The sunshine and lollipops posters will soon be here, reminding everyone that this was a non-conference game and we can still make a run in the Big Ten. In reply to those posters, I would ask what have they seen in our first three games that makes them optimistic about our conference schedule.
I'm not throwing in the towel, and I'll bleed cream and crimson until the day I die, but we need to seriously reset expectations. Or at least I do.
This was an opportunity to win a much-ballyhooed game at home in front of a rare sellout crowd, and we dropped the ball - - literally and figuratively.
I'm not going to slam the kids. It's against forum rules and, more importantly, it's not the right thing to do. I'll just say this. Something is going on between the QB's ears. He is not the same player we saw in 2019 and 2020. Of course, one of his wide receivers - - a guy who informed us at Big Ten Media Days: "I think I am the best wide receiver in the country" - - did the QB no favors, particularly on his drop of a beautifully thrown 55-yard bomb at 10:33 in the third that should have gone for six.
McFadden's the leader of the defense, and it was a tough break losing him on the targeting call late in the first half. I have no idea who the leader on offense is. It might be time to give Tuttle and/or McCulley a shot. Who know, that may be necessary anyway as it appeared Penix was experiencing discomfort in his left arm toward the end of the game.
The Big Ten East looks much stronger this year. i think 6-6 and a lower tier bowl are viable goals for us. Go Hoosiers. Beat Western Kentucky.
I'm not throwing in the towel, and I'll bleed cream and crimson until the day I die, but we need to seriously reset expectations. Or at least I do.
This was an opportunity to win a much-ballyhooed game at home in front of a rare sellout crowd, and we dropped the ball - - literally and figuratively.
I'm not going to slam the kids. It's against forum rules and, more importantly, it's not the right thing to do. I'll just say this. Something is going on between the QB's ears. He is not the same player we saw in 2019 and 2020. Of course, one of his wide receivers - - a guy who informed us at Big Ten Media Days: "I think I am the best wide receiver in the country" - - did the QB no favors, particularly on his drop of a beautifully thrown 55-yard bomb at 10:33 in the third that should have gone for six.
McFadden's the leader of the defense, and it was a tough break losing him on the targeting call late in the first half. I have no idea who the leader on offense is. It might be time to give Tuttle and/or McCulley a shot. Who know, that may be necessary anyway as it appeared Penix was experiencing discomfort in his left arm toward the end of the game.
The Big Ten East looks much stronger this year. i think 6-6 and a lower tier bowl are viable goals for us. Go Hoosiers. Beat Western Kentucky.
