that while I don’t think Greg McElroy played a great game, he didn’t play a terrible one and his effort was good enough to get us a nine point lead with the ball with less than four minutes remaining. The receivers also dropped at least four passes.

G-Mac has most definitely been going through his reads too quickly. Usually, thats a sign that a QB is not comfortable in the pocket- i.e. he doesnt trust that his O-line will give him enough time to let the play develop. He took some pretty hard shots in the past few games, which is probably making him a bit gun shy. I think the O-line actually did a pretty good job on protection last night, though.

It seems the only team in the SEC with a quality offense is Arkansas at this point. Aubarn is no longer executing like they were, UF has had red zone issues similar to our own (Tebow even threw two TWO pick sixes last night), and LSU is… pitiful on offense. I told myself last night I wasn’t even gonna think about what other teams are doing when we have so many problems of our own, but this does seem to be a bit of a theme in the SEC. I know we constantly hang our hats on SEC defenses being the toughest in the country, but is that more true this year than in years past? There are six SEC teams in the top 25 for total yards per game allowed, and we have played three of them in the last three weeks (and will play at least one more before the season is over). I realize this is a chicken or the egg type question, but it is certainly worth considering.

On a somewhat related note, I stubbornly refuse to believe Greg Mcelroy is just an inherently bad Quarterback. I’m not denying he has had three bad game in a row now, but I can’t imagine he set a record for TD passes in a season by being lucky, and he did garner hefty acclaim for his accuracy at the Manning Passing Academy. Why he has been performing so poorly to date has bothered me to no end, and I think the above post begins to answer those questions. At any rate, I still believe he can turn it around, but I’ll accept my helping of crow if I’m wrong.

The last thing that is baffling me, is why we seem so averse to running up the middle. We have three running backs who could start for just about anyone, and that alone should enough to pick up two yards, even against a stacked box, and if it wasn’t successful I’d at least understand the play calling. I wonder if part of the problem is a lack of confidence in the offensive line, but even so I’d think passing would seem the more risky option. I know this isn’t a unique question, but it still begs an answer after three straight games of the same playcalling, in the same situations.

It just blows my mind that an offense could click on all cylinders for four games, and then display such ineptitude, and abandon everything that previously made it successful in the next four games.

I bought a Cody jersey about a month ago, he has now cemented himself as LEGEND! That’s really all you can say about his performance — simply unthinkable!

The dirty Orange should have won that game. We left 4 points on the field by throwing on those two plays instead of pounding it into the end zone but the dirty Orange left 9 points on the field with one missed & two blocked FGs.

Listening to CNS after the game, he was very frustrated with the play calling – I wouldn’t be a bit suprised if this is Coach Mac’s last season in the Crimson.

Running the wildcat has become very successful & helps take pressure off of McElroy – why don’t we work up some Star Jackson plays & use him as a run/pass option for about 5-10 plays per game? That would take even more pressure off of McElroy & give defenses that much more to prepare for. Surely that would add value to our offense don’t you think?

Originally I wanted to put up 40+ points & run the Vols out of the stadium but now that it’s over, I think it was actually better to give the dirty Orange all the hope in the world, only to rip it away in the final seconds! ::rubbing hands together & laughing like Dr. Evil::

I dont think Star is the running threat everyone seems to think, but I could be wrong. I agree with all the previous posts though. I know little about football Xs and Os, but I honestly think I could have called as good a game as Coach Mac. I know on 2 and 2 inside the four I would have run the ball twice and I know Ingram would have had more touches, especially from the wildcat. Thanks Bamagrad for the info on McElroy. I think you are right about him going thru the reads too quickly. That makes sense why Julio and Co. cannot get open, they are being given enough time to shake the defender and let the play develop. I think GMac has a pretty weak arm and he has a hard time getting the ball downfield on a rope. His passes take time and defenders are getting breakups too often. Of course our WRs are not really helping with the dropped balls that hit their hands. Here’s hoping the bye weak is the medicine we need.

with you guys. We were lucky to win that game but actually Kiffin played it too conservative with 45 seconds at the end. We were clearly tired and they could have easily run or passed it 10 more yards closer and then the kicker gets more elevation rather than trying to hit a long low one. Kiffin put way too much faith in a long field goal attempt which he had to know at the end of the game Bama would have rushed all 11 in desperation and the chances of a block go up because they could not block out everyone. But to have the same guy in the same hole busting through twice in ten minutes shows they made no adjustments. Fatal mistake on Kiffin’s part.

GMac actually played better this week than last week. A lot of the problem is that we don’t have Andre Smith protecting his backside and giving him confidence. We are going to need to keep the running back in more for blocking and even the tight end.

Plus throwing long on Eric Berry is excatly what UT wants. We were smart to keep the passes under 20 yards.

GMac will be better against LSU as will our rested team.

Agreed. How about some credit to Tiffin. Over the yrs I have really been down on him, but he has been solid this year and he deserves credit too.

It would have been excellent for McElroy to have had a day yesterday like he did against non-conference teams and beat UcheaT 35-0, but this was a typical SEC day and one that reminded me of 3rd Saturdays when I was a kid and Bear was there! It was thrilling and heartstopping to say the least. I was screaming and had NO voice by the end! I had to go outside and LISTEN to the ending so my child couldn’t hear what I was saying! And McElroy was improved from the previous two weeks. The SEC is the best conference in the country….we all know that. He is certain of it now too!!

Point here, we ARE 8-0. We have a LOT of guys who need a break to get those dings healed up. Mentally, this comes at the best of times! Just 4 left after OUR bye. Remember ‘92? Those weren’t all pretty wins, but they were wins.

would also like to add:

THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU LEIGH TIFFIN FOR SAVING YOUR BEST GAME OF THE SEASON FOR THIS GAME!!!