Will be the true barometer for the season. Perhaps Miami was that good. In all the pre-game analysis I listened to, the pundits talked about Miami’s DL, pass rush, and advantage on both LOS. I figured they were right, just didn’t think ours would suck so bad. Canes may truly be a playoff team. The next four opponents are all unranked (aTm will be on Monday). 3/4 games are at home. If Billy is to even dream of surviving this season, he must win all 4. There is no scenario in which losing one or more of those games leads to an overall record in 2024 that merits him getting 2025. So going 4-0 is an implicit requirement. We however need to judge him based on the following: Playcalling- both overall and situational Gameplanning- is it evident we came out with a plan to exploit the opponent’s weaknesses? Adjustments- both at halftime and as the game develops Time management/use of TOs- it’s year 3 man. Is the team ready to play- do we come out swinging at MSU 11 am CT or are we flat like week-old soda. Player response- if things start going south do they rally because you lit a fire or do they mail it in. If outcomes are positive in every single one of those things mentioned, we will go 4-0 in the next 4 games and Billy will have a chance to save his job. We would still have Kentucky, LSU, and Ole Miss at home and F$U, UT on the road. Win 2/5 and we are at 6 wins. But again, it all rests on the next 4. Billy, I really really hope you do it man. Anything less and you’re gone before Jacksonville.
Like I said, 4-0 is implicit if he wishes to survive. It’s how we look in that 4-0 that I am interested in. And like I also said anything other than 4-0 and he’s gone before Jacksonville.
If one of those two losses is against UCF he will be fired that same day and won’t make the trip to Knoxville. At that point we are looking at closing out the season wiith 8 consecutive losses and a 2-10 overall record. Nothing can justify retaining him and Stricklin. Burn it all down.
Nah, he’s done. Yesterday was a culmination of all the issues all of us have watched the past two seasons. Zero progress from game 1 of his tenure. Absolutely no faith anything will change.
For 3 years we have seen no improvement. No scheme changes. Only losing records. But now we are going to win 4 straight? And Tebow will start for us next Saturday. The car is wrecked. The only questions revolve around our exit (jaws of life?), ambulance ride transition, our doctors (administration w/ new hire), our new driver/coach and rehab time.
I don’t disagree with any of that. I didn’t say we would win the next 4. They are simply the barometer. IF Billy goes 4-0 because of the things mentioned, he will have a chance to save his job. All evidence points to the contrary. But we need to give him that 4 game stretch.
What makes you think tamu will be unranked? They were tied with the 7 team in the nation until 130 left in the 4th qtr. They stay ranked imo. Not that it means anything of significance
I think it is a fruitless conversation at this point but I’ll play along….here is my take on the bullet points…but I think the judging has already been done. Playcalling- both overall and situational Already shown to be a poor play caller and is unwilling to change. The unwilling to adapt - IE hire an OC with a modern scheme and more capable play caller- that ship has sailed. Best case scenario for 2024- Napier steps out of playcalling duties and tries Calloway with 100% autonomy. But…likely not enough to salvage season as Calloway cannot install a new offense but will have to tweak the ineffective one Napier uses. Gameplanning- is it evident we came out with a plan to exploit the opponent’s weaknesses? Sadly, this goes against Napiers philosophy (at least on offense). Billy has stated that his offense/he doesnt scheme against specific defenses. He claims his play calls allow players to choose what to do no matter what the defense is called allowing for a good outcome so where on offense as long as his players beat the coverages, etc. What this means is that if he knows a defense is bad or good at say zone or cover 2 man, he won’t call plays to take advantage of that weakness, just call his same route trees against all defenses and someone will get open within his normal play calls. Someone could get open, but it is tactically sub optimal. Instead, a coach should call what will work BEST against a defense not what may work sub optimally, but could work a little bit, against all defenses. Adjustments- both at halftime and as the game develops Has yet to happen. Can’t see it happening now. Time management/use of TOs- it’s year 3 man. “It is year 3 man” is perfect sentiment Is the team ready to play- do we come out swinging at MSU 11 am CT or are we flat like week-old soda. Haven’t been ready since Tennessee last year and rarely ready. Player response- if things start going south do they rally because you lit a fire or do they mail it in. Until yesterday, team has typically fought hard under Napier even when losing. Maybe he can salvage this still. Could be playing Lagway and young guys could help. Sadly, the defense isn’t really addressed at all here and that is a MAJOR issue still.
Game planning, play calling, and adjustments are things that can be corrected, but not by Napier. People need to realize he is just a bad coach. He showed us who he was as a coach the past 2 years and people didn’t want to believe it
He is gone, but him leaving at this point is pointless. Who would even take over at this point that is standing on the sidelines. Unfortunately, he is the best option we have, but there will be a point that he is let go. If you want a quick turnaround, you better hope they can lure Kiffen with a pot of gold. The bad news is he will be playing for a chance at a NT, the good news is if we can land him, mega talent will follow him.
Texas A&M has a really good defense, especially up front, and our offensive line won;t be able to handle them. Not sure how good their offense is because Notre Dame has an elite defense and made their QB look bad. I don't see us beating them, even at home. Mississippi State in Starkville has been tough even for some of our better teams. UCF beat us the last time we played and they'll be fired up to get us again. I'm not optimistic. But you are right in that after the next 4 our prospects for a win look very bleak.
I was hoping for a signature win. Got a signature record setting loss, again. It’s done, papers signed. Maybe Lagway could turn it around for the puds without getting broken. But winter is coming. Both lines look terrible, but they will be warm in the winter.
Good post. I just think we are not a good team with crappy coaching with a myriad of other issues; like poor play calling, inability to adjust, no fire in our belly, etc. Yes, we could win a few more games but I can’t see this team making a rally into decency this season. We are at the beach and it was hard for me to follow the game yesterday but it seemed like Miami scored almost at will on us, like when Grantham, Toney, and Armstrong last year were D coordinators. This year looks to be the same and maybe worse. I’m frankly shocked and PO’d we are so pathetic. Of course I’ll still watch and hope but I do have other things to do.
I did not know that about Napier’s offensive philosophy. If that truly is the case we have all been deceived by him and Stricklin to the tune of dozens of millions of dollars. Fire them now!!!
And with players making money now why are they gonna care? NIL should be performance based with a base salary and bonus for wins. They all probably know Napier is toast so why bust butt and risk injury when your check is already cashed.
To me it was never about wins and losses exactly. It wasn’t 6 wins or 8 wins, it was looking like progress and that is not progress. We got manhandled and tgat wasn’t Georgia or anything close.
