Frost and his supporters still contend, as he mentioned yesterday, that we need to be 'just this much better' (see image from yesterday below) to being a winning program.
On the surface you could point to the one score losses as irrefutable proof that this is true and the scoreboards suggest clear improvement from the blowouts of the Riley era and Frost's first year. However, you don't have to dig far to conclude that at least some of the close losses aren't quite as close as we'd like to think and that a 3-5 record accurately/fairly represents who this team is.
Purdue will roll into Lincoln expecting to win for good reason. Jeff Brohm, like PJ Fleck, has outcoached Frost before and wrestled away close games with better in-game adjustments and redzone playcalls.
So if you're out there still telling yourself that we're 'this close' and should stick with Frost, you may want to consider that we're actually 'this close' from being blown out consistently.
On the surface you could point to the one score losses as irrefutable proof that this is true and the scoreboards suggest clear improvement from the blowouts of the Riley era and Frost's first year. However, you don't have to dig far to conclude that at least some of the close losses aren't quite as close as we'd like to think and that a 3-5 record accurately/fairly represents who this team is.
- Illinois:
- Coaches admittedly were less prepared for even defensive fronts and a lack of real special teams coaching/preparation shows up.
- Martinez is who Martinez is - mistakes in key situations, missed throws, no pocket presence, etc
- Defense was only good in spurts, not full four quarters (against even a backup UI QB) like yesterday against Minny
- Oklahoma
- If Caleb Williams starts the game as OU's QB we lose by 20+
- OU has won close games against Tulane, West Virginia, Texas, and even Kansas.
- Therefore, Frost doesn't deserve much special credit for a close loss to OU.
- Michigan
- Neb touchdown passes in the second half were basically just schemed lucky/gimmick chunk plays. They didn't actually 'beat' the Michigan defense in the sense of opening holes, making players miss, etc
- Allen TD pass was out of an illegal formation
- Johnson wheel route TD pass out of the backfield was just misdirection and rare quality throw by 2AM
- Falk TD was another misdirection, schemed TD play with a receiver leaking out of backfield late and Michigan LBs misreading the play.
- Michigan touchdowns and drives were much more reliable, high quality scores.
- No gimmicks/tricks needed - just beat the man in front of you and execute the base plays.
- Neb touchdown passes in the second half were basically just schemed lucky/gimmick chunk plays. They didn't actually 'beat' the Michigan defense in the sense of opening holes, making players miss, etc
- Minnesota
- Flea flicker call by Fleck when they're up 14-3 gave away a chance to put the game away early for Minny.
- They were getting 8-10 yards per run at the time yet Fleck calls a trick play that CTB blows up and results in a missed Minny FG.
- If they have Ibrahim or even Potts healthy at RB yesterday they win by 10+ easy
- Morgan badly underthrew a ball in the 3rd quarter that should've put Minny up 28-9 in the 3rd but instead was picked off by CTB and kept Neb alive.
- Flea flicker call by Fleck when they're up 14-3 gave away a chance to put the game away early for Minny.
Purdue will roll into Lincoln expecting to win for good reason. Jeff Brohm, like PJ Fleck, has outcoached Frost before and wrestled away close games with better in-game adjustments and redzone playcalls.
So if you're out there still telling yourself that we're 'this close' and should stick with Frost, you may want to consider that we're actually 'this close' from being blown out consistently.
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