Jesus H, you people (insert Tropic Thunder reference here) are so binary in your assessments.
- In order to keep the team from hitting that post big-game lull, a lot of coaches use week 3 tune-ups to install more looks. A lot of those looks
tend to be counters off of what might have failed the previous week (or two) The opening sequence tells us this much because on 2nd and 1, that same YO-motion we gave at Texas that got snuffed out after the fumble, turned into GY strong counter (right) this time.
- Some of the things the Bucks worked on looked clean. Others, not so much and need practice time. - Football is coming back around under center more (HalleFUCKINGlujah!!!) Kent State provided an opportunity to get a great look in at some of them will go because of 1) Kent runs a lot of odd. 2) See tune-up game. Keep in mind, I'm speaking offensively here, so far. I even saw a jumbo package with a 6th OL rocking #81 and power from under center. Any of us should be smiling to see it.
- The OL execution needs to be cleaned up. They got whipped at times vs Texas and had some fortunate one's vs Kent State, where B1G linebackers won't let you get away with it. We had problems last year the lesser talent couldn't exploit. We have had early glimpses of those same late season 2025 problems early. There's still plenty of season to improve.
- Sayin is still Sayin at times. I think he's a smooth operator for the most part and, if you give him time, he can get the ball where it needs to go. But he still struggles with the 3rd level at points. He also needs *JUST* a split second longer in protection than what is ideal for any potential 1st round QB. We saw that with Indiana, Miami and now Texas again. I think he's a fine QB, but he does have limitations.
- The defense is starting to make sense-ish. But I see it as a spiritual successor to a couple of the units Patricia had with the Patriots. Head 2 hi, more cover 2 squads that were bigger up front, didn't have the edge twitch and had a sociopathic level of patience and physicality. Usually he's a coach strongly rooted in Cover 3. But I'm seeing as much MOFO as I've found with him in the last couple years.
The fronts also make sense, and this is where losing Sonny & Arvell hurts. We just don't have the ability to exchange our edge and off-ball LB "plug" pressures that are built on SIM. The defense is about forcing offenses into patient and methodical drives. We don't have the juice across the front to collapse against early down passes and the dline was struggling not to get reach blocked vs Texas.
This team is far from a finished product. They have flaws that carried over from 2025, and some new one's that have made themselves present. It's going to be a week to week adventure. So long as they're ready for the last Saturday in November....
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