* We've got posters on this site nitpicking Florida State. Respected posters. Literally watching play after play in desperation to find some vulnerability in Florida State. Based on where we are and where we've been recently, why do we care one iota about Florida State?
* Once again we underestimated this opponent. How? I saw posts in the prediction thread pegging Miami for 40+ points. Meanwhile, Louisville was in the top handful of the nation last season in yards allowed per play. That category has a high correlation from one year to the next, if you are among the best. It means you have recruited well and maintain defensive intensity level.
* It was a poor situational spot, traveling to play an opponent who just thumped you in a bowl. Before the schedule was released the one thing I didn't want was an early assignment at Louisville. At least I cashed my first half Fury of Anti Revenge bet on Louisville. That was hardly a given, considering Louisville's horrendous first half field position. Our defense is not as good as it looked, partially because of that favorable field position in the first half. I'd estimate that fewer than 2% of games unfold that way, with a team averaging a starting position of basically its own 10 yard line for an entire first half. I'm not counting the possession with only seconds remaining in the half.
* Kaaya's arm was unimpressive. I won't go too far in that regard before a greater sample size. But there was no hint of a whip. Troubling. Quarterback arms generally improve in the NFL among young guys who mature and receive higher reps and year round training. In college the arm strength normally doesn't improve dramatically. If Kaaya's doesn't improve, our windows are limited. Regardless, the looks need to be downfield. I thought opportunities were available early when the game was still tight and Louisville was cheating forward. Quick play action and aggressive downfield looks could have worked. Kaaya isn't a guy who can succeed via 7 step drops and delayed decisions into coverage. Coley and Dorsett can release and be targeted on decisive play action with short drops.
* The parallel pass plays are garbage, as I pointed out in a thread touting them many months ago. Work in a sports stats office charting every play and you'll learn to differentiate how those finesse plays fare against varying caliber of opponent. Next week against Florida A&M they'll ramble untouched. Only ignorant coordinators and coaches use those plays in bunches versus top teams. You are begging to be obliterated near the line of scrimmage. If you are going to show those looks to a top team, the design needs to prioritize the downfield offshoot, like Oklahoma State burned Florida State for a deep touchdown. Alabama is also occasionally fooled by that play. It only breaks open once per game against that level of attacking opponent so the timing and situational choice have to be perfect.
* I'll mostly spare the defense even though I doubt it will produce that type of effort repeatedly. I despise our version of the 3-4 because there's no substance. Bigger interior guys. So what? They aren't special. Expect too much and they'll deliver too little, like as the game progressed. Too often the matchup is terrible, like Louisville's first touchdown play of the second half when Chickillo at right end cheated inside and was wiped out toward the middle, allowing a simple touchdown gallop with nothing but a skinny standup backer flanking him. I still ache for the disruptive 4-3 with no adjustments or excuses.
* Somewhat disappointing game from Dallas Crawford. I expected at least one splash play. But Deon Bush was far worse. Notice how badly he misplayed the final Louisville touchdown, assuming it was a run and being left in the wake as his man instead burst into the clear. Crawford glared at Bush after the play and gestured into the air in disgust.
* I won't bother with my normal practice of saving the tape and reviewing every play, looking at linemen. I assume the right side of the offensive line was awful but I didn't spotlight them often enough to fully judge. Frankly, after that dual rape episode this summer I'm not as interested or concerned as normal. Besides, the Beckham stadium situation fell apart. That was a huge hope, albeit a longshot. I was so envious of that opponent tonight, with their own college-sized stadium and actually doing card stunts.
