I took a long look at the 4th quarter of the
Boise St – Ole Miss game. The score was 7-6 and either team had a chance to
win. This is exactly the kind of game Boise State can win this year. BUT, if
they fall 2 scores or more behind and have to throw the ball downfield, forget
about it for now.
Neither the O line nor Hedrick is ready for that. This game illustrated
that.
One of the key match ups had held up very well to this
point, Donte Deayon and Cleshawn Page vs the taller Ole Miss WR’s. The aggressive
one on one coverage worked with both Deayon and Page jamming the receivers at
the line of scrimmage. Once Deayon went out of the game though, it didn’t continue.
Deayon’s back up, Jonathon Moxey, was
targeted with some success by Ole Miss. Moxey played off Treadwell and got
burned. Page then slipped and couldn’t recover and got muscled by Treadwell for
a TD. Boise State was still in the game though.
Until the offense imploded.
Hedrick underthrew Chaz Anderson on a long ball, Matt Miller
blew a bubble screen block and then Hedrick felt the pressure and forced a
throw for an interception. Then, Darian Thompson played too aggressive and let
an Ole miss receiver slip wide open in the seam, Ioane and Moxey miss tackles
and Ole Miss is up 21-6. Cue the Ole Miss pass rush.
Boise State is now down 2 scores and it’s time to pass the
ball or lose. Ajayi has a nice run, a horrible pass block and Hedrick makes a
bad read and flushes out of the pocket to take a sack. GAME OVER.
Page finally gets beat off the line of scrimmage by Core and
Core breaks two desperate tackles for a 76 yard TD. Ole Miss then ran through
some tired arm tackling by Corey Bell for another TD and whipped Boise State
35-13.
Lessons learned here?
Boise State is not 4 quarters ready vs a Top 25
opponent. But, do they have to be as good versus the rest of their schedule?
Can they pass block better against something other than a top SEC pass rush?
Will the game slow down for Hedrick enough? Will the corners hold up a full
game not just 3 quarters?
Hedrick must be more decisive with the ball. He held
it for too long before throwing and then forced passes that were not there.
The offensive line will be attacked in obvious
pass situations. This line is young and inexperienced in the positions they are
playing. They got beat one on one and didn’t pick up the blitz or stunts at
times. Baggett especially had a rough 4th quarter at right tackle. Only
time will tell.
The defense is good enough to keep games close
and give the offense a chance to jell. If Boise State gets down early and has
to pass to beat an opponent, I don’t like their chances right now. More
pressure for Marcel Yates.
The team was prepared and is better than last year’s
team. For now.
