The Grades Are In

by Stephen Expat on Oct 20, 2008 9:20 AM CDT in Football Comment 3 comments

Here at RazorbackExpats, we're still trying to shake off the funk caused by Saturday's fourth-quarter collapse against the Wildcats. To try to comprehend what happened and why, we have turned to the post-game evaluations of Chris Bahn and Alex Abrams.

Bahn of ArkansasSports360.com gave the offense a D (but Michael Smith an A), the defense a C-, special teams a C, and the overall performance a C-. (Click here to read the full report.) Notable quote: "Does it get much lower than seeing your team's only consistent offensive weapon leave the game hurting? What makes it worse is that he left the game because of a concussion essentially stemming from overuse. Tailback Michael Smith was superb (192 rushing, 33 receiving, 2 TDs) and maybe that's why Bobby Petrino kept calling his number. Or maybe the back-ups are just downright pedestrian right now and the passing game is too inconsistent to not use Smith. Whatever the reason what appeared to be inevitable has happened - Smith's 5-7, 175 pounds finally took too much abuse."

Meanwhile, Abrams of The Morning News breaks it down as follows (click here for his full report) - Quarterbacks: D. Running Backs: B+. Wide Receivers: C-. Offensive Line: B-. Defensive Line: B-. Linebackers: C+. Secondary: C-. Special Teams: B-. Coaching: C-. Notable quote: "Arkansas’ playcalling got very conservative down the stretch, settling for simple runs instead of trying to get the first downs needed to run out the clock. There were questions about whether coach Bobby Petrino should have had Davis take a late safety like he did against Auburn instead of giving Kentucky a short field to work with. And defensive coordinator Willy Robinson must take some of the blame for another fourth-quarter collapse by his unit."

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Coaches will be second quessed no matter what they do short of the National Title and, even then there will be a few questionable calls overlooked. This team makes too many mistakes, and, yes we do need a redzone, goalline offense. We must be committed to score. But, Bobby is pretty typical as coaches go. With a young, not too talented team, one pretty average QB, on the road, he played it too conservative. But, this was about one fumble and some really bad defense. If Frank were still around Willy would be in real trouble come December.

And, we have to find a back to spell Smith.

by BlindHog on Oct 20, 2008 9:44 AM CDT reply actions

Doesn’t this game feel something like the ending to the Alabama game in 2007? D-Mac pretty much was the offense in that game, and when he went out with a possible concussion, the offense couldn’t get the first downs to seal the game and the defense couldn’t stop anything that was thrown in the air. Hogs lose. But I think this one hurts more, for the Hogs led nearly the entire game. You just have to have more than one guy on the field that you can count on. Simple as that.

by KevinHog on Oct 20, 2008 10:20 AM CDT reply actions

I think the decision to stay with the running game was a direct result of an inefficient passing game.
We knew KU’s defense was pretty good coming in to the game, but probably thought we could pull another Auburn out of the hat.
KU’s defense is no push-over, but we still managed to score 20 on a team that was allowing only 10 a ballgame in thier own back yard, and should have scored more.
I’m sure they watched plenty of Auburn’s game film leading up to this one to.
I would guess Petrino is the type of coach who take’s what you give him, combined with what’s working for him at that time.
Unfortunately, the running game was pretty much it.

by GonzoHog on Oct 20, 2008 12:00 PM CDT reply actions