[scorecard]

I've already stated where I stand on the Nunes issue and I know I said I was done with criticizing him individually, but since so much was made of him early in the season about him speaking French, the last thing I will say is that he lacks that "Je ne sais quoi". 

Our offense is built on an identity of ball control and wearing an opponent out, yet we get dominated in time of possession by a spread offense because our offense cannot stay on the field.  We are 5 of 12 on 3rd down, par for this year.  WSU ran 84 plays compared to our 52.  It's no wonder we cannot wear anyone out anymore, or "impose our will" in the 4th quarter.  We have only won the time of possession battle by a decent margin in only 3 games (Cal, SC, and Arizona).  Taylor does an absolutely amazing job of fighting for every last yard (and who is going to be our grinder or big back next year?), but teams are selling out to stop him.  Teams also have no fear of going for it on 4th down in our territory, because we have not shown that we can make them pay if they fail.  It is only stating the obvious, but you cannot win with a ball control strategy if you cannot control the ball. 

For the boxing analogy that the Pac-12 broadcasters liked using today, it sure felt like we lost by the Compubox score.  Sure, we threw a few body blows but we whiffed on just about every head shot except one lucky knockdown that was more like a slip (the busted coverage for Patterson).  Otherwise, we just got peppered by jabs all day, and the trainer kept acting like we were comfortably ahead, so we didn't change our strategy at all.  In the end, we left with a win on the final scorecard but a bloodied-up face.  I'm just glad I didn't spend anything for the pay-per-view, because I'd want my money back for this ugly fight.

Of course, a win is a win, and I'd be much unhappier after a loss, especially to WSU who lost to Colorado at home after all.  Out of our 8 games, we have only had 1 blowout (Duke) and 1 relatively comfortable game (Cal).  Every other game has made me start looking for coupons for Prilosec OTC.  As an aside, does anyone doubt that Leach would have gone for 2 and the win had he tied the game?  Sitting through a 2 point conversion try might have required twice daily dosing. 

[scorecard]

I've already stated where I stand on the Nunes issue and I know I said I was done with criticizing him individually, but since so much was made of him early in the season about him speaking French, the last thing I will say is that he lacks that "Je ne sais quoi". 

Our offense is built on an identity of ball control and wearing an opponent out, yet we get dominated in time of possession by a spread offense because our offense cannot stay on the field.  We are 5 of 12 on 3rd down, par for this year.  WSU ran 84 plays compared to our 52.  It's no wonder we cannot wear anyone out anymore, or "impose our will" in the 4th quarter.  We have only won the time of possession battle by a decent margin in only 3 games (Cal, SC, and Arizona).  Taylor does an absolutely amazing job of fighting for every last yard (and who is going to be our grinder or big back next year?), but teams are selling out to stop him.  Teams also have no fear of going for it on 4th down in our territory, because we have not shown that we can make them pay if they fail.  It is only stating the obvious, but you cannot win with a ball control strategy if you cannot control the ball. 

For the boxing analogy that the Pac-12 broadcasters liked using today, it sure felt like we lost by the Compubox score.  Sure, we threw a few body blows but we whiffed on just about every head shot except one lucky knockdown that was more like a slip (the busted coverage for Patterson).  Otherwise, we just got peppered by jabs all day, and the trainer kept acting like we were comfortably ahead, so we didn't change our strategy at all.  In the end, we left with a win on the final scorecard but a bloodied-up face.  I'm just glad I didn't spend anything for the pay-per-view, because I'd want my money back for this ugly fight.

Of course, a win is a win, and I'd be much unhappier after a loss, especially to WSU who lost to Colorado at home after all.  Out of our 8 games, we have only had 1 blowout (Duke) and 1 relatively comfortable game (Cal).  Every other game has made me start looking for coupons for Prilosec OTC.  As an aside, does anyone doubt that Leach would have gone for 2 and the win had he tied the game?  Sitting through a 2 point conversion try might have required twice daily dosing.