Brandon Allen had a great game. At least 2 of the 4 incompletions were due to receivers stopping their routes -- probably a third as well but not clear. He missed Hunter in the 1st quarter but the others were as much on the receivers.
Enos is a much better OC for BA's game. The routes are crisp and receivers are where they are designed to be. BA is throwing more 3-5 step drop passes and receivers are where they are supposed to be on the play. He is a significantly above average QB on short drops. The negative is the same as it's always been. BA isn't a 5-7 step QB.
Like our receiving group. Keon is the most under-rated player on our team. Good separation and runs good routes. Jared Cornelius seems to run very crisp routes. The TE's are good. I suspect that you will see more and more of Sprinkle getting the late release with open fields b/c defenses have to watch Hunter in the 2 TE package. Don't know if Reed wasn't given plays or if he isn't picking them up but he was running simple GO patterns. I hope he gets it but my read on Enos is that you have to buy into and understand the offense.
AC has obviously been working on picking up blitz protection. That was a weakness for him last year IMO. Kody Walker has a great first step. But, runs upright -- and always has done that so don't expect it to change. That limits what he can do.
Raleigh Williams is very good. Runs low and hard. Remember he followed JW around and it's clear that he is a kid that listens. People are questioning his instincts but I will bet you that he was simply running the play that was called and was reluctant to improvise. That's smart, really smart. You are a true freshman and your team is up 3 touchdowns. Don't be a hero. He is a good one.
OLine had a typical workman like game. No issues and suspect that they all grade out nicely. Ragnow was sluggish but got better. Smothers probably grades out lowest based on what I saw. Good heart but he is a little slow. I wouldn't be surprised if we see some changes in time.
Rob Smith ran an aggressive gameplan yesterday and I would bet he wanted to learn about a lot of players. I would also think he didn't open up everything you will see in SEC play. They were basically playing a base 3-4 and dropping DE into coverage.
Wise is A+ on strong run contain but really needs work on backside contain.
Bijohn & Hodge played really, really well. Stout, strong, and disciplined. I bet both grade out nicely. I understand why Bielema says that Brooks will lead the SEC in tackles -- it's because of these two. They keep the guards off of the second level and let the LB make plays.
Brooks is quick and strong. He wasn't really touched and was able to work in space and single blocker and did it well.
We have some serious talent in the secondary. That talent likes man, up coverage. But, very aggressive. Maybe the game plan but Coach Smith will likely be working to get them to step back and not bite.
Santos is a baller but needs to slow down a half step. Can't teach aggressive but he was out of position at least 4 times. If he doesn't fix that, he won't play.
Final summary thoughts:
Enos is a much better OC for BA's game. The routes are crisp and receivers are where they are designed to be. BA is throwing more 3-5 step drop passes and receivers are where they are supposed to be on the play. He is a significantly above average QB on short drops. The negative is the same as it's always been. BA isn't a 5-7 step QB.
Like our receiving group. Keon is the most under-rated player on our team. Good separation and runs good routes. Jared Cornelius seems to run very crisp routes. The TE's are good. I suspect that you will see more and more of Sprinkle getting the late release with open fields b/c defenses have to watch Hunter in the 2 TE package. Don't know if Reed wasn't given plays or if he isn't picking them up but he was running simple GO patterns. I hope he gets it but my read on Enos is that you have to buy into and understand the offense.
AC has obviously been working on picking up blitz protection. That was a weakness for him last year IMO. Kody Walker has a great first step. But, runs upright -- and always has done that so don't expect it to change. That limits what he can do.
Raleigh Williams is very good. Runs low and hard. Remember he followed JW around and it's clear that he is a kid that listens. People are questioning his instincts but I will bet you that he was simply running the play that was called and was reluctant to improvise. That's smart, really smart. You are a true freshman and your team is up 3 touchdowns. Don't be a hero. He is a good one.
OLine had a typical workman like game. No issues and suspect that they all grade out nicely. Ragnow was sluggish but got better. Smothers probably grades out lowest based on what I saw. Good heart but he is a little slow. I wouldn't be surprised if we see some changes in time.
Rob Smith ran an aggressive gameplan yesterday and I would bet he wanted to learn about a lot of players. I would also think he didn't open up everything you will see in SEC play. They were basically playing a base 3-4 and dropping DE into coverage.
Wise is A+ on strong run contain but really needs work on backside contain.
Bijohn & Hodge played really, really well. Stout, strong, and disciplined. I bet both grade out nicely. I understand why Bielema says that Brooks will lead the SEC in tackles -- it's because of these two. They keep the guards off of the second level and let the LB make plays.
Brooks is quick and strong. He wasn't really touched and was able to work in space and single blocker and did it well.
We have some serious talent in the secondary. That talent likes man, up coverage. But, very aggressive. Maybe the game plan but Coach Smith will likely be working to get them to step back and not bite.
Santos is a baller but needs to slow down a half step. Can't teach aggressive but he was out of position at least 4 times. If he doesn't fix that, he won't play.
Final summary thoughts:
- Great effort against a team that has some decent talent and will probably be middle of the CUSA pack.
- Offense is better this year with Enos at the helm. The previous OC was a bad fit.
- BA will have a big year and will be in a system built for him.
- Stout defense but young and aggressive. They will be good - but better prepare to give up some big plays.
- If I were Smith, I would start game planning for TAMU and AU right now. Those types of offenses are going to be a BIG test for us.
- We are better than I expected -- and I expected a lot.
- Bielema is the best coach we have had since Broyles.
