I don't think this is the case after last year. From what I saw, Day was 'too' obsessed with ttun, it's just his approach with that obsession was obviously wrong.
I heard earlier in the week that Day had moved Senior Tackle from Game week to during bowl practice. That, in and of itself, isn't really an issue. But he said that he did that so they could continue to 'focus' on game preparation. This raised some concern to me. It sounded like he was trying to squeeze every second of practice time to 'prepare' for The Game. I feared that so much focus on preparation might have the team playing tight, which we have seen Day do a few times in big games. I said as much in a replay to a tweet sent by Tyvis Powell.
That's the game I saw after half way through the 1st quarter. I don't think it was lack of preparation that made the defensive players be out of position several times. It looked like they were so amped up that they were biting too hard, trying to make a big play. It also didn't seem like lack of preparation that caused Stroud to stare down field for several seconds each play and often throw late when he did attempt a pass. Looked to me like he was trying really really hard to make a big play and not make a mistake. Tight as a drum.
The complete change up of the defensive strategy is also another example. The 'balls out' blitz on almost every play was clearly a response to last years plungering is the kind of thing I would expect Rutgers to do against us. Reeks of desperation and I don't think it was necessary. That also took a lot of preparation.
Being prepared is obviously very necessary in modern football, but you have to get your team playing fast and with controlled rage as well. For ttun, you have all pre-season, and at least some amount of practice time throughout the year to introduce ttun concepts. The team seemed to be playing tight as a drum for most of the game on both sides of the ball. So afraid to make mistakes that nothing happened on offense or bad things happened on defense.
What bugs me the most two days later is I'm not sure how Day gets out of this. Someone made the comment on the game thread that NEXT years game was not a must win for Day. While that is obviously true, I think that THIS years game was the must win. The pressure next year will be off the charts. Does Day have the ability to completely change up his approach? Less X's and O's and more attitude or more fun? Is it in his DNA to even do so? Is the team still on board? Everything they have done for an entire year was to get back to that game and win it and it's failed in the most spectacular fashion. If you're a player, do you still trust your coach to put you an a position to succeed, if you do trust your coach do you trust yourself?
Big questions. This loss was bigger than last years, much bigger. If Day can turn it around he will have earned his fat contract in a huge way and begin his journey toward legendary status. I obviously hope he does. That would a fun journey to watch. Right now I'm skeptical.
"You never lose to those fuckers. Ever."
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