I'll feel better if we play well against UTjr. Here is what the Insiders are saying - not making excuses - everyone has injuries - just pointing this out to anyone who wants to understand why we aren't what we have been the last 3 years:
- Beck has lost confidence and regressed severely. Being touted as a Heisman favorite and no. 1 draft pick + NIL with cars and high profile Internet girlfriend did him no favors.
- Decimated by injuries at RB and OL, plus absolute regression at OL play when healthy, will also add to Beck's problems as he thinks he has to do too much. Just found out that Cash Jones, a PWO who is RB2/3 is now in a boot. We will have nothing but true freshman RBs against UTjr, unless ETN can play.
WTH was Kirby thinking by bringing in USC's DB coach? Yes, he can recruit; no, he can't situationally coach a lick. Replacing the guy who is now HC at Syracuse with this guy was a bad misstep that should be remedied quickly after the season.
- We miss Muschamp. Sure, he's there all week planning, but he's at the Vanderbilt games on the weekends. Schumann is a good DC, but Muschamp is the guy who could make the changes mid-game. May be the best D mind in the game, and we don't get him at the game.
We lead the country in dropped passes, and our pass catchers can't catch a cold. It doesn't help that Beck had Bowers and McConkey as security blankets, both top-30 in the NFL, having great years.
- DL decimated in the Clemson game, just getting back. They will be fine but it's taking a while.
All that said, all but a dozen teams would be glad to have our talent. Let's see if the coaches can do their job and get it turned around.