Story: Leach on Wazzu learning to finish games
- Thread starter ScottHood
- Start date
I agree. Failing to cover a Cal fumble inside the 5 and then giving up a 42-yard run on 3rd and 36 were killers. Oh, and that fake punt? A 14-point swing. Imagine the final being WSU 42-27 over a team that is looking better following the mutts' win over USC. Ah, the live of couldas and shouldas!
Does anyone have thoughts on why we tend to play to the level of our opponent? I mean, more or less we do that.
The second-half drop offs are a big concern. As much as I hate the UW, Peterson will shake the game up with well-timed and well-designed trick plays. The Air Raid is void of such a thing (and, no, poorly designed and executed fake punts aren't what I'm talking about). If someone were to accuse Leach of lacking imagination, I'd have a tough time countering such a point.
I guess it could be defined as "playing to their level" but it seems to me the cornerstone issue is "relaxing". The thought of "playing to their level" seems to be another phrase, just the same meaning.
I don't know… there seems to be a thread that is trying to be split and I can't put my finger on it. But I think Scott's article, CML's comments encompass your question. Why? Who knows. But I think your question could be rephrased as, "Why do the relax? Shouldn't they be playing a full 60 minutes?" I see them relaxing, then realizing the other team isn't giving up and then they have to start working hard again to try and regain the lead. Then it's viewed by some as, "playing to the opponents level".
IMHO, they have the ability, obviously, to boat race most of the teams we've played this year, so far. And yes, I'd even put CAL on that list. Playing a full 60 minutes, not lifting the foot off the pedal and going hard-core, I think we'd have had upwards of 50 points against them. We had them in so many ways.
The mentality of the players should be, "How many points can we score against these guys IN THE SECOND HALF." Instead, it sure seems like they get a decent lead (whatever that is) and then squander it. Like they don't have to work so hard… "See mom, see dad!!! We can beat any team we want to!!!!" Except they are saying that before the game is over and the other team isn't giving up.
95 you nailed the recipe for beating Oregon this weekend, We simply have to score a lot of points, I do believe our D is better than Oregon's based upon what I have seen. The key to having a chance to win is our offense keeping up or ahead of Oregon's. Cal's defense wasn't great yet we score 21 in the first half and only 7 in the second have. If this offense can consistently score 35-42 points a game they can beat anyone left on the schedule. The defense has improved this year and they are getting better every week, it's the inconsistency on offense that is preventing this team from moving forward.
our inability to stay focused for a full 60 minutes has been alarming. We are clearly getting outplayed in the second half of games. It doesn't make sense to me. This team has done nothing to earn the right to get overconfident with a lead of any sort.
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