raw as a passer.

 

[Moe Cabelle]

That is what I kept saying. Our guys out of the backfield usually take those passes and turn them into some yards, but georgia - to their credit - hit us every time we caught it. very impressive on d.

That is what made the difference. I'm hopeful, their D is elite and that is what made us look so poor. Gray - normally sure handed - had several pin point passes just stripped from him because of good d. Sure, if he'd have been taller, he'd have stood a better chance, but georgia put on a display.

Bad day for us, but beat Auburn... we back on track!

 

[kired]

I would take 8-4 plus a bowl win this year... but I think Fitz is better all around than Relf, and hope that gets us one extra win somewhere along the way.

One big difference is we were losing a more NFL talent after 2010 (KJ, Chris White, McPhee, Sherrod). I'd say Rankin, Harris, and Gray are the only seniors from this team that may have a future in the NFL. I'm not sure if any of the juniors could blow up and leave early.

 

[RocketDawg]

Relf threw the ball well, but he looked like he was in cold molasses when he ran. Fitz is fast. Runs better than Dak.

 

[Willow Grove Dawg]

This season will probably look more like 2012 than 2010 when it is over

We won 8 games & went to The Gator Bowl (again) in 2012, but we lost BADLY to every good team on our schedule (Bama 38-7, A & M 38-13, LSU 37-17, & Mississippi 41-24). We beat up on bad teams Jackson State, Troy, USA, Kentucky, a bad Tennessee team, MTSU, & a John L Smith UPIG team that quit in July).

That 2010 in hindsight was probably Mullen's 2nd best team (2014). The SEC especially the West was absolutely loaded in 2010. Also the SEC was pretty damned good in 2010 - Auburn National Champs, LSU #8, Bama #10, Arkansas #12, MSU #15, & South Carolina #22. Pernell McPhee, Fletcher Cox, Jonathan Banks, Chris White, KJ Wright, Josh, Boyd, Cam Lawrence, Vick Ballard, Gabe Jackson, & Derek Sherrod have all played in the NFL from the 2010 team

 

[engie]

2010 season with a 2013 roster situation...

It's all lined up for next season.

 

[MSUDawgFan86]

I literally said the same thing the other night on here. Fitz is a better runner but Fitz and Relf are pretty equal at passing. And I lead with I Hate to say it because I don't want to believe that but thats the truth right now. This team is 2010. Can run and play some defense but can't beat the top 20 teams. That falls on Mullen and staff neglecting the WR position. I don't care what anyone says. His recruiting after the 2015 EGG BOWL was that of a person who was job hunting. That or he was asleep at the wheel.

 

[engie]

His recruiting after the 2015 EGG BOWL was that of a person who was job hunting. That or he was asleep at the wheel.

This is fair and correct. And surrounded by plenty of circumstantial evidence. Once he struck out on the jobs, Strick rewarded him with no extension that year. Off those two very good seasons. He didn't actually get extended until Cohen did it last year. And the buyout went way up, or so I heard.

The recruiting was failed at two positions offensively, and it's really a dead horse at this point. Both sides seem to be reinvested -- and WR is something that can be fixed in a single offseason this year if recruiting finishes out the way it is supposed to. The OL on the field is pretty good IMO, although I'd sure love a couple of true blue chips in recruiting that we don't have to wait 3+ years to see become decent. Hev is on notice IMO with Looney here. And Gonzo is staring at the best WR class we've ever had if he can pull off that one final piece down in Louisiana.

 

[Moe Cabelle]

Fitz is far better than Relf at passing. In fact, I thought more than a few of his passes that were on the money would or should have been caught if not for excellant defense or a bigger wr.

Relf could not make a timely decision at all. Fitz is MUCH better than that.

I think Fitz gets a worse case of the yips early on, but once settles down is alright with in play decision making.

 

[Spiderman.sixpack]

Fitz slightly better than Relf? You should put down the sauce.

Yep, but we should be running the offense as if Relf was still here. Get him out of the pocket more, and RUN THE DAMN BALL

 

[Wizard of bulldogery]

Relf was underappreciated. Fitz has yet to prove he is vastly superior to Relf. I do think he has more upside and i feel like either playcalling is holding him back by design he doesn't have the confidence to through the deep ball. throw a floater to one of the big guys 40 yards down the field. if he gets it great if its a pick that's fine if you are running the play at the 50 yard line because it works out as essentially a punt but it spreads the field. we are boxing ourselves in

 

[engie]

I agree. A lot of passes on the money on Saturday that were perfectly defended or maybe we were just purely out-talented at WR vs their DBs. Great WR bail out mediocre QB play, and the inverse is also true..

For example, watch Keytaon's highlights from last year -- or just the title game highlights -- and watch how often Whop bails him out on very imperfect throws. Better yet, just watch Whop's highlights here.



I feel like we've been through this song and dance before -- but some people seem to think it's a really good chance that we get him. I'm skeptical but hopeful.