[Rally]

Well, yes, in many ways.  Pre-season we fervently hoped for two things, return of the intermediate passing game and not much drop off on defense.  Gottem both.  If anything the defense is even better, so far, than last year, and the tight ends are back.  We hoped Ty would remain the outstanding player he has been.  Check.  We hoped our receivers would live up to their potential.  Check.  We hoped Hogan would improve.  Well, no check.  We hoped the play calling would become more diversified.  Well, sometimes yes, sometimes no.  We knew we wouldn't have a dominant power runner and hoped the speedy rb committee would work out.  Adjusting to that new reality is proving difficult.  We hoped a very raw oline would improve.  It is, but like most fans we would like to see it sooner than later.

All of the teams expected to dominate this season have struggled and have their issues.  In every conference.  A lot of teams are going to get a lot better over the next month, including, hopefully, ours.  But this season seems to have a very different vibe than last season.  I don't think we'll recognize a lot of teams a month from now.  I love college football, even if my cardiologist wants me to give it up.

[Rally]

Well, yes, in many ways.  Pre-season we fervently hoped for two things, return of the intermediate passing game and not much drop off on defense.  Gottem both.  If anything the defense is even better, so far, than last year, and the tight ends are back.  We hoped Ty would remain the outstanding player he has been.  Check.  We hoped our receivers would live up to their potential.  Check.  We hoped Hogan would improve.  Well, no check.  We hoped the play calling would become more diversified.  Well, sometimes yes, sometimes no.  We knew we wouldn't have a dominant power runner and hoped the speedy rb committee would work out.  Adjusting to that new reality is proving difficult.  We hoped a very raw oline would improve.  It is, but like most fans we would like to see it sooner than later.

All of the teams expected to dominate this season have struggled and have their issues.  In every conference.  A lot of teams are going to get a lot better over the next month, including, hopefully, ours.  But this season seems to have a very different vibe than last season.  I don't think we'll recognize a lot of teams a month from now.  I love college football, even if my cardiologist wants me to give it up.