MMR Game 2: Ball State at Texas A&M
GAME 1 RECAP
Well look who popped up in the top 25 this week? They should have been there to begin with, if I believed in the preseason polls. By the way, the Macho Man top 25 is released after week 3 so keep your eyes open. I finally got my act together and became part of the BCS computer rankings, so we’ll so how that turns out.
So I took another look at the game and definitely saw some things to be proud of, some questions to be asked, and some “oh-my-gaw” moments that I need to rehash this week.
Before I begin, I want to give props to ASU because they are a solid team that will do well this year. There is a reason why they were ranked 15th last week. They have a solid defense and a great quarterback. They held strong for most of the game and made us do some things that I’m not sure Coach Sumlin was prepared to do in game 1. So big kudos to them!
Let’s talk about our defense. The unit was so much better than I have seen in the past few seasons. Hell, probably since the mid 90’s. They held a top 25 team to under 300 yards in a game (291 total yards for ASU). That is a hell of a statement. This defense had a plan, and was consistent. There will be pressure on the front line, every game, every down. That makes me so damn happy I could squeal!! Now that we have game film to review, you see what could the 21st century version of the Blitz Brothers. Daeshon Hall and Myles Garrett are INCREDIBLE! They bring the pain from the corners, and combined they had 6 sacks. 6 sacks in one game between two players!!!
There are some questions with this team. I would not expect anything less from the Aggies since this was game 1. And before someone tweets how much I’m a moron, I know this is a quality opponent. But the reality is we’re in the SEC west. We will play teams as good, and teams that are better, every week of the season. So this is a good test case. Our offensive line is something I want to watch. I wasn’t sure if they were just getting first week jitters out, or if the ASU rushing defense is just that good (which they are), but the first half was tough. Lots of sacks, Kyle Allen looked overwhelmed at times. That could also be the play calling, because one thing about Kyle Allen is that he has speed. So to see Kyler Murray come in and do what he did, not sure what was going on there.
On that note, we do not have a quarterback controversy, we have a quarterback stable. With the success of Ohio State last year, I would not be surprised to see our offensive scheme rotate two QBs in and out to throw the defenses off. And it can work, they can work together to help each other out. BUT, could a superstar running back also have the same effect. Not that we don’t have good running backs, but imagine if we have a Heisman contender running back with Kyle Allen, do we need Kyler as a second option? I think not. All that being said, I will take this problem over the other problems we have had in the past 25 seasons since my freshman year.
What were the “oh-my-gaw” moments you ask? Real easy, Christian Kirk. That punt return for 70 yards and a touchdown in the 2nd quarter gave A&M a little breathing room in the first half. Then he put the icing on the cake with a 66 yard touchdown pass (which was more like 5 yards of passing and 61 yards of running). Then you see the defense of Daylon Mack. These two “kids” are unbelievable. He had a sack in his first week in college and had 2 unassisted tackles and 4 assists on tackles. The guy is just that good.
If you think of the signature teams and what made them that good, you see those elements on this one team. Amazing quarterback, strong defense, great special teams, awesome wide receivers...all on one team. We were lucky to have standouts in a position on a single team. Wrecking crew of the 80’s, Johnny Football, Kevin Smith, Ryan Swope, Robert Ferguson…all amazing players on their own teams. If you can imagine them all playing together your mind blows up, and that is exactly what we see coming together this year. The missing pieces of course are the running back (Leeland McElroy), the offensive line (2013 O-line), and the cornerbacks/safeties (Ray Mickens, Kevin Smith, Aaron Glenn, Patrick Bates) and of course the linebackers (Dat Ngyuen, Quentin Coryatt).
GAME 2 PREVIEW
Okay, back to reality. How do we improve on this great win? We play Balls State. I know you’re thinking, which joke do you start with? Such a poor name for an institution of higher education. I mean why not go with Sam Houston Institute of Technology? What, it’s BALL STATE (Singular). Well….that makes more sense.
Unfortunately Ball State gets thrown to the lions in their new den. They will bear witness to the fully operation death star, I mean the newly renovated Kyle Field. With so many bells and whistles, there is probably more I can preview with the stadium than the team, but that would be mean. I’ll wait until the game summary for that summary. But for now this is a tune up for the 1st teams and a chance to get some reps and snaps for players that need the time on the field. Expect to see most of the first team in the locker room by halftime, even if the lead is not as large. I would say that this is will be a blowout, but the reality is we will pull the foot of the gas and not run up the score, not intentionally at least. Look for a solid outing but no records to be set.
Balls State 17
Texas A&M 49
LET THE HYPE BEGIN
Now, my favorite hobby…making fun of Notre Dame. Didn’t I say if they won the game they would become the “champion contender”? oh boy, the media is already starting the golden hype machine one week into the season. Will two Big 5 teams not make the playoffs? Slow down there, they played texas, not the Patriots. Now the sissy Irish go up against my other alma mater, the University of Vah-gin-eah. Say it with me…Vah-gin-eah. An amazing school with an absolutely beautiful campus that still keeps the spirit of Mr. Jefferson alive and well, you swear he is still walking the halls and the grounds in Charlottesville. This will be interesting only because I’m not sure how much tougher the Cavaliers are over the ‘horns but I have faith in the Wahoos! There is a chance for some rain, so that could affect the game pace. This is smarts versus smarts here, so I pick the guys in Orange and Blue in a close game!
Notre Lame 19
UVA 22