At this point, Southern Miss is struggling. However, there have been a few bright spots. Let's take a look at the grades I feel each group deserves.
Offense: F
No other way to describe it. The offense is atrocious. The Golden Eagles are on their 5th QB now. The OL does more standing around watching than blocking. The play selection is mind-blowing (and not in a good way). The injuries are concerning. This is laid at the feet of the HC Will Hall. He is the OC/QB Coach. Has he taken too much on his shoulders? This could possibly be the case. He went out and sold to the fanbase that this team would be better and will win now. A 2020 Golden Eagle football team who dealt with a pandemic and 3 different HC's was much better and more more competitive than this team. The team has not changed, it is still, minus a few, the same team as the 2020 group that won against FAU is convincing fashion. The offense moved the ball in that game and was productive. Offenses get better as the season goes along, this team has not. There are no excuses for not improving. This lays at the feet of Will Hall. Does he need to hire a new OL Coach to get things improving? That is a choice the HC and OC must make. UTEP did not stack the box and were able to stop the run and pressure the QB with only 3 or 4 man fronts. That is unacceptable. On a positive note, we did see the first reverse of the season. However, it looked uglly from the start and actually lost yards.
Defense: B+
The group that has a true coordinator is the group that is most improved. With multiple injuries to the LB corps, this defense has continued to play well all season (minus the Alabama game, but they were on the field a lot). Latham is the latest victim and with the recent departure of Portlock, that group is getting thinner and thinner. The secondary has a tendency to give up the big play. In 5 of the 6 contest the defense has played well enough to win. Tackling is much improved this season. Shorts is playing at an extremely high level. The front 7 has done a good job at stopping the run. There isn't much to complain about here. The big play has to be stopped or the grade would be higher.
Special Teams: B
For the most part this group has been solid. Briggs has missed some FG's and that is uncharacteristic of him. Kickoff coverage has been a mixed bag. They have played well at times and give up long returns as well. Kickoff return is the same Harrell has done a solid job returning kicks, but he has also not even got to the 25 a few times. Mason Punt, who was named to Ray Guy Punter of the week list, has been phenomenal. 3 punts downed inside the 10 is just incredible, add to that a 60 yarder, and he has earned his scholarship. He is the best player on the team at his point. That is never a good thing to say.
What do you all think?
Offense: F
No other way to describe it. The offense is atrocious. The Golden Eagles are on their 5th QB now. The OL does more standing around watching than blocking. The play selection is mind-blowing (and not in a good way). The injuries are concerning. This is laid at the feet of the HC Will Hall. He is the OC/QB Coach. Has he taken too much on his shoulders? This could possibly be the case. He went out and sold to the fanbase that this team would be better and will win now. A 2020 Golden Eagle football team who dealt with a pandemic and 3 different HC's was much better and more more competitive than this team. The team has not changed, it is still, minus a few, the same team as the 2020 group that won against FAU is convincing fashion. The offense moved the ball in that game and was productive. Offenses get better as the season goes along, this team has not. There are no excuses for not improving. This lays at the feet of Will Hall. Does he need to hire a new OL Coach to get things improving? That is a choice the HC and OC must make. UTEP did not stack the box and were able to stop the run and pressure the QB with only 3 or 4 man fronts. That is unacceptable. On a positive note, we did see the first reverse of the season. However, it looked uglly from the start and actually lost yards.
Defense: B+
The group that has a true coordinator is the group that is most improved. With multiple injuries to the LB corps, this defense has continued to play well all season (minus the Alabama game, but they were on the field a lot). Latham is the latest victim and with the recent departure of Portlock, that group is getting thinner and thinner. The secondary has a tendency to give up the big play. In 5 of the 6 contest the defense has played well enough to win. Tackling is much improved this season. Shorts is playing at an extremely high level. The front 7 has done a good job at stopping the run. There isn't much to complain about here. The big play has to be stopped or the grade would be higher.
Special Teams: B
For the most part this group has been solid. Briggs has missed some FG's and that is uncharacteristic of him. Kickoff coverage has been a mixed bag. They have played well at times and give up long returns as well. Kickoff return is the same Harrell has done a solid job returning kicks, but he has also not even got to the 25 a few times. Mason Punt, who was named to Ray Guy Punter of the week list, has been phenomenal. 3 punts downed inside the 10 is just incredible, add to that a 60 yarder, and he has earned his scholarship. He is the best player on the team at his point. That is never a good thing to say.
What do you all think?
