A few thoughts about the NMSU game after sleeping on it.

[ShadowTheHedgehog]

The stadium looked to me like it was 3/4 full at the start of the game, about half full at the middle of the third quarter, and about 1/5 at the middle of the fourth. The student section was pretty much empty by the end of the game. It was, however, an 11 o'clock game, the game was never in doubt, and it was uncomfortable hot in the stands.

Now to some game observations:

We had zero pass-rush on the NMSU QB. This was INMO the main reason for their success in the passing game. Our secondary is young and inexperienced but they did cover the WRs well on the initial routes. Most of the big gains came mainly from NMSU WRs improvising and eventually getting open while their QB could just sit back and wait until he had a target. If we had pressured the NMSU QB while the WRs were running their initial routes (and were covered) they would had been far less successful.

Offensive play calling:

It was very obvious that the play calling philosophy changes on short yardage and goal line situations. I understand that this is normal, but I am talking about a monumental shift. Going from a creative play calling to the same stubborn attempts with the same formations, plays, and personnel. It was very easy for our group to predict about 75-80% of the plays that would be called in those situations (and the result). This is something that reminded us of the HDN days.

Nance could be the new go-to WR. (Like Morgan, Nance was low in the depth chart. I don't understand how they were not evaluated more accurately).

Our running game was better than the stats show. We could had gained more yards (TDs) by giving all the carries to the HB that was "hot" at the time. Instead we distributed the carries among all the HBs (even those that were struggling a bit at fist), to give them all more experience. I think this was by design to get them all ready for SEC play.

The O-Line will get AA killed. I am not sure AA has regressed as much as some people think he is just running for his life most of the time. Enos needs to call some faster developing passing plays. Those slow developing plays fail 80% of the time. (I think this is part of AA's frustration). He threw some very accurate passes into pretty tight windows when he had time to plant his feet and throw.

Finally, LSU paid Troy $985K to beat them on homecoming. I take a 42-24 win over that.

PS: Please  don't play "Oh God Lord it's hard to be humble ..." until we win some SEC games.

WPS!!

[Dr. Starcs]

The stadium looked to me like it was 3/4 full at the start of the game, about half full at the middle of the third quarter, and about 1/5 at the middle of the fourth. The student section was pretty much empty by the end of the game. It was, however, an 11 o'clock game, the game was never in doubt, and it was uncomfortable hot in the stands.

Now to some game observations:

We had zero pass-rush on the NMSU QB. This was INMO the main reason for their success in the passing game. Our secondary is young and inexperienced but they did cover the WRs well on the initial routes. Most of the big gains came mainly from NMSU WRs improvising and eventually getting open while their QB could just sit back and wait until he had a target. If we had pressured the NMSU QB while the WRs were running their initial routes (and were covered) they would had been far less successful.

Offensive play calling:

It was very obvious that the play calling philosophy changes on short yardage and goal line situations. I understand that this is normal, but I am talking about a monumental shift. Going from a creative play calling to the same stubborn attempts with the same formations, plays, and personnel. It was very easy for our group to predict about 75-80% of the plays that would be called in those situations (and the result). This is something that reminded us of the HDN days.

Nance could be the new go-to WR. (Like Morgan, Nance was low in the depth chart. I don't understand how they were not evaluated more accurately).

Our running game was better than the stats show. We could had gained more yards (TDs) by giving all the carries to the HB that was "hot" at the time. Instead we distributed the carries among all the HBs (even those that were struggling a bit at fist), to give them all more experience. I think this was by design to get them all ready for SEC play.

The O-Line will get AA killed. I am not sure AA has regressed as much as some people think he is just running for his life most of the time. Enos needs to call some faster developing passing plays. Those slow developing plays fail 80% of the time. (I think this is part of AA's frustration). He threw some very accurate passes into pretty tight windows when he had time to plant his feet and throw.

Finally, LSU paid Troy $985K to beat them on homecoming. I take a 42-24 win over that.

PS: Please  don't play "O God it's hard to be humble ..." until we win some SEC games.

WPS!!

"O God it's hard to be humble" ?! 

[ShadowTheHedgehog]

Oh Lord.

[Ironhawg]

PS: Please  don't play "Oh God Lord it's hard to be humble ..." until we win some SEC games.

WPS!!

Please just make that 'Hard to be Humble' song go away forever.  I have hated that thing from the first time I heard it.

[factchecker]

Please just make that 'Hard to be Humble' song go away forever.  I have hated that thing from the first time I heard it.

It's a tradition.  Not for you but for the student section and alumni.  You probably complain about our alma mater and wonder why everyone is "pointing to the sky".

Hint: We are pointing to Old Main.

[Ironhawg]

It's a tradition.  Not for you but for the student section and alumni.  You probably complain about our alma mater and wonder why everyone is "pointing to the sky".

Hint: We are pointing to Old Main.

No, I am familiar with the alma mater and love it.  I do not and have never liked this 'tradition' and since I am as entitled to my opinion as you are, feel free to stuff it.

[factchecker]

No, I am familiar with the alma mater and love it.  I do not and have never liked this 'tradition' and since I am as entitled to my opinion as you are, feel free to stuff it.

Your opinion about a tradition intended for students and alumni is worthless.

[The_Iceman]

We decided to take away their run game and force them to pass. While they got some yards and a few points, their stud RB got nothing.

[lakecityhog]

Is that your opinion or a fact? I don't care for the song, but if it makes the students happy more power to 'em.

[KennyForAD]

Please just make that 'Hard to be Humble' song go away forever.  I have hated that thing from the first time I heard it.

It was awesome back when we had good sports.  Now it seems a little .. nonsensical.

[Pigasaurus]

We decided to take away their run game and force them to pass. While they got some yards and a few points, their stud RB got nothing.

Is it possible we sacrificed rushing the Passer for covering the receivers?  And I'm not advocating this strategy. Going back to Tom Landry,  bend but don't break drives me crazy.

[elksnort]

Is that your opinion or a fact? I don't care for the song, but if it makes the students happy more power to 'em.

well, maybe the student should be at the game instead of frat parties

[King]

Do you think the stale goal-line numbers were in part to pad somebody's stats, as in, "we need to get Williams/Whaley etc. a TD in this game"?

[ricepig]

well, maybe the student should be at the game instead of frat parties

I figure they are like the posters on here, some were, some weren't.

[ShadowTheHedgehog]

Is it possible we sacrificed rushing the Passer for covering the receivers?  And I'm not advocating this strategy. Going back to Tom Landry,  bend but don't break drives me crazy.

If so this was only a partial success. The cover was decent at first, but without the pressure, their QB could wait until someone eventually came open.

[elksnort]

I figure they are like the posters on here, some were, some weren't.

According to my daughter, they don't like the 11 am starts. I was disappointed that she wasn't actually at the game but nothing I can do from here. Not sure about your child

[Hogvillage Idiot]

According to my daughter, they don't like the 11 am starts. I was disappointed that she wasn't actually at the game but nothing I can do from here. Not sure about your child

Of course they don't.  They're mostly still in bed and/or suffering from a hangover.  A lot of students that is.

[elksnort]

Of course they don't.  They're mostly still in bed and/or suffering from a hangover.  A lot of students that is.

Love the avitar. 
Yeah I hear you what out hogs get their darn together maybe they won't be at the 11 slot all the time

[MissippHog]

Do you think the stale goal-line numbers were in part to pad somebody's stats, as in, "we need to get Williams/Whaley etc. a TD in this game"?

It sure felt like they were trying every way possible to get Williams a TD. 

[factchecker]

Love the avitar. 
Yeah I hear you what out hogs get their darn together maybe they won't be at the 11 slot all the time

11 am games Razorbacks have played -

2007 season: 2 games - Tennessee and Cotton Bowl
2008 season: 2 games - Alabama and Florida
2009 season: 4 games - Auburn, Ole Miss, South Carolina, Mississippi State
2010 season: 2 games - Georgia and Ole Miss
2011 season: 3 games - SW Classic, Ole Miss, and Vandy
2012 season: 6 games - SW Classic, Auburn, Ole Miss, Tulsa, South Carolina, Miss State
2013 season: 4 games - Southern Miss, South Carolina, Ole Miss, Miss State
2014 season: 1 game - UAB
2015 season: 1 game - Auburn
2016 season: 1 game - Alcorn State
2017 season: TBD - 2 so far with the SW Classic and New Mexico State

[1highhog]

If so this was only a partial success. The cover was decent at first, but without the pressure, their QB could wait until someone eventually came open.

Then we failed to cover their receiver's.

[Pigasaurus]

11 am games Razorbacks have played -

2007 season: 2 games - Tennessee and Cotton Bowl
2008 season: 2 games - Alabama and Florida
2009 season: 4 games - Auburn, Ole Miss, South Carolina, Mississippi State
2010 season: 2 games - Georgia and Ole Miss
2011 season: 3 games - SW Classic, Ole Miss, and Vandy
2012 season: 6 games - SW Classic, Auburn, Ole Miss, Tulsa, South Carolina, Miss State
2013 season: 4 games - Southern Miss, South Carolina, Ole Miss, Miss State
2014 season: 1 game - UAB
2015 season: 1 game - Auburn
2016 season: 1 game - Alcorn State
2017 season: TBD - 2 so far with the SW Classic and New Mexico State

Yeah, the 2009 11am start against Nutt and Ole Miss is burned into the old hate box!

[ShadowTheHedgehog]

Do you think the stale goal-line numbers were in part to pad somebody's stats, as in, "we need to get Williams/Whaley etc. a TD in this game"?

Yes and no. I don't think it was done to pad the stats but mainly experience and confidence.

[JaketheSnake]

Subtle differences in goal line plays. Pulling guard vs a fullback lead or both or neither.  Kicking out can leading into the hole.

[DeltaBoy]

We did good enough to win by 18 points. I'll take it.

[Jim Harris]

Please just make that 'Hard to be Humble' song go away forever.  I have hated that thing from the first time I heard it.

I concur.