Sorry, folks, pardon our mess while we’re still constructing a new section of Pregamin’ to replace the uniform post. I’m still upset about it, in case you couldn’t tell.
- You know all those sad, sad poems you had to study in high school in your AP literature class. Many of them were written in Amherst by the career isolationist Emily Dickinson. So the next time you tuck in with one of her books, remember that 160 years later the team that plays football where she lived got wrecked by Mizzou one time.
- The man responsible for writing this scene went to UMass. That’ worth noting… I think.
- We’re really scraping the bottom of the barrel here, but did you know the inventor of the Graham cracker started a bakery that existed in the Amherst area until 2022? Yeah, I don’t know, I’m sorry I couldn’t find something more interesting.
We’ve spent the better part of this week talking about Ahmad Hardy as a dark horse Heisman candidate. Time to put our money where our mouth is: Is he? Why or why not?
Josh Matejka, Deputy Site Manager:
He is as of now, simply because you can’t deny the statistical output or the advanced numbers. The only thing you can take away from him is the strength of schedule, and even that doesn’t totally stand up given what he did to both kansas and South Carolina. There’s a lot of ball to be played, and he could certainly fall off the wagon. But at this pace? He’s going to get some serious consideration.
Sammy Stava, Staff Writer: I mean, it’s time to start talking about it because he should definitely be in the conversation. He not only currently leads the SEC in rushing yards, but he’s second in the entire country with an even 600 through four games. And this isn’t even stat-padding against the lesser competition. He has made a big impact in their rivalry wins against kansas and South Carolina. Now, will his Heisman hype hold when Mizzou gets deep into their SEC schedule? That remains to be seen, but right now he’s deserving of Heisman consideration at the very least.
True Deck, Staff Writer: I would say he is, but I’d say from a realistic standpoint, he’s not a candidate. The committee won’t give a Mizzou running back the Heisman. I’d have to see it to believe it. But if he can keep up his production through SEC play it’s going to be hard for them not to give it to him. It’ll be something to keep an eye on but I would say it is pretty unrealistic at this point.
Nathan Hurst, Staff Writer: Is he a darkhorse candidate? Yes, definitely. Will he win. Definitely not. If Ashton Jeanty, with all his hype, couldn’t win last year over a guy who played for a team who couldn’t win their own weak conference, there’s no shot for Hardy. That said, the Doak Walker Award sounds mighty fine to me.
The secondary took the brunt of criticism this week, both from the media and, more directly, the coach. On a scale of 1-5, 1 being “there were problems?” and 5 being “hire a new secondary coach” where are you at?
Josh Matejka: I’m about a 3.5. Before the season I was really worried about the pass coverage, and they’ve done nothing to assuage those fears as of yet. Yes, there’s a lot of talent, especially in that safety room, enough to justify the thought that they’ll eventually put it together. But it would be one thing if they were simply getting beat. They’re getting torched.
Sammy Stava: Probably about a 3. Sure, the secondary has struggled — but against pretty good quarterbacks in Jalon Daniels and LaNorris Sellers. I’m not breaking any news here, but this position is going to see a lot of other good QBs in SEC play. So, they definitely need to get things figured out — but they have the talent and experience to do so. Overall, I’m a little worried but not panicked.
True Deck: I’d put the current panic meter at a 2. I know it’s a big issue, but I think that it’s more miscommunication than anything. On multiple explosive plays for the Gamecocks, Mizzou’s secondary was talking up until the snap. Whatever they are talking about needs to be figured out pre-snap. That being said, I don’t think there is a skill issue. If Mizzou can tighten its communication a little bit, I don’t think the secondary has to be Mizzou’s biggest issue moving forward.
Nathan Hurst: I’m around a 3. There are definitely problems, but most of them are not talent-related. Rather they are related to mental issues. That makes it much more of a coaching problem than a player issue, but Vince Lombardi himself couldn’t coach up guys who can’t figure it out in their own heads. Either way, the problems need to be fixed ASAP or this season will have a much lower ceiling than we hope.
UMass shouldn’t pose Mizzou much threat this Saturday, but the Tigers know better than to let off the gas in between big SEC matchups. If you’re Eli Drinkwitz, what mentality are you preaching this week?
Josh Matejka: I’ve noticed that Eli Drinkwitz has really been hammering home “execution” as a driving mentality for the team this year, probably because he knows that if the Tigers execute, there aren’t many teams in the country that can beat them. Execute against UMass and they’ll be sitting pretty early on.
Sammy Stava: 1-0. Mizzou isn’t at their *real* bye week quite yet. FCS teams have beaten FBS teams as large underdogs before. Crazier things have happened in College Football. And UMass is actually an FBS team in a solid Group of Five MAC conference! That doesn’t make them any good, however. Just take care of business against an incredibly lesser opponent.
True Deck: If I’m Eli, my mentality is to focus on the little things causing trouble against South Carolina. Hone in the mistakes because there’s no need to hone in on what’s working against UMass. Be on the secondary, make sure they are communicating and executing, even if the ball isn’t coming their way. Experiment with the O-Line while you can. This is your last ‘free win’ of the season.
Nathan Hurst: Get better. Every day, no matter what you’re doing, use it to improve. This team has the opportunity to be special, but only if they get better in some way every single day, every single week of the season.
Mizzou is favored to win by approximately one billion points. Name one player who you want to see play well that hasn’t or maybe hasn’t had an opportunity.
Josh Matejka: I’m still waiting for the official Donovan Olugbode breakout game. He’s been excellent when called upon, but I want to see him get to double-digit yards and a score. This would be the game to do it, if you ask me.
Sammy Stava: Freshman offensive lineman and four-star Jack Lange, just because he went to my alma mater Eureka High School.
True Deck: Josh stole my answer of Olugbode. I would love to see him break out and show Memorial Stadium why he’s legit. But i’ll go a different route. I’d love to see Cameron Keys get some solid reps on Saturday. He was one of the main highlights during fall camp and I would love to see him get an opportunity to display it on the field. Keys has 31 snaps this season, 24 of which came during Week 1 against Central Arkansas.
Nathan Hurst: I want to see Javion Hilson get more playing time and I’d love to see him get a sack while we’re at it. He was a massive sign day swing last December, but as a five-star guy he really hasn’t gotten a ton of attention all season because he’s buried in a deep and experienced defensive end room. Let’s give those guys a break and let Javion get some run.
