This week and next week will make or break the season I think. Both games will be tough but should be winnable. Win both and we hit the midpoint of the season 5-1, and probably favourites in 5 out of the 6 remaining games. We’d still have a shot to make the Pac-12 championship game and (admittedly long shot) even the playoff. Lose both and the program would be in all kinds of trouble. A 3-3 record, no momentum, and potentially battling to get to 6-6 on the year with no shot at any meaningful bowl. I don’t think Chip would lose his job, but he’d certainly be on the hot seat heading into next year and the BIG.
The Utah game was hard to process as it was such a different performance compared to the first 3 games. I’ve seen 2 narratives on the Offense, one that it was just a confluence of many factors- the best D in the conference, a freshman QB, a difficult road venue, and some teething on the O-line matched with some uncharacteristic drops. The other is that the O-line is a complete mess and was made to look decent by soft competition over the first games, but will be overmatched in the PAC. These games will give us a clear picture of what to expect, but I think the reality is somewhere in the middle. The line I may not be great, but I’m hoping it can do enough to get the offense rolling. I think Chip’s offense relies on keeping the defense off balance in terms of runs vs passes. When you’re constantly in 3rd and long because the running game is stuffed, that’s a bad place to be.
The defense looked great, but I worry that this has largely been due to facing teams that are run oriented. This week will be a real test to see if they’re legit. I think the secondary is better than it has been, but still rather weak. The key may be the D line getting pressure, as if QBs have time I think we’ll be exposed.
So, situation normal for a Bruin fan - hanging on to hope, fearing the worst. :)
That 2015 game was my last Rose Bowl game. It ended badly. If Kelly loses tomorrow I hope he gets parking lotted by Jarmond immediately thereafter.
This week and next week will make or break the season I think. Both games will be tough but should be winnable. Win both and we hit the midpoint of the season 5-1, and probably favourites in 5 out of the 6 remaining games. We’d still have a shot to make the Pac-12 championship game and (admittedly long shot) even the playoff. Lose both and the program would be in all kinds of trouble. A 3-3 record, no momentum, and potentially battling to get to 6-6 on the year with no shot at any meaningful bowl. I don’t think Chip would lose his job, but he’d certainly be on the hot seat heading into next year and the BIG.
The Utah game was hard to process as it was such a different performance compared to the first 3 games. I’ve seen 2 narratives on the Offense, one that it was just a confluence of many factors- the best D in the conference, a freshman QB, a difficult road venue, and some teething on the O-line matched with some uncharacteristic drops. The other is that the O-line is a complete mess and was made to look decent by soft competition over the first games, but will be overmatched in the PAC. These games will give us a clear picture of what to expect, but I think the reality is somewhere in the middle. The line I may not be great, but I’m hoping it can do enough to get the offense rolling. I think Chip’s offense relies on keeping the defense off balance in terms of runs vs passes. When you’re constantly in 3rd and long because the running game is stuffed, that’s a bad place to be.
The defense looked great, but I worry that this has largely been due to facing teams that are run oriented. This week will be a real test to see if they’re legit. I think the secondary is better than it has been, but still rather weak. The key may be the D line getting pressure, as if QBs have time I think we’ll be exposed.
So, situation normal for a Bruin fan - hanging on to hope, fearing the worst. :)
Go Bruins!