To be honest

[HamSammich]

We were one blown, really bad call, and a muffed punt away from this game being a blow out. I absolutely loved seeing Lamar Jackson visibly flustered all night. This defense is going to be something special next year. Guys, think about it, we just gave a former heisman winner his worst game!

 

[Ishmael]

I assume you’re referring to the late hit out of bounds as the really bad call, but watching the game live I thought there were 4 or 5 terrible calls that went against us, plus the muffed punt, plus the weird kick off after the first score to give the defense bad starting field position.

 

[msstate7]

With an interim DC. Add in rivers, Cole, landrews, and autry, and we could be really tough next season. I expect a big bounce back from Leo next season. I expect a big jump from gay and dantzler. I like that shoop will be working with our safeties too bc I think we have underperformed there. This defense will be unbelievable next season

 

[kired]

Don’t forget Todd’s fumble and dropped 40-50 yard wide open pass. The muffed punt actually didn’t hurt us - they missed the FG after it.

What was the weird kickoff after our first score? Saw a replay but missed it live, was taking my kid to the restroom. Was that intentional?

 

[BogeyGolfer.sixpack]

The extra practices really helped Key...

If you think about it, we were probably close to a top 10 team after beating Arkansas and taking Bama to the wire. The Fitz injury/Ole Miss loss and Mullen leaving changed the perception of the team. But we still have the same players and we had time to get Thompson much needed reps. The more I think about it, this win is not a big surprise. I think if we were fully loaded, we would have beat this team by 3 td's....

 

[RocketDawg]

The extra practices probably helped him more than it has ever helped our players before. That, and when it's "your game" instead of coming in as a sub, the whole thing becomes different.

 

[HamSammich]

Yes, I meant the late hit/fumble. I agree, there were multiple blown/no calls.

 

[Dawgzilla]

Do y'all really think KT played that much better yesterday than the Egg Bowl? ETA: I thought he played fine in both games. I'm not being critical of him, I just don't think his Egg Bowl performance was all that bad other than the turnovers.

I mean, his stats from the two games really aren't that different, and even just going by the eye test I thought his play was about equal in the two games. He had a couple of fumbles against UM, of course, while his interception against UM can be blamed on the coaches whereas his INT yesterday was all his fault.

I'm not saying this to be critical at all, I just really don't think our coaching staff handled the loss of Fitz very well, whereas yesterday Key was only asked to do the things he could do well, And he didn't fumble.

Key did look totally unprepared to enter the game against UM, and it was game 12. He should have been ready. I blame the coaches at least 90% for Key being unprepared in that game, and another 90% of credit for having a gameplan ready for him yesterday.

 

[Seinfeld]

Yep, there were quite a few big plays that all went Louisville's way, and I was really beginning to think by the 3rd quarter that yesterday's game was just not meant to be. In addition to all the bad calls, how about LJ's 2 fumbles that miraculously bounced back into his hands? One took a ridiculous hop off the turf right back into his arms while he was standing upright, and then there was the one that rolled around on the ground for a while that unbelievably made its way back over to him as well.

Whatever the case, I think we're in a great spot heading into next season, and I would personally be very worried if I was a Louisville fan. I feel safe in saying that we would have won by 30 without Jackson playing yesterday, and I wouldn't want to have to be thinking about life with out him along with another Sirmon defense next year.

 

[preacher_dawg]

I remember there was only 1 really bad throw that turned into an interception that I don't think Fitz would have made. It was one of the first series after Fitz got hurt and set the tone for the game and having to come from behind. Other than that one throw, I thought he did pretty good.

 

[IBleedMaroonDawg]

Do y'all really think KT played that much better yesterday than the Egg Bowl? ETA: I thought he played fine in both games. I'm not being critical of him, I just don't think his Egg Bowl performance was all that bad other than the turnovers.

I mean, his stats from the two games really aren't that different, and even just going by the eye test I thought his play was about equal in the two games. He had a couple of fumbles against UM, of course, while his interception against UM can be blamed on the coaches whereas his INT yesterday was all his fault.

I'm not saying this to be critical at all, I just really don't think our coaching staff handled the loss of Fitz very well, whereas yesterday Key was only asked to do the things he could do well, And he didn't fumble.

Key did look totally unprepared to enter the game against UM, and it was game 12. He should have been ready. I blame the coaches at least 90% for Key being unprepared in that game, and another 90% of credit for having a gameplan ready for him yesterday.

I agree completely. I attribute his turnovers to not being ready to take over the game, which I blame the coaches. It was well known that the EB was going to be physical and highly emotional. They should have prepared him to be ready for anything, to be ready at any moment. He did a great job of taking care of the ball yesterday when he was running the ball.

I am just as excited about our offense for next season as I am for the defense. Coach Joe will find ways to get folks like Mixon and Dear the ball in space. I imagine he will do the same for Kylin. Imagine him getting the ball in space instead of just between the tackles.

I appreciate everything DM did for us, but I am convinced our biggest upgrade for next season will be at coaching... across the entire staff.