Notes from Athens:

Posted by Mike

• TV contract or not, many of the fans are upset with three straight noon games. Most take it as a sign the program has dropped off to Vandy or Kentucky level. The heat at kickoff was oppressive.
• The pregame crowd was noticeably smaller and the 2^nd and 3^rd stadium level never filled out and this was the 3^rd game of a young season, at home against a ranked SEC opponent.
• On Arkansas' game winning touchdown pass the Dawg defense was trying to get set while the Hog offense hurried to the line and snapped the ball. The confusion led to blown coverage.
• Of course blown coverage was a theme for the day according to CTG. The defense allowed three big plays to wide open receivers. The new system works when the players do their jobs, but it has also given up big plays in every game this season including a blown coverage play in game one against Louisiana-Lafayette.
• With AJ out Kris Durham was the go to guy against the Hogs. His five receptions for 101 yards and a TD kept the Dawgs in the contest, but without Green there is no real big play threat on the offense.
• The D has plenty of hitters, but it too lacks a pic six threat. The Dawgs have 3 interceptions on the year with 42 return yards. By comparison Florida has 9 interceptions.
• For some reason Ben Jones was not snapping the ball when Arkansas repeatedly entered the neutral zone. Either we are trying to determine where the blitz may be coming from, or since Murray is inexperienced we want the play to develop on his pace. Whatever the reason we gave up at least 25 yards of field position by not capitalizing.
• Looking forward, what game is a certain win? Not Miss State. Not Colorado. In fact only Idaho State looks like an easy W.
• As Tony Barnhart pointed out no team has ever gone 0-2 in the SEC, then played for the conference title and Georgia has not been pushed out of contention this early since the winding down of Coach Goff's stint.
• With the fans growing restless CMR's future will depend on how he can get this team to respond. If the Dawgs go 6-6 the pressure will be unbearable. If he can manage 8-4 with a meaningful win against Auburn, Florida or Tech, then next year looks okay.
• It sure is early in the season to be hanging our hopes on NEXT YEAR.