This is the first chance I've had to post any thoughts on the game, so here goes:
1. Offense looked competent. Any issues there I'm putting up to first game stuff.
2. Tight end!!!!
3. CSU had the emotional edge for the first half - it was what kept them in the game. Bobo is a good coach, and I think he knew he had to dial the emotion up to 11 in order for CSU to have a chance. He did, and they had a chance.
4. The defense is still thinking.
They're thinking a lot.
I don't know if MT's defense is more complicated than what we were running, or if it's just a completely different system where almost every play has different reads and responsibilities than they did last year - but the players were thinking, not playing.
Basically, none of their reads and reactions are second nature yet.
I believe the defense will get better as the year goes on, and we probably won't see the full potential of this defense for a couple years, but at this point I have faith that they'll get there.
By the end of this season, I think they'll be a defense that could completely shut down CSU.
The problem is that we play NU this week, and that worries me.