1. This needs to be said. This team is well coached. I hate that I am so wrong about this and maybe it will change once we face some better teams, but there is better special teams, a better D (with a seemingly bigger emphasis on big plays) and an entirely different attitude/atmosphere than we have seen in some time. The special teams is exactly what I remember those KSU teams on recent vintage (game changing, always a threat forcing teams to think/gameplan it every game.
2. That said, the coaches have done some things that I disagree with. 1 of them is giving up on the run too early, IMHO. Clayton ran 18 times. 1 TD, 5 runs for a first down, 4.2 a carry. That isn't spectacular, that isn't what we want. But that is enough to warrant more consistent play calling for him. Bringing McCardle in was an absolute abortion and I knew that had bad news written all over it from the get-go. The fact he plays FB in the I, is another sign of just how thin we are in certain spots. That is also disturbing, especially considering where the O-line is.
3. Norwood and the 5 yrd. TE curl is great, but look for teams to adjust to that. If we don't have a better/more imaginative answer vs. the Ville look for a few interceptions.
4. Our safeties are both potential all big 12 1/2nd team. Watts looks pretty good. That interception was terrific.
5. McKinney sucks. Bad.
6. This game's biggest play in terms of momentum was Prince brining in McCardle off the bench and fumbling that ball after a nice run. If we score there game over, and a much better win. Much like the last time Marshall came to town, that play led to Marshall's biggest drive of the game. Keep in mind they were @ our 21 yard line when the D stepped up and got a holding call, then a sack, then Marshall punts (in the maroon zone: "Where manly men GO FOR IT!" *hat tip TMQ*) for a lowly 19 yard net. The next KSU series was the blocked punt. The diference in this game was the way our Defense responded. KSU has a 12 yard drive stall out and then the D responds with the Watt pick. That put us up 10-7 at the half. THAT WAS HUGE, BUT IT SHOULD'VE BEEN A TD. When the D/Special Teams consistently gives the O the short field, the O has to be good enough to take advantage. We have never asked the O to drive 80 yards over and over. Just come out of the Red Zone with more than a field goal more times than not. That is the biggest difference between this team losing 4-5 games and losing 6-7 games from here out.
