Well, I haven't really had much time to weigh in on Saturday yet, so this is late but here's a few things to look for from the game on the Sunday replay.
- Offense - this game reminded me a lot of the Louisiana Tech game last year. The running game was there. All night. I'm not sure there was reason to throw the ball 12 times, much less 22. It was a complete regression from last week - and that doesn't absolve Jordan Jefferson of any blame. But it felt like another case of Gary Crowton trying to pound a round peg into a square hole. And so long as he insists on doing that, it doesn't matter who the quarterback is. The lack of carryover of what works from week to week reminds me of the "Maleveto" defensive coordinator partnership of 2008. Scary thought.
- That being said, if you were in that stadium and you think you're going to change something by booing the starting quarterback, you fail the dumb test. Also, you're pretty much a shitty person. Nobody's happy about the situation. You want to complain on here, on a message board, on the postgame show, go ahead (especially if you read this site). But don't boo a college kid. You're supposed to be a fan of this team, remember? I wanted to dish out a couple of sack kicks in section 213 Saturday night.
- That statement should not be construed as a defense of Jefferson. I'm willing to give Jarrett Lee some kind of chance - if nothing else he'll be more accurate on the simple passes. But neither quarterback will have much success if this offense doesn't focus on the things it does well - inside zone running and quick playaction passes.
- Kneel. Before. Zod. That's good hustle No. 7. You may pose away.
- I don't have a problem giving Peterson a break on returns occasionally, but not for the whole game. But he did go in the lockerroom once or twice so there might have been a minor injury and they wanted him fresh on defense. And he was aligned in multiple spots on defense - even middle linebacker at one point. Which was likely a means of keeping him spying on Jock Sanders or Noel Devine.
- Linebacker play was fantastic, especially in coverage. Kelvin Sheppard wasn't flashy, but didn't miss many tackles and played his assignments well. Ryan Baker is playing like one of the best linebackers in the SEC.
- Cookie Monster continues to chase the cookie.
- Sam Montgomery had a great all-around game. He's a heady player against the run, rarely getting trapped inside. And he does a great job of using his hands to keep blockers off him.
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Geno Smith may have nightmares about Barkevious Mingo charging him down tonight. By the last two drives the Mountaineer QB was clearly rattled by the Tiger D and the stadium crowd. He even lined up under guard at one point.
- Somewhere, an NFL special teams coach is going to watch tape of Daniel Graf and really, really want his team to pick him up. It may not be very likely to happen, but that's still good hustle.
- Tyrann (osaurus) -- another huge game. As I said last week, I don't know if he's a better player than Peterson was as a freshman, but he's a smarter one.