A Hodgepodge of Thoughts

After rewatching the USC game I came to the conclusion that I didn't really have a whole lot to say about it. At least not anything terribly worthwhile. I've found that when I go beyond a broad look at the game I am far too harsh on the players, coaches, etc., even now when we are nearly a week removed the game. I'm not sure why, disappointment maybe? One would think I would be more pleased with a very respectable game against the #11 team in the country given our recent history. Anyways, I'm combining my thoughts (very broad and general thoughts) on the game with pretty much everything else I have deemed noteworthy regarding the football team.

-First off, injury news. Josh Riddell is out for the season after tearing his ACL against South Carolina. Terrrrrrrific. The QB position is in shambles yet again. Luckily Zack Harrington has returned to the team to help bolster the depleted position a bit. Here I was just last week saying Harrington leaving the team wasn't a big deal. Boy was I wrong. You know things are bad when you are left hoping that a walk on QB will return to the team. Some more good news is that Henig returned to practice on Monday. In fact he has done so well this week that Croom has said he'll be the #2 option against UAB. Wesley Carroll will be starting on Saturday.

-In a big roster move, Ducre will be get the start ahead of Dixon against UAB. The main motivator for this is the feeling that Dixon is doing too much east-west running. A good example would be that 4th and 1 disaster of a play against South Carolina. I don't know why a 235 pound back is trying to out quick people. Lower your head big guy. Frankly I think this is a great move. I've felt that Ducre has been running better, but I assumed it was simply due to the fact he only gets 10-12 runs a game and therefore is fresh. Looks like there has been more to it.

-The punt with 3:30 minutes to go, down by 10, was a ridiculously stupid call. For all intents and purposes, Croom literally gave up on the game and this team with over 3 minutes still to go. That is an embarrassment and it made me physically ill. Now would we be able to convert a 4th and 10? Highly unlikely with this clunker of an offense. It doesn't matter though, you have to at least try. Punting there effectively ends the game. Even had South Carolina just taken 3 knees, we would have gotten the ball back around the same spot on the field(our own 20) with about 2:00 left needing two scores. Thats not going to happen. I really believe Croom was hoping he would be able to get out of there with just a 10 point loss. I'll admit, Croom has not made near as many bone headed calls as years past. Saturday though, he added to his long list of grave errors. He gave up with over 3 minutes to go, down by just 10.

-We saw the radical difference in coaching philosophies between Croom and Spurrier in high contrast. MSU got the lead and Croom went into a shell and hoped he wouldn't have to score again if they just didn't screw up. It was the definition of playing not to lose. Spurrier on the other hand gets a huge blocked punt just when he needed most. Immediately he goes for the throat and gets a TD on the first play of the drive. That is the definition of playing to win. Sitting on leads and hoping for the best is going to burn you again and again and again in the future Croom. Mark my words.

-Okay, those are the two things that upset me most about the South Carolina game. Now looking at the positive side of the coin. MSU gave #11 South Carolina, at South Carolina, all they could handle. MSU was up 21-17 with 4:00 minutes to go in the 3rd. That is no small feat. Now don't get me wrong, in my eyes this was NOT A MORAL VICTORY. First off I'm not even sure there is such a thing (I think it is more to just make people feel better). Second, there are no moral victories in year 4. However I think it is pretty obvious that the talent level has gone up at most positions. The team has improved, significantly improved even. That is a credit to Croom, however I am not even close to being sold on him yet. Maybe I'll get into why at a later date.