The worst part of the season is the average margin of loss. It makes the evaluation of the team/coaching staff that much more difficult. Our expectations for this year were based upon the previous two years and a new coaching staff implementing a new system....but just because we thought they should be bad or it would be a struggle to get to a bowl game doesn't build in excuses for their performance (or lack there of).
The defense regressed as the season went on. Maybe regressed isn't the right word as much as it was a case of being exposed. We can't stop the run. We haven't all year and with Echols leaving and no promising DT prospects on the horizon, it doesn't look like we will next year either because the "scheme" isn't going to change. Chicago Bears run a "cover 2" only they have outstanding DT's. Tampa had an outstanding defense with Warren Sapp anchoring the middle. The Colts don't have any good DT's and even with some of the best DE's, they get ran on. The defense was "better" than the last two years, but we can't use the past two years as a bench mark as they were horrible.
C+
The offense progressed as the season went on under Freeman, only to be exposed in the past two games. Pressure up the middle isn't handled well by the o-line or Freeman. The offense lacks an identity or any ingenuity other than a few trick plays. The same plays are run out of the same formations and teams are figuring that out. Patton, Johnson, Freeman, and Jordy should provide a nice core of returning players, but the offensive line has so much work to do it isn't even funny. I can't imagine they'll be able to take that huge step it will take in order to seriously compete for the North next year.
C+
Special Teams was a bright spot in that we actually make teams prepare or think about our return game. Our defensive return units need some work though. Figurs and Snodgrass will be tough to replace.
B+
Coaching was the "best of times and worst of times". When it was good, it was good but when it was bad it was really bad. And the bad seemed to be worse than the good was good. I guess these things happen with young coaching staffs, but they've got to grow up quick. We dont' appear to make adjustments very well, and quite honestly, as a program we haven't since M. Stoops and Venables left. I remember always just wanting to get to half time because we'd make the proper adjustments at half. Now, that's not the case. If we didn't go into the game with a good game plan, it isn't going to change at half. At the same time, this coaching staff implemented its systems and got most if not all the team to buy in. They also got themselves to a bowl game, something that most thought would be a struggle. Prince proved to be both scary and smart but not necessarily scary smart.
C+/B-
