That really only applies to this season, and it certainly does apply. 21: tcun cheated, and we turned around and won the Rose Bowl. 22: tcun cheated and we turned around and were a missed field goal away from knocking off UGA and an almost certain NC.
Even if you grant tcun 21 as the year that Simple Jim finally finds his baseball: at home against Coombs' defense. There's no fucking way that tcun come out in Ohio Stadium and shut down CJ Stroud without Stalions on the sideline.
Had to put a good amount of thought into this.
- The 2021 game is a wash to me. We lost up front on both sides start to finish.
- The following Rose Bowl was against a VERY flawed Utah squad who had walk-on WR's turned DB. Don't get me wrong, winning against any ranked opponent, especially in The GrandDaddy, isn't taken for granted. But I also have to take into consideration the quality of opponent and the personnel matchup itself.
- 2022 we had possible evidence we suspected cheating but carried on as usual. Even then, for example the bad special teams play and bad execution on a failed 4th down conversion early; we had a level of play from the Bucks that 20 years of previous games we had grown to be the team who made the plays and didn't fade mentally.
- The UGA game was a fantastic offensive display where we matched up very well with a UGA secondary that was the total opposite of how quality their front 7 was. If only the 2022 defense could have been 75% of what we've gotten most of this 23' season, tOSU likely walks over TCU for a natty.
I've seen good coaching from RD, I've seen questionable coaching from RD. However my concerns can be bullet pointed.
- We struggle and lose games against similar talent. 2019 vs Clemson. 2020 vs Bama. 2022 vs UGA.
- The Oline and Dline play, the two big things this fan base railed so passionately about was the deficiency when we would play against big OOC opponents under Tressel, (especially 2006-2008) has regressed the last few years. In particular the Oline this season and the Dline depth the last couple.
- Getting younger players in for meaningful minutes as the season goes, this way you have fresh(er) legs for the home stretch.
- Coordinator and position coaches hampering the growth and development of entire position units.
- Some questionable hiring practices and slow decision making to move on from them.
- NIL concerns and a lack of unification on that front
- The comments that The Game is just another game and players letting slip that sentiment at times. This one is more of a personal thing and interpretation than actually being that quantifiable.
I believe Day still has significant room for improvement and growth as a coach and leader. But his growth starts with the focus on a process of continuous self improvement. We have questions about our position coaches, we have questions about identifying on field leaders for this team, and we have questions about the sharp decline in the play of both lines since the 2019 season.
The Game in particular, cheating or no cheating, has put this team behind the 8 ball. What mental, recruiting and coaching edge with a foundation fought and earned so desperately 20+ years ago is on the cusp of being erased.
What's clear is that this upcoming 2024 season is it. Regardless of the recruiting, NIL, coaching staff, Stallions, Harbaugh, etc etc. Day has to at least show some steady hand guiding the ship, this team must show even 'slow-motion' improvement and you HAVE to beat scUM in C'bus.
Anything less and there will be a new HC in 2025.