Mid-season halfway point grade?

[Bigdaddyg1]

College football just about needs a preseason that includes bringing in like 120 players to essentially try out for the 85 man roster. Do this in the Spring and whittle down 20 who aren’t any good then knock out 15 more during camp. If they really aren’t students why not? We obviously have a good many who need to drop to FCS and there can’t possibly be a viable way to assess talent of the portal guys especially if they barely played since high school.

Grade so far is incomplete

[WataugaMan]

The program unfortunately has fallen several steps from 2019. Most of the talent is FCS quality with no depth, especially at OL which is shocking to say the least. Dowell is trying to get us back there but will need more than one abbreviated offseason. He will need to totally clean house and get rid of the players who can’t tackle.

Loggains was hired late into the recruiting season and the cupboard was already empty and it shows. The talent level is what it is, however, continued failures inside the redzone, multiple missed tackles, dropped passes etc. never improve. We now have 2 losses that should have been wins and it will probably cost us a bowl game in the end. And, at this point who would want to go to "The Myrtle Beach Bowl" anyway? In a nutshell some basic improvement in fundamental would be nice.

[ASUFan4863]

The program unfortunately has fallen several steps from 2019. Most of the talent is FCS quality with no depth, especially at OL which is shocking to say the least. Dowell is trying to get us back there but will need more than one abbreviated offseason. He will need to totally clean house and get rid of the players who can’t tackle.

Loggains was hired late into the recruiting season and the cupboard was already empty and it shows. The talent level is what it is, however, continued failures inside the redzone, multiple missed tackles, dropped passes etc. never improve. We now have 2 losses that should have been wins and it will probably cost us a bowl game in the end. And, at this point who would want to go to "The Myrtle Beach Bowl" anyway? In a nutshell some basic improvement in fundamental would be nice.

I agree with everything you have stated. I am disappointed in the playcalling and execution in the redzone. Like all other things, fundamentals have been inconsistent and that shows with the tackling the last two games. I will answer your last question and say I would love a bowl (any bowl) after missing 2 of the last 3.

[Saint3333]

The extra practice that comes with a bowl and less likely attrition (although some is fine) would mean a lot.

[ASUFan4863]

The program unfortunately has fallen several steps from 2019. Most of the talent is FCS quality with no depth, especially at OL which is shocking to say the least. Dowell is trying to get us back there but will need more than one abbreviated offseason. He will need to totally clean house and get rid of the players who can’t tackle.

Well that won't satisfy the Dowell haters (aka the protectors of the alumni only coach)..... They want it now or else they will gripe about how nothing has changed and Coach Dlo sucks. They aren't smart enough to take into consideration that he didn't get a full off-season, it's a first year coach, the team is piecemeal.... Now if there is no progress next year then we can entertain those gripes.

I can watch this team on the field and see they are better coached and schemed. We just need better players in certain spots. OL, LB and Corner are the 3 biggest deficiencies right now. That doesn’t always mean the coaches do the right thing in my view on gameday or succeed with the scheme, but there are foundational positives that I didn’t see the last several years.

[9Steelman]

In game music needs to remember age 40-80 crowd. It is hard for me to adjust to the loud rap music that one cannot understand any of the words. #1 singalong song is “Sweet Caroline” that all ages like and know. It want hurt to play once per season

[Stonewall]

Teams that win big today have duel threat QBs. Well , among other things. The last one we had was Zach.

[WASU 93]

The program unfortunately has fallen several steps from 2019. Most of the talent is FCS quality with no depth, especially at OL which is shocking to say the least. Dowell is trying to get us back there but will need more than one abbreviated offseason. He will need to totally clean house and get rid of the players who can’t tackle.

Well that won't satisfy the Dowell haters (aka the protectors of the alumni only coach)..... They want it now or else they will gripe about how nothing has changed and Coach Dlo sucks. They aren't smart enough to take into consideration that he didn't get a full off-season, it's a first year coach, the team is piecemeal.... Now if there is no progress next year then we can entertain those gripes.

I can watch this team on the field and see they are better coached and schemed. We just need better players in certain spots. OL, LB and Corner are the 3 biggest deficiencies right now. That doesn’t always mean the coaches do the right thing in my view on gameday or succeed with the scheme, but there are foundational positives that I didn’t see the last several years.

You forgot D-Line. We get zero pressure on the QB with our front four and don't stuff the run. I watch this team and see the same thing as last year's defense. No pressure up front and LB's are out of place. Because, we don't get pressure our DB's are not in a position to get knockdown's/interceptions.

And, as another posted mentioned, the repeatable mistakes are baffling. How many times has our d-line been drawn offside this year. We weren't ready for the snap on two goal-line TD's. Penalty on a kickoff that went for a touch back. Missed tackles on routine plays.

Plus, we loaded up on misdirection early, was moving the pocket and effectively using the QB run and went away from all of it, falling into predictable sets and formations.

Where are the foundational positives that you are seeing?

We were embarrassed in Boise, embarrassed by a weak Football team with a hobbled QB who just wanted it more yesterday, scared by Lindenwood and out executed by Southern Miss in a game we could have won. Oregon State was a toss-up that went our way.
We beat Charlotte and Georgia State (two perennial bottom 10 programs).

Also, does Dowell know how to work the officials/be in their ear. I don't see him pulling the head ref over for an explanation. That's one thing I saw with the previous coaching staff that is non-existent.
I am usually one of the most optimistic fans on the board, but this is our reality.

[HurricaneYosef]

B- overall

We have won most of the games we SHOULD have won so far (UNCC, Lindenwood, Ga St, Coastal)

Won the big non con home game against Oregon St... in exciting fashion (where was the defense from that game yesterday???)

We've lost the games we were expected to lose: Boise & USM.

2 of our next 3 are on the road with GaSo at home. True expectation is 1-2 in that stretch, anything better I will be thrilled.

Final 2 at home should both be wins. If this season ends worse than 7-5 that is a huge disappointment regardless of "entire new staff, roster, NIL not enough, injuries, bad luck, etc" excuses.

[WataugaMan]

B- overall

We have won most of the games we SHOULD have won so far (UNCC, Lindenwood, Ga St, Coastal)

I'm confused, didn't we lose to Coastal yesterday?

[HurricaneYosef]

B- overall

We have won most of the games we SHOULD have won so far (UNCC, Lindenwood, Ga St, Coastal)

I'm confused, didn't we lose to Coastal yesterday?

We have won MOST of the games, I didn't say we won all of them

[ASUTodd]

Since Dozier is back and Mbake is back, maybe Swann needs another chance to play some. Kohl ended up playing like Swann did during the last half of the game. Maybe Swann plays diff with some receivers who can play and try their best (not Stroman).

[hapapp]

The program unfortunately has fallen several steps from 2019. Most of the talent is FCS quality with no depth, especially at OL which is shocking to say the least. Dowell is trying to get us back there but will need more than one abbreviated offseason. He will need to totally clean house and get rid of the players who can’t tackle.

Well that won't satisfy the Dowell haters (aka the protectors of the alumni only coach)..... They want it now or else they will gripe about how nothing has changed and Coach Dlo sucks. They aren't smart enough to take into consideration that he didn't get a full off-season, it's a first year coach, the team is piecemeal.... Now if there is no progress next year then we can entertain those gripes.

But it also doesn't absolve him of any criticism of his decision making. I don't understand this notion that anyone who criticizes the current HC somehow means that that individual supports some previous coach. Coaches make debatable decisions. Doesn't mean they were the wrong decisions but certainly one could raise an eyebrow. Was it a mistake to kick the last FG? Was it poor play calling to try to pass twice inside the five yard line? Was it a mistake to go for it on 4th down deep in our own territory? Of course, its never a mistake if it works.

[hapapp]

Since Dozier is back and Mbake is back, maybe Swann needs another chance to play some. Kohl ended up playing like Swann did during the last half of the game. Maybe Swann plays diff with some receivers who can play and try their best (not Stroman).

I'm not ready to throw Kohl under the bus but he really didn't perform well late in the game when the pressure was on. He did exhibit some rookie mistakes and we did survive a couple of near turnovers directly from his play. He was nearly flawless in the first half but his performance tailed off in the second half. Some of that obviously was due to some things Coastal was doing.

We have now lost every 4th quarter this season. By my count, we have been outscored 65-24 in that frame this season. We've been outscored by 24 points in the 2nd half of games to date which means we have outscored opponents in the third but have faded in the final stanza.

[ASUTodd]

Since Dozier is back and Mbake is back, maybe Swann needs another chance to play some. Kohl ended up playing like Swann did during the last half of the game. Maybe Swann plays diff with some receivers who can play and try their best (not Stroman).

I'm not ready to throw Kohl under the bus but he really didn't perform well late in the game when the pressure was on. He did exhibit some rookie mistakes and we did survive a couple of near turnovers directly from his play. He was nearly flawless in the first half but his performance tailed off in the second half. Some of that obviously was due to some things Coastal was doing.

We have now lost every 4th quarter this season. By my count, we have been outscored 65-24 in that frame this season. We've been outscored by 24 points in the 2nd half of games to date which means we have outscored opponents in the third but have faded in the final stanza.

In really looking at it, it won't matter who is QB if we don't have healthy olinemen. Two going down this last game is a back breaker.

[BambooRdApp]

The program unfortunately has fallen several steps from 2019. Most of the talent is FCS quality with no depth, especially at OL which is shocking to say the least. Dowell is trying to get us back there but will need more than one abbreviated offseason. He will need to totally clean house and get rid of the players who can’t tackle.

Well that won't satisfy the Dowell haters (aka the protectors of the alumni only coach)..... They want it now or else they will gripe about how nothing has changed and Coach Dlo sucks. They aren't smart enough to take into consideration that he didn't get a full off-season, it's a first year coach, the team is piecemeal.... Now if there is no progress next year then we can entertain those gripes.

But it also doesn't absolve him of any criticism of his decision making. I don't understand this notion that anyone who criticizes the current HC somehow means that that individual supports some previous coach. Coaches make debatable decisions. Doesn't mean they were the wrong decisions but certainly one could raise an eyebrow. Was it a mistake to kick the last FG? Was it poor play calling to try to pass twice inside the five yard line? Was it a mistake to go for it on 4th down deep in our own territory? Of course, its never a mistake if it works.

Bingo..a critique of a call play or game does not have an agenda attached to it in relation to the previous coaching staff...

[AppSt94]

Since Dozier is back and Mbake is back, maybe Swann needs another chance to play some. Kohl ended up playing like Swann did during the last half of the game. Maybe Swann plays diff with some receivers who can play and try their best (not Stroman).

I'm not ready to throw Kohl under the bus but he really didn't perform well late in the game when the pressure was on. He did exhibit some rookie mistakes and we did survive a couple of near turnovers directly from his play. He was nearly flawless in the first half but his performance tailed off in the second half. Some of that obviously was due to some things Coastal was doing.

We have now lost every 4th quarter this season. By my count, we have been outscored 65-24 in that frame this season. We've been outscored by 24 points in the 2nd half of games to date which means we have outscored opponents in the third but have faded in the final stanza.

Excellent point on the 4th quarter. Does the inefficiency of the offense create issues with the defense by putting them back out there rather quickly?

[WataugaMan]

B- overall

We have won most of the games we SHOULD have won so far (UNCC, Lindenwood, Ga St, Coastal)

I'm confused, didn't we lose to Coastal yesterday?

We have won MOST of the games, I didn't say we won all of them

I don't know, for some reason (UNCC, Lindenwood, Oregon St, Ga St) fits better than (UNCC, Lindenwood, Ga St, Coastal). Then again, I guess that's just me. Peace

[Saint3333]

Since Dozier is back and Mbake is back, maybe Swann needs another chance to play some. Kohl ended up playing like Swann did during the last half of the game. Maybe Swann plays diff with some receivers who can play and try their best (not Stroman).

I'm not ready to throw Kohl under the bus but he really didn't perform well late in the game when the pressure was on. He did exhibit some rookie mistakes and we did survive a couple of near turnovers directly from his play. He was nearly flawless in the first half but his performance tailed off in the second half. Some of that obviously was due to some things Coastal was doing.

We have now lost every 4th quarter this season. By my count, we have been outscored 65-24 in that frame this season. We've been outscored by 24 points in the 2nd half of games to date which means we have outscored opponents in the third but have faded in the final stanza.

Excellent point on the 4th quarter. Does the inefficiency of the offense create issues with the defense by putting them back out there rather quickly?

If they had stopped anyone the first three quarters you may have a point. They had their worst showing of the season from the first snap yesterday.

[Saint3333]

The offensive line is so banged up I’m not sure it matters what pocket passer we put on the field.