re: Auburn (3-1, 1-1) vs Ole Miss (3-1, 1-1), ESPNU 6 PM CDT Predictions/Discussion

You take out his fourth quarter against MSU and he is subpar at best. His inability to get the passing game going is what put us down in that game.

His passing is very streaky, he has yet to grasp the offense to run theHUNH and he has been extremely disappointing running the ball compared to our expectations of being somewhat elusive.

I want Nick right now and Bellerive we don't have a better option butdamn, he needs to start making strides that last three entire game

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You take out his fourth quarter against MSU

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People are looking at his fourth quarter drive and pointing towards greatness not realizing the only reasonwewere in that situation tobegin withwas his poor play.

Even with that drive, Marshall had not been great. If he doesn't have that one drive people would feel considerably different about him is all i an sayin. So is one good drive two game ago worth more than 3 3/4 games of average QB ING?

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People are looking at his fourth quarter drive and pointing towards greatness not realizing the only reasonwewere in that situation tobegin withwas his poor play.

Even with that drive, Marshall had not been great. If he doesn't have that one drive people would feel considerably different about him is all i an sayin. So is one good drive two game ago worth more than 3 3/4 games of average QB ING?

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So you're just going to completely ignore that MSU's ability to shut down our running game and the direct impact that had on our passing game? If we run the ball worth a shite, we probably could've passed much better. Plus we seem to be content NOT running at the fast pace that we've practiced for 10 months now, which is a huge mistake IMO.

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I assume that means Jones as well.

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Crazy if he's already back. His ankle injury must not have been as bad as we speculated.

You can take out the 4th qtr to evaluate someone's performance to date. It was one drive. It proved that he has the ability, it is there, but consistency is this entire team's problem. After last season, I'm just glad there is some will to win present.

Regarding Marshall, Tate is somewhat right. He hasn't been at AU that long, but after some scrub games to learn to the basics of the offense, a few big games home & away in the big time spotlight with plenty of adversity, and a bye week, we need to see at least minor progression in the Ole Miss game. He has the same problems Mike Vick had with his deep balls being too deep and his short game touch passes being off-target rockets. If he can fix just the crossing/drag/out routes, he will be light-years better and his confidence will improve.

I am glad we take deep shots down field, but an accurate <20 yard passing game leading to moving the ball down the field is what beats good defenses. We also can't get in a hole where we are forced to throw the ball. Our WR don't get enough separation yet on a consistent basis and we'll see more 3&outs. I second in being disappointed in Marshall's running abilities so far, although I do think Gus is protecting him like a 5yr old baby and that is starting to piss me off. You end up with a Frazier mentality doing that. It's not like he didn't take big shots in JUCO, some of those guys are monsters.

Too early to say our OL is great. The MSU game was not a dominant showing and at LSU, they knew we had to throw the ball.

#1 thing for me is that Football IQ on the team needs to increase. This babying shite needs to stop. Expand the offensive playbook a couple plays each week and the Defense needs to stop being pussys that only like being "comfortable" running bread n' butter basic D. If we don't, we'll become predictable and the scores will start getting lopsided again. I understand that if things backfire like a 5 man DL front, then you adjust but playing the same shite every game will start getting us killed. Add a few CB blitzes with DE/DT stunts.. something.

Overall, I think the team has progressed in a multitude of areas but this game is incredibly important for both this season and next (recruiting). I am worried about random Gus playcalls that put us in a 3rd & shite situation (Frazier wildcat) and am worried about the defense against the short passing game with their WR. The safeties are going to have to cover-down hard in tackle support because their WR are going to get loose/turn n' burn a few times. I think if we establish our running game early, hit a Marshall deep ball, and get a couple FGs, we'll do alright and sit on a lead.

Edit: WR please catch it if it is thrown to you (CJ / RL). 27-20 AU

/rant

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Regarding Marshall, Tate is somewhat right. He hasn't been at AU that long, but after some scrub games to learn to the basics of the offense, a few big games home & away in the big time spotlight with plenty of adversity, and a bye week, we need to see at least minor progression in the Ole Miss game.

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I think everyone wants to see progessoin.

I just don't think that if he does not progress...he regresses.

And even if he does progress over the next month, I am sure we will still chalk up a lot of it, rightly or wrongly, to the defenses we are about to face. Our October defenses are about as poor as they come.

I hope for some progression and a 4-1 October, but if we do not get that, I still do not see a reason to start looking at other QBs.

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I just don't think that if he does not progress...he regresses.

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Agree here.

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I hope for some progression and a 4-1 October, but if we do not get that, I still do not see a reason to start looking at other QBs.

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We need to stick with Marshall no matter what. He will progress every game IMO. JJ is still grasping the playbook and with the games coming, putting him in even in garbage time is not the answer. He will come into the spring, fresh off S&C and playbook studying and be a monster. IMO he will challenge Marshall unless we see Marshall skyrocket in the short passing game. I'll be alright with a 3-2 October.

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People are looking at his fourth quarter drive and pointing towards greatness

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Just stop with your BS. No one is suggesting he is great due to a quarter of football. People are suggesting that you can see his ability at times show through. We may see it more consistently the more games he plays. Get off your high horse already.